Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Kristaps Porzingis (leg) a DNP-CD in Game 4 loss
    Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis dislocation) did not play in Friday’s 122-84 loss to the Mavericks.

    Advice: Porzingis was cleared to play after sitting out Game 3. However, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said during his pregame availability that he would only play in “very specific instances,” so the chances of KP seeing action were slim. With Game 4 getting out of hand by the end of the first quarter, there was no reason for Mazzulla to consider inserting Porzingis. Game 5 is on Monday night, with Porzingis’ availability impacting Al Horford and Xavier Tillman if he’s allowed to play. Rotoworld Friday, 8:30 pm
     
  • Dereck Lively II records another double-double
    Dereck Lively II shot 4-of-5 from the field and 2-of-4 from the foul line in Friday’s 122-84 win over Boston, amassing 11 points, 12 rebounds, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes.

    Advice: After offering minimal offensive production in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, Lively’s output picked up in Dallas. The rookie center recorded double-doubles in both games, and he hit his first 3-pointer (regular season or playoffs) in Game 4. While Lively logged 22 minutes before both coaches cleared their respective benches, starting center Daniel Gafford (seven points, four rebounds, and one blocked shot) played ten. While the order of the rotation won’t change for Game 5 on Monday, Lively projects to be the better option for DFS players. Rotoworld Friday, 8:19 pm
     
  • Warming up Friday
    Porzingis (lower leg) was out on the court warming up ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Friday.

    Advice: Porzingis is still officially listed as questionable after missing Game 3 with a left posterior tibialis dislocation. While an official determination of Porzingis' status will likely be made closer to tipoff at 8:30 ET, he seems to be moving well, which bodes well for his availability moving forward in the series. Rotowire.com Friday, 3:06 pm
     
  • Comes close to double-double
    Washington finished with 13 points (3-9 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-6 FT), eight rebounds and two assists across 39 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 loss to the Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Washington finished just two rebounds shy of recording what would've been his first double-double since May 15, when he recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Game 5 win over the Thunder. He's been surprisingly consistent in the Finals despite Dallas' three straight losses, scoring in double figures and grabbing at least seven boards in each outing. He'll aim to keep this streak going in Game 4 on Friday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 7:00 am
     
  • Posts double-double in Game 3 loss
    Lively finished with 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and two steals in 30 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 loss to Boston in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Lively was limited to just two points in Games 1 and 2, respectively, but he bounced back in this one, and the rookie posted his first double-double since the team's May 18 win over the Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The rookie was able to make an impact without Kristaps Porzingis (lower leg) on the court, and Lively will aim to be a factor in Game 4 on Friday, where the Mavericks need a win to keep the series alive. Rotowire.com Thursday, 6:52 am
     
  • Active on both ends in Game 3
    Horford registered eight points (3-6 FG, 2-5 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals across 37 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 win over the Mavericks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Horford plays a secondary role in the Celtics' offensive scheme, though that's not surprising since he shares the court regularly with established superstars such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. However, the veteran big man does all the little things contending teams need to win games consistently, and he regularly finds a way to contribute. Though he's not much of a reliable fantasy option at this point of his career, Horford is averaging 7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in the current NBA Finals. Rotowire.com Thursday, 6:44 am
     
  • Drains three threes in Game 3 win
    Hauser ended Wednesday's 106-99 victory over the Mavericks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals with nine points (3-4 FG, 3-4 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across 14 minutes.

    Advice: Hauser led the Celtics with a plus-16 plus-minus ratio during the win. In addition to hitting three of four attempts from beyond the arc, Hauser also delivered excellent defense. The reserve forward stopped Mavericks star Luka Doncic on a few drives. Hauser's 14 minutes of run led Boston's bench. The three-point sniper has now hit 1.2 triples per game throughout the playoffs. The Celtics will try to sweep the Finals on Friday in Dallas. Rotowire.com Thursday, 6:03 am
     
  • Dereck Lively II drops double-double in Game 3
    Dereck Lively II played 30 minutes off the bench in Wednesday’s 106-99 loss to the Celtics, recording a line of 11 points (5-of-6 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), 13 rebounds, one assist, and two steals.

    Advice: Lively and starter Daniel Gafford effectively have a timeshare at the center position, with Mavericks coach Jason Kidd tending to stick with the “hot hand.” The rookie was that player in Game 3, recording a double-double and also accumulating two steals. As for Gafford, he finished with six points, three rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot in 16 minutes. The unpredictable nature of the minutes split makes it difficult to rely on Lively or Gafford in DFS, but the former proved to be a quality play on Wednesday. Rotoworld Wednesday, 8:48 pm
     
  • PJ Washington hits three triples, scores 13 points
    PJ Washington played 39 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics, accumulating 13 points (3-of-9 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Washington had a good night from beyond the arc, shooting 3-of-6. However, he missed all three of his two-point attempts, and the 13 points weren’t enough to supplement the efforts of Kyrie Irving (35 points) and Luka Doncic (27). Washington has reached double figures in all three games of the NBA Finals, but it’s difficult for a third scorer to get into a groove when the two stars are as ball-dominant as Doncic and Irving. Dallas must win on Friday to avoid becoming the first team to be swept in the NBA Finals since Cleveland in 2018. Rotoworld Wednesday, 8:40 pm