Today, we discuss the latest news around fantasy basketball. We will summarize what happened in your league yesterday while giving you some notes on potential players to add or drop from your pool today.
Daily fantasy basketball is a game where people can play against each other in the hopes of winning money. The “daily fantasy basketball” is a daily blog that discusses the current games, and gives tips on how to win.
The Memphis Grizzlies created a stir on a Thursday slate that lacked a marquee game by scoring the greatest victory in NBA history, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder by 73 points. Since losing Ja Morant to a knee injury, Memphis has won three consecutive games, with Jarvis Jackson Jr. leading the way as he raises his fantasy profile to new heights.
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In the rout, Jackson led the Grizzlies with 27 points in only 20 minutes of play, and he has averaging 20.8 points, 2.3 blocks, and 2.8 3-pointers over the past six games. Jackson has nailed an incredible 71 percent of his 3-pointers while scoring 26 points per game in his previous two outings. As I discussed in our recent fantasy basketball roundtable, Jackson’s usage has increased by a team-high 6.8% this season when Morant isn’t on the court, resulting in league-winning per 36 averages of 26.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks.
While Morant is recovering, Memphis has relied on its depth and balance, with the bench scoring 93 points in last night’s historic triumph, the second highest in a game since starters were first monitored in 1970. I’d love to be able to recommend De’Anthony Melton for his outstanding defensive and rebounding numbers, but the club continues to start Tyus Jones as the primary distributor, putting a damper on Melton’s chances of landing a lucrative new position. Last night, Desmond Bane was frigid, but the squad still won, indicating that this could simply be the “JJJ” show until Morant returns.
Recap of Thursday
Highlights
San Antonio Spurs’ Dejounte Murray had 15 points (6-16 FG), 7 rebounds, 13 assists, and 2 steals.
New York Knicks’ Julius Randle had 30 points (14-21 FG), 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks.
Lowlights
Lonzo Ball had 8 points (3-14 FG), 5 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Chicago Bulls.
Gary Trent Jr. had 8 points (3-16 FG), 8 rebounds, and 3 assists for the Toronto Raptors.
Takeaways for Thursday
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Murray of San Antonio has already had five games this season with at least 10 assists and multiple steals, second only to Chris Paul in that category. Last night, he joined club legend Tony Parker as the only Spurs player under Gregg Popovich to score at least 10 points and dish out at least 10 assists in the first half. Murray is now ranked 32nd on the Player Rater after leading all guards in rebounding this season. He is having a breakthrough fantasy season.
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With OG Anunoby out, Toronto’s Fred VanVleet has been saddled with even greater scoring duties, and the explosive combo guard is up to a career-high 20.3 PPG this season following a 29-point effort in a victory against the Bucks last night. He’s vying for a spot on the All-Star team for the first time.
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Chris Boucher, who played only 12 minutes last night and can be released into free agency in practically every scenario, is a less promising statistical tale from Toronto. Boucher had an outstanding block rate and decent shooting and rebounding numbers last season in a busy bench role, but this season he’s been relegated to the outside of the rotation.
Notable injuries
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Anfernee Simons left the team’s defeat to the Spurs in a walking boot on Thursday, adding to Portland’s backcourt injury woes.
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Karl-Anthony Towns, who had a tailbone contusion in the team’s previous game, is listed as doubtful to play Thursday evening by the Timberwolves. If Towns skips this one out, Anthony Edwards is a DFS building brick.
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Christian Wood, who had an ankle injury earlier this week, is labeled as likely to play against the Magic, which is fantastic news for the Rockets. Due to a thigh issue, Kevin Porter Jr. is doubtful. After posting one of the finest overall fantasy lines of the season in a victory against the Thunder on Wednesday, Jae’Sean Tate is a good streaming option (32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 5 blocks).
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Due to a hamstring injury, the Celtics will be missing Jaylen Brown. With Brown off the field this season, Josh Richardson’s fantasy points per minute has increased significantly.
Friday’s analytics edge
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For tonight’s game against the Pacers, the Heat will be missing Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Markieff Morris. Dewayne Dedmon has put up 13 points and 14 rebounds per 36 minutes for Miami this season without Butler and Adebayo on the court, giving him a great streaming option at the shallow center position.
Discussion on DFS
Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr.: Faced with a lesser Houston lineup, Carter and Mo Bamba may be able to provide extra fantasy value on Friday. Carter has scored between 26 and 48 DraftKings points in six of his last seven games, providing a strong projection in a favorable matchup.
Washington Wizards’ Daniel Gafford: Given his size, it’s reasonable to expect Gafford will play a significant part for the Wizards tonight, as Washington confronts a huge Cleveland frontcourt that can cause havoc in and around the paint. Gafford has scored at least 30 DraftKings points in four consecutive games, but his price for tonight’s game is practically as low as a punt.
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