The Boston Celtics have issued a regarding damage replace forward of Sport 3 of their first-round playoff collection towards the Orlando Magic. Star ahead Jayson Tatum is listed as uncertain with a proper distal radius bone bruise, whereas guard Jrue Vacation is questionable on account of a proper hamstring pressure, in keeping with the workforce’s Thursday damage report.
Tatum final performed in Sport 1, the place he posted 17 factors, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and a block in 40 minutes of motion. He led all gamers with a plus-minus of +23 because the Celtics secured a 103-86 victory to open the collection. The damage occurred late in that contest when Tatum was fouled on a layup try by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, leading to a flagrant 1 name. Tatum didn’t seem in Sport 2 and has but to return to motion.
Vacation, who performed by means of the pressure in Sport 2, completed with 11 factors, six assists, 4 rebounds, and a block throughout 36 minutes. He registered a +9 plus-minus, second solely to Jaylen Brown, who led Boston in Tatum’s absence with 36 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal on 12-for-19 capturing, together with 5-for-7 from past the arc.
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Jayson Tatum, Jrue Vacation damage statuses loom giant as Celtics put together for Sport 3 vs. Magic
The accidents to 2 of Boston’s key starters come because the workforce prepares to face a determined Magic squad down 0-2 within the collection. Regardless of holding the lead, Boston’s offensive manufacturing has dipped in comparison with regular-season ranges. The Celtics averaged 116.3 factors per recreation in the course of the common season, capturing 46.2% from the sector and 36.8% from three-point vary on 17.8 made threes per recreation.
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By means of two postseason video games towards Orlando, the Celtics have averaged simply 106 factors per contest whereas capturing 45.1% from the sector and 37.8% from three, making 14 three-pointers per recreation.
Vacation has averaged 10 factors, 5.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals whereas capturing 46.7% general and 42.9% from three within the collection.
With each Tatum and Vacation unsure, the Celtics could also be compelled to rely much more closely on Jaylen Brown as their major scorer, whereas shifting extra offensive tasks to Kristaps Porzingis. Boston may additionally look to extend the utilization of Derrick White, Al Horford, and Payton Pritchard to take care of stability because the collection strikes to Orlando.
Sport 3 between the Celtics and Magic is scheduled for Friday night time at 7:00 p.m. ET on the Kia Middle in Orlando, airing on ESPN.