Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Ivica Zubac finishes with 17 points, 11 boards
    Ivica Zubac logged 37 minutes in Friday’s Game 6 loss to the Mavericks, accumulating 17 points (6-of-11 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), 11 rebounds, and one assist.

    Advice: After recording double-doubles in the series’ first two games, Zubac did not get another until the finale on Friday. However, he did score in double figures in all six games, providing consistent production in that regard. While Zubac does not rank among the elite fantasy centers, he once again provided solid value in 2023-24. Exceeding his Yahoo ADP (120.2) in 8- and 9-cat formats, Big Zu finished the regular season as a top 100 player in the latter. Regardless of what happens with James Harden and Paul George this summer, Zubac will remain the unquestioned top option at the center position. Fantasy managers may not use a top-100 pick on him, but Zubac is good enough to approach that value by the season’s end. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:05 pm
     
  • Paul George scores 18 points in Game 6 defeat
    Paul George shot 6-of-18 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Friday’s 114-101 loss to the Mavericks, amassing 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers in 42 minutes.

    Advice: Facing elimination, the Clippers needed elite production from George and James Harden, and neither could come through. They also struggled in Game 5, making for a disappointing end to the season. Neither health nor production was an issue for George this season, as he appeared in 79 regular season games and provided top 20 per-game value in 8- and 9-cat formats. The production exceeded PG-13’s Yahoo ADP (31.4) by a considerable margin, but there are questions heading into the summer. George still can opt out of the final season of his deal, and even with the expectation that he’ll remain with the Clippers, there’s no shortage of potential suitors. Regardless of where he plays in 2024-25, George’s 2023-24 season should renew the faith of fantasy managers. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:58 pm
     
  • James Harden drops 16 points, 13 assists Friday
    James Harden finished Friday’s 114-101 loss to the Mavericks with 16 points (5-of-16 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), seven rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in 43 minutes.

    Advice: Harden may have dished out 13 assists while only committing one turnover in Game 6, but he struggled shooting the basketball in his final game of the season. The Beard did not play well in the series’ final two games, which was also the case for Paul George. Friday’s loss sends James into what could be another offseason of change. Harden’s season began with instability, as he made it clear that he wanted out of Philadelphia. The 76ers ultimately accommodated that desire, and after a slow start to his time with the Clippers, The Beard rounded into form. Harden’s Yahoo ADP (31.3) suffered due to the preseason questions, but he finished the year as a top 30 player in 8- and 9-cat formats. Harden will be a free agent this summer, and the Clippers could also have to negotiate a new deal with George. Look for his ADP to improve by a few spots if the Clippers keep the roster intact. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:54 pm
     
  • PJ Washington hits four triples, scores 14 points
    P.J. Washington amassed 14 points (4-of-9 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and four 3-pointers in 35 minutes in Friday’s Game 6 win over the Clippers.

    Advice: Dallas bounced the Clippers in six games, with Washington providing solid supplementary contributions on Friday. Eight of his nine shot attempts came from beyond the arc, a byproduct of playing off Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Washington has been a good fit on both ends of the floor since the Mavericks acquired him at the trade deadline, even if the individual scoring numbers took a hit compared to his production in Charlotte. His rebound, steal, and blocked shot averages increased after the trade, which is what Dallas hoped would happen. Washington and the Mavericks open their second-round series with the Thunder on Tuesday in Oklahoma City. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:50 pm
     
  • Daniel Gafford scores 13 points in Game 6 victory
    Daniel Gafford shot 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-3 from the foul line in Friday’s win over the Clippers, amassing 13 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes.

    Advice: Gafford may not record gaudy stat lines, but his addition to the roster has been huge for the Mavericks. Between him and first-round pick Dereck Lively II, Dallas receives what would pass as quality production from the center position. Lively also scored in double figures in the series clincher, tallying 10 points with nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 24 minutes off the bench. Gafford and Lively will be critical moving forward, as Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren represents a far different challenge than Ivica Zubac. Oklahoma City will host Game 1 on Tuesday night. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:41 pm
     
  • Kyrie Irving scores 28 second-half points Friday
    Kyrie Irving finished Friday’s 114-101 win over the Clippers with 30 points (11-of-19 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks, and five 3-pointers in 42 minutes.

    Advice: Game 6 was a tale of two halves for Irving, whose increased focus on the defensive end of the floor may have limited his energy on offense. At various points in Friday’s win, he was responsible for guarding James Harden or Paul George. After missing both of his field goal attempts and scoring two points in the first half, Kyrie went off in the second. The 28 points tied a career playoff high for most in a half, and he combined with Luka Doncic to score 58 of Dallas’ 114 points. Irving must bring similar defensive energy to the table in the second round, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are up next. Game 1 of that series is on Tuesday. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:34 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic tallies 28 points, 13 assists Friday
    Luka Doncic shot 9-of-26 from the field and 9-of-11 from the foul line in Friday’s Game 6 win over the Clippers, tallying 28 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 43 minutes.

    Advice: Doncic was 1-of-10 from three in Game 6, but that issue did not preclude the Mavericks from wrapping up the series in six games. Efficiency was an issue for the Mavericks’ star point guard, but that did not sap his overall effectiveness. He’ll need to clean that up, as the competition will only get stronger. Doncic and the Mavericks will face Oklahoma City in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:29 pm
     
  • Perfect from line in victory
    Wagner amassed 26 points (7-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 11-11 FT), five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 42 minutes during Friday's 103-96 win over the Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Advice: Wagner went a perfect 11-of-11 from the line, helping the Magic to an impressive Game 6 victory. It was another strong performance by Wagner, who continues to develop into a key piece for Orlando. Game 7 will take place Sunday, with both teams vying for a second-round berth against the high-flying Celtics. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:21 pm
     
  • Closes game Friday
    Anthony accumulated nine points (4-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and one steal across 19 minutes during Friday's 103-96 win over the Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Advice: Anthony closed the game Friday, providing the Magic with some much-needed floor spacing. With Gary Harris (hamstring) unavailable, Anthony slid into a larger role. That could stick for Game 7 should Harris remain sidelined. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:19 pm