Donovan

Clingan

After firing up seven three-pointers in Saturday’s win over the Lakers, making one, Clingan did most of his damage around the basket on Sunday. And to significant effect, as the Trail Blazers’ center recorded his 15th double-double of the season. Over the past two weeks, Clingan has been a top-75 player in eight-cat formats, a run that has pushed his season-long value back within the top-100. Portland plays just two games in Week 14, and they’re off until Thursday.

If there was an issue for Clingan on Saturday, it was the three-point shot. He made just one of his seven attempts, and that may be a little too much time on the perimeter for the 7-foot-2 center. However, Clingan still recorded a double-double in 27 minutes. Unfortunately, Clingan’s streak of games without a blocked shot has reached three, but he’s still averaging 1.3 per game on the season.

Clingan dominated early on in this game and entered the halftime break with a double-double. This was his third straight double-double, and he has one in five of his last six games. However, it’s the deep-range shooting that has been the real revelation. He hit a total of 14 triples as a rookie, but he has five over his last two games and 12 over his last seven. Clingan doesn’t need to become a true stretch five, but if he can space the floor, it will continue to open up the offense for Portland.

Clingan has recorded four double-doubles in his last five appearances, with Saturday’s ranking among his best of the season. The 7-foot-2 center notched a season-high point total and matched his previous high in made three-pointers. Clingan didn’t record any defensive stats on Saturday, but over the past two weeks, he has offered sixth-round per-game value in nine-cat formats.

Since missing three games in early December with a leg injury, Clingan has hit double digits in rebounds in eight of his 11 appearances. Friday’s double-double was his 11th of the season and fifth since returning from injury, with the second-year center providing eighth-round per-game value in nine-cat formats. Robert Williams III (four points, six rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot) played 18 minutes off the bench; as long as Clingan can meet or exceed 30 minutes, as he did on Friday, his fantasy value will be fine.

For the second time this month, Clingan has recorded double-doubles in consecutive games. While the stat line against the Mavericks did not include any defensive stats, the second-year center shot 80 percent from the field and made multiple three-pointers for the third time in five games. Over the past two weeks, Clingan has provided seventh-round value in eight-cat formats, and he’s been close to a top-25 player for managers punting free-throw percentage. Portland has three more games on its Week 11 schedule, starting with the Thunder on Wednesday.

Clingan was a force of nature on the glass against Boston’s lackluster frontcourt, pulling down seven offensive rebounds as part of a monster effort. The 21-year-old former lottery pick came up with a clutch offensive board in the closing seconds, converting a three-point play to give Portland a commanding four-point lead. He’s put together a strong stretch of late, averaging 13.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.3 steals and 1.3 blocks over his past four games.

Clingan finished Saturday’s victory with his seventh double-double of the season. While the foul line remained problematic after a poor showing in Thursday’s win over the Kings, the second-year pivot only attempted three shots. Clingan still boasts a respectable percentage for the season, and fantasy managers value him more for the rebounds, blocks and field-goal percentage categories.

Clingan, who entered Thursday shooting 79.5 percent from the foul line, struggled mightily at the charity stripe against the Kings. Making well below 50 percent of his attempts, the 7-foot-2 center missed three of four attempts in the final 33 seconds of overtime. That opened the door for the Kings to potentially steal the game, but Deni Avdija’s free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining were the difference. Clingan was productive across the board, and his foul shooting throughout the season is why fantasy managers should not be too concerned about what they saw on Thursday.

Clingan was back in the Trail Blazers’ lineup after missing three games, which factored into his playing 22 minutes. The good news for those who have the 7-foot-2 center rostered is that he provided good value in rebounds and blocks, but that was about it. Robert Williams III (11/11/3/1) was more productive offensively in his 19 minutes, so there may be some value there for deep-league managers. However, Clingan should remain the priority, especially as his playing time increases.