Hard to not dedicate today’s introduction to another ludicrous scoring performance this year, this time from Damian Lillard.
71 points, 13 triples, 6 rebounds, 6 assists in 39 minutes. The main difference with the other 71-point game from Donovan Mitchell this year is that Dame did it without overtime and you can find many crazy statistics to showcase the absurdity of his performance. He shot 22 of 38 from the field which means he averaged one shot per minute and outscored the Houston starting 5 on his own. His True Shooting percentage was an unreal 70%, obviously the highest for any 70+ point performance in the history.
And the final crazy stat is that he became the first player in the history of the game to make at least 400 feet worth of shots in a single game, as he made 420 feet worth of field goals. That’s 128 meters for my European friends and me to put in perspective. And if he was hitting and making shots like the one that follows, it is no wonder he broke that record as well.
Buy
Dennis Smith Jr: LaMelo Ball is unfortunately out for the rest of the season with a fractured right ankle and the obvious next man up is Dennis Smith Jr. He already filled in his role admirably when Ball was sidelined at the beginning of the season and can provide a substantial boost in perimeter stats and more particularly in assists and steals. He was famous for his athletic ability since his college days and his years in the league have not slowed him down.
After getting drafted by the Mavericks with the 9th pick in 2017 he has bounced around in the league but it seems like he has found a franchise that trusts him and it is showing. He is still available in a lot of leagues so make the correct move and scoop him up as soon as possible (38% owned).
Matisse Thybulle: The trade from the Sixers to Portland has done wonders for his fantasy value, as Matisse Thybulle’s playing time more than doubled due to the Trail Blazers’ need for a 3 & D player in the wing. He will never be a reliable scoring option but Thybulle can be a defensive menace and is averaging 2 steals and 1.2 blocks in a Portland jersey. Add 2.4 triples and nonexistent turnovers in the mix and you get a player with standard league value for the rest of the season (21% owned).
Xavier Tillman: That’s three straight strong games in a row from Xavier Tillman, who is taking advantage of Steven Adams’ absence and producing top 150 value during the last month. He is not a player I trust to maintain this value for the rest of the season, but for the next 2-3 games he is a quality big man streamer with exceptional out of position steals, who can be dropped guilt free when Steven Adams returns (10% owned).
Sell
Mason Plumlee: One of the biggest fantasy losers from the trade deadline, Mason Plumlee moved from a 28 minute starting role in Charlotte to a clear backup role with the Clippers. There is just no way with the minutes he is getting to maintain top 150 value and the Clippers are more inclined to go smaller, so lineups with both Ivica Zubac and Plumlee are not expected to be used. With the last stretch of the fantasy season upon us, you need productive players so a drop is in order for Plumlee (56% owned).
