NBA Player News

Neither player has been part of the team’s rotation when healthy, so their continued absences will not impact fantasy basketball.

Acquired via trade in February, O’Neale was a solid contributor for the Suns. Given the 3-and-D skill set and Phoenix’s need for depth, the report that the team will look to re-sign him is unsurprising. What helps the cash-strapped franchise is that they hold O’Neale’s Bird rights, which allows the Suns to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him. According to Scotto, the veteran wing is expected to command $10 million annually. O’Neale was a top 100 player in 9-cat formats after joining the Suns and would be worthy of late-round consideration in standard leagues if he re-signs.

Porzingis was cleared to play after sitting out Game 3. However, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said during his pregame availability that he would only play in “very specific instances,” so the chances of KP seeing action were slim. With Game 4 getting out of hand by the end of the first quarter, there was no reason for Mazzulla to consider inserting Porzingis. Game 5 is on Monday night, with Porzingis’ availability impacting Al Horford and Xavier Tillman if he’s allowed to play.

After offering minimal offensive production in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, Lively’s output picked up in Dallas. The rookie center recorded double-doubles in both games, and he hit his first 3-pointer (regular season or playoffs) in Game 4. While Lively logged 22 minutes before both coaches cleared their respective benches, starting center Daniel Gafford (seven points, four rebounds, and one blocked shot) played ten. While the order of the rotation won’t change for Game 5 on Monday, Lively projects to be the better option for DFS players.

Like many of his teammates, Holiday had a brutal night in Dallas. While the shooting numbers were respectable, the veteran guard was responsible for a team-high five turnovers. Holiday did not commit a single turnover in the series’ first three games. While he wasn’t as secure with the basketball as in prior games, Dallas deserves some credit for its improved effort on the defensive end of the floor. Backcourt partner Derrick White also struggled in Game 4, finishing with six points (2-of-8 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, and two 3-pointers in 31 minutes. Game 5 is on Monday in Boston.

Brown entered Game 4 as the betting favorite for NBA Finals MVP honors, and that remains the case despite Boston getting blown out on Friday. No team has even blown a 3-0 series lead in NBA postseason history, so the odds remain in Boston’s favor. Game 4 was Brown’s worst game of these playoffs, and it’s fair to expect to see him bounce back in Game 5 on Monday night.

Even with Tatum recording a full stat line, there weren’t any positives to take from Friday’s blowout defeat. The Celtics struggled to keep Dallas out of the paint from the start of Game 4, and Joe Mazzulla decided to pull the plug with about four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Tatum and the Celtics will return home for Game 5, with a win netting the franchise its first NBA title since 2008.

Game 4 was the first time in this series that Irving has shot 50% or better from the field and made nine of his 12 2-point attempts. Outside of Game 3, when he shot 4-of-6, the 3-point accuracy has not been there for Kyrie. In Games 1, 2, and 4, he was a combined 1-of-14, well below his mark for the postseason (40.5%). Irving struggled mightily in the first two games of the NBA Finals, played in Boston. He’ll look to put forth a better effort when the series returns to Beantown for Game 5 on Monday.

After receiving significant criticism for his play in the aftermath of Dallas’ Game 3 loss on Wednesday, Doncic was better in Game 4. He scored 25 points in the first half, becoming the third-youngest player to score at least 25 or more in the first half of an NBA Finals game. The only two players ahead of Luka on that list are Kyrie Irving (2017) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1986). Doncic missed all eight of his 3-point attempts, but he was nearly unstoppable inside the arc and only committed one turnover. Game 5 is on Monday night in Boston.

After injuring his left leg during the third quarter of Game 2, Porzingis sat out Wednesday’s Game 3 victory. While his return given the Celtics another option in the frontcourt, DFS players should steer clear. During his pregame availability, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said he would only use Porzingis in “very specific instances.” Mazzulla did not clarify those situations, but it does not appear that Porzingis will reach his Game 2 threshold of 20-25 minutes. Look for Al Horford to continue to play most of the minutes at center.

Doncic was initially probable for Game 4, so the status upgrade was expected. The Mavericks star was limited to 38 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 3 defeat due to foul trouble, as he was disqualified with a little under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. With Dallas’ season on the line, look for Doncic to be at his best.