Celtics Still a -5 Point Favorite Even With Jayson Tatum Injury

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum was carried off the court late in the fourth quarter of a 121-113 loss to the New York Knicks Monday night after suffering a noncontact lower leg injury.

The timing could not be any worse as Boston faces elimination in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

"I mean, at this point, I'm concerned about Jayson," Celtics center Al Horford said. "That's the most important to me. ... The game stuff, we'll address it. But I'm just hoping that he's OK."

The Celtics had just lost possession of the ball, and as Tatum lunged toward it, his right leg gave out and he crumpled to the court with 2:58 left. After Knicks forward OG Anunoby grabbed the loose ball and raced to the other end for a dunk, Tatum -- who didn't attempt to get up -- signaled for a timeout and put a towel over his face in obvious pain while grabbing at his leg above the ankle.

Oddsmakers have Tatum worth 4 to 5 points as they've made the Celtics a -5 point home favorite Wednesday.  That's five points less than the 10-point favorites they made Boston in Games 1 and 2 of the series and we suspect they would have tacked on another point with the Celtics in desperation mode.

There is indeed reason for Celtics fans to be optimistic as Boston did go 9-2 without Tatum in the regular season and playoffs this season during the eleven games in which he was sidelined. 

The Knicks are 3-1 Straight Up and Against The Spread in the series thus far and 4-1 ATS in the last five games versus Boston.