The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors are scheduled to kick off Round 2 of the 2019-20 NBA Playoffs Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals best-of-seven series in the Orlando bubble. We analyze the Celtics-Raptors betting odds and lines, with NBA picks and best bets.
This game was originally scheduled for last Thursday, but was postponed due to player strikes.
Celtics vs. Raptors: Key injuries
Celtics
- SF Gordon Hayward (ankle) out
- SG Javonte Green (knee) out
Raptors
- PG Kyle Lowry (ankle) questionable
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Celtics vs. Raptors: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:20 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Celtics 106, Raptors 104
Moneyline (ML)
The CELTICS (+115) are the play for Game 1 with Lowry expected to be at less than 100% due to an ankle injury that forced him out of Game 4 against the Brooklyn Nets in Round 1. The Raptors are -139 to win Game 1 and a lopsided -150 to win the series. Both teams are well-rested, having last played Sunday.
The Celtics dropped the Raptors 122-100 in the bubble Aug. 7. Both teams had full lineups, but presumably weren’t putting forth a full effort in preparation of a potential playoff meeting. Still, the Celtics also won the pre-bubble, regular-season series 2-1 with both teams winning a game by 16 points.
Take the plus-money with the CELTICS (+115) rather than laying the juice on the Raptors in what should be priced closer to a pick ’em.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
I don’t like playing NBA spreads as small as Celtics +2.5 (-110) and we’re already on Boston to win outright as underdogs with better value. There’s a greater profit to be made on the Raptors’ (-2.5, -110) side than their moneyline price, as none of the four games between the two teams this year have been closer than 6 points.
Over/Under (O/U)
The four combined totals of the head-to-head meetings this season: 218, 220, 210 and 222.
With Hayward out, Lowry less than fully healthy and this being a meaningful playoff series opener, take the UNDER 216.5 (-110).
Esten’s NBA betting record: 18-10
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