Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Obi Toppin scores 21 in series-clinching win
    Obi Toppin was outstanding in Thursday’s 120-98 win over the Bucks, finishing with 21 points (8-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists, one block, and three 3-pointers in 24 minutes.

    Advice: The Pacers are off to the second round after eliminating Milwaukee in six games, and Toppin was a massive factor in Game 6. A double-digit scorer in the series’ final four games, the fourth-year forward scored a team-high 21 points in Game 6. Toppin’s production was critical, as Indiana’s starting frontcourt struggled with fouls. Pascal Siakam (19/7/4/1 with one 3-pointer) and Myles Turner (5/5/1/0/1) were whistled for four fouls, while Aaron Nesmith (15/3/1 with three 3-pointers) picked up five. Indiana’s depth was a significant factor in the first round, and that could also be the case in the second, whether they get New York or Philadelphia. Game 1 is on Monday night. Rotoworld Today, 6:44 pm
     
  • Owns glass in season-ending loss
    Portis ended with 20 points (8-17 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-7 FT), 15 rebounds and two assists over 36 minutes in Thursday's 120-98 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

    Advice: Portis once again dominated the glass for Milwaukee in a season-ending loss Thursday, leading all players in the contest in rebounds while ending as one of three Bucks with 20 or more points in a double-double outing. Portis stepped up nicely in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) in the first-round series, posting a double-double in five of the six contests while surpassing the 20-point mark in the final two games against Indiana. Rotowire.com Today, 6:24 pm
     
  • Held in check in Game 6 defeat
    Middleton recorded 14 points (6-15 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and two steals over 38 minutes in Thursday's 120-98 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

    Advice: Middleton led Milwaukee seemingly on a nightly basis over the course of the first-round series against Indiana, but was held in check in the series-ending contest Thursday while failing to record 15 points for the only time in the series. Middleton, who dealt with some foul trouble in the first half which seemed to impact his performance and aggressiveness, put together a strong opening-round series which included scoring 20 or more points in four of the six contests. In the end, his performances weren't enough to lead the shorthanded Bucks back into the series against the Pacers. Rotowire.com Today, 6:24 pm
     
  • Bobby Portis tallies 20 points, 15 boards in Gm 6
    Bobby Portis finished Thursday’s Game 6 loss to the Pacers with 20 points (8-of-17 FGs, 3-of-7 FTs), 15 rebounds, two assists, and one 3-pointer in 36 minutes.

    Advice: After losing his composure and getting ejected from Game 4, Portis posted solid stat lines in the series’ final two games. But it wasn’t enough to keep the Bucks alive, as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence and the team’s lack of depth was too much to overcome. Due to his consistent value as a reserve, fantasy managers did not hesitate to use a late-round pick on Portis. Boasting a Yahoo ADP of 113.2, he finished the regular season ranked just outside the top 100 in 9-cat per-game value. The 2024-25 season is the last guaranteed season on Portis’ contract, as he has a player option for 2025-26. He should again be a reliable late-round option in standard leagues this fall. Rotoworld Today, 6:13 pm
     
  • Top scorer off bench in Game 6
    Toppin posted 21 points (8-15 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block over 24 minutes in Thursday's 120-98 win over Milwaukee in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

    Advice: Toppin gave Indiana a much-needed lift off the bench, leading all Pacers in scoring while connecting on a team-high-tying trio of threes and ending two rebounds shy of a double-double in just under 25 minutes on the second unit. Toppin has been stellar off the bench this postseason but posted his best outing of the playoffs thus far in the series-clinching victory. Toppin concluded the first-round series by surpassing the double-digit scoring mark in four straight outings. Rotowire.com Today, 6:11 pm
     
  • Brook Lopez finishes season with 20-point night
    Brook Lopez logged 31 minutes in Thursday’s 120-98 loss to the Pacers, accounting for 20 points (7-of-12 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), five rebounds, and one assist.

    Advice: While Lopez thoroughly outplayed Myles Turner in Game 6, it didn’t matter because Indiana had a far superior bench. The veteran center shot 50% or better from the field in all six games, scoring at least 20 points in three. To say this was a brutal ending for a team with championship ambitions would be an understatement. Lopez isn’t a “sexy” fantasy target, based on his Yahoo ADP of 69.7, but he once again exceeded expectations. The veteran center finished the regular season as a top 50 player in 9-cat formats while sitting just outside the top 60 in 8-cat. He’ll likely come off the board in the 6th round of standard league drafts, but Lopez is a relatively safe bet to exceed that. Rotoworld Today, 6:06 pm
     
  • Khris Middleton limited to 14 points in defeat
    Khris Middleton finished Thursday’s Game 6 loss to the Pacers with 14 points (6-of-16 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 37 minutes.

    Advice: While Damian Lillard did return from an Achilles injury, the Bucks were still without Giannis Antetokounmpo. That meant they needed another virtuoso performance from Middleton to keep their season alive, and that didn’t happen. The veteran wing finished with a series-low 14 points as the Pacers sent Milwaukee fishing. As in 2022-23, the inability to remain healthy sapped most of Middleton’s fantasy value this season. Managers expected this, based on Khash Money’s Yahoo ADP of 82.3. While his regular season fantasy value wasn’t terrible, the availability issues proved costly. Middleton finished the year ranked outside the top 100 in 9-cat formats, albeit by a few spots. How much managers should trust him in the fall will depend on the Bucks’ roster, but Middleton’s days as a top 60 fantasy player may be in the rear-view mirror. Rotoworld Today, 6:03 pm
     
  • Joel Embiid (knee) available for Game 6 Thursday
    Joel Embiid (left knee injury recovery) is active for Thursday’s game against the Knicks.

    Advice: As expected, Embiid will play as the 76ers look to extend this series to a decisive seventh game. Should he encounter any flare-ups with the knee, Paul Reed would be the next man up in the rotation. Rotoworld Today, 5:33 pm
     
  • Available for Game 6
    Embiid (knee) is available and starting in Game 6 against the Knicks on Thursday.

    Advice: This is not a surprise considering the situation the 76ers are in, as Philadelphia must win this game to force a decisive Game 7. Embiid is averaging 31.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game in the first-round series against the Knicks. Rotowire.com Today, 5:33 pm