Fantasy NBA Daily Notes: Anthony Edwards becoming Minnesota’s top gun
Edwards has now scored 20 points in four of his last six games after having done so just three times in his first 22 professional appearances. With Russell sidelined for much of the last month, Edwards has sustained meaningful offensive production, averaging 18 PPG during his last 14 games, 11 of them starts.
Also important to Edwards’ offensive ascent has been the return of Karl-Anthony Towns to the floor. The rookie has shot just over 80% from the restricted area thanks to the improved floor spacing which Towns has created since coming back to the court. Compare this to his 49% in the restricted area with Towns off the floor, and you’ll see why we’re optimistic. Rostered in roughly 70% of ESPN leagues, Edwards is proving worthy of even more attention from fantasy managers given this meaningful spike in scoring production.
For those in deeper leagues, it’s also worth noting that Ricky Rubio has averaged 7.1 dimes over his last 13 games. He should continue to serve as Minnesota’s lead distributor in the weeks ahead.
Highlights
James Harden, Brooklyn Nets: 38 points (14-22 FG), 7 rebounds, 11 assists
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: 43 points (16-23 FG), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Lowlights
Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets: 0 points (0-8 FG), 7 rebounds, 3 assists
The Thunder were missing top playmaker Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the lineup in last night’s loss to the Trail Blazers, but Darius Bazley continues to flash some newfound creation production — including a career-high six assists last night. With Bazley’s strong rebounding rate and freedom to stretch the floor from beyond the arc, he’s become a fine fantasy addition.
Hamidou Diallo is also enjoying a breakout season with Oklahoma City. The Kentucky product has scored in double figures in all but one of his last 14 games and has averaged 14.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 1.2 SPG during this stretch. Diallo in still available in 59% of ESPN leagues.
Portland’s Enes Kanter pulled down 21 rebounds and joined Andre Drummond as the only players with multiple games with at least 20 boards this season.
Zion Williamson and Ja Morant both put on a show last night, becoming the first pair of No. 1 and No. 2 picks in the modern draft era (since 1966) to tally 25 points on 75% shooting efficiency in the same game. Josh Hart also had a good night, with a season-high 27 points and six 3-pointers, the second-most of his career. If the Pelicans end up dealing either Lonzo Ball or JJ Redick by the deadline, Hart could become a more consistent statistical contributor.
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Orlando’s Evan Fournier, Al-Farouq Aminu, and James Ennis III are all listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Knicks. Rookie point guard Cole Anthony has been diagnosed with a fractured rib and won’t return until at least after the All-Star break. Even if Fournier and Ennis return to the rotation, Dwayne Bacon and Terrence Ross should serve larger offensive roles going forward.
Paul George of the Clippers has been ruled out once again with a foot injury. There is still no be a clear timeline for his return. Kawhi Leonard is listed as questionable with a knee ailment. With George sidelined, Lou Williams has become a fantasy force. Meanwhile, Marcus Morris Sr. is intriguing in deeper leagues given his recent surge in scoring.
Utah’s Mike Conley has been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s matchup against the Clippers. If he plays, that would only add some talent to the hottest team in the league.
Goran Dragic has been ruled out for the Miami Heat this evening, setting up Kendrick Nunn with a sizable starting workload.
Houston’s Victor Oladipo is doubtful for Wednesday’s visit to the 76ers. He has missed the two last games due to injury. Sharpshooter Eric Gordon is also considered doubtful to play for Houston. With two high-usage perimeter scorers likely out of the lineup, names such as David Nwaba and Jae’Sean Tate become even more relevant for streaming purposes. Nwaba has seen a team-high 7.9 increase in DraftKings points (per 36 minutes) with both Oladipo and Gordon off the floor this season. Also take note of his per 36 averages of 15.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in these scenarios, as well as those of Tate (15.7 points, 2.2 combined steals and blocks).
Only two guards in NBA history have scored 25 points on 50% shooting in 10 consecutive games. We’re talking about Michael Jordan during an 11-game stretch in 1995-96 and Stephen Curry during the last 10 games. Curry has a chance to tie Jordan’s mark on Wednesday against the Heat at 10 ET on ESPN.