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Offseason | NBA Week 26

NBA roundup: Lakers score season-best 150 vs. Pacers

Tue Mar 26 7:47am ET
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Anthony Davis posted 36 points and 16 rebounds and LeBron James added 26 points and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the visiting Indiana Pacers 150-145 on Sunday.

Spencer Dinwiddie had 26 points and Austin Reaves added 25 points and eight assists as the Lakers reached a season high in points despite not having D'Angelo Russell (illness). Los Angeles, which has won three games in a row, now faces a challenging six-game road trip that begins Tuesday.

Though the Lakers also earned a victory over the Pacers during the in-season tournament title game, that contest did not count in the regular-season standings. The teams meet again Friday in Indianapolis.

Pascal Siakam had 36 points and 12 rebounds and Myles Turner added 20 points for the Pacers, who entered with five victories in their past seven games. Indiana is now 2-1 on a five-game road trip and remains in Los Angeles to meet the Clippers on Monday.


Pelicans 114, Pistons 101

Zion Williamson powered his way to 36 points, seven rebounds and six assists as New Orleans defeated host Detroit.

CJ McCollum had 23 points and seven assists, while Naji Marshall supplied 14 points and eight rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas added 13 points for the Pelicans.

Chimezie Metu and Malachi Flynn led the Pistons with 17 points apiece. Jaden Ivey, the lone healthy starter, had 16 points.

76ers 121, Clippers 107

Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey scored 24 points apiece as visiting Philadelphia opened the fourth quarter on a 20-4 run and pulled away to beat Los Angeles.

Cameron Payne had a season-high 23 points for the 76ers, who led wire-to-wire and snapped a two-game skid. Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 12 points and a season-high six assists, and Paul Reed had 10 points.

Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell led the Clippers with 20 points apiece. Paul George scored 18 points, Ivica Zubac had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and James Harden finished with 12 points and 14 assists.

Heat 121, Cavaliers 84

Bam Adebayo posted 15 points, 16 rebounds, five steals and three assists in just 28 minutes to lead host Miami to a runaway win over Cleveland.

The Heat, who led by as many as 45 points, nearly set a franchise record for the largest margin of victory. The record is 43 points in December 1994 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Miami fell six points short of that mark. Miami got a team-high 18 points from reserve Haywood Highsmith. Starter Jimmy Butler had 15 points and six assists in 24 minutes.

Cleveland, which has lost three straight games, was led by Evan Mobley, who scored 15 points in 21 minutes. He had missed the previous nine games due to an ankle injury.

Timberwolves 114, Warriors 110

Anthony Edwards had 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Minnesota held on to beat Golden State in Minneapolis.

Naz Reid registered a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who finished a three-game regular-season series sweep against the Warriors. Rudy Gobert also notched a double-double with 17 points and 12 boards.

Stephen Curry scored 31 points and shot 5-for-11 from beyond the arc to pace the Warriors. Klay Thompson added 16 points off the bench, and Andrew Wiggins scored 15.

Bucks 118, Thunder 93

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds to lead Milwaukee past visiting Oklahoma City.

Khris Middleton notched his second career triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Bucks.

Josh Giddey led the Thunder with 19 points. After a hot start, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with just 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting, and Chet Holmgren finished with six points, going 1-for-10 from the floor. It snapped a 29-game streak for Gilgeous-Alexander scoring at least 20 points.

Player Notes
LeBron James Sat Apr 27 11:30pm

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) scored a team-high 30 points in Saturday's win over the Nuggets. He added five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block. With the Lakers facing elimination, James led his team to a much-needed win in Game 4. Granted, it will be tough for Los Angeles to take the series. But James, averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in the conference quarterfinals, can't take any of the blame. Game 5 is on Monday night, and DFS managers will likely see James on the injury report because of his ankle injury. However, he should be out there and deserves consideration for all DFS contests.

Nikola Jokic Sat Apr 27 11:20pm

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic had a triple-double in the Game 4 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The multi-time MVP had 33 points, shooting 10-for-20 from the field while draining all 11 free throw tries, adding 14 rebounds and 14 assists. While his efforts weren't enough, the Lakers still have an uphill climb to get back into this series. With that said, Jokic has arguably had the best postseason out of anyone, averaging 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. As usual, expect the 29-year-old to see plenty of attention from DFS managers for Game 5 on Monday night.

Jimmy Butler Sat Apr 27 11:10pm

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (ankle) didn't suit up for Saturday's loss to Boston. According to Butler, while speaking with TNT's Chris Haynes during Game 3, he remains without a return timeline. The 34-year-old is dealing with a sprained ankle, and with Miami down in this series, DFS managers may not see him back on the floor until next season. Terry Rozier (neck) is also sidelined, so Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will remain the team's preferred offensive options. However, the recent play of Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. is at least something positive from Butler's absence, with the duo expected to stay heavily involved moving forward.

Grayson Allen Sat Apr 27 9:30pm

Phoenix Suns forward Grayson Allen (ankle) is questionable heading into Sunday's pivotal matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Allen tweaked his ankle twice during this series, keeping him off the floor for Game 3. Royce O'Neale got the start in that one. However, it was Eric Gordon who benefitted the most, finishing with 11 points, three assists, three steals, and one block in 34 minutes. If Allen misses another contest, Gordon has DFS value potential written all over him. But fantasy managers shouldn't dismiss O'Neale, either.

Kyle Anderson Sat Apr 27 9:20pm

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (hip) is questionable for Sunday's postseason clash with the Phoenix Suns. The veteran is dealing with a hip pointer. While Anderson carried an injury designation heading into Game 3, he was still out there, although he had just two points in eight minutes. The 30-year-old likely won't see much action in Game 4 if he suits up, considering Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have absorbed most of the bench minutes. As a result, Anderson is irrelevant for DFS purposes on Sunday.

Khris Middleton Sat Apr 27 9:10pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankle) is probable for the playoff matchup with the Pacers on Sunday. The veteran was questionable heading into Game 3 because of an ankle injury. While the Bucks lost that one in overtime, DFS managers still appreciated Middleton's game-high 42 points. Milwaukee is in trouble, with Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) unlikely to play. As a result, Middleton is a lock for all DFS contests, although he'll be a popular option.

Damian Lillard Sat Apr 27 7:20pm

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) isn't expected to play on Sunday against Indiana. Lillard has been on a roll during the series. Unfortunately, he tweaked his Achilles during the overtime loss to the Pacers on Friday night. The former Trail Blazer is now in a walking boot, so there's a chance he won't be back for the rest of the playoffs. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) also doubtful, Khris Middleton (ankle), assuming he plays, could get most of the scoring opportunities. Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, and Patrick Beverley should also get more involved.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Sat Apr 27 7:10pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's postseason matchup with Indiana. Head coach Doc Rivers doesn't expect the multi-time MVP to be out there for Game 4. Even worse, Damian Lillard (Achilles), now in a walking boot, is also anticipated to miss Sunday's game. Fortunately, Khris Middleton (ankle) is probable, so he should get most of the scoring opportunities if Lillard and Antetokounmpo aren't available. In addition, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, Patrick Beverley, and Brook Lopez could also see an uptick in fantasy production.

Tim Hardaway Jr. Sat Apr 27 7:00pm

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle) isn't expected to meet the Clippers on Sunday. The veteran sharpshooter tweaked his ankle in Game 2 and wasn't available for Friday's win. However, Hardaway hasn't been a reliable fantasy option during this series, averaging three points and two rebounds. It's hard to imagine he'll be any more productive if he's cleared to suit up for Game 4. If anything, Hardaway missing Sunday's contest would open up minutes for Josh Green, who would see value interest from DFS managers after amassing eight points, five rebounds, and one steal in Game 3.

Kawhi Leonard Sat Apr 27 6:50pm

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) is questionable for Sunday's postseason showdown with Dallas. After missing the end of the regular season and the series opener because of knee inflammation, Leonard finally returned for Game 2. He played well in that one, so most had assumed he was feeling better. However, the veteran logged just 25 minutes in Game 3 to finish with nine points and nine rebounds. As with any of Leonard's injuries through the years, his current knee issue is something to monitor, considering it could keep him off the floor for the rest of the playoffs. At any rate, if Leonard is ruled out, James Harden and Paul George would be the favorites to benefit on the scoring end. In addition, guys like Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell would automatically draw attention from DFS managers.

Luka Doncic Sat Apr 27 6:40pm

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (knee) is questionable for Sunday's playoff battle with the Clippers. He's back on the injury report because of knee soreness. However, Doncic has been known to sustain minor ailments over the years, so it's hard to imagine he'll miss Game 4. The 25-year-old has struggled shooting the ball recently. However, he has still averaged 29.0 points, 9.7 boards, 8.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in this series. DFS managers should expect Doncic to see north of 40 minutes in Game 4, assuming the contest stays close, with the 25-year-old having the potential to finish as the highest-producing fantasy option on Sunday's slate.

Joel Embiid Sat Apr 27 6:40pm

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Knicks. The injury report is misleading, considering Embiid is nearly guaranteed to be on the court for Game 4. Not only that, he's coming off a strong performance, amassing 50 points in Thursday's win over New York. While the 30-year-old is also battling Bell's Palsy, he guaranteed the Sixers would win this series. As a result, Embiid should be aggressive on both sides of the floor on Sunday afternoon.

Mitchell Robinson Sat Apr 27 6:30pm

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's meeting with the 76ers. Robinson began the series by nearly amassing a double-double with four blocks. Unfortunately, things have gone south since then, with the 26-year-old exiting Game 3 after reinjuring his surgically repaired left ankle. There's a real possibility he won't be out there for Game 4. But even if Robinson plays, he might not see enough minutes to justify his presence in any DFS lineup.

Damian Lillard Sat Apr 27 3:20pm

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) is in a walking boot. The Bucks have been without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), with head coach Doc Rivers reporting the multi-time MVP isn't expected to return for Game 4 of the series with the Pacers. It also appears Lillard could miss that contest as well. The former Trail Blazer suffered an Achilles injury early in Friday's overtime loss. While he managed to finish the game, Milwaukee might be down their primary scoring options on Sunday and beyond. Khris Middleton, who almost missed Game 3 with an ankle issue, will have plenty of weight to carry if Lillard and Antetokounmpo are both sidelined. In addition, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Patrick Beverley, and Pat Connaughton may also benefit on the scoring end.

Bradley Beal Sat Apr 27 9:40am

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal posted a team-high 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting in Friday's 126-109 loss to Minnesota. He got going offensively after totaling only 29 points across the first two games of the series, hitting 6-for-11 from downtown and 10-for-19 overall from the field. Beal also registered four rebounds and four assists. However, despite his best efforts, the Suns got embarrassed on home court and face elimination in Sunday's Game 4. Beal sits fifth among active players with a career average of 28.1 points in elimination games.

Anthony Edwards Sat Apr 27 9:30am

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards racked up a game-high 36 points on 12-for-23 shooting in Friday's 126-109 Game 3 victory over Phoenix. He tied Kevin Garnett for most 30-point playoff games in franchise history, reaching the mark for the seventh time in his 14th career postseason game. Edwards' night included nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals. The young star has been impressive in the series, averaging 28.0 points with 7.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals. He will be out for the kill on Sunday, with Minnesota heading into Game 4 holding a 3-0 lead.

Tyrese Haliburton Sat Apr 27 9:20am

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton recorded only the fourth playoff triple-double in franchise history as the team defeated Milwaukee 121-118 in Game 3 on Friday. Indiana's young star scored 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and handed out 16 assists. He had a poor shooting night with an 8-for-22 effort, which included 11 misses with 12 attempts from deep, but Haliburton was money when it counted the most. Haliburton scored on a drive with 1.2 seconds left in overtime and iced the game with a free throw. With three games played, Haliburton is averaging 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 12.0 assists in the series.

Khris Middleton Sat Apr 27 9:10am

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton produced a fantastic performance in Friday's Game 3 against Indiana, leading all scorers with 42 points in a 121-118 loss. His day at the office included a pair of big triples near the end of the regulation and overtime. The 42 points mark his new playoff career high. Middleton got there with 16-for-29 shooting, nailing four shots from deep with nine attempts. He also collected a double-double with 10 rebounds and dished out five assists. The Bucks are without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), and Damian Lillard (Achilles) also hurt himself on Friday, so Middleton might have to do even more in Sunday's Game 4 to keep the Bucks competitive.

Anthony Davis Sat Apr 27 9:10am

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (wrist) is regarded as questionable for Game 4 against Denver on Saturday. He's on the injury report with a left wrist sprain, which Davis suffered in Thursday's Game 3 loss. It would be surprising to see Davis miss Saturday's contest with the Lakers' season on the line. Darvin Ham's team has fallen to a 3-0 hole despite Davis averaging 32.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks across 42.0 minutes in the series. We should see another big effort from him on Saturday.

Reggie Jackson Sat Apr 27 9:00am

Denver Nuggets point guard Reggie Jackson (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 4 against the Lakers. Jackson tweaked his left ankle in Thursday's Game 3. Jackson has averaged only 8.3 minutes in the series, meaning he wouldn't be a major miss for the Nuggets. However, the veteran has been something of a talisman for teams through the years against the Lakers, winning 17 consecutive games against them. Christian Braun could fill Jackson's minutes on Saturday, but he hasn't been a good fantasy producer.