Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Heats up off bench in Game 4
    Hardy posted 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt) and one rebound across 12 minutes during Tuesday's 105-100 loss to Minnesota in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Hardy has yet to play more than 12 minutes in any game in the series, and he's yet to log more than 15 minutes in any playoff appearance this season, but he made the most of his time in this Game 4 loss. The lack of minutes he's seen suggests this was a one-off outburst, however, so fantasy managers shouldn't trust him in Game 5 of the series Thursday. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:08 am
     
  • Jaden Hardy hits three triples, scores 13 points
    Jaden Hardy shot 5-of-8 from the field in Tuesday’s 105-100 loss to Minnesota, accumulating 13 points, one rebound, and three 3-pointers in 12 minutes.

    Advice: While he hasn’t figured prominently in the Mavericks’ rotation, Hardy’s minutes have increased in the Western Conference Finals. He’s played at least nine minutes in all four games, with Tuesday’s being his best. Hardy shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and reached double figures for the second time this postseason (Game 5 vs. LAC in the first round). Even with PJ Washington (10/5/2/0/1 with two 3-pointers in 42 minutes) struggling to knock down perimeter shots consistently, Hardy’s minutes are unlikely to increase in Game 5 on Thursday. He isn’t worth the risk in DFS tournaments. Rotoworld Tuesday, 9:13 pm
     
  • Shines in bigger role
    Nembhard totaled 24 points (10-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists, one block and one steal over 39 minutes during Monday's 105-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Even though the Pacers were swept by the Celtics, one positive outcome of this series was Nembhard's excellent play, which proved he's more than ready to handle a more prominent role in the offensive scheme. Nembhard ended his postseason run by scoring in double digits in seven appearances in a row, reaching the 20-point mark in three of the last five. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:44 pm
     
  • Another excellent showing
    Brown ended with 29 points (11-22 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-6 FT), six rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals over 44 minutes during Monday's 105-102 win over the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Even though Jayson Tatum led the Celtics in scoring throughout the series and Jrue Holiday grabbed headlines for his excellent defensive play, no player was more consistent than Brown, who was named the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals. Brown surpassed the 25-point mark in three of the four games he played against Indiana after accomplishing that feat just three times in the previous two series combined. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:34 pm
     
  • Andrew Nembhard produces 24 points, 10 assists
    Andrew Nembhard shot 10-of-18 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Monday’s 105-102 loss to the Celtics, finishing with 24 points, six rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, one block, and three 3-pointers in 39 minutes.

    Advice: The Pacers were again without Tyrese Haliburton, and Nembhard did his best to help make up for his absence. The second-year guard improved throughout the postseason and shined in Games 3 and 4. While there were some late-game turnovers that Nembhard will want back, his overall play should highly encourage the Pacers. He’s fit in well as a starter next to Haliburton, but that has not translated into reliable fantasy value. Nembhard finished the regular season ranked outside the top 200, but he’ll be worth selecting with a late-round pick in fantasy drafts next fall. Rotoworld Monday, 8:12 pm
     
  • Jaylen Brown wins MVP honors as Celtics sweep IND
    Jaylen Brown finished Monday’s 105-102 win over Indiana with 29 points (11-of-22 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block, and four 3-pointers in 44 minutes.

    Advice: Boston completed its sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday, but three games were highly competitive. Close-out games are rarely easy, and the Celtics’ stars led the way in Game 4. Brown tallied a game-high 29 points on 50% shooting while recording a full stat line. For the series, he averaged 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 2.5 3-pointers per game, shooting 51.7% from the field. Next up for Brown and the Celtics is the NBA Finals, which will not begin until June 6. Rotoworld Monday, 7:45 pm
     
  • Scores career-high 32 points
    Nembhard racked up 32 points (12-21 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and nine assists across 39 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 loss to Boston in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Nembhard had to step up his game with Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) sidelined, and the second-year guard delivered the best performance of his career on the biggest stage. However, Nembhard lost the ball in a critical sequence against Jrue Holiday when the Pacers had to go for a comeback in the final seconds, but aside from that, he was excellent. Nemnhard is averaging 20.0 points, 7.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game in the Eastern Conference Finals so far. Rotowire.com Sunday, 9:42 am
     
  • Ben Sheppard fails to score in spot start Saturday
    Ben Sheppard missed all four of his shot attempts in Saturday’s Game 3 loss to the Celtics, going scoreless with three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 26 minutes.

    Advice: Sheppard was tabbed to fill the void left by Tyrese Haliburton, who sat with a left hamstring injury. The rookie guard didn’t provide much value in Game 3, as he was 0-of-3 from deep and failed to score. Sheppard might remain in the starting lineup for Monday’s Game 4, depending on what happens with Haliburton. If the Pacers are to extend a series they now trail 3-0, they will need more production from Sheppard. Rotoworld Saturday, 9:07 pm
     
  • Andrew Nembhard scores playoff career-high 32 PTS
    Andrew Nembhard was excellent in Saturday’s 114-111 loss to the Celtics, recording a line of 32 points (12-of-21 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, nine assists, and four 3-pointers in 39 minutes.

    Advice: The Pacers were without Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) for Game 3, and there were questions about who would step up offensively. Nembhard was one of the answers, as he established a new playoff career-high with 32 points. The second-year guard was also responsible for nine assists and just two turnovers, but the last may linger for a while. Nembhard’s pocket was picked by Jrue Holiday in the final seconds, with the Celtics leading by one. While Indiana did get a final opportunity to force overtime, that’s a play Nembhard will likely want back. Game 4 is on Monday, and the Pacers could again be without Haliburton. If so, Nembhard will make for an attractive play in DFS tournaments. Rotoworld Saturday, 8:37 pm