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  • Xavier Tillman tallies four boards, two blocks
    Xavier Tillman logged 11 minutes in Wednesday’s 106-99 win over Dallas, accumulating three points (1-of-1 FGs), four rebounds, two blocks, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: With Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) sidelined, Tillman was the first big off the Celtics bench on Wednesday. While there were a few hiccups on the defensive end, he still offered solid production in the rebound and blocked shot categories. Starter Al Horford also benefitted from Porzingis’ absence, logging 37 minutes and recording a line of eight points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block, and two 3-pointers. While Horford is a more viable DFS option if Porzingis remains out for Friday’s Game 4, Tillman is not. Rotoworld Wednesday, 8:32 pm
     
  • Could miss rest of Finals
    The Celtics have "real doubt" that Porzingis (lower leg) will be able to return to action at any point during the NBA Finals matchup against the Mavericks, Adrian Wojnarowski reported prior to Wednesday's Game 3 on ESPN's NBA Countdown.

    Advice: Porzingis was initially labeled questionable for Wednesday's game due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation but wasn't cleared by the Celtics' medical staff ahead of the contest. The 28-year-old voiced his willingness to do whatever it took to play leading up to Wednesday's tilt, but he may not be medically cleared to suit up before the series ends. Porzingis had missed 10 straight games before the NBA Finals with a calf strain that's unrelated to his lower leg injury, but he was a key contributor off the bench in the Celtics' Games 1 and 2 wins. Al Horford should continue to start at center while Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Oshae Brissett are candidates to see action behind Horford. Porzingis should be viewed as questionable, at best, leading up to Friday's Game 4. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 5:06 pm
     
  • Kristaps Porzingis (leg) downgraded to out Weds.
    Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis dislocation) is out for Wednesday’s game against the Mavericks.

    Advice: Injured during the third quarter of Sunday’s Game 2 victory, his second since returning from a right soleus strain, Porizingis was initially questionable for Game 3. His absence means more minutes for starting center Al Horford, with Luke Kornet possibly entering the rotation. Kornet is not a viable option for DFS tournaments, while Horford takes on added value. Rotoworld Wednesday, 3:58 pm
     
  • Muted impact in Finals
    Lively registered two points (1-3 FG) and seven rebounds across 19 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Through two Finals games, Lively has totaled just four points, 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal with no blocks and four turnovers. Dallas has tried more Maxi Kleber minutes to combat the Celtics' floor spacing, but the results have been less than stellar. Game 3 will be on the Mavericks' home floor, where Lively is averaging 9.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:09 am
     
  • Decent outing in Game 2 win
    Horford contributed five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and one steal across 28 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 win over Dallas in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Horford scored only five points -- his fewest since Game 3 against the Cavaliers -- but it was enough to get the job done against the Mavericks. Though his scoring can be inconsistent, the veteran has grabbed at least five rebounds in nine straight games and recorded at least one defensive stat in eight consecutive games. Now he and the Celtics go on the road for Game 3, with Horford averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in road postseason games this season. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:05 am
     
  • Gets offense going inside arc
    Washington notched 17 points (6-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block across 40 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to Boston in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Despite going 1-for-5 from three, Washington put together an efficient performance, playing physical in the paint. His 17 points were his most since May 13, which was Game 4 against the Thunder. Now, for a critical Game 3, Dallas goes home, where Washington is averaging 14.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 8:54 am
     
  • Close to double-double in loss
    Gafford amassed 13 points (6-9 FG, 1-4 FT), nine rebounds and one block across 23 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Gafford was efficient from the field and finished just one rebound shy of a double-double, but he had problems dealing with Kristaps Porzingis once again. The fact that the Celtics' big men can play on the perimeter has limited Gafford's defensive influence. Gafford has now posted at least eight rebounds in three of his last four playoff appearances. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:32 pm
     
  • Daniel Gafford tallies 13 points, nine rebounds
    Daniel Gafford shot 6-of-9 from the field and 1-of-4 from the foul line in Sunday’s Game 2 loss to the Celtics, scoring 13 points with nine rebounds and one blocked shot in 23 minutes.

    Advice: Limited to 14 minutes in Game 1, Gafford was more impactful as a finisher and rebounder in Game 2. As a result, he played 23 minutes while backup center Dereck Lively II (two points and seven rebounds) logged 19. Dallas broke even in Gafford’s minutes, but they were a minus-15 with Lively on the floor. Regardless of which big man is on the floor, they’ll need to be better if the Mavericks are to have any chance of knocking off the Celtics. Game 3 is on Wednesday night in Dallas. Rotoworld Sunday, 8:21 pm
     
  • PJ Washington scores 17 points in Game 2 defeat
    PJ Washington accumulated 17 points (6-of-13 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, one block, and one 3-pointer in 40 minutes in Sunday’s 105-98 loss to Boston.

    Advice: After scoring 14 points in Game 1, Washington was three points better in Game 2. However, his struggles from beyond the arc continue, as he was 1-of-5 on Sunday. Since making 3.8 3-pointers at a 46.9% clip during Dallas’ second-round series against Oklahoma City, Washington has gone 9-of-40 from beyond the arc. He’s 1-of-8 in the NBA Finals, and the Mavericks will need a more accurate Washington moving forward. Game 3 is on Wednesday night in Dallas. Rotoworld Sunday, 8:17 pm