Sam

Hauser

As expected, Hauser will be unavailable for this game. Boston has already clinched the No. 2 seed in the East, so there is no reason for Hauser to suit up. Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh should take on much larger roles.

The Celtics, who secured the No. 2 seed in the East with Friday’s win over the Pelicans, will sit most of their key rotation players on Sunday. Pritchard and Hauser not playing would free up additional minutes for some of Boston’s rarely used perimeter reserves, including Ron Harper Jr. As for Vučević, his absence would open a spot in the rotation for Amari Williams.

Hauser scored at least 20 points in a game once in the first three months of the year and has now done it twice already in April. The 28-year-old power forward made eight threes to give himself 24 points, which led the Celtics in the win over the Pelicans on Friday. Boston will wrap up the regular season on Sunday against the Magic.

Hauer started, but had just six points in 31 minutes in Thursday’s loss to the Knicks. The 28-year-old power forward is once again available despite a back injury, but don’t expect much of a fantasy ceiling.

Hauser is good to go after initially being questionable for Thursday’s game. He’ll occupy his usual space within the Celtics’ starting lineup.

Hauser is dealing with lower back spasms, and Queta has a sprained right great toe. The latter’s absence would free up rotation minutes for Luka Garza and Nikola Vučević, and Vooch could use a few more minutes as he shakes off the rust following an extended absence due to a fractured hand. Hauser sitting out opens up playing time for Ron Harper Jr.

The Celtics made 11 three-pointers in their 53-point first quarter, and Hauser was responsible for nearly half of them. He shot 5-of-5 from distance, finishing the period with 17 points. Hauser didn’t make another three-pointer, but the damage was done. Add in the defensive contributions, and this was one of his better performances since the All-Star break. Given the current state of the Bucks, it would be unsurprising if Hauser had another good night on Friday in Milwaukee.

After being shorthanded for their back-to-back on Sunday and Monday, the Celtics will have their preferred first five on the floor in Miami. Hauser, Tatum and Queta are good to go, which pushes Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh and Luka Garza to the bench.

Hauser is relied on for points and three-pointers, and he was productive in those areas on Sunday. After making two of his eight three-point attempts in Friday’s win over the Mavericks, he shot 5-of-10 from deep against the Cavaliers. Add in the four rebounds, and Hauser’s performance was a good one for those rostering him in deep leagues.

Tatum will make his season debut on Friday, prompting a change to the Celtics’ starting lineup. Baylor Scheierman heads to the bench, which lowers his fantasy ceiling, especially with Tatum not under a minutes restriction.