Houston

Rockets

Smith had some good games with Alperen Sengun sidelined and had another good game with Sengun back in the lineup against the Clippers Thursday. The 22-year-old power forward has provided top-100 value this season, but has a limited ceiling playing alongside Sengun and Kevin Durant.

Thompson was just one rebound and two assists shy of a triple-double against the Clippers on Wednesday. The 22-year-old point guard has scored at least 20 points in four of his last five games. The Rockets are off until Monday when they’ll take on the Nuggets.

Sengun hadn’t played in over a week due to an illness, but he still had a great game Thursday. The 23-year-old center has recorded a double-double in three consecutive games played. Only Nikola Jokic has more games with at least 20 points, at least 15 rebounds and at least five assists this year.

On a night when their starting backcourt of Amen Thompson and Josh Okogie combined to score 15 points, the Rockets received solid contributions from Holiday and Reed Sheppard (12/2/3 with two three-pointers) off the bench. The 19 points were the second-most in a game this season for Holiday, who has reached double figures in six of his last seven appearances. However, his fantasy value remains extremely low. The recent run does not change the fact that managers should leave Holiday on the waiver wire.

Smith took advantage of Alperen Şengün’s absence due to an illness, recording a complete stat line while shooting better than 50 percent from the field. While he has reached double figures in scoring in 13 straight games, Saturday’s defeat was the third in which Smith scored at least 20 points. While he is providing top-100 value, Smith has a limited ceiling due to the presence of Şengün and Kevin Durant.

Of the 71 points scored by Rockets starters, Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. were responsible for 49 of them. The limited production from the other starters was too much to overcome in Dallas, as Houston desperately missed Alperen Şengün (illness). Over the past two weeks, Durant has provided top-15 value in eight- and nine-cat formats. Houston plays once during Week 8, and they’ll have a total of five games in leagues that will combine Weeks 8 and 9 to account for the NBA Cup.

With Steven Adams already out, the Rockets will also be without Alperen Şengün on Saturday. As a result, Capela moves into the starting lineup and is worth a look in deep leagues out of necessity. The other four starters are unchanged.

Şengün will miss a second straight game, with Steven Adams replacing him in the starting lineup for Friday’s win over the Suns. However, with Adams also out, Clint Capela could move into the starting lineup on Saturday. He hasn’t affected fantasy basketball this season, but the chance to start may change that.

Sengun missed Friday’s game against the Suns with Steven Adams taking his place in the starting lineup. Adams is going to rest Saturday so Clint Capela will be in line for a rare start if Sengun is ultimately ruled out.

Smith Jr. tallied another double-digit scoring performance, marking his 18th in 19 games this season — he didn’t get many looks at the rim on Friday but made the most of his opportunities. There wasn’t much production elsewhere for the fourth-year forward against Phoenix, but it wasn’t needed in the lopsided win. He’ll have a chance to find more production on Saturday against Dallas.