Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • 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
     
  • Finds opportunity in Japan
    Watanabe agreed Wednesday to a contract with the Chiba Jets of the Japanese B.League, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com reports.

    Advice: The terms of Watanabe's deal aren't clear, but he should immediately become one of the B.League's top players after spending parts of the last six seasons in the NBA with the Grizzlies, Raptors, Nets and Suns. The 29-year-old forward appeared in 34 games for Phoenix in 2023-24 and averaged 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 three-pointers in 13.6 minutes but didn't make an appearance for Memphis after being sent to the Grizzlies in February on a deadline deal. Watanabe holds a $2.65 million player option for 2024-25, but he'll presumably decline that to facilitate his return to his home country of Japan. He's also expected to suit up for the Japanese national team during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 6:30 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
     
  • Solid in Game 2
    Jones notched 11 points (4-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 32 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Jones improved on his five-point performance from Game 1, but he struggled from distance. He also didn't offer much defensive resistance despite managing a block and a steal. The forward will look to improve again in Game 3 at home, where he's averaged 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks in the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 8:51 am
     
  • Stuffs stat sheet in Game 2 victory
    Brown provided 21 points (8-15 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, seven assists and three steals in 42 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 victory over the Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Brown struggled a bit with his shot from three-point range, but other than that, he delivered his usual stat-filling performance while also operating as one of Boston's go-to players on offense. Brown has been on a tear of late, scoring 20-plus points in six straight playoff appearances while also contributing on the defensive end. Over that six-game stretch, Brown has averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals per contest. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:38 pm
     
  • Sniffs triple-double in Game 2 win
    Tatum notched 18 points (6-22 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds, 12 assists and one steal across 45 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 win over the Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Tatum struggled massively from the field and needed 22 shots to score 18 points, but he compensated for the lack of efficiency with an elite showing on both ends of the court. He ended just one rebound shy of a triple-double, and he also became the third player in team history to record at least 18 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists in an NBA Finals game, joining two franchise legends in Larry Bird and Bob Cousy. His subpar shooting percentages could hurt fantasy managers a bit, but that won't matter much if he continues to put up these elite all-around numbers throughout the rest of the series. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:37 pm
     
  • 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