Player Notes

  • Passive performance Wednesday
    McBride amassed four points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and one assist across 20 minutes during Wednesday's 130-121 victory over the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: McBride managed just four points in the win, struggling to find any real rhythm on the offensive end. Although his role has been somewhat limited to this point, OG Anunoby (hamstring) going down could open up an interesting opportunity. Should Anunoby be forced to miss time, look for McBride to potentially slide into the starting lineup for Game 3. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:47 pm
  • Cracks rotation Wednesday
    Burks closed Wednesday's 130-121 victory over the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with zero points (0-1 FG) in one minute.

    Advice: Burks dusted himself off Wednesday, leaving the bench for the first time this postseason. Jalen Brunson was forced to the locker room during the second quarter, affording one minute of playing time to Burks. Given Brunson was able to return to the game, it is unlikely we see Burks again anytime soon. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:44 pm
    Alec BurksNYK - PG,SG,SF
  • Leads all scorers in loss
    Haliburton totaled 34 points (11-19 FG, 7-11 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, nine assists and three steals in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 130-121 loss to New York in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Haliburton finally found some rhythm on the offensive end, putting up a game-high 34 points, including seven triples. Although the Pacers managed to put up a respectable total, their defense simply wasn't up to the task of slowing down the Knicks. With the series now shifting to Indiana, Haliburton will look to build on this performance in the hopes of keeping the series alive. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:38 pm
  • T.J. McConnell tallies 10 points, 12 assists
    T.J. McConnell played 23 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks, scoring 10 points (5-of-9 FGs) with four rebounds and 12 assists.

    Advice: McConnell has played well in the first two games of this series, but that hasn’t been enough to convince Pacers coach Rick Carlisle to leave him on the court in crunch time. While the veteran point guard did the best job of making Jalen Brunson work for his scoring opportunities, starter Andrew Nembhard closed the game. While Nembhard (15 points, four assists, and one 3-pointer in 27 minutes) is more of a threat offensively, he has not been as effective defending Brunson in crunch time. While their places in the rotation may not change for Game 3 on Friday, don’t be surprised if McConnell’s minutes increase, as the Pacers can’t afford to fall into a 0-3 hole. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:27 pm
  • Jalen Brunson (foot) returns, scores 29 points
    Jalen Brunson (sore right foot) shot 11-of-18 from the field and 4-of-6 from the foul line in Wednesday’s 130-121 win over the Pacers, tallying 29 points, two rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three 3-pointers in 32 minutes.

    Advice: Brunson endured an injury scare during the first half of Game 2, exiting with 3:32 remaining in the first quarter. An apparent sore foot kept him in the locker room through halftime, but the Knicks point guard returned for the start of the third quarter. And it’s a good thing he did, as Brunson took over in the second half to lead the Knicks in scoring again. While his streak of 40-point games concludes, the Knicks taking a 2-0 series lead to Indianapolis is more important. Also, the Knicks are 6-1 in “clutch games” (games with a margin of five points or less with five minutes remaining) this postseason. Brunson said he’ll try to be available for Game 3 on Friday, so consider him questionable. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:39 pm
  • Won't play in Game 2
    Jerome (ankle) has been ruled out for Game 2 versus the Celtics on Thursday.

    Advice: Jerome has not logged a single minute this postseason as he continues to recover from ankle surgery, and there aren't any indications that that'll change anytime soon. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:37 pm
    Ty JeromeCLE - PG,SG
  • Ruled out for Game 2
    Porter will remain out for Game 2 against the Celtics on Thursday.

    Advice: Porter has yet to suit up for any of the Cavaliers' playoff games thus far, but even if he were active, he wouldn't be included in the rotation. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:36 pm
  • Luka Doncic (knee) probable for Game 2 Thursday
    Luka Doncic (right knee sprain) is probable to play in Game 2 against the Thunder on Thursday.

    Advice: Head coach Jason Kidd said that Doncic was able to fully participate in practice, so he should be able to be available once again despite this knee sprain. He’ll look to bounce back after only scoring 19 points in Game 1. Rotoworld Yesterday, 12:05 pm
  • Shines in Game 1 victory
    White registered 25 points (9-16 FG, 7-12 3Pt), one rebound and five assists in 33 minutes during Tuesday's 120-95 victory over Cleveland in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: White embraced a bigger role on offense on a night when Jayson Tatum struggled (7-19 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), and the former responded by delivering his third consecutive game with 25 or more points. White has taken a step forward due to Kristaps Porzingis (calf) being sidelined, and it'd be fair to consider him Boston's third-best offensive weapon under the current lineup construction. White will aim to keep the streak alive in Game 2 on Thursday, as the Celtics have gone 20-3 this season when he's scored 20 or more points between the regular season and the playoffs. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:07 am