In the NBA Playoffs, Greg Frank analyzes Game 4 of the Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics and makes a pick

Raptors (+1.5) @ Celtics (214)

Pick: Raptors +1.5

Toronto opened as a short favorite in this Game 4 but appears primed to close as short underdogs as there has been ample support for Boston to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. I’m not in agreement with the line move. Entering this series, most NBA fans would have expected at least six and probably seven games between these two Eastern Conference contenders. Granted, the Celtics have been the far more impressive team so far and deserve to be up 2-1, but do we really think the Raptors are not going to find another gear at some point in this series?

OG Anunoby drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to get the Raptors into the series on Thursday. My guess on the Boston money is simply many bettors treating Anunoby’s shot as a fluke and thinking the Celtics deserve to be up 3-0 and I can’t quite get there. Boston had a 10-point lead at halftime in Game 3 and the Raptors found a way back behind 31 points and 8 assists from Kyle Lowry. For the first time in the series, the Raptors proved to be the better team for an extended stretch in the second half of Game 3. I think to think that’s a sign of the momentum changing and Anunoby’s shot will inspire the Raptors to give their best performance of the series so far today. Pascal Siakam certainly needs to raise his level for Toronto at some point in this series and there’s no time like the present.