Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics DFS Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em| April 23, 2025

The Boston Celtics are coming off a dominant 103-86 Game 1 win on Easter Sunday, but the situation might be dire for Game 2, with superstar Jayson Tatum ruled as doubtful for the Celtics with a bone bruise in his wrist. The Magic are looking to bounce back in Boston in Game 2 and have the opportunity to do so, with the Celtics most likely without Jayson Tatum for Game 2. The Tatum injury can make DFS tough to navigate, but that’s why I am here. So here’s my picks for DFS in this game.

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics DFS Start ‘Ems

Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.

Sam Hauser ($3,300 DraftKings, $4,100 FanDuel)

Sam Hauser is probably going to replace Tatum in the starting lineup, even if he doesn’t, he’ll get a bigger role in the lineup. Hauser is a lethal three-point shooter and has decent fantasy production in the normal role that he has had through the regular season. Hauser is a great nominee for the budget option from this game, and I would go with Hauser as the budget play.

Paolo Banchero ($9,000 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel)

Paolo Banchero was the Magic’s best player on Sunday afternoon as he scored 36 points, while grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing four assists in that game. Banchero is one of those guys who is a tough matchup on a normal night, but without Tatum, the Celtics will have an even harder time guarding Banchero in my estimation.

Magic vs. Celtics DFS Sit ‘Ems

On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,000 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel)

KCP was supposed to be a huge acquisition for the Magic this season, to provide some great three-point shooting, but he has struggled to make a dent on this young Magic roster as a veteran. As he has shot poorly this regular season, plus in 35 minutes the other day, he only had six points in the game, but did have three steals. But the trends show to sit Caldwell-Pope.

Al Horford ($4,300 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel)

I would sit Al Horford in DFS as he is past his prime, and a lot of the time, Horford is playing limited minutes with the depth that the Celtics have across the board. People would be tempted to start Horford because of the injury to Tatum, as he would logically be the next player in line. But Horford’s fantasy ceiling is too low for a start for me personally.

Total Apex Lock of the Game

Jaylen Brown ($7,500 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel)

Jaylen Brown gets to be the Batman if Tatum doesn’t play, and he was the best player of the Celtics’ run last season. Yeah, this is a definite lock for me, as I think Brown is one of those guys that does elevate his game in the playoffs, just look at the man’s trophy case from last year alone. Yeah, have Jalen Brown in your DFS lineups on Wednesday.

Total Apex Fade of the Game

Cole Anthony  ($3,800 DraftKings, $4,600 FanDuel)

Cole Anthony is a roller coaster type of player that can have a boom day in one game, and have a BUST day in the next game. I think this game in particular could be one of those bust games for Anthony because Jrue Holliday and Derrick White will give him a tough matchup throughout the game. I think it would be the smart move to avoid Anthony at all costs on Wednesday.

Conclusion 

The Celtics should be one of those teams that can easily overcome an injury to a star player because of their depth alone, and I think they’ll do exactly that on Wednesday evening because of Brown, White, and Kristaps Porzingis. Although Banchero is going to get his numbers in this game, the Magic will lose this game by at least 10 points in my mind. Total Apex Fantasy is the place to be for more NBA DFS throughout the rest of the NBA playoffs.