The Boston Celtics toppled the Toronto Raptors 112-94 in Sunday’s Eastern Conference Semifinals series opener, and they go for the 2-0 series lead Tuesday. Tip-off at HP Field House in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. is at 5:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Celtics-Raptors Game 2 betting odds and lines, with NBA picks and best bets.
Celtics vs. Raptors: Key injuries
Celtics
- SF Gordon Hayward (ankle) out
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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 7:28 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Raptors 106, Celtics 102
Moneyline (ML)
Get the higher-seeded RAPTORS (-115) at an improved price after they dropped the series opener Sunday. PG Kyle Lowry played 35 minutes and put up 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists despite heading into Game 1 with a questionable tag due to an ankle injury. Expect him to get better as this series goes on and drive the Raps to victory.
The Celtics (-106) were led by 21 points from both PG Marcus Smart and SF Jayson Tatum. C Daniel Theis put up 13 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds.
Expect a better game from Raptors PF Pascal Siakam after he got into early foul trouble in Game 1 and finished with just 13 points and three rebounds. He averaged 22 points and five rebounds against Boston in the regular season.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Raptors (-115) to win in regulation or overtime would return a profit of $8.70.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
There’s slightly better value on the RAPTORS -1.5 (-110) while requiring them to win by just 2 or more points for a bet to cash. They beat the Celtics by 16 points on the road when they played them in back-to-back games Dec. 25 and 28. Toronto lost the first game by 16 points.
Toronto is still 9-4 against the spread since the NBA returned to play. Boston is 7-5-1 ATS in the same span.
CelticsWire:
- Who experts see the Celtics drafting at No. 14?
- Jay Williams: Tatum ‘going to be in the MVP conversation for years to come’
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 217.5 (-110) remains the best bet for this series between top defensive clubs. The Under hit by just a half-point in Game 1 as they played to a total of 216 points.
With Tuesday’s projected total rising by a point, take advantage of the extra breathing room.
Esten’s NBA betting record: 20-10
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