UPDATED 8:00 pm ET
UPDATE 8:37 pm ET: The Nuggets will make some major changes to their lineup with Jamal Murray, Monte Morris, Jerami Grant, Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic starting. This is obviously bad news for Michael Porter Jr. and Torrey Craig, and it’s great news for Jerami Grant and Monte Morris. Grant was looking like a great play regardless, but he’s likely going to guard Donovan Mitchell a lot to up his minutes. Morris’ role isn’t as clear.
UPDATE 8:00 pm ET: Gary Harris (hip) is out, as expected. The Nuggets should make a starting lineup change, but Torrey Craig should still start at SG to guard Donovan Mitchell.
UPDATE 5:30 pm ET: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (knee) is available. He’s not a total lock to play here, but this Chris Boucher a risky punt play.
UPDATE 3:47 pm ET: Oh boy. The Mavs PR announces at 3:47 that Kristaps Porzingis (knee) is not going to play today. He was called probable with a heel issue, so this is just really poor form from the Mavs.
UPDATE 2:27 pm ET: Luka Doncic (ankle) will play against the Clippers. He went through his warmups and was looking OK, so Luka could be in the 30s for playing time. He could be limited, but he could still crush in 34 minutes even if he’s close to healthy. It’s tougher to play Trey Burke and Seth Curry now.
UPDATE 2:02 pm ET: Coach Rick Carlisle said Luka Doncic (ankle) is warming up, and he’ll be a game-time decision, as expected. We should get word on him in the next 30-45 minutes. If he’s out, Trey Burke will be an attractive play, Seth Curry gets a boost, and there are plenty of shots to go around. J.J. Barea could start, but he’s still risky.
UPDATE 1:54 pm ET: Patrick Beverley (calf) remains out for Game 4, as expected. Landry Shamet should see minutes close to 30 in this game, but he’s still not the greatest play per minute. He’s still an OK play on most sites, and can be used as a placeholder as we wait on the Luka news.
UPDATE 12:30 pm ET: The 76ers are going to roll with Al Horford in the starting lineup again. Coach Brett Brown said in the last game he wanted to ride with experience, so Horford might get decent minutes. This is great news for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and it’ll make it tough for some bench 76ers forwards to get enough minutes.
There’s really only one item on the injury report and it’s a big one. Luka Doncic (ankle) is listed as questionable, but right now we’re projecting him to miss this one based on how it looked and the big Vegas spread. Trey Burke and Seth Curry get a big bump while the rest of the rotation will be looking at more shots.
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 1:00 pm ET
Boston only has Javonte Green (knee) and Gordon Hayward (ankle) out. Their rotation should look similar with Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, Brad Wanamaker and Enes Kanter carrying the second unit.
Nothing new with the 76ers with Glenn Robinson III (hip) still out. Brett Brown might get fired before he leaves the building, so it might be a galaxy-brain rotation.
LA Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks, 3:30 pm ET
The Clippers have Patrick Beverley (calf) doubtful for this one. Prior to Game 3, coach Doc Rivers said he was going to really up Landry Shamet’s minutes, and Shamet answered the bell with some of the best point guard play he’s seen from anyone not named Lou Williams. Expect a decent amount of Shamet again with around 30 minutes, but don’t expect him to be as productive per minute (18 points).
Luka had an MRI with “nothing alarming” on it and he is expected to be a game-time decision. The swelling is reportedly minimal, and the good news is that it’s his “good” ankle after issue with the other one multiple times this season. Considering he couldn’t put much weight on it, he might be held out. If so, there will be a lot of ball-handling for Trey Burke and Seth Curry while Kristaps Porzingis and the frontcourt guys will have more shots.We should get an update at about halftime of the first game. If Luka is a go, he might still be in play.
Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets, 6:30 pm ET
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (knee) is questionable. Coach Nick Nurse suggested he might want to play Chris Boucher to give him a shot, so if RHJ can’t go Boucher might see double-digit minutes. This game could be a blowout, so Boucher might be a dart-throw option if you’re looking to save salary. You’d probably want to avoid every other player in this game.
Joe Harris (personal) and Jamal Crawford (hamstring) remain out. Tyler Johnson will likely get another start while Garrett Temple and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot will have to step up. Chris Chiozza should be locked in as a bench guy, but after that it’s dicey. Dzanan Musa was the sub in the third quarter after the first-half bench got roasted.
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz, 9:00 pm ET
Gary Harris (hip) is now doubtful for this one, but it sounds like he needs one more. If we get shocking news, it’ll take away from Torrey Craig the most with Michael Porter Jr., Jerami Grant and Paul Millsap taking a small hit.
The Jazz rotation is good to go as papa Mike Conley looks to repeat his 27-point return.
