Fantasy basketball 30: Donovan Mitchell is getting hot at the right time
Here’s a look around the NBA at the most fantasy relevant news and notes for all 30 teams:
Atlanta Hawks
After a procedure on his right foot, John Collins remains out of commission. He also has an injury to his right finger. Danilo Gallinari and De’Andre Hunter remain the key beneficiaries. For me, Hunter is the best of the two. Over his last 12 games, he has averaged 16.2 PPG, 1.3 APG, 3.0 RPG and 1.0 SPG. Hunter is available in 83% of ESPN leagues.
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum’s slow start to the season is hard to believe. Since January, he’s averaged 28.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 4.7 APG and 1.0 SPG while shooting 48% from the floor. Boston is on pace to become the third team in league history to be under .500 exactly halfway through the season and finish with a .600+ win percentage.
Brooklyn Nets
On Wednesday, Kyrie Irving received some excellent news. He will make his home debut against the Hornets on Sunday after the mandate at the Nets’ arena was lifted. Irving has scored 132 points in his last three games; that’s the most over a three-game span in Nets history.
Charlotte Hornets
Isaiah Thomas, who agreed to a contract with the Hornets for the remainder of the season, has averaged 9.3 PPG and 2.0 APG in 13.4 MPG in eight games with Charlotte. Thomas is a great scorer off the bench for the Hornets, but I would only consider him in deep leagues. He’s available in 99% of ESPN leagues.
Chicago Bulls
Lonzo Ball’s rehabilitation for his knee hasn’t gone well and his chances of returning before the season’s end appear slim. Ayo Dosunmu, Alex Caruso and Coby White will help fill the void. Caruso may be the standout of the three, because he provides statistics in multiple statistical areas including assists and steals. He’s available in 72.6% of ESPN leagues.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Lamar Stevens has combined for 31 points during the past two games. Stevens should continue to see minutes while Jarrett Allen recovers from a fractured left middle finger. He’s available in 99.7% of ESPN leagues.
Dallas Mavericks
It has paid dividends for the Mavericks to trade for Spencer Dinwiddie. Only Luka Doncic (29.5) has averaged more points than Dinwiddie (20) over the last 12 games. Dinwiddie has also put up 4.5 APG and 3.7 RPG on his new squad.
Denver Nuggets
Over the last four games, Aaron Gordon has averaged 16 PPG, 3.0 APG, and 5.3 RPG. He is trending up at a perfect time for a Nuggets team that’s fighting for playoff position. Gordon is available in 48.4% of ESPN leagues.
Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham has averaged 22.0 PPG, 7.0 APG, 7.2 RPG and 1.2 SPG during the month of march. Meanwhile, Saddiq Bey (available in 21% of ESPN leagues) has put up 32.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 2.7 APG during his past three games.
Golden State Warriors
Otto Porter Jr. can make a significant contribution to your fantasy basketball team, especially in deeper formats. He has averaged 15.0 PPG and 15.5 RPG in the last two games, and he’s available in 92% of ESPN leagues. As the Warriors are without Stephen Curry (foot) and Draymond Green (back) is still having his workload managed to some extent, the veteran forward is as critical to the team as he has been all season.
Houston Rockets
You might consider picking up rookie lottery pick Alperen Sengun in deep formats. The last four games have seen him average 12 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG and 1.3 BPG. Sengun is available in 91% of ESPN leagues.
Indiana Pacers
During the month of March, Goga Bitadze averaged 14.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.0 APG and 1.0 BPG in 20.6 MPG. He’s available in 92% of ESPN leagues. With or without Isaiah Jackson, Bitadze can be productive in your fantasy lineup.
LA Clippers
Marcus Morris Sr. has played an important role on the Clippers this season, especially over the last eight contests. His averages during that span are 16.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 4.3 RPG,and 1.0 SPG in 27.3 MPG. Most leagues, especially deeper ones, should consider adding Morris Sr., who is available in 80% of ESPN leagues.
Los Angeles Lakers
The way LeBron James has been playing for the Lakers has garnered a great deal of attention. Malik Monk, however, has been an invaluable player for the Lakers. Over the last 12 games, he’s averaged 15.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.3 APG and 1.3 SPG. Monk is available in 81% of ESPN leagues.
Memphis Grizzlies
On Thursday, Ja Morant will undergo additional tests on his right knee. In the meantime, Tyus Jones is a viable streamer. His previous 16 starts have led to 11.9 PPG, 6.6 APG, 3.4 RPG and 1.2 SPG, and Jones remains available in 95% of ESPN leagues.
Miami Heat
Kyle Lowry has bounced back nicely over the last three games, which is a good thing since fantasy managers are in the playoffs. He has averaged 20.7 PPG, 6.3 APG, 3.7 RPG, and 1.3 SPG during this recent span, and after a rough start to March, Lowry is heading in the right direction at the right time.
Milwaukee Bucks
After a long absence due to a finger injury, Pat Connaughton has put together two solid performances in a row. Over the last two games, he averaged 14.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.0 3PM, and 2.5 APG. Connaughton is a solid source of points and triples and is available in 89.5% of ESPN leagues.
Minnesota Timberwolves
In 12 games this month, Towns has averaged 26.9 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.7 APG and 1.3 BPG in 30.4 minutes per game. It’s likely he’ll carry fantasy teams to championships. Meanwhile, Jarred Vanderbilt is worth considering in deeper leagues. Vanderbilt had his first double-double since mid-February on Wednesday night, and is available in 88% of ESPN leagues.
New Orleans Pelicans
You should be impressed with how Jaxson Hayes has played lately. In the last five games, he has averaged 15 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 1.4 BPG. Hayes is surprisingly available in 90% of ESPN leagues.
New York Knicks
Julius Randle is out with a quad injury, so Obi Toppin is a good streamer. Given their record, it would be surprising to see the Knicks rush Randle back. Toppin had 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block against the Hornets on Wednesday. He’s available in 98% of ESPN leagues, and clearly has potential for big nights like we just saw.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Vit Krejci had the first double-double of his career in the game against Orlando. He’s someone to keep on your watch list in deeper formats and is available in virtually all ESPN leagues. Over the last four games, Krejci has averaged 27.6 MPG and this trend may continue as the Thunder have nothing to play for and could decide to give their younger players more playing time.
Orlando Magic
Chuma Okeke has played well over the last five games, putting up 11.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG and 1.0 BPG. Okeke (available in 94.5% of ESPN leagues) should be considered in most leagues right now.
Philadelphia 76ers
James Harden‘s arrival in Philadelphia has affected Tobias Harris. Harris has been productive despite the circumstances, even if not as much of a factor as he was prior to Harden’s arrival. During the past 12 games, Harris has averaged 15 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 3.0 APG with a usage rate of 18.3%. Fantasy managers should keep him in their lineups.
Phoenix Suns
This developed quickly — Chris Paul is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday, which is sure to cut into Cameron Payne’s recent spike in production. Payne had started the past 11 consecutive games and averaged 14 PPG, 9.5 APG, 4.0 RPG and 1.1 APG in 30.5 minutes during that span.
Portland Trail Blazers
On Wednesday night, Brandon Williams was replaced by Kris Dunn in the starting lineup and Dunn had a decent performance with nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 25 minutes. The situation deserves monitoring since Williams averaged 17 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 3.1 APG in 32.5 MPG over the previous eight games. Dunn is available in 97.5% of ESPN leagues.
Sacramento Kings
Davion Mitchell has had back-to-back games with 25 or more points. He’s available in 90% of ESPN leagues. Mitchell averages 16.4 points. 3.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists per 40 minutes. With De’Aaron Fox dealing with a right-hand injury, Mitchell is worth keeping an eye on during this final stage of the regular season.
San Antonio Spurs
Josh Richardson (available in 98% of ESPN leagues) is worth looking at in most leagues. Over the last three games, the veteran swingman has averaged 19 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.0 APG and 1.3 SPG in 26.5 MPG. He will see steady minutes with Doug McDermott out due to an ankle injury for the remainder of the season.
Toronto Raptors
Chris Boucher is back on the streaming radar after having put up 15.5 PPG, 12 RPG, 1.0 SPG and 1.5 BPG over the last two games. Raptors coach Nick Nurse’s rotations can be incredibly frustrating, so take that into account before adding Boucher, who is available in 40% of ESPN leagues.
Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell has scored 30 or more points in four straight games, a career high, with the most recent coming against the Celtics on Wednesday. This is great news for fantasy managers trying to win a title. For the season, Mitchell has averaged 26.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.4 APG and 1.5 SPG.
Washington Wizards
In the Wizards’ last five games, Porzingis has averaged 21.6 PPG, 3.0 APG and 8.4 RPG. And over that time period, he has had a usage rate of 31%. During Kuzma’s absence, Porzingis’ production should increase, a very good development for fantasy managers.