Celtics vs. Bucks Thursday NBA injury report, spread, odds: Jayson Tatum, Al Horford out as Boston gives up chasing East's top seed

The Boston Celtics are mathematically alive to earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but apparently the C's don't think it's worth the risk of injury to Jayson Tatum and Al Horford as both will sit out tonight's game in Milwaukee, the second of a back-to-back for Boston. The Bucks jumped from -7 to -9 at Caesars Sportsbook. Click here for model picks.

Miami (52-28) has a two-game lead for the East's best record over Boston (50-30), but the Celtics would have won the tiebreaker thanks to a 2-1 season-series win over the Heat. It was unlikely Miami was going to lose its two remaining games. Now the Heat (next in action Friday at home vs. Atlanta) will clinch the best record in the East with losses by Boston and Philadelphia in Toronto also Thursday. The Celtics if they pull the upset would clinch the Atlantic Division with a Sixers loss to the Raptors.

Tatum (26.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg) played 30 minutes in Wednesday's 117-94 win in Chicago but was just 5-for-18 and the Celtics are calling Tatum's issue "right patella tendinopathy," but they basically hinted Wednesday that he wouldn't play tonight. Horford (10.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg) has lower back soreness. Boston is already thin in the frontcourt with Robert Williams out for the season.

Milwaukee technically still has a shot at the top seed in the East but would have to win out and get help. The defending NBA champions would clinch at worst the No. 4 tonight with a win OR Toronto loss to Philadelphia. The Bucks already have clinched their fourth straight Central Division title.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as probable with right knee soreness but should play in the team's regular-season home finale. He's also chasing the scoring title, currently third at 29.9 ppg. Joel Embiid leads at 30.4 and LeBron James is at 30.3 and almost surely isn't playing again this year. Giannis is trying to join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in Bucks history to average 30.0 ppg in a season (Abdul-Jabbar did it four times).

Grayson Allen is listed as doubtful for Milwaukee with left hip soreness. He took a hard foul Tuesday in Chicago. Allen averages 11.1 ppg. Wesley Matthews should start in his spot.

Looking for the best picks against the spread, sharp plays on the total and props you can take straight to the pay window? Join Jonathan Coachman on The Early Edge as he speaks with SportsLine's top handicappers to preview the day's biggest games. We promise to keep it short and sweet and to put some green in your pocket. The Early Edge is in your feed every single day by 11 a.m. ET. Subscribe right here on YouTube to watch daily, plus don't miss The Early Edge specials and live shows!