Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors Predictions, NBA Picks, Betting Tips 8/7/2020

Game: Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors

Date: Friday, August 7, 2020

Location: The Arena in Orlando, Florida

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 220

The Arena is the venue where Marc Gasol and the Toronto Raptors (49-18, 1st in the Atlantic Division) will play the Boston Celtics (45-23, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) on Friday. Toronto opens this matchup as 1.5-point favorites. The O/U opens at 220.

The Celtics cover 60.9% of the time, having gone 39-25-4 ATS. Toronto is covering the spread 57.6% of the time, going 38-28-1 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

08/06/20 PG Kemba Walker Knee is upgraded to probable Friday vs Toronto

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

08/05/20 PF Oshae Brissett Knee is questionable Friday vs Boston
08/05/20 SG Patrick McCaw Knee is questionable Friday vs Boston

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown comes into this game averaging 20.6 points per contest while playing 34 minutes per night this year. He grabs 6.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 73%. Jayson Tatum averages 23.3 points per contest in 34.4 minutes per game. He averages 3.0 assists per game and 7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Marc Gasol scores 7.7 points per contest while playing 27.2 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.3 rebounds per contest and has 3.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 73%. Kyle Lowry averages 19.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 36.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.1 rebounds per game and has 7.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 113.6 points per contest, which is 9th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 6.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 14th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They average 45.8 boards per contest and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 24th with 13.7 per game. The Celtics allow 107.5 points per contest, which is 3rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 3rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.0 rebounds a game which ranks 10th, and they allow 22.4 assists per game which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 13th in the NBA with 112.7 points per contest this season. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.6. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 4th in the league. They are 12th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.2 boards per contest and 11th in assists per game with 25.3. The Raptors are 17th in turnovers per contest with 14.6. The Raptors give up 106.1 points per game, which ranks them 1st in the league. Their defense surrenders a 43% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.5 dimes allowed per game and 24th with 46.0 boards surrendered per contest. The Raptors are 29th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.4, and their defensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 13th. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. Boston is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 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 111.3, and their defensive rating of 104.8 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 8th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% 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?

Josh's Pick: Take Toronto -1.5

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