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Merrill appears to be on track to play on Thursday after missing Tuesday’s game against the Lakers. The sixth-year guard has been featured as a starter in the backcourt most recently, and his return to the lineup could potentially send Max Strus back to the bench. Merrill is averaging 12.9 points and 3.1 three-pointers per game this season.

Strus was back in the lineup after sitting out the first leg of this back-to-back, and he ended up starting for the first time this season. He wasn’t able to match his season-high 29 points that he scored on Friday, but he remained efficient. Still, the lopsided score limited him to 23 minutes, so it ended up being a subpar night. If he remains a starter when Sam Merrill, Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade are all healthy, Strus should be a reliable option for fantasy managers for the rest of the season.

Allen sat the first leg of this back-to-back, but he was able to lead the Cavaliers in scoring in his return to the lineup. All 18 of his points came before halftime, and he didn’t end up seeing the floor much after the break. This was an ugly loss for the Cavs that was somewhat redeemed on the scoreboard during the fourth quarter. Allen only played 19 minutes in this game after playing 18 in his return on Friday, though both games were blowouts. He’ll likely continue to have his minutes managed in Golden State on Thursday.

Allen will be back in his typical starting spot, and with Sam Merrill out, Allen will just be filling the void. The change will be Strus replacing Keon Ellis in what will be his first start of the season. Strus lit it up with 29 points in his most recent appearance and will look to stay hot in a larger role.

Strus sat out of the first leg of this back-to-back to ensure he was available to play against Los Angeles. He scored a season-high 29 points in his most recent appearance and will look to stay hot off the bench in this one.

Merrill played 28 minutes as a starter on Monday, but he will be held out for the second leg of this back-to-back. Keon Ellis started in place of Jarrett Allen on Monday, but with Merrill out, he should continue to start, even with Allen back.

Allen sat out on Monday, which was the first leg of a back-to-back. He’ll return to take on Los Angeles, though with Sam Merrill (hamstring) sidelined, Keon Ellis could remain in the starting unit for a second straight game.

With Jarrett Allen (knee) unavailable, Ellis moved into the Cavaliers’ starting lineup on Monday. The production was adequate, as he logged 32 minutes and recorded a complete stat line. With Allen and Max Strus both expected to be available for Tuesday’s game against the Lakers, there isn’t much to gain from holding onto Ellis in most leagues.

On a night when Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points each, Harden had one of his most productive nights as a Cavalier in the assist category. He has reached double figures in that category five times since being traded to Cleveland, including each of the team’s last two games. In wins over the Heat and Jazz, The Beard accumulated 28 assists and two turnovers. Cleveland plays three more games in Week 23, starting with the Lakers on Tuesday.

Coming off one of his worst performances of the season, Mitchell may have been thrilled to see the lottery-bound Jazz on the schedule. While the Cavaliers managed to beat the Heat on March 27, Spida shot 1-of-10 from the field, finishing with six points. He did not run into much resistance on Monday, shooting over 50 percent from the field. Mitchell was also responsible for five assists and three three-pointers in an excellent start to his Week 23.