Toronto is in a 3-2 hole heading into Wednesday’s Raptors vs Celtics game 6 betting matchup. Nick Nurse’s team had won two straight to make the conference semifinals interesting but followed that up with a 22-point loss on Monday night. Boston is looking for the closeout sooner rather than later as Miami is resting after a 4-1 series win over the Bucks culminated on Tuesday.
Boston is a 4-point favorite in game six in what oddsmakers are calling another low-scoring game with a betting total of 209. All five games in the series have gone ‘under’ the total so far. 63% of the public are backing the Celtics to cover the spread and Toronto is also a +150 underdog.
Toronto Needs to Find Winning Formula
Which Toronto team shows up for Raptors vs Celtics game 6 betting? The Raptors were absolutely embarrassed on Monday but were able to score a 1-point win in game three and a 100-93 win in game four. The 104-103 victory last Thursday did come on a last-second shot by OG Anunoby so Boston was actually pretty close to already being out of this series.
Could Monday’s blowout be a sign that Toronto is running out of gas up against a tough Boston defense? Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry had both played 40+ minutes in games two, three, and four and Pascal Siakam was on the floor for 40+ in two of three. In that regard the blowout may have done Toronto some favors as the game was over early (25-11 after the first quarter) and none of the ‘big three’ logged more than 35 minutes in game five.
Toronto needs all hands on deck to force a game seven, but Serge Ibaka’s condition is now questionable after suffering an ankle injury in game five. Ibaka had 15+ points and 7+ rebounds in three of four games before getting hurt last time out. He averaged 14 rebounds the last two games vs. Brooklyn last series.
Does Boston Have Too Much Depth?
Make no mistake, the Celtics rely on a core of three players as well (especially with Gordon Hayward injured) and have ridden Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown to the 3-2 series lead. What Boston showed on Monday is some depth to go with that though as three other players notched 12+ points.
Boston’s big edge in game five was on the post where 15 points from Daniel Theis helped the Celtics outscore Toronto 48-32 in the paint. That edge will only continue if Ibaka cannot go for Toronto in game six.
Raptors vs Celtics Game 6 Betting Pick
Boston is a fluke three-pointer with 0.5 seconds on the clock from being 8-1 this postseason and in the Eastern Conference Finals. In total, the Celtics have gone 12-5 since the bubble restart and looks set for should be a great clash with Miami next round. The NBA loves the excitement that a possible game seven would bring if Toronto can win, but Boston is just too good and too deep to let that happen.
Free Pick: Celtics -4
