The Boston Celtics face the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with their opponent facing elimination just a season removed from winning the NBA Championship.
Naturally, the Raptors will likely be as motivated as they can be to steal a win to save their season, though it feels very much like the Celtics have had a matchup advantage all series long — and learned how to wield it properly with Game 5’s brutal defense.
And while not much has changed on the injury front for Boston with Gordon Hayward (ankle) the only high-minutes player still on the Celtics’ injury list (Javonte Green [knee] and Vincent Poirier [personal reasons] are also out but play intermittently), the possibility of a much more critical player looms for Toronto.
How to watch or stream Boston Celtics-Toronto Raptors Game 6, Round 2 https://t.co/8Mncj4m2Yf
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 9, 2020
Big man Serge Ibaka came down on another player’s foot late in Game 5 similar to how Hayward did vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, and was seen walking around the Disney NBA campus the following day, raising questions about whether the veteran center will be able to play.
Without his services, it seems very unlikely the Raptors will be able to force Game 7, and even if he is able to play, it seems probable he won’t be his usual self given the boot.
With this in mind, we’re predicting a strong closeout game for the Celtics, a 108-92 win.
Most online sportsbooks finally back Boston, granting the Celtics a -3 spread.
