Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • 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
     
  • Double-doubles in playoff exit
    Siakam posted 19 points (8-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists over 39 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to Boston in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Siakam did what he could to avoid the elimination and the sweep, but the Pacers didn't have a realistic chance to complete the comeback without Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) leading the offense. Despite the woes the team had in the series, Siakam was productive, scoring at least 20 points in all but one of the four games and posting two double-doubles in that span. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:42 pm
     
  • Another excellent showing
    Brown ended with 29 points (11-22 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-6 FT), six rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals over 44 minutes during Monday's 105-102 win over the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Even though Jayson Tatum led the Celtics in scoring throughout the series and Jrue Holiday grabbed headlines for his excellent defensive play, no player was more consistent than Brown, who was named the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals. Brown surpassed the 25-point mark in three of the four games he played against Indiana after accomplishing that feat just three times in the previous two series combined. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:34 pm
     
  • Obi Toppin hits two 3-pointers, scores 12 points
    Obi Toppin logged 29 minutes in Monday’s 105-102 loss to Boston, recording a stat line of 12 points (5-of-9 FGs), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: Toppin reached double figures in three of the four games in the Eastern Conference Finals, combining with T.J. McConnell to provide solid production off the bench. Game 3 of the Pacers’ first-round series against the Bucks is when the former lottery pick’s output picked up, and the timing was good with Toppin set to be a restricted free agent this summer. Re-signing Pascal Siakam will be Indiana’s top priority this offseason, so seeing where that leaves Toppin will be interesting. If he winds up in a spot where he can potentially start, that would boost his fantasy value. However, staying with the Pacers would be best in terms of the opportunity to win and potentially contend in the East. Rotoworld Monday, 8:44 pm
     
  • Pascal Siakam finishes Game 4 with 19/10/3 line
    Pascal Siakam logged 39 minutes in Monday’s 105-102 loss to the Celtics, tallying 19 points (8-of-18 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), 10 rebounds, and three assists.

    Advice: Having scored at least 22 points in the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Siakam fell three points shy of that number in Game 4. Overall, Spicy P had a good series, averaging 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 55.3% from the foul line. Siakam being traded to Indiana rejuvenated him this season, with the former Raptor fitting in well with his new teammates. While he did finish ranked outside the top 75 in 9-cat formats, Siakam has proven in the past that he’s capable of more. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the Pacers’ priority will be to re-sign Spicy P. Rotoworld Monday, 8:21 pm
     
  • Jaylen Brown wins MVP honors as Celtics sweep IND
    Jaylen Brown finished Monday’s 105-102 win over Indiana with 29 points (11-of-22 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block, and four 3-pointers in 44 minutes.

    Advice: Boston completed its sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday, but three games were highly competitive. Close-out games are rarely easy, and the Celtics’ stars led the way in Game 4. Brown tallied a game-high 29 points on 50% shooting while recording a full stat line. For the series, he averaged 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 2.5 3-pointers per game, shooting 51.7% from the field. Next up for Brown and the Celtics is the NBA Finals, which will not begin until June 6. Rotoworld Monday, 7:45 pm
     
  • Jalen Smith (illness) downgraded to out Monday
    Jalen Smith (illness) will not play in Monday’s Game 4 against the Celtics.

    Advice: Added to the Pacers’ injury report on Monday afternoon, Smith has played eight minutes in the Eastern Conference Finals. Seven of those minutes were played in the Pacers’ Game 2 blowout loss in Boston. His absence will not significantly impact the Pacers’ rotation. Rotoworld Monday, 4:32 pm
     
  • Unavailable for Game 4
    Smith is out for Monday's Game 4 against the Celtics due to illness.

    Advice: Smith has played a limited role through the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals, so his absence shouldn't impact Indiana's rotation much. He'll be considered day-to-day and should have a chance to return for Game 5 if the Pacers are able to extend the series. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:55 pm
     
  • Maxi Kleber (shoulder) questionable for Game 4
    Maxi Kleber (right shoulder AC joint separation) is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Timberwolves.

    Advice: Kleber injured his shoulder during the final game of Dallas’ first-round series with the Clippers and has not played since. Saturday marked three weeks since the injury, and Kleber was due to be re-evaluated then. The questionable tag suggests there’s a chance he’ll play on Tuesday, which would give Dallas another option to help account for Dereck Lively II’s potential absence. Lively is doubtful with a sprained neck, which he suffered during Sunday’s Game 3 victory. Rotoworld Monday, 1:44 pm