Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors) Under 8.5 Assists (-159)

Odds available at fanduel at time of publishing

As the Raptors gear up to face the Celtics, targeting Scottie Barnes for under 8.5 assists feels like a savvy play. Despite his impressive averages of 11 assists over the last five games, a closer look reveals that his away performances dip significantly, settling at just 9.2. The Celtics are known for their stifling defense, particularly against playmakers, which explains why Barnes has averaged only 3.8 assists in his last encounters in Boston. With the Raptors' reliance on isolation plays, Barnes might find himself less involved in playmaking duties. Moreover, his overall hit rate is solid-14 of his last 20 games-but when on the road, he's been much more restrained, hitting the under in 13 of his last 16 away contests. Given all this, it's reasonable to expect Barnes to fall short of that 8.5 mark against a disciplined Celtics squad.

Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors : Boston Celtics win (-400)

Odds available at fanduel at time of publishing

The Boston Celtics have been playing some impressive basketball lately, showing a strong form that justifies this bet in their favor. They're entering this game with an implied probability of 80.0%, suggesting they're heavily favored to win. This isn't surprising, considering their exceptional performance on their home court. The Raptors, despite their efforts, have been struggling on the road recently, giving the Celtics a substantial advantage. Furthermore, the Celtics have been demonstrating a higher-scoring offense compared to the Raptors, which could be a game-changer in this matchup. All in all, based on the Celtics' dominant home record, the Raptors' recent away struggles, and the Celtics' high-scoring offense, putting your money on the Boston Celtics on the Moneyline seems like the smart move.

Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors) Under 15.5 Rebounds + Assists (-128)

Odds available at fanduel at time of publishing

As the Raptors head into Boston, all eyes will be on Scottie Barnes. However, a closer look at his recent performances suggests that taking the under on his combined rebounds and assists total of 15.5 might be the savvy play. Over his last five games, Barnes is averaging just 4 rebounds and 11 assists, which brings his total closer to 15, but the numbers tell a deeper story. Away from home, those averages dip slightly to 4.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists, showing a trend in tougher environments. Furthermore, against the Celtics, Barnes has averaged only 3.8 assists in away matchups. With a solid hit rate of 10 out of his last 13 games on the road, it seems the odds favor a performance that falls short of that 15.5 mark. So, if you're looking for value, consider betting on Barnes to come in under this total.

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