Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Explodes for 38 points Sunday
    Banchero had 38 points (10-28 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 15-18 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals in 42 minutes during Sunday's 106-94 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Advice: Banchero did everything in his power to keep the Magic alive in the playoffs, but even though his stat line was magnificent, the struggles of Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner were too much for Orlando to overcome, meaning Banchero couldn't carry the team to the next round on his own. Despite the early playoff exit, the series against the Cavaliers fully established Banchero as one of the league's up-and-coming superstars. He averaged 27.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals across 37.4 minutes per game. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:25 am
     
  • Franz Wagner endures brutal Game 7 performance
    Franz Wagner shot 1-of-13 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Sunday’s 106-94 loss to the Cavaliers, scoring six points with six rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one blocked shot in 34 minutes.

    Advice: Playing in the biggest game of his brief NBA career, as were many of his Magic teammates, Wagner struggled mightily on Sunday afternoon. He could not make anything happen offensively, missing all five of his 3-point attempts while shooting 1-of-8 from two. Cleveland’s Isaac Okoro certainly deserves some credit for that, but this performance was a severe departure from the norm for Wagner. Based on the Yahoo ADP (66.6), 2023-24 went as expected for Franz, who finished the regular season as a 6th-round player in 8- and 9-cat formats. Sunday wasn’t a good way for him to go out, but Wagner will be one of Orlando’s solid building blocks moving forward. He’s eligible for a contract extension this offseason; it would be surprising if the front office did not make that happen. Rotoworld Sunday, 1:34 pm
     
  • Evan Mobley records 16 boards, five blocked shots
    Evan Mobley accounted for 11 points (5-of-8 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 16 rebounds, one assist, and five blocked shots in 41 minutes in Sunday’s 106-94 win over the Magic.

    Advice: Cleveland is headed to the second round, with their series against Boston beginning on Tuesday. While Mobley struggled with turnovers in Sunday’s Game 7, committing six, he was excellent as a rebounder and defender. He rejected five shots, moving his total to 12 in the series’ final three games. And those were games the Cavaliers played without Jarrett Allen, who is dealing with a rib injury. Both teams could be without an essential big man for Tuesday’s Game 1 in Boston, as the Celtics will not have Kristaps Porzingis (calf). If Allen cannot play, Mobley will continue to take on more responsibilities as the Cavaliers’ defensive anchor. Rotoworld Sunday, 1:25 pm
     
  • Paolo Banchero records 38/16/2/3/1 line in Game 7
    Paolo Banchero logged 41 minutes in Sunday’s 106-94 loss to Cleveland, amassing 38 points (10-of-28 FGs, 15-of-18 FTs), 16 rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Between the field goal percentage and his five turnovers, Banchero did not have the most efficient Sunday afternoon. However, his overall play was the primary reason why Orlando had a chance to win Game 7. The lack of consistent help from others factored into Banchero’s efficiency issues. Still, he gained a significant amount of respect from mainstream followers of the NBA with his play throughout the series. Orlando lost all four games its standout forward committed at least five turnovers. And that category significantly impacted his fantasy value during the regular season. While a top 100 player in 8-cat formats, Banchero finished the regular season outside the top 150 in 9-cat. How Orlando handles its needs on the perimeter (consistent shooting and playmaking) will impact whether Banchero comes off in the fifth round of most drafts (as he did last fall) or slightly higher. Rotoworld Sunday, 1:05 pm
     
  • Won't start Game 7
    Isaac won't start Sunday's Game 7 against the Cavaliers, Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com reports.

    Advice: With Gary Harris (hamstring) returning to the starting lineup after missing Game 6, Isaac will revert to a reserve role. Across three appearances off the bench during the opening-round series, Isaac has averaged 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.3 minutes per game. Rotowire.com Sunday, 9:39 am
     
  • Big fourth quarter in Game 1
    Reid ended Saturday's 106-99 win over Denver in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 0-1 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal in 23 minutes.

    Advice: Reid struggled over the first three quarters of Saturday's contest but showed up in a big way in the fourth frame, scoring 14 of his 16 points and giving the Timberwolves a boost off the bench in a winning effort. The Sixth Man of the Year ended as one of four Minnesota players with 10 or more points in the road victory, notching his third game of the postseason in double figures in scoring. Rotowire.com Saturday, 8:17 pm
     
  • Let’s get Naz-ty: Reid drops 14 in the 4th quarter
    Naz Reid finished Saturday’s win over Denver with 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a pair of triples across 23 minutes.

    Advice: Reid averaged just 9.5 points across 18.5 minutes in the Wolves’ first-round series against Phoenix, but he played a more pivotal role in Game 1 of the semis. Reid came alive when it mattered most, delivering 14 of his 16 points in the decisive fourth quarter. This season’s Sixth Man of the Year has provided microwave scoring when called upon, and he delivered in the biggest moment of his career to date. He’ll look to keep it going in Game 2 on Monday. Rotoworld Saturday, 7:17 pm
     
  • Daniel Gafford scores 13 points in Game 6 victory
    Daniel Gafford shot 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-3 from the foul line in Friday’s win over the Clippers, amassing 13 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes.

    Advice: Gafford may not record gaudy stat lines, but his addition to the roster has been huge for the Mavericks. Between him and first-round pick Dereck Lively II, Dallas receives what would pass as quality production from the center position. Lively also scored in double figures in the series clincher, tallying 10 points with nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 24 minutes off the bench. Gafford and Lively will be critical moving forward, as Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren represents a far different challenge than Ivica Zubac. Oklahoma City will host Game 1 on Tuesday night. Rotoworld Friday, 9:41 pm
     
  • Perfect from line in victory
    Wagner amassed 26 points (7-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 11-11 FT), five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 42 minutes during Friday's 103-96 win over the Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    Advice: Wagner went a perfect 11-of-11 from the line, helping the Magic to an impressive Game 6 victory. It was another strong performance by Wagner, who continues to develop into a key piece for Orlando. Game 7 will take place Sunday, with both teams vying for a second-round berth against the high-flying Celtics. Rotowire.com Friday, 8:21 pm