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  • Jayson Tatum shines in Game 3, scores 31 points
    Jayson Tatum played 42 minutes in Wednesday’s 106-99 win over Dallas, tallying 31 points (11-of-26 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers.

    Advice: The critics wanted more scoring from Tatum after his production was limited in the first two games of the NBA Finals, and that’s what they got in Game 3. He shot 6-of-14 from the field in the first half and was generally more aggressive offensively. The 31 points are the most Tatum had scored in a game since Boston’s Game 3 win over the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals when he dropped in 36. The Celtics are one win away from their first championship since 2008, and Wednesday’s performance may have put Tatum back in play for series MVP honors. Rotoworld Wednesday, 8:06 pm
     
  • Finds opportunity in Japan
    Watanabe agreed Wednesday to a contract with the Chiba Jets of the Japanese B.League, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com reports.

    Advice: The terms of Watanabe's deal aren't clear, but he should immediately become one of the B.League's top players after spending parts of the last six seasons in the NBA with the Grizzlies, Raptors, Nets and Suns. The 29-year-old forward appeared in 34 games for Phoenix in 2023-24 and averaged 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 three-pointers in 13.6 minutes but didn't make an appearance for Memphis after being sent to the Grizzlies in February on a deadline deal. Watanabe holds a $2.65 million player option for 2024-25, but he'll presumably decline that to facilitate his return to his home country of Japan. He's also expected to suit up for the Japanese national team during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 6:30 am
     
  • Solid in Game 2
    Jones notched 11 points (4-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 32 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Jones improved on his five-point performance from Game 1, but he struggled from distance. He also didn't offer much defensive resistance despite managing a block and a steal. The forward will look to improve again in Game 3 at home, where he's averaged 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks in the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 8:51 am
     
  • Stuffs stat sheet in Game 2 victory
    Brown provided 21 points (8-15 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, seven assists and three steals in 42 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 victory over the Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Brown struggled a bit with his shot from three-point range, but other than that, he delivered his usual stat-filling performance while also operating as one of Boston's go-to players on offense. Brown has been on a tear of late, scoring 20-plus points in six straight playoff appearances while also contributing on the defensive end. Over that six-game stretch, Brown has averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals per contest. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:38 pm
     
  • Sniffs triple-double in Game 2 win
    Tatum notched 18 points (6-22 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds, 12 assists and one steal across 45 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 win over the Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Tatum struggled massively from the field and needed 22 shots to score 18 points, but he compensated for the lack of efficiency with an elite showing on both ends of the court. He ended just one rebound shy of a triple-double, and he also became the third player in team history to record at least 18 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists in an NBA Finals game, joining two franchise legends in Larry Bird and Bob Cousy. His subpar shooting percentages could hurt fantasy managers a bit, but that won't matter much if he continues to put up these elite all-around numbers throughout the rest of the series. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:37 pm
     
  • Jaylen Brown finishes Game 2 win with 21 points
    Jaylen Brown accumulated 21 points (8-of-15 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one 3-pointer in 42 minutes in Sunday’s win over Dallas.

    Advice: Boston has a 2-0 series lead in the NBA Finals, and Brown was one of five Celtics to finish the game in double figures. He has now shot 50% or better from the field in six straight and seven of the Celtics’ last eight playoff games, picking up the slack for the slumping Jayson Tatum. The only negative for Brown in Game 2 was the turnover count, as he was responsible for six. However, this was the first game in which he exceeded three since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semis when JB racked up five in a win over the Cavaliers. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd may have gone the gamesmanship route when he said Brown was Boston’s best player, but that approach did not impact Game 2. Game 3 is on Wednesday night in Dallas. Rotoworld Sunday, 7:50 pm
     
  • Jayson Tatum dishes out 12 assists in Game 2 win
    Jayson Tatum finished Sunday’s 105-98 win over Dallas with 18 points (6-of-22 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), nine rebounds, 12 assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 45 minutes.

    Advice: After shooting 6-of-16 from the field in Game 1, Tatum was even worse in Game 2. However, he contributed in other areas as the Celtics took a 2-0 series lead. Finishing one rebound shy of a triple-double, Tatum was responsible for 12 of Boston’s 29 assists on the night. And he made some history, becoming the third Celtics player to account for at least 18 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists in an NBA Finals game (Larry Bird in 1986 and Bob Cousy in 1959). While the Celtics will need their star forward to snap out of this slump, especially if Kristaps Porzingis has to miss time after appearing to aggravate his calf strain, Tatum is capable of impacting the game in other ways. He and the Celtics will look to strengthen their grip on the series in Game 3 on Wednesday. Rotoworld Sunday, 7:46 pm
     
  • Little impact in Game 1
    Jones ended Thursday's 107-89 loss to Boston in Game 1 of the NBA Finals with five points (2-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt), six rebounds and one steal in 29 minutes.

    Advice: Jones struggled inside the arc and wasn't able to catch any signature lob dunks, largely due to the interior presence of Kristaps Porzingis. Game 1 also marked the first time he's failed to record an assist since Game 4 against the Clippers. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:43 am
     
  • Fills stat sheet in Thursday's win
    Brown accumulated 22 points (7-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-11 FT), six rebounds, two assists, three blocks and three steals over 37 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Brown led the Celtics in scoring in the comfortable win, but he did more than just that, as he also left his mark on the defensive end and grabbed headlines with a posterizing dunk during the second quarter. Brown has been alternating with Jayson Tatum in the role of Boston's go-to player on offense, with the Celtics riding whoever has the hottest hand, and that was certainly the case with Brown in the series opener. He's now scored at least 20 points in five straight playoff appearances, representing his longest streak in the current postseason run. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:46 pm