Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics: Predictions for the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA playoffs

Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics will inaugurate the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2020 NBA playoffs and we couldn't be more excited, considering the rest of the season was in jeopardy after the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to boycott their game vs. the Orlando Magic.This is going to be one of the closest matchups we'll see all year, so we'll break down both teams to predict who's going to win the series.

There has been some buzz around the NBA recently. Raptors and Celtics were among the first two teams considering a boycott. Now, team owners and players have agreed on a course of action to continue the season.

Both the Raptors and Celtics are two of the biggest powerhouses in the Eastern Conference right now, and while prediction who's going to win is as tough as it gets, we definitely know this series is going the distance.

Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics: Storylines

Celtics and Raptors have faced off 97 times in the regular season, with Boston holding the edge in the all-time series with 57 wins, including three out of four meetings during the 2019-20 season.

This will be the first time both teams face each other in the playoffs. The Raptors got the 2nd seed in the East and swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, while the Celtics also did their job in 4 games vs. the sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.

Both teams will be well-rested ahead of this series. They're both pretty deep at all positions and rely on heavy contributions from their second units and their defensive energy, so it's going to be the ultimate chess match between Nick Nurse and Brad Stevens.

Toronto Raptors: Biggest Strengths And Concerns

The Toronto Raptors are arguably the deepest team in the league. Their bench scored a record 100 points vs. the Nets and it was the ultimate evidence of how much they can get from the second unit any given night.

The Raptors' team defense is just suffocating. Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakam, and Marc Gasol are all great stoppers. Moreover, they have six players averaging double-figures.

In the downside, you could argue that the Raptors' balanced offense tends to struggle from time to time. The fact that no player is constantly asked to carry the load in the offensive end can make them a streaky-scoring team when their shot isn't falling.

Also, they lack a bonafide superstar. Lowry and Siakam are All-Stars and Ibaka and Gasol had a dominating past in the league but there are still some concerns regarding the Raptor's ability to trust one player to close out games.

Boston Celtics: Biggest Strengths And Concerns

The Boston Celtics are also pretty deep. Their second unit gives them big minutes, especially elite defender Marcus Smart, one of the few players that can guard one through five in the league.

The Celtic's three-headed monster of Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, and Jason Tatum has proven to be effective thus far. They can share the wealth with ease and any of them is capable of stepping up when the other is struggling, and even if Gordon Hayward is unable to play, their offense is in great hands.

Brad Stevens' team's defense has been the biggest story of the season for Boston all year long. Then again, the lack of size and a true center has hurt them in the offensive glass and when it comes to stopping dominating big men.

Daniel Theis has done a solid job as a defender but is prone to getting in foul trouble, while Enes Kanter is one of the worst defensive big men in the league. Boston could have a tough time keeping Siakam, Gasol, and Ibaka in check.

Injuries

Boston Celtics

Gordon Hayward: Ankle, Out indefinitely

Javonte Green: Knee, Out for the season

Toronto Raptors

Kyle Lowry: Foot, Questionable

Oshae Brissett: Knee, Out for the season

Patrick McCaw: Knee, Out for the season

Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics: Predictions And Odds

Some people are sleeping on the Toronto Raptors. They're the defending champions and Nick Nurse led this team to 50+ wins again despite the tough losses of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to free agency.

The Boston Celtics have a strong core but lack the size to match up with the Raptors' bigs. They're definitely going to win more than one game out of their asphyxiating defense and timely shooting but it's going to take a lot to count the defending champions out.

One thing we can be sure of is that this series is going to go the distance. In the end, we expect the Toronto Raptors to get the job done and defend their crown in seven games by beating the Boston Celtics 4-3.

Oddsmakers are also expecting the Toronto Raptors to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals over the Boston Celtics, as you can see by the -143 odds. The Celtics, on the other hand, are given +115 odds to upset the defending champions.