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  • Al Horford posts modest line in Game 5 victory
    Al Horford played 23 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 5 win over the Heat, finishing with eight points (3-of-4 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one 3-pointers.

    Advice: The Celtics were without Kristaps Porzingis, who suffered a strained right soleus muscle during Game 4. As was the case throughout the regular season, Horford moved into the starting lineup. The veteran big man didn’t have to do much, as Boston got off to a hot start and never looked back in their decisive win over the Heat. Ending this series in five games gets the Celtics additional rest, especially if the Cleveland/Orlando series goes the distance. With Porzingis unlikely to return before the conference finals (should Boston advance that far), Horford will serve as the starting center in the second round. Rotoworld 50 minutes ago
     
  • Jaylen Brown finishes series with 25-point effort
    Jaylen Brown logged 26 minutes in Wednesday’s 118-184 win over the Heat, amassing 25 points (11-of-19 FGs, 2-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: Brown recorded a solid point total, shooting well over 50% from the field, but efficiency remains problematic in other areas. In addition to committing five turnovers in the series decider, he shot 40% from the foul line. For the series, Brown was 9-of-20 (45%) from the charity stripe, which will not get it done against stronger opposition. Add in 16 turnovers in the five-game series, and Brown has some things to clean up before the second round begins. Boston will play Cleveland or Orlando, with the Cavs leading that series by three games to two. Rotoworld 55 minutes ago
     
  • Caleb Martin scores 10 points in Game 5 blowout
    Caleb Martin played 36 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics, tallying 10 points (4-of-9 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: Martin reached double figures in three of the series’ five games, including a 21-point performance in Miami’s Game 2 victory. But the inconsistency meant he wasn’t a reliable option for DFS players, mirroring his season-long fantasy value. Martin was a late-round pick, at best, in most fantasy leagues before the season began, and his production bore that out. He finished the regular season ranked outside the top 200 in 9-cat formats and offers a significantly lower fantasy ceiling than Jaime Jaquez Jr. There’s little reason to plan on selecting Martin in drafts next fall. Still, there will be times when he’s worth the streaming risk. Rotoworld Today, 7:00 pm
     
  • Nikola Jovic records 8/7/4 line in Game 5 loss
    Nikola Jovic accounted for eight points (3-of-7 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, and four assists in 27 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics.

    Advice: After reaching double figures in each of the series’ first three games, Jovic faltered in Games 4 and 5. That was the tale of his season, with the second-year forward failing to provide consistent production. It has been said that Miami likes Jovic’s potential, but that didn’t always result in extended minutes this season. He averaged just 19.5 minutes per game in 46 appearances this season, ranking outside the top 250 regarding fantasy value. Unless the Heat were to make drastic changes to their roster, Jovic isn’t a player who should be selected in most leagues. However, he could offer streaming potential at points during the season. Rotoworld Today, 6:59 pm
     
  • Jayson Tatum grabs game-high 12 rebounds in rout
    Jayson Tatum logged 32 minutes in Wednesday’s 118-84 win over Miami, finishing with 16 points (4-of-9 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), 12 rebounds, three assists, one block, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: The only people upset about Tatum’s performance may be bettors who placed money on his overs and DFS players hoping for a big night. Boston opened up an 18-point lead by the end of the first quarter, and things would only get worse for the visiting Heat in the series clincher. Derrick White and Jaylen Brown scored 25 points, and Boston’s reward is a few days off ahead of the second round. Next will be Cleveland or Orlando, with the Cavaliers leading that series three games to two. Rotoworld Today, 6:55 pm
     
  • Haynes: Porzingis could return for conf. finals
    According to TNT’s Chris Haynes, Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) is likely out for the second round but could be back if the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Porzingis injured his calf during Boston’s Game 4 victory, which gave them a 3-1 lead over the Heat. While advancing to the second round isn’t guaranteed, the odds favor Boston. According to the report, Porzingis is unlikely to play during the second round, but he could be available if the Celtics reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Al Horford will replace KP in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. Rotoworld Today, 4:12 pm
     
  • Starting sans Porzingis
    Horford will enter the starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Heat.

    Advice: Horford played 34 minutes in Game 4 with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) going down with an injury in the first half. With Porzingis sidelined Wednesday -- and likely longer -- Horford will step into the starting center role, where he's expected to remain until Porzingis returns. Rotowire.com Today, 4:11 pm
     
  • Khris Middleton, Patrick Beverley probable Thu.
    Khris Middleton (right ankle sprain) and Patrick Beverley (right oblique muscle strain) are listed as probable for the Bucks’ Thursday meeting with the Pacers.

    Advice: Middleton and Beverley were crucial to Milwaukee’s Game 5 upset. Middleton scored a game-high 29 points while Beveley chipped in with a game-high 12 assists. Both players will likely carry heavy workloads in Game 6, as Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are doubtful. Rotoworld Today, 2:54 pm
     
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) doubtful Thursday
    Giannis Antetokounmpo (left soleus strain) is listed as doubtful for the Bucks’ Game 6 matchup against the Pacers on Thursday.

    Advice: Antetokounmpo isn’t likely to make his 2024 playoff debut in Game 6. The Bucks star appears set to watch his team try to compete without him after pulling off an impressive Game 5 upset. Bobby Portis will likely continue starting in his place. Rotoworld Today, 2:37 pm