Fantasy NBA Daily Notes: Pay attention to potential Pelicans moves
If either Redick or Ball are dealt, a sizable opportunity jump for Nickeil Alexander-Walker likely emerges. The second-year guard has flashed impressive scoring promise this season with 19.3 PPG over three starts. He also has posted per-36 minutes rates of 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.1 3-pointers. Alexander-Walker, cousin of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, could ascend to a new level as a fantasy force if the Pelicans end up making moves.
Rostered in just around 5% of ESPN leagues, Alexander-Walker is a name to watch as the trade deadline approaches. Also take note that Josh Hart might also become a relevant fantasy option in the wake of any deal involving these veteran guards.
Highlights
Saturday
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets: 27 points (8-10 FG), 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers: 44 points (15-26 FG), 5 rebounds, 9 assists
Sunday
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: 47 points (17-26 FG), 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards: 41 points (16-28 FG), 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals
Lowlights
Saturday
Donte DiVincenzo, Milwaukee Bucks: 0 points (0-6 FG), 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons: 5 points (1-8 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 TO
Sunday
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz: 13 points (3-12 FG), 1 rebound, 3 assists, 5 TO
Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers: 9 points (1-6 FG), 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Saturday’s offensive opus marked Lillard’s 35th career game with at least 40 points, the most in Portland franchise history –by a wide margin. Trail Blazers legend Clyde Drexler had 17 such scoring performances. Lillard was amazing in the clutch against the Bulls, with six points in the final 8.9 seconds, including the third game-winning buzzer-beater of his career — also the most in team history. It wasn’t just Lillard who helped Portland secure the needed victory over Chicago, as Gary Trent added 18 points. Rostered in roughly 15% of ESPN leagues, Trent has averaged 21 PPG over the last three games.
Jokic tied his career-high in scoring and has now compiled double-doubles in all 20 games this season. It’s the second-longest such streak to start a season since the NBA-ABA merger (1976-77). Unsurprisingly, Jokic remains the top player on the ESPN Player Rater.
Sunday’s loss to the Clippers marked another impressive scoring performance from Knicks rookie Immanuel Quickley. The Kentucky product produced his fourth 20-point game — all of them coming off the bench — passing Charlotte’s Ball for the most 20-point games among rookies this season. His playing time isn’t consistent just yet, but Quickley is making a case for more work.
Speaking of LaMelo, the dazzling rookie’s 27 points on Saturday established a new career-high and came on just 10 shots. Ball impressively leads the Hornets in net rating this season. Ball’s future fantasy ceiling is incredibly high.
Jimmy Butler‘s long-awaited return to Miami’s lineup was encouraging. The All-Star wing had missed 11 consecutive games while in the league’s health and safety protocol, but scored a season-high 30 points with 15 combined assists and rebounds in a close victory over the Kings on Saturday.
Derrick White had appeared just once this season due to a lingering toe injury before Saturday, but he returned to the Spurs’ rotation with a solid line, scoring 18 points in 22 minutes. White was brilliant in his final 10 appearances last season with 18.2 PPG and strong peripheral numbers, so there is some real fantasy appeal if he can regain a big role for San Antonio.
Chicago’s Thaddeus Young finished Saturday’s loss to the Trail Blazers two points shy of a triple-double. He has impressively produced 20 assists in his last two appearances. On a Bulls roster without a pure point guard, Young’s playmaking ability should continue to surface.
In a loss to Washington on Sunday, Brooklyn allowed 149 points, marking the third time this season the team has surrendered at least 140 points in regulation. Brooklyn has already tied the team record for most such games in a single season (1978-79). Loading up on streaming options (and especially frontcourt players) against Brooklyn is a solid plan, given the team’s historic defensive struggles.
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Boston’s Marcus Smart suffered a strained calf in Saturday’s loss to the Lakers and is expected to miss multiple weeks due to the injury. Jeff Teague could see more minutes and touches in the coming games.
Brooklyn’s James Harden missed Sunday’s game against the Wizards due to a thigh injury. The ailment isn’t considered serious, with Harden likely to return for Tuesday’s marquee matchup with the Clippers.
Goran Dragic has missed Miami’s last three games due to a groin injury and is listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup against the Hornets. If Dragic can’t go, Kendrick Nunn could play a meaningful role for Miami.
Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter is dealing with a knee injury and will miss Monday’s matchup against the Lakers. Cam Reddish figures to play a sizable role for the Hawks.
Devin Booker of the Suns is listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Mavericks due to a hamstring injury. If Booker can’t go, Jae Crowder should play a fantasy-relevant role.
George Hill remains sidelined for the Thunder, which means Theo Maledon makes for a fun fantasy investment. The rookie has thrived over the last two games with Hill sidelined, posting an absurdly efficient true-shooting rate and an offensive rating of 163 in 31.6 MPG. With the Thunder offense thriving with Maledon on the floor, he’s a strong streaming candidate against a Houston defense allowing 49.6 DraftKings points per game to point guards — eighth-most in the league.
Memphis has been hit by a wave of injuries this season, but is finally getting back some key starters as Kyle Anderson and Dillon Brooks have been re-integrating into the rotation in recent games. Anderson is enjoying career-highs in assists, scoring, rebounds, and 3-point shooting. Brooks, meanwhile, led the Grizzlies in net rating over the weekend in his return from injury. Both make for strong fantasy free-agent additions ahead of tonight’s tilt with the Spurs.