Boston Celtics v Toronto Raptors Betting Tips [3 September 2020]

Jayson Tatum stepped up to score a career-high 34 points in a play-off game as the Boston Celtics rallied into a 2-0 series lead with an 102-99 win over the Toronto Raptors. Head coach Brad Stevens will be aiming to make it three in a row for Boston with Toronto now facing certain elimination as they head into game three. No team has ever overturned a 3-0 series deficit and defeat in game three at the HP Field House could spell the end of the Raptors' journey in Orlando.  

I think Boston are peaking at the right time as they aim to secure a place in the Eastern Conference finals sooner rather than later. They could all but seal the deal with another win in game three and leave the defending champions on the brink of elimination and having already won each of their six play-off games I wouldn't bet against them in doing so. The Celtics won six of their eight regular season games in the bubble before surging to a 4-0 series victory over Philadelphia in the last round to set up this series with Toronto. Boston have won five of the last six meetings against Toronto and the free-firing Jayson Tatum could lead them to a conference final where they would meet either the Milwaukee Bucks or Miami Heat.  

Toronto have struggled thus far in this series after cruising to a 4-0 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in the previous round. The Raptors lost just one of their first 12 games in the bubble in Orlando with their only defeat coming at the hands of Boston in a 100-122 defeat during the regular season. Two consecutive play-off losses now see their record at 11-3 with all three defeats being administered by the Celtics. Toronto need someone to step up and start scoring to match the power of Tatum but so far it is lacking and despite an impressive defensive display in the last game they still couldn't find the answer. 

The Raptors' form has dipped in this series with Boston but they are the defending champions and I'm expecting a reaction. I do however, feel that both defenses will continue to remain on top and keep the score down so I'm tipping under 214.5 points to be scored in this one.