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  • Dereck Lively II grabs team-high 11 rebounds
    Dereck Lively II shot 4-of-4 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Wednesday’s win over Minnesota, amassing nine points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 27 minutes.

    Advice: As has been the case on most nights since the trade deadline, Lively and starting center Daniel Gafford combined to provide solid production for the Mavericks in Wednesday’s series opener. The rookie out of Duke was more effective as a rebounder and shot blocker, and his ability to make plays out of the short roll is why Lively played more than Gafford. And DG was solid in his time on the court, accounting for 10 points, nine rebounds, and one blocked shot. While Lively and Gafford averaged similar minutes in the second round (23.0 per game for the former, 23.5 for the latter), don’t be surprised if the former plays a little more in this series. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:30 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic scores game-high 33 points in Game 1
    Luka Doncic played 41 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 1 win over the Timberwolves, scoring 33 points (12-of-26 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), six rebounds, eight assists, three steals, one block, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Doncic saved his best for last in Game 1, shooting 5-of-8 from the field in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks erased a seven-point deficit to win. He’s scored 29 or more in each of Dallas’ last three games, surpassing the 30-point mark twice. Doncic continues to play through nagging ankle and knee injuries, and he’s only failed to crack 40 minutes once this postseason. That was Dallas’ 30-point win over the Clippers in Game 5 of that first-round series, and he played 39 minutes that night. Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals is on Friday night. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:18 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) available for Game 1
    Luka Doncic (left ankle soreness, right knee sprain) is available for Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves.

    Advice: As expected, Doncic will play in the Western Conference Finals opener after being listed as probable on the initial injury report. He’ll take on his usual workload, with the Timberwolves likely assigning Jaden McDaniels to him defensively. Rotoworld Yesterday, 4:26 pm
     
  • Cleared for WCF Game 1
    Doncic (knee/ankle) will play in Wednesday's Game 1 against the Timberwolves.

    Advice: Doncic has been a regular on the injury report as he deals with lingering soreness in his left ankle and a sprained right knee. Even though he's banged up, Doncic played at least 40 minutes in all six games against OKC in the Western Conference Semifinals and closed out the series with three straight triple-doubles. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:26 pm
     
  • Xavier Tillman (personal) questionable for Game 2
    Xavier Tillman (personal reasons) is questionable for Thursday’s game against the Pacers.

    Advice: Tillman was not with the Celtics for Tuesday’s overtime victory. His absence did not impact the Celtics’ rotation, as he’s no higher than third in the pecking order behind Al Horford and Luke Kornet. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:44 pm
     
  • Questionable for Game 2
    Tillman (personal) is questionable for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Thursday, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

    Advice: Tillman missed the Celtics' 133-128 overtime win in Game 1 due to the personal matter. While he could rejoin the Celtics in advance of Thursday's contest, his presence -- or lack thereof -- shouldn't have a major impact on head coach Joe Mazzulla's rotation. Tillman has appeared in just three games all postseason -- all in blowouts -- as Al Horford and Luke Kornet have covered most of the minutes at center while Kristaps Porzingis (calf) has been sidelined for each of the Celtics' last seven contests. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:06 pm
     
  • Records eight points off bench
    Pritchard logged eight points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt) and two assists over 23 minutes during Tuesday's 133-128 overtime win over the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: The Celtics are using a very tight eight-man rotation right now, but Pritchard is pretty clearly the sixth man for the foreseeable future. He's been excellent through 11 playoff appearances, averaging 7.8 points, 2.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds while hitting 47.0 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from beyond the arc. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:38 am
     
  • Obi Toppin contributes 15 points in Game 1 loss
    Obi Toppin tallied 15 points (6-of-8 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes in Tuesday’s 133-128 loss to the Celtics.

    Advice: The Pacers reserves scored 30 points in Game 1, enjoying a 17-point advantage in that category. Toppin and T.J. McConnell (13/3/4/1 in 25 minutes) were responsible for 28 of those 30 points, but it wasn’t enough to help the Pacers hold onto Game 1. Getting outscored by a 24-9 margin at the foul line and committing 21 turnovers were the issues for the Pacers, who had a three-point lead with 46.1 seconds remaining in regulation. A Jaylen Brown 3-pointer with six seconds remaining forced overtime, with Boston taking a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is on Thursday night, and this is another series in which Toppin and McConnell will have an advantage.

    Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:53 pm
     
  • Another absence coming
    Prosper (ankle) is out for Wednesday's Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves.

    Advice: Prosper's absence streak will extend to 12 games Wednesday due to a left ankle sprain. There is no timetable for the rookie forward's return. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 2:46 pm