PG: Ricky Rubio: With Allen, Mobley, Markkanen, and Sexton out, Rubio has nearly a 33 percent usage rate and even though the Nets are good at defending guards, Rubio has taken 17 or more shots in his last 2 games. He’s scored at least 20 points in 3 of his last five games and he dishes 6.5 assists per game. He’ll have a bigger assist floor than Darius Garland tonight because Garland is the better shooter. Rubio has also pulled down five or more boards in three of his last four games. It’s a major pace-up spot for the Cavs tonight and Rubio has even grabbed 1.4 swipes per game and he’ll have to play mid-30s minutes with the Cavs missing a good amount of depth.
SG: Zach LaVine: The Bulls' second-leading scorer takes the most shots per game for the team and has a near 36 percent usage rate and it gets bumped to that point with Nikola Vucevic off the floor. He’s shot over 48 percent from the floor. LaVine has taken 22-plus shots in his last 2 contests. He’s shot over 58 percent from the field in 3 of his last 5 games. LaVine has pulled down 5.6 boards and even dishes 3.8 dimes per outing. He’s scored 26 or more points in his last 2 contests. He’s grabbed a steal in three out of five contests as well.
SF: Anthony Edwards: Edwards takes 20-21 shots per outing and scores nearly 23 points per game. Both the Timberwolves and Kings are two of the 10 fastest-paced teams in the league and Edwards has grabbed 11 or more rebounds in his last 2 contests. Even though he’s been struggling shooting the ball over his last few games, tonight presents a good bounce-back spot for Edwards. He’s dished at least three dimes in seven of his last eight contests and he swipes 1.4 steals per game. Edwards should take 15-20 shots tonight. The Kings are poor defensively and Edwards should be able to take full advantage of this matchup.
PF: Kristaps Porzingis: It’s never easy attacking the Suns but Doncic being out provides a safer production floor for Porzingis. Porzingis has scored 29 or more points in his last 2 contests and he took 20-plus shots in both games. Deandre Ayton will need to step out of the paint and chase Porzingis around because Jae Crowder can’t size up against him. Porzingis has grabbed double-digit rebounds in two of his last three games and he blocks 1.5 shots per game. The Pace works heavily in the Mavs' favor and Porzingis should see time running the point with Doncic out and because he’s a good ball-handler and we should see him contribute a few dimes this evening as well.
C: Deandre Ayton: Let’s go to the other side of the matchup as Ayton should tear the Mavs up in the post. Porzingis and Dwight Powell will have a tough time keeping Ayton from having his way. The Mavs are a bottom-three team in the league at defending centers and Ayton has exceeded his 15.3 scoring average in each of his last 4 games. He’s produced four straight double-doubles and grabbed 12 or more rebounds in 3 of those games. He has shot over 71 percent in 3 of his last 4 games. He has blocked shots in four of his last six and grabbed steals in three of his last four games.
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ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Zach Edey will undergo surgery to re-stabilize his left ankle.
Charania’s report indicates that Edey re-sprained the same ankle that forced him to miss some time last season. It came during an offseason workout, and he is expected to miss time to start next season. Edey secured the starting center spot for Memphis late last season after playing an inconsistent role for most of his rookie year. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo could opt to use Brandon Clarke as the starting center if he’s healthy, or he could use a smaller starting lineup with Jaren Jackson Jr. to start next season. The Grizzlies’ PR team announced that a preliminary timeline will be provided after he has the surgery, but as of now, the expectation is that he won’t be available for opening night.
De’Aaron Fox (finger) has been cleared for on-court work and will be ready for the start of next season.
Fox underwent season-ending surgery on his left pinkie finger in mid-March, about six weeks after being traded to the Spurs from Sacramento. He recently told Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle that he’s been cleared to resume on-court activities, which have included some 5-on-5 play. Also, Fox hopes to ink a contract extension with the Spurs this offseason. With one year remaining on his current deal, the point guard will be eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $229 million on August 3.
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Mannix said recently that Sam Hauser could be a trade candidate this offseason if the Celtics decide to shed salary.
The cost of contending for championships has gotten steeper, especially with the salary cap rules instituted in recent years. For the Celtics, the Achilles tendon rupture suffered by Jayson Tatum may impact how the front office approaches this offseason. If the team decides that a group that won’t have Tatum for most of the season can’t be a factor in the East, the decision could be made to shed salary. And Hauser, whose four-year, $45 million extension goes into effect next season, may be a prime candidate to be moved. “Hauser, to me, is the most likely candidate to go, just because you have (Baylor) Scheierman there to effectively fill his role,” Mannix said. “I think they’d love to find a home for Jrue Holiday, just because of the contract and where they are as a team. (Kristaps) Porzingis, who knows? I don’t think they want to take on contracts that go on longer than Porzingis’ deal, but he’s certainly available.” Hauser being traded would make Scheierman worth a look in deep fantasy leagues next season.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Knicks are interested in talking to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd regarding the team’s head coaching vacancy.
Multiple names have been mentioned in the aftermath of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after he led the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. One who has been mentioned prominently is Kidd, who is under contract with the Mavericks. His connection with Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson may be a factor, as the captain has repeatedly credited the coach with his development as a professional. However, Dallas would need to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Kidd. And if a deal were to be made, New York does not have much draft capital to give up as compensation. Also mentioned in connection with the opening are Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Stein also reported that Houston would quickly deny permission to speak with Udoka if the Knicks were to make that request.
Obi Toppin provided a boost off the bench with 17 points (6-of-9 FGs), five rebounds, two assists and five three-pointers in Game 1 against the Thunder on Thursday.
Toppin has been solid throughout this postseason, but he hasn’t had many big scoring nights. However, after he had 18 points in the Game 6 clincher over the Knicks, he added 17 more to kick off the Finals, with 15 of those points coming from beyond the arc. If Toppin is able to continue to make an impact off the bench like he did in this game, there should be more wins coming for the Pacers.
Aaron Nesmith recorded a double-double on Thursday with 10 points (3-of-9 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block, three three-pointers and five turnovers in Game 1 against the Thunder.
Indiana dominated on the glass in this game, but it wasn’t just because of the bigs. Nesmith was the leading rebounder in this game and was one of three Pacers to grab at least 10 rebounds. However, they lost the turnover battle 24-6, and Nesmith contributed five of those. The only player with more was Myles Turner, who coughed it up six times. Indiana won this game and still has things to clean up, which is an encouraging sign for them moving forward in this series.