Steven Thompson
The Toronto Raptors open as a -1 point favorite versus the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. They are 0-2 in this Playoffs series.
The Celtics, who have won seven of the last nine games against the Raptors, beat them Tuesday 102-99.
Marcus Smart made five 3-pointers in a span of 3:04, turning the last of those into a four-point play as the Celtics erased what had been a 12-point deficit late in the third. Kemba Walker scored 11 of Boston’s final 16 points from there, the last of them a stepback jumper in the final minute, and the Celtics added to a season of mastery over Toronto.
OG Anunoby had 20 points for Toronto, which got 19 from Fred VanVleet — who missed a 28-footer as time expired. Serge Ibaka and Pascal Siakam scored 17 points apiece and Kyle Lowry added 16 for Toronto.
“The shots are there,” Lowry said. “We just have to make them. … All we’ve got to do is get one game.”
The Raptors are 17-5-1 Against The Spread in their last 23 games following a ATS loss. The Celtics are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games following a ATS win.
