Anfernee

Simons

After reaching double figures in 11 of his first 12 games this season, Simons has scored ten points or more in six of his last ten, including three straight. And the decrease in scoring has done significant damage to the guard’s fantasy value, as he does not produce much in other fantasy-relevant categories. Simons is ranked just outside the top-200 in eight-cat value, a significant departure from his production while in Portland. Fantasy managers have to hold out hope that he’ll turn things around eventually, but the role he currently holds isn’t great.

Brown is expected to miss a game for the first time this season, which opens up a ton of minutes and shots. Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, Sam Hauser and Hugo Gonzalez are all candidates to start in place of Brown, though all four should see a boost in minutes.

White played through his calf injury Saturday, but he’ll sit out the second leg of the Celtics’ back-to-back set. White is presumably getting the night off for maintenance, and fantasy managers should pencil him in to return on Tuesday against the Knicks. With White on the sideline, Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons should pick up additional minutes.

While a contused right calf has White listed on the Celtics’ injury report, the probable tag suggests that he’s much closer to playing than not. If he’s unable to play, there will be more minutes available to Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons, raising the fantasy ceilings of both players.

Simons knocked down eight of 11 attempts from the floor, including four of seven from three-point range, eclipsing 20 points off the bench for the second straight contest after playing a season-high 33 minutes during Friday’s loss to the Nets. He’s been a source of instant offense off Boston’s bench this season but his defensive shortcomings have kept his minutes in check.

It’s abundantly clear that Simons’ issues on the defensive end of the floor have directly led to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla being sporadic with his minutes during his Boston debut. However, he topped the 30-minute mark for the first time since late October in this one and wound up scoring 13 points in the second half to make this one a bit closer at the finish line. It’s a frustrating situation for fantasy managers since he’s clearly their best scoring threat at the moment outside of Jaylen Brown with Derrick White and Payton Pritchard struggling to get going this season.

For just the second time this season, Simons recorded a 20-point game, with the 25 matching his tally in an October 27 win over New Orleans. All due respect to the Pelicans, but putting up an efficient 25 points on the Magic is a different matter. Over his last three games, Simons is shooting 19-of-37 from the field, and as a result, his season percentage is approaching 44 percent. His overall fantasy value remains low, but this three-game stretch was much-needed for Simons as he looks to establish himself in Boston. The Celtics begin a three-game Week 4 in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

For the third time this season, Simons made at least four three-pointers in a game. Field-goal percentage and assists have been the issues for him thus far, with the Celtics guard shooting 41.2 percent and averaging a career-low 1.6 assists per game. By comparison, he’s a career 43 percent shooter and averages 3.2 assists. Given the production, he probably should not be rostered in 87 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Simons had 19 points in 29 minutes off the bench, but he could’ve had a lot more if he shot better than 33 percent from the field. The 26-year-old shooting guard had more attempts than anyone else wearing Celtic green, including Jaylen Brown, who had 32 points. Simons was truly a volume scorer against the 76ers on Friday, which is difficult for fantasy managers because he contribute much in the other categories.

Simons served as Boston’s go-to-option during a fourth-quarter offensive surge that put the Pelicans away for good. He came off the bench to knock down six three-pointers, shooting nearly 50 percent from downtown to help the Celtics snap a three-game losing streak to open the season. The 26-year-old should have the green light all year in his Boston debut as they’ll need to unleash a barrage of three pointers each night to have any chance of overcoming their size disadvantage on the glass.