Through 2 Quarters
Although the Boston Celtics were the underdogs at tipoff, they’ve since taken control of the game. Either squad is in a position to win, but they lead against the Toronto Raptors 62-59.
Boston has been relying on small forward Aaron Nesmith, who has eight points in addition to three rebounds and two steals, and point guard Marcus Smart, who has 18 points and two assists along with five boards. Power forward Pascal Siakam has done his best for Toronto, currently boasting 25 points (42% of their total) in addition to five boards and three steals. Siakam is in early foul trouble with three.
Here’s an interesting fact: the Celtics also had a three-point lead after the second quarter in the teams’ last meeting.
Who’s Playing
Boston @ Toronto
Current Records: Boston 47-28; Toronto 42-32
What to Know
After a two-game homestand, the Boston Celtics will be on the road. Boston and the Toronto Raptors will face off in an Atlantic Division battle at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday at Scotiabank Arena. The Celtics know how to get points on the board — the team has finished with flashy point totals in its past five matchups — so hopefully Toronto likes a good challenge.
Boston took their contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday by a conclusive 134-112 score. With Boston ahead 72-49 at the half, the matchup was all but over already. They can attribute much of their success to small forward Jayson Tatum, who shot 5-for-11 from beyond the arc and finished with 34 points, six assists and five rebounds, and shooting guard Jaylen Brown, who dropped a double-double on 31 points and ten boards.
Meanwhile, Toronto simply couldn’t be stopped this past Saturday, as they easily beat the Indiana Pacers at home 131-91. The game was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 74-46. The Raptors relied on the efforts of power forward Pascal Siakam, who had 23 points and seven assists along with six boards, and power forward Scottie Barnes, who had 19 points and seven assists in addition to six rebounds.
The Celtics are expected to lose this next one by 8.5. They might be worth taking a chance on against the spread, however, as they are currently on a two-game streak of ATS wins.
Their wins bumped Boston to 47-28 and Toronto to 42-32. After both teams made easy work of their previous opponents, one of them is set up to suffer a discouraging change of fortune.
How To Watch
When: Monday at 7:30 p.m. ETWhere: Scotiabank Arena — Toronto, OntarioTV: The Sports NetworkOnline streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)Follow: CBS Sports AppTicket Cost: $53.00
Odds
The Raptors are a big 8.5-point favorite against the Celtics, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line on this game has moved quite a bit since it opened, as it started out with the Celtics as a 3-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
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Series History
Boston have won 18 out of their last 33 games against Toronto.
Nov 28, 2021 – Boston 109 vs. Toronto 97Nov 10, 2021 – Boston 104 vs. Toronto 88Oct 22, 2021 – Toronto 115 vs. Boston 83Mar 04, 2021 – Boston 132 vs. Toronto 125Feb 11, 2021 – Boston 120 vs. Toronto 106Jan 04, 2021 – Boston 126 vs. Toronto 114Sep 11, 2020 – Boston 92 vs. Toronto 87Sep 09, 2020 – Toronto 125 vs. Boston 122Sep 07, 2020 – Boston 111 vs. Toronto 89Sep 05, 2020 – Toronto 100 vs. Boston 93Sep 03, 2020 – Toronto 104 vs. Boston 103Sep 01, 2020 – Boston 102 vs. Toronto 99Aug 30, 2020 – Boston 112 vs. Toronto 94Aug 07, 2020 – Boston 122 vs. Toronto 100Dec 28, 2019 – Toronto 113 vs. Boston 97Dec 25, 2019 – Boston 118 vs. Toronto 102Oct 25, 2019 – Boston 112 vs. Toronto 106Feb 26, 2019 – Toronto 118 vs. Boston 95Jan 16, 2019 – Boston 117 vs. Toronto 108Nov 16, 2018 – Boston 123 vs. Toronto 116Oct 19, 2018 – Toronto 113 vs. Boston 101Apr 04, 2018 – Toronto 96 vs. Boston 78Mar 31, 2018 – Boston 110 vs. Toronto 99Feb 06, 2018 – Toronto 111 vs. Boston 91Nov 12, 2017 – Boston 95 vs. Toronto 94Feb 24, 2017 – Toronto 107 vs. Boston 97Feb 01, 2017 – Boston 109 vs. Toronto 104Jan 10, 2017 – Toronto 114 vs. Boston 106Dec 09, 2016 – Toronto 101 vs. Boston 94Mar 23, 2016 – Boston 91 vs. Toronto 79Mar 18, 2016 – Toronto 105 vs. Boston 91Jan 20, 2016 – Toronto 115 vs. Boston 109Oct 30, 2015 – Toronto 113 vs. Boston 103
Injury Report for Toronto
Khem Birch: Out (Knee)Malachi Flynn: Out (Hamstring)
Injury Report for Boston
Al Horford: Out (Personal)Jaylen Brown: Out (Knee)Jayson Tatum: Out (Knee)Robert Williams III: Out (Knee)
