Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Kawhi Leonard scores 15 points in return Tuesday
    Kawhi Leonard shot 7-of-17 from the field and 1-of-2 from the foul line in Tuesday’s 96-93 loss to the Mavericks, amassing 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, four steals, and one blocked shot in 35 minutes.

    Advice: To no one’s surprise, Leonard looked rusty offensively in his first game since March 31. While he did everything he needed to go during his recovery process, Kawhi did not take any contact during those individual sessions. Maybe that had something to do with his shaky performance in Game 2, but give Leonard credit for impacting the rebound and steals categories. Game 3 is on Friday in Dallas, with the teams tied at one win apiece. Rotoworld 6 minutes ago
     
  • Daniel Gafford (back) limited to nine minutes
    Daniel Gafford (lower back soreness) played nine minutes without scoring in Tuesday’s 96-93 win over the Clippers, accumulating one rebound and one assist.

    Advice: Gafford appeared to tweak something in his back during the first quarter of Game 2, gingerly walking back to the locker room for further treatment. While Gafford did return, he only played nine minutes, with Dereck Lively II (7/9/1/1 in 21 minutes) starting the third quarter. Also stepping up in Gafford’s absence were PJ Washington (18/6/0/1/2 with three 3-pointers) and Maxi Kleber (6/6/1/0/1 with two 3-pointers). Game 3 is on Friday in Dallas, and Lively would be the next man up if Gafford cannot play. Rotoworld 12 minutes ago
     
  • Kyrie Irving hits four triples, scores 23 points
    Kyrie Irving finished Tuesday’s 96-93 win over the Clippers with 23 points (8-of-18 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and four 3-pointers in 42 minutes.

    Advice: Irving and the Mavericks bounced back from a brutal Game 1 performance, evening the series at one game apiece. While his final stat line in Game 1 may have been more impressive, Irving was more impactful in Game 2. With Kawhi Leonard back in the Clippers lineup, Dallas can’t afford to start slowly. They did a better job competing from the start on Tuesday and now hold home-court advantage ahead of Friday’s Game 3 in Dallas. Rotoworld 21 minutes ago
     
  • Luka Doncic scores game-high 32 points in Game 2
    Luka Doncic shot 11-of-26 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line in Tuesday’s 96-93 win over the Clippers, accounting for 32 points, six rebounds, nine assists, one steal, one block, and five 3-pointers in 46 minutes.

    Advice: After going 0-8 during the regular season in games where they scored fewer than 100 points, the Mavericks picked up a much-needed victory to even the series at one game apiece. Doncic put on a show, surpassing the 30-point mark for a second straight game. However, while the Game 1 production felt like “empty calories” due to the Mavericks coming out slowly and getting blown out, there was no such issue for Doncic on Tuesday. As a result, the series is tied headed to Dallas for Game 3 on Friday. Rotoworld 27 minutes ago
     
  • Khris Middleton (leg) posts 15/5/6 line in Game 2
    Khris Middleton (right leg) amassed 15 points (6-of-14 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, six assists, and one 3-pointer in 36 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Pacers.

    Advice: Middleton, who missed some time toward the end of the regular season due to left ankle injury management, appeared to tweak something in his right leg during the first quarter of Tuesday’s defeat. The good news for the Bucks is that said issue did not significantly impact his playing time, but Middleton’s health is of even greater importance with Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) sidelined. With Patrick Beverley (5/4/3/1/2 in 34 minutes) on the court for defensive reasons, Milwaukee essentially played 4-on-5 in Game 2, and that’s even more difficult to do with Giannis out. Middleton will have a few days to rest, as Game 3 is not until Friday night. Rotoworld Today, 9:29 pm
     
  • Brook Lopez tallies 22 points, six 3-pointers
    Brook Lopez shot 8-of-13 from the field in Tuesday’s 125-108 loss to the Pacers, amassing 22 points, one rebound, three assists, two blocks, and six 3-pointers in 29 minutes.

    Advice: After scoring 11 points in Game 1 on Sunday, Lopez doubled his output in Game 2. The six 3-pointers were a playoff career-high for the veteran center, whose previous high was four (on four occasions). Bobby Portis (14/11/2/1 in 30 minutes) recorded his second double-double in as many games but was less efficient as a shooter, going 6-of-16 from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line. Milwaukee is headed to Indianapolis with the series tied at one win apiece ahead of Friday’s Game 3. Rotoworld Today, 9:20 pm
     
  • Damian Lillard leads MIL with 34 points in Game 2
    Damian Lillard finished Tuesday’s 125-108 loss to the Pacers with 34 points (10-of-21 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), four rebounds, five assists, one steal, and six 3-pointers in 39 minutes.

    Advice: Like Sunday’s Game 1 victory, Game 2 was a tale of two halves for Lillard. He put on a show in the first half, scoring 26 points, but the Pacers limited him to eight after halftime. While Doc Rivers said after the game that Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is close to a return, he isn’t back yet. Until that changes, the Bucks will need more second-half production from Lillard. Game 3 is on Friday in Indianapolis. Rotoworld Today, 9:15 pm
     
  • Out for remainder of game
    Hardaway won't return to Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Clippers due to a right ankle sprain. He will the contest with zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one rebound, and one assist and one steal in six minutes.

    Advice: Hardaway hardly saw any action Tuesday before suffering a right ankle sprain that will cause him to miss the remainder of the contest. Dante Exum and Josh Green are candidates to receive increased playing time in his absence. Hardaway's availability for Game 3 on Friday is uncertain. Rotowire.com Today, 9:06 pm
     
  • Tyrese Haliburton posts double-double in Game 2
    Tyrese Haliburton finished Tuesday’s 125-108 win over the Bucks with 12 points (4-of-10 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, 12 assists, one steal, one block, and three 3-pointers in 37 minutes.

    Advice: While Haliburton’s scoring production remained below his usual standard in Game 2, he was much more impactful as a playmaker. The All-Star point guard dished out 12 helpers in the Pacers’ victory after accumulating eight in Game 1. Indiana won Game 2 in the paint, scoring 52 of its 125 points in that area. Also, Haliburton and the rest of the team were a plus-9 in fast break points. They’ll look to do more of the same in Game 3 on Friday. Rotoworld Today, 9:06 pm