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  • Questionable for Game 3
    Porzingis (lower leg) is questionable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Mavericks on Wednesday, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

    Advice: Porzingis was seen walking around with a sleeve on his left ankle during media availability but seemed to be in good spirits, as he has stated he will do everything he can to play in Game 3, Malika Andrews of ESPN.com reports. While the 28-year-old has told reporters he wants to play, it is ultimately up to the Celtics' medical staff to determine whether or not Porzingis will be cleared in time for Wednesday after suffering a torn medial retinaculum in the third quarter of Game 2. Porzingis has missed 10 games this postseason due to an unrelated right calf strain, accumulating 32 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and an assist while shooting 12-for-20 from the field across two games since his return. For now, there is no indication Porzingis will be ruled out for Game 3, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:43 pm
     
  • Porzingis (calf) day-to-day, optimistic for Game 3
    According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Kristaps Porzingis “suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon,” and this “rare injury” is not related to his existing calf strain.

    Advice: ESPN’s elaborated on Porzingis’ injury, noting, “Joe Mazzulla says this is a ‘serious injury,’” and, “‘He’s doing anything and everything he can to be able to play.’” Porzingis that he’s ‘optimistic’ for Game 3, but given his injury history, there’s no guarantee he’ll be available. Porzingis has averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 triples across 22.0 minutes in the Finals thus far. If he’s ruled out, Al Horford would presumably take on a larger role. Rotoworld Yesterday, 12:24 pm
     
  • Considered day-to-day
    The Celtics announced Tuesday that Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg during the third quarter of Boston's 105-98 win over Dallas in the NBA Finals on Sunday, Marc D'Amico of the team's official site reports. Porzingis is considered day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's Game 3.

    Advice: The injury Porzingis suffered in Game 2 is unrelated to the calf strain that kept him out for 10 straight postseason games before he returned for the opening game of the NBA Finals. However, his availability for Game 3 is still in doubt. The Celtics will release their official injury report later Tuesday, when further clarity on Porzingis' status will be provided. Porzingis scored 20 points (8-13 FG) in 21 minutes during his return from the 10-game absence in Game 1, and he continued to excel in Game 2 before being taken out, posting 12 points (4-7 FG), four rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:31 am
     
  • Muted impact in Finals
    Lively registered two points (1-3 FG) and seven rebounds across 19 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Through two Finals games, Lively has totaled just four points, 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal with no blocks and four turnovers. Dallas has tried more Maxi Kleber minutes to combat the Celtics' floor spacing, but the results have been less than stellar. Game 3 will be on the Mavericks' home floor, where Lively is averaging 9.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:09 am
     
  • Decent outing in Game 2 win
    Horford contributed five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and one steal across 28 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 win over Dallas in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Horford scored only five points -- his fewest since Game 3 against the Cavaliers -- but it was enough to get the job done against the Mavericks. Though his scoring can be inconsistent, the veteran has grabbed at least five rebounds in nine straight games and recorded at least one defensive stat in eight consecutive games. Now he and the Celtics go on the road for Game 3, with Horford averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in road postseason games this season. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:05 am
     
  • Gets offense going inside arc
    Washington notched 17 points (6-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block across 40 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to Boston in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Despite going 1-for-5 from three, Washington put together an efficient performance, playing physical in the paint. His 17 points were his most since May 13, which was Game 4 against the Thunder. Now, for a critical Game 3, Dallas goes home, where Washington is averaging 14.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 8:54 am
     
  • 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