UPDATE: Jrue Holiday (finger) has been ruled out for tonight’s game vs. the Cavaliers, while Kristaps Porzingis ($7,500) has been added to Boston’s IR as questionable due to an illness.
Jaylen Brown remains questionable. The All-Star was present at shootaround this morning.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA at 48-10. The Boston Celtics are defending champions and have the third-best record in the NBA at 42-17. The two Eastern Conference heavyweights meet up for the third time on Friday, with the season series tied at a game apiece.
Boston could be shorthanded for this one, though, as both Jaylen Brown ($8,000) and Jrue Holiday ($4,900) are officially questionable.
When these teams first met on 11/19/2024, the Celtics were without Kristaps Porzingis ($7,500) and eeked out a 3-point victory at home. On 12/1/2024, the scene shifted to Cleveland and the Cavaliers squeaked out the 4-point win. Brown and Derrick White ($6,900) did not play in that one.
Sam Hauser ($3,900) received the start for Brown in Cleveland, contributing 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 3 treys in 36 minutes. If both Holiday and Brown are out, then Hauser would likely start and see significant action.
If only Brown is unable to go, then the starting lineup from Wednesday will likely be replicated: Jayson Tatum ($9,900), White, Holiday, Porzingis and Al Horford ($4,800).
With Brown off the court this season, White and Tatum have seen usage bumps of over 5%.
