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  • Jalen Brunson drops 39 points, 13 dimes in Game 3
    Jalen Brunson accumulated 39 points (13-of-27 FGs, 10-of-12 FTs), two rebounds, 13 assists, and three 3-pointers in 45 minutes in Thursday’s 125-114 loss to Philadelphia.

    Advice: While the Knicks won the series’ first two games, they did so with Brunson struggling offensively. The supporting cast stepped up in those victories, and JB shined in a losing effort in Game 3. In addition to the 39 points, he dished out 13 assists and played 45 of a possible 48 minutes. No Knicks reserves reached double figures on Thursday, with Miles McBride (8/2/1/1 with two 3-pointers) leading the way. Getting Brunson back on track is a positive the Knicks can take into Game 4, which will be played on Sunday afternoon. Rotoworld Today, 7:49 pm
     
  • Tyrese Maxey tallies 25 points, seven assists
    Tyrese Maxey finished Thursday’s Game 3 win over the Knicks with 25 points (9-of-21 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers in 40 minutes.

    Advice: After scoring 33 and 35 points in the series’ first two games, Maxey did not shoot the ball as well in Game 3. However, the winner of the NBA’s Most Improved Player award managed turnovers better than he did in the two losses in New York. Maxey committed just one turnover in Game 3 after tallying seven in Games 1 (three) and two (four). Even if the field-goal percentage isn’t always where it should be, Maxey is talented enough to compensate for that with increased production in other areas. Philadelphia will look to even the series at two games apiece on Sunday. Rotoworld Today, 7:37 pm
     
  • Donovan Mitchell limited to 13 points on Thursday
    Donovan Mitchell shot 6-of-16 from the field and 0-of-1 from the foul line in Thursday’s Game 3 loss to the Magic, accounting for 13 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and one 3-pointer in 26 minutes.

    Advice: Dominant in the first two games of the series, Mitchell was held in check in Game 3. While he did lead the Cavaliers in assists, only Caris LeVert (15/2/3/0/1 with one 3-pointer) had a worse plus/minus than Spida, who finished at a minus-25. Mitchell largely carried Cleveland’s backcourt in the first two games, but his off night was problematic, with Darius Garland continuing to struggle. Garland shot 2-of-9 from the field in Game 3, finishing with five points, three rebounds, six assists, and one 3-pointer. Game 4 is on Saturday, with Cleveland holding a 2-1 lead. Rotoworld Today, 6:56 pm
     
  • Jalen Suggs (knee) goes off for 24 points Thursday
    Jalen Suggs (left knee strain) shot 9-of-11 from the field and 3-of-3 from the foul line in Thursday’s 121-83 win over Cleveland, amassing 24 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block, and three 3-pointers in 28 minutes.

    Advice: After injuring his knee during the first half of Monday’s Game 2 loss, Suggs was at his best in Game 3. In addition to recording a full stat line, he provided the Magic with some much-needed perimeter shooting as Orlando picked up its first win of the series. Orlando will need a similar effort in Game 4 on Saturday as they look to even the series. Rotoworld Today, 6:24 pm
     
  • Stephen Curry wins Clutch Player of the Year award
    Stephen Curry won the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year award on Thursday.

    Advice: Curry beat out DeMar DeRozan and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, receiving 45 first-place votes to DeRozan’s 34. Those two were separated by 26 total points, with SGA coming in third with 160 points (11 first-place votes). Curry led the NBA in crunch time points (189), made field goals (59), and made 3-pointers (32). “Crunch time” is defined as the final five minutes of a game within five points. Rounding out the top five were Nikola Jokic and Jalen Brunson. Rotoworld Today, 4:19 pm
     
  • De’Anthony Melton (back) active Thursday
    De’Anthony Melton (back injury recovery) has been upgraded from questionable to active ahead of Thursday’s 76ers-Knicks game.

    Advice: Melton is set to make his 2024 postseason debut. His nagging back injury has improved enough for him to hit the hardwood and his status will likely reduce Kyle Lowry’s minutes. Rotoworld Today, 3:34 pm
     
  • Available to play Thursday
    Melton (back) is available for Thursday's game against the Knicks, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

    Advice: Melton was tabbed a game-time decision for this contest, but in the end, he'll be available to see minutes off the bench. He didn't see action in any of the first two games of the series and has played just two games since the beginning of March, so he's not expected to have a heavy workload across the board. Rotowire.com Today, 3:23 pm
     
  • Considered game-time decision
    Melton (back) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 3 against the Knicks, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

    Advice: Melton practiced Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday's matchup, but the 76ers will wait to see how he fares during pregame warmups before determining his availability. Even with the 76ers down 0-2 in the first-round series, it wouldn't be surprising to see Melton's playing time monitored if he's cleared to suit up Thursday. Rotowire.com Today, 2:52 pm
     
  • Won't face limitations in Game 3
    Suggs won't face a minutes limit during Thursday's Game 3 against the Cavaliers, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Suggs suffered a left knee sprain during Monday's Game 2 loss, but he practiced fully Wednesday and did so again Thursday morning. He's averaged 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 31.0 minutes per game over the first two matchups in the series. Rotowire.com Today, 7:59 am