Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors NBA Picks & Predictions 10/19/2018

Friday, October 19, 2018

Scotiabank Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to Scotiabank Arena to take on the Toronto Raptors on Friday, October 19, 2018. The opening line for this game has Toronto as 2.5 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 55-27. They were 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They had a point differential of 3.6 as they averaged 104.0 points per contest while giving up 100.4 per game. The Raptors had an overall mark of 59-23 last year. They were 1st in the Atlantic Division. They averaged 111.7 points per contest and gave up 103.9, which was a point differential of 7.8.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics were 60-37-4 against the spread last season

The Boston Celtics were 52-48-0 against the over/under last year

Important Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors were 49-43-0 against the spread last season

The Toronto Raptors were 48-44-0 against the over/under last year

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

10/18/18 SF OG Anunoby Facial left last game, is questionable Friday vs Boston
10/17/18 G Delon Wright Thigh is questionable Friday vs Boston

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum comes into this game after averaging 13.9 points per contest while playing 30.5 minutes per night last year. He grabbed 5.0 rebounds per contest and distributed 1.6 assists per game. His FG percentage was 48% while his free throw percentage was 83%. Kyrie Irving averaged 24.4 points per contest in 32.2 minutes per game last year. He averaged 5.1 assists per game and 3.8 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage was 49% for the season while his free throw percentage was 89%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry scored 16.2 points per contest while playing 32.2 minutes per game last season. He hauled in 5.6 rebounds per contest and had 6.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage was 43% and his free throw percentage finished at 85%. Kawhi Leonard averaged 16.2 points per game last year and he saw the court an average of 23.3 minutes per game. He also brought in 4.7 rebounds per game and had 2.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage was 47% and his free throw percentage was 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averaged 104.0 points per contest last year, which was 20th in the league. Their average scoring margin was 3.6 and their shooting percentage was 45% as a unit, which had them ranked 21st. From 3-point territory they shot 38%, which was good for 2nd in the NBA. They averaged 44.5 boards per contest and 22.5 assists per game, which ranked them 8th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they were 16th with 14.0 per game. The Celtics allowed 100.4 points per contest, which was 3rd in the NBA. They also surrendered a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 1st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents averaged 43.8 rebounds a game which ranked 22nd, and they allowed 21.3 assists per game which put them in 4th place in the league. They forced 14.1 turnovers per game which ranked them 12th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto was 4th in the NBA with 111.7 points per contest last season. They were 6th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin was 7.78. They shot 36% from beyond the arc, which was good for 18th in the league. They were 14th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.0 boards per contest and 6th in assists per game with 24.3. The Raptors were 25th in turnovers per contest with 13.4. The Raptors gave up 103.9 points per game, which ranked them 6th in the league. Their defense surrendered a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 5th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 7th with 21.8 dimes allowed per game and 7th with 42.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Raptors were 18th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest last year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics were 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.6, and their defensive rating of 103.9 was ranked 1st last season. In terms of pace they were 22nd in the league with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% was 15th. As a team they were 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shot 3 pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league. Boston was 16th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 50%, which was 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto was 27th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 50%, which was 28th in the league. The Raptors were 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.8, and their defensive rating of 105.9 was ranked 5th. In terms of pace they were 14th in the league with 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% was 5th. As a team they were 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Boston +2.5

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