Partner Content | Celtics vs. Suns prop picks: Back Jayson Tatum on the glass

Due to the lack of a seven-footer on the Celtics, Tatum’s role on the glass has been significant from the power forward position.

That’s been especially true in recent games as Tatum has stepped up as the team’s top rebounder:

Because Tatum is 6-foot-8 and a relatively lean 210 pounds, there are some power forwards who can box him out and bully him in the paint. He won’t be seeing one of those players on Wednesday as Phoenix will roll out the undersized Torrey Craig — who stands at 6-foot-7 — at the position.

Craig is a tough defender, but his lack of length could create opportunities for Tatum on the offensive glass.

One of the biggest threats to the star’s rebounding total on a game-to-game basis is the fact that his team’s historically good offence makes so many shots.

That may not be as much of an issue in this one as Phoenix ranks sixth in the NBA in scoring defence (109.3) and Boston has been less explosive on the road, scoring 10.8 fewer points per game away from TD Garden.

Key stat: Tatum has hit this over in eight of his last 12 games.

Quick picks

Ayton over 17.5 points (+100): Betting the over on props against the Celtics was a bad idea last year, but this season Boston ranks in the middle of the back in points allowed per game, sitting 13th with 112.6.

The Celtics also lack an obvious player to match up with Ayton outside of Al Horford, who could be limited after missing Monday’s game with a back injury.

Ayton has hit this over in five of his last seven games, averaging 22.4 points during that span.

Bridges over 2.5 assists (+107): Getting Bridges on this modest total for plus money is great value, as this bet just demands that the athletic wing hits his season average (3.3).

Bridges has cleared this over in eight of his last 14 games and averaged 3.8 assists during that span.

Chris Paul (out since November 7) is aiming to return tonight, which might eat into some of Bridges’ touches, but the 37-year-old point guard will likely be on some kind of minutes restriction if he does play.

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