NBA Tuesday playoff best bets: Raptors, Celtics trending under

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 25: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a three point basket against the Boston Celtics on December 25, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE
Mark Blinch / National Basketball Association / Getty

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The Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets meet for Game 7 while the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics play the second game of Round 2.

Here are the best bets to consider for Tuesday's two-game slate.

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors (-1.5, 217.5)

The Raptors' offense was dreadful in Sunday's 112-94 loss, shooting 25% from deep and 37% from the field with 14 turnovers. It'll be up to head coach Nick Nurse to adjust, but he'll have his hands full against a Celtics club that's taken away one of Toronto's biggest advantages.

The Raptors get a huge chunk of their point production in transition - their 18.7 fast-break points per game pace the league. However, Boston allowed just seven in Game 1 and has held Toronto to 13 fast-break points or fewer in each of the last five meetings.

There were times Sunday when the game appeared to turn into a barn-burner, but the pace was ultimately too slow for the total to get there. Considering how often the two offenses will play in the half court, I'd expect another low-scoring tilt.

The Raptors are 16-5-1 to the under following a double-digit loss, while the Celtics are 13-3 to the under following a double-digit win.

Pick: Under 217.5

Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz (-1, 217)

I recommended the over in Game 5, then suggested going back to the well in Game 6. I see no reason to stop now.

The Jazz and Nuggets are No. 1 and 3 in offensive rating among playoff teams, respectively. Denver's 125.4 defensive rating ranks last, while Utah's clip of 120.8 is the fourth-worst.

In Game 6, the teams combined for just 146 shots from the floor - by far the fewest in the series - yet still had no problem cashing the total of 217.5 in Denver's 119-107 victory.

The Nuggets have no answer for the Jazz at any level of the floor. They've sacrificed the mid-range shot to take away the three and vice versa, to no avail. Utah's completed 48.5% of its triples in the last three, while Denver has shot better than 49% from the floor over that span.

The over has cashed in six of the last seven meetings. There's no slowing down either of these offenses.

Pick: Over 217

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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