Jayson Tatum Scores 36 as the Celtics Drop the Knicks to 0-2, and Mikal Bridges' 2-of-16 Start Is a Fantasy Problem

Jayson Tatum took over the second half on Friday night, and the Boston Celtics beat the New York Knicks 107-103 for their first win of the season. Tatum scored 25 of his 36 points after halftime, including seven of Boston's final eight, and finished with nine rebounds and seven assists. The Knicks are 0-2.

The most worrying fantasy line belonged to a Knick. Mikal Bridges went scoreless, dropping him to 2-of-16 from the floor through two games. That is too small a sample to panic over, but it is a real concern for managers who drafted him as a steady source of points and threes.

Tatum is back to full strength

Tatum's performance was the latest sign that he is fully back. He was the best player on the floor, and he made the biggest plays of the night after the Knicks cut a 10-point Boston lead to one late in the fourth quarter. His three clutch baskets down the stretch settled the game.

For fantasy, a 36-9-7 line is the kind of all-around production that puts Tatum firmly in the first round. He contributes in points, rebounds, assists and threes, and his usage in the Boston offense is as high as ever. The Celtics opened the season with a loss to Detroit, but Tatum looked like a player ready to carry the team.

Tatum is a must-start every night. Managers who drafted him with any concern about his health should feel much better after this one.

Boston's second star

Boston opened the season with a loss to Detroit despite a 38-point Celtics debut from Paul George, and Friday's win showed how the two stars can share the load. On a night Tatum took over late, the Celtics did not need George to carry the scoring, which is the balance the team was hoping for when it added him. For fantasy, George's role as the second option gives him a high scoring floor, and his value should hold up as long as he stays healthy.

Mikal Bridges' slow start

Bridges' start has been a shock. He went 0-for in Boston after a poor opener against Philadelphia, and he is now 2-of-16 from the field through two games. That is a level of struggle that goes beyond a normal shooting slump.

Absent a reported injury, the likeliest explanation is a slump that should correct itself over the next few games. Bridges has built his fantasy value on durability and steady volume rather than hot streaks, and that profile does not disappear in two nights.

For fantasy, the answer is patience. Bridges has a long track record as a durable, productive player, and two games is not enough to change that. Hold him for at least another week, and do not sell him at a discount to a manager who is buying the slump. If you need a short-term replacement, a streaming guard with a good schedule is a better move than a panic trade. If the struggles continue through the first two weeks, then it is time to reconsider.

The rest of the Knicks

The Knicks had five players in double figures, led by Karl-Anthony Towns with 22 points. OG Anunoby had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and Jalen Brunson scored 19.

The table below summarizes the key lines from the game.

Anunoby's line is the most interesting for fantasy. Eight assists is well above his usual role, and if he takes on more playmaking duties while Bridges struggles, he could become a more valuable fantasy player. He is a strong hold and a possible buy in category leagues.

Towns and Brunson are both must-starts, and their production should remain strong regardless of the team's slow start.

What the Knicks' 0-2 start means

The Knicks have lost two games against good teams, first to Philadelphia and now to Boston. That is not a crisis, but it is a concern for a team with high expectations. Both games were competitive, and the Knicks had a chance to win in Boston late.

The bigger issue is offense. Bridges' struggles have left the Knicks without a reliable secondary scorer next to Brunson and Towns, and that showed in the fourth quarter. If Bridges recovers, the Knicks' offense should improve quickly.

Betting angle

The Knicks' 0-2 start may lead the market to undervalue them in the coming games. That can create value on New York, since the underlying team quality has not changed much in two close losses. The Celtics, on the other hand, looked strong behind Tatum and could be a team the market is still pricing below its true level.

Bridges' player props are worth watching. After two poor games, his scoring lines may drop, which could create value if he returns to his usual level. For the model's view of upcoming games, check the NBA predictions page.

What to do in your league

Start Tatum every night with full confidence. Hold Bridges and be patient, since two games is not enough to judge. Consider Anunoby a strong hold or a buy if his playmaking role continues. Keep starting Towns and Brunson, since the Knicks' slow start does not change their value.