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  • 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 Yesterday, 7:56 pm
     
  • Coming off bench in Game 1
    Porzingis will come off the bench in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday.

    Advice: Head coach Joe Mazulla said that Porzingis wasn't going to have any minute restrictions in Game 1, but the team opted to play it safe with his conditioning level, and he'll come off the bench. That decision makes sense given that Porzingis hasn't played since logging 14 minutes in the 102-88 win over the Heat on April 29 in Game 4 of the first-round series. For Game 1 of the Finals, Al Horford will remain in the starting lineup, though he's still expected to experience a downgrade in his minutes with Porzingis seeing action off the bench. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:15 pm
     
  • Al Horford to start NBA Finals opener Thursday
    Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford will start Thursday’s game against the Mavericks.

    Advice: Horford will remain in the starting lineup for Game 1 in a move that may surprise some. Kristaps Porzingis, who has been sidelined since injuring his calf during Game 3 of Boston’s first-round series against Miami, will come off the bench in his first game back. The last time Porzingis came off the bench in a game, regular season or playoffs: , as a member of the Knicks. Rotoworld Yesterday, 5:11 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 Yesterday, 4:36 pm
     
  • Available for Game 1 of Finals
    Prosper (ankle) is available for Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Celtics on Thursday.

    Advice: Prosper used the break between the Conference Finals and the NBA Finals to recover from his injury, and he's ready to step on the hardwood for the first time since April 21. He's logged just one minute this postseason, so he's not expected to play a prominent role in the series. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:36 pm
     
  • Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) active Thursday
    Olivier-Maxence Prosper (left ankle sprain) is available for Thursday’s NBA Finals opener against Boston.

    Advice: Prosper has been sidelined since Game 1 of Dallas’ first-round series against the Clippers. The rookie wasn’t a consistent rotation member during the regular season, so there’s no need to consider O-Max for DFS lineups. Rotoworld Yesterday, 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 Yesterday, 4:34 pm
     
  • Won't have minutes restrictions
    Joe Mazulla said that Porzingis will not have any minutes restrictions in Game 1 versus the Mavericks on Thursday, Steven Bulpett of the Boston Herald reports.

    Advice: Mazulla added that he hasn't yet decided if KP will start, but it sounds like Porzingis will be a full-go for Game 1 of the Finals. His return will result in fewer minutes for Xavier Tillman and Al Horford. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:11 pm
     
  • Kristaps Porzingis won’t be restricted Thursday
    Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said that Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) will not be under any restrictions for Thursday’s game against the Mavericks.

    Advice: Porzingis, who strained the soleus muscle in his right calf during Game 3 of the first round, was officially cleared to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. Mazzulla revealing on Thursday afternoon that the 7-foot-3 post won’t be restricted should comfort DFS players who considered slotting Porzingis into their lineups. Al Horford drops to the bench, and his value will take a slight hit with Porzingis in the fold. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:56 pm