Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics Player Prop Pick: Trust Jayson Tatum's Playmaking in Game 3
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics Player Prop Pick: Trust Jayson Tatum's Playmaking in Game 3
The Boston Celtics are in a terrific spot as they head to Brooklyn to take on the Nets for Game 3 this evening. Boston has a commanding 2-0 series lead thanks to their balanced offensive attack and elite perimeter defense. The Celts have shut down Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and it all starts with Jayson Tatum.
Tatum averaged a career-best 26.9 points per game this season and has showcased his ability as an elite perimeter defender, too. But, his biggest leap has come as a playmaker lately. He also set a new career-best assists mark, averaging 4.4 per game this season, and there is some outstanding value on his assists line for tonight.
Nets vs. Celtics Game 3 Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
When: 7:30 pm ET
Where to Watch: ESPN
Click Here for Nets vs Celtics Game 3 Odds
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Nets vs. Celtics Game 3 Line Movement
Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics Game 3 Pick
Jayson Tatum Over 5.5 Assists (-120) (Bet $120 to win $100)
*Odds Available at FanDuel at Time of Publishing*
Jayson Tatum has been crushing his assist lines for an entire month now. Boston's superstar is taking full advantage of how teams are attempting to defend him. And, his teammates are making opposing defenses pay the price.
Prior to seeing each other in the postseason, the Celtics and Nets faced off about six weeks ago for a primetime Sunday game on ABC. Tatum went for 54 points and led the C's to a statement win. Since then, head coach Steve Nash has made the executive call that Brooklyn will be defeated at the hands of any Celtic but Tatum. The Nets are sending double teams at Number 0 and closing off his driving lanes, and forcing the young superstar to get rid of the ball. However, Tatum is gladly finding the open man and doing a terrific job of it.
JT has at least 6 assists in 9 of his last 11 games, averaging 6.4 APG during this stretch. The Duke product averaged 9.8 potential assists per game over his final 10 regular-season games and has upped this number to 12.0 potential assists per game in the playoffs. He followed up his 8-assist Game 1 with a 10-assist performance in Game 2.
Tatum's 9.0 APG this postseason trails only Chris Paul, James Harden, and Ja Morant. Plus, after playing 45 and 41 minutes in the first two games of the series, we can expect a massive dosage of playing time and ball-handling for the 24-year-old in Game 3. He's hit this mark in 8 straight games when seeing at least 30 minutes of action, averaging 7.1 APG across these games.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 6.0 assists per 40 minutes since the All-Star break and is nearly a guarantee for at least 40-42 minutes as long as tonight's contest remains somewhat close. Expect the Nets to continue sending double teams his way, which gives us an awesome angle on this over.