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Karl-Anthony Towns finished Wednesday’s 108-105 loss to the Mavericks with 16 points (6-of-20 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 34 minutes.

Advice: Minnesota’s top two offensive weapons struggled on Wednesday, with Towns shooting 6-of-20 from the field and Anthony Edwards slightly better at 6-of-16. KAT shot 51% from the field in the second-round series against Denver, and he was a 52.6% shooter in four regular-season meetings with the Mavericks. However, each meeting with Dallas was played before the trade deadline, so Wednesday was KAT’s first look at a Mavericks lineup that included PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. If the Timberwolves are to win this series, Towns has to be more efficient than he was in Game 1. Game 2 is on Friday night. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:53 pm

Dereck Lively II shot 4-of-4 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Wednesday’s win over Minnesota, amassing nine points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 27 minutes.

Advice: As has been the case on most nights since the trade deadline, Lively and starting center Daniel Gafford combined to provide solid production for the Mavericks in Wednesday’s series opener. The rookie out of Duke was more effective as a rebounder and shot blocker, and his ability to make plays out of the short roll is why Lively played more than Gafford. And DG was solid in his time on the court, accounting for 10 points, nine rebounds, and one blocked shot. While Lively and Gafford averaged similar minutes in the second round (23.0 per game for the former, 23.5 for the latter), don’t be surprised if the former plays a little more in this series. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:30 pm

Tillman (personal) is questionable for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Thursday, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

Advice: Tillman missed the Celtics' 133-128 overtime win in Game 1 due to the personal matter. While he could rejoin the Celtics in advance of Thursday's contest, his presence -- or lack thereof -- shouldn't have a major impact on head coach Joe Mazzulla's rotation. Tillman has appeared in just three games all postseason -- all in blowouts -- as Al Horford and Luke Kornet have covered most of the minutes at center while Kristaps Porzingis (calf) has been sidelined for each of the Celtics' last seven contests. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:06 pm

Obi Toppin tallied 15 points (6-of-8 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes in Tuesday’s 133-128 loss to the Celtics.

Advice: The Pacers reserves scored 30 points in Game 1, enjoying a 17-point advantage in that category. Toppin and T.J. McConnell (13/3/4/1 in 25 minutes) were responsible for 28 of those 30 points, but it wasn’t enough to help the Pacers hold onto Game 1. Getting outscored by a 24-9 margin at the foul line and committing 21 turnovers were the issues for the Pacers, who had a three-point lead with 46.1 seconds remaining in regulation. A Jaylen Brown 3-pointer with six seconds remaining forced overtime, with Boston taking a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is on Thursday night, and this is another series in which Toppin and McConnell will have an advantage.

Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:53 pm

Xavier Tillman (personal reasons) has been downgraded to out for Game 1 against Indiana on Tuesday.

Advice: Tillman didn’t play in the final three games of the second round and has played a total of 25 minutes this postseason. His absence will not have an impact on Boston’s rotation as they kick off the Eastern Conference Finals. Rotoworld Tuesday, 12:56 pm