We have a nice five game slate tonight with one team, Portland, in the second game of a back-to-back. All of the games are expected to be close with point spreads between two and 5.5 points. The late night hammer is in play tonight as the two games with the highest expected point totals (Atlanta at Phoenix, 221.5 and Lakers at Portland, 222.5) are the last two on the slate.
The big injury news is Jaylen Brown and LeBron James being sidelined, and at this point, we know who the main beneficiaries will be in Jayson Tatum and Carmelo Anthony.
Philadelphia's situation is totally different with Tobias Harris, among others, sidelined so know that those able to the floor will see plenty of playing time and opportunity.
Some of the injuries we are keeping an eye on tonight are Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell, Kristaps Porzingis, and Kyle Lowry.
As usual, use positional eligibility to use your advantage tonight.
FD | Position | Top Tier | Mid-Tier | Value-Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Damian Lillard | Dennis Schröder | Shake Milton |
| SG | DeMar DeRozan | Tyler Herro | Joe Ingles |
| SF | Jayson Tatum | Carmelo Anthony | Norman Powell |
| PF | Anthony Davis | Al Horford | Georges Niang |
| C | Bam Adebayo | Jusuf Nurkić | JaVale McGee |
DK | Position | Top Tier | Mid-Tier | Value-Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Damian Lillard | Dennis Schröder | Shake Milton |
| SG | DeMar DeRozan | Tyler Herro | Joe Ingles |
| SF | Jayson Tatum | Carmelo Anthony | Norman Powell |
| PF | Anthony Davis | Al Horford | Georges Niang |
| C | Bam Adebayo | Jusuf Nurkić | JaVale McGee |
Player News
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Phoenix Suns have hired Jordan Ott as their next head coach.
Ott will replace Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after just one season in Phoenix. Five of the Suns’ last six head coaches have been one-and-dones, and Ott will look to buck that trend with a successful inaugural campaign. He has experience with the Hawks, Nets, Lakers and most recently, the Cavs. According to Shams, Ott got the stamp of approval from Devin Booker, who was actively engaged in the coaching search.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Knicks have relieved Tom Thibodeau of his duties as head coach.
One year after signing a three-year extension, Thibodeau is out as head coach of the Knicks. New York had back-to-back 50 win seasons and made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years under Thibodeau, but the team is looking for a new voice to help the organization get over the hump after five years with coach Thibs. The Knicks’ pursuit of a championship for the first time since 1973 will begin this offseason with the search for a new coach.
The Suns have been aggressive in pursuit of trading Kevin Durant and regaining control of draft capital, according to Kelly Iko of the Athletic.
Since the end of the season, according to Iko, the Houston Rockets have fielded several calls from the Suns, who have gradually lowered their asking price for Durant. The Suns are interested in getting some of their first round picks back as Houston controls their first round selections in 2025, 2027 and 2029. The asking price is still not low enough for the Rockets, who aren’t keen on breaking up their young core of players for the 36-year-old small forward, casting doubt over a deal ever materializing.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Jarace Walker will miss at least Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder.
At the earliest, Walker could return for Game 3 on June 11. Though Walker has had some solid minutes, he hasn’t played a significant role for the Pacers in the playoffs to this point. Obi Toppin will continue to fill out the majority of the backup power forward minutes.
Jarace Walker (ankle) left the arena on crutches following Saturday’s Game 6 victory over the Knicks.
The Pacers sealed their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2000 on Saturday, defeating the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to win the series. The lone negative was the right ankle injury suffered by Walker, who landed awkwardly during the fourth quarter. The second-year forward required assistance back to the locker room and did not return. During his postgame availability, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he was unsure what Walker’s status for the NBA Finals would be. Indiana has the depth to withstand Walker’s absence if he cannot play, but this would leave Carlisle with one less potential option to call on.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reports Naz Reid is expected to opt out of his contract and enter free agency.
Reid has been one of the best reserves in the NBA over the last few seasons. If he chooses to test the free agent waters, it could be to simply gauge his value and earn a fair contract. It doesn’t guarantee that he will leave Minnesota, though if he is able to find a team that wants to him to start, that could be the best thing for his fantasy value. In that scenario, he would be drafted much earlier in fantasy drafts next season.