Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors NBA Picks & Predictions 4/4/2018

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Air Canada Centre

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Air Canada Centre to play the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 8 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 53-23. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 4.1 as they are averaging 104.2 points per contest while giving up 100.1 per game. The Raptors have an overall mark of 55-21. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 112.3 points per contest and giving up 104.5, which is a point differential of 7.8.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 47-27-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 37-37-2 against the over/under

Important Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 40-36-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 39-36-1 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
04/02/18 G Terry Rozier Ankle is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs Milwaukee
03/22/18 G Kyrie Irving Knee is out indefinitely
03/12/18 F Daniel Theis Knee is out for season
03/12/18 G Marcus Smart Thumb is out indefinitely

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Al Horford comes into this contest averaging 12.8 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 7.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 75%. Jayson Tatum averages 13.9 points per game in 30.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.6 assists per contest and 5.1 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry averages 16.5 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per contest this year for the Raptors. He grabs 5.6 rebounds per game and has 6.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 86%. DeMar DeRozan averages 23.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 5.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.13 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 2nd in the league. They average 44.4 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 13.9 per game. The Celtics allow 100.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 20.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 3rd in the league with 112.3 points per game this year. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 7.8. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 43.7 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 24.2. The Raptors are 27th in turnovers per game with 13.3. The Raptors surrender 104.5 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 22 assists allowed per contest and 10th with 42.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 21st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 17th in the league in defensive rating with 103.6, and their offensive rating of 107.9 is ranked 30th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA. Boston is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 27th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 26th in the league. The Raptors are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.3, and their defensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 97.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Toronto -8

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