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  • Quiet offensively in Game 1 loss
    Haliburton posted six points (2-6 FG, 2-5 3Pt), eight assists, four steals and two rebounds over 36 minutes in Monday's 121-117 loss to New York in Game 1 of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Advice: Haliburton had a quiet performance offensively in the first game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, though he still impacted the game in other ways including leading the Pacers in assists and steals despite failing to reach double figures in scoring. Haliburton posted his lowest point total of the postseason thus far, failing to reach double-digits for the second time in seven playoff contests. It will be key to watch Haliburton and is his lingering back issues impact his performance or if he is able to get healthy enough to bounce back strong in Game 2. Rotowire.com 5 minutes ago
     
  • Shines off bench in Game 1 loss
    McConnell finished with 18 points (9-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three assists, three steals and one rebound over 22 minutes in Monday's 121-117 loss to New York in Game 1 of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Advice: McConnell provided a much-needed spark off the Pacers bench with the below-average offensive showing by Indiana's starting guards, leading all bench players in scoring while adding a trio of steals and assists in a balanced showing on the second unit. McConnell has been playing some of his best basketball of the postseason the last two outings, posting at least 18 points and three assists in two straight contests. McConnell's lift off the bench is a key aspect to Indiana that could play a large role in the series against the Knicks. Rotowire.com 6 minutes ago
     
  • Jalen Brunson serves up 43-point effort in Game 1
    Jalen Brunson finished Monday’s Game 1 win over the Pacers with 43 points (14-of-26 FGs, 14-of-14 FTs), six rebounds, six assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 43 minutes.

    Advice: New opponent, same result. After scoring 47, 40, and 41 points in the final three games of New York’s first-round win over Philadelphia, Brunson dropped 43 in Monday’s second-round opener. He’s accounted for at least 30 points and five assists in five straight playoff games, becoming the fifth player in NBA history to accomplish this feat. The other four are Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. Brunson, who is also the first player in NBA history to go for at least 40 points and five assists in four straight playoff games, and the Knicks will look to extend their series lead in Game 2 on Wednesday. Rotoworld 21 minutes ago
     
  • Jamal Murray (calf) available for Game 2 Monday
    Jamal Murray (left calf strain) is available for Monday’s game against the Timberwolves.

    Advice: As expected, Murray is available for Game 2, with the Nuggets trailing 1-0. He still isn’t 100%, but the Nuggets guard will continue to play through the injury. Reggie Jackson’s role becomes more critical with Murray’s injury, especially with Denver not getting much production from its bench in Game 1. Rotoworld Today, 6:16 pm
     
  • Cleared for Game 2
    Murray (calf) will play in Monday's Game 2 against the Timberwolves, Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports.

    Advice: Murray is still battling a nagging calf injury that he picked up during Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Lakers, but it won't force him to miss Monday's clash. He was held in check during Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, however, the point guard has shown that he can make clutch shots when his team needs it most, even if he's not at 100 percent. Rotowire.com Today, 6:15 pm
     
  • Tyrese Haliburton (back) available for Game 1
    Tyrese Haliburton (lower back spasms) will play in Game 1 against the Knicks on Monday.

    Advice: Unsurprisingly, Haliburton will suit up for the first game of this series. He is still managing this back issue, but he didn’t miss any time during round one. He should continue to start and play a ton of minutes. Rotoworld Today, 3:41 pm
     
  • Officially gets green light
    Haliburton (back) is available for Monday's Game 1 against the Knicks.

    Advice: As expected, Haliburton will continue to play through a back issue that flared up ahead of Game 4 of the opening-round series versus the Bucks. After landing on the injury report, Haliburton averaged 19.0 points, 6.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 32.7 minutes per game over the final three matchups against Milwaukee. Rotowire.com Today, 3:39 pm
     
  • Expected to play
    Coach Rick Carlisle said he expects Haliburton, who's officially listed as questionable due to back spasms, to play in Monday's Game 1 against the Knicks, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

    Advice: Given it's the playoffs and he didn't miss time during the opening-round series versus Milwaukee, Haliburton was already considered more probable than questionable, so this isn't a surprising update. After the back spasms flared up, Haliburton played 32.7 minutes over the final three matchups against the Bucks compared to 40.3 minutes across the first three games, though one of those was an overtime contest. Even if he was a bit limited, Haliburton remained productive despite the back issue, as he averaged 19.0 points, 6.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds after landing on the injury report. Rotowire.com Today, 3:22 pm
     
  • Ruled out for Game 1
    Jerome (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 1 against Boston.

    Advice: Jerome hasn't suited up since late October due to ankle surgery. He'll remain sidelined to begin the Cavaliers' second-round series, and it's unclear when or if he'll be able to return during the playoffs. Rotowire.com Today, 2:39 pm