Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors Prediction, 9/1/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors

Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Location: The Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 216

Fred VanVleet and the Toronto Raptors host the Boston Celtics at The Field House on Tuesday in Game 2 of their series. The spread on this game has Toronto as 2.5-point favorites. The total is set at 216.

Boston leads the series 1-0 after winning Game 1 by a score of 112-94. Kemba Walker paced the Celtics with 18 pts, 10 assists, and 3 rebounds. Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart added 21 apiece as well in a balanced effort. Kyle Lowry led the Raptors in defeat, tallying 17 points, 8 dimes, and 6 boards. 

The Celtics are covering the spread 61.6% of the time, having gone 45-28-4 ATS. Toronto is covering 57.9% of the time, going 44-32-1 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

8/30/2020 Tremont Waters PG Knee Game Time Decision
8/25/2020 Javonte Green SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Sep 8
8/18/2020 Gordon Hayward SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Sep 16

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

8/23/2020 Oshae Brissett SF Knee Expected to be out until at least Sep 10
8/23/2020 Patrick McCaw SF Knee Expected to be out until at least Sep 15

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown comes into this contest averaging 20.3 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 72%. Kemba Walker averages 20.4 points per game in 31.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.8 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Fred VanVleet averages 17.6 points per game while playing 35.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 6.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Kyle Lowry averages 19.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.0 rebounds per contest and 7.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 113.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 23.0 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 13.8 per game. The Celtics allow 107.3 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 4th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.3 rebounds a game which ranks 11th and they give up 22.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 14th in the league with 112.8 points per game this year. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.2. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 45.4 boards per game, and 11th in assists per contest with 25.2. The Raptors are 14th in turnovers per game with 14.8. The Raptors surrender 106.5 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.6 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 29th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.3, and their defensive rating of 107 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 16th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. Boston is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 12th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 29th in the league. The Raptors are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.1, and their defensive rating of 105 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 8th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Boston +2.5

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