Top Celtics Predictions with Jayson Tatum Out for Game 5

Defending an NBA title is never easy, and the Celtics are experiencing that themselves as they are on the brink of elimination in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks. 

They will try to stay alive with a win in Game 5, but they will have to do so without SF Jayson Tatum (Achilles). Tatum went down late in Game 4 and had season-ending Achilles surgery on Tuesday.

With Tatum out for Game 5, we’ll give you the top Celtics predictions and projections to target on the PrizePicks NBA board in the Knicks vs. Celtics game.

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Is Jayson Tatum Playing Tonight in Game 5?

Tatum injured his Achilles late in Game 4 and was clearly in a lot of pain. He needed to be helped off the floor and was seen riding in a wheelchair into the locker room. Worst fears came to fruition as the Celtics announced Tuesday that Tatum underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles. 

Not only will he miss the remainder of the playoffs, but he could be out for much — if not all — of next season.

The Celtics are not used to playing without Tatum. He appeared in 72 games during the regular season. That marked the fourth straight season in which he appeared in at least 72 games. In addition to not missing many games, Tatum has averaged at least 36 minutes in each of the last four seasons.

Who Benefits for NBA DFS With Jayson Tatum Out?

Here are the top Celtics players who should see increased minutes and production with Jayson Tatum out tonight in Game 5 of Knicks vs. Celtics.

Jaylen Brown

Undoubtedly, the player who the Celtics need to step up the most is SF Jaylen Brown. After shooting 46.3% from the field during the regular season, Brown has shot just 37.7% from the field in this series against the Knicks. 

Still, he has averaged 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 3-pointers per game. In seven games that Brown played without Tatum during the regular season, he averaged 22.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 3-pointers. 

Without Tatum, Brown takes over in the shooting department for the Celtics. For the season, Brown had a massive 32.9% usage rate without Tatum on the floor, and only 27.2% when playing with him.

When Tatum missed Game 2 in the previous round against the Magic’s stout defense, Brown provided 36 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five 3-pointers.

Here are Brown’s stat projections tonight for Game 5, via the PrizePicks NBA board. 

• 25.5 Points
• 7 Rebounds
• 5 Assists
• 37.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
• 2.5 3-PT Made (Demon)

Kristaps Porzingis

It will need to be a group effort by the Celtics to make up for Tatum’s production. They would probably love to get more scoring from F/C Kristaps Porzingis, but he still seems to be getting over the effects of an illness that he has been dealing with since March. He has come off the bench and logged 24 minutes or fewer in each of the last three games.

Through the entire season, Porzingis’ usage jumped to 27.4% without Tatum, up from 24.5% when he played with Tatum. He should see some additional rebounding opportunities as well.

Sam Hauser

On the plus side of injury news the Celtics, F Sam Hauser (ankle) is listed as probable for Game 5. He hasn’t played since Game 1 vs. the Knicks. Coming off the bench, Hauser can prove a jolt of production from behind the arc, as he shot 41.6% from 3-point range during the regular season.

However, Hauser’s usage only jumps to 15.1% without Tatum off the floor, from 13.4% when he plays with him. It’s hard to project just how much he’ll play tonight as he returns from injury. He played 13 minutes when Tatum missed Game 2 vs. the Magic, as the Celtics rolled out a tight eight-man rotation.

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