6 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves forward/center
Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 15 points in Friday's loss to the Mavericks. He added seven rebounds and two steals. KAT struggled shooting in Game 1 on Tuesday night. However, things weren't much better in Game 2, with the 28-year-old going 4-for-16 from the field and 1-for-5 from deep. Towns shot the ball more efficiently in Minnesota's previous two series versus the Suns and Nuggets. Fortunately, the Timberwolves have played better on the road during the playoffs, meaning Towns has an excellent chance of bouncing back.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves guard
Anthony Edwards struggled in Friday's 109-108 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. While he scored 21 points, he had a tough time finding the bottom of the net, going 5-for-17 from the field and 2-for-7 from behind the arc. Fortunately, Edwards added seven assists, five rebounds, and one block, so his performance wasn't a total flop for DFS managers. The 22-year-old averaged 27.7 points during the previous series versus the Denver Nuggets. However, he has averaged just 20.0 points in the Western Conference Finals. With that in mind, the Timberwolves have played better on the road throughout the postseason, so Edwards could turn things around in Game 3 on Sunday night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Kyrie Irving shined in Friday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 32-year-old scored 20 points, finishing second on the team behind
Luka Doncic, who had a game-high 32. He added six assists, four rebounds, and one steal while draining four of his seven tries from deep. Irving averaged only 15.2 points during the Mavs' previous series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he's averaged 25.0 points in the first two games of the Western Conference Finals. With that said, DFS managers should keep him in mind for Game 3 on Sunday night, with Dallas looking to go up three games in the series.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) had a triple-double in Friday's win over the Timberwolves. The multi-time All-Star had a game-high 32 points, going 10-for-23 from the field and 5-for-11 from deep, adding 13 assists and 10 rebounds. While Doncic struggled somewhat shooting the ball, just like in Game 1, he played well enough to sink a three in the fourth quarter to secure the win. It's obvious he's been impacted by his various ailments. However, Doncic is a top DFS producer and should remain on the radar for Game 3 on Sunday night, with the Mavs looking to take a three-game lead in the series.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoBoston Celtics center
Luke Kornet (wrist) is unlikely to suit up for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Pacers on Saturday night.
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) has been sidelined for nearly a month because of a right Soleus strain, so Kornet has been getting more work. However, he injured his wrist in Game 2 on Saturday night and didn't return. With that said, there's a chance
Xavier Tillman Sr. and
Oshae Brissett could get on the floor more than they have during the playoffs. But there's also the possibility of the Celtics going small, resulting in more minutes for
Payton Pritchard and
Sam Hauser. Of course,
Al Horford will remain starting in the middle.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoIndiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday's Eastern Conference Finals showdown with Boston. He flourished in the series opener on Tuesday, amassing a 25-point, 10-assist double-double with three steals and one block. Unfortunately, Haliburton tweaked his hamstring in Game 2 on Thursday night and didn't return to the contest. Of course, the situation isn't good news, especially since the 24-year-old missed time in January because of the same ailment. But with the Pacers down two games in the series, Haliburton will likely do all he can to get out there. However, there's a good chance he won't be available, opening the door for
T.J. McConnell to enter the starting lineup.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoAccording to Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman, guard
Donovan Mitchell is "happy" to be on the team. "My exit interview with him was really good in that he was talking about the future and how excited he was about the team and organization," said Altman while speaking to the media on Friday. "From his own words, he says he's happy and likes it here." The 29-year-old has flourished in Cleveland, and he finished his most recent season by averaging 26.6 points while amassing career-highs in assists (6.1), rebounds (5.1), and steals (1.8). He's searching for a lucrative extension, which the team will likely offer this summer. From a fantasy standpoint, Mitchell is as productive as it gets. However, he's missed 41 games in the last two seasons, negatively impacting his fantasy value for the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
6 days agoAccording to Fred Katz of the New York Times, the Knicks aren't looking to trade forward
Julius Randle. However, the team could move him, especially if it means landing a superstar to pair with
Jalen Brunson (hand). Randle has been productive in his last five seasons with the Knicks, and he finished 2023-24 by averaging 24.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old was limited to 46 games and underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in April. Randle is eligible to sign an extension on August 3. But if New York has a chance to upgrade the roster significantly, his tenure in the Big Apple might be over before the 2024-25 campaign begins. With that said, outside of this year, Randle has stayed relatively healthy, making him an ideal fantasy asset. On the other hand, he has some areas to address, with his 33.3% career three-point shooting being one of them.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Fred Katz
7 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves guard
Mike Conley (calf) is questionable for Friday's matchup against the Mavs. He has a right Soleus strain, which kept him off the floor for Game 5 in the previous series with Denver. However, the veteran was available for the final two games of the Western Conference semifinals. He was also on the floor for Monday's loss to Dallas. But Conley had just six points, shooting 2-for-7 from the field and 1-for-6 from deep. While the 36-year-old will likely be active for Game 2, he's a risky DFS option, considering he's not fully healthy.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Indiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) exited Thursday's loss to the Celtics due to left hamstring soreness. It was initially reported Haliburton was dealing with a left leg issue. However, the most recent update isn't good, considering the All-Star missed 10 games in January because of the same injury. With that said, he will likely appear on the injury report heading into Game 3 on Saturday. On the other hand, there's a good chance Haliburton won't be out there, meaning
T.J. McConnell would handle things at the one.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
7 days agoIndiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton (leg) won't return to Thursday's postseason meeting with the Celtics. There's not much information surrounding the nature of the ailment, with ESPN's Lisa Salters reporting the All-Star is battling leg soreness. Haliburton had a 25-point, 10-assist double-double with three steals in Game 1. But he'd finish Game 2 with 10 points and eight assists in 28 minutes of action. Of course, the biggest concern is his availability for Game 3. But if Haliburton can't suit up for that one,
T.J. McConnell will see a surge in DFS potential.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Lisa Salters
7 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) is probable for Friday's postseason encounter against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The multi-time All-Star has been dealing with various ailments for weeks. However, he'll be on the floor for Game 2, barring a setback. But just because Doncic is available doesn't mean the injuries won't continue to impact his play on the floor, especially since he shot 12-for-26 from the field and 3-for-10 from deep in the Game 1 win on Wednesday night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
7 days agoBoston Celtics center
Luke Kornet (wrist) is questionable to return to Thursday's playoff meeting against Indiana. Kornet, who has been getting more action without
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) in the lineup, lasted only five minutes before exiting with a sprained left wrist. If he doesn't return, he'll finish with two rebounds. While
Oshae Brissett could get some work, there's a chance
Jayson Tatum could spend time in the middle, although
Al Horford should remain the top option at the five.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jay King
7 days agoAccording to ESPN's Lisa Salters, reporting during the second quarter of Thursday's postseason matchup between the Celtics and Pacers, center
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) hasn't participated in practice. However, he's still been around the team. The veteran has been sidelined for nearly a month because of a right Soleus strain. While a report indicated Porzingis could be back for Game 4 on Monday night, head coach Joe Mazzulla stressed that he remains without a timetable for a return. With that said, it's not uncommon for Mazzulla to withhold information on an injured player, although the latest update isn't good news for the C's. But until he's back on the floor,
Al Horford will get most of the minutes in the middle and remain a relatively reliable DFS option.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Lisa Salters
1 week agoMinnesota Timberwolves forward/center
Naz Reid had a busy night off the bench in Wednesday's Game 1 against Dallas, recording 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in a 108-105 loss. Reid demonstrated perfectly why he was voted the Sixth Man of the Year, making an impact in all areas across 24 minutes of action. He finished with 5-for-9 shooting, going 3-for-6 with the three-ball. Reid's numbers have dropped in the playoffs, along with his playing time, but that's now three efforts in four games with 10-plus points from him. Minnesota will need more of the same in the battle against Dallas' well-equipped frontcourt.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
RADIO
