NBA Player News

BroLo scored more points than 27 only twice in the regular season, and both games came way back in November. Sunday’s performance was certainly a rarity in the scoring department, but Lopez was forced to handle a colossal workload thanks to the absences of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo and the early ejection of Big Bobby Portis. Lopez has scored at least 20 points in two of the Bucks’ last three games, and he’ll be asked to pick it up on offense Tuesday if Milwaukee’s stars are once again sidelined.

The Pacers are without All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who will not play on Saturday due to a left hamstring injury. As a result, Nembhard will be the lone point guard in the starting lineup, with Sheppard moving up from the bench. The latter will experience an increase in catch-and-shoot opportunities, while Haliburton’s absence enhances Nembhard and T.J. McConnell’s DFS values.

Holiday made it through his pregame workout without issue, so he will play in Game 3. With the Pacers not having Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring), the Celtics are well-positioned to strengthen their grip on the series. Boston will have its usual starting five as they look to take a 3-0 series lead.

Doncic has been laboring through the ankle and knee injuries, still playing at least 40 minutes most nights. DFS players should expect a similar approach to Game 3, with the Mavericks attempting to take a 3-0 series lead. Doncic has not missed a game this postseason; a potential absence would put more offensive responsibility on Kyrie Irving’s plate.

Injured during the first half of Boston’s Game 2 victory on Thursday, Kornet will not play on Saturday. Oshae Brissett may enter the rotation for a few minutes, but he’s unlikely to play enough to merit DFS consideration.

Once again, Conley shows up on the initial injury report due to his calf injury. Look for the Timberwolves to follow a similar pattern, with the veteran point guard’s status upgraded after his pregame workout. Nickeil Alexander-Walker will start if Conley cannot play, but expect the veteran point guard to be available.

Haliburton missed 10 games in the regular season due to a left hamstring injury, and he sustained that same injury in the third quarter of Game 2 on Thursday. Down 0-2 to Boston, Haliburton’s absence is a massive blow to Indiana’s hopes of coming back in the series. T.J. McConnell is a likely candidate to replace him in the starting five.

Kristaps Porzingis has already been ruled out, so if Holiday is absent for Game 3, the Celtics will be down two starters. Boston holds a 2-0 series lead, but Indiana is undefeated at home in this season’s playoffs. Holiday has been big through the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, sporting averages of 21.5 points and 9.0 assists. Derrick White would presumably start at PG in Holiday’s place, while one of Payton Pritchard or Sam Hauser would join the starting five alongside Al Horford, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Conley has played 31 minutes or more in four straight games since missing Game 5 of Minnesota’s second-round series with Denver with a strained right soleus muscle. However, his offensive impact was limited before Friday night. The 18 points are the most Conley has scored in a game since Game 2 of Minnesota’s four-game sweep of the Suns. And his production on Friday was one reason why the Timberwolves had a chance to win despite Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns continuing to struggle. Conley hasn’t suffered a setback regarding his calf injury, which has been one of the few positives for Minnesota in the conference finals. Game 3 is on Sunday in Dallas, with the Mavericks holding a 2-0 lead.

Much will be made of Gobert switching onto Luka Doncic for the Mavericks’ guard’s game-winning 3-pointer, but one could argue that the Defensive Player of the Year should not have been in that position. And Gobert’s play has been the least of Minnesota’s concerns, as Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns continue to struggle offensively. After shooting 6-of-20 from the field in Game 1, KAT was even worse in Game 2, going 4-of-16 and finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer. Regardless of what Gobert does (or doesn’t do), the Timberwolves will find it challenging to turn this series around if Towns doesn’t improve his play.

Edwards is in a slump at the worst possible time, shooting 18-of-57 from the field in his last three games. While the first of this downturn in production was Minnesota’s Game 7 victory over Denver, his inefficiency has been problematic against Dallas. His saving grace in Game 2 was the foul line, with Ant-Man making nine of his 10 attempts. While Edwards has undoubtedly looked ready for the bright lights numerous times, there’s still room for growth. The first two games of the Western Conference Finals have been a painful reminder for him and the Timberwolves. Game 2 is on Sunday in Dallas.