Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Misses out on double-double
    Gafford amassed 11 points (3-3 FG, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds and one block across 20 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 win over the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: With the return of Dereck Lively, Gafford saw his playing time decrease from 31 minutes in Game 4 to 20 in Game 5. Regardless, Gafford was able to maintain his productivity, recording at least one block for the 11th straight contest. The 24-year-old big averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 24.4 minutes across the five games in the Western Conference Finals. Rotowire.com Today, 1:04 pm
     
  • Jaden McDaniels scores eight points in Game 5 loss
    Jaden McDaniels logged 21 minutes in Thursday’s 124-103 loss to the Mavericks, amassing eight points (3-of-6 FGs), one rebound, two blocks, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: McDaniels struggled with fouls in Game 5, playing a series-low 21 minutes as a result. After scoring 24 points in the series opener, the Timberwolves wing struggled in Games 2 and 5 while producing solid all-around efforts in Games 3 and 4. McDaniels is one of the top wing defenders in the NBA, but his fantasy value is capped due to his being no higher than fourth in the offensive pecking order on most nights. While his status as a starter led many fantasy managers to select Jaden with a late-round pick (Yahoo ADP: 114), he finished just inside the top 200 in 9-cat formats. McDaniels should be selected in most drafts, but managers must keep their expectations in check. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:53 pm
     
  • Daniel Gafford plays playoff-high 31 minutes
    Daniel Gafford shot 6-of-6 from the field in Tuesday’s Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves, scoring 12 points with eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, and three blocked shots in 31 minutes.

    Advice: With Dereck Lively II out with a sprained neck, it was evident that Gafford’s minutes would increase. The 31 minutes he played on Tuesday are the most for DG this postseason, and he was productive as a finisher, rebounder, and rim protector. Maxi Kleber played 13 of the remaining minutes, finishing with two points, one rebound, and one assist in his first game back from a separated shoulder. His minutes in Game 5 will be impacted by the status of Lively, who is trending toward being available to play on Thursday. Rotoworld Tuesday, 9:09 pm
     
  • Undergoes toe surgery
    Fontecchio underwent surgery on his left great toe Tuesday, and he is expected to return by the start of training camp, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Fontecchio missed the final 14 games of the regular season due to a contusion on his right great toe, but he was a solid performer for the Pistons. The 28-year-old averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 30.2 minutes, starting in nine of 16 games. The sharpshooter is a restricted free agent, and he will likely garner interest from multiple teams including the Pistons. However, Fontecchio has made it clear that he is interested in returning to Detroit. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 12:56 pm
     
  • Efficient in Game 3 defeat
    McDaniels contributed 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt), one rebound and one steal over 32 minutes during Sunday's 116-107 loss to Dallas in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: McDaniels hasn't been getting enough offensive touches compared to how good he's been in the series, as the Timberwolves continue to rely on the struggling duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. At the same time, McDaniels has scored 15 or more points in two of three games in the series. He's shooting 55.2 percent from the field in the three losses against Dallas, and it wouldn't be shocking if he gets more touches on offense in Game 4 on Tuesday. Rotowire.com Monday, 7:50 am
     
  • Swats five shots in win
    Gafford amassed 16 points (8-10 FG, 0-2 FT), five rebounds and five blocks over 21 minutes during Friday's 109-108 win over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Gafford was nearly perfect from the field and made his presence felt defensively, recording three or more blocks for the third time across his last eight playoff contests and tying his postseason-best mark in that category. Gafford's two-way play has been massive for Dallas against a frontcourt loaded with size. He's averaging 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game over his last five contests. Rotowire.com Saturday, 4:40 pm
     
  • Daniel Gafford tallies 16 points, five blocks
    Daniel Gafford was excellent in his 21 minutes in Friday’s 109-108 win over Minnesota, amassing 16 points (8-of-10 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, and five blocked shots.

    Advice: Like Game 1, Gafford played fewer minutes than backup Dereck Lively II on Friday. However, that didn’t prevent him from having an impact, especially defensively. Gafford blocked five shots while also shooting 80% from the field, excellently finishing around the basket in the two-man game. As for Lively, he played 27 minutes in Game 2, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. The rookie did not miss a shot, going 6-of-6 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line. Dallas’ big man tag team will look to keep the momentum rolling when they host Game 3 on Sunday. Rotoworld Friday, 8:23 pm
     
  • Leads Minnesota in Game 1 loss
    McDaniels finished Wednesday's 108-105 loss to the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals with 24 points (9-15 FG, 6-9 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists and one steal in 39 minutes.

    Advice: McDaniels carried the Timberwolves in scoring and delivered another impressive outing, as he seems to have carried the momentum of the series against the Nuggets into this matchup. McDaniels has now scored at least 20 points in three straight games -- a personal-best mark -- while shooting 68.6 percent from the field, so it wouldn't be shocking if he has a more prominent role as a scoring weapon in Game 2 on Friday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:37 am
     
  • Close to double-double in win
    Gafford accumulated 10 points (5-9 FG), nine rebounds and one block across 21 minutes during Wednesday's 108-105 win over Minnesota in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Gafford has been rotating at center with Dereck Lively, but the former Wizards big man continues to deliver every time he's called upon duty. He's scored in double digits in six of his last eight playoff contests, a span in which he's averaging 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest. It's only one game, but he looked quite good despite dealing with the presence and threat of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns throughout the contest. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:33 am