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Protocols. That’s the word of the night and maybe the word of the season if the trend of players missing time due to health and safety protocols continues. Absences were the overarching themes of Saturday’s seven-game slate, and fantasy managers were treated to performances from a vast array of backups and rookies. Even though many of the guys on display Saturday will lose fantasy value when their respective teams are healthy, it’s important to pay attention to who gets minutes and who makes the most of those minutes so that we can identify meaningful pickups and streamers for the future. Let’s break down Saturday’s seven-game NBA slate!
Rockets 116, Pistons 107
Houston ultimately prevailed in this matchup of cellar-dwellers that kicked off the day’s action with a lunchtime special. Christian Wood looked good in his return from a two-game absence, going for a team-high 21 points and adding eight boards. His return sent Daniel Theis back to the bench even after Theis went off for a 22/10 double-double Thursday. Theis picked up a DNP-CD, and he’s a guy to drop.
While Theis can be safely cut loose to the waiver wire, there are a few adds to make from this moribund Rockets team. KJ Martin posted his first double-double of the season, and he’s played some strong basketball as of late. Many fantasy managers had Martin in their lineups for the fantasy playoffs when he averaged 19.1 points, 8.7 boards, 2.9 triples and 1.9 stocks over the final seven games of the 2020-21 season. At just 4% rostered in Yahoo leagues, chances are he’s available on your waiver wire.
Josh Christopher played well in his first start, going for 10 points and seven dimes. He’s just 2% rostered and is worth a look in deeper leagues. Garrison Mathews has been a top-125 player over the last month, and he’s sure to stick in the Rockets’ starting lineup moving forward. He’s rostered in just 39% of Yahoo leagues and is a must-add in 12-team leagues.
Cade Cunningham continues to play brilliantly for the Pistons, and he’s been a lone bright spot for this perennial bottom-feeder. He handed out a season-high 11 dimes against Houston and recorded his fifth double-double. His all-around play has been superb, as he’s been able to contribute as a scorer, rebounder and facilitator with useful defensive numbers. Saddiq Bey scored at least 20 points for the second straight game, making it the first time he’s done that since October. He should continue to be a strong source of points for as long as Jerami Grant is out, but his FG% is a bit frightening.
Celtics 114, Celtics 107
Guess who’s back? Surprisingly, it’s Kemba Walker, New York’s forgotten man. Walker started his first 18 games of the season before being permanently benched in favor of Alec Burks. He hasn’t logged a single minute since Nov. 26, but after a 10-game layoff, Walker showed that he deserves a spot back in the Knicks rotation. Facing his former team, Kemba erupted for 29 points, including 17 in the third quarter to make this a competitive game. His efforts were ultimately for naught, but he looked like a man on a mission tonight. He’s certainly worth a speculative add in all formats, and he’s rostered in just 49% of Yahoo leagues.
It’s so tough to quit either of Nerlens Noel or Mitchell Robinson given their upside, but neither offers any consistency from game to game and unless they’re rejecting shots and rebounding at an elite level, you’re left with plenty of meat on the bone. Longtime Thibodeau bestie Taj Gibson recorded one steal and one block across 21 minutes - yuck.
Perhaps out of necessity as a “last man standing” of sorts or perhaps because he’s finally starting to hit some shots, Evan Fournier has been hot over his last two games. In five games prior to his heater, Fournier put up just 31 combined points. He went for 23 Thursday and a game-high 32 against the Knicks. He’s only 64% rostered on Yahoo (likely due to the abovementioned cold streak), so take a peek at your waiver wire and see if a fed-up league manager dropped him prematurely.
Magic 100, Nets 93
If you need a perfect example of the damage that COVID-19 health and safety protocols have wrought on the NBA, look no further than this one. Saturday’s Nets/Magic matchup is a microcosm of what the Association is dealing with, as many teams are emptying the bench, recalling players from the G-League, and handing out 10-day contracts like Halloween candy.
A total of 24 players were unavailable in this one (not all for protocols), and there were just 17 players available between the two squads. Patty Mills and Blake Griffin were the only Nets who weren’t either a rookie or a player on a 10-day contract for the Nets. Unsurprisingly, Mills led Brooklyn in scoring with 23 points, though he did so on a putrid 10-of-24 shooting that included just 2-of-14 from beyond the arc. Blake went 17/7/6 with two steals in one of his best performances of the season. He’s been phased out of the Nets’ rotation, so when the rest of this team is healthy, his fantasy value will be next to nothing.
Cam Thomas had his best game as a pro, posting a 15/7/4/1/1 line. He’s seen some increased run as of late, but just like Griffin, when the rest of this team gets healthy, Thomas’ value will sink quickly.
The most impressive Net on the evening was none other than David Duke. The rookie out of Providence rolled to an 18/14 double-double that included two steals, a block and an assist. In three games as a starter, he’s averaged 11.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks while posting two double-doubles. He was a true difference-maker and a guy who could have won your week.
On the Magic side, Chuma Okeke posted another stellar line, finishing with 15/6/1 to go with two blocks and two swipes. He’s a valuable fantasy play for his defense, but he can also score and rebound effectively when given substantial minutes. If he’s not already on your team, he’s worth scooping off the waiver wire in case he remains in the rotation moving forward. Garry Harris continued to put up strong numbers, going 17/7/5 with a block. He’s the de facto leader in the backcourt until this team gets healthy.
Franz Wagner was a starter before Orlando’s rash of injuries, and he’ll remain one when the team is healthy. He’s rolled as of late, and after scoring 27 in his last game out, he posted his first career double-double Saturday with a 14/11/6 line. He’s been one of the most productive rookies in this class and shows no signs of slowing down. Robin Lopez went 20/10/4 with a block and led the team in scoring and minutes, but he also shot 10-of-22 from the field - yikes. It’s clear he’s going to get plenty of playing time for as long as Mo Bamba and/or Wendell Carter Jr. is out, so if you need some points or rebounds, he could be your guy.
Raptors 119, Warriors 100
The final score actually makes this one seem more competitive than it really was, as Toronto controlled this one from whistle to whistle. Golden State was without most of its key starters and reserves and started Jonathan Kuminga, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Kevon Looney, Damion Lee and Chris Chiozza. It was a loss for Golden State, but the silver lining was that the Warriors got a long look at their two lottery picks from this summer’s draft in Kuminga and Moses Moody.
Kuminga, the No. 7 pick, went for a team-high 25 points (9-of-15 field goals, 4-of-6 threes) and added two assists, two steals and a rebound over 36 minutes. He led the team in scoring, minutes, and unfortunately turnovers, but this was a highly encouraging performance. The points and minutes were season-highs in his first career start.
Moody saw 20 minutes off the bench and managed 11 points, eight boards, three helpers and a block while picking up five personal fouls. He started Friday against Orlando but logged just 10 minutes. Saturday’s performance saw him record season-highs in points, rebounds and assists.
Fantasy managers breathed a collective sigh of relief as OG Anunoby returned from a 13-game absence due to a hip injury. He posted a modest 7/3/2/1 in his return, going 3-of-8 from the field and 0-of-3 from beyond the arc in 28 minutes. He belongs back in fantasy lineups as he shakes off the rust.
Chris Boucher remained in the starting lineup and went 11/8 even with Precious Achiuwa back. Boucher is worth holding for now, but he hasn’t come close to the level of upside he displayed a season ago. Ho hum, Gary Trent went for four more steals. Fred VanVleet produced one of his best games of the season with a 27/12/7 line that included six triples, three steals and a block. He should continue to provide second-round fantasy value the rest of the way.
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Thunder 104, Clippers 103
This was hands-down the best game of the night, as the teams traded shots back and forth in the final minutes, culminating in a game-winning three at the buzzer from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA got the ball, dribbled to the right, and stepped back for the dagger, completely shaking Nic Batum in the process. SGA finished with an 18/3/6 line that included his timely triple.
Lu Dort returned to the lineup after missing just one game, and he led all scorers with 29. Thanks to some improved efficiency and steps forward as a scorer, Dort has provided 10th-round value this season. Josh Giddey went 4-of-14 for just eight points and missed out on a second career triple-double, finishing with a career-high (and game-high) 18 rebounds and 10 assists. Shooting and scoring weren’t his bread and butter coming into the NBA, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he’s not excelling in those categories now. Giddey brings elite rebounding, playmaking and size at the guard position to the table.
In a Mann-o y Mann-o showdown, Terance (18/7/3 with a block) got the best of Tre (11/3/1 with a block). The two aren’t related, in case you were wondering. Luke Kennard continued to impress with a team-high 27 points to go with seven triples, seven rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.
Cavaliers 119, Bucks 90
Cleveland thumped the short-handed Bucks, and the Cavs ultimately went 13 deep in this one. Darius Garland provided 22 points, and Jarrett Allen disappointed with 14 points and five boards, but it was the bench that did the heavy lifting in the comfortable win.
Ricky Rubio posted his fourth double-double of the season with a 15/10/5/3/1 line and dished at least 10 dimes for the second straight game. Kevin Love continued to produce for the second unit, going 15/7/5 with a steal. He remains an add in all formats and is rostered in just 60% of Yahoo leagues. With Evan Mobley out, Dean Wade remained in the starting lineup and posted a 9/5/3 line with two steals. He’s a fine streamer in deeper leagues.
Cedi Osman led Cleveland in scoring with 23 points and chipped in five rebounds, four assists and a steal across 27 minutes. He’s known for getting hot on any given night, so fantasy managers shouldn’t take too much stock in this one. If Osman played more than 21.9 minutes per night, he might be worth a look in 12-team leagues, as his 18 points per-36 minutes are the most of his career.
Milwaukee rested Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton sat out due to a knee injury, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Wesley Matthews, and Donte DiVincenzo all missed this one due to health and safety protocols. As a result, DeMarcus Cousins stepped into the starting lineup where he recorded his first double-double as a Buck. Boogie went 12/12/1 with four steals and a block, though he went just 9/6/2 in his only other start. He’s not someone to blow a waiver priority or FAAB on.
Jordan Nwora continues to impress every time he’s given the opportunity, and Saturday was no different. Nwora went off for a game-high 28 points to go with 11 rebounds, four assists and four triples. He logged his second straight double-double and has now started the Bucks’ last three games. In that span, Nwora has averaged 19.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.7 triples, 2.3 stocks and 1.7 dimes. He impressed in the Olympics for Team Nigeria (21/5/2 with four triples and nearly two steals across three games) and again in the Summer League (20/5/2 across four games), so his upside shouldn’t come as a shock. Nwora is the best available pickup for Milwaukee right now.
Wizards 109, Jazz 103
After disappointing fantasy managers with just 22.8 points per game this season, Bradley Beal finally delivered, dropping a season-high 37 points on Utah in the upset victory. It was his highest point total since he scored 36 against Boston way back on Oct. 30. Spencer Dinwiddie shot 0-of-7 from the field and finished with an 0/7/4/2 line. His disappointing campaign continues to roll on, and he’s provided fantasy value just inside the top-150 - a far cry from the 8th-9th round ADP.
Montrezl Harrell’s early-season run is a distant memory, as his play has cooled off significantly as of late. Kyle Kuzma hasn’t looked the same since returning to the lineup, and while he’s in the midst of a bad stretch, fantasy managers should continue to hold him and Harrell given the upside both showed earlier in the season. Deni Avdija finished with a promising 11/7/2/2/1 line over 30 minutes. He’s still not worth rostering in 12-team leagues, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on him if his playing time and production continue to trend up.
No surprise for Utah, as Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell led the way. Gobert finished with 11 points, 19 boards and a ridiculous six swats. Washington has been horrendous against opposing bigs this season and Gobert is the league’s best rebounder and one of its best blockers, so this strong showing didn’t come out left field. Spida posted 32 points, five dimes, three boards and a steal and recorded his ninth 30-point game of the season. Both Gobert and Mitchell are top-20 players in 9-cat formats thus far into the season.
