Jay

Huff

The expectations for Huff were high entering this season due to the lack of other center options for the Pacers. While he has had the best season of his career, most of his value has been tied to his shot blocking, which has certainly been impressive. He matched his season high for swats in this one, but he also made a contribution on the glass. This was just the third time this season that Huff finished with double-digit rebounds. This was a fun season, but he will likely return to being a depth big behind Ivica Zubac next season.

Walker is back in the lineup after a four-game absence, which pushes Jalen Slawson to the bench. The other change to the lineup is Huff, who replaces Micah Potter.

Potter, who used his sneakers for a gender reveal for himself and his wife (it’s a boy) in Sunday’s game, had one of his best performances of the season. Replacing Jay Huff (6/3/2/1/1) in the starting lineup, Potter recorded his fourth double-double of the season and first since February 11. He didn’t record any defensive stats, but the double-double was a good win to end Week 23.

After scoring in double figures in the Pacers’ first six games of March, Huff hit a dry spell. Entering Friday, he scored 10 points or more in four of his past ten appearances, offering minimal fantasy value at best on most nights. While Huff did record a complete stat line, he did so on 5-of-18 shooting from the field. And things won’t get easier, as the Pacers end Week 23 in Cleveland on Sunday.

Friday’s game will be the third straight missed by Nesmith and Walker due to their respective injuries. For Wednesday’s win over the Bulls, Jay Huff and Kobe Brown moved into the starting lineup, and both were productive. However, Brown logged 28 minutes to Huff’s 17, and the latter has played 20 minutes or less in each of his last three appearances. This trend makes Brown the safer option for deep-league managers.

Of the three games the Pacers have played since losing Ivica Zubac to a season-ending rib injury, Huff has started the last two. After logging 28 minutes on Monday, he played 32 against the Lakers and enjoyed one of his best offensive games of the season. The 18 points were the most in a game for Huff in three weeks, who last hit that number in a March 4 loss to the Clippers. Fantasy managers needing a post player can consider adding Huff, especially with the Pacers playing two more games in Week 22.

After utilizing a smaller lineup to begin Saturday’s loss to the Spurs, the Pacers will start a true center on Monday. Huff moves back into the starting five for the first time since March 10, with Quenton Jackson heading to the bench. This change also shifts Jarace Walker and Pascal Siakam up a position within the lineup.

Zubac suffered a fractured rib in Wednesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers. According to Dopriak, the 29-year-old center will miss the rest of the season due to the anticipated healing time. Jay Huff would be the top candidate to move into the starting lineup with Zubac sidelined.

Zubac has been sidelined since early February, which was before he was traded to Indiana. This will be his first action in a Pacers uniform, though managers shouldn’t be surprised if his minutes are limited. Still, it will be good to see him back out on the floor. Jay Huff will likely be pushed to the bench with Zubac available.

Siakam had originally been ruled doubtful, so it’s not a shock that he will miss another game. Obi Toppin will likely start in his place, as he did on Tuesday against the Kings, with Jay Huff taking on a bigger usage role.