Fantasy NBA Daily Notes: How Malachi Flynn can help you in crunch time
The Toronto Raptors have already ruled out six players for Tuesday’s tilt against the LA Clippers (Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Rodney Hood, Paul Watson). Such is the nature of this wonky final week of the regular season, a time when teams have clearly decided whether to pursue wins or losses. It’s also a time for fantasy managers to decipher which players benefit from such decisions.
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Rookie playmaker Malachi Flynn, for instance, has seen his usage rate spike by a team-high 10% whenever VanVleet and Lowry are off the floor this season. Flynn’s surface production leaps, as well, with the guard averaging 18.5 points with 6.2 assists per 36 minutes with the team’s starting backcourt sidelined, compared to just 12.7 points with modest peripheral numbers with them on the floor.
Flynn is rostered in less than 10% of ESPN leagues and could absolutely help your fantasy roster this evening. Joining Flynn on the floor for the Raptors could be center Chris Boucher, who has missed several weeks due to an injury but has been an elite fantasy force whenever active. Given his injury, Boucher, who ranks third in the NBA in block percentage, is now a free agent in more than half of leagues.
Highlights
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers: 21 points (8-15 FG), 20 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks
Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards: 28 points (10-22 FG), 13 rebounds, 21 assists
Lowlights
Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks: 7 points (3-12 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Oscar Robertson recorded his final triple-double back in March of 1974. Last night, Westbrook passed Robertson for the most career triple-doubles of all time in a close loss to the Hawks. Posting some of the most incredible box scores the game has ever witnessed, Westbrook is surely driving fantasy success down the stretch.
The Jazz clinched the NBA record for the most 3-pointers made in a season by a team, breaking the mark of the 2018-19 Houston Rockets. Jordan Clarkson became the first player since Lou Williams in 2018-19 with multiple 40-point games off the bench. It’s fitting that Williams won Sixth Man of the Year that season, as Clarkson is likely the favorite for such honors this season.
Jaren Jackson Jr. still hasn’t found his touch from beyond the arc, but it’s impressive the rangy big man compiled four blocks and was active around the rim in last night’s win over New Orleans. Jackson is still a free agent in a quarter of ESPN leagues.
Jakob Poeltl produced a big line in a blowout of the Bucks. The rim protector has compiled multiple blocks in three straight games and even flirted with a traditional triple-double last night. If you are chasing blocks, give Poeltl or Nerlens Noel a look.
The Hawks got 2-wing De’Andre Hunter back into the rotation last night. Hunter played just 14 minutes off the bench in his return from injury for Atlanta, making it difficult to expect much fantasy value from the second-year wing for these final few games.
For a player who could prove helpful for fantasy managers this week, the Pelicans’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker produced 18 points and six dimes in 24 minutes last night in his second game back from an injury absence.
Jaylen Brown has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and postseason due to a wrist injury. This is a massive blow for Brown and the C’s playoff hopes.
Forwards Miles Bridges and Gordon Hayward have been out for Charlotte, while guard Devonte’ Graham is listed as questionable.
The Pistons are resting, well, almost everyone on Tuesday. Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Hamidou Diallo, Wayne Ellington, and Cory Joseph have all been ruled out. This should lead to big workloads for rookies Killian Hayes and Isaiah Stewart, with the latter positioned as an elite streaming candidate.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid is listed as questionable and Matisse Thybulle has been ruled out ahead of this evening’s matchup.
Sacramento has ruled out De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton for tonight’s matchup with the Thunder. Harrison Barnes is listed as doubtful.
This could lead to another big line from guard Delon Wright, who has seen his assist rate spike to 28% with a stellar 117 offensive rating as a starter during his past four games. Building DFS lineups around Wright could be fun, as he has slashed for 17 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7 assists during his past four games, all starts.
Chris Paul and Stephen Curry meet this evening in a matchup of enduring rivals. The Warriors are jockeying for positioning within the play-in tournament, while the Suns need a successful finish to catch the Jazz for the top spot in the conference. Watching Curry navigate the Suns’ deep defense makes for great theater during tonight’s busy 11-game slate.