Previewing Boston Celtics-Toronto Raptors Game 1, Round 2

The Boston Celtics take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of their second round series with their Atlantic Division rivals at 1 pm ET this Sunday, August 30th.

The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors finally get to face off in their second round series of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, their first meeting in the postseason in franchise history, after a more than worthwhile delay this Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

That delay, sparked by the Milwaukee Bucks protest over the shooting of Jacob Blake in nearby Kenosha, Wisconsin, saw the postseason suspended from Wednesday through Friday, with all games scheduled to take place in that gap moved forward, Boston – Toronto included.

The time off may have given a boost to the health of the Raptors, with starting point guard Kyle Lowry upgraded to “probable” after spraining his ankle in the closeout game of Toronto’s last series.

Boston’s Gordon Hayward will not be available for this series with his own ankle sprain, and two way point guard Tremont Waters and wing Javonte Green will be unavailable for Game 1 with a knee sprain and meniscal tear keeping them out respectively.

While the latter duo were not expected to play significant minutes, the loss of Hayward’s playmaking and offense will be a blow to Boston’s odds of advancing.

The Celtics did dominate the Raptors in the regular season three games to one, but also have much greater bench depth, especially with Hayward’s injury.

Given that Boston has the best player in the series in Jayson Tatum, this series is likely to be a close one, perhaps hinging on just how firmly the third-year wing has planted his flag in superstar territory.

Our prediction is a seven-game series and a close, high-scoring start, the Celtics winning a 133-127 offensive showcase.

Most online sportsbooks don’t agree — but just barely, granting the Raptors a – 2 spread.

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