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  • 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
     
  • Logs 28 minutes in victory
    Braun closed Tuesday's 112-97 victory over Minnesota in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 10 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 28 minutes.

    Advice: Braun continues to play meaningful minutes for the Nuggets, scoring double-digits for the second straight game. After failing to play more than 19 minutes during the first eight postseason games, he has now played 25 and 28 minutes respectively in each of the past two games. After reeling off three straight victories, the Nuggets now sit one win away from a trip to the Conference Finals. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 11:48 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
     
  • Another absence coming
    Jerome (ankle) is out for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Celtics.

    Advice: Jerome hasn't played since Oct. 27 while recovering from right ankle surgery. There is no indication that Jerome is nearing a return to action. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 2:40 pm
     
  • Enters rotation in blowout win
    Brown totaled zero points (0-2 FG), two rebounds and one block in 10 minutes during Sunday's 121-89 victory over the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Brown and several fellow second-stringers saw an uptick in playing time Sunday, with Brown seeing his first action in this series. The Pacers took control early and never relinquished, leveling the series at 2-2. Game 5 is in New York on Tuesday, where both teams will look to gain the upper hand. Rotowire.com Monday, 12:57 am
     
  • Rare appearance Sunday
    Jeffries had five points (2-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds and one steal across 13 minutes during Sunday's 121-89 loss to the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Jeffries made a rare appearance Sunday as the Knicks went deep into their rotation. The Pacers dominated from start to finish, meaning even Tom Thibodeau couldn't justify playing his starters big minutes. Obviously, this is not something fans should expect to see very often during the postseason. Rotowire.com Monday, 12:45 am
     
  • Cracks rotation in blowout loss
    Milton supplied three points (0-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), one rebound and one assist across 15 minutes during Sunday's 121-89 loss to the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Milton saw his first minutes of the postseason, playing the entire fourth quarter of what was an ugly loss. The series is now tied at 2-2, but the Pacers have all the momentum heading back to New York. Assuming Game 5 on Tuesday is tighter, don't expect to see Milton in the rotation. Rotowire.com Monday, 12:44 am