7 days agoThe Washington Wizards are reportedly going to start their search to fill the head coaching vacancy within the next week or so. Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports that the team's front-runner is Brian Keefe who took over as the team's interim head coach this past season once Wes Unseld was fired. Keefe had an 8-31 record this year, but the players reportedly gave him rave reviews for his communication skills, holding players accountable, and keeping egos in check, according to Robbins. According to some speculation, other coaches that would seemingly make their interview list would be Royal Ivey from Houston, Chris Quinn from Miami, and Sean Sweeney from Dallas.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Josh Robbins
7 days agoThe Phoenix Suns seem to have completed their search for a new head coach in record time. After firing former head coach not even 24 hours before, Shams Charania has reported that the team is planning on hiring former Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer. He has eight years of head coaching experience split between his time with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. During his tenure in Milwaukee, Budenholzer boasted a 271-120 record in the regular season and 39-26 in the playoffs. He also coached the team to a ring in 2020-21 which was the franchise's first championship since 1970-71. Along with this move, the Suns will be shifting lead assistant coach David Fizdale to a front office position.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
1 week agoOklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander couldn't pull out a win over the other candidate who was up for the NBA MVP award this year. He did, however, put up the most points out of anyone who played in Game 2. He ended with 33 points on 13-for-24 shooting from the floor and 1-for-3 from three. On top of that, Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in 12 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, two blocks, and two turnovers. In the midst of the third playoff run in his career, Gilgeous-Alexander has seen increases in almost every stat across the board except for three-point shooting.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
1 week agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic was close to another triple-double while leading the team to a win on the road in Game 2, which tied the series a game apiece. While he may have missed out on his first MVP, he didn't let that get in the way of a big road performance. Doncic posted 29 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, one block, and one turnover. He also shot 11-for-21 from the floor and 5-for-8 from deep. With the series shifting back to Dallas for the next two games, Doncic will look to build on this momentum against an inexperienced Thunder squad.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
1 week agoDallas Mavericks forward
P.J. Washington was tied for the team lead in points during their Game 2 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The former Hornet registered 29 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block while shooting 11-for-18 from the floor and a red-hot 7-for-11 from downtown. This is why the Mavericks made the move to bring in his services, they've needed a third scorer who can also provide defense in the frontcourt. Washington has given them spurts of brilliance while staying solid most of the way through his Dallas tenure. Through the first playoff run of his career so far, Washington is averaging 13.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
1 week agoBoston Celtics guard
Jaylen Brown had 19 points in Thursday's loss to Cleveland. He added four rebounds and one assist. The 27-year-old erupted in Game 1 on Tuesday, finishing with 32 points. However, he cooled off in this one, shooting 7-for-17 from the field while missing all six attempts from behind the three-point line. In all fairness, most of the C's starting lineup struggled in Game 2. Fortunately, Brown should turn things around, meaning he remains a top DFS option for Game 3 on Saturday night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoBoston Celtics forward
Jayson Tatum had a team-high 25 points in Thursday's loss to the Cavaliers. He added seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal. The former Duke Blue Devil had only 18 points in Game 1. While he played better in this one, his efforts weren't enough to lead Boston to a win. Nonetheless, Tatum should bounce back offensively sometime soon, so DFS managers should keep him on the radar for Game 3 on Saturday night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell finished with a game-high 29 points in Thursday's win over the Celtics. He added eight assists and seven boards while shooting an efficient 5-for-7 from deep. The 2017 No. 13 overall pick had 33 points in the Game 1 loss to the C's on Tuesday. While he wasn't as productive in this one, fantasy managers were still happy with the outcome. Mitchell and company will return to Cleveland to host Boston for Game 3 on Saturday night. DFS participants should expect him to continue to log heavy minutes, assuming his nagging knee injury allows him.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoCleveland Cavaliers forward/center
Evan Mobley had a big game in Thursday's win over the Celtics. The 22-year-old has struggled offensively during the postseason. However, he finished with 21 points in Game 2, a postseason career-high, to help the Cavs knot the series at one game each. With
Jarrett Allen (rib) out of the lineup, Mobley continues to do all he can to keep things secure underneath the basket. Although he isn't a consistent scorer, he'll at least routinely accumulate blocks and rebounds for DFS managers for the remainder of the playoffs.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 week agoMinnesota Timberwolves guard
Reggie Jackson (calf) is questionable for Friday's playoff meeting with the Timberwolves. The veteran has a calf contusion. However, with
Jamal Murray (calf) also battling a calf issue of his own, Jackson should be out there for Game 3. With that said, he's averaged only four points in this series, so DFS managers should look for other options.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoDenver Nuggets guard
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (abdomen) is questionable for Friday's matchup with Minnesota. The Nuggets are down two games in this series, so the abdominal contusion likely won't be enough to keep him out of the lineup. While KCP has logged heavy minutes during the playoffs, he averaged just 8.4 points in the previous series versus the Lakers. Caldwell-Pope has played worse against the Timberwolves, so he's not a recommended DFS option for Game 3 and beyond, although he can get hot whenever he's on the floor.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoDenver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (calf) is back on the injury report for Friday's postseason matchup with the Timberwolves. He's been battling a left calf strain, although he has played through it during the postseason. However, it's clear the ailment continues to bother the 27-year-old, considering he's averaged only 12.5 points throughout the series with Minnesota. With that said, Murray will likely be out there for Game 3. Yet, the injury could continue to cause him to struggle, making him a risky DFS option..
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoIndiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton (back) is questionable for Friday's meeting with the Knicks. He had just six points in the series opener on Monday. As a result, head coach Rick Carlisle addressed reporters heading into Game 2, indicating Haliburton's back injury was a cause of concern. However, the 24-year-old turned things around on Wednesday night, finishing with a team-high 34 points, adding nine assists, six boards, and three steals. He also shot an efficient 7-for-11 from behind the arc. With that in mind, Haliburton should be out there for Game 3. Unfortunately, he hasn't been a consistent DFS option during the postseason, so fantasy managers may look for other options.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoNew York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson (foot) is considered questionable for Friday's Game 3 of the second-round series against the Pacers. The Knicks leader injured his right foot on Wednesday in Game 2. He was able to finish the game, but the questionable tag leaves his status iffy for Friday's contest. If he's out,
Miles McBride would get a big opportunity to impress as Brunson's replacement in the starting unit. The 23-year-old posted 17.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals as a starter during the regular season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoNew York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday's Game 3 against the Pacers. He suffered a hamstring strain in Game 2 on Wednesday. Despite the injury, Anunoby managed to post his new playoff career high with 28 points in 28 minutes. He's also an outstanding defender, and Anunoby's injury is definitely a big blow for the Knicks, who have gone 26-5 with him in the lineup since acquiring the versatile forward from Toronto.
Precious Achiuwa and
Alec Burks should share Anunoby's minutes, with the rest of the Knicks squad already logging a massive amount of playing time in the playoffs.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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