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Rotoworld

  • PHI Center #21
    Joel Embiid finished Sunday’s 97-92 loss to the Knicks with 27 points (7-of-19 FGs, 12-of-14 FTs), 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 44 minutes.
    The non-Embiid minutes have been problematic for the 76ers in this series, and that proved to be the difference in Game 4. Philadelphia was a minus-6 in the four first-half minutes that the reigning MVP did not play, and they lost by five. For the first time in his career (regular season or postseason), Embiid played the entire second half. While 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after the game that his star center was “feeling good and wanted to go,” Embiid was 0-of-5 from the field and scored one point in the fourth quarter. Give him credit for playing through a knee issue and a case of Bell’s palsy. 76ers players not named Embiid or Tyrese Maxey need to step up in Game 5 on Tuesday.
  • CLE Point Guard #10
    Darius Garland led Cleveland with 30 points (12-of-27 FGs), three rebounds, seven assists, two steals and four triples in a 109-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 on Monday.
    Cleveland had to play this game without Donovan Mitchell, who was sidelined with a calf injury. That meant that Garland was going to be asked to do a lot more, and he rose to the occasion. It wasn’t enough for them to get the win, but he had by far his best game of this postseason. If Mitchell remains sidelined for Game 5 on Wednesday, Garland will once again have to orchestrate Cleveland’s offense like he did in this game. This has been a disappointing playoff run for Garland, but this was an encouraging performance that showed that he can still shine when he needs to.
  • CLE Shooting Guard #3
    Caris LeVert got the start on Monday and finished with 19 points (9-of-18 FGs), five rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block and one triple against the Celtics.
    Donovan Mitchell has been the star for Cleveland throughout this postseason, but he was sidelined for this game with a calf strain that started bothering him in Game 3. LeVert slid into the starting unit in his place, and he turned in a third straight solid performance. He struggled in Game 1, but he has averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists over their last three games. If Mitchell remains sidelined for Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday, LeVert should remain in the starting unit as Cleveland looks to keep their season alive.
  • CLE Small Forward #1
    Max Strus lit up the Celtics with 15 points (5-of-12 FGs), seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and five 3-pointers against Boston in Game 4 on Monday.
    Strus got off to a hot start in this game and entered the break with 15 points on five triples as they trailed by just five points. However, things were much different in the second half. He missed all five of his shot attempts but added six rebounds and six assists before fouling out late in the fourth. It was a strange half for Strus, since most of his production usually comes from beyond the arc, as he showcased in the first half. If Donovan Mitchell remains out for Game 5 on Wednesday, Strus will be asked to step up offensively once again.
  • BOS Small Forward #7
    Jaylen Brown lit up the Cavaliers with 27 points (9-of-15 FGs), eight rebounds, one assist, two triples and five turnovers on Monday.
    Aside from a “subpar” performance in their Game 2 loss, Brown has been fantastic this series. He has now scored at least 25 points in five games this postseason, three of which have been in this series. The Jays have been unstoppable, and there’s no reason to think that they won’t stay hot in Game 5 with the series shifting back to Boston. Securing this win will give them a chance to close out the series at home on Wednesday and make a return to the conference finals for the third straight year and the fourth time in the last five years. The difference this time is that the Heat won’t be their opponent.
  • BOS Point Guard #4
    Jrue Holiday posted a full line on Monday with 16 points (6-of-11 FGs), seven rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and four triples against Cleveland in Game 4.
    Holiday has been a disappointment this postseason, but he has been much better over their last two games. After scoring in double figures in just three of their first seven playoff games, Holiday averaged 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.0 block and 3.5 triples in their two games in Cleveland. He is playing like the star they acquired this summer to help push them over the edge, and if he continues to produce to this level, they won’t have any issues closing out the Cavs on Wednesday and advancing to the conference finals.
  • BOS Small Forward #0
    Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 33 points (11-of-24 FGs, 9-of-9 FTs), 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block and two triples in a 109-102 win over Cleveland in Game 4 on Monday.
    Just like they did in the first round, the Celtics responded after a disappointing Game 2 loss. Tatum scored 33 points for the second straight game to help Boston reclaim homecourt advantage and take a 3-1 lead in this series. He got off to a hot start and scored 16 points in the first quarter to help Boston take an early lead. He was much better in their two road games, but he shouldn’t have any issues keeping this production up as they head home to try and close out the series on Wednesday and return to the Eastern Conference Finals.
  • DAL Point Guard #77
    Luka Doncic (right knee sprain, left ankle soreness) will play in Game 4 against the Thunder on Monday.
    As expected, Doncic has been cleared to play in Monday’s game as Dallas looks to take a 3-1 lead in the series. He only had 22 points in Saturday’s win, but he also added 15 rebounds and five assists. He should continue to put up big numbers moving forward.
  • CLE Center #31
    Jarrett Allen (right rib contusion) will remain sidelined for Game 4 against Boston on Monday.
    Allen will miss a seventh straight game on Monday due to this rib contusion, which means that Isaac Okoro will remain in the starting unit. They will be extremely short-handed, with Donovan Mitchell also sidelined, so they will have to rely on big games from Darius Garland and Evan Mobley in order to have a chance.
  • CLE Shooting Guard #45
    Donovan Mitchell (left calf strain) has been ruled out for Game 4 against Boston on Monday.
    Mitchell’s calf started bothering him in Game 3, and now Cleveland will have to play Game 4 without their star player. This is a massive loss for the Cavs, who will have to try to defend homecourt without Spida, who is averaging 31.7 points per game in this series. Caris LeVert should start in his place, but everyone will have to step up for them to have a chance.
  • NYK Small Forward #8
    OG Anunoby (left hamstring) will remain sidelined for Game 5 against Indiana on Tuesday.
    Unsurprisingly, Anunoby will remain sidelined for another game of this series. There were reports that suggested this might be the case, and now it’s official. It’s unclear if he could return for Game 6, but Precious Achiuwa should continue to start until OG is back.