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  • Takes on limited role in return
    Kleber (shoulder) played 13 minutes and finished with two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt), one rebound and one assist in Tuesday's 105-100 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: The Mavericks were without backup center Dereck Lively (neck) for Game 4, but the return of Kleber from an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder -- which he suffered in Game 6 of the opening-round series against the Clippers -- helped restore some depth in the frontcourt. Kleber and Dwight Powell (three minutes) saw only light run behind Daniel Gafford (31 minutes) and P.J. Washington (42 minutes), and if Lively is back for Game 5 on Thursday, Kleber could see his playing time decline further. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 7:36 am
     
  • Jaden Hardy hits three triples, scores 13 points
    Jaden Hardy shot 5-of-8 from the field in Tuesday’s 105-100 loss to Minnesota, accumulating 13 points, one rebound, and three 3-pointers in 12 minutes.

    Advice: While he hasn’t figured prominently in the Mavericks’ rotation, Hardy’s minutes have increased in the Western Conference Finals. He’s played at least nine minutes in all four games, with Tuesday’s being his best. Hardy shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and reached double figures for the second time this postseason (Game 5 vs. LAC in the first round). Even with PJ Washington (10/5/2/0/1 with two 3-pointers in 42 minutes) struggling to knock down perimeter shots consistently, Hardy’s minutes are unlikely to increase in Game 5 on Thursday. He isn’t worth the risk in DFS tournaments. Rotoworld Tuesday, 9:13 pm
     
  • Karl-Anthony Towns bounces back, scores 25 points
    Karl-Anthony Towns amassed 25 points (9-of-13 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), five rebounds, one assist, and four 3-pointers in 30 minutes in Tuesday’s Game 4 win over Dallas.

    Advice: Towns still hasn’t shaken the penchant for committing silly fouls, but he was far more effective in Tuesday’s Game 4. Before fouling out with a little over one minute remaining, KAT was more aggressive offensively, refusing to settle for perimeter shots. Towns took seven shots from the field before attempting his first 3-pointer, and he shot 4-of-5 from deep on the night. With Towns scoring 20 of his 25 after halftime, this is the kind of performance Minnesota will need in Game 5 on Thursday if they’re to push the series to a sixth game. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:19 pm
     
  • Ends productive season in loss
    Nesmith logged 14 points (4-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, an assist and a steal over 35 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to Boston in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Nesmith posted career highs in every major category this season, putting up 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 27.7 minutes. After signing an extension at the beginning of the season, the 24-year-old will likely return to the Pacers next season and look to expand his role with the team. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 11:19 am
     
  • Gets crucial minutes in Game 4
    McDermott closed with three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three assists, a rebound and a block over 13 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: McDermott was traded to the Pacers early in February and in 28 games averaged 3.1 points, 0.7 assists and 0.5 rebounds in 9.5 minutes. The 32-year-old is set to become a free agent ahead of the 2024-25 season and has played for seven teams in his 10-year career. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 11:09 am
     
  • Progressing well after surgery
    Coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday that Mathurin (shoulder) is way ahead of schedule on his post-surgery recovery, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

    Advice: Mathurin's productive sophomore season was cut short due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The 21-year-old averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 26.1 minutes across 59 games. This progress bodes well for the Pacers and Mathurin, as he's on track to make a full recovery before the start of the 2024-25 season. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 10:20 am
     
  • Maxi Kleber (shoulder) good to go for Game 4
    Maxi Kleber (right shoulder AC joint separation) is available for Tuesday’s Game 4 against the Timberwolves.

    Advice: Kleber has been out since May 3, when he logged five minutes in the closeout Game 6 victory over the Clippers. His return is timely, as Dereck Lively II is out on Tuesday due to a neck injury sustained in Game 3. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:55 am
     
  • Cleared for Game 4
    Kleber (shoulder) has been cleared to play in Tuesday's Game 4 against the Timberwolves, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Kleber has been on the sidelines since May 3 with an AC joint separation, but he returned to practice Monday. The fact that the Mavericks are clearing him to play prior to warmups is also a good sign. Kleber could absorb some of the minutes that Dereck Lively (neck) was getting recently. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 7:21 am
     
  • Shines in bigger role
    Nembhard totaled 24 points (10-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists, one block and one steal over 39 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Even though the Pacers were swept by the Celtics, one positive outcome of this series was Nembhard's excellent play, which proved he's more than ready to handle a more prominent role in the offensive scheme. Nembhard ended his postseason run by scoring in double digits in seven appearances in a row, reaching the 20-point mark in three of the last five. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:44 pm