Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Nears triple-double in Game 2 loss
    Jokic amassed 16 points (5-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 16 rebounds, eight assists and one block across 39 minutes during Monday's 106-80 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Jokic can change a game by himself at any point of a contest and is dominant enough to carry Denver to victory on a regular basis, but he hasn't been able to do it in the first two games of the current series. The two-time MVP winner is averaging 27.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game through seven playoff contests. While he remains an absolute stud in fantasy regardless of what happens with the Nuggets as a team, he needs his teammates to take a step forward to avoid an early exit in their quest to win back-to-back NBA titles. Rotowire.com Today, 5:50 am
     
  • Cold shooting in Game 2 defeat
    Murray finished with eight points (3-18 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals across 36 minutes during Monday's 106-80 loss to Minnesota in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Murray has struggled badly in the postseason when it comes to his efficiency despite the fact he had some good moments in the series against the Lakers. However, Monday's game was a new low for him, as he missed 15 of his 18 shots and didn't reach the 10-point plateau for the first time since Feb. 29. Murray needs to bounce back if the Nuggets want to have a shot at turning things around. He's averaging 12.5 points per game while shooting just 28.1 percent from the floor in his first two appearances in the series. Rotowire.com Today, 5:48 am
     
  • Shines off bench in Game 2
    Alexander-Walker accumulated 14 points (5-9 FG, 4-7 3Pt), six rebounds, one assist and three blocks in 30 minutes during Monday's 106-80 win over the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: As has been the case throughout the entire playoff run, Alexander-Walker was impressive and provided a scoring punch off the bench, unsettling the Nuggets with his long-range shooting and energy. Alexander-Walker averaged just 8.0 points per game during the regular season, but he's taken his play to another level in the playoffs, scoring in double digits in four of his six appearances while upping his scoring average to 11.3 points per game. Rotowire.com Today, 5:46 am
     
  • Efficient double-double in win
    Towns closed with 27 points (10-15 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal across 36 minutes during Monday's 106-80 win over the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Towns was tasked with more responsibility on the defensive end since Rudy Gobert (personal) was unavailable for this contest. Even though he had to deal with Nikola Jokic on both ends of the court, Towns thrived and posted a great stat line. This was Towns' third double-double over his last four playoff appearances, and he's expected to return to his role at power forward in case Gobert is ready to return for Game 3 of the series, scheduled for Friday. Rotowire.com Today, 5:43 am
     
  • Efficient in Game 2 victory
    Edwards notched 27 points (11-17 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-7 FT), two rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 37 minutes during Monday's 106-80 win over the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Edwards didn't repeat the 43-point performance from Game 1, but he was highly efficient in this one and played a prominent role in the victory while also ending just three assists away from a double-double. Edwards has been almost unstoppable since the start of the playoffs and is averaging 32.3 points per game while keeping the Timberwolves undefeated through six postseason contests so far. Rotowire.com Today, 5:41 am
     
  • Reggie Jackson (calf) exits during fourth quarter
    Reggie Jackson (left calf tightness) tallied three points (1-of-6 FGs), two rebounds, one assist, and one 3-pointer in 10 minutes in Monday’s Game 2 loss to Minnesota.

    Advice: Already dealing with a sore left ankle, Jackson hobbled off the court during the fourth quarter with tightness in his left calf. While Denver announced that he was questionable to return, the veteran point guard remained in the locker room. The only production Denver received from its bench in Game 2 was from Justin Holiday, who shot 4-of-5 from three and finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and one assist. With Jackson and Murray dealing with calf issues, the Nuggets have two point guards not playing at full strength. Game 3 being on Friday could help matters, but the biggest problem has been the talented Timberwolves. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:13 pm
     
  • Jamal Murray (calf) struggles in Game 2 blowout
    Jamal Murray (left calf strain) shot 3-of-18 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Monday’s 106-80 loss to the Timberwolves, finishing with eight points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in 36 minutes.

    Advice: Murray had a rough night at the office, as Denver fell into an 0-2 hole. He struggled with his shot throughout and was also visibly frustrated with the officials. Things reached a head during the second quarter when an angry Murray threw a heat pack onto the court. No technical foul was called at the time, but the NBA is likely to hand down a punishment of some kind before Game 3 on Friday. The three days off come at a good time for Murray, who is in serious need of some time to rest his ailing calf. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:09 pm
     
  • Aaron Gordon leads Nuggets with 20 points Monday
    Aaron Gordon played 33 minutes in Monday’s Game 2 loss to the Timberwolves, accounting for 20 points (8-of-14 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Gordon played better than any other Nugget in Game 2, and while that benefitted those who put him into their DFS lineups, that was not good news for Denver. Stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined to score 24 points, and Michael Porter Jr. (9/5/2/1/1 with one 3-pointer) shot 1-of-7 from three while committing four turnovers. Gordon was one block shy of a full stat line, and his production was one of the few bright spots on Monday. Given how limited Denver’s bench is, they may need another effort like this in Game 3 on Friday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:04 pm
     
  • Nikola Jokic records 16/16/8/0/1 line in Game 2
    Nikola Jokic finished Monday’s 106-80 loss to the Timberwolves with 16 points (5-of-13 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), 16 rebounds, eight assists, and one blocked shot in 39 minutes.

    Advice: Jamal Murray (calf) isn’t playing at full strength, and Minnesota was playing without Rudy Gobert on Monday. With the Nuggets having dropped Game 1, they needed an elite performance from Jokic. While he did finish two assists shy of a triple-double, they did not get that from the Joker. He committed four turnovers, but the shooting (5-of-13 FGs) was especially concerning. Minnesota had some success during Game 1 using Karl-Anthony Towns or Naz Reid on Jokic, with Gobert serving as the “free safety.” The Timberwolves could not do that in Game 2, but they successfully defended Jokic straight up. He and the Nuggets have some things to address ahead of Friday’s Game 3. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:48 pm