The Daily Dose is back, baby! There were six preseason games on Monday night and I’m in the middle of a slow expert draft right now, so we’ll take a look at both things in this one. Follow me on Twitter by clicking here!
Warriors & Lakers
Stephen Curry played 21 minutes and he hit 6-of-17 shots and three 3-pointers for 17 points, three assists, two steals and two blocks. He was surrounded by a bunch of no names tonight as Kevon Looney, Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell all rested. I like all three of them.
The Lakers were also resting everyone under the sun, although a guy named Zach Norvell Jr. blew up for 22 points and three 3-pointers, and Dwight Howard turned some heads on Monday. Dwight hit just 2-of-4 shots, but also made 8-of-10 free throws on his way to 12 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block. If you find yourself in need of a center late in your draft, you could probably do worse than Howard. Anthony Davis’ MRI on his thumb came back clean and he simply has a sprained right thumb. While it stinks that he’s already hurt, I think he’ll be fine and ready to go for opening night a week from today.
Hornets & Grizzlies
Terry Rozier blew up on Monday, torching the Grizzlies for 24 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals and four 3-pointers on 9-of-15 shooting. Dwayne Bacon scored 21 points with three boards, five dimes and three triples, and Devonte’ Graham added an 18-7-5 line, but this line is why I’m so intrigued by Rozier this season. Especially in points leagues where percentages don’t matter as much. And perhaps the craziest stat in his line was the one turnover in 28 minutes. I kind of love him, even though this was his first special game of the preseason. As for Bacon, he might be the No. 2 scoring option in Charlotte, making him worth a late look in most leagues.
For the Grizzlies, Brandon Clarke started again and went off with 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 20 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas (foot) should be ready close to the start of the season and will hurt Clarke, but the kid looks like he’s carved out a nice role going forward. I will draft him late a lot this year. Jaren Jackson Jr. had an off night and got yelled at by his coach, but he’s been ballin’ out. Maybe he’ll have more bad preseason games so his stock will fall a little. I’m still 100 percent in on him. Ja Morant hit just 4-of-13 shots for 15 points, six assists and two turnovers, but I don’t care. I just took him at No. 41 in an expert, complex points league, and feel good about it.
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Hawks & Heat
The Hawks got destroyed by the Heat with John Collins, Trae Young and Jabari Parker (nine points, 10 rebounds, a 3-pointer) leading the way for Atlanta. DeAndre Hunter started, but hit just 2-of-8 shots for four points, one rebound, four assists and one steal, while Cam Reddish hit just 1-of-7 shots for two points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal. DeAndre Bembry hit 5-of-7 shots off the bench for 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, and the worse Hunter plays this season, the better things will be for Bembry. I’m not worried about Collins or Trae, and Parker could be a sneaky late fantasy pick. I still like Hunter and Reddish, but the later you take them, the better off you’ll be. If possible, both should go in the final round of standard drafts. Kevin Huerter sat out with a sore knee but will hopefully be ready for the start of the regular season in seven days.
For the Heat, Bam Adebayo kept it going, racking up 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 26 minutes. He says he thinks he can average 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists (and two blocks?) this season, and the way he’s looked thus far, I believe him. Tyler Herro lit up the Hawks for 23 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and five 3-pointers on 9-of-14 shooting. Trae’s shaky D had a lot to do with it, but Herro’s off to a phenomenal start to his career. He might come off the bench, or he might start, but either way, if you want him, you’re going to have to reach a bit for him. By the time your draft gets here, it may take a pick around 85-90 to get him. Meyers Leonard was also nice with 15 points, seven boards and a 3-pointer, but is still a fantasy project at this time, as playing time/role could be an issue. Derrick Jones Jr. scored 14 points with nine rebounds and a 3-pointer but left early with a sore knee. Hopefully it was a minor injury, but DJJ isn’t really on my radar much this season, either way.
Mavs & Thunder
The Mavericks destroyed the Thunder led by Luka Doncic (19 points, 10 boards, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 6 turnovers on 4-of-10 shooting, 2-of-6 3-pointers, and 9-of-11 free throws) and Kristaps Porzingis (17 points, 13 boards, one block, three 3-pointers). Luka hit 10-of-11 free throws on Friday, and as I’ve been yelling from rooftops all summer, I think his free throw shooting (and field goal shooting) are going to both bounce back after a rough rookie year. Turnovers may remain a problem, but I’m still super excited for Luka’s season to unfold. I’m taking him in Round 1 in points leagues and Round 3-4 in eight- and nine-cat leagues. As many of you know if you watched this draft (it takes about 2 minutes to start), I drafted both Porzingis and Luka (and Delon Wright) in that league. I’m more worried about Porzingis now than I was when I drafted him, as I really think he’ll miss 20-30 games. But when he’s on the court, he’s going to go nuts. Seth Curry suffered a knee injury and is probably done for the preseason, so check on is status before drafting him late.
Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both scored 16 points for the Thunder. Gallo added six boards, two assists and two 3-pointers, while SGA had eight rebounds, a block and five turnovers. I love both of these guys as well and will take both of them in the middle rounds in any format.
Kings & Jazz
Marvin Bagley had 22 points, 11 boards, a steal, two blocks and two 3-pointers, Buddy Hield scored 23 with three rebounds, five assists, a steal and three 3-pointers on 9-of-17 shooting, and De’Aaron Fox had 14 points, four assists, two steals, a block, a 3-pointer and just one turnover in 19 minutes as the Kings beat the Jazz. I love Bagley and Fox and am good with Hield if you need threes and can get him toward the middle rounds. Harrison Barnes was quiet again with seven points, but I think he’ll end up being a consistent fantasy performer on this team as well, despite his advancing age. Bogdan Bogdanovic added a 16-5-8-1-1-2 line off the bench, and while he’ll be inconsistent, he’s going to also have some big nights for the Kings. Dewayne Dedmon started at C and hit a 3-pointer but was kind of quiet with seven points and seven boards. But he also had three steals and a block before fouling out and is going to be a sneaky center available later in most leagues.
Donovan Mitchell hit 8-of-15 shots and a 3-pointer for 22 points, five rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes. I’m all in on him this year and got him with the 32ndpick in the draft I mentioned. Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic were quiet but I’m on board with both of them. And Joe Ingles had 12 points, four boards, eight assists, a steal and two 3-pointers, and while I’m a little worried about a new role coming off the bench, he simply has a very fantasy-friendly game.
Nuggets & Suns
Jerami Grant led the Nuggets with 22 points, two 3-pointers and two steals, hitting 6-of-8 shots and playing 28 minutes in a start. He’s going to split time with Paul Millsap but looks like a sneaky later mid-round pick. Nikola Jokic was very quiet, which doesn’t concern me at all. Jamal Murray (16 points, two 3-pointers) and Gary Harris (18 points, two 3-pointers) both played very well, and I think they’re both primed for big seasons. Murray also had eight rebounds and six dimes in the win. Michael Porter Jr. had 11 points, five boards, a steal, two blocks and a 3-pointer, and I love the idea of blowing a final pick on him in case he ends up blowing up. But it could be a bumpy ride.
Frank Kaminsky led the Suns with 22 points and added six boards, three assists and two 3-pointers, but I’m not convinced he’s going to produce once the games start counting. Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Ricky Rubio and Deandre Ayton were all quiet, but I love Ayton, Booker and Rubio this season, and would use a late flier on Bridges. Kelly Oubre hit just 3-of-11 shots, but I really like him as a sleeper and he will find his way into my queue in all my drafts.
Expert Points Draft
Here are the results in a slow expert points draft happening as I write this. We’re through six rounds and it’s a two-center league.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- James Harden
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Anthony Davis
- Nikola Jokic
- Stephen Curry
- Bradley Beal
- Luka Doncic (me)
- Joel Embiid
- LeBron James
- Russell Westbrook
- Damian Lillard (I don’t get this one, should go sooner)
- Ben Simmons
- Zion Williamson
- Devin Booker
- Kyrie Irving
- Trae Young (me)
- Nikola Vucevic
- Pascal Siakam
- Andre Drummond
- Jimmy Butler
- Julius Randle
- Deandre Ayton
- Rudy Gobert
- De’Aaron Fox
- Kawhi Leonard
- Jrue Holiday
- Zach LaVine
- Paul George
- Kemba Walker
- John Collins
- Donovan Mitchell (me)
- D’Angelo Russell
- Kristaps Porzingis
- Blake Griffin
- LaMarcus Aldridge
- Draymond Green
- C.J. McCollum
- Jared Jackson Jr.
- Myles Turner
- Ja Morant (me)
- Clint Capela
- Mike Conley
- DeMar DeRozan
- Jayson Tatum
- Khris Middleton
- Jamal Murray
- Lauri Markkanen
- Mitchell Robinson (ouch, I wanted him)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Buddy Hield
- Tobias Harris
- Marvin Bagley
- Marc Gasol
- Hassan Whiteside
- Caris LeVert (me)
- Kyle Lowry
- Chris Paul
- Malcolm Brogdon
- R.J. Barrett
- Gordon Hayward
- Victor Oladipo
- Thomas Bryant
- Kevin Love
- Bam Adebayo (me)
- Terry Rozier
- Domantas Sabonis
- Lonzo Ball
- Steven Adams
- Jonas Valanciunas
- Aaron Gordon
- Lou Williams