It is never easy to predict an outcome of a basketball match as the game can turn on its head in a matter of seconds. We have seen many teams win matches by scoring the buzzer beater. Furthermore, it gets harder to predict the result when both evenly contested teams take on each other.

Both Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics are equally strong teams and it is going to be an exciting battle when they would lock horns in the conference semifinals.

We take a look at different parameters which can help us in determining who is going to be the favourites for the upcoming matches.

Current form:

The Raptors, who are the reigning champions of the NBA, have been in sublime form. They had finished at the second place in the regular season as they had won 53 matches whereas they lost 19 matches.

The Boston Celtics finished at the third place in the Eastern conference with 48 wins and 24 losses.

Both of these teams showed great form in the first conference round as they had no trouble in going past the opposition. The Raptors were brilliant against the Brooklyn Nets as they won the seven match series 4-0. Similarly, the Boston Celtics had no issues in going past the Philadelphia 76ers as they also won 4-0.

Head to Head:

Regular season – Match played – 97, Won by Boston Celtics – 57, Won by Toronto Raptors – 40.

Note – Both these teams have never played in the postseason. They will take on each other for the first time in the playoffs.

Players to look out for: Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet are going to hold the key for the Toronto Raptors

Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker will play a crucial role in the success of the Boston Celtics.

Match Prediction:

Boston Celtics will be the favourites based on the head to head analysis. However, the Toronto Raptors will also aim to come up with their best. In fact, as these two teams will take on each other for the first time in the playoffs, the one which would handle the crunch situations better, will have a higher chance of winning.