Celtics vs Raptors Prediction NBA Picks for Today 4/7

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Game Preview: Raptors vs Celtics - NBA Picks, Expert Predictions, and More

On April 7, 2023, the Boston Celtics will put their home winning streak on the line against the Toronto Raptors in what could be a pivotal game for both teams. The Celtics, currently second in the Eastern Conference with a 55-25 record, will look to continue their winning ways and beat the Raptors for the second time in a row. The Raptors, on the other hand, will do everything in their power to upset the Celtics and climb up the standings. According to NBA picks experts and computers, the Celtics are the favorites to win this game. However, the Raptors have been playing well lately and could surprise the Celtics with an upset victory. Fans can expect a high-scoring game, as both teams have been putting up impressive offensive numbers all season. Key players to watch for the Celtics include Jaylen Brown, who is averaging 26.6 points per game, and Derrick White, who has been shooting an impressive 46.4% over the last ten games. For the Raptors, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet will need to have big games if they hope to upset the Celtics. No matter what happens, this game promises to be an exciting matchup between two Eastern Conference powerhouses. Check back for NBA picks and predictions from experts, as well as the latest odds and betting lines.

Raptors: Offensive Analysis

The Toronto Raptors will face the Boston Celtics on April 7, 2023, with the Celtics having won the last matchup between the two teams. In this game, the Raptors' offense will need to step up to match the Celtics' high-scoring offense. Toronto's offense has struggled this season, averaging only 112.9 points per game, ranking them 23rd in the league. Their effective field goal percentage of 51.7% is also near the bottom of the rankings. However, they do have strengths in other areas, such as their ability to grab offensive rebounds, ranking second in the league with 12.8 per game led by Jakob Poeltl averaging 3.3. The Raptors also have a strong backcourt with Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, who are averaging 24.3 and 19.9 points per game respectively. However, the Raptors will need to improve their shooting efficiency if they hope to keep up with the Celtics, who are averaging 117.9 points per game, ranking them fourth in the league. Led by Jaylen Brown who is scoring 26.6 points per game with 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists, the Celtics have been shooting at an impressive 47.5% from the field. In addition to that, they have a solid supporting cast in Derrick White, who is averaging 15.9 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 46.4% over the last 10 games. The Raptors will need to improve their shooting and find ways to limit the Celtics' offensive production if they hope to pull off a win in this game. With expert NBA picks and computer NBA picks predicting a Celtics win, the Raptors will need to exceed expectations to come out on top.

Raptors: Defensive Analysis

The Toronto Raptors will face off against the Boston Celtics in a game that will put Boston's home winning streak on the line. In order for the Raptors to come out with a win, their defense must be up to par. Looking at the stats, the Raptors rank fourth in the league in opponent points per game, allowing only 111.3 points on average. They also rank in the top three in steals per game and steals per play, with 9.4 and 8.5%, respectively. This indicates that the Raptors are active in creating turnovers and getting stops. However, when it comes to effective field goal percentage, the Raptors rank 28th in the league, allowing their opponents to shoot 56.4%. They also rank in the bottom half of the league in defensive rebounds per game and defensive rebound percentage. To combat these weaknesses, the Raptors need to focus on boxing out and contesting shots to prevent their opponents from getting second-chance opportunities. They should also work on their effective field goal defense to force their opponents to take difficult shots. In terms of individual players, Pascal Siakam leads the Raptors in rebounding, while Fred VanVleet leads in steals. These two players will need to continue their defensive efforts, while also working on improving their shooting percentages on the offensive end. Overall, the Raptors have the potential to be a strong defensive team, but they will need to focus on their weaknesses and make improvements in order to come out with a win against the Celtics. NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks have the Celtics as the favorites, but with some adjustments, the Raptors can still pull off a win.

Celtics: Offense Analysis

For the upcoming game against the Toronto Raptors, the Boston Celtics have a strong offense that could potentially lead them to victory. With an average of 117.9 points per game and shooting 47.5% from the field, the Celtics rank fourth in the league in scoring. Their top performers, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, have been consistently putting up high numbers, averaging 26.6 and 15.9 points per game respectively in their last 10 games. The Celtics also excel in their assists-to-field-goals-made ratio, ranking sixth in the league with 0.627. Their ball movement and teamwork on the offensive end have been instrumental in their success. However, they do struggle in offensive rebounds and fast break points, ranking in the bottom half of the league for both categories. In terms of NBA picks and predictions, experts and computer models may favor the Celtics in this matchup due to their strong offense and home court advantage, as they have won their last five games at home. However, the Raptors have a solid defense and have managed to keep their opponents to an average of 111.3 points per game. It will ultimately come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively. As always, NBA picks and parlays should be made with caution and with a thorough analysis of all relevant factors. The Celtics may be favored, but the Raptors are not to be underestimated. It will be an exciting game to watch and could go either way.

Celtics: Defensive Analysis

The Boston Celtics have been one of the best defensive teams in the league this season, ranking sixth in points allowed per game at 111.5. They are also third in opponent field goal percentage at 46.4% and fifth in opponent three-point percentage at 34.7%. The Celtics are a well-coached team and know how to defend the perimeter and interior. Their main defensive weapon is Jaylen Brown, who is averaging 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. Brown is a lockdown defender and has been tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player on numerous occasions. The Celtics can also rely on the defensive abilities of Marcus Smart and Grant Williams, both of whom are averaging over one steal per game. In terms of rebounding, the Celtics have struggled this season, ranking 17th in opponent total rebounds per game at 51.7. However, they do have a strong interior presence in Robert Williams III, who is averaging 1.6 blocks per game. Williams has been a force in protecting the rim and altering shots. Overall, the Celtics have a solid defensive unit and can use it to their advantage in their matchup against the Toronto Raptors. They'll need to focus on limiting the Raptors' offensive rebounds and containing their top scorers in Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. With their strong defensive play, the Celtics have the potential to come out on top in this game.

Injury Report

Both the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics have players who will be out for the game due to injury. For the Celtics, Danilo Gallinari, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, and Jayson Tatum will all be out. This is a significant loss for the Celtics, as all of these players are important contributors to the team. The Raptors will be without Otto Porter Jr. for the remainder of the season due to a foot injury. While Porter Jr. may not have been a key player for the Raptors, his absence will still be felt. Overall, the Celtics have a much longer injury list than the Raptors, which may give Toronto an advantage in the game. However, both teams will have to adjust and rely on their remaining players to step up and fill the gaps left by these injuries.

Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors enter this game with a record of 40-40, placing them ninth in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, are in second place in the conference with a record of 55-25. Boston will be putting their five-game home winning streak on the line against Toronto. In terms of overall trends, Boston has a strong track record against Eastern Conference teams, sporting a record of 32-18. They are also one of the top-scoring teams in the conference, averaging 117.9 points per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Toronto, meanwhile, has a record of 25-25 against conference opponents and ranks second in the league with 12.8 offensive rebounds per game, led by Jakob Poeltl who averages 3.3 per contest. However, they trail behind Boston in many key offensive categories, averaging just 112.9 points per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. As for recent trends, Boston has won seven of their last ten games and averaged 120.3 points per game in that span. Toronto has won six of their last ten games, averaging 113.6 points per game. In terms of betting odds, Boston is currently listed as the favorite with a spread of -6.5. However, it may be worth considering the underdog Toronto Raptors with a point spread that wide. As always, it's important to consult expert NBA picks and predictions before making any wagers.

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