Tim

Hardaway

Hardaway has come off the bench in each of Miami’s first six games, averaging 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers in 18.2 minutes. His production hasn’t been enough to merit a roster spot in fantasy leagues.

After making two of his three three-point attempts and scoring six points in the first quarter, Thompson did not provide much value in his official Heat debut. While starting was a positive for the veteran guard, he played just 16 minutes. Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr. (three points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one three-pointer) logged 18 minutes off the bench. Outside of deep leagues where you need three-pointers, you gain little by rostering Thompson.

With a starting lineup that includes two limited perimeter shooters, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, the Heat clearly need players who can provide spacing. They signed Hardaway for that reason, and he had an excellent preseason debut on Saturday. The veteran guard didn’t miss a shot from the field, making all three of his three-point attempts. Klay Thompson (zero points, two rebounds in 13 minutes) was the fifth starter, but it’s unknown if that will hold once the regular season begins. Regardless of what Erik Spoelstra decides, Hardaway could have value for managers in deeper leagues seeking three-point production.

No surprise here as the Heat were a prime destination for Hardaway ever since the organization completed the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Hardaway comes to Miami with the Heat losing both Tyler Herro and Norman Powell. The need to replace that backcourt shooting as well as provide spacing around Giannis and Bam Adebayo made Hardaway an obvious and natural fit. The 34-year-old shooting guard was third in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season and could have an increased role with the Heat this year.

Due to a strained right hamstring, Watson has not appeared in a game since April 1. That will remain the case for Game 6, resulting in more minutes for fellow reserves Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown.

Despite early foul trouble, Gordon finished Game 1 with a solid stat line. And his time on the bench during the second quarter factored into the Nuggets taking home the victory. During that period, Denver received notable contributions from Tim Hardaway Jr. (7/3/1/1/1 with one three-pointer) and Bruce Brown (8/7/3/5 with one three-pointer), while Jamal Murray scored eight of his game-high 30 points. Gordon and the Nuggets will look to defend home court in Game 2 on Monday.

Gordon and Hardaway getting additional recovery time ahead of the playoffs is far more impactful on the Nuggets’ rotation than Jones’ continued absence with a strained hamstring. David Roddy, who scored 21 points off the bench in Friday’s win over the Thunder, should once again play extended minutes, potentially as a starter to fill the void left by Hardaway.

While the Thunder will be without four of their usual starters, the Nuggets are without all five of theirs. Hardaway and Brown may be the safest options for fantasy managers in active leagues, but all five can offer value in their respective roles given Denver’s limited depth.

Not only will Johnson sit out Friday’s game, but the entire starting five will (Oklahoma City is sitting four of its starters). Tim Hardaway Jr. should have the brightest green light possible on Friday due to the Nuggets’ lack of depth.

Absent from the initial report released by the Nuggets, Johnson is now questionable for injury management reasons. If he does not play against the Thunder, Tim Hardaway Jr. stands to benefit the most among the available reserves.