NBA Picks Friday 3/18/2016 – BOS vs. TOR

Pick #1 – Boston Celtics at Toronto​

Both fighting to move up a playoff spot these two division counterparts are giving it everything they got each night as the season winds down into the playoffs. Sitting on a 7-3 current10 game streak the dominant Toronto Raptors are running on all cylinders as they face the talented but currently in a slump 6-4 10 game record Boston Celtics. The Toronto Raptors (46-21) and Boston Celtics (39-29) are two highly explosive teams that both have a lot on the line when it comes to playoff positioning. Even though both teams need a win there are injuries and potential rests to consider. On the Raptors side Jonas Valanciunas and DeMarre Carroll. There are rumors of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan resting on given night recently so there is that to consider as well but even one or the other or both sit out it still encourages a faster paced game where Boston's guards can really take advantage. Celtics have Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko taking the bench so no big concern there. Boston is finally getting its big men healthy again which should make for plenty of inside and outside scoring tonight. This matchup should scoring from both inside and out as each teams matches up well offensively against each other specifically as we will start to see in the following data. While these two teams only sport a 5-5 total over/under record in the last 10 game span its there recent meetings, the stats and current motivation that start to get us excited here. Toronto has a 20-14 over/under home record so this is just the beginning of where the data begins to reveal this pick. Offensive and defensive stats over the past 10 games for these two teams equal up to a combined 212.2 and 206.6 so we are getting a nice offensive up side to this pick. The total over/under line for this NBA matchup started out at 208 and has shot up to 211 so its really obvious where the money is falling on this one. These two offensive juggernauts just recently produced a 109 – 115 Toronto victory in Toronto so if we get more of the same tonight we should be in business. This is predicted to be a close one with the spread only being a -2 in favor of the Raptors so we can expect lots points down the stretch. Giving further confidence the consensus for this bet has been 60% or higher all day. All the data points to a nice over here as a tired Raptors team battles a Hungry Celtics team so lets hit the over here at 211 for the win.

Game Time:
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors - Friday, March 18, 2016 7:35 PM

Spread:
807 Boston Celtics +2
808 Toronto Raptors -2

Total:
807 Boston Celtics Over 211
808 Toronto Raptors Under 211

Betting odds provided by 5Dimes

The Pick:
Over 211 (2 Units)

As always bet within your means and bankroll. Enjoy the games and be responsible when betting!

Picks By TexasMatt