Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Max Strus hits three 3-pointers in Game 5 loss
    Max Strus scored 12 points (3-of-10 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs) with seven rebounds, nine assists, and three 3-pointers in 44 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics.

    Advice: Strus didn’t have a good night shooting the basketball, but the overall line was solid for DFS players who may have slotted him into their lineups. The nine assists were a postseason high for the Cavaliers wing, who was asked to take on additional offensive responsibilities with Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert unavailable. Based on his Yahoo ADP, Strus was expected to provide late-round value this season, and that’s precisely what he did. Starting 70 games during the regular season, Strus established career-high averages in points (12.2), rebounds (4.8), assists (4.0), steals (0.9), and blocks (0.4). The best way for Strus to threaten top 100 status would be to improve the field-goal percentage, as he shot just 41.8% in 2023-24. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:21 pm
     
  • Darius Garland struggles in season-ending defeat
    Darius Garland accounted for 11 points (4-of-17 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), nine assists, and two steals in 43 minutes in Wednesday’s 113-98 loss to the Celtics.

    Advice: Boston eliminated Cleveland in five games, an unsurprising outcome given the Cavaliers’ many injuries. What was incredibly disappointing about Game 5 was Garland’s performance. After scoring 30 points and dishing out seven assists in Game 4, he shot 4-of-17 from the field and missed all four of his 3-point attempts. As with Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, injuries were a significant factor for Garland, as he was limited to 57 regular-season games. While his value in 8-cat formats wasn’t far from his Yahoo ADP (40.3), he failed to crack the top 100 in 9-cat. Selecting Garland within the top 50 of standard league drafts wouldn’t be a bad idea, but fantasy managers can’t be blamed if they decide to look elsewhere next fall. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:10 pm
     
  • Nears 20 points in Game 5 victory
    White closed with 18 points (7-17 FG, 4-9 3Pt), five rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 36 minutes during Wednesday's 113-98 victory over the Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: White had a strong outing from deep in Wednesday's series-clinching win, connecting on a quartet of threes to go along with a half-dozen assists, a handful of rebounds and a pair of blocks in a near 20-point showcase. White stepped up for Boston in the semifinals, tallying at least 18 points in two of the five contests. White could be a key factor once again for the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals as an additional option offensively behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:04 pm
     
  • All-around outing in Game 5 defeat
    Strus ended Wednesday's 113-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 12 points (3-10 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds and nine assists in 45 minutes.

    Advice: Strus put up a well-rounded stat line, handing out a team-high-tying assist total to go along with a team-high-tying rebound mark in a near double-double outing. Strus reached double figures in scoring in three of the five games against Boston, adding at least seven rebounds and seven assists in the final two games of the series. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:54 pm
     
  • Derrick White hits four triples, scores 18 points
    Derrick White shot 7-of-17 from the field in Wednesday’s win over the Cavaliers, accounting for 18 points, five rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and four 3-pointers in 36 minutes.

    Advice: All five Celtics starters finished Game 5 in double figures, with White being one of three to score at least 18 points. And this was a much-needed performance, as he shot 8-of-30 from the field in Games 2 through 4. White helped make up for Jaylen Brown, who finished with just 11 points while accounting for four rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer. Brown took on more of a facilitator role, opening up scoring opportunities for his teammates. White having a better night in Game 5 should give him some positive momentum heading into the conference finals, with the Celtics set to host either New York or Indiana in Game 1 next week. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:33 pm
     
  • Good to go for Game 5
    Doncic (ankle/knee) is active and starting Wednesday's Game 5 against the Thunder.

    Advice: Doncic was initially labeled probable with lingering knee and ankle injuries, but, as expected, he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt. Considering he hasn't faced any restrictions since sustaining the injury, Doncic should see as many minutes as he can handle in the pivotal matchup. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:14 pm
     
  • Out of starting lineup
    Giddey will come of the bench for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Mavericks, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

    Advice: Giddey has seen his playing time drop off drastically during the series, seeing fewer than 15 minutes in three straight contests. He's been a non-factor against Dallas, averaging 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 13.3 minutes per contest. Isaiah Joe will replace him in the starting lineup next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:11 pm
     
  • Thunder starting SGA, Joe, Dort, JDub, Holmgren
    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Joe, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren will start Wednesday’s Game 5 against the Mavericks.

    Advice: Oklahoma City has changed its starting lineup, with Joe replacing the ineffective Josh Giddey. With the defensive-minded Dort on the court, playing two non-shooters together wasn’t working for the Thunder. Giddey has lost minutes to Joe, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins throughout the series. He might remain in the rotation, but it’s unlikely that Giddey will reach 15 minutes. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:09 pm
     
  • Making first playoff start
    Joe is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 5 against Dallas, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

    Advice: Joe replaces Josh Giddey in the first unit, a relatively unsurprising move considering Joe has played more minutes than Giddey in three straight games. Despite his starting status, fantasy managers shouldn't expect the three-point specialist to see normal starter's minutes. Instead, he'll likely settle in at around the high teens or low twenties. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:06 pm