The Celtics are hosting the Magic for Game 2 of this first round series in Boston on Wednesday. In Game 1, the Celtics defeated the Magic 103-86. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Boston is favored by 10.5 points and this game carries a total of 197 points.
Below, I dive into three of my favorite player prop bets for Wednesday’s Game 2 between the Celtics and the Magic on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best Celtics vs. Magic Player Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Jaylen Brown O 33.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-105)
While Brown is dealing with a nagging knee injury, this line is too low for the reigning NBA Finals MVP with Jayson Tatum (doubtful, wrist) not expected to play. Tatum has never missed a playoff game in his eight-game career and for the Celtics to sit him for Game 2, they have to be pretty confident in Brown’s health and that he can lead Boston to a victory over the Magic. Evident from winning the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP awards last year, Brown is an elite playoff performer and he always steps his game up when Tatum is sidelined.
In the seven starts Brown has made without Tatum this season, Brown is averaging 22.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, including a performance of 35 points, nine rebounds and four assists against the Magic in December. With Tatum off the floor this season, Brown’s usage rises 4.0 percentage points to 33.1% and his assist rate increases 9.0 percentage points to 29.6%, both of which are team highs for this situation. Brown is an excellent bet for over 33.5 PRA tonight and attacking this over quickly is smart, as this line is likely to keep moving up before game time.
Derrick White O 26.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110)
White is also a strong bet for over his PRA line with Tatum doubtful. In the seven games that White and Brown have been active for with Tatum out this season, White has been great with 21.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game. The guard has exceeded 26.5 PRA in all but one of these seven games, including a career-high 41-point outburst vs. the Trail Blazers.
With Tatum off the court this season, White’s usage and assist rates increase 3.4 and 5.3 percentage points, respectively. Even with Tatum playing 40 minutes in Sunday’s Game 1 vs. the Magic, White finished with 30 points, four rebounds and three assists while shooting 7-for-12 from beyond the arc. With Tatum now expected to be unavailable, White has even better upside and he should cruise past 26.5 PRA.
Wendell Carter Jr. U 8.5 Points (+105)
At this plus money price, Carter Jr. needs to be backed for this under. The center only scored four points in Game 1 while shooting 2-of-6 from the field. With the stakes high in every game, Carter Jr. has only exceeded 8.5 points once in his last four starts and the Celtics are a brutal matchup for the center.
This season, Boston ranks fifth in defensive rating, second-to-last in pace and last, but not least, they are giving up the fewest points to centers. For his career, Carter Jr. is only averaging 7.1 PPG in the playoffs and he has fell short of 8.5 points in five of these eight games.
