Toronto (48-21) at Boston (41-30)
When: Wednesday, March 23rd 2016
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Time: 7:35 ET | TV: TSN2, CSN New England
The Boston Celtics looks for their third-straight victory on Wednesday when they play host to the Toronto Raptors. Boston ended a four-game slid last week and have won their last two to get right back in the thick of things for the third-seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics are tied for the fourth spot currently with Atlanta and Charlotte as all three sit just a half a game behind Miami. After today, Boston travels to the West Coast for a tough five-game road trip that will include the Clippers, Blazers, and Warriors. They will then play four of their last five regular season games at home. Guard Isaiah Thomas continues to be the catalyst of this team scoring 28 points in Monday’s 107-96 victory over Orlando. Thomas is averaging 27.5 points the last two games to go along with 15 assists and 11 rebounds. Kelly Olynyk scored 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting on Monday after totaling 17 points on 5-of-22 in the previous three games. Avery Bradley, who averages 15.1 points a game, is averaging 21.5 in his last two contests and had nine rebounds on Monday.
Open an Account at Bovada Sportsbook Now! Sign up at Bovada.lv to get up to a $250 Deposit Bonus and to bet all the Web’s best NBA Basketball odds and props!
The Toronto Raptors are still battling the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the East and being the night just a game and a half behind them. Toronto can tie its franchise record (set last season) with its 49th win on Wednesday and has won four straight and seven of eight overall. The Raptors took care of the Celtics last week 105-91 behind a fast start in which they took a 30-14 lead into the second quarter. All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 27.2 points and 6.8 assists in five games last week, including 32 points on 9-of-14 shooting in the win over Boston. Bismack Biyombo has been a pleasant replacement for the injured Jonas Valanciunas (hand) and is averaging 11 points and 15 rebounds in the last four games. The Raptors, who are 20-13 on the road, are opening a three-game trip in Boston and will play eight of their final 13 games away from home. Forwards James Johnson (foot) and Patrick Patterson (ankle) are both questionable for Wednesday.
Boston has won two in a row, but they were against the Magic and Sixers. The Raptors are rolling and hunting down the Cavaliers. I’ll take the road team tonight.
Pick: Raptors -2
