Fantasy basketball daily notes for Tuesday: Embiid carries 76ers, Giddey powers Thunder
Giddey became just the second teenager in NBA history with at least 20 rebounds and 20 assists across a two-game span, joining last year’s Rookie of the Year, LaMelo Ball. The opportunity rates are there for Giddey to keep filling box scores, as he’s second on the team in touches per game with 73.1, just behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (76.1), while the Aussie teen paces the team with 55.4 passes and 6.2 assists per game. Even with such a rewarding role, Giddey is a free agent in roughly 53% of ESPN leagues.
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For Memphis, Ja Morant made his return from a multi-week absence due to a knee injury. Thriving before getting injured, Morant eased into the offense with just 12 shots from the floor, fourth on the roster. While Morant will command more shots in the games ahead, it was encouraging that breakout second-year shooting guard Desmond Bane paced the Grizzlies in minutes, shots, and points.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: 41 points (14-27 FG), 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks
Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings: 24 points (8-18 FG), 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals
Dennis Schroder, Boston Celtics: 8 points (3-10 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Even as the Kings couldn’t keep up with the Warriors in the final quarter last night, it was impressive to see Haliburton lead the Sacramento offense throughout the contest. With De’Aaron Fox in health and safety protocols, Haliburton has thrived as the lead creator for the Kings, averaging 24 points, 4.7 rebounds, 10.7 assists, 2.7 3-pointers, and 1.7 steals during his last three games. This run of elite production is likely more exciting for Haliburton’s long-term statistical upside than this season, per se, given Fox’s high-usage profile. If the team were to move Fox this season, however, Haliburton could flash league-winning fantasy upside.
The 76ers won in Boston despite netting just a single point from their bench, marking the fewest by any team since the Miami Heat had zero in a win against, ironically, Philadelphia back in 2015. Embiid carried his team across the finish line with his third career effort with at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four blocks, second only the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar since blocks became official in 1973-74.
The most relevant fantasy story for the Sixers is the continued stellar play of Seth Curry, who poured in 26 points on just 14 shots against the Celtics. Despite enjoying career highs across the board on clean percentages, Curry is still a free agent in roughly a third of ESPN leagues.
Rudy Gobert finished last night’s win over the Hornets with 23 points and 21 rebounds thanks to sinking 15 of his 16 free throw attempts. The most interesting part of Gobert’s line was that he made just four of his 10 field goal attempts, snapping a 64-game streak of him shooting 50% or better from the floor, which is good for the longest such streak in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55).
Miami won’t have Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo for tonight’s game against the Pacers. If Tyler Herro can’t go, Max Strus becomes a viable streaming option.
Luka Doncic will miss another game for Dallas due to a lingering ankle injury. Kristaps Porzingis is listed as questionable due to a knee ailment.
Jerami Grant and Kelly Olynyk remain sidelined be respective injuries for the Detroit Pistons. Having just ended a league-high 14 game losing streak, the Pistons take the court this evening in Madison Square Garden against the Knicks.
With Grant and Olynyk off the court this season, second-year forward Saddiq Bey has seen his fantasy production leap, as he’s tallied 10.2 more DraftKings points per 36 minutes in such scenarios. In standard statistical terms, Bey posts 19.1 points and 10 combined assists and rebounds per 36 minutes with his two veteran teammates off the floor this season, making him an ideal streaming addition and DFS option ahead of tonight’s tilt in Manhattan.
Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks: With Doncic out, Brunson figures to command the Dallas offense once again. With a high fantasy floor in such a busy role, Brunson is a nice building block to consider for Tuesday’s five-game slate.
Alec Burks, New York Knicks: The Knicks won’t have RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, or Quentin Grimes for tonight’s matchup with the Pistons. With Derrick Rose dealing with an ankle ailment, Burks could flirt with 40 minutes and 10 field goal attempts.