Jayson Tatum’s Back: Celtics Championship Odds & Breakdown

Varun Sharma

Written by: Varun Sharma

Published: Thu Mar 05, 2026, 10:40 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

jayson tatum

nba

It's finally happening. Just 10 months after tearing his achilles in the Conference Semis, Jayson Tatum is back for the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics have the 2nd best record in the Eastern Conference and 4th best record in the league. The Celtics have been a legitimate threat all year and Jaylen Brown has lead the way. Now with Tatum coming back, it might be time to look at Boston little differently.

If you're still here, let me make my case; is banner 19 really within reach?

For more on NBA Futures, click here for an in depth look at this year's odds to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy. 

For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today's NBA slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page. 

NBA Championship Odds

Jaylen BRown

Betting Odds

  • Oklahoma City Thunder (+140)
  • Denver Nuggets (+550)
  • San Antonio Spurs (+750)
  • Boston Celtics (+1000)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (+1000)
  • Detroit Pistons (+1400)
  • New York Knicks (+1600)
  • Houston Rockets (+2500)
  • Los Angeles Lakrs (+7500)

Odds via Lucky Rebel, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

The Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

What Gap Year?

Before we talk about Jayson Tatum's return, we need to talk about how good this Celtics team has been this year.The Celtics were projected to win 39-41 games this year and MAYBE compete for a spot in the play-in tournament. Instead they've won 41 games through February, sit 2nd in the Eastern Conference and just five games back of 1st.

The Celtics have the No.2 offensive rating the NBA, rank No.7 in defensive rating and have the 2nd best net rating. They've done this with three starters from last years team out of the lineup, two of which are no longer on the team. Head Coach Joe Mazzulla has been a maestro with his lineups and he's done a great job of getting the bet out of his players.

Jaylen Brown's seeing the highest usage of his career and he's making the most of it. Brown's averaging 29.0 points per game this year, shooting 48.2% from the field and ranks 5th in the NBA in points per game. Not only is he scoring at a high clip, but he's stuffing the stat sheet with 7.1 rebounds per game and 5.0 assists per game.

Brown heard all the chatter about a gap year and took it personally.

Group Effort

As much as the Celtics revolve around the 'Jays', this year more than ever we've seen how good this roster really is. Derrick White's seeing the highest usage of his career at age 31 and he's rewarded the Celtics with 17.3 points and 5.7 assists per game.

White's averaging 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. He's 8th in the league in total blocks this year and the only guard that cracks the top 30. Elsewhere on this roster, we've got Payton Pritchard who's had his ups and downs but is still averaging a career high 16.8 points per game.

Neemias Queta is Boston's leading rebounder this year and prior this year had just six total NBA starts. He's averaging 9.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this year and he's been a key part of solving the Celtics' rebounding issues. The Celtics have gotten production from unlikely places and it's helped them get this far.

jayson tatum

Tatum's Back

Now let's talk about the elephant in the room; how are Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown going to co-exist?

Psych. We're not wasting time on that. We're going to talk about the reality of Tatum's injury and how it impacts Boston. He tore his achilles just 10 months ago and now he's coming back to a Celtics team looking to make a run in the postseason.

Tatum's played 72+ games in six of the eight seasons he's been in the NBA. This is the longest he's ever been out with an injury. He's played in 585 regular season games, 121 playoff games and 1 play-in game. Nearly 25,000 career minutes at just 28 years old.

With the amount of time he's missed, he's going to be on a minutes restriction. Question is how quickly does he ramp up? Does he play 30+ minutes come playoff time?

Tatum's timeline is quicker than most and that's why it's scary. That's why we can't base this bet on Tatum, it's about the Boston Celtics.

Boston Celtics 2025/26 NBA Champions (+1000) | Lucky Rebel

Like I said, the Celtics have been great this year and they've done it without Tatum. Top 10 in both offensive rating and defensive rating, No.2 in net rating and now they add Jayson Tatum to the lineup. Head Coach Joe Mazzulla has shown a coaching pedigree not many can match and this roster is full of playoff experience.

I'm taking the Celtics to win it all this year, Larry's coming home and Banner 19 up in the rafters (hopefully).

Lucky Rebel Sportsbook logo 4.9/5 Review Rating
Bonus & Benefits
Up to $1,250 + 50 Free Slots Spins
See our review »
$1,250 Welcome Bonus
Bet Live on Your Favorite Sports
Earn More with Rebel Rewards!
Play Now & Claim Bonus »

Looking for More

Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly

Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER

Follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce for all my picks and sports takes you didn't ask for! Follow Betting News on 'X' and Twitch and catch us on stream! Betting News is also on TikTok! Follow us for more picks, and news!

Looking for a great promo for a new sportsbook? Check out our reviews of the best sportsbooks.

Varun Sharma
Varun Sharma

You may know me as ‘VSaaauce’. I’ve been a die hard hoops fan my entire life. I’ve been betting on the NBA/NCAAB/NFL/MLB for six years now, each year gaining more and more knowledge about being a profitable handicapper. I’m eager to learn, and eager to pass on everything I’ve gained over the last few years. I started my Twitter page four years ago, and this community makes me so thankful I did. Outside of sports and handicapping, I enjoy traveling, hoopin, a strong espresso and I’m currently studying to obtain my MD. I’m all about the vibes, good vibes only. If that sounds like you, follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.