Celtics vs. Raptors Game 5, 9/7/20 NBA Playoffs East Semifinals Predictions

Celtics vs. Raptors Game 5 Prediction

The Boston Celtics took a 2-0 series lead versus the Toronto Raptors but the defending champs rebounded with back-to-back victories to even things up in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Who will take Game 5 tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex?

Game Snapshot

701 Boston Celtics (-1.5) vs. Toronto Raptors (+1.5); o/u 212

6:30 p.m. ET, Monday, September 7, 2020

TNT, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Lake Buena Vista, FL

NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals

Boston Celtics DFS Spin

Kemba Walker said after Saturday's loss to the Raptors that his attempting just nine field goal attempts on the night was "unacceptable." "I got to be more aggressive. I wasn't aggressive enough," Walker said. "That's unacceptable on my behalf, to be honest. There's no way I can just be taking nine shots. That's unacceptable." In addition to the total number of shot attempts being unacceptable by Walker's standards, six of them came from beyond the arc. Averaging 13.3 field goal attempts per game in the series, the all-star point guard had his best game of the series in Thursday's Game 3 loss (29 points on 9-of-15 shooting). Walker's vow to be more aggressive in Game 5 bodes well for his DFS value.

Toronto Raptors DFS Spin

Kyle Lowry tallied 22 points (5-of-16 FGs, 8-of-8 FTs), 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, two blocks and four 3-pointers in 44 minutes Saturday vs. the Celtics. Lowry didn’t have his best night shooting the basketball, but he did a bit of everything in helping Toronto even its second round series with Boston at two wins apiece. The double-double is Lowry’s first of this series and second of the postseason, as he tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds in a Game 3 win over the Nets in the first round. Even when his shots aren’t falling Lowry is a dependable option in all formats. It’s just unfortunate that charges taken (Lowry leads the NBA) isn’t a fantasy category.

Celtics vs. Raptors Game 5 Betting Prediction

I’ve backed the Celtics throughout this series but the Raptors have definitely seized the momentum and some of that experience that Toronto gained a year ago in route to winning its first championship is on display again now. The Raptors are a perfect 5-0 against the spread in their last five games as an underdog, are 6-0-1 against the number in their last seven playoff games as a dog and they’ve covered in five of their last seven games coming off a win. The Raptors have done a solid job centering on Boston star Jayson Tatum on defense, specifically Nick Nurse. With Jaylen Brown shooting just 4-of-18 from the field and Walker attempting just nine field goal attempts, the Raptors were able to contain Tatum and win Game 4. If guys like Brown and Walker don’t make Toronto pay for showing so much attention to Tatum tonight, the Raptors will prevail again and take full command of this series.

NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS PREDICTION: TORONTO RAPTORS +1.5