One of the most highly anticipated matchups of the entire NBA season will close tonight’s eight-game slate. The new-look Los Angeles Lakers will take on the defending champion Boston Celtics.
Boston managed to finally get over the hump in the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown era by winning the championship last year. The Celtics defeated the Mavericks in last year’s championship run but now will square off with Luka Doncic in a new uniform.
The outlook for the Lakers changed drastically following the blockbuster deal that continues to send shockwaves around the league. While most of the excitement had to do with the long-term outlook for Los Angeles, the team has responded on the floor and has the look of a real-deal contender since Doncic returned to the floor. This is the type of measuring stick matchup the Lakers have been itching for and they are sure to bring their best effort tonight.
The Celtics enter this matchup as seven-point favorites and -270 on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Lakers hold +220 odds on the moneyline with the game total set at 226.
With the stage set, here are my favorite Tatum prop bets for the Saturday night matchup.
Best Jayson Tatum Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Jayson Tatum’s props are listed at over/under 26.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.5 made three-pointers and 41.5 combined points, rebounds and assists.
Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 Rebounds (-115)
Jayson Tatum is averaging 26.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists this season. His ability to scale down and function as a true power forward and even a center for stretches is a huge part of the Celtics’ lineup versatility, which will come into play tonight.
There is plenty to like about this Lakers team but its lack of reliable big-man production is a clear flaw. This will be magnified tonight with Jaxson Hayes expected to miss tonight’s matchup. Los Angeles ranks 25th in the NBA in total team rebounds on the season.
Tatum has recorded over 8.5 rebounds in 28 games this year and tallied 12+ rebounds in 11 games already. He has been especially locked into this area of late averaging 10.1 rebounds per game across his past eight games and recording over 8.5 rebounds in five of these matchups.
With the Lakers without their starting big man and shorthanded in this area already, expect JJ Redick to lean on more of a small-ball approach. Expect the Celtics to be comfortable with this happening and for Tatum to see his responsibility on the boards grow. He ranks 17th in the league in rebounds per game and is more than capable of leading the charge in this category. Look for Tatum to assert himself early and often in this category and record over 8.5 rebounds for the 29th time this season.
Jayson Tatum Over 3.5 Made Three-Pointers (+120)
The Boston Celtics are attempting 48.1 three-point attempts per game this season which is five more than any other team in the league. They have leaned on perimeter scoring as a huge part of their identity and their 45-18 record speaks for itself.
Like everything else with the Celtics, Tatum leads the charge in this category. He is attempting 10.1 three-point attempts per game this season, the third most in the league, and connecting at a 35.4% rate. This comes out to an average of 3.6 made three-pointers per game and Tatum has connected on over 3.5 made three-pointers in 31 of the 59 games he has played. He has attempted at least five long-range shots in every game he has played this year.
Tatum had one of his worst games of the season in the first matchup with the Lakers. The six-time All-Star was held to 16 points, six assists and five rebounds in what turned out to be a 21-point victory by the Lakers. Even amid these struggles, he shot 2-for-5 from beyond the three-point arc.
This time the matchup will take place in front of the Boston home crowd, so expect Tatum to be hungry to produce. He shot 5-for-11 on three-point attempts in the last outing and has recorded over 3.5 made three-pointers in three of his last four games.
All eyes will be on this game, so expect Tatum to be prepared to make the most of it. He sees plenty of shot volume and will be ready to go toe-to-toe with the two Lakers stars. Count on him to be willing to let it fly from the perimeter and connect on at least four three-pointers for the 32nd time this season.
