A night after the trade deadline, the NBA turned into the streets of Pamplona (figuratively speaking), as young bulls were released in the fantasy landscape left by an action-packed deadline. And none caused as much carnage as the Piston’s Jalen Duren.
A night after Detroit traded for another young 7-footer to compete for minutes, Duren tallied 30 points (13-20 FG, 4-9 FT), 17 boards, 3 assists, a steal and 4 blocks in 41 minutes of Detroit’s double-overtime win over the Spurs, 138-131. This was a free-flow game of young tanking teams with 10 minutes added on, so don’t expect too many giant lines like this from Duren. However, it’s definitely worth checking to see if whoever owns Duren in your league is spooked by the James Wiseman trade (if it goes through, pending Gary Payton II medical mess) and looking to sell high. Duren is a Top 50 player over the last two months, so even if he loses a few minutes, he’s still a dude the rest of the way.
I’m less sure about the Isaiah Stewart’s prospects, but he posted a sweet 15-11-4 line last night. The other Isaiah, Livers, posted 11-10-1 with two steals in 40 minutes off the bench, and may be a major benefactor of Saddiq Bey moving on (again, as long as the trade holds). The Pistons starting backcourt shot a combined 4-of-26, but Killian Hayes and Jaden Ivey will continue to post enough counting stats to be back-end standard leaguers.
I didn’t run and grab Zach Collins, considering he’s been pretty lackluster in the starting role this year. Apparently he’s looking to move on from that as he scored 29 points (11-16 FG, 1-3 3pt, 6-9 FT), grabbed 11 boards and added 3 assists before fouling out in overtime. Malaki Branham (27-5-2 with 2 steals) continues to be a solid play until (if) the Spurs regulars return. And newly acquired Devonte’ Graham (31-3-3; 6-16 from deep – a Spurs record for points in a team debut) may be the Spurs best player, but hard to say what his role will be. Definitely worth a pickup if you have the spot to wait and see.
Collin Sexton went to fantasy sexy town for all those who picked him up before the trade deadline, posting 25-5-6-2-2 in Utah’s 122-116 win over Toronto. I love Sexton’s efficiency [geeze, get a room already] paired with his increased role. Talen Horton-Tucker nearly messed around off the bench, posting a 9-7-8 line in 27 minutes off the bench. And it seems we get to enjoy the three-headed, pigment-deficient monster of Lauri Markkanen (23-9-5 and a steal), Kelly Olynyk (15-7-8-1-1) and Walker Kessler, Utah Ranger (23-9-1; no blocks?!) for the foreseeable future.
Jakob Poeltl played just 17 minutes off the bench in his new-old uniform, but will ramp up in coming games and probably end the solid recent run by Chris Boucher (7 points, 6 boards, 2 blocks in 22 minutes). Son’s Precious Achiuwa (16-4-4) should remain a safe play until OG Anunoby returns.
Speaking of awesome whites, Derrick White’s rampage continued in the Celtics 127-116 win over Charlotte, scoring 33 efficient points (12-19 FG, 8-14 3pt, 1-1 FT) to go with 3 boards, 10 assists, a steal and 3 blocks. He’s averaging 20-6-5 with a block over his last six games; enjoy the run while Jalen Brown heels from his broken face. Robert Williams grabbed 16 boards and Grant Williams couldn’t buy a bucket but posted an all-around 5-5-6-2-1 line as Al Horford missed another game. With Mike Muscala in town (12-1-2 with 4 threes in 16 minutes), Boston’s frontcourt becomes a bit muddled.
Yes, yes, we’re all excited for Mark Williams to be the starting center. He posted a modest 11-12-2 line with a block, about what to expect going forward, with some bigger games against bad teams. I would say to beware of LaMelo Ball (24-9-10 and a steal) and Terry Rozier (27-1-3 and 3 steals) playing less as the Hornets enter full tank mode; but they seem to lose well enough with their sub-star frontcourt playing 35+ minutes.
Brook Lopez low-key dominated the Clippers, posting 22 points, 15 boards, 3 blocks and 4 threes in the Bucks’ 119-106 win in L.A. Giannis Antetokounmpo did his thing (25-8-6 with 2 steals; and a decent 8-11 from the line) and Pat Connaughton kept cleaning the glass at a solid rate (8 boards here) to add to his modest points and threes offerings.
Brandon Boston Jr. got the start at point guard for L.A., scoring 20 points (9-13 FG, 1-1 3pt, 1-2 FT) with 2 boards and a steal. He’s got decent Per 36-minute averages in his limited run this season (around 20-4-3 and a steal), but it’s a wait-and-see situation with Bones Hyland and Eric Gordon soon to join the rotation. Norman Powell had a 14-2-4 line with two steals, but there’s about to be a lot more mouths to feed.
Tyrese Maxey went on a scoring spree off the bench, hitting 5-of-8 from deep on his way to 27 points, adding 2 assists and 3 steals. De’Anthony Melton be meltin’ my heart (5-1-1) in just 19 minutes. I’m still tell y’all to hold, but doing so in a muddled whisper. Joel Embiid posted a standard big line, 35-11-6-1-2, and James Harden had 20-8-12 as the 76ers topped the Knicks, 119-118.
Not much of note from the Knicks, who’s two centers continue to split time and lack much fantasy appeal. Jericho Sims had 2-3-1 in 23 starting minutes, and Isaiah Hartenstein posted 6-6-1 with 3 blocks in 25 minutes off the bench.
Game 2 of the Kyrie Irving experience in the Big D concluded in a 25-3-10 night, shooting 5-of-14 overall, as the Mavs beat the Kings, 122-114. Josh Green contributed 17-4-7 with 2 threes, and remains stream-worthy until Luka returns. Christian Wood posted 13-3-2 with 2 threes and a steal in 12 minutes in this third game back from injury absence. A bit of a buy low if his owners have short term memory loss and forgot what Wood was doing in 35 minutes of run. [BREAKING: Terrence Ross reported to likely end up with Dallas after a buyout, which definitely cuts into Josh Green prospects.]
Kings rookie Keegan Murray continued his game of “now you see me, now you don’t” in the box scores. Friday night we saw him hit 4-of-5 from deep on his way to 16 points, 3 boards and 2 blocks. De’Aaron Fox scored 33 points (10-16 FG, 1-5 3pt, 12-14 FT) to go with 6 boards, 5 dimes and a block. He’s certainly over his mid-season mini slump; currently ranked No. 46 on the season per game in 9-cat, but No. 16 in the last two week and his ROS floor seems to be Top 30. Malik Monk pulled up with a bum ankle, so Kevin Huerter may be in line for a minutes bump.
Skipping through the Suns, who beat Indiana, 117-104, while we wait to see the roster shakedown once KD hits the court. Isaiah Jackson [there was more Isaiah’s in this game than in the bible] contributed 14 points, 5 boards and a steal in just 12 minutes. Perhaps he actually gets more run as the Pacers slip further back in the standings. Perhaps. Perhaps. Perhaps [mmmm, Cake].
The Cavs big men kept is sleazy in the Big Easy: Evan Mobley posted 28-13-2-3-2 and Jarrett Allen 20-11-4-0-2 to help Cleveland beat New Orleans, 118-107. We very well could be witnessing Mobley taking that next step in his career. Over his last seven games, he averaging about 18-10-3-1-2, shooting 55% from the field, good for a No. 21 per game rank in the last two weeks. His usage rate has ticked up in that time, too.
Tyler “I Can Be Your” Herro had one of the lines of the night in the Heat’s 97-95 nailbiter over the Rockets, with 31 points (11-20 FG, 5-10 3pt, 4-4 FT), 9 boards, 8 assists and a steal and block each, with a 32.2 usage rate. Gabe Vincent started in place of Kyle Lowry (out at least through the break, and maybe longer), but posted a Wheel Straight: 5-4-3-2-1. Great poker hand. Not great fantasy line.
Kenyon Martin Jr. posted his fourth +value game in his last five efforts, contributing 17-6-3-2-2 with a three, while shooting 6-of-9. TyTy Washington Jr. rolled a 6-6-6 in 23 minutes off the bench, and you would think is in line for some consistent minutes in the last third of the season. But, Silas, Rockets, who knows. Jae’Sean Tate got the start and played 24 minutes, while Tari Eason received just 19 minutes of run off the bench. Again. Silas, Rockets, whatever.
Xavier Tillman (9-6-3-2-0, 25 minutes), Brandon Clarke (14-4-4-1-0, 19 minutes) and Santi Aldama (18 points, 4 boards, 3 threes, 20 minutes) continued to split the minutes in lieu of Steven Adams, and the Grizzlies mauled the Timberwolves, 128-107.
Mike Conley Jr. was meh (9-1-3 with 2 steals) in his first game with Minnesota, and value probably remains about the same. Nice to see Kyle Anderson back on the floor, contributing 12-6-2 and a steal in just 17 minutes. As long as those minutes ramp back up, I still think he helps win some fantasy leagues.
Finally, I must end on a bummer note. No, not that my Blazers lost at home to OKC, 138-124 in a dumpster fire of a late effort. But, that I was hyped for minutes to open up for my boy JAYLIN Williams via trades, only to watch him get just 18 off the bench. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career high with 44 points (13-16 FG, 0-1 3pt, 18-19 FT), to go with 3 boards, 7 assists, 2 steals and a block. The Thunder went full small ball mode as Kenrich Williams started and played 27 minutes, but didn’t do much. Still got plenty of hope for JAYLIN being a Top 80-100 guy rest of season with Muscala shipped out of town.
Cam Reddish started and looked decent in 17 minutes of play, scoring 11 on 4-of-7 shooting with 2 threes, boards and assists each. We’ll see how things shake out with Matisse Thybulle still to join the rotation, but I would expect Nassir Little (8-5-1 with 2 threes and a block in 25 minutes) to get the most run at the 3-spot once the dust settles. Rumors are that Jerami Grant (23-4-2 with 2 threes on 8-13 shooting) is dating Kylie Jenner; which history tells us is not great for fantasy owners of said boyfriend. Damian Lillard kept his fire burning with 38 points (10-18 FG, 6-13 3pt, 12-13 FT), 2 boards, 9 assists and a steal. Word of caution for Lillard owners: if Blazers fumble in their next five-ish games, there’s definitely a chance they return to mini-tank mode and Dame gets shut down. On the flip side, if they manage to get hot, Dame could continue to be a Top 5 player the rest of season. Risk. Reward. The choice is yours, and yours alone.
What a whirlwind of a week. With the Superbowl on Sunday and baseball ramping up, the NBA more than held its own in the sports news cycles. Lots of unknowns should be cleared up in the next few days before the final, post All-Star break push.
