Fantasy NBA Daily Notes: Crowder is a 3-and-D steal
The bruising forward has made multiple 3-pointers in all but one game thus far with Miami and has tallied multiple steals in five of his 10 appearances with Heat. Netting nearly 30 MPG as Miami’s sixth man has helped fuel 2.1 combined steals and blocks and an awesome 3.2 3PG, signaling notable “3-and-D” value for fantasy managers. Rostered in just 35% of ESPN leagues as of Tuesday morning, Crowder is a key addition to consider for the final six weeks of the season.
Highlights
CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers: 41 points (14-24 FG), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 TO
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic: 30 points (14-24 FG), 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 TO
Lowlights
Wesley Matthews, Milwaukee Bucks: 2 points (1-6 FG), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 TO
P.J. Tucker, Houston Rockets: 0 points (0-2 FG), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 TO
Cleveland’s Collin Sexton was brilliant from the floor with 32 points against the Jazz in a loss last night. The Alabama product has impressively averaged 26.8 PPG during his past four games and makes for a solid pickup in shallow formats. Those in deeper leagues will want to give rookie Kevin Porter Jr. a look, as he’s averaged 15.3 PPG to go with 7.7 combined assists and rebounds during his past three outings. Afforded rare freedom to loft from beyond the arc and create for others off the dribble recently, Porter Jr. has emerged as a helpful wing.
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With Kristaps Porzingis resting and Seth Curry sitting with a balky back, Tim Hardaway Jr. delivered a game-high 26 points for Dallas on Monday evening in a loss to the Bulls, extending his career-best streak of 15-point games to nine. THJ is rostered in just over half of ESPN leagues and has been a consistent source of shooting and scoring production for nearly a month now.
Chicago’s Otto Porter Jr. returned from a 51-game absence on Monday from a fractured foot to deliver 18 points in 17 minutes in downing Dallas. It will take some time for Porter Jr. to fully reintegrate into the rotation, but now is a good time to acquire him from free agency.
Houston’s small-ball agenda caught up with them last night in that the Knicks outrebounded the Rockets by 31, marking Houston’s worst rebounding differential since January of 1992. The Knicks enjoyed a breakout game from rookie RJ Barrett, who netted a career-best 27 points in the victory.
Boston’s Kemba Walker is listed as probable against Brooklyn tonight and appears likely to play. Both Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum are listed as questionable with respective illnesses, making it important to track their availability heading into the game.
Toronto’s tandem of Serge Ibaka and Fred VanVleet are both listed as questionable against the Suns. With these two ailing, Norman Powell makes for a stellar addition, given he’s scored at least 22 points in his past two games and should again prove busy on the perimeter.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry remains out for tonight’s visit to Denver, but a return to action from a fractured hand on Thursday appears viable, per the team’s coaching staff.
Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns remains sidelined with a wrist injury for tonight’s matchup with the Pelicans. Our analytical insight for Tuesday, then, focuses on the success Juan Hernangomez has enjoyed on the glass with Towns out. Hernangomez came over to the Wolves via trade from the Nuggets at the deadline along with the comparably underappreciated Malik Beasley and has assumed a stretch forward role in Towns’ place.
Most valuably for fantasy purposes, Hernangomez has averaged 13 rebounding chances during his past five games. Chances are defined as being within 3.5 feet of an available rebound. With 15.7 PPG and 10.0 RPG during the past week, it also helps that Hernangomez is eligible at both forward sports and rostered in just shy of 20% of ESPN leagues as of Tuesday morning.
Paul George returning to Oklahoma City offers some theater for tonight’s slate, but I’m most intrigued to see if Philly’s Shake Milton can sustain his awesome scoring clip (26 PPG his past three appearances) with the team missing All-Stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid tonight against the Lakers.