Fantasy NBA Daily Notes: Can you see the value in Oshae Brissett?
Starting center Myles Turner appears unlikely to play again this season due to a significant foot injury. Sabonis, meanwhile, has begun shooting again, according to head coach Nate Bjorkgren. However, the All-Star remains without a defined timeline to return to game action.
For as long as the Pacers’ starting frontcourt is sidelined, Brissett is a must-start option. He has the ability to drive value as an efficient scorer, volume rebounder, and rim protector. Brissett is rostered in just shy of 20% of ESPN leagues, yet he could play a critical role for your roster in the fantasy playoffs.
Highlights
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics: 39 points (13-26 FG), 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks: 39 points (15-23 FG), 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals
Lowlights
Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets: 9 points (3-13 FG), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers
Kelly Oubre Jr., Golden State Warriors: 10 points (2-10 FG), 3 rebounds, 0 assists
Somehow, Houston’s Kelly Olynyk has become a fantasy superstar. The stretch big made 12 out of his 17 shots last night for a season-best 28 points. He also contributed 14 combined rebounds and assists. He is — quite amazingly — ranked No. 6 overall on the ESPN Player Rater over the last 15 days.
Luguentz Dort returned to the floor after resting Monday and helped to stop the Thunder’s 14-game losing streak with a team-high 24 points. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined indefinitely, Dort has become the primary scoring force for Oklahoma City and yet he remains a free agent in 66% of ESPN leagues. Teammate Darius Bazley has been quite productive in a larger role, as well. The second-year forward posted 21 points and 10 boards last night and has averaged 20.5 points over the last eight games.
Anfernee Simons is in the midst of an historic stretch for the Trail Blazers. The young wing made a career-best nine 3-pointers last night — and at one point had made 13 straight 3-pointers across his last four games, tying an NBA record. Unfortunately, despite Simons’ incredibly hot hand from beyond the arc, he rarely plays many minutes for Portland and still isn’t a viable fantasy starter.
The Cavaliers will be without top scorer Collin Sexton against Orlando due to a concussion. The team has also ruled out Larry Nance Jr. and Taurean Prince. Darius Garland could enjoy “Westbrook-ian usage” in this one.
Orlando also has a wave of injuries, with Michael Carter-Williams and Terrence Ross unlikely to play this evening. Cole Anthony and Chuma Okeke are top waiver-wire additions given their increased roles on both sides of the floor.
Derrick White won’t play for the Spurs tonight due to an ankle injury.
Mike Conley has been ruled for Utah’s matchup against the Kings due to a hamstring injury. Donovan Mitchell remains sidelined by an ankle injury. Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson make for fun DFS targets, given that Sacramento is ranked last in defensive efficiency.
The Hawks will be without Trae Young for yet another game due to an ankle injury. Kevin Huerter is listed as doubtful and both De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish are sidelined for tonight’s matchup with the 76ers. With so many critical contributors missing from the lineup, Lou Williams becomes a “building block option” in DFS play. After all, the legendary bench scorer has averaged 22.2 points and 8.7 assists (per 36 minutes) with these four teammates off the floor this season. For those seeking a streaming option, Danilo Gallinari is rostered in just 41.1% of ESPN leagues and has averaged 8.3 more DraftKings points (per 36 minutes) whenever Young and those other three Atlanta wings are off the floor.
Two of the top teams in the Western Conference face off in Phoenix, with the Clippers and Suns jockeying for the top seed. According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, this is the third-most likely second-round matchup to occur. Kawhi Leonard has missed eight of his last nine games and is currently listed as doubtful to play tonight due to right foot soreness. Leonard is on pace to become the first player in Clippers history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a season.
Paul George, meanwhile, has scored at least 30 points in 7-of-9 games and will again be tasked with leading the Clippers offense this evening. Marcus Morris Sr. should also serve a sizable scoring role for Los Angeles. For Phoenix, the ageless Chris Paul is on pace to become the second player to average at least 15 points and eight assists in a season where the player was 35-plus years old by the first game of the season. The other player to have done that? Nets head coach Steve Nash, who did so for the Suns in 2009-10.