2 days agoDallas Mavericks point guard
Luka Doncic hit an unwanted milestone in Wednesday's Game 3 loss to the Celtics, fouling out for the first time in his postseason career. Playing in his 51st playoff contest, Doncic picked up two quick fouls in crunch time and was forced to sit out the final 4:12 of action. He finished with 27 points, six rebounds, six assists, and one steal. Following a very strong shooting performance in Game 2, the Slovenian superstar was limited to 11-for-27 shooting and hit only one of his seven attempts from behind the arc. A more efficient performance will be needed from him for Dallas to survive Friday's Game 4.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 35 points on 13-for-28 shooting in Wednesday's Game 3 loss to Boston. After amassing only 28 points across the first two games of the Finals, Irving had by far his best performance of the series, but the Mavericks still couldn't get a win on the board. Irving's efforts included a 4-for-6 record with the three-ball, three rebounds, and two assists. Dallas is now in huge trouble, as no team in NBA history has managed to win a playoff series from a 3-0 deficit. The team will be facing elimination in Game 4 on Friday, and we can expect to see Irving put in a big effort to help the team extend the series.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoBoston Celtics guard
Derrick White had another busy night in the office against Dallas in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, notching 16 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks to help the team to a 106-99 victory. He finished with 4-for-10 shooting, recording his only makes from behind the arc with nine attempts. White has been immense at both ends of the floor for Boston in the Finals and should continue to play a large role in the team's success. The 29-year-old has averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals in three games against the Mavericks.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoBoston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown had one of the best postseason performances of his career in Wednesday's Game 3 against the Mavericks, amassing 30 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and a block in a 106-99 win. While
Jayson Tatum continues to struggle with his shooting in the Finals, Brown had his third straight effort with 50-plus percent shooting from the field, hitting 12-for-22, although he only managed to go 2-for-9 with the three-ball. The J's became the first Celtics duo to each record at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a Finals game. And after jumping to a 3-0 lead, it now appears to be only a matter of time before Boston closes out the series.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoBoston Celtics forward
Jayson Tatum saw his shooting woes continue in Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals against Dallas, but he posted a team-high 31 points in a 106-99 victory. The Celtics star has shot 35.9 percent in the Finals, and he finished Wednesday's contest with an 11-for-26 effort, hitting 4-for-13 from deep. However, Tatum played a complete game, adding playmaking and rebounding to his scoring. He recorded six boards and five dimes with one steal. Tatum has been limited to 21.7 points per game in the Finals, but he's also had 8.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists to help the team grab a 3-0 series lead.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 days agoAccording to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, citing league executives, teams around the NBA are "backing off" from trying to acquire Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Darius Garland. Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman recently indicated the team isn't looking to trade the 24-year-old. Yet, it may not be possible, especially Cleveland hopes to sign
Donovan Mitchell to an extension. Garland averaged 18.0 points and shot 37.1% from behind the arc last season, both down from the 2022-23 campaign. He was also limited to 57 games because of injury. However, Garland figures to be a viable fantasy asset in 2024-25, regardless of where he ends up.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brian Windhorst
3 days agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there is "real doubt" about the availability of Boston Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis (leg) for the remainder of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks. The veteran suffered a posterior Tibialis dislocation in Game 2 on Sunday night. While he tried to test things out ahead of Game 3, the C's medical staff made the call to keep him off the floor. Porzingis recently returned for Game 1 after missing over a month because of a Soleus strain. Although he came off the bench in the first two games of the NBA Finals, he still averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. Nonetheless, the 28-year-old may need surgery. But while Porzingis is on the shelf,
Al Horford will likely continue to start.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
3 days agoImpending free-agent guard
Markelle Fultz hopes to remain with the Magic. "I built a lot of great relationships here," said Fultz during a recent interview. "I understand some guys are going to be gone." The 2017 No. 1 overall pick averaged a career-high 14.0 points in 60 games during the 2022-23 campaign. However, he made only 43 appearances last season due to injury while averaging 7.8 points, his fewest since his rookie year. Without question, Fultz will draw attention from a handful of teams during the offseason. But his inability to stay healthy over the years hasn't sat well with fantasy managers. Fultz's career 27.4% shooting from behind the arc is another issue, which isn't expected to improve anytime soon.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beede
3 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (chest) will suit up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus Boston. The 25-year-old has gotten banged up throughout the postseason. He began the playoffs by battling knee and ankle soreness. However, his latest ailment, a thoracic contusion, is severe enough to warrant a pain-killing injection. With that said, Doncic averaged 31.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 3.0 steals in the first two contests against the Celtics. But the injury is something for DFS managers to keep in mind, considering it could negatively impact his play on Wednesday night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoBoston Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis (leg) is out for Wednesday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran suffered a "rare" left posterior Tibialis dislocation. While he had every intention of suiting up, the medical staff didn't feel it was in his best interest. There's a growing concern that Porzingis won't return for the remainder of the NBA Finals. But while he's sidelined,
Al Horford is worth rostering in DFS contests.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James has reportedly not been involved in the team's search for a new head coach. It has been suggested that he has a major influence on the franchise's decisions. However, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, James is "staying clear" of the coaching search. The Lakers appeared to have found their man last week, but UConn's head coach, Dan Hurley, rejected the job. A recent report for Charania noted that the team is "zeroing" in on James' podcast partner and player-turned-analyst JJ Redick, while James Borrego, the current associate head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, also remains an option.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
3 days agoDallas Mavericks point guard
Luka Doncic is playing through multiple ailments in the 2024 NBA Playoffs and reportedly received a pain-killing injection to get through Game 2 of the Finals against Boston. The injection was made so he could cope with his latest injury, a thoracic contusion. Doncic has also battled through ankle and knee issues in the postseason. Sources have told ESPN's Tim MacMahon that Doncic will receive another pain-killing injection before Wednesday's Game 3. The Mavericks star will enter the contest on the back of three consecutive 30-point performances.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers point guard
Kyle Lowry was tracked by the New York Knicks before his move to the City of Brotherly Love. Lowry was traded by the Miami Heat to the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 23, and his contract was bought out two weeks later without the veteran making a single appearance for the team. League sources have told The Athletic's Fred Katz that Lowry was on the Knicks' "list" following the buyout before he signed a deal until the end of the season with his hometown team. The 38-year-old might be on the move again this offseason as a free agent and could be back on New York's radar after some strong performances against the Knicks in this year's playoffs.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Fred Katz
3 days agoAccording to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the trade market for Cleveland Cavaliers point guard
Darius Garland has cooled off. "There are now teams that are sort of backing off, saying well, maybe Garland is not gonna be available," Windhorst said during an appearance on ESPN Cleveland's The Really Big Show. The statement comes after Cavaliers president Koby Altman recently suggested that the team isn't desperate to break up the duo of Garland and
Donovan Mitchell. It has been reported that Garland will seek a trade if the Cavaliers sign Mitchell to an extension this offseason.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Brian Windhorst
3 days agoMiami Heat forward
Jimmy Butler is reportedly eager to stay with the team. "My sense is Jimmy Butler does not want to be anywhere but Miami," said NBA insider Shams Charania on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. "Sense is that he loves it in Miami. But again, he is extension-eligible this year. There are multiple teams out there that would give him an extension." There have been reports of Butler's former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, being ready to offer him a maximum extension to lure him back to the City of Brotherly Love. A move elsewhere could have a negative impact on Butler's fantasy value because he might be forced to play a lesser role next to another superstar or two.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
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