

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (rib) has once again landed on the injury report as questionable ahead of Game 2 against Boston on Thursday. Allen missed a fourth consecutive game as the Eastern Conference semifinals started on Tuesday night. He's bothered by a right rib contusion, which reportedly even makes it tough for him to sleep, so the signs aren't great regarding his potential return on Thursday. Evan Mobley will continue to start at center if Allen isn't ready to return, with Tristan Thompson and Marcus Morris Sr. providing cover.


Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic (knee) is on the injury report as probable ahead of Thursday's Game 2 against the Thunder. He looks set to play through a knee sprain after going through a full practice on Wednesday. Doncic appeared to be troubled by the injury in Tuesday's Game 1, but he's previously had no issues stuffing the stat sheet. The 25-year-old superstar is averaging 28.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 9.4 assists, and 1.1 steals for the 2024 postseason. However, Doncic has run into some serious shooting woes in the playoffs, hitting only 22.7 percent of his three-point shots and 39.5 percent overall from the field.


Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell produced a game-high 33 points on 12-for-25 shooting as the team had to settle for a 120-95 loss in Game 1 against Boston on Tuesday. He hit four shots from deep with 11 attempts and collected six rebounds, five assists, and one steal. The Cleveland star has now scored 122 across the past three games. Mitchell has been in spectacular form lately, but he definitely needs more help if the Cavaliers want to make Boston sweat in the series.


Boston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown had the hot hand in Tuesday's Game 1 against the Cavaliers, leading his team with 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting in a 120-95 win. The three-time All-Star started a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and erupted for 15 first-quarter points. He finished 4-for-6 from downtown and completed his line with six rebounds, two assists, and one block. Brown has been shooting the ball very well in the postseason but has been a bit quiet so far, averaging 24.3 points. However, it looks like he's ready to hit top gear, with the stakes getting higher.


Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford had an impressive opening to the second-round series against Oklahoma City on Tuesday, posting a double-double and swatting away five shots in a 117-95 loss. Dallas struggled throughout the contest, but Gafford enjoyed his best postseason outing of the year. He scored 16 points with 5-for-12 shooting from the field and a 6-for-8 record at the line and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. The Thunder lack size and have struggled on the glass all year, making this a very favorable matchup for Gafford, who has now scored in double figures in back-to-back games while bagging 17 rebounds.
