New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic
Knicks Notes:
- A little South Florida sunshine did a world of good for Quentin Grimes, who busted out of a big slump with back-to-back standout performances in Miami and Orlando. On Thursday, the sophomore sniper put together an all-around gem, with 25 points on 10-for-18 from the field, five rebounds, six assists, five treys, and three steals in 38 minutes. That coming on the heels of a 22-point, six-triple night, which ended a five-game rut where Grimes averaged just 5.6 PPG. Grimes can pour in threes in bunches, but he usually does nothing else, and hasn’t been closing games for the Knicks. Last night was just the second time this month he saw at least 30 minutes of action. He’s a streaming option if you’re looking for a three-point specialist, and that’s about it (11 percent rostered in Yahoo! standard leagues).
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 25 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10-18 | 0-0 |
Magic Notes:
- Hopefully you didn’t miss out on the Cole Anthony run (61 percent rostered). The young guard scored 18 points, grabbed six boards, nailed four triples, and picked up a steal and a block apiece in 26 minutes off the bench. It was the seventh straight game Anthony scored at least 14 points and hauled in at least five rebounds. And with Franz Wagner exiting early with an ankle sprain, Anthony was called upon to close out the game, delivering several huge baskets down the stretch. Anthony racks up rebounds for a diminutive guard, adding an extra dimension to your run-of-the-mill sixth man type. He’s worth a look if he’s still floating out there in your league.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 18 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6-13 | 2-2 |
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Cavs Notes:
- Man, are the Cavs are the least interesting team in fantasy or what? Their top four guys all rate in the top-60 and are rostered everywhere, and after that….nothing. Just nothing. Moving on.
Nets Notes:
- Despite now coming off the pine, Royce O’Neale is still a major cog in the Nets’ rotation. His 30 minutes ranked fourth on the squad last night, allowing him to post 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two treys, and a swipe. O’Neale can contribute a little bit across the board. Over his past eight contests, he’s averaging a solid 9.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.1 3PTM, and 1.3 SPG. He’s a decent add to round out a roster (38 percent rostered).
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 12 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4-10 | 2-2 |
Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Hornets Notes:
- Nick Richards is getting some more attention in fantasy circles, as he’s now rostered in exactly half of leagues. Charlotte’s current starting center just missed out on a second consecutive double-double after putting up nine points and 14 boards last night, converting three of his four field goals and all three of his foul shots. Ignoring a 13-minute anomaly last week, since Richards has taken over the job, he’s averaged 11.2 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and 2.2 BPG on fantastic percentages. He should be added everywhere while he’s getting the minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 9 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3-4 | 3-3 |
Pels Notes:
- Naji Marshall got the call as the sixth man for the Pelicans last night, leading the bench unit with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, with four boards, three dimes, a three, and a steal in 21 minutes. Marshall (six percent rostered) has had some bright spots this season as key members of the team have missed time, but ultimately he’s too inconsistent to be worth an add. Leave him on the wire for now.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 16 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6-10 | 3-4 |
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. LA Clippers
Thunder Notes:
- Why is Lu Dort still rostered in more than half of leagues (56 percent rostered)?? Honestly, the Thunder would probably be four games better in the standings if he never shot the ball. Dort went 1-for-11 from the field on Thursday to score three points, continuing a recent trend of horrid heaving from the field. Over his past 10 games, Dort is shooting just a smidge over 30 percent from the field on nearly 11 attempts per game. Take out the two games where he was hot and you’re looking at 22.5 percent shooting on 10 attempts per game. That kind of anchor on your FG% is a death sentence for H2H playoff matchups. Cut him if you haven’t already.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1-11 | 0-0 |
Clips Notes:
- In the Clippers’ first game without Paul George, it was the bench who carried them to victory, with a special cameo from Bones Hyland. Bones had not even gotten into a game in nearly three weeks, but he’s never shy about letting it fly when he steps onto the court. Hyland finished with 16 points, four rebounds, seven assists, four triples, a steal, and a block in 26 minutes. If he continues to see extended time while PG is sidelined, he’s definitely on the streaming radar for points, treys, and maybe some assists, but this may have also just been a one-off performance. Proceed with caution (26 percent rostered).
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 16 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6-13 | 0-1 |
