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PJ Washington led Dallas with 21 points (7-of-19 FGs), 12 rebounds, one block and five triples in a 100-96 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 4 on Monday.

Advice: OKC continues to prioritize limiting Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, which was a strategy that worked in this game, with the duo combining to shoot 10-of-31 from the floor. That has resulted in more opportunities for Washington, who has been the leading scorer for Dallas for three straight games now. He has averaged 5.7 triples per game during this stretch and has still made an impact on the defensive end. Washington will continue to play a pivotal role, but they’ll need more from Luka and Kyrie if they want to win this series. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:46 pm

PJ Washington accumulated 27 points (11-of-23 FGs), six rebounds, two assists, and five 3-pointers in 40 minutes in Saturday’s Game 3 win over the Thunder.

Advice: Faced with defending Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Oklahoma City has not devoted as much attention to Washington. Given how well he’s played in the last two games, that could change for Game 4 on Monday. After hitting seven 3-pointers and scoring 29 points in Game 2, he made five more in Game 3 while leading the Mavericks in scoring. Washington attempted 23 shots on the afternoon, tied for the most of any player who saw action. PJ has been much better than expected, and Oklahoma City could take the approach of him regressing to the mean eventually. However, the last two games show this is a dangerous strategy. Game 4 is on Monday night in Dallas, with the Mavericks leading the series two games to one. Rotoworld Saturday, 3:33 pm

Washington produced 29 points (11-18 FG, 7-11 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals across 40 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 119-110 victory over the Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Advice: Kyrie Irving didn't have his best performance Thursday, but Washington stepped up in a game where the Mavericks needed someone to carry the offensive load alongside Luka Doncic. This was Washington's best game of the current playoff run, as it was his first double-double since April 7. Washington is averaging 13.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs, and he's scored in double digits in all but one of his eight appearances to date. Rotowire.com Friday, 8:22 am

Antetokounmpo (calf) disclosed last Friday that he was "not close" to returning to the Bucks lineup before the team was eliminated from the playoffs May 2 in a 120-98 loss to the Pacers in Game 6 of the first-round series, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports. "I did all the tests I had to do, these like protocols you have to follow and have to check the boxes," Antetokounmpo said. "I wasn't even close at checking the boxes."

Advice: Though head coach Doc Rivers had suggested last week that Antetokounmpo was close to being available to play after missing the final three games of the regular season with a left soleus strain, Rivers' comments may have been an act of gamesmanship. Antetokounmpo ultimately missed all six playoff contests, and his absence likely would have extended into the Eastern Conference semifinal round if the Bucks had advanced, as the 29-year-old estimated that he was running at about 30 or 40 percent speed. He should be closer to full health by the end of May, but Antetokounmpo likely won't have a full offseason to rest up, as he had previously expressed a desire to play for the Greek national team in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Greece will have to first earn a spot in the Olympics through a qualification tournament that will take place in the first week of July, so confirmation on whether Antetokounmpo is healthy should come shortly before that time. Rotowire.com Thursday, 1:52 pm