Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • PJ Washington hits three triples, scores 13 points
    PJ Washington played 39 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics, accumulating 13 points (3-of-9 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Washington had a good night from beyond the arc, shooting 3-of-6. However, he missed all three of his two-point attempts, and the 13 points weren’t enough to supplement the efforts of Kyrie Irving (35 points) and Luka Doncic (27). Washington has reached double figures in all three games of the NBA Finals, but it’s difficult for a third scorer to get into a groove when the two stars are as ball-dominant as Doncic and Irving. Dallas must win on Friday to avoid becoming the first team to be swept in the NBA Finals since Cleveland in 2018. Rotoworld Wednesday, 8:40 pm
     
  • Xavier Tillman tallies four boards, two blocks
    Xavier Tillman logged 11 minutes in Wednesday’s 106-99 win over Dallas, accumulating three points (1-of-1 FGs), four rebounds, two blocks, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: With Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) sidelined, Tillman was the first big off the Celtics bench on Wednesday. While there were a few hiccups on the defensive end, he still offered solid production in the rebound and blocked shot categories. Starter Al Horford also benefitted from Porzingis’ absence, logging 37 minutes and recording a line of eight points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block, and two 3-pointers. While Horford is a more viable DFS option if Porzingis remains out for Friday’s Game 4, Tillman is not. Rotoworld Wednesday, 8:32 pm
     
  • Jayson Tatum shines in Game 3, scores 31 points
    Jayson Tatum played 42 minutes in Wednesday’s 106-99 win over Dallas, tallying 31 points (11-of-26 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers.

    Advice: The critics wanted more scoring from Tatum after his production was limited in the first two games of the NBA Finals, and that’s what they got in Game 3. He shot 6-of-14 from the field in the first half and was generally more aggressive offensively. The 31 points are the most Tatum had scored in a game since Boston’s Game 3 win over the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals when he dropped in 36. The Celtics are one win away from their first championship since 2008, and Wednesday’s performance may have put Tatum back in play for series MVP honors. Rotoworld Wednesday, 8:06 pm
     
  • Could miss rest of Finals
    The Celtics have "real doubt" that Porzingis (lower leg) will be able to return to action at any point during the NBA Finals matchup against the Mavericks, Adrian Wojnarowski reported prior to Wednesday's Game 3 on ESPN's NBA Countdown.

    Advice: Porzingis was initially labeled questionable for Wednesday's game due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation but wasn't cleared by the Celtics' medical staff ahead of the contest. The 28-year-old voiced his willingness to do whatever it took to play leading up to Wednesday's tilt, but he may not be medically cleared to suit up before the series ends. Porzingis had missed 10 straight games before the NBA Finals with a calf strain that's unrelated to his lower leg injury, but he was a key contributor off the bench in the Celtics' Games 1 and 2 wins. Al Horford should continue to start at center while Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Oshae Brissett are candidates to see action behind Horford. Porzingis should be viewed as questionable, at best, leading up to Friday's Game 4. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 5:06 pm
     
  • Kristaps Porzingis (leg) downgraded to out Weds.
    Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis dislocation) is out for Wednesday’s game against the Mavericks.

    Advice: Injured during the third quarter of Sunday’s Game 2 victory, his second since returning from a right soleus strain, Porizingis was initially questionable for Game 3. His absence means more minutes for starting center Al Horford, with Luke Kornet possibly entering the rotation. Kornet is not a viable option for DFS tournaments, while Horford takes on added value. Rotoworld Wednesday, 3:58 pm
     
  • Finds opportunity in Japan
    Watanabe agreed Wednesday to a contract with the Chiba Jets of the Japanese B.League, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com reports.

    Advice: The terms of Watanabe's deal aren't clear, but he should immediately become one of the B.League's top players after spending parts of the last six seasons in the NBA with the Grizzlies, Raptors, Nets and Suns. The 29-year-old forward appeared in 34 games for Phoenix in 2023-24 and averaged 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 three-pointers in 13.6 minutes but didn't make an appearance for Memphis after being sent to the Grizzlies in February on a deadline deal. Watanabe holds a $2.65 million player option for 2024-25, but he'll presumably decline that to facilitate his return to his home country of Japan. He's also expected to suit up for the Japanese national team during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 6:30 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
     
  • Solid in Game 2
    Jones notched 11 points (4-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 32 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Jones improved on his five-point performance from Game 1, but he struggled from distance. He also didn't offer much defensive resistance despite managing a block and a steal. The forward will look to improve again in Game 3 at home, where he's averaged 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks in the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 8:51 am