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  • Kyrie Irving leads Dallas with 20 points in loss
    Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 20 points (7-of-14 FGs), one rebound, three assists, two steals, one block and three triples in a 117-95 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 on Tuesday.

    Advice: After scoring just six points in the first half, Irving once again turned it on for the second half and scored nine points in the third, which included a contested 3-pointer just before the buzzer. He was consistently better in the second half during their first round series against the Clippers, but his production in the second half of this game wasn’t enough to secure a win on the road. If Irving can put together two solid halves in Game 2, they may be able to steal a game on the road and head to Dallas with the series tied. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:27 pm
     
  • Carries Mavericks to Game 6 win
    Irving provided 30 points (11-19 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 3-5 FT), six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals across 42 minutes during Friday's 114-101 victory over the Clippers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

    Advice: Irving led the Mavericks on offense and was a consistent weapon alongside Luka Doncic, reaching the 30-point mark in three of the six outings in the first-round series against the Clippers. He should continue to play a prominent role on offense for Dallas ahead of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Thunder. Rotowire.com Saturday, 6:42 am
     
  • Poor shooting in season-ending loss
    Harden finished with 16 points (5-16 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds, 13 assists, one block and two steals over 43 minutes during Friday's 114-101 loss to Dallas in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

    Advice: Harden was one of the players the Clippers needed to have step up with Kawhi Leonard (knee) sidelined, but the veteran guard didn't come through. He was particularly woeful in the final two games of the series, during which he went 7-for-28 from the field, including 1-for-13 from three-point range. He averaged 21.2 points and 8.0 assists per game in the series, but the numbers don't tell the whole story, as the Clippers needed -- and expected -- more out of him, but he couldn't deliver when called upon. Rotowire.com Saturday, 6:23 am
     
  • James Harden drops 16 points, 13 assists Friday
    James Harden finished Friday’s 114-101 loss to the Mavericks with 16 points (5-of-16 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), seven rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in 43 minutes.

    Advice: Harden may have dished out 13 assists while only committing one turnover in Game 6, but he struggled shooting the basketball in his final game of the season. The Beard did not play well in the series’ final two games, which was also the case for Paul George. Friday’s loss sends James into what could be another offseason of change. Harden’s season began with instability, as he made it clear that he wanted out of Philadelphia. The 76ers ultimately accommodated that desire, and after a slow start to his time with the Clippers, The Beard rounded into form. Harden’s Yahoo ADP (31.3) suffered due to the preseason questions, but he finished the year as a top 30 player in 8- and 9-cat formats. Harden will be a free agent this summer, and the Clippers could also have to negotiate a new deal with George. Look for his ADP to improve by a few spots if the Clippers keep the roster intact. Rotoworld Friday, 9:54 pm
     
  • Kyrie Irving scores 28 second-half points Friday
    Kyrie Irving finished Friday’s 114-101 win over the Clippers with 30 points (11-of-19 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks, and five 3-pointers in 42 minutes.

    Advice: Game 6 was a tale of two halves for Irving, whose increased focus on the defensive end of the floor may have limited his energy on offense. At various points in Friday’s win, he was responsible for guarding James Harden or Paul George. After missing both of his field goal attempts and scoring two points in the first half, Kyrie went off in the second. The 28 points tied a career playoff high for most in a half, and he combined with Luka Doncic to score 58 of Dallas’ 114 points. Irving must bring similar defensive energy to the table in the second round, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are up next. Game 1 of that series is on Tuesday. Rotoworld Friday, 9:34 pm
     
  • Limited impact in Game 5 loss
    Harden amassed seven points (2-12 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and seven assists over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 123-93 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

    Advice: Harden was a non-factor in the loss, a far cry from what he has been able to deliver thus far in the series. Both he and Paul George had off nights, much to the joy of Mavericks fans. The Clippers are now one loss away from elimination, a result that would leave the future of the current squad in some doubt. If they are to force a Game 7, Harden is going to need to rediscover his early-series form. Rotowire.com Thursday, 2:58 am
     
  • Kyrie Irving limited to 14 points in Game 5 win
    Kyrie Irving finished Wednesday’s 123-93 win over the Clippers with 14 points (6-of-14 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), four rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 35 minutes.

    Advice: Irving caught fire in Sunday’s Game 4 defeat, shooting 14-of-25 from the field and 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. He cooled off considerably in Game 5, specifically from three (1-of-7), but still managed to shoot 5-of-7 from two. Luka Doncic snapped out of his self-proclaimed funk, and other Mavericks stepped up as they handed the Clippers their worst postseason defeat in franchise history. Dallas takes a 3-2 lead into Friday’s Game 6, and it’s fair to assume Irving will be better than he was on Wednesday. Rotoworld Wednesday, 9:36 pm
     
  • James Harden offers little in Game 5 blowout loss
    James Harden played 33 minutes in Wednesday’s 123-93 loss to the Mavericks, accounting for seven points (2-of-12 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: After shining in Sunday’s Game 4 victory, Harden put up an absolute stinker in Game 5. He finished with more turnovers (four) than made field goals (two), failing to reach double figures in a postseason game for the first time since Game 7 of the 76ers’ second-round loss to the Celtics last season. We’ve seen Harden have great games before, and he’ll need to do the same in Game 6 on Friday if the Clippers are to extend their season. Rotoworld Wednesday, 9:32 pm
     
  • All-around outing in Game 4 win
    Harden produced 33 points (12-17 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal in 40 minutes during Sunday's 116-111 victory over Dallas in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

    Advice: Harden stepped up alongside teammate Paul George to lift Los Angeles to a much-needed win in Game 4 to even the series at 2-2 entering Game 5. Harden posted a team-high-tying point total while connecting on a quartet of threes in a balanced showing. Harden reached the 30-point mark for the first time of the series, also logging his highest rebound total of the postseason thus far. Rotowire.com Apr 28, 6:13 pm