Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Double-double in Game 5 win
    Holiday logged 15 points (7-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt), 11 rebounds, four assists and one block in 43 minutes during Monday's 106-88 victory over the Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Holiday was incredible for the Celtics in five NBA Finals games, averaging 14.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. The 34-year-old proved to be a crucial addition to the Celtics winning title No. 18 -- it was also Holiday's second NBA Championship in just four years. The defensive mastermind averaged 13.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 50.3 percent from the field across 19 playoff games. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:13 pm
     
  • Kyrie Irving dishes out nine assists in Game 5
    Kyrie Irving finished Monday’s 106-88 loss to the Celtics with 15 points (5-of-16 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), three rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 41 minutes.

    Advice: As in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, Irving struggled in Game 5. The nine assists weren’t enough to counter another poor shooting night, which is bound to leave a bitter taste in the Mavericks guard’s mouth heading into the offseason. Boasting a Yahoo ADP of 14.1, Irving exceeded that number in 8- and 9-cat formats. The veteran guard was slightly better in 9-cat, ranking within the top 10 according to Basketball Monster. The lone negative for Irving managers was the availability, as he was limited to 58 regular season games. While he certainly has top-10 fantasy potential, availability keeps him outside that threshold in drafts. Irving has met or exceeded 65 games once in his last seven seasons, except his final season in Boston (2018-19). Rotoworld Monday, 8:48 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic posts 28/12/5/3 line in Game 5 loss
    Luka Doncic accounted for 28 points (12-of-25 FGs, 2-of-5 FTs), 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two 3-pointers in 43 minutes in Monday’s 106-88 loss to the Celtics.

    Advice: While Doncic recorded his second double-double of the NBA Finals on Monday, efficiency was a concern for the Mavericks star. He struggled at the foul line and also committed a game-high seven turnovers. Luka’s play wasn’t the only reason Dallas fell in Game 5, but Dallas’ margin for error is slim when one of its stars struggles. However, he made history, becoming the first player in the NBA to lead all players in postseason points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Expected by fantasy managers to be a top 5 player based upon his Yahoo ADP (2.7), Doncic lived up to that in 2023-24. Appearing in 70 regular season games, he was a top 5 player in 8- and 9-cat per-game value and totals. While Doncic wasn’t fully healthy when the season began due to a lingering leg injury, playing at the FIBA World Cup last summer ensured he joined the Mavericks in better shape than in previous seasons. A final decision has not been made regarding Luka’s availability for the upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece that Slovenia will participate in; his health will dictate the decision. Regardless of his status, fantasy managers should expect another elite season from Doncic in 2024-25. Rotoworld Monday, 8:45 pm
     
  • Jrue Holiday grabs 11 rebounds in title clincher
    Jrue Holiday finished Monday’s 106-88 win over the Mavericks with 15 points (7-of-14 FGs), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 43 minutes.

    Advice: The Celtics wrapped up their 18th NBA title on Monday, and the win was lucrative for Holiday. The veteran guard earned a bonus worth nearly $1.265 million and recorded a double-double while doing so. Traded to the Celtics just before the start of training camp, Holiday’s fantasy value took a hit this season. However, ranking just outside the top 75 in 9-cat formats (and just inside that threshold in 8-cat), it isn’t like his production fell off a cliff. Holiday’s averages remained consistent outside of points and assists compared to his 2022-23 season with the Bucks. The veteran guard agreed to a four-year extension (player option for Year 4) in April, so his immediate future in Boston is secure. Holiday should once again be a top 75 fantasy player. Rotoworld Monday, 8:27 pm
     
  • Derrick White posts 14/8/1/2/1 line in Game 5 win
    Derrick White logged 38 minutes in Monday’s win over Dallas, amassing 14 points (4-of-10 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, one assist, two steals, one block, and four 3-pointers.

    Advice: Boston did not truly break out from beyond the arc in the NBA Finals, but Game 5 was the night they came closest. And White was a key factor, hitting four of the team’s 13 3-pointers as Boston locked up its 18th championship. Pegged by many as the player whose fantasy value would suffer the most after Boston added Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, White was an excellent guard to have rostered. Appearing in 73 games, he finished the regular season ranked just outside the top 25 in 8- and 9-cat per-game value. White was a better option in 9-cat formats due to his averaging just 1.5 turnovers per game, and his numbers improved across the board compared to the 2022-23 campaign. Selecting White in the third round of drafts may be a bit much, but this season proved he’s capable of offering that kind of value in Boston. Rotoworld Monday, 8:22 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic (chest) available for Game 5 Monday
    Luka Doncic (thoracic contusion) is available for Monday’s game against the Celtics.

    Advice: This status upgrade was expected, with Doncic considered probable on the initial injury report. With Dallas looking to extend the NBA Finals to a Game 6, he’ll play at least 40 minutes unless the game turns into a blowout. Rotoworld Monday, 4:25 pm
     
  • Gets green light for Game 5
    Doncic (thoracic contusion) is available for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics.

    Advice: Doncic is dealing with a thoracic contusion, but he has been upgraded from probable to available ahead of Monday's Game 5. The All-Star will lead the Mavericks into Boston as Dallas looks to cut the series deficit to 3-2 and come back from down 3-0, a feat that has never been accomplished in NBA Finals history. Doncic has been solid throughout the series, averaging 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals across 37.8 minutes while shooting 47.0 percent from the field. Rotowire.com Monday, 4:20 pm
     
  • Probable ahead of Game 5
    Doncic (thoracic contusion) is listed as probable for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics.

    Advice: Doncic has been a mainstay on the injury report in the playoffs, but with the Mavericks' NBA Finals hopes in jeopardy, his status seems to be nothing more than precautionary. Through four NBA Finals games, the All-Star is averaging 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals across 37.8 minutes. Doncic has struggled from deep, shooting just 25.0 percent from three. However, he is still shooting an efficient 47.0 percent from the field this series. Rotowire.com Sunday, 2:34 pm
     
  • Scores 21 points in Game 4 victory
    Irving accumulated 21 points (10-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt), four rebounds and six assists over 31 minutes during Friday's 122-84 win over the Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Luka Doncic was the best player for the Mavericks in this Game 4 victory, but Irving posted a strong line as well. The veteran floor general reached the 20-point plateau for the second consecutive contest, and he'll need to be at his best if the Mavericks want to pull off the upset in Game 5 of the series Monday. Irving is averaging 21.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in the series. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:14 pm