After torching the Lakers for 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists Saturday, Jayson Tatum has been listed as questionable for Monday’s game vs. the Jazz with a knee injury. Al Horford (toe) is also questionable, while Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is doubtful and expected to miss his sixth game in a row.
Hosting a Jazz club that is dead last in the Western Conference and will be playing their second game in two nights, this is a great opportunity for the Celtics to rest Tatum and Horford ahead of Wednesday’s anticipated matchup with the Thunder.
Tatum is in the midst of another outstanding season. In 60 games, Tatum is averaging 27.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and a career-high 5.8 assists per game. The forward is leading Boston with a 31.1% usage rate and if Tatum sits, Jaylen Brown will naturally become the Celtics’ alpha and both Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will benefit from expanded roles.
Boston was just fine without Tatum and Porzingis this past Wednesday vs. the Trail Blazers and while Brown flirted with a triple-double, Pritchard and White stole the show, scoring 43 and 41 points, respectively, both of which are career highs for the guards. If Tatum is out Monday against this Utah defense that ranks dead last in defensive efficiency this season, all three of Brown, White and Pritchard will be elite DFS targets.
As for Horford, if the veteran sits Monday and joins Porzingis on the sidelines, Luke Kornet will start at center and Neemias Queta will operate as his backup, making both big men viable punt plays for DFS.
The Celtics are 3-1 with Tatum out this season and Boston should be a huge favorite over the Jazz once the lines for this game are released on DraftKings Sportsbook.
