Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics Prediction, 9/3/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020

Location: The Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 216

The Field House is the venue where Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics will play the Toronto Raptors on Thursday in Game 3 of their series. The odds on this game have Toronto as 1.5-point favorites. The O/U has been set at 216.

The Celtics took a 2-0 series lead with a 102-99 win in Game 2. Jayson Tatum paced Boston with 34 pts, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Pascal Siakam had a good overall game for Toronto in the loss, tallying 17 points, 8 boards, and 6 dimes. 

The Raptors cover the spread 57.1% of the time, having gone 44-33-1 ATS. Boston is covering 62.2% of the time, going 46-28-4 against the spread.

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

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

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

9/1/2020 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

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry comes into this contest averaging 19.4 points per game while playing 36.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 86%. Pascal Siakam averages 22.9 points per game in 35.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.5 assists per contest and 7.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker averages 20.4 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 4.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Jayson Tatum averages 23.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.0 rebounds per contest and 3.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 112.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 5th in the league. They average 45.4 rebounds per game and 25.2 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 14th with 14.8 per game. The Raptors allow 106.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.1 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 25.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 16.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 29th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 9th in the league with 113.7 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.3. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game, and 25th in assists per contest with 23.0. The Celtics are 23rd in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Celtics surrender 107.3 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 22.4 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 44.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

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

Advanced Statistics

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

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

Tony's Pick: Take Toronto -1.5

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