Fantasy Basketball

Lopez recorded 22 points (8-13 FG, 6-7 3Pt), three assists, two blocks and one rebound in 29 minutes in Tuesday's 125-108 loss to the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Though Lopez drilled a season-high six three-pointers, his rebound production was conspicuously absent. His one rebound matched a season low for Lopez, who has seen a noticeable drop in the category during his 16th NBA campaign.

Turner produced 22 points (9-15 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 victory over the Bucks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Turner's value for the Pacers can't be understated, as the veteran consistently provides solid interior support. Interestingly, his exposure in fantasy contests is very low, making him one of the most underrated centers in the playoff bracket. Although players like Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson challenged him for playing time in the regular season, the 28-year-old Texas product was successful in keeping them at bay.

Gafford logged zero points (0-3 FG), one rebound and one assist in nine minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 victory over the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Gafford got the starting nod but managed just nine minutes in the victory. Given the Mavericks' depth at the center position, Gafford's role is likely to hinge on individual matchups and his on-court production. With the series now level at 1-1, Dallas will head home as they attempt to seize the upper hand.

Bol finished with two rebounds in two minutes during Tuesday's 105-93 loss to Minnesota in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Bol managed just two minutes during garbage time, continuing his disappointing season. Despite his reputation in many fantasy circles, Bol is simply not that good. At this point, there is no reason to think he will ever be anything more than a per-minute specialist with very little upside when it comes to sustainable playing time.

Nurkic finished with 10 points (5-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 14 rebounds and four assists over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 105-93 loss to Minnesota in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Nurkic grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds to go with 10 points, tallying his first double-double of the series. While he was more involved, the Suns still came up short, falling behind 2-0 in the series. Game 3 will be in Phoenix on Friday, where Nurkic will look to be even more of a force on the interior against the size of the Timberwolves.

Gafford (back) returned to Tuesday's Game 2 against the Clippers with 7:54 remaining in the second quarter.

Despite being deemed questionable to return due to a lower back injury, Gafford ultimately missed about a quarter of action Tuesday. The 24-year-old big man will look to make a bigger impact than he did in Game 1 when he tallied just three points and zero rebounds.

Portis supplied 14 points (6-16 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal across 30 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 loss to Indiana in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Although Portis didn't come anywhere near Giannis Antetokounmpo's (calf) usual production, he's doing enough to keep the interior afloat. Portis is expected to play at least one more game as Antetokounmpo's fill-in, but he'll need to keep the double-doubles coming. The Bucks' playoff fortunes will fade rapidly without a stronger response to Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner in the paint.

Toppin amassed nine points (4-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), eight rebounds and one steal over 21 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 victory over the Bucks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Although Toppin has largely been a non-factor for the Pacers recently, he provided solid support in the second unit during the Game 2 victory. Players like Toppin can hold a lot of value for fantasy players in DFS contests, as his inexpensive salary can help lineups stay below the salary cap after adding elite players. His 9/8 line is an encouraging sign that Toppin can match the value of his DFS salary moving forward.

Siakam closed with 37 points (16-23 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 11 rebounds and six assists over 37 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 win over Milwaukee in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

The last player to open a postseason with two 35-point, 10-rebound performances was Wilt Chamberlain, which gives you an idea of how rare Siakam's run of production is in the playoffs. Siakam was the unquestioned offensive engine for the Pacers, shooting a deadly 69.5 percent from the floor while adding 11 rebounds. If Giannis Antetokounmpo's (calf) absence continues, Siakam should be able to exploit the Bucks and keep his double-double streak intact.

Towns finished Tuesday's 105-93 win over the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals with 12 points (3-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one steal over 24 minutes.

The coaching staff continues to monitor Towns' minutes after he made a late-season return from a knee injury. He also picked up four fouls in quick time, perhaps limiting his time on the floor Tuesday.

Coach Doc Rivers said Tuesday that Antetokounmpo (calf) was able to get on the floor to put up shots and is getting closer a return, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.

Antetokounmpo has already been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 2, marking his fifth straight absence due to a left calf strain. The Bucks were able to secure the victory in Game 1 over Indiana, which gives Antetokounmpo more time to return for Milwaukee's first-round series.

Antetokounmpo (calf) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Pacers.

As expected, Antetokounmpo has been downgraded from doubtful to out while he continues to recover from a left soleus strain. Without their star player, the Bucks were able to win Game 1 behind a stellar first-half performance from Damian Lillard, affording Antetokounmpo some extra rest, but if Milwaukee drops Game 2 at home, there may be added pressure for the MVP candidate to return Friday, when the series shifts to Indiana for Game 3.

Leonard totaled 15 points (7-17 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and four steals in 35 minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 loss to Dallas in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Leonard returned to action Tuesday after missing nine straight games due to a knee injury. Although he was somewhat tentative to begin the game, he ended up leading the team in shot attempts, adding five defensive stats. Barring any setbacks, Leonard should be good to go for Game 3 in Dallas on Friday.

McDaniels ended Tuesday's 105-93 win over the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals with 25 points (10-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal across 41 minutes.

McDaniels shone in the victory, leading all scorers with 25 points. Known for his defensive abilities, it was on the offensive end that he did his damage. He was part of a balanced effort by the Timberwolves, easily accounting for the Suns to establish a 2-0 series lead.

Coffey will move to the bench for Tuesday's Game 2 versus Dallas, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.

This is an expected move for the Clippers, as Kawhi Leonard has the green light to return from his knee issue. Coffey was held in check in Game 1 Sunday, scoring six points with three rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes.

Middleton left Tuesday's game versus the Pacers with 6:21 remaining in the first quarter but had his ankle re-taped in the locker room and has returned to Milwaukee's bench, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports.

Middleton came up limping after making contact with Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, causing him to briefly exit Tuesday's contest. However, it appears the veteran forward has avoided a serious injury and should be available for the remainder of Game 2.

Leonard (knee) will be available to play in Tuesday's Game 2 against the Mavericks, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Leonard participated at the morning shootaround and went through his usual warmup Tuesday, and the Clippers had been very optimistic about his return prior to getting the official green light. The Clippers haven't been very transparent with this injury, and it's unclear if Leonard will face restrictions Tuesday evening.

Anderson (hip) is available for Game 2 against the Suns on Tuesday, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Anderson was able to practice Monday and will shake off his questionable tag ahead of Game 2 after his hip issue forced him to leave early in Game 1. There's no word of any restrictions heading into tipoff.

Powell accumulated six points (2-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt), four rebounds and one steal over 26 minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 loss to the Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Powell landed two three-pointers in the loss, although failed to connect on any other baskets. He remains an offensive sparkplug off the bench, but on nights like this, his lack of peripheral stats is on show for all to see. If the Clippers are to wrestle back the advantage, they are going to need Powell to be a more reliable offensive threat.

Mann racked up five points (2-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist over 21 minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 loss to the Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Mann offered very little outside of a highlight putback dunk, bumbling his way to five points as the Clippers gave up home-court advantage to the Mavericks. Although he continues to serve as a starting piece, the return of Kawhi Leonard from a knee injury means Mann could now be viewed as the fifth option on offense.

Exum finished with zero points (0-1 FG), one rebound and one block across six minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 victory over the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Exum saw just six minutes off the bench despite an ankle injury to Tim Hardaway. The Mavericks opted to go with size over speed, resulting in an important victory. With so much flexibility across their roster, Exum's role could fluctuate significantly moving forward.

Hardaway won't return to Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Clippers due to a right ankle sprain. He will the contest with zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one rebound, and one assist and one steal in six minutes.

Hardaway hardly saw any action Tuesday before suffering a right ankle sprain that will cause him to miss the remainder of the contest. Dante Exum and Josh Green are candidates to receive increased playing time in his absence. Hardaway's availability for Game 3 on Friday is uncertain.

Beal posted 14 points (6-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt), four rebounds and six assists across 42 minutes during Tuesday's 105-93 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Beal was relatively quiet in the loss, much like his teammates. Despite keeping it close, the Suns were simply overwhelmed by the Timberwolves, both inside and outside the paint. Now trailing 2-0 in the series, Phoenix will look to get back on track Friday when they host Game 3.

Frank Vogel said Tuesday that X-rays came back negative on Allen's right ankle, and he should be considered day-to-day, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Allen has dealt with a right ankle injury through the first two games of the series against Minnesota and should be considered questionable for Game 3 on Friday. If Allen is unable to suit, Eric Gordon and Royce O'Neale will likely receive increased playing time.

Lillard totaled 34 points (10-21 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 8-9 FT), four rebounds, five assists and one steal in 39 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 loss to the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Lillard followed up his 35-point performance in Game 1 with another solid number, but his stellar play wasn't enough this time around. His supporting cast was much less effective in Game 2, and Giannis Antetokounmpo's (calf) missing output continues to plague the offense. Lillard's excellent start to the postseason is no surprise, as he's averaged 29.5 points, 6.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds over 62 playoff games in his career.

Haliburton provided 12 points (4-10 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, 12 assists, one block and one steal in 37 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 victory over the Bucks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Although Haliburton's former reputation as a prolific scorer has faded over the course of the season, his skill as a ball facilitator is as strong as ever. The Pacers could certainly use a dose of Haliburton's former shot volume as they attempt to advance, but recent trends show that a big scoring numbers for the guard may not be coming. He's now gone four consecutive games with 20 points or less, and has only exceeded that number four times over his past 10 games.

Doncic chipped in 32 points (11-26 FG, 5-14 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, nine assists, one block and one steal over 46 minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 win over the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Doncic carried Dallas to victory Tuesday despite struggling from the field. In a low-scoring affair, Doncic hit several crucial buckets down the stretch, much like he has done all season. They will now return home for what will be a pivotal Game 3. Look for Doncic to put on a show in front of his home fans.

Conley ended Tuesday's 105-93 win over the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals with 18 points (7-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, four assists and two steals across 32 minutes.

Conley assumed more responsibility on the offensive end of the floor, tallying 18 points in 32 minutes. Despite not always putting up noteworthy production, Conley is a vital piece for the Timberwolves. He provides them with leadership both on and off the court, as well as a cool head when the going gets tough. Minnesota will look to take a stranglehold on the series when they line up for Game 3 Friday.

Maxey was awarded the 2023-24 Most Improved Player on Tuesday.

Maxey enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023-24 after taking over the lead ball-handler role due to the departure of James Harden from Philadelphia. Maxey was able to improve his season averages of 20.3 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 33.6 minutes from 2022-23 to 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 37.5 minutes in 2023-24. While the 23-year-old's shooting splits decreased from 48.1/43.4/84.5 to 45.0/37.3/86.8, his jump as a playmaker and volume scorer helped him form one of the NBA's most dynamic duos alongside Joel Embiid.

Murray ended Monday's 101-99 victory over the Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals with 20 points (9-24 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, five assists and two blocks across 39 minutes.

Even though Nikola Jokic stole the show with a triple-double, it was Murray who ended up being the hero for the Nuggets, as his buzzer-beating fadeaway gave Denver a massive win despite the team trailing by as many as 20 points at one point in the third quarter. Murray has scored at least 20 points in each of his last six appearances dating back to the regular season, and the star floor general should handle a prominent role in Game 3 on Thursday as the series shifts to Los Angeles.