Toronto RaptorsToronto Raptors vs. Boston CelticsBoston Celtics Pick Center

Bet Now
ML SPREAD TOTAL
Toronto RaptorsToronto Raptors 101
+120
+2.5
(-110)
O 207.5
(-110)
Boston CelticsBoston Celtics 94
-140
-2.5
(-110)
U 207.5
(-110)
NBANBA
FINAL (12/9/2016)
Time: 7:30 PM EST Venue: TD Garden , Boston, Mass., 02114 BOSTON -- The Toronto Raptors face the always dreaded back-to-back when they visit the Boston Celtics Friday night. But while the Raptors, who won at home Thursday night, and their potent backcourt combo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry have to face two games in two nights, they wont have to face Celtics star Isaiah Thomas. Bostons Little Big Man, averaging 26 points and 6.2 assists per game, will miss his second straight game with a groin strain. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection Wednesday and will accompany the team on a coming two-game trip but it is not known when he might play." Its just day to day," team president Danny Ainge told 98.5 The Sports Hub Thursday. "He is a warrior. He loves to play. Hell be back faster than most players would be back after an injury. But at the same time, we really have to be careful with Isaiah for the long haul and make sure that he doesnt come back and re-injure it." Thomas would have faced a tough test in DeRozan and Lowry, who combined for 52 points and 16 assists -- DeRozan, the new franchise leader in games played, with eight rebounds -- in Thursday nights home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lowry was 5-for-7 and the team 12-for-27 from 3-point range -- the eighth straight game the Raptors (15-7) have hit 10 or more treys. Toronto was also guilty of just eight turnovers in the win. Jonas Valanciunas chipped in a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who bring a 6-3 road record into Fridays game between two teams in the conversation for being the second-best team in the Eastern Conference, behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors trailed by one entering the fourth quarter before turning it on." We just picked it up. We kicked in our experience with how we have to win games," said DeRozan. "We cant underestimate a team like that that plays extremely hard. They jumped out on us. We had to fight back the whole game and into the fourth quarter. We just tried to put everything together, execute on both ends and pull out the victory." Playing without Thomas and against an Orlando Magic team coming off a 4-1 road trip, the Celtics fell behind by eight points in the first quarter and by one at halftime but won by 30 and showed great ball movement in a more balanced attack." Whenever we have somebody down we come together and try to figure out a game plan," said Avery Bradley, who scored 23 points in the win that lifted the Celtics to 13-9 on the season. "And our game plan was to get it done on the defensive end and make sure we are moving the ball on the offensive end." Moving the ball around, the Celtics scored 58 of their 117 points in the paint." Like Ive said before, were always trying to attack the paint first," said Boston coach Brad Stevens. "One of the things we want to do, especially in Isaiahs absence is play through our bigs and through the post." The Raptors took last seasons series between the Atlantic Division teams 3-1, splitting the two games in Boston. Asked where setting the team record for games played -- passing Morris Peterson -- ranks for him personally, DeRozan said, "Umm, all-time best right now. Having such a high regard for an organization, any type of record and only being 27 years old and leading the franchise in whatever stat it may be is definitely a blessing."

Looking for More Picks?

You can browse all the individual handicapper picks below.

Your Mailing List Provider

Latest NBA News

RocSheridan.com
dollarbettingleads.com