Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • 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
     
  • Warming up Friday
    Porzingis (lower leg) was out on the court warming up ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Friday.

    Advice: Porzingis is still officially listed as questionable after missing Game 3 with a left posterior tibialis dislocation. While an official determination of Porzingis' status will likely be made closer to tipoff at 8:30 ET, he seems to be moving well, which bodes well for his availability moving forward in the series. Rotowire.com Friday, 3:06 pm
     
  • CLE unlikely to entertain ‘core four’ trade offers
    According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Cavaliers are not expected to entertain any trade offers for their “core four” players.

    Advice: While the team is still searching for a new head coach, there have also been questions regarding constructing the Cavaliers’ roster for next season. There has reportedly been interest in Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, but according to Fischer, the team has no plans to move anyone. That “core four” includes Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, with the latter flourishing while Allen was sidelined during the postseason with a rib injury. The fantasy ceilings of Garland, Allen, and Mobley were limited this season, and that likely remains the case in 2024-25 if Cleveland sticks with the same starting lineup. Rotoworld Thursday, 4:54 pm
     
  • Suffers ankle injury
    Jovic was diagnosed with a minor left ankle sprain Thursday and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

    Advice: Jovic is still expected to compete for Serbia in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, which begin on July 28. Jovic made 38 starts for Miami this year and could start alongside Nikola Jokic in the frontcourt for Serbia. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:24 am
     
  • Comes close to double-double
    Washington finished with 13 points (3-9 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-6 FT), eight rebounds and two assists across 39 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 loss to the Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Washington finished just two rebounds shy of recording what would've been his first double-double since May 15, when he recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Game 5 win over the Thunder. He's been surprisingly consistent in the Finals despite Dallas' three straight losses, scoring in double figures and grabbing at least seven boards in each outing. He'll aim to keep this streak going in Game 4 on Friday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 7:00 am
     
  • Posts double-double in Game 3 loss
    Lively finished with 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and two steals in 30 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 loss to Boston in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Lively was limited to just two points in Games 1 and 2, respectively, but he bounced back in this one, and the rookie posted his first double-double since the team's May 18 win over the Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The rookie was able to make an impact without Kristaps Porzingis (lower leg) on the court, and Lively will aim to be a factor in Game 4 on Friday, where the Mavericks need a win to keep the series alive. Rotowire.com Thursday, 6:52 am
     
  • Active on both ends in Game 3
    Horford registered eight points (3-6 FG, 2-5 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals across 37 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 win over the Mavericks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Horford plays a secondary role in the Celtics' offensive scheme, though that's not surprising since he shares the court regularly with established superstars such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. However, the veteran big man does all the little things contending teams need to win games consistently, and he regularly finds a way to contribute. Though he's not much of a reliable fantasy option at this point of his career, Horford is averaging 7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in the current NBA Finals. Rotowire.com Thursday, 6:44 am
     
  • Plays 11 minutes in Game 3 win
    Tillman closed with three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3Pt), four rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 win over Dallas in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: It was Tillman, not Luke Kornet, who picked up the slack at center due to Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) being out. Coach Joe Mazzulla clearly preferred Tillman switching on Mavericks star Luka Doncic on pick-and-rolls, and the move paid off. Tillman got multiple stops when forced to guard Doncic. Tillman also hit a clutch corner three during a key second-half Boston scoring run. His four boards and two blocks were just what the Celtics needed while managing 38-year-old Al Horford's workload. Tillman and his teammates will look to finish the Finals in Dallas on Friday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 5:16 am