Last year’s Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics, again sit atop their conference. The same can’t be said for last year’s Western Conference winners, the Golden State Warriors, who now must play the team they beat in the finals again tonight. But the Celtics may not have a core part of their team — the latest Jaylen Brown injury update reveals he is questionable with an abductor injury. Bettors must seriously consider whether Jaylen Brown is playing tonight before placing their wagers.
The Celtics will tip off against the Warriors at 7:30 p.m. ET, so bettors and NBA DFS players should get some clarity during the mid-afternoon. Those looking for an edge should heed this advice or check out the OddsShopper tools for sharp NBA bets. Bettors can also try out a one-week free trial of NBA Bet Pro to access cutting-edge betting projections that will update once the Celtics announce Brown’s official status.
The legal gambling age is 21+ in most states. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
Jaylen Brown Injury Update – NBA Betting Impact
Brown injured his abductor last week and has missed all three of Boston’s games since. Head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters last Thursday that the injury would cost Brown “a week or two,” but Brown earned a probable tag as recently as last Saturday. But Brown failed to suit up, possibly because the Celtics hoped to ensure his availability for tonight’s contest.
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The Celtics will face the Warriors for the second time since their NBA Finals loss. The first meeting between these teams came back in early December. Golden State scored a 16-point home win but Boston didn’t have multiple starters, including Al Horford and Robert Williams III. They’ll now get the Warriors at home. Golden State has gone a miserable 5-16 against the spread when playing outside of the Chase Center.
If Jaylen Brown isn’t playing, the Celtics will use Derrick White in their starting five. White has started 38 games for the Celtics this year as a plug-and-play, switchable guard. His versatility proved important as Williams worked his way back from injury. But if Brown suits up, the Celtics will finally have all five of their starters from last year’s Eastern Conference-winning roster available, likely sending White back to the bench.
Warriors-Celtics NBA Betting & DFS Advice
Brown should play tonight. The wing earned a probable tag after missing just one game. Mazzulla’s statement that Brown would only miss a week or two and Brown’s clear desire to face the Warriors make his return a near-certainty. Brown even practiced in full on Wednesday. However Brown isn’t an immediate option in NBA DFS — his sky-high salary ($9,000 at DraftKings) makes him one of the least valuable players on the board.
The Boston Celtics are a 6-point favorite at both DraftKings and FanDuel. Pinnacle, a sharp sportsbook, also has this game at that number — but with the juice slanted toward Golden State. The number suggests Brown will play tonight, but it could tick up even higher once he gets the nod as a starter.
Bettors who think Brown will play should head to DraftKings to back the Celtics as a 6-point favorite. Getting the -6 before definitive news about Boston’s lineup comes out would likely score you a small amount of closing-line value (CLV). Those new to DraftKings can earn $200 in bonus bets with a $5 wager. Bettors in Ohio can score the same deal but via this link instead!
The legal gambling age is 21+ in most states. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
