Marcus Smart (forearm) questionable Wednesday

After a stellar showing on Wednesday in Indiana’s first game since losing Tyrese Haliburton to a hamstring strain, Siakam was held in check by the Timberwolves. He missed all five three-point attempts, which hurt his overall field-goal percentage. Haliburton doesn’t have a firm return timeline, but the Pacers will rely even more on Siakam in their point guard’s absence. Nights like Friday won’t become the norm for Siakam, but no Haliburton is a big deal.

Dillon Brooks was hitting his shots and was a big reason they stayed in this game. He kicked out his leg on a jump shot which was viewed as excessive and resulted in a flagrant 2 foul and an ejection. Obviously the ejection isn’t great but it is part of the deal with Brooks. Even with it, he still put up a lot of points and could’ve had an even better line. His next opportunity to play will be on Monday against the Warriors.

One game doesn’t make a role player a must-roster in fantasy basketball, especially if injuries have expanded their role. For Jackson, Obi Toppin’s absence on Friday meant more shots for the healthy Pacers reserves, even if they don’t play the same position. The 24 points were one shy of his career-high, and Jackson’s final line lacked only a blocked shot. The Pacers end their week with a game against the Nets on Sunday.

After shooting 5-of-16 from the field in Wednesday’s loss to the 76ers, Nembhard was more efficient on Friday. In addition to shooting 50 percent from the field, he finished one assist shy of a double-double. With Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell sidelined, Nembhard will have to do more as both a scorer and playmaker. In theory, that should raise his short-term fantasy ceiling.

Entering Friday, Thompson was shooting 31.7 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three. To say a night like Friday was needed would be an understatement. Against the Pacers, Thompson shot 7-of-12 from beyond the arc, and 25 points is the most he has scored in a game since January 15, as a member of the Mavericks. With neither Giannis Antetokounmpo nor Bam Adebayo offering much perimeter shooting as Miami’s top two offensive options, Thompson needs to hit shots consistently. Friday’s 145-point outburst showed what can happen when he and the other Heat shooters are productive.

After scoring 24 points in Wednesday’s win over the Hawks, Adebayo was even more productive against the Pacers. He shot 11-of-12 inside the arc, including 10-of-11 in the paint. Add in the rebounds and steals, and Bam had a good night. There’s still plenty of basketball to be played, but Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared to have improved chemistry in Miami’s last two games.

The Pacers had no answer for Giannis on Friday, as he scored 24 of his 31 points in the paint. The partnership between Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo looked a bit awkward at the start of the season, which isn’t surprising. But both have looked more comfortable in the last two games, both Heat victories. And it helps that the Heat shot 18-of-40 from three against the Pacers, which provided much-needed spacing on offense.

Friday was a good night for managers rostering Jackson. In addition to matching his season-high in steals, the Clippers’ starting center blocked four shots. In the first four games of the season, Jackson blocked only two shots. Jackson’s defensive potential and field-goal percentage can make him valuable to fantasy managers, even though he’s sharing center responsibilities with Brook Lopez (15 points, six rebounds and one block). Against the Timberwolves, both played 21 minutes.

Back in the Clippers’ lineup after missing Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers, Hachimura played 26 minutes against the Timberwolves. He didn’t shoot well, but Rui recorded a few steals in his return. Kobe Sanders, who started on Wednesday, finished with seven points, four rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes off the bench. The Clippers play one more game this week, Sunday night against the Warriors.

Counting Friday, Garland has recorded at least five turnovers in four consecutive games. He recorded five against the Timberwolves, a negative mark on an otherwise decent night individually. Because of injuries to Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal and Max Strus, Garland has had to shoulder a heavier offensive workload, and that hasn’t done his nine-cat value any favors.