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NBA: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers

Watch Austin Reaves force overtime, Luka Doncic hit game-winner as Lakers beat Nuggets

Doncic had a 30-point triple-double, but this was a team win in one of the best games of the season.

Kurt Helin,

Kurt Helin,

HLs: Reaves heroics inspire Lakers to comeback win

Mannix argues LeBron’s deferred role helps Lakers

Doncic drops first 50-point game as a Laker

Lakers, Doncic gaining steam during winstreak

HLs: Luka drops 51-point double-double on Bulls

Mannix: Lakers are better without James

Rotoworld Player News

Marcus Smart

LAL Guard #36

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Marcus Smart tallied 21 points (8-of-15 FGs), three rebounds, two assists, five steals, one block and five three-pointers in Saturday’s win over the Nuggets.

In his last three appearances before Saturday, Smart totaled 24 points on 8-of-23 shooting from the field. Given the recent production and his season-long value, few expected Smart to have the night that he did. The veteran guard shot 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, a season-high for made three-pointers, while recording his third 20-point game of the season. Expecting Smart to do this consistently would be a bit much, but he’s capable of coming through for fantasy managers every so often.
LeBron James

LAL Forward #23

LeBron James accounted for 17 points (7-of-13 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one three-pointer in Saturday’s win over the Nuggets.

Offensively, James took a back seat to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on Saturday, as they combined to score 62 points. However, James provided solid value in his 40 minutes, with the five turnovers being the lone issue. The Lakers’ four-game Week 21 slate includes a midweek back-to-back, so LeBron may sit one out. If so, Rui Hachimura (six points, four rebounds) would have added value in deep leagues.
Austin Reaves

LAL Guard #15

Austin Reaves produced 32 points (12-of-21 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block and three three-pointers in Saturday’s win over the Nuggets.

While Luka Dončić’s fadeaway with five-tenths of a second remaining in overtime was the deciding basket, he would not have been able to hit that shot if not for Reaves. The Lakers guard successfully pulled off the intentionally missed free throw, grabbing his own rebound and scoring with 1.9 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. For the second time this season, Reaves has scored at least 30 points in three consecutive games.
Luka Dončić

LAL Forward-Guard #77

Luka Dončić recorded 30 points (10-of-26 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), 11 rebounds, 13 assists, one steal, three blocks and four three-pointers in Saturday’s win over the Hornets.

Dončić’s fadeaway jumper from the left baseline with five-tenths of a second remaining in overtime gave the Lakers a critical win, as they clinched the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Nuggets. The triple-double was his second in three games and eighth of the season. The percentages and turnovers, of which Dončić had six, weren’t great, but the overall stat line will be good enough for many fantasy managers. The Lakers play four games in Week 21, starting with the Rockets on Monday.
Jaxson Hayes

LAL Center-Forward #11

Jaxson Hayes (back) is available for Saturday’s game against the Nuggets.

Hayes is set to return after missing the last two games with a back injury. He’ll slide back into the backup center role, taking minutes from Jarred Vanderbilt and Drew Timme behind Deandre Ayton.
Jaxson Hayes

LAL Center-Forward #11

Jaxson Hayes (back) is probable for Saturday’s game against the Nuggets.

Hayes has missed the Lakers’ last two games with a back injury, resulting in more minutes for starting center Deandre Ayton. Jarred Vanderbilt and Drew Timme spent some time on the floor as the backup center, but neither played enough to affect fantasy basketball.
Marcus Smart

LAL Guard #36

Marcus Smart (hip) is not on the injury report for Saturday’s game against the Nuggets.

Smart is back after sitting out Thursday’s win over the Bulls with a hip injury. His return will likely push Rui Hachimura to the bench, as LeBron James returned from a foot injury the last time out.
Deandre Ayton

LAL Center #5

Deandre Ayton amassed 23 points (10-of-13 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), 10 rebounds and one assist in the win over the Bulls on Thursday.

Ayton was one of several Lakers starters to produce big numbers against Chicago on Thursday. In the win, he finished third on the team in scoring and was one of two players to log double-digit rebounds before finishing with a second straight double-double. Ayton has had his least productive season as a pro to this point, but perhaps he is finding his way down the stretch of the season. He’ll have a chance to log a third consecutive double-double on Saturday against the Nuggets.
Austin Reaves

LAL Guard #15

Austin Reaves added 30 points (13-of-20 FGs), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal and four three-pointers in Thursday’s win over the Bulls.

Reaves was part of a Lakers backcourt that combined for 81 points, 13 three-pointers, and 16 assists on Thursday. Alongside Luka Dončić, he impressed in his 39 minutes of action, securing a second straight 30-point game. The fifth-year guard has enjoyed a career-best season so far and should remain a reliable option and one of the best guards for fantasy managers as the fantasy playoffs inch closer.
Luka Dončić

LAL Forward-Guard #77

Luka Dončić tallied 51 points (17-of-31 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), 10 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, one block and nine three-pointers on Thursday against the Bulls.

Dončić was spectacular on Thursday against the Bulls. In the win, he dominated from beyond the arc before logging his first 50-point game as a Los Angeles Laker. He was one of two Lakers to reach double-figures in rebounds, and he finished one assist shy of a triple-double. The Lakers have now won four straight games and are the current No. 3 seed in the Western Conference standings. Fantasy managers should expect Dončić to have a similar workload the rest of the way as L.A. tries to avoid the Play-In Tournament.