RADIO
At the start of this NBA season, a matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors might have looked like a preview of the Eastern Conference Final.
A funny thing happened on the way to that presumed outcome, however. While the Raptors have generally held up their part – their 44-17 record is the second-best mark in the league – the Celtics have been a confounding team. At 37-23, they are safe bets to make the playoffs, but are currently the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, which would mean starting on the road at Philadelphia if the season ended today.
Probably not how the Celtics envisioned this season going.
But the reason this season is so puzzling is that the Celtics have lots of talent and, on any given night, can compete with the league’s best. Tonight, they get a chance to do that in Toronto.
Here are some angles to keep in mind before letting the monkeys tip off in NBA action.
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BOSTON-TORONTO
OVER/UNDERS
Kyrie Irving UNDER 26.5 POINTS – While he’s having a great season, and will should be fired up for a game against the Raptors, Kyrie has had 26 points or fewer in 12 of his past 14 road games.
Kyle Lowry UNDER 2.5 THREES – Although Lowry’s shooting has been better lately, he’s not a big volume three-point shooter. He’s averaging 2.3 per game for the season and has made three or more just five times in his past 20 home contests.
Pascal Siakam OVER 7.5 REBOUNDS – Siakam tends to run hot and cold on rebounds, going from double digits down to three or four, and while he’s averaging just 6.8 rebounds per game at home this season, he’s been getting on the boards more lately. In the past 24 games, for example, he’s averaging 8.1 per game, so take that new-found glass cleaner and go to work.
RAPID FIRE
Kawhi Leonard -9.5 points vs. Jayson Tatum – Tatum has the potential to go off but isn’t at the stage yet where the Celtics count on him to lead the way offensively, and certainly not like the Raptors do with Kawhi. At home this season, Leonard is averaging 27.0 points per game, while Tatum puts up 16.8 per game on the road; that moves the needle towards Leonard in this matchup.
ORLANDO-NEW YORK
OVER/UNDERS
Nikola Vucevic UNDER 21.5 POINTS – As good as Vucevic has been, and as bad as the Knicks are, it must be noted that he has managed to score 22 or more points in six of his past 18 road games. Obviously, he could do it against the Knicks, but the odds aren’t in his favor.
Noah Vonleh UNDER 7.5 rebounds – While Vonleh is averaging 7.9 rebounds per game this season, he’s seeing less floor time lately and has gone six straight home games with six or fewer rebounds.
Dennis Smith Jr. OVER 16.5 POINTS – This is going against trend a little bit, in that DSJ is averaging 16.1 points per game since joining the Knicks, but he’s been held to 16 or fewer in four of six home contests.
OKLAHOMA CITY-DENVER
OVER/UNDERS
Paul George OVER 29.5 POINTS – That’s a big number but, you know what, it has to be when you’re dealing with Paul George, who is becoming a monster. He’s gone for 30 or more in 13 of his past 16 road games.
Nikola Jokic OVER 7.5 ASSISTS – An all-around star, who runs the Nuggets offense, the 7-footer has had at least eight assists in 10 of his past 13 home contests.
