The Boston Celtics are looking to continue their momentum heading into the season. However, they are most likely going to have to play this game against the Suns on Wednesday without the services of Jayson Tatum, who is doubtful with the ankle injury that he suffered on Monday night against the Kings.
The Suns are trying to get into the Western Conference Play-In to potentially make some noise, as they have been a little disappointing as a team this season to this point. This game against the Celtics could be a big springboard game for the Suns to solidify their push to the Play-In. Here are my DFS picks for this matchup.
Celtics vs. Suns DFS Start ‘Ems
Here are a few of the players we are heavily leaning on in this game. These players are in a good spot to have a solid performance and a favorable matchup.
Devin Booker ($9,200 DraftKings, $9,100 FanDuel )
Devin Booker has been electric this last week in terms of general and fantasy production. Booker has had over 40 fantasy points in 5 of the last six games, including 44.75 fantasy points on Monday evening against the Bucks. Booker is one of the hottest players in the league at the moment, as the Suns need him to keep this play up to make sure they get their opportunity at the play-in tournament. I think Booker is going to be huge for the Suns on Wednesday, even though the Celtics are a great defensive unit, especially at the guard spots with Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. Start Booker.
Jaylen Brown ($8,900 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel)
Jaylen Brown is going to have to step up his game if Tatum doesn’t suit up, and if Tatum does somehow play in this game, it will be on a limited basis, most likely, meaning look for Brown to be the No.1 option in this game for the Celtics. He should 4X his value in DFS as the number one option if he plays to his full potential like his Finals MVP run last season. Look for Brown to have a strong game on Wednesday in Phoenix.
Celtics vs. Suns DFS Sit ‘Ems
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
Jayson Tatum ($11,000 DraftKings, $10,100 FanDuel )
Tatum’s ankle injury is going to be the huge question heading into this game with a doubtful tag (due to an injury), so it probably won’t matter. But if he does somehow overcome that diagnosis and plays, he is definitely going to be limited on that ankle for sure, so avoid Tatum at all costs. I think with the doubtful tag, you probably won’t have to worry about the Celtics forward playing in the game at all to worry about that decision.
Total Apex Lock of the Game
Kevin Durant ($9,300 DraftKings, $9,700 FanDuel)
Kevin Durant is going to feast on the Celtics without Tatum matching up with him, most likely. Durant has come off back-to-back games with over 60 fantasy points, and I think it’s possible that Durant can continue that trend with the matchup as it currently is. But even if he gets to 50 fantasy points, this will be a smash play in DFS lineups on Wednesday if you want a stud from this game.
Total Apex Sleeper of the Game
Derrick White ($8,100 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel)
Without Tatum, White could step up and have a 40-point fantasy game like he has done several times this season. I would take a bet that he is going to have that type of all-around game that will produce a high 40s fantasy point output. This should be a great value play from this game, even though it’s the obvious non-star play ever in this game, because White most of the time steps up when someone on the Celtics is hurt, normally.
Conclusion
This Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns matchup is going to be slightly lessened because of the injury to Tatum, but the Celtics still have more than enough to be competitive with the Durant and Booker-led Suns. I love Jaylen Brown and White from a Celtics perspective, and the Durant and Booker duo is the obvious play if you want to have a Suns-heavy lineup in DFS. Total Apex Fantasy is the place to be for more NBA DFS and fantasy advice.
