Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Struggles from field Tuesday
    Irving accumulated 16 points (6-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, four assists and one steal over 42 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Irving was on the losing end of a closeout game in the playoffs for the first time in his career, and there's no doubt this was his worst performance of the series, particularly due to his shooting woes. Despite the struggles in this one, the star floor general remains an elite offensive weapon, and he should play a prominent role for Dallas in Game 5 of the series Thursday. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:04 am
     
  • Comes close to double-double
    Conley amassed 14 points (5-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, seven assists and four steals in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 win over Dallas in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Conley struggled a bit from three-point range, but he excelled in other areas, mainly as a playmaker and on the defensive end, as his four steals set the tone for Minnesota when it comes to disrupting the passing lanes. Conley has been hampered by an Achilles injury throughout the series, but he's still averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in this Western Conference Finals. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:01 am
     
  • Improves in Game 4
    Towns closed with 25 points (9-13 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes before fouling out of Tuesday's 105-100 victory over the Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Towns had been heavily criticized due to his shooting struggles throughout the series, but he bounced back in a big way Tuesday, missing just one of his five attempts from beyond the arc and just four of his 17 shots overall when including free throws. One game won't erase all his struggles, but this was certainly a step in the right direction. Towns will need to produce at this rate again if Minnesota is going to win Game 5 on Thursday to extend the series. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 7:57 am
     
  • Carries Minnesota in Game 4 victory
    Edwards posted 29 points (11-25 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-8 FT), 10 rebounds and nine assists across 40 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 victory over the Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: No Timberwolves player had more points, rebounds or assists in Game 4 on Tuesday, and the star shooting guard came through when his team needed him the most. The efficiency levels shown in previous rounds aren't there yet, but Minnesota needed Edwards to get the job done Tuesday, and he did. Edwards needs to carry the momentum into Game 5, as the Timberwolves remain down 1-3 in the series but will have home-court advantage Thursday. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 7:55 am
     
  • Daniel Gafford plays playoff-high 31 minutes
    Daniel Gafford shot 6-of-6 from the field in Tuesday’s Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves, scoring 12 points with eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, and three blocked shots in 31 minutes.

    Advice: With Dereck Lively II out with a sprained neck, it was evident that Gafford’s minutes would increase. The 31 minutes he played on Tuesday are the most for DG this postseason, and he was productive as a finisher, rebounder, and rim protector. Maxi Kleber played 13 of the remaining minutes, finishing with two points, one rebound, and one assist in his first game back from a separated shoulder. His minutes in Game 5 will be impacted by the status of Lively, who is trending toward being available to play on Thursday. Rotoworld Tuesday, 9:09 pm
     
  • Kyrie Irving struggles, finishes with 16 points
    Kyrie Irving played 42 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Timberwolves, accounting for 16 points (6-of-18 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: Throughout the postseason, Irving has made a habit of flipping the switch after halftime. He scored ten of his 16 points in the second half, but the overall inefficiency was an issue for Irving and the Mavericks. Tuesday’s loss drops his record in close-out games to 14-1, which is still remarkable. Kyrie and the Mavericks now have to head north for Game 5 on Thursday, where they’ll have another opportunity to seal their first NBA Finals appearance since 2011. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:58 pm
     
  • Mike Conley posts 14/3/7/4 line in Game 4 victory
    Mike Conley played 34 minutes in Tuesday’s 105-100 win over Dallas, tallying 14 points (5-of-9 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), three rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: Conley continues to play through a strained soleus muscle in his calf, and he was solid on both ends of the floor in Game 4. The veteran point guard has shot 50% or better from the field in the last three games and was also responsible for four steals on Tuesday. By comparison, Conley had four steals in the first three games of this series. While Conley will likely show up on the injury report ahead of Game 5, DFS players should expect to see him on the court. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:38 pm
     
  • Rudy Gobert tallies 13 points, 10 rebounds Tuesday
    Rudy Gobert accumulated 13 points (4-of-5 FGs, 5-of-9 FTs), 10 rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot in 39 minutes in Tuesday’s 105-100 win over Dallas.

    Advice: The Timberwolves aren’t done yet, as their best players performed well enough to avoid being swept. Gobert recorded his second double-double of the series, the first coming in Minnesota’s Game 2 loss at home. He also played a series-high 39 minutes for the Timberwolves, who did not have to deal with Mavericks backup center Dereck Lively II (neck sprain). Gobert and the Timberwolves avoided falling apart in crunch time, which was an issue in the first three games of the series. They’ll look to extend the series even further on Thursday night at home. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:25 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