Player Notes

  • Pascal Siakam records 24/12/7/1 line in Game 1
    Pascal Siakam shot 12-of-23 from the field in Tuesday’s 133-128 overtime loss to Boston, scoring 24 points with 12 rebounds, seven assists, and one steal in 42 minutes.

    Advice: In the final games of the Pacers’ second-round series win over New York, Siakam did most of his damage in the mid-range and restricted areas, which was also the case on Tuesday. He missed both 3-point attempts and did not attempt a free throw. In addition to the turnovers, of which Indiana had 21, the charity stripe is where the Pacers lost Game 1, as Boston outscored them by a 24-9 margin. Siakam isn’t elite at getting to the line, as he averaged 4.2 attempts per game with the Pacers during the regular season (and 4.0 per game against New York). But he and the Pacers will have to do a better job of getting those opportunities to score when the clock is stopped, as Boston leads all playoff teams in free throws made differential (+5.8). Indiana is dead last at minus-6.0. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:48 pm
  • Myles Turner hits three triples, scores 23 points
    Myles Turner played 39 minutes in Tuesday’s 133-128 overtime loss to Boston, accumulating 23 points (9-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Turner came out scalding hot in Tuesday’s Game 1, shooting 7-of-10 from the field and scoring 18 points in the first half. He went quiet in the second half and overtime, only attempting three shots while most of the offense ran through Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. With Kristaps Porzingis unlikely to return before Game 4 on Monday, Turner is well-positioned to make some things happen offensively. However, he has to be consistently aggressive for that to be the case. Game 2 is on Thursday night in Boston. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:31 pm
  • Targeting Game 4 return
    Porzingis (calf) won't play in Thursday's Game 2 against the Pacers but could return as soon as Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Porzingis has already been ruled out for Game 1 on Tuesday and seems set to miss at least the next two games of the series. In Porzingis' absence, Al Horford should continue to start at center for Boston, with Luke Kornet receiving extended playing time off the bench. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:04 pm
  • Xavier Tillman (personal) ruled out for Game 1
    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 Yesterday, 12:56 pm
  • Plays key role late in victory
    Reid closed with 11 points (4-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 22 minutes during Sunday's 98-90 win over the Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Reid played additional minutes down the stretch due to Karl-Anthony Towns' foul trouble. As usual, Reid delivered on the offensive end and tallied a few key blocks. He should play a pivotal role off the bench for Minnesota against the high-flying Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:50 am
    Naz ReidMIN - PF,C
  • Delivers clutch performance
    Gobert totaled 13 points (3-7 FG, 7-9 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 36 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 98-90 win over the Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Despite scoring only 13 points, Gobert connected on several key baskets down the stretch. This included a turnaround jumper as the shot clock expired, impressing even his own teammates. With the win, the Timberwolves advance to their first Western Conference Finals appearance in 20 years. Gobert will once again be a force on the defensive end of the floor, tasked with limiting both Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:49 am
  • Nikola Jokic goes for 34/19/7/0/1 in Game 7 loss
    Nikola Jokic accumulated 34 points (13-of-28 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), 19 rebounds, seven assists, one block, and two 3-pointers in 47 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Timberwolves.

    Advice: Jokic recorded another elite stat line, but his production tailed off in crunch time. Minnesota’s depth and Denver’s lack of consistent options factored into the Joker playing tired, and the NBA will have its sixth champion in as many seasons. Jokic was once again one of the best players in fantasy basketball, ranking third in 9-cat formats and second in 8-cat. His days as the unquestioned 1.1 pick in drafts may be finished, as Victor Wembanyama appears poised to take over, but Jokic should be no worse than 1.3, regardless of league. Jokic is expected to play for Serbia in the Paris Olympics this summer, and their first group stage game is against the United States (July 27). Rotoworld Sunday, 8:16 pm
  • Karl-Anthony Towns posts 23/11/2/2/1 line in Gm 7
    Karl-Anthony Towns finished Sunday’s Game 7 victory over the Nuggets with 23 points (8-of-14 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block, and one 3-pointers in 39 minutes.

    Advice: On a night when Anthony Edwards struggled, Towns came up big offensively for the Timberwolves. He recorded his first 20-point double-double since Game 2, Minnesota’s 26-point blowout win in Denver. While Towns scored in double figures in each game, the rebounding and defensive production is just as crucial for the Timberwolves. One of the team’s more maligned players, KAT was one of their most valuable in the franchise’s second-ever Game 7 victory. Minnesota will host Dallas in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday. Rotoworld Sunday, 7:41 pm
  • Isaiah Hartenstein goes scoreless in Game 7 loss
    Isaiah Hartenstein missed both of his shot attempts in Sunday’s 130-109 loss to the Pacers, going scoreless with eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one blocked shot in 30 minutes.

    Advice: The Knicks didn’t count on Hartenstein for consistent scoring, but his production dropped considerably as their second-round series progressed. The 7-footer went scoreless in Game 7 and did not attempt more than three shots in any of the final four games. Give Myles Turner and the Pacers credit for taking away Hartenstein’s beloved floater, and they did a better job of keeping him off the glass after iHart grabbed 17 rebounds in Game 5. Hartenstein earned himself a nice payday once he hits free agency this summer. The question is whether or not the Knicks will offer a contract that is large enough to keep him in the fold. With Mitchell Robinson’s injury history, it may take a lot for the Knicks not to get iHart re-signed. Rotoworld Sunday, 4:26 pm