• Derrick White crashes to earth, scores 10 points
    Derrick White amassed 10 points (3-of-11 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, five assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 30 minutes in Thursday’s Game 2 loss to the Cavaliers.

    Advice: Having hit seven 3-pointers in Boston’s Game 1 blowout of the Cavs, White appeared to be in for a big series. However, his shot went missing in Game 2, and Derrick wasn’t the only Celtics player to struggle. As a team, Boston shot 8-of-35 from beyond the arc, with Cleveland outscoring them by a 39-24 margin. Thursday’s performance ended a three-game streak of at least 25 points for White, who scored 20 or more in three of Boston’s five games against Miami in the first round. He’ll look to bounce back in Game 3 on Saturday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:07 pm
  • Jaylen Brown goes cold from three in Game 2 loss
    Jaylen Brown logged 31 minutes in Thursday’s loss to the Cavaliers, accumulating 19 points (7-of-17 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, and one assist.

    Advice: By his standards, Brown’s effort in Game 2 was pedestrian as the Cavaliers ran the Celtics out of their own arena. While he did shoot 7-of-11 from two, JB missed all six of his attempts from beyond the arc. If anything, Brown’s 4-of-6 effort in Game 1 was a departure from the norm, as he shot 31.1% from three on 5.6 attempts per game in the Miami series. If there’s a positive to take away from the first two games of the Cleveland series, it’s that Brown has gone 9-of-9 from the foul line. By comparison, he shot 45% in the first round. He and the Celtics will attempt to regain control of the series when it shifts to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:56 pm
  • Leads offensively in Game 2 victory
    Mitchell tallied 29 points (10-19 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 4-6 FT), eight assists and seven rebounds over 40 minutes in Thursday's 118-94 win over the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Mitchell led Cleveland offensively in a bounce-back performance in Game 2 to even the series with Boston, leading all players in the contest in scoring, threes made and assists while ending one point shy of the 30-point mark in the road game. Mitchell has done it all for the Cavaliers through two games against the Celtics, averaging 31 points so far in the semifinals. Mitchell posted his first game of the postseason with at least seven rebounds and seven assists, also setting a playoff high in threes made in the victory. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:54 pm
  • Steps up with all-around Game 2
    Mobley recorded 21 points (9-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal over 33 minutes in Thursday's 118-94 win over the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Mobley stepped up as the starting center while Jarrett Allen (ribs) remained out in Game 2, leading all players in the contest in rebounds and blocks to go along with a handful of assists while ending as one of three Cavaliers with 20 or more points in a double-double performance. Mobley is off to a hot start in the series against Boston, posting a double-double in both games thus far. If Mobley is able to continue to play well for Cleveland, that will provide a much-needed lift for the Cavaliers against a dominant Celtics squad. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:54 pm
  • Jayson Tatum leads Celtics with 25 points Thursday
    Jayson Tatum shot 7-of-17 from the field and 9-of-11 from the foul line in Thursday’s 118-94 loss to the Cavaliers, accounting for 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes.

    Advice: After shooting 7-of-19 from the field in Boston’s Game 1 victory, Tatum was slightly more accurate in Game 2. Unfortunately for him, that did not result in the win, as Cleveland’s “others” showed up while most of Boston’s did not. Even with Boston running three Miami in five games in the first round, efficiency has been an issue for Tatum this postseason. He shot 41.6% from the field against the Heat and has gone 14-of-36 in Games 1 and 2 of the Cleveland series. Even if Boston’s supporting cast steps up in Game 3 on Saturday, Tatum has to be better offensively. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:47 pm
  • Evan Mobley scores playoff career-high 21 points
    Evan Mobley shot 9-of-15 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Thursday’s win over the Celtics, tallying 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 33 minutes.

    Advice: Even with Jarrett Allen (ribs) sidelined, this matchup has been good for Mobley. He’s recorded a double-double in both games, with Thursday’s 21-point effort being the best of his postseason career. After recording a double-double in the series opener, Mobley dropped another in Game 2 while recording a full stat line. Playing without Allen isn’t optimal for Cleveland, but Boston not having Kristaps Porzingis also opens things up for Mobley. Game 3 is on Saturday night, with the teams tied at one game apiece. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:32 pm
  • Donovan Mitchell dominates, finishes with 29 PTS
    Donovan Mitchell tallied 29 points (10-of-19 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), seven rebounds, eight assists, and five 3-pointers in 39 minutes in Thursday’s Game 2 win over the Celtics.

    Advice: Cleveland earned a split of Games 1 and 2, with a common theme for both games being Boston’s inability to slow down Mitchell. After dropping in 33 points in Game 1, Spida scored 29 in Game 2 before both coaches decided to clear their benches with a little over four minutes remaining. Also, Mitchell was more efficient as a scorer and playmaker on Thursday, with the eight assists countered by just one turnover. Mitchell will get his in this series; Cleveland’s chances of winning depend on the “others” stepping up. They did in Game 2 and will need to do the same in Game 3 on Saturday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:31 pm
  • Luka Doncic (knee) available for Game 2 Thursday
    Luka Doncic (right knee sprain) is available for Thursday’s game against the Thunder.

    Advice: Doncic fully participated in the Mavericks’ practice after their Game 1 loss to the Thunder, so he was expected to play on Thursday. He will occupy his usual place in the starting lineup, with Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford rounding out the quintet. Rotoworld Yesterday, 5:24 pm
  • Available for Game 2
    Doncic (knee) will be available for Thursday's Game 2 against the Thunder.

    Advice: No surprise here, as Doncic was able to practice Wednesday and was previously carrying a probable tag. When speaking to the media, coach Jason Kidd made no mention of any restrictions. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:21 pm