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  • PJ Washington scores 17 points in Game 2 defeat
    PJ Washington accumulated 17 points (6-of-13 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, one block, and one 3-pointer in 40 minutes in Sunday’s 105-98 loss to Boston.

    Advice: After scoring 14 points in Game 1, Washington was three points better in Game 2. However, his struggles from beyond the arc continue, as he was 1-of-5 on Sunday. Since making 3.8 3-pointers at a 46.9% clip during Dallas’ second-round series against Oklahoma City, Washington has gone 9-of-40 from beyond the arc. He’s 1-of-8 in the NBA Finals, and the Mavericks will need a more accurate Washington moving forward. Game 3 is on Wednesday night in Dallas. Rotoworld Sunday, 8:17 pm
     
  • Jaylen Brown finishes Game 2 win with 21 points
    Jaylen Brown accumulated 21 points (8-of-15 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one 3-pointer in 42 minutes in Sunday’s win over Dallas.

    Advice: Boston has a 2-0 series lead in the NBA Finals, and Brown was one of five Celtics to finish the game in double figures. He has now shot 50% or better from the field in six straight and seven of the Celtics’ last eight playoff games, picking up the slack for the slumping Jayson Tatum. The only negative for Brown in Game 2 was the turnover count, as he was responsible for six. However, this was the first game in which he exceeded three since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semis when JB racked up five in a win over the Cavaliers. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd may have gone the gamesmanship route when he said Brown was Boston’s best player, but that approach did not impact Game 2. Game 3 is on Wednesday night in Dallas. Rotoworld Sunday, 7:50 pm
     
  • Jayson Tatum dishes out 12 assists in Game 2 win
    Jayson Tatum finished Sunday’s 105-98 win over Dallas with 18 points (6-of-22 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), nine rebounds, 12 assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 45 minutes.

    Advice: After shooting 6-of-16 from the field in Game 1, Tatum was even worse in Game 2. However, he contributed in other areas as the Celtics took a 2-0 series lead. Finishing one rebound shy of a triple-double, Tatum was responsible for 12 of Boston’s 29 assists on the night. And he made some history, becoming the third Celtics player to account for at least 18 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists in an NBA Finals game (Larry Bird in 1986 and Bob Cousy in 1959). While the Celtics will need their star forward to snap out of this slump, especially if Kristaps Porzingis has to miss time after appearing to aggravate his calf strain, Tatum is capable of impacting the game in other ways. He and the Celtics will look to strengthen their grip on the series in Game 3 on Wednesday. Rotoworld Sunday, 7:46 pm
     
  • Report: Sasha Vezenkov will not return to Kings
    Sasha Vezenkov has informed the Kings that he does not intend to return for the second year of his contract, per Mihalis Stefanou of Euro Hoops.

    Advice: Vezenkov is under contract for this upcoming season, so he can’t simply “not return”. However, there is plenty of time for them to trade him or buy out his contract. Stefanou’s report also indicates that Vezenkov hasn’t decided if he will continue to play in the NBA or return to Europe. Vezenkov averaged 5.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 triple in 11.9 minutes per game across 44 appearances. He may have some upside if he lands with a different team that will grant him a larger role, but this shouldn’t have a direct impact on fantasy hoops at this point. Rotoworld Saturday, 9:03 am
     
  • Wants out of Sacramento
    Vezenkov has informed the Kings he does not plan on returning for the second year of his contract, Mihalis Stefanou of eurohoops.net reports.

    Advice: Vezenkov has a guaranteed contract for the 2024-25 season without an option, so it is possible that the Kings could waive him in the offseason. It is unclear whether the 28-year-old will remain in the NBA or make a return to Europe. Vezenkov logged his first action in the NBA last season with Sacramento and averaged 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists across 12.2 minutes in 42 appearances. Rotowire.com Saturday, 7:48 am
     
  • Little impact in Game 1
    Jones ended Thursday's 107-89 loss to Boston in Game 1 of the NBA Finals with five points (2-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt), six rebounds and one steal in 29 minutes.

    Advice: Jones struggled inside the arc and wasn't able to catch any signature lob dunks, largely due to the interior presence of Kristaps Porzingis. Game 1 also marked the first time he's failed to record an assist since Game 4 against the Clippers. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:43 am
     
  • Plays well in Game 1
    Horford totaled 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 30 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: With the benches emptying near the end of the fourth quarter and Kristaps Porzingis making his return, Boston needed just 30 minutes out of Horford. In the seven games leading up to Thursday, Horford had averaged 34.6 minutes with only one day of rest between in-series games. Now, the Celtics and Mavericks don't face off again until Sunday, and then Wednesday. That gives the 38-year-old more rest than he's been used to lately, which could help him stay more effective when he's needed the most. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:39 am
     
  • Sniffs double-double in Game 1 loss
    Washington closed Thursday's 107-89 loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals with 14 points (5-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), eight rebounds and one assist over 36 minutes.

    Advice: The Mavericks struggled on offense all game long and didn't even reach the 90-point mark, but Washington was one of the few decent performers on a Dallas team that looked overmatched at times. Washington has looked comfortable being Dallas' third-best offensive player during this postseason run, but his efforts were not enough in this lopsided defeat. Washington has now scored in double digits in each of his last six playoff outings. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:47 pm
     
  • Fills stat sheet in Thursday's win
    Brown accumulated 22 points (7-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-11 FT), six rebounds, two assists, three blocks and three steals over 37 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Brown led the Celtics in scoring in the comfortable win, but he did more than just that, as he also left his mark on the defensive end and grabbed headlines with a posterizing dunk during the second quarter. Brown has been alternating with Jayson Tatum in the role of Boston's go-to player on offense, with the Celtics riding whoever has the hottest hand, and that was certainly the case with Brown in the series opener. He's now scored at least 20 points in five straight playoff appearances, representing his longest streak in the current postseason run. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:46 pm