Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • D’Angelo Russell starts hot, finishes with 23 PTS
    D’Angelo Russell played 39 minutes in Monday’s 101-99 loss to the Nuggets, accounting for 23 points (8-of-16 FGs), three rebounds, six assists, and seven 3-pointers.

    Advice: Much was made about Russell’s poor Game 1, especially considering how poorly he played in last season’s Western Conference Finals. He appeared to have a point to prove to begin Game 2, as D’Lo hit all three of his 3-point attempts and scored nine points in the first quarter. He finished with an efficient 23, shooting 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. However, he was 2-of-6 from the field in the second half, which was a decrease in production the Lakers can’t afford, given the caliber of the opponent they’re up against. Russell and the Lakers head home for Game 3 on Thursday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:13 pm
     
  • Jamal Murray scores 14 fourth-quarter points Mon.
    Jamal Murray played 40 minutes in Monday’s 101-99 win over the Lakers, tallying 20 points (9-of-24 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), three rebounds, five assists, and two blocked shots.

    Advice: Murray had a rough night overall but saved his best for last. He scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including a fadeaway over Anthony Davis’s outstretched hand as time expired to give Denver a 2-0 series lead. Murray also shot 9-of-24 from the field in Game 1 but shot 4-of-9 from three on Saturday. On Monday, he missed all five attempts from beyond the arc. The series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3, which will be played on Thursday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:44 pm
     
  • Tyrese Maxey scores game-high 35 points in Game 2
    Tyrese Maxey shot 12-of-22 from the field and 6-of-6 from the foul line in Monday’s 104-101 loss to the Knicks, amassing 35 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists, and five 3-pointers in 44 minutes.

    Advice: A game-time decision for Game 2 due to an illness, Maxey made his first three shots (all 3-pointers). While he did commit four turnovers, the last of which led to Donte DiVincenzo’s game-winning three with 13.1 seconds remaining, the 76ers’ point guard had a good night overall. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, the efforts of Maxey and Embiid weren’t enough on a night when no other 76ers player scored more than ten points (Tobias Harris). They’ll look to rebound on Thursday when the series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:02 pm
     
  • Josh Hart tallies 21 points, 15 rebounds in Game 2
    Josh Hart finished Monday’s 104-101 win over Philadelphia with 21 points (7-of-16 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks, and four 3-pointers in 48 minutes.

    Advice: Hart played every second of Game 2, with his steal sparking a sequence capped by Donte DiVincenzo’s game-winning three with 13.1 seconds remaining. The 76ers continued to let Hart fire away from beyond the arc, and he made them pay for the second straight game. The Knicks wing was 4-of-7 from beyond the arc in Game 2, in addition to recording another double-double. Philadelphia did a much better job on the boards than in Game 1, but the approach of simply letting Hart shoot may need to change heading into Thursday’s Game 3. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:47 pm
     
  • Jalen Brunson’s struggles continue in Game 2 win
    Jalen Brunson shot 8-of-29 from the field and 7-of-9 from the foul line in Monday’s 104-101 win over the 76ers, accounting for 24 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and one 3-pointer in 38 minutes.

    Advice: The 76ers held Brunson to below 30% shooting in the first two games, yet they’re heading to Philadelphia in an 0-2 hole. The Knicks point guard has struggled with the length of Philadelphia’s wings, but he hit a huge 3-pointer to cut the Knicks’ deficit to two with 28 seconds remaining. That set the stage for a wild sequence culminating with a Donte DiVincenzo three that gave the Knicks the lead for good. New York will need more for Brunson as the series shifts to Philadelphia, with Game 3 scheduled for Thursday night. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:44 pm
     
  • Donte DiVincenzo hits game-winner, scores 19 PTS
    Donte DiVincenzo played 37 minutes in Monday’s 104-101 win over Philadelphia, tallying 19 points (5-of-10 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and four 3-pointers.

    Advice: While former college roommate Jalen Brunson struggled with his shot most of the night, DiVincenzo performed better than in Game 1 on Saturday. He also made the biggest shot of Game 2, as his 3-pointer with 13.1 seconds remaining gave the Knicks the lead for good. Unlike Game 1, when Miles McBride replaced him in the lineup in crunch time, DiVincenzo was on the court on Monday and came up big for the Knicks. McBride played 21 minutes off the bench, accounting for nine points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal. Game 3 is on Thursday night in Philadelphia. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:29 pm
     
  • Franz Wagner (shoulder) points 18/7/2/1/1 line
    Franz Wagner (right shoulder) accounted for 18 points (5-of-17 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes in Monday’s 96-86 loss to Cleveland.

    Advice: Like Paolo Banchero, Wagner had a rough night offensively. In addition to the poor shooting, he committed six of Orlando’s 16 turnovers (Banchero also had six). Also, Wagner appeared to injure his right shoulder during the final minute to make matters worse. Play never stopped, so he remained on the court through the final buzzer, which may land Wagner on the injury report ahead of Thursday’s Game 3. The other injury concern is Jalen Suggs, who strained his left knee during the first quarter. He returned to begin the third and finished with nine points, six rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 29 minutes. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:18 pm
     
  • Nears 20 points in balanced outing
    Wagner tallied 18 points (5-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 38 minutes in Orlando's 96-86 loss to Cleveland in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series.

    Advice: Wagner struggled to find his shot a bit in Monday's defeat but still provided a lift offensively by ending two points shy of the 20-point mark while leading all Magic players in rebounds in a balanced performance. Wagner has put together back-to-back strong showings for Orlando to start the opening-round series, posting 18 points and seven boards in both contests. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:10 pm
     
  • Strong from deep in loss
    Harris ended with 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt), four rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 34 minutes in Orlando's 96-86 loss to Cleveland in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series.

    Advice: Harris led all Orlando players in threes made while hauling in a quartet of rebounds and ending as one of four players with a double-digit point total in a losing effort. Harris bounced back in Game 2 after a disappointing performance in Game 1, during which the guard did not connect on a shot while being held scoreless. Harris will need to continue to provide a lift offensively for Orlando as it tries to erase a 2-0 series deficit entering Game 3. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:10 pm