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  • Improved performance Friday
    Nembhard finished with 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-4 3Pt), six rebounds, six assists and one block over 38 minutes during Friday's 116-103 win over New York in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Nembhard put together arguably his best performance of the postseason, especially when it comes to his efforts on the defensive end. Having been worked over by Jalen Brunson in the past couple of games, Nembhard appeared as though he was focused on making amends for his recent shortcomings. Although Brunson ended with a game-high 31 points, many of those came with the game already in the bag for Indiana. If the Pacers are to walk out of Madison Square Garden with a victory Sunday, Nembhard may need to again be more than a traffic cone on defense. Rotowire.com Today, 3:52 am
     
  • Miles McBride hits four triples, scores 20 points
    Miles McBride shot 8-of-12 from the field in Friday’s loss to the Pacers, amassing 20 points, two rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 35 minutes.

    Advice: Making his second straight start, Deuce shot the ball well in Game 6. It may have mattered more had Jalen Brunson not going 2-of-13 from the field in the first half, and Josh Hart was limited with an abdominal injury. McBride wasn’t as impactful as in Game 5, but the Knicks should be encouraged by his offensive output in Friday’s defeat. They’ll need a similar effort from Deuce in Game 7 on Sunday afternoon. The winner faces Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals, which begin on Tuesday night. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:30 pm
     
  • Isaiah Joe offers minimal value in spot start
    Isaiah Joe played 21 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 5 loss to the Mavericks, accounting for six points (2-of-9 FGs), three rebounds, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: Thunder coach Mark Daigneault changed the starting lineup for Game 5, with Joe replacing the ineffective Josh Giddey. Joe picked up two quick fouls and could not offer much value in his 21 minutes on the court. While Giddey (11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one 3-pointer) shot 5-of-8 from the field, the minutes total (12) is a clear sign that he isn’t trusted in this series. The question ahead of Saturday’s Game 6 is whether or not Daigneault will stick with Joe as the fifth starter. And even if Giddey receives the nod, he’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to be of value to DFS players. Rotoworld Wednesday, 9:32 pm
     
  • Thunder starting SGA, Joe, Dort, JDub, Holmgren
    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Joe, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren will start Wednesday’s Game 5 against the Mavericks.

    Advice: Oklahoma City has changed its starting lineup, with Joe replacing the ineffective Josh Giddey. With the defensive-minded Dort on the court, playing two non-shooters together wasn’t working for the Thunder. Giddey has lost minutes to Joe, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins throughout the series. He might remain in the rotation, but it’s unlikely that Giddey will reach 15 minutes. Rotoworld Wednesday, 6:09 pm
     
  • Making first playoff start
    Joe is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 5 against Dallas, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

    Advice: Joe replaces Josh Giddey in the first unit, a relatively unsurprising move considering Joe has played more minutes than Giddey in three straight games. Despite his starting status, fantasy managers shouldn't expect the three-point specialist to see normal starter's minutes. Instead, he'll likely settle in at around the high teens or low twenties. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 6:06 pm
     
  • Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle) ruled out Wednesday
    Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle sprain) is out for Wednesday’s game against the Celtics.

    Advice: Porter has not appeared in a game since Cleveland’s regular-season finale, and his absence has not impacted the rotation. That remains the case for Game 5, with the Cavaliers trailing three games to one. Rotoworld Wednesday, 3:36 pm
     
  • Won't play Wednesday
    Porter (ankle) won't suit up for Wednesday's Game 5 in Boston, Spencer Davies of SI.com reports.

    Advice: Porter is set to miss his 12th straight game, and with Caris LeVert (knee) and Donovan Mitchell (calf) also out, Darius Garland will get all the run he can handle. There should also be ample minutes for Max Strus and Dean Wade. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 3:27 pm
     
  • Alec Burks hits five 3-pointers, scores 18 points
    Alec Burks finished Tuesday’s 121-91 win over the Pacers with 18 points (6-of-11 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, and five 3-pointers in 23 minutes.

    Advice: Injuries have thrust Burks into the Knicks’ rotation, and the veteran wing has taken advantage of his opportunity. He’s scored at least 14 points in each of the series’ last three games, giving New York much-needed production. While Burks scoring 20 points in Sunday’s Game 4 defeat did not matter much, that wasn’t the case in Game 5. The Knicks effectively run a seven-man rotation, so Burks won’t lack playing time or opportunities to shine. He’s shown that there’s still something left in the tank. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:14 pm
     
  • Miles McBride starts, scores 17 points in Game 5
    Miles McBride played 40 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Pacers, amassing 17 points (7-of-15 FGs), one rebound, four assists, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau decided to move McBride into the starting lineup for Game 5, and that shift helped New York regain momentum in the series. Deuce’s presence gave the Knicks another ball-handler to deal with the Pacers’ full-court pressure, and he also helped harass Tyrese Haliburton on the defensive end of the floor. McBride getting 15 shots was a bit surprising, but he took advantage of those opportunities well. Precious Achiuwa, who started Games 3 and 4, finished with four points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 23 minutes off the bench. The Knicks hold a 3-2 series lead with Game 6 on Friday night in Indianapolis. Rotoworld Tuesday, 7:58 pm