Fantasy NBA Daily Notes: Where Gary Trent Jr. is outpacing Damian Lillard
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Diving deeper into the team’s lineup data, we find that in 258 minutes of play this season with McCollum off the floor, Trent has produced per-36-minute rates of 17.6 PPG and 14.4 shots per game with a whopping 4.2 3PG. For some perspective on Trent’s awesome shooting surge sans McCollum — who is sidelined for multiple weeks with a foot fracture — Damian Lillard averages 3.9 3PG in such scenarios this season.
It’s not just Trent producing fantasy-worthy results for Portland, as center Enes Kanter has been a solid replacement for an injured Jusuf Nurkic. During the past five games, Kanter ranks third in the NBA with 24.2 rebounding chances per game. Such rich opportunity rates on the glass help drive big results for Kanter, who has compiled 43 rebounds during the past three games. Kanter, meanwhile, is a free agent in roughly a third of ESPN leagues.
Highlights
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers: 22 points (8-19 FG), 7 rebounds, 10 assists
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers: 30 points (11-23 FG), 4 rebounds, 9 assists
Lowlights
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors: 2 points (1-7 FG), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
Kelly Oubre Jr., Golden State Warriors: 4 points (1-11 FG), 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Reggie Jackson of the Clippers made just six of 15 shots in a win over the Heat last night but still compiled a strong line that included 16 points and 14 combined assists and rebounds as the team’s lead playmaker. With double-figure scoring in three straight with Patrick Beverley ailing and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George sidelined, Jackson remains a key streaming option.
It’s not just Jackson providing helpful statistics with so many key Clippers sidelined, as Nicolas Batum delivered another rich line last night with a season-high six 3-pointers and strong rebounding and defensive results. With Leonard and George likely out for the next several games, Batum is a solid utility play for fantasy managers.
The Suns are also thinned by a series of injuries, setting up wing Jae Crowder with a larger role in recent games. Crowder started for the third straight game on Thursday and has averaged 18 PPG with stellar shooting and rebounding results during this stretch. Devin Booker‘s absence could linger into the weekend, aiding Crowder’s fantasy profile.
Sharpshooter Wayne Ellington scored 20 points in upsetting the Lakers last night and has been quietly brilliant for Detroit of late with at least 16 points in seven straight games. On a Pistons roster somewhat starved for Ellington’s shooting gravity, he should continue to serve a meaningful role worthy of more attention from fantasy investors.
Toronto’s OG Anunoby is questionable due to a calf strain for Friday’s matchup against Sacramento. Norman Powell would become an even stronger streaming option if Anunoby is inactive.
Minnesota’s D’Angelo Russell is questionable due to a quad contusion for tonight’s game against the 76ers. Karl-Anthony Towns remains out for the Timberwolves, pushing Jarred Vanderbilt into a prominent starting role.
Donovan Mitchell is questionable due to a concussion for Friday’s matchup with the Mavericks. Mitchell missed Wednesday’s win over Dallas, with Jordan Clarkson shining on offense in his place.
George Hill has been ruled out for the Thunder on Friday for the team’s matchup against the visiting Nets due to a sprained thumb. Whenever Hill is off the floor this season, second-year wing Luguentz Dort has enjoyed a team-high 3.8% surge in usage. Teammate Al Horford enjoys a sizable spike in fantasy production with Hill off the court, as well. Building DFS lineups around Oklahoma City’s lineup could prove savvy this evening given how porous Brooklyn’s defense has been this season.
Friday’s matchup on ESPN between the Bucks and Pelicans pits two of the best paint scorers in the game. Over the past two seasons, Zion Williamson and Giannis Antetokounmpo rank first and second, respectively in points per game in the paint. In a league dominated by 3-point shooting, this battle in the paint could prove compelling.