Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Derrick White hits three 3-pointers, scores 15
    Derrick White amassed 15 points (5-of-11 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), two rebounds, five assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 35 minutes in Thursday’s win over the Mavericks.

    Advice: Boston opened the 2024 NBA Finals on a high note, as they blitzed the Mavericks early and kept the visitors at a safe distance throughout. White was one of six Celtics in double figures and one of two players (Jayson Tatum) to make three 3-pointers on the night. The Celtics shot 16-of-42 from deep as a team, outscoring Dallas by a 48-21 margin. Backcourt sidekick Jrue Holiday also had a good night, as he finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 35 minutes. Boston will look to take a 2-0 series lead when the teams meet again on Sunday. Rotoworld Thursday, 8:22 pm
     
  • Jaylen Brown posts 22/6/2/3/3 line in Game 1 rout
    Jaylen Brown played 37 minutes in Thursday’s 107-89 win over Dallas, accumulating 22 points (7-of-12 FGs, 6-of-11 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, three steals, three blocks, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: DFS players who slotted Brown into their lineups were rewarded handsomely on Thursday, as he produced a full stat line while leading the Celtics in scoring, steals, and blocks (tied with Kristaps Porzingis). The Eastern Conference Finals MVP did not skip a beat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, which was good for Boston, as Jayson Tatum struggled with his shot and turnovers. Brown has been on a roll recently, and the lower price tag could make him a better pick to lead your DFS squad than Tatum moving forward. Rotoworld Thursday, 8:18 pm
     
  • Kyrie Irving goes cold from deep, scores 12 points
    Kyrie Irving played 37 minutes in Thursday’s Game 1 loss to the Celtics, tallying 12 points (6-of-19 FGs), three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

    Advice: Playing in the NBA Finals for the first time since his last season with the Cavaliers (2016-17), Irving struggled mightily in Game 1. Not only did he fail to make a 3-pointer, missing all five attempts, but he did not attempt a free throw. Boston outscored Dallas by a 48-21 margin from three, and the Mavericks also struggled from inside the arc. While Dallas needs to be better, beating a team as good as the Celtics with Irving struggling is challenging. He’ll look to bounce back in Game 2 on Sunday. Rotoworld Thursday, 8:03 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic scores game-high 30 in Game 1 defeat
    Luka Doncic shot 12-of-26 from the field and 2-of-5 from the foul line in Thursday’s loss to the Celtics, scoring 30 points with 10 rebounds, one assist, two steals, and four 3-pointers in 38 minutes.

    Advice: Doncic was relatively effective as a scorer, but he could not do much playmaking for others in his NBA Finals debut. Boston did its best to avoid committing too many bodies to defending Doncic, resulting in a postseason-low one assist. Also, Luka was responsible for four of Dallas’ ten turnovers on the night. It would be wise to avoid overreacting to Game 1, as the Mavericks dropped their series openers against the Clippers and Thunder. But Doncic’s assist tally will be something to track moving forward. Rotoworld Thursday, 7:56 pm
     
  • Available for Game 1
    Doncic (knee) will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus Boston on Thursday, as expected.

    Advice: Doncic was listed as probable on the initial injury report, just like he has been throughout the playoffs, and that trend will likely continue throughout the Finals. He shouldn't have any minutes restrictions and should be ready to shoulder a heavy load on offense. Rotowire.com Thursday, 4:36 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) available for Game 1
    Luka Doncic (left ankle soreness, right knee sprain) is available for Thursday’s NBA Finals opener against the Celtics.

    Advice: Initially probable for Game 1, Doncic has unsurprisingly been cleared to play. He will take on his usual workload, likely hitting 40 minutes, if not exceeding that number. Rotoworld Thursday, 4:34 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) probable for Game 1
    Luka Doncic (left ankle soreness, right knee sprain) is probable for Thursday’s NBA Finals opener against the Celtics.

    Advice: Doncic is officially probable due to the same injuries he played through during the Western Conference Finals. Simply put, it will take a wild turn of events for him to sit out Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Doncic will take on his usual workload. Rotoworld Wednesday, 3:34 pm
     
  • Deemed probable for Game 1
    Doncic is probable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics on Thursday despite a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness, Mike Curtis of The Detroit News reports.

    Advice: Doncic has been a regular on the injury report all postseason but hasn't missed a game, averaging 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 41.5 minutes across 17 appearances. The superstar point guard shouldn't face any restrictions during Game 1 in Boston. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 1:55 pm
     
  • Non-factor in playoff run
    Morris averaged 2.3 points, 1.0 assists and 0.7 rebounds across 7.6 minutes in nine playoff appearances.

    Advice: Morris was acquired by the Timberwolves on Feb. 7 via trade and averaged 5.1 points, 2.3 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 0.7 steals in 27 regular-season games with Minnesota. The 28-year-old is an unrestricted free agent, and he was a non-factor in the series against Dallas while dealing with a minor finger issue. Rotowire.com Sunday, 9:05 am