UPDATED 2:00 pm ET
No changes to the starting lineups for the Clippers and Mavericks. It’ll be Landry Shamet, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac, and Luka Doncic, Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber.
UPDATE 2:00 pm ET: The Mavericks updated their injuries and made all their questionable guys available now. There was never really any doubt on Luka Doncic, Trey Burke and Dorian Finney-Smith with those guys playing through their issue, but Tim Hardaway Jr. (neck) looks to be good to go, as well. We’ll add an update on the Mavericks starting lineup, and there could be a change considering how bad they were crushed in the Game 5.
UPDATE 1:45 pm ET: Patrick Beverley (calf) will not play on Sunday, as expected despite the Q tag. That should put Landry Shamet in the first unit again, and it’ll up Lou Williams’ upside slightly. Reggie Jackson isn’t the greatest punt, but it’s not the worst plan if he fits.
UPDATE 9:25 am ET: Big news to start the day with Gary Harris (hip) planning to play today. He’s been out for five months and the Nuggets have kept his practice work a secret, but Woj said Harris has made significant progress in workouts. He was doing some partial practice work back in July, so he has a wide range of outcomes. Considering how Donovan Mitchell has roasted everyone the Nuggets have put on him, he’s a good bet to start over Monte Morris. That should also take Torrey Craig out of the rotation today. Harris is still a very risky option in DFS.
UPDATE 9:25 am ET: Kyle Lowry (ankle) is good to go, as expected. He’s likely looking at huge minutes today, and coach Brad Stevens has praised Lowry over the week. He might see a lot of Marcus Smart on him today, but Lowry doesn’t necessarily need high scoring output to smash today.
It’s time for the second round mixed in with some first-round action, and the time off for the Raptors was really helpful for Kyle Lowry (ankle) to get a probable tag, making him a guy who should see big minutes. There are actually a whole lot of questionable tags for the two Western Conference games, but we should have a pretty good idea on what to expect. We’ll hit “official” statuses for each game, but let’s just go expected in and out here first on all the Q tags.
Questionable guys we’d expect to play: Luka Doncic (ankle), Dorian Finney-Smith (left hip, right hip), Trey Burke (ankle), Tim Hardaway Jr. (neck, not as confident in THJ compared to others), Gary Harris (hip)
Questionable guys we’d expect to sit: Patrick Beverley (calf)
Not a whole lot to do from a planning standpoint here unless we get surprising news. The only Maverick with a new injury is THJ, so he’s probably the most iffy of the “in” guys.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors, 2:00 pm ET
The Celtics have Gordon Hayward (ankle), Tremont Waters (knee) and Javonte Green (knee) out. Coach Brad Stevens may look more at Brad Wanamaker in smaller lineups while Semi Ojeleye could find more time over Grant Williams. It’s also likely a really tough series for Enes Kanter.
Kyle Lowry is probable after his ankle injury on Sunday. He was called questionable had the game been played on Thursday, but he was on the practice court on Friday and he went through practice on Saturday. He’s good to go. Oshae Brissett and Patrick McCaw remain out and should be out for the whole series.
LA Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks, 3:30 pm ET
Patrick Beverley (calf) is questionable. The time off likely helped him, but the Clippers have no reason to play him with a lead and based on how he’s dealt with this calf issue before. Landry Shamet and Reggie Jackson get bumps while Lou Williams also benefits.
The Mavs have four guys as questionable. This strikes me as an overreaction to people being mad about them not listing Kristaps Porzingis after he suffered his injury in Game 1. Luka Doncic (ankle) is questionable, but it’s basically a probable tag based on coach Rick Carlisle‘s thoughts. “The ankle’s doing well, all things considered,” Carlisle said. “I think the extra two or three days is a plus, certainly. In practice today (Saturday), he looked pretty good. Going into tomorrow, I don’t think he’s going to be limited.” I hate his matchup after the Clippers trapped more, but maybe he’ll be low owned with the Q tag on him.
Trey Burke (ankle) and Dorian Finney-Smith (both hips) are questionable, but they both played through those injuries last time. Plus, the team posted some photos of Burke and DFS in practice (didn’t see any THJ). THJ’s is new, but there’s very little talk of any concern. I’d still be a bit careful on him. If THJ is somehow hurt, I’d look to Boban Marjanovic and Seth Curry.
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz, 8:30 pm ET
Gary Harris (hip) is questionable, but we have really no word on his status at all. He’s been out for five months, so it’s hard to imagine he’s thrown into the fire of a do-or-die game.
UPDATE: Welp! As mentioned above, Harris is planning to play, and he should have some form of minutes limit on him, but the Nuggets have been very shady about his workload in practice. Maybe he’s busy.
Nothing new with the Jazz with Ed Davis and Justin Wright-Foreman still out.
