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  • Close to double-double in loss
    Gafford amassed 13 points (6-9 FG, 1-4 FT), nine rebounds and one block across 23 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Gafford was efficient from the field and finished just one rebound shy of a double-double, but he had problems dealing with Kristaps Porzingis once again. The fact that the Celtics' big men can play on the perimeter has limited Gafford's defensive influence. Gafford has now posted at least eight rebounds in three of his last four playoff appearances. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:32 pm
     
  • Daniel Gafford tallies 13 points, nine rebounds
    Daniel Gafford shot 6-of-9 from the field and 1-of-4 from the foul line in Sunday’s Game 2 loss to the Celtics, scoring 13 points with nine rebounds and one blocked shot in 23 minutes.

    Advice: Limited to 14 minutes in Game 1, Gafford was more impactful as a finisher and rebounder in Game 2. As a result, he played 23 minutes while backup center Dereck Lively II (two points and seven rebounds) logged 19. Dallas broke even in Gafford’s minutes, but they were a minus-15 with Lively on the floor. Regardless of which big man is on the floor, they’ll need to be better if the Mavericks are to have any chance of knocking off the Celtics. Game 3 is on Wednesday night in Dallas. Rotoworld Sunday, 8:21 pm
     
  • PJ Washington scores 17 points in Game 2 defeat
    PJ Washington accumulated 17 points (6-of-13 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, one block, and one 3-pointer in 40 minutes in Sunday’s 105-98 loss to Boston.

    Advice: After scoring 14 points in Game 1, Washington was three points better in Game 2. However, his struggles from beyond the arc continue, as he was 1-of-5 on Sunday. Since making 3.8 3-pointers at a 46.9% clip during Dallas’ second-round series against Oklahoma City, Washington has gone 9-of-40 from beyond the arc. He’s 1-of-8 in the NBA Finals, and the Mavericks will need a more accurate Washington moving forward. Game 3 is on Wednesday night in Dallas. Rotoworld Sunday, 8:17 pm
     
  • No concern regarding calf issue
    Coach Joe Mazzulla said after Sunday's win over the Mavericks that he isn't concerned about Porzingis' calf heading into Wednesday's Game 3, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Porzingis logged 12 points (4-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 23 minutes during Sunday's victory, but he exited the matchup with 4:40 remaining and didn't return. He appeared to be getting his calf looked at on the team's bench area, but the issue isn't expected to be a concern as the NBA Finals roll on. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:09 pm
     
  • BOS not concerned about Porzingis’ calf injury
    Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said after Sunday’s Game 2 win over the Mavericks that he has no concern regarding Kristaps Porzingis’ status for Wednesday’s Game 3.

    Advice: Porzingis, who returned from a right soleus strain in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, appeared to be laboring during the fourth quarter of Game 2. The 7-foot-3 big man played 23 minutes, finishing with 12 points (4-of-7 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, and two blocked shots. According to Mazzulla, Porzingis did not aggravate the calf strain and should be “good” moving forward. Al Horford remained in the starting lineup and played 28 minutes, finishing with five points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one 3-pointer. With Porzingis reportedly limited to 20-25 minutes, expect Mazzulla to stick with Horford as his starting center. Rotoworld Sunday, 7:58 pm
     
  • Coming off bench in Game 2
    Porzingis will come off the bench in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday versus the Mavericks, Malika Andrews of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Porzingis returned for Game 1 of the NBA Finals after suffering a right soleus strain in Game 4 of the Celtics' opening-round series against the Heat. The 28-year-old left his mark off the bench in Game 1, putting up 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks across 21 minutes in a blowout victory. Al Horford will retain his role in the starting lineup, though his minutes will likely decrease, as Porzingis' role is expected to grow as the Celtics look to take Game 2 at home. Rotowire.com Sunday, 9:56 am
     
  • Plays well in Game 1
    Horford totaled 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 30 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: With the benches emptying near the end of the fourth quarter and Kristaps Porzingis making his return, Boston needed just 30 minutes out of Horford. In the seven games leading up to Thursday, Horford had averaged 34.6 minutes with only one day of rest between in-series games. Now, the Celtics and Mavericks don't face off again until Sunday, and then Wednesday. That gives the 38-year-old more rest than he's been used to lately, which could help him stay more effective when he's needed the most. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:39 am
     
  • Sniffs double-double in Game 1 loss
    Washington closed Thursday's 107-89 loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals with 14 points (5-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), eight rebounds and one assist over 36 minutes.

    Advice: The Mavericks struggled on offense all game long and didn't even reach the 90-point mark, but Washington was one of the few decent performers on a Dallas team that looked overmatched at times. Washington has looked comfortable being Dallas' third-best offensive player during this postseason run, but his efforts were not enough in this lopsided defeat. Washington has now scored in double digits in each of his last six playoff outings. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:47 pm
     
  • PJ Washington records 14/8/1 line in Game 1 loss
    PJ Washington finished Thursday’s 107-89 loss to the Celtics with 14 points (5-of-11 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), eight rebounds, and one assist in 36 minutes.

    Advice: Like many of his teammates, Washington struggled from deep in Game 1. The Mavericks forward was 0-of-3 from three, and the Mavericks shot 7-of-27 as a team. With Boston making 16 3-pointers, the 27-point margin was too significant for Dallas to overcome. Washington has reached double figures in six consecutive games, but Thursday ended a three-game streak of at least two 3-pointers. He and the Mavericks will look to rebound in Game 2 on Sunday night. Rotoworld Thursday, 8:04 pm