Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics 2/11/21: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds

Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics Matchup Preview

Boston and Toronto will square off in a rematch of the Eastern Conference semis matchup from last playoffs. The Celtics come into tonight playing middling basketball while the Raptors have improved from their slow start. Toronto has now moved up to 5th in the East and is a game behind the Celtics, who have won just four of their last ten games. Boston crushed Toronto 126-114 last time out, but something tells me this will be a closer game. OG Anunoby is the name to keep an eye out for on the injury list. However, Norman Powell has really stepped up of late and given the Raptors offense a lift. Boston is healthy for tonight, with Romeo Langford being the only name on the injury report outside Marcus Smart. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Toronto Raptors At Boston Celtics Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: 2/11/21
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Arena: TD Garden – Boston, MA
Channel: Local Fox Sports

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Raptors Starting 5

PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Fred VanVleet
SF: Norman Powell
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Aron Baynes

Raptors Analysis

Toronto started the season slowly, and that was the case for multiple teams around the NBA. We have also seen teams start hot and fall off late, but the NBA’s consistency only belongs to a few teams. Pascal Siakam has picked up his play and is now leading the Raptors with 20.5 points per game on 46% shooting. He also is leading Toronto in rebounding, while Kyle Lowry dishes out 6.6 assists per game. Lowry has been talking of some trade rumors as there are multiple teams with a need for a veteran point guard. If anything comes about, or Toronto keeps this unit together to try and make another push. Fred VanVleet has been on another level this season, averaging 20-4-6 on the year with 1.8 steals per game. He is someone who can give the Celtics trouble tonight. Much like how Baynes was used in Boston, Toronto uses him the same way he is a limited starting option, and Nick Nurse brings in Chris Boucher. He has averaged 1.9 blocks per game this season.

Celtics Starting 5

PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Daniel Theis
C: Tristan Thompson

Celtics Analysis

There are certainly some concerns around Boston right now, and those concerns are within the secondary options. The fit of this group doesn’t feel like they are gelling, and it shows at times. Marcus Smart being out is definitely an issue, but the inconsistent play of Kemba Walker remains one of the biggest problems for Boston. We saw Payton Pritchard mask those problems when he was healthy, but the injury scenario is not ideal. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both averaging 26 points per game this season. Brown has really taken a step forward and is going to be an All-Star this season. Daniel Theis and Tristan Thompson will draw the starts again, but with Toronto not having a tremendously big lineup, we should see Grant Williams work more into the lineup as well. Over the past five games, he has drawn two starts and averaged 25 minutes per game. In February, Walker has shot 30% from the field and 32% from three. Averaging 17 attempts per game, Boston will need to sort this out if they want to have any shot contending.

Raptors & Celtics DFS Angle

These are two defenses that we don’t target a ton in daily fantasy, but on a five-game slate, you can make a case for a few names, especially in tournaments. Both Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet get an easier Boston defense without Marcus Smart, especially targeting Walker on the defensive side. VanVleet has been the more consistent option averaging 42 fantasy points in the last ten games than Lowry’s 29. If Anunoby is out, Norman Powell is averaging 28.7 fantasy points in the last ten games, but the price tag has finally adjusted. We know what we are getting out of guys like Tatum, Brown, and Siakam. They are averaging over 35 fantasy points in the last ten games, and Toronto ranks 20th against small forwards, giving Tatum a good spot. You can also take a flyer on Chris Boucher, who projects for over 30 fantasy points in GPPs.

Raptors vs. Celtics Betting Odds

Raptors Spread: +3.5
Raptors Moneyline: +140
Celtics Spread: -3.5
Celtics Moneyline: -160
Over/Under Points Total: 220.5

With two teams hovering around .500 in record and ATS, it is hard to get confident about either side here. However, if you are looking at recent form, Boston has been slipping while Toronto has played well. Over the last ten games, Boston has covered in seven of ten games, and the over has only hit twice in that span. These have generally been lower scoring games and often start with Boston doing well in the first half and fall off in the second. Traditionally Boston has been a strong home team, but that doesn’t matter a ton right now. I like Toronto to cover based on their recent performances and having Powell now in the mix. The Smart absence is also bigger than people realize.