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  • Kristaps Porzingis (leg) a DNP-CD in Game 4 loss
    Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis dislocation) did not play in Friday’s 122-84 loss to the Mavericks.

    Advice: Porzingis was cleared to play after sitting out Game 3. However, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said during his pregame availability that he would only play in “very specific instances,” so the chances of KP seeing action were slim. With Game 4 getting out of hand by the end of the first quarter, there was no reason for Mazzulla to consider inserting Porzingis. Game 5 is on Monday night, with Porzingis’ availability impacting Al Horford and Xavier Tillman if he’s allowed to play. Rotoworld Friday, 8:30 pm
     
  • Dereck Lively II records another double-double
    Dereck Lively II shot 4-of-5 from the field and 2-of-4 from the foul line in Friday’s 122-84 win over Boston, amassing 11 points, 12 rebounds, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes.

    Advice: After offering minimal offensive production in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, Lively’s output picked up in Dallas. The rookie center recorded double-doubles in both games, and he hit his first 3-pointer (regular season or playoffs) in Game 4. While Lively logged 22 minutes before both coaches cleared their respective benches, starting center Daniel Gafford (seven points, four rebounds, and one blocked shot) played ten. While the order of the rotation won’t change for Game 5 on Monday, Lively projects to be the better option for DFS players. Rotoworld Friday, 8:19 pm
     
  • Jrue Holiday commits five turnovers in Game 4 rout
    Jrue Holiday logged 29 minutes in Friday’s 122-84 loss to Dallas, tallying 10 points (4-of-10 FGs), three rebounds, two assists, one block, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: Like many of his teammates, Holiday had a brutal night in Dallas. While the shooting numbers were respectable, the veteran guard was responsible for a team-high five turnovers. Holiday did not commit a single turnover in the series’ first three games. While he wasn’t as secure with the basketball as in prior games, Dallas deserves some credit for its improved effort on the defensive end of the floor. Backcourt partner Derrick White also struggled in Game 4, finishing with six points (2-of-8 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, and two 3-pointers in 31 minutes. Game 5 is on Monday in Boston. Rotoworld Friday, 8:06 pm
     
  • Jaylen Brown struggles in Game 4 blowout loss
    Jaylen Brown amassed 10 points (3-of-12 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), one rebound, two assists, and one 3-pointer in 27 minutes in Friday’s 122-84 loss to the Mavericks.

    Advice: Brown entered Game 4 as the betting favorite for NBA Finals MVP honors, and that remains the case despite Boston getting blown out on Friday. No team has even blown a 3-0 series lead in NBA postseason history, so the odds remain in Boston’s favor. Game 4 was Brown’s worst game of these playoffs, and it’s fair to expect to see him bounce back in Game 5 on Monday night. Rotoworld Friday, 8:05 pm
     
  • Jayson Tatum limited to 15 points in Game 4 loss
    Jayson Tatum shot 4-of-10 from the field and 6-of-6 from the foul line in Friday’s 122-84 loss to Dallas, accounting for 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 27 minutes.

    Advice: Even with Tatum recording a full stat line, there weren’t any positives to take from Friday’s blowout defeat. The Celtics struggled to keep Dallas out of the paint from the start of Game 4, and Joe Mazzulla decided to pull the plug with about four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Tatum and the Celtics will return home for Game 5, with a win netting the franchise its first NBA title since 2008. Rotoworld Friday, 8:04 pm
     
  • Kyrie Irving tallies 21 points in Game 4 blowout
    Kyrie Irving played 31 minutes in Friday’s 122-84 win over Boston, amassing 21 points (10-of-18 FGs), four rebounds, six assists, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: Game 4 was the first time in this series that Irving has shot 50% or better from the field and made nine of his 12 2-point attempts. Outside of Game 3, when he shot 4-of-6, the 3-point accuracy has not been there for Kyrie. In Games 1, 2, and 4, he was a combined 1-of-14, well below his mark for the postseason (40.5%). Irving struggled mightily in the first two games of the NBA Finals, played in Boston. He’ll look to put forth a better effort when the series returns to Beantown for Game 5 on Monday. Rotoworld Friday, 8:03 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic scores 29 despite off night from three
    Luka Doncic shot 12-of-26 from the field and 5-of-7 from the foul line in Friday’s 122-84 win over the Celtics, accounting for 29 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 33 minutes.

    Advice: After receiving significant criticism for his play in the aftermath of Dallas’ Game 3 loss on Wednesday, Doncic was better in Game 4. He scored 25 points in the first half, becoming the third-youngest player to score at least 25 or more in the first half of an NBA Finals game. The only two players ahead of Luka on that list are Kyrie Irving (2017) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1986). Doncic missed all eight of his 3-point attempts, but he was nearly unstoppable inside the arc and only committed one turnover. Game 5 is on Monday night in Boston. Rotoworld Friday, 8:02 pm
     
  • Available to play
    Porzingis (lower leg) is available to play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Dallas on Friday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: After missing Game 3 with a left posterior tibialis dislocation, Porzingis was able to warm up without any setbacks and will play through his questionable tag Friday evening. However, coach Joe Mazulla admitted that Porzingis isn't close to 100 percent and that the Celtics will use him sparingly and only if necessary. Rotowire.com Friday, 4:12 pm
     
  • Kristaps Porzingis (leg) available for Game 4 Fri.
    Kristaps Porzingis (left posterior tibialis dislocation) is available for Friday’s game against the Mavericks.

    Advice: After injuring his left leg during the third quarter of Game 2, Porzingis sat out Wednesday’s Game 3 victory. While his return given the Celtics another option in the frontcourt, DFS players should steer clear. During his pregame availability, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said he would only use Porzingis in “very specific instances.” Mazzulla did not clarify those situations, but it does not appear that Porzingis will reach his Game 2 threshold of 20-25 minutes. Look for Al Horford to continue to play most of the minutes at center. Rotoworld Friday, 4:07 pm