Playing their second in game two nights, the Celtics have a crowded injury report for Wednesday’s matchup with the Pistons. Jaylen Brown ($8,000, thigh), Kristaps Porzingis ($7,900, illness) and Sam Hauser ($3,800, back) are all questionable, while Luke Korent (personal) will miss his second in a row. Al Horford ($4,900, toe) and Jrue Holiday ($4,800, rest) will return after missing one game.
In Tuesday’s win over the Raptors, Brown appeared to hurt his thigh right before halftime and then the All-Star only played 11.9 minutes in the second half. Brown sat for nearly the last four minutes of this competitive game, so there is certainly a real chance that he sits Wednesday, which would open up a ton of usage and playing time for Boston.
Brown is handling a 29.2% usage rate this season and, if he is inactive, Jayson Tatum ($9,900) and Derrick White ($6,900) will both see notable boosts and be terrific DFS targets. With Brown inactive this season, White’s usage rises 4.4 percentage points and he produces 37.9 FPTS per game, while Tatum’s usage increases 3.7 percentage points and he scores a team-high 53.8 FPTS per game. Current Sixth Man of the Year favorite Payton Pritchard ($5,400) will also be an awesome DFS option if Brown sits. With the wing out this season, Pritchard is averaging 28.5 FPTS per game.
As for Porzingis, the big man was scratched from the Celtics’ lineup just moments before tip-off last night with an illness. If Porzingis is out again Wednesday, Horford will start at center and have merit with that role. In the 19 starts Horford has made for Porzingis this season, Horford is generating 24 FPTS in 28.5 minutes per game.
While the Celtics could be shorthanded tonight, they remain a five-point favorite over the Pistons on DraftKings Sportsbook. Boston has won six games in a row and they are 29-7 when either Brown or Porzingis are inactive this season.
