UNDER the Play as Raptors Look to Even Series With Celtics

The defending champion Toronto Raptors hadn’t been tested in a while – but a stunning Game 1 rout at the hands of the Boston Celtics knocked them back to earth. Toronto dropped a 112-94 decision to a surging Celtics team that has yet to lose in the postseason as the squads prepare to tangle again Tuesday evening.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Toronto opened Game 2 as a 2.5-point favorite, but that line has shrunk to -1.5 in most spots. The total has seen movement as well, rising from an Sportsbook of 216 all the way to 217.5 at the majority of sportsbooks.

Boston News & Notes

The Celtics used stout defense to eliminate the Philadelphia 76ers in four straight games in Round 1, and that effort carried over into the opener against the Raptors. Boston held the high-powered Toronto offense to its lowest point total since January 2, limiting the Raptors to just 36.9 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from three-point range.

But there are things for Boston to work on heading into Game 2 – and taking better care of the basketball needs to be at the top of the list. The Celtics committed an unfathomable 23 turnovers in the victory and were fortunate to only allow Toronto to score 15 points off those gaffes. Three players finished with at least four turnovers, led by guard Marcus Smart with five.

Toronto News & Notes

Well, that was ugly – and it extended what could be a disturbing trend (unless you’re a Boston bettor). Toronto has lost four games by 15 or more points this season, and three of those defeats have come at the hands of the Celtics. The Raptors never led in Game 1 and have lost both of their meetings with Boston in the Orlando bubble by a combined 40 points.

Trusting a Toronto player on a point prop might seem dicey given how one-sided Game 1 was, but if there’s one guy worth taking a shot on, it’s Fred VanVleet. The Raptors guard was enjoying a solid showing in the bubble before going 2-for-11 from three-point range en route to an 11-point effort in Game 1. Count on a bounce-back from VanVleet, who averages 19.2 points per game in the playoffs.

Betting Pick: UNDER 217.5 (-110)

Both of these teams are capable defensive clubs and will look to tighten things up even further with either a 2-0 Boston lead or a 1-1 series split at stake.