Fantasy basketball daily notes for Thursday: Luguentz Dort brings the thunder
Doncic delivered his eighth career game with 40 points and 10 assists, breaking a tie with Oscar Robertson and Trae Young for the most by any player before turning 23. However, it was Dort who tallied 14 of his 30 points in the decisive overtime period, matching Russell Westbrook‘s franchise record for the most points in a single overtime.
The Thunder won despite entering the game as 12-point underdogs, marking the team’s largest upset win since being 13-point dogs against the Spurs way back in Kevin Durant‘s 2009 rookie season. Joining Dort in downing Dallas was rookie Tre Mann, who scored a career-best 29 points, while Josh Giddey notched a rookie-best 12th double-double.
Highlights
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets: 38 points (12-24 FG), 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks: 40 points (16-33 FG), 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals
Lowlights
Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets: 14 points (5-15 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 TO
The Nets coughed up a late lead to the Kings en route to the team’s sixth straight loss. Both Irving and James Harden struggled from the floor, with Harden producing just four points on 11 shots, marking his fewest points ever in a game when playing at least 30 minutes. With Harden’s fantasy stock dipping, it would be smart to make an offer for him, given the likelihood he will return to elite production in the coming weeks.
One positive from Brooklyn was center Nic Claxton tallying a career-high 23 points. With LaMarcus Aldridge dealing with an injury, Claxton could become a steady contributor for a depleted Nets frontcourt.
Washington’s Spencer Dinwiddie helped orchestrate an upset of the 76ers last night. Dinwiddie netted his first career triple-double and is a nice target for player props and DFS contributions for as long as Bradley Beal is sidelined by a wrist injury.
The Knicks couldn’t overcome Ja Morant and the deep Memphis Grizzlies, but it was nice to see New York’s Mitchell Robinson deliver an awesome defensive performance with eight blocks. This total ties Robinson for the most blocks by any player this season and marks the second-most in any game of his career.
Ball established a new career scoring high and became just the fifth Hornets player ever with multiple career games of 35 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Kelly Oubre Jr., despite struggling with his shot, registered seven combined blocks and steals off the bench for the Hornets.
The Pistons list Cade Cunningham as questionable to play in tonight’s game against the Timberwolves due to a hip ailment.
The Heat list both Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry as questionable for this evening’s game against the Spurs in San Antonio.
The Chicago Bulls won’t have Alex Caruso or Lonzo Ball in the rotation tonight. This signals a sizable distribution role for rising rookie Ayo Dosunmu, as the Illinois product has averaged a team-leading 56.5 passes over the last 10 games. For the Bulls, Dosunmu trails only All-Star teammate DeMar DeRozan in potential assists created in this stretch, evidence he’s become an integral part of Chicago’s offense. Not only is Dosunmu still widely available in ESPN fantasy leagues, the rookie’s assist prop on DraftKings sits at 4.5 on Thursday morning, a number he has topped in seven of his last 10 games.
Drew Eubanks, San Antonio Spurs: With Jakob Poeltl sidelined, the team will miss his elite size and rim protection. Eubanks presents some risk given the lack of track record, but the combination of low pricing and upside is interesting.
Cory Joseph, Detroit Pistons: Both Joseph and Isaiah Stewart stand out as values from this Pistons roster. If Cunningham sits tonight, expect Joseph to orchestrate the offense often.