UPDATED 7:20 pm ET
UPDATE 7:20 pm ET: Well the Lakers will give it at least one more game with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green and JaVale McGee in the starting lineup. Rajon Rondo (thumb) is also not going to play in this one, so the rotation should be similar.
UPDATE 2:30 pm ET: After only doing 2-on-2 in practice on Wednesday, Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is out, as expected. That’ll put James Ennis and Gary Clark in as the starting forwards again, and this is really helpful for D.J. Augustin, Evan Fournier and Markelle Fultz.
UPDATE 2:00 pm ET: Luguentz Dort (knee) will play, and presumably will start out on James Harden. He’s not the greatest play today, but he is cheap if you really wanted to stack OKC vs. Houston.
UPDATE 12:30 pm ET: Jae Crowder is starting next to Goran Dragic, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Andre Iguodala should still see some big minutes, but Tyler Herro’s upside is a bit dicey.
UPDATE: Victor Oladipo (eye) is available for Thursday, as expected. He went through the walk-through on Wednesday and his eye doesn’t look to be swollen or bloodshot today, so he should be set for a full allotment of playing time. This takes Edmond Sumner and Justin Holiday off the board, but Aaron Holiday is a punt option.
UPDATE 11:30 am ET: Big news on OKC with Luguentz Dort (knee) getting the questionable tag after being called “out” on Wednesday. In a playoff series, an upgrade like this usually means that player has a good shot to go. OKC needs him badly to limit Harden, so he could be in play if he’s starting. This does cut into Dennis Schroder slightly, but obviously you’re not using Terrance Ferguson.
Not much going here again and we have the biggest injury news to start the day. In the later action, we’re waiting on Aaron Gordon after not getting much practice time in yet.
Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers, 1:00 pm ET
Jae Crowder (ankle) is listed as questionable for a new injury (hurt knee last week). It doesn’t sound serious, but it’s a little odd the Vegas line dropped 1.5 points. Andre Iguodala, Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic all played the full fourth, so it could put Iggy in a big spot. If Jae is out, the Heat have really talked up being able to switch and coach Erik Spoelstra going small so much suggests he might go with Derrick Jones Jr. He might also consider Herro as a starter and insert Kendrick Nunn back into the rotation. Iggy looks like a good play regardless, and no Jae would really open up Duncan Robinson and Herro.
Victor Oladipo (eye) went through the walk through on Wednesday, and he looked to be OK based on the pictures from practice. We’re expecting him to go for now. If he doesn’t, that’ll set up Justin Holiday and Edmond Sumner for more playing time. T.J. McConnell also saw more run.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets, 3:30 pm ET
OKC won’t have Luguentz Dort (knee) again. Terrance Ferguson was just filling minutes, and the OKC offense was way out of rhythm. It was interesting that Darius Bazley got some SF minutes, and no Dort helps Dennis Schroder‘s upside.
No Russell Westbrook (thigh) again, and also no Luc Mbah a Moute (knee). Eric Gordon looked surprisingly good, and the Rockets really went to Jeff Green as a SF/PF/C.
Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 6:00 pm ET
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is questionable again. Coach Steve Clifford said the Magic were light on practicing on Wednesday, but Gordon only went through 2-on-2. Generally, a 2-on-2 workout isn’t enough to get a guy out there, but this is the playoffs. Still, we’re going to project him as out for this one, which puts Gary Clark, James Ennis and Khem Birch on the board. It also really helps the PGs. Michael Carter-Williams (foot) is doubtful, and it would be a shock to see him out there.
The Bucks are healthy.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 9:00 pm ET
Zach Collins (ankle) remains out, so Wenyen Gabriel figures to start again. Hassan Whiteside saw 11 minutes next to Jusuf Nurkic, as well.
Coach Frank Vogel made it sound like Rondo may not be out there. “Rondo is working really hard to get back and we’ll have him back when he’s ready, not before,” Vogel said after practice Wednesday. If he’s a go, he’ll likely take time from Dion Waiters and JaVale McGee in smaller lineups. Rondo is not an option. Vogel also called Rondo 50-50. The Lakers are listing LeBron James (groin) and Anthony Davis (knee) as probable, but that’s normal.
