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  • Josh Hart records 24/13/8/2/1 line in Game 1 win
    Josh Hart accumulated 24 points (9-of-13 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), 13 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one block, and one 3-pointer in 48 minutes in Monday’s 121-117 win over Indiana.

    Advice: The Knicks used a late rally to draw first blood in the series, with the Villanova trio of Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Donte DiVincenzo combining to score 33 of the team’s 39 fourth-quarter points. Hart was excellent in Game 1, with one exception: turnovers. He was responsible for five, occasionally playing too fast for his own good. However, the overall production from the Knicks’ “iron man,” who played at least 46 minutes in four of the team’s six first-round games against Philadelphia, made up for the high turnover count. Hart and the Knicks host Game 2 on Wednesday. Rotoworld 10 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 19 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
     
  • Still out
    Porter (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 1 against the Celtics.

    Advice: Porter didn't play during the opening-round series and will remain sidelined to start the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Even if the undrafted rookie is cleared, he isn't guaranteed playing time in the postseason. Rotowire.com Today, 2:38 pm