NBA Player News
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Neemias Queta C | BOS
Celtics' Neemias Queta: Struggles with foul trouble
Queta closed Sunday's 128-96 victory over the 76ers in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with nine points (3-3 FG, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block across 17 minutes.
For the second straight game, Queta saw a reduced workload after picking up four fouls. That's been an issue all series, with the center averaging just 18.3 minutes through four games with 9.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
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Derrick White SG | BOS
Celtics' Derrick White: Strong effort defensively
White accumulated six points (2-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 33 minutes during Sunday's 128-96 victory over Philadelphia in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
White had a very low usage rate in this contest, but he was everywhere on the defensive end. The Celtics hold a commanding 3-1 series lead, and that's without White at his best. He's averaging 8.8 points on 30.8 percent shooting thus far over four playoff games.
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Jerami Grant PF | POR
Trail Blazers' Jerami Grant: Plays well despite loss
Grant produced 17 points (6-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one block over 33 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 loss to San Antonio in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Grant comfortably led the second unit in scoring, but it wasn't enough as the Trail Blazers dropped to a 3-1 series deficit. Grant has had a tough series overall, however, as he's averaging 10.0 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 35.1 percent from the field.
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Shaedon Sharpe SG | POR
Trail Blazers' Shaedon Sharpe: Another small workload
Sharpe finished with eight points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds and one steal in 13 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 loss to San Antonio in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Sharpe continues to be used sparingly by the Trail Blazers in this series. Through four games, he's seeing 15.3 minutes per contest with 7.8 points and 2.0 rebounds. It's not helping his case that he's shooting 22.2 percent from beyond the arc thus far.
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Devin Vassell SG | SA
Spurs' Devin Vassell: Big workload in win
Vassell amassed 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 35 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 win over Portland in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Spurs continue to rely heavily on their starters as they surged to a 3-1 series lead. Vassell has struggled a bit from beyond the arc, but he's averaging 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.5 steals through four postseason games.
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Sam Merrill SG | CLE
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Scores 14 off bench
Merrill contributed 14 points (5-9 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT) across 19 minutes during Sunday's 93-89 loss to Toronto in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Merrill caught fire from beyond the arc and led the Cleveland bench in scoring by a comfortable margin. Through four postseason games, he's averaging 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers on 42.9 percent shooting from the field.
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Jaylon Tyson SF | CLE
Cavaliers' Jaylon Tyson: Sees 21 minutes off bench
Tyson amassed nine points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-6 FT) and five rebounds in 21 minutes during Sunday's 93-89 loss to the Raptors in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Cavaliers used a total of 10 players Sunday, with Tyson tying Max Strus for the largest workload for the reserves. Tyson has had some struggles in this series with averages of 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals in 15.5 minutes per contest while shooting 39.1 percent from the field.
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Dean Wade PF | CLE
Cavaliers' Dean Wade: Notches seven points
Wade closed Sunday's 93-89 loss to the Raptors in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with seven points (3-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt) and five rebounds over 28 minutes.
Despite a considerable workload, Wade wasn't able to make a huge impact on the stat sheet. Through four postseason games, he's averaging 5.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 25.3 minutes per contest.
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Jabari Smith PF | HOU
Rockets' Jabari Smith: Productive in Sunday's win
Smith had 16 points (4-15 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 6-6 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in 42 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 win over the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The fourth-year forward has scored at least 16 points while draining multiple three-pointers in all four games of the postseason so far, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 boards, 3.5 threes, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists in 42.0 minutes, although his 39.3 percent shooting from the floor is less than ideal. Smith may need to find another level in Game 5 on Wednesday back in Los Angeles, if the Rockets are going to stave off elimination once again.
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Reed Sheppard SG | HOU
Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Drains four treys in Game 4 win
Sheppard logged 17 points (6-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, three assists and three steals in 29 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 victory over the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Making his third start of the playoffs, Sheppard scored exactly 17 points for the third time while sinking at least four three-pointers. In the one game he didn't start, the second-year guard failed to score a point at all in 11 minutes. With Kevin Durant (ankle) banged up and the Rockets needing all the offense they can get to avoid elimination, Sheppard will likely be in the starting five again for Game 5 on Wednesday back in Los Angeles.