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Fantasy Basketball News, Tips, Advice and Player Rankings
InsideHoops.comIn fantasy basketball, fans join a fantasy basketball league, learn that league's rules, and draft a custom team of real NBA players. Success of a fantasy basketball league team depends on the success of the team's real-life NBA players. Bookmark and hit this page for daily fantasy basketball news and notes. Also, post in our Fantasy basketball forum.
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, December 16, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Doncic, Anthony Davis, Wemby, KAT, Justin Champagnie (Wizards).
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Brunson finished Sunday’s 100-91 win over Orlando with 31 points (8-of-18 FGs, 11-of-14 FTs), three rebounds, five assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 38 minutes. Brunson bounced back on Sunday after the Hawks limited him to 14 points in Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal defeat. The Knicks point guard notched his eighth 30-point game of the season in Orlando, scoring 17 of his team-high 31 in the second half. While Brunson’s production hasn’t matched his Yahoo ADP (19), he remains a top 50 player in 9-cat formats. The Knicks play two games in Week 8, beginning with the Timberwolves on Thursday."
Per Rotoworld, "Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 22 points (7-of-15 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), 22 rebounds, five assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 43 minutes in Sunday’s win over Orlando. Facing off with nemesis Moritz Wagner for the second time this season, Towns was dominant on the glass in Orlando. He corralled a season-high 22 rebounds and became the first Knick since Julius Randle in 2023 to produce a stat line of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. Towns has been one of the best players in fantasy basketball this season, and he’ll head back to where his NBA career began on Thursday. The Knicks visit Minnesota in the first of two games they’ll play during Week 8."
Per Rotoworld, "Moritz Wagner shot 10-of-15 from the field and 8-of-11 from the foul line in Sunday’s 100-91 loss to the Knicks, finishing with 32 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 25 minutes. Few basketball fans, if any, projected matchups between Wagner and Karl-Anthony Towns to be “must-see TV” before the season began. But they have been, with both players producing highlights and quality stat lines in the teams’ two meetings. Wagner went off for a career-high 32 points on Sunday, playing 25 minutes off the bench. Rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues, he’s worth adding with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner sidelined with torn oblique muscles."
Per Rotoworld, "Anthony Davis shot 15-of-22 from the field and 9-of-12 from the foul line in Sunday’s 116-110 win over Memphis, tallying 40 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, two steals, one blocked shot, and one 3-pointer in 33 minutes. Davis was outstanding on Sunday, matching his season-highs in points (40) and rebounds (16) and recording a complete stat line. Regardless of who was assigned to defend the Lakers’ star, the Grizzlies could not find an answer. Unfortunately, there was an injury scare, as Davis returned to the locker room during the third quarter with an apparent left shoulder injury. AD would return early in the fourth to continue his dominance of the visitors. The Lakers play two games in Sacramento during Week 8, with the first scheduled for Thursday night."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Sunday, December 15, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Giannis, Shai, Trae Young, Dame, Lu Dort.
Per Rotoworld, "Trae Young finished Saturday’s 110-102 loss to the Bucks with 35 points (9-of-18 FGs, 14-of-17 FTs), seven rebounds, 10 assists, one block, and three 3-pointers in 40 minutes. While Young has scored 30 points or more just three times since the start of November, the more significant issue regarding his fantasy value has been his field goal percentage and turnover count. Over the past month, he’s shooting 38.7% from the field and averaging 4.6 turnovers per game, sitting just inside the top 70 in 9-cat formats. The Hawks only play two games in Week 8, beginning with the Spurs on Thursday."
Per Rotoworld, "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 8-of-21 from the field and 14-of-15 from the foul line in Saturday’s 111-96 win over Houston, scoring 32 points with eight rebounds, six assists, five steals, one block, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes. SGA and the Thunder are headed to Tuesday’s NBA Cup championship game, as they pulled away in a rugged semifinal battle. Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t as efficient shooting the basketball as usual, but the overall stat line was excellent. Despite being harrassed by multiple Rockets defenders, the early MVP candidate recorded a complete stat line and only committed one turnover. Gilgeous-Alexander will look to do more of the same against Milwaukee on Tuesday, the first of three Week 8 games for Oklahoma City."
Per Rotoworld, "Amen Thompson accounted for 19 points (9-of-15 FGs, 1-of-3 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, and three steals in 30 minutes in Saturday’s 111-96 loss to Oklahoma City. Will there come a point when Thompson moves into the starting lineup? Probably not anytime soon, but nights like Saturday will keep the chatter going. While Thompson was excellent in 30 minutes off the bench, starting guards Fred VanVleet (8/9/7/1 with one 3-pointer) and Jalen Green (12/3/2/0/1 with one 3-pointer) combined to shoot 8-of-29 from the field and 2-of-19 from three. Even as a reserve, Thompson should be rostered in most fantasy leagues. However, it’s fair to wonder if his ceiling is being limited through no fault of his own."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Saturday, December 14, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Tyrese Haliburton, Wemby, Devin Booker, Ja Morant, KD.
Per Rotoworld, "Jarrett Allen shot 7-of-9 from the field and 7-of-10 from the foul line in Friday’s 115-105 win over Washington, scoring 21 points with 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one blocked shot in 33 minutes. With Evan Mobley (ankle) sidelined, Allen had a little more room to operate in the post. He did more of his usual handiwork, recording his 16th double-double of the season. The 21 points were three shy of Allen’s season-high and the most in a game for him since November 24 (23 vs. Toronto). The Cavaliers center recently saw his scoring take a hit, but he remains a top-50 player in 9-cat formats. Cleveland is done for the week and will begin a three-game Week 8 (Yahoo leagues) slate in Brooklyn on Monday."
Per Rotoworld, "Bilal Coulibaly amassed 27 points (10-of-18 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and five 3-pointers in 40 minutes in Friday’s loss to Cleveland. Coulibaly has begun to turn things around after enduring a six-game stretch in which he shot a brutal 17.6% from the field. After shooting 6-of-13 in Sunday’s loss to the Wizards, the second-year wing matched his season-high with 27 points and went 10-of-18. The shot hasn’t always been there for Coulibaly, but the Wizards have been happy to allow him to play through his struggles. Fantasy managers may have taken a hit in the FG% category on some nights, but the reward is performances like the one he turned in on Friday."
Per Rotoworld, "Ja Morant played 32 minutes in Friday’s win over Brooklyn, accumulating 28 points (10-of-19 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), seven rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers. Active after sitting out Sunday’s win over Washington, Morant has scored 28 points or more in three of his last four outings. Over the past two weeks, the Grizzlies point guard has provided 3rd-round value in 8- and 9-cat formats. Regarding season-long value, turnovers (3.7 per game) are why there’s a two-round gap between Morant’s 8-cat and 9-cat values. He committed three on Friday, which isn’t terrible for the Grizzlies star."
Per Rotoworld, "Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 23 points (9-of-20 FGs), six rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block, two triples and five turnovers in a 97-87 win over the Lakers on Friday. Edwards briefly exited during the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, but he was able to return to the lineup quickly. He scored 16 of his 23 points in the second half to help Minnesota hold on and secure the win. They have played their last seven games against teams from the Pacific division, and now they’ll head to San Antonio for their next game on Sunday. This wasn’t a great game for Edwards, but in a low-scoring game, he was still able to provide decent numbers in the box score, per usual."
Per Rotoworld, "Jamal Murray returned to the lineup on Friday and contributed 20 points (8-of-16 FGs), five rebounds, three assists, four steals, one block, two triples and six turnovers in a 120-98 win over the Clippers. After missing their last two games with a hamstring issue, Murray was back in the lineup for this one. This was one of his best games of the season, and he was able to lead the team in scoring as they got their second straight blowout win. Murray’s availability hasn’t been a major issue yet, and he was able to get over a week off between games, which gave his hammy plenty of extra rest. Murray’s shooting numbers have been down this year, so hopefully this is a performance that he can build off of moving forward."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, December 11, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Shai, Giannis, Jalen Suggs, Bobby Portis, Daman Lillard.
Per Rotoworld, "Klay Thompson accumulated 19 points (7-of-14 FGs), four rebounds, and five 3-pointers in 28 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Thunder. Thompson has made at least three 3-pointers in three straight games, shooting 11-of-24. He made five more on Tuesday, and this run may be a sign that Thompson is getting a little more comfortable playing alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. However, he still isn’t providing much value outside of points and 3-pointers, limiting Thompson’s fantasy ceiling."
Per Rotoworld, "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 15-of-23 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Tuesday’s 118-104 win over Dallas, scoring 39 points with eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block, and five 3-pointers in 38 minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander was sensational in Tuesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal, scoring efficiently and producing a stat line that would make most fantasy managers drool. The five 3-pointers matched his season-high (November 19 vs. San Antonio), and this performance came on the heels of a 2-of-13 run against the Raptors and Pelicans. Even without a consistent 3-point shot, Gilgeous-Alexander has been one of the most valuable players in fantasy basketball since arriving in Oklahoma City."
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Suggs shot 12-of-26 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line in Tuesday’s 114-109 loss to Milwaukee, accounting for 32 points, nine rebounds, one assist, four steals, one block, and three 3-pointers in 38 minutes. Suggs, who momentarily left Tuesday’s game during the third quarter with an apparent right hand injury, put on a show in the fourth. He scored 18 of his team-high 32 in the frame, nearly helping Orlando steal a game few gave them any chance of winning. With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner sidelined with torn oblique muscles, Suggs will have the room to make things happen as a scorer. If he’s efficient, that would boost the Magic guard’s fantasy value. Orlando will play the loser of the Atlanta/New York quarterfinal on December 15 or December 16."
Per Rotoworld, "Damian Lillard amassed 28 points (8-of-15 FGs, 10-of-10 FTs), two rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 39 minutes in Tuesday’s win over Orlando. Lillard’s layup with 32.1 seconds remaining gave Milwaukee the lead for good, with the star point guard helping to seal the outcome with four of the Bucks’ final six free throws. Over the past two weeks, he has provided 1st-round value in 8- and 9-cat formats, a few spots higher than his season-long value. Lillard has gotten off to an excellent start, much to the delight of those who have him rostered."
Per Rotoworld, "Giannis Antetokounmpo finished Tuesday’s 114-109 win over Orlando with 37 points (15-of-24 FGs, 7-of-12 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, two steals, and four blocked shots in 36 minutes. Orlando had no answer for Antetokounmpo, who has scored 30 points or more in four straight and eight of his last nine games. The blocked shot tally was a welcome bonus, and the Bucks star has recorded seven in his previous two games. If there’s been a troublesome issue for Giannis recently, it’s been turnovers. He’s averaged 4.0 per game over the past two weeks and had six against the Magic. He’ll need to clean that up heading into Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal against the Hawks or Knicks."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, December 9, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Wemby, Tyrese Maxey, Dennis Schroder, Nic Claxton, Joel Embiid.
Per Rotoworld, "Victor Wembanyama shot 9-of-16 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Sunday’s 121-116 win over New Orleans, scoring 25 points with 10 rebounds, one assist, three blocks, and three 3-pointers in 26 minutes. Wembanyama was back in the lineup after a two-game absence, and his night nearly ended prematurely. He appeared to tweak his back on a full early in the first quarter, but the Spurs phenom was back on the floor after a short stint in the locker room. San Antonio plays two games to end Week 7 (Friday and Sunday), and the time off should help Wembanyama as he continues to work his way back from injury."
Per Rotoworld, "Trey Murphy amassed 25 points (8-of-16 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, and four 3-pointers in 38 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Spurs. After closing November with three straight games of 21 points or more, Murphy failed to crack the 20-point mark in any of his first four outings in December. He got back on track in San Antonio, scoring a season-high 25 on 50% shooting. With Brandon Ingram (ankle) out indefinitely and Zion Williamson (hamstring) also sidelined, Murphy has more opportunities to score, which should increase his fantasy value."
Per Rotoworld, "Anthony Edwards finished Sunday’s 114-106 loss to the Warriors with 27 points (10-of-19 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, six assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers in 36 minutes. Sunday’s loss ended the Timberwolves’ four-game win streak, but Edwards was once again productive for the visitors. This weekend was also the first time he’s scored 27 points or more in consecutive games since November 26-27 against the Rockets and Kings. Over the past two weeks, Edwards has provided top 25 per-game value in 8-cat formats while sitting just outside the top 30 in 9-cat. Minnesota doesn’t play again until Friday when they host the Lakers in the first of their two games to complete the extended Week 7 (Yahoo leagues)."
Per Rotoworld, "D’Angelo Russell amassed 28 points (9-of-17 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), five rebounds, 14 assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers in 34 minutes in Sunday’s 107-98 win over Portland. This hasn’t been the best season for Russell, whose fantasy value has decreased due to inconsistency and removal from the starting lineup. Gabe Vincent was the choice to start Sunday’s game with Austin Reaves (pelvis) sidelined, but Russell had the most significant impact. D’Lo recorded season-highs in points and assists, cracking double digits in the latter for the first time. The Lakers are off until Friday, and the hope is that Reaves will be healthy enough to play. Sunday showed what Russell can do in a reserve role; he must stay engaged to provide reliable value to his team and fantasy lineups."
Per Rotoworld, "Deandre Ayton amassed 14 points (7-of-14 FGs), 19 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one blocked shot in 35 minutes in Sunday’s 107-98 loss to the Lakers. After being benched for most of the second half of Friday’s embarrassing loss to the Jazz, Ayton appeared to be more invested mentally. Anthony Davis may have outplayed him (which is the case for most bigs in the NBA), but Ayton grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds and recorded a double-double. Portland is one of the teams that will play two more games before the conclusion of the extended Week 7 (Yahoo leagues), which will begin with the Suns on Friday."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Saturday, December 7, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were LeBron, Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum.
Per Rotoworld, "Jayson Tatum shot 12-of-20 from the field and 6-of-8 from the foul line in Friday’s 111-105 win over Milwaukee, scoring 34 points with 10 rebounds, five assists, and four 3-pointers in 37 minutes. Monday’s win over Miami aside, Tatum has been on a roll over the last week. He’s scored 33 points or more in three of his last four games, maintaining top 10 per-game value in 8- and 9-cat formats for the season. However, Tatum was initially questionable for Friday’s game, which casts some doubt on his availability for Saturday’s game against the Grizzlies. Consider him questionable for that contest."
Per Rotoworld, "Khris Middleton (bilateral ankle surgery) accounted for 11 points (2-of-10 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), three rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block, and one 3-pointer in 23 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Celtics. “Khash Money” made his long-awaited return on Friday in Boston. While he was a bit rusty shooting the ball, fantasy managers and Bucks fans should be more encouraged by Middleton playing 23 minutes without flare-ups. "
Per Rotoworld, "Tyrese Haliburton shot 9-of-17 from the field in Friday’s 132-123 win over Chicago, scoring 23 points with four rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and five 3-pointers in 37 minutes. Haliburton’s struggles away from home this season are no secret, but Friday’s matchup was a clear “get right” opportunity. The Bulls lead the NBA in pace and have been one of the league’s worst in defensive rating. Haliburton and his teammates took advantage, scoring 132 points with the All-Star point guard putting together an efficient stat line. Sunday will be another opportunity for Haliburton to get rolling as the Pacers host the shorthanded Hornets."
Per Rotoworld, "Zach LaVine accumulated 32 points (12-of-22 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers in 33 minutes in Friday’s 132-123 loss to the Pacers. Having shot 44.9% from the field in the five games prior, LaVine boosted that number significantly on Friday. He hit over 50% of his shots against the Pacers, notching his third 30-point game and establishing a new season-high with 32 points. LaVine is closing in on top-50 value in 8-cat formats, taking advantage of the pace at which the Bulls play."
Per Rotoworld, "Anthony Edwards amassed 30 points (11-of-18 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, nine assists, one steal, two blocks, and four 3-pointers in 35 minutes in Friday’s 107-90 win over the Warriors. The Timberwolves have been nearly unstoppable since Edwards called out his teammates following a November 27 loss to the Kings. Minnesota has won four in a row, holding each opponent to 95 points or less. As for individual achievements, Edwards finished Friday’s win with his 40th stat line of at least 30 points and five assists, tying Kevin Garnett for the most in franchise history."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Friday, December 6, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Jokic, Ayo Dosunmu (Bulls), Nikola Vucevic, KAT, Doncic.
Per Rotoworld, "Jeremy Sochan recorded a double-double on Thursday with 16 points (7-of-14 FGs), 14 rebounds, two assists and one steal against the Bulls. In just his second game back after missing a month with a fractured left thumb, Sochan was able to return to the starting lineup. However, he did so as a fill-in for Victor Wembanyama, who was sidelined with some back soreness. Sochan got to start at center, which allowed him to record his second straight double-double and set a new season-high for rebounds. Sochan is still available in 47% of Yahoo leagues, but he should be rostered everywhere at this point, especially if this back issue continues to plague Wemby."
Per Rotoworld, "Ayo Dosunmu recorded a triple-double on Thursday with 27 points (9-of-13 FGs), 10 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and three 3-pointers against the Spurs. Dosunmu has been producing at a high level since entering the starting unit in place of Patrick Williams. At this point, it’s going to be difficult to bench him when Williams gets healthy. Dosunmu was able to record the first triple-double of his career in this game, and he has been a top-40 player over the last two weeks. Dosunmu is still available in 71% of Yahoo leagues, which will likely change quickly after this monster performance. However, this wasn’t just a one-time thing. He’ll continue to be a must-roster player as long as he is startnig."
Per Rotoworld, "Nikola Vucevic led Chicago with 39 points (16-of-22 FGs), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and two 3-pointers in a 139-124 win over San Antonio on Thursday. Vooch just won’t cool off. He has made 71.4% of his shots over his last three games, and while this game can be at least partially attributed to the Spurs’ smaller starting unit, it isn’t a full explanation. Vucevic has been unreal on the offensive end this year, and he refuses to slow down. Will it come at some point? It seems likely, given how much better he has been than any other year of his career. However, as long as he continues to knock down shots at this rate, he’ll remain one of the best players in fantasy basketball."
Per Rotoworld, "Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 28 points (11-of-17 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), five rebounds, one steal and one triple in a 139-124 loss to Chicago on Thursday. Johnson isn’t a great 9-cat player, but he has generally been valuable in points leagues because he can pour in the buckets. However, he hasn’t been able to do that over their last few games. That was before this one, of course. With Victor Wembanyama sidelined, Johnson stepped up and set a new season-high for scoring in the loss. He’s more than capable of producing to this level, but he hasn’t been able to do it consistently this season. He’ll look to stay hot against the Kings on the second night of a back-to-back on Friday."
Per Rotoworld, "Andrew Wiggins amassed 22 points (8-of-15 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block, and three 3-pointers in 33 minutes in Thursday’s win over the Rockets. Thursday’s game wasn’t the first time Wiggins cracked double figures in shot attempts, but the absences of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green gave him room to be more aggressive as a playmaker. He took advantage, with the 22 points being the most he’s scored in a game since November 22 (30 vs. New Orleans). Playing against one of the league’s best defenses, Wiggins was productive, a positive development for the Warriors and fantasy managers who have him rostered."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Thursday, December 5, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Jokic, Doncic, Scottie Barnes, Shai, Devin Booker.
Per Rotoworld, "Tyler Herro scored 31 points (11-of-19, 0-of-1 FTs) alongside five rebounds, four assists, a steal, and nine three-pointers in Wednesday’s Heat-Lakers game. Herro has scored 31 points twice in three December outings and matched his second-highest total for three-pointers made in a contest. The Heat guard has blossomed in into Miami’s leading scorer."
Per Rotoworld, "Damian Lillard scored 25 points (8-of-14 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs) with four rebounds, five rebounds, steal, with five three-pointers. Lillard has scored at least 25 points in five consecutive contests. He made at least three three-pointers in all of those contests. Lillard’s playmaking surge is on the downstroke, but he’s scoring at a high rate as the most important part of Milwaukee’s undermanned backcourt."
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Johnson led all Hawks with 23 points (10-of-19 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), 13 rebounds, five rebounds, two steals, and a block against the Bucks on Wednesday. Johnson has gone over 20 points in six of his previous seven games and recorded his first double-double in five games against the Bucks. The Hawks wing is carrying over his strong play from November into December despite his team’s improved health."
Per Rotoworld, "Julius Randle finished Wednesday’s 108-80 win over the Clippers with 20 points (8-of-16 FGs), four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 26 minutes. Randle and the Timberwolves came out of the gates firing, looking the fresher team against a group that played on Tuesday. He scored 18 of his 20 points in the first half, and the suspense was gone by the end of the third quarter. While fantasy managers may have wanted to see more of Randle, he should be well-rested for Friday’s game against the Warriors."
Per Rotoworld, "James Harden shot 1-of-10 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Wednesday’s loss to the Timberwolves, scoring five points with three rebounds, three assists, and one 3-pointer in 25 minutes. Even if one were to give Harden and the Clippers some leeway due to Wednesday’s game being the second in as many nights, their performance against the Timberwolves was poor. The Beard shot 1-of-10 from the field before Tyronn Lue mercifully pulled the plug during the third quarter. Harden and the Clippers will get some much-needed rest, as they don’t play again until Sunday night."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, December 4, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Scottie Barnes, Shai, Devin Booker.
Per Rotoworld, "Luka Doncic led the Mavs with 37 points (11-of-22 FGs, 10-of-16 FTs), 12 rebounds, four assists, four steals, one block and five 3-pointers in a 121-116 win over the Grizzlies on Tuesday. Doncic has been dominant in his two games since returning from a five-game absence. On Sunday, he put up a 36/7/13/3 line with four triples with Kyrie Irving out of the lineup, but he was just as dominant with Irving back for this game. He got off to a slow start shooting the ball this year, but he has been on fire over their last two games. Their next game is in Washington on Thursday, and he’ll look to have another dominant statline, even if the free throw shooting continues to give him problems."
Per Rotoworld, "Ja Morant led Memphis with 31 points (11-of-22 FGs), two rebounds, four assists, three steals, three 3-pointers and six turnovers in a 121-116 loss to Dallas on Tuesday. Morant did what he could to prevent the Grizzlies’ from blowing their lead, but it wasn’t enough. He scored 15 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, yet Memphis still couldn’t hang on to a 15-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Still, it was encouraging to see Morant set a new season-high for scoring, even if their six-game win streak came to an end. They still have three more games this week, which will give Morant plenty of chances to continue to fill up the box score."
Per Rotoworld, "De’Aaron Fox shot 9-of-19 from the field in Tuesday’s 120-111 win over Houston, amassing 22 points, six rebounds, seven assists, three steals, one block, and four 3-pointers in 37 minutes. A top 20 player in 8-cat formats, Fox is ranked just inside the top 40 in 9-cat. Turnovers (3.4 per game) have been the difference, and he was responsible for three more on Tuesday. However, the overall production made up for that statistical deficiency. And with Malik Monk in the lineup, there isn’t as much pressure on Fox to set up his teammates and get his own shots."
Per Rotoworld, "Tari Eason logged 25 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to Sacramento, finishing with 16 points (5-of-15 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 12 rebounds, one assist, three steals, and one 3-pointer in 25 minutes. While neither Alperen Sengun nor Domantas Sabonis recorded a double-double on Tuesday, Eason did. He finished the defeat with his second of the season and remains a top-50 player in 9-cat formats. While some may be tempted to sell high, Eason’s skill set is such that he can retain this production level. He should be rostered in more than 53% of Yahoo leagues. However, it was reported after Tuesday’s game that Eason had to be restrained from going after a heckling fan. A suspension would change the equation regarding his short-term fantasy value."
Per Rotoworld, "Norman Powell led the Clippers with 30 points (11-of-15 FGs), four rebounds, five assists and five 3-pointers in a 127-105 win over the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Powell did a lot of his work in the first half, but he was still able to have his fifth 30-point game of the year. Following a six-game absence, he has been able to pick up right where he left off. He only needed 25 minutes in this game to dominate his former team after he scored 28 in 24 minutes in their last game. Powell has been spectacular all year, and the only thing that could potentially slow him down would be the return of Kawhi Leonard, but there’s no reason to think that will happen soon."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Tuesday, December 3, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Josh Giddey, Payton Pritchard, Jaylen Brown, Jamie Jaquez, Dyson Daniels.
Per Rotoworld, "Jaime Jaquez Jr. got the start on Monday and contributed 19 points (5-of-14 FGs, 9-of-12 FTs), 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 108-89 loss to Boston. With Jimmy Butler sidelined, Jaquez got his first start of the season, and he took advantage of the opportunity. He set a new season-high for points and recorded his first double-double of the year, though he didn’t have a good night shooting the ball. The team shot 34.9% from the floor and 20.6% from beyond the arc, so Jaquez was just one of many that struggled to hit shots for Miami in this game. Butler’s absence isn’t expected to be a long-term thing, but if he remains out against the Lakers on Wednesday, or for one leg of their back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday, Jaquez should get more starts."
Per Rotoworld, "CJ McCollum led the Pelicans with 29 points (12-of-26 FGs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and three 3-pointers in a 124-112 loss to the Hawks on Monday. After struggling in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Knicks, McCollum bounced back in this game. He had 13 points against New York, but he scored 14 in the first half alone against the Hawks. While McCollum was able to have one of his best games of the season, he wasn’t able to help stop this losing streak. They’ve lost nine straight games and 15 of their last 16 games after a 3-3 start. As they get healthier, that should correct itself, and McCollum will continue to put up strong numbers for fantasy managers regardless."
Per Rotoworld, "Trae Young recorded a double-double on Monday with 12 points (5-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, 15 assists, one steal, two triples and five turnovers in a 124-112 win over New Orleans. Young only had five assists in their win over Charlotte on Saturday, and he made up for it in this game. This was his sixth game this year with at least 15 assists, with three of those coming in their last five games. The poor shooting percentage and high turnover numbers aren’t going anywhere, though that was something that managers were preparing for when they drafted him. Both have been worse than expected, so hopefully he can start to figure things out soon, since he is averaging just 20.9 points per game, which is his lowest mark since his rookie year."
Per Rotoworld, "Josh Giddey recorded a triple-double on Monday with 20 points (9-of-17 FGs), 13 rebounds, 11 assists, one steal, one block, one triple and five turnovers in a 128-102 win over Brooklyn. Giddey was finally able to record his first triple-double as Bull, and he almost had one in the second half alone. He had 10 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists after the break as Chicago broke the game open. This was his best performance since being traded this summer, and it reminds managers of what he can do in fantasy when he’s clicking. He’ll look to keep it going in San Antonio on Thursday, which will be game two of a four-game week."
Per Rotoworld, "LeBron James struggled again on Monday and finished with 10 points (4-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, four assists and six turnovers against the Timberwolves. It has been an incredibly rough stretch of games for LeBron, who failed to hit a 3-pointer for a fourth straight game. This was by far his worst of the year as he scored a season-low 10 points and turned it over six times. Typically, he has been able to make up for the lack of scoring by dishing out assists, but he wasn’t able to do that either. It was the second night of a back-to-back, which might simply not be an option for a player that turns 40 this month. We’ll see if he can get back on track in Miami on Wednesday."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, December 2, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Wemby, Luka Doncic, Harden, Jokic, LeBron, DeRozan, Anthony Davis.
Per Rotoworld, "Victor Wembanyama finished Sunday’s 127-125 win over Sacramento with 34 points (11-of-17 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs), 13 rebounds, 11 assists, one steal, three blocks, and five 3-pointers in 37 minutes. While Wemby appeared to get away with an over-the-back foul in the final seconds of Sunday’s win, that doesn’t take away from him recording his third career triple-double. Wembanyama is now tied for sixth on the Spurs’ career triple-double list with teammate Tre Jones and Larry Kenon. The 7-foot-4 center has been one of the best performers in fantasy basketball, and there have been no signs of him slowing up. San Antonio plays six games during the extended Week 7, beginning with the Suns on Tuesday."
Per Rotoworld, "Luka Doncic returned to the lineup on Sunday and contributed 36 points (15-of-24 FGs), seven rebounds, 13 assists, three steals and four 3-pointers in a 137-131 win over the Trail Blazers. Following a five-game absence due to a wrist sprain, Doncic returned to the lineup for this game and immediately started cooking. He had 20 points, six rebounds and eight assists before halftime and helped the Mavs win their fourth straight game and get their eighth win in their last nine games. Dallas is currently fifth in the West, and they sit 2.5 games out of first place despite dealing with plenty of injuries. They play three games next week, but Doncic should be available to put up monster numbers in all of them."
Per Rotoworld, "Anfernee Simons led Portland with 27 points (9-of-11 FGs), three rebounds, five assists, one steal and six 3-pointers in a 137-131 loss to Dallas on Sunday. Simons still had a big night, but it was limited by foul trouble. He entered the fourth quarter with five fouls, subbed in with 8:14 left in the game and fouled out two seconds later. Still, he went off in the third quarter, scoring 24 of his 27 points in the frame. He has been inconsistent this season, but this was his third straight game with at least 20 points. Simons is more than capable of making a huge impact in fantasy basketball, and he is starting to play at a level that reminds us of that.""
Per Rotoworld, "LeBron James recorded a double-double on Sunday with 27 points (12-of-28 FGs), five rebounds, 14 assists and two blocks against the Jazz. On the heels of one of his worst games of the year and a weak stretch of games, there were plenty of questions about how much longer LeBron can keeping playing at this level. Though it wasn’t a flawless performances, James was extra aggressive in this game and shot a season-high 28 times while still dishing out 14 assists. He missed all nine of his 3-point attempts, including one that would’ve put them up four points with a few seconds remaining. LeBron turns 40 this month, and there will be plenty of eyes on him to see how his body holds up."
Per Rotoworld, "Isaiah Hartenstein shot 9-of-12 from the field and 1-of-3 from the foul line in Sunday’s loss to the Rockets, amassing 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one blocked shot in 30 minutes. Hartenstein has been everything the Thunder hoped he would be when they signed him during the summer. He’s filled the void left by the injured Chet Holmgren, providing excellent value on both ends of the floor. Hartenstein has been a 5th-round player since his return from a hand injury, ranking just outside the top-50."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Thursday, November 28, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Tyrese Maxey, Evan Mobley, James Harden, Shai, Nikola Jokic.
Per Rotoworld, "Tyrese Maxey accounted for 39 points (14-of-34 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), two rebounds, 10 assists, five steals, and six 3-pointers in 45 minutes in Wednesday’s overtime loss to the Rockets. Another gaudy point total in a loss for Maxey, through no fault of his own. Philadelphia is now 1-3 in games where he scores 30 points or more, with the point guard shouldering a heavier workload than anyone anticipated before the season began. Paul George and Joel Embiid don’t have timelines for return, so Maxey is likely to have more nights like this until that changes."
Per Rotoworld, "Domantas Sabonis finished Wednesday’s 115-104 win over Minnesota with 27 points (10-of-17 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), 12 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 34 minutes. Sabonis outplayed Rudy Gobert throughout Wednesday’s game, with De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk taking over in the fourth quarter to lead the Kings’ surge past Minnesota. Sabonis is providing top-10 per-game value in 8- and 9-cat formats. Given past struggles with turnovers, the 9-cat ranking is slightly surprising, but Sabonis’ overall production has minimized the impact of his 3.6 turnovers per game."
Per Rotoworld, "Victor Wembanyama shot 9-of-20 from the field in Wednesday’s 117-99 loss to the Lakers, tallying 20 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks in 33 minutes. Wembanyama has scored 20 or more points in his last seven games, with Wednesday’s point total being the lowest. Despite some early concerns, only Nikola Jokic has been better than Wemby in 8- and 9-cat formats. San Antonio only plays once more in Week 6, at Sacramento on Sunday."
Per Rotoworld, "Dennis Schroder shot 8-of-21 from the field and 9-of-9 from the foul line in Wednesday’s win over the Suns, scoring 29 points with four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 34 minutes. Given Brooklyn’s many injuries, Schroder is well-positioned to put up some gaudy point totals. One game removed from scoring 31 in a win over the Warriors, he put up 29 more on Wednesday. Rostered in 77% of Yahoo leagues, Schroder is ranked just outside the top 50 in 8- and 9-cat formats. Shallow-league managers should strongly consider adding Schroder."
Per Rotoworld, "Devin Booker accumulated 31 points (8-of-18 FGs, 12-of-13 FTs), three rebounds, four assists, and three 3-pointers in 39 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Nets. Booker has scored 31 points or more in three of his last five games and has been a 4th-round player in 9-cat formats over the previous two weeks. His season-long value is a bit better, and the most significant concern is the health of sidekicks Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. As expected, the Suns have struggled when forced to play without one or two members of its “big three.” Booker and Co. will look to end Week 6 on a high when they face the Warriors on Saturday."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, November 27, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Alperen Sengun, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Wemby, Fred VanVleet.
Per Rotoworld, "Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 23 points (6-of-12 FGs, 11-of-13 FTs), four rebounds and five assists in a 106-103 loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday. After scoring at least 30 points in each of his first two games back from a four-game absence with an ankle injury, Butler wasn’t able to keep his streak alive in this one. However, he still had a solid night and led his team in scoring. It wasn’t enough to outduel Damian Lillard (37 points) and the Bucks, but it was still a productive performance for the fantasy managers that have Butler rostered. They’ll head to Charlotte to play the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday after this disappointing loss."
Per Rotoworld, "Fred VanVleet led Houston with 27 points (9-of-23 FGs), eight rebounds, 11 assists and six 3-pointers against Minnesota on Tuesday. Following back-to-back terrible performances against the Trail Blazers, VanVleet got back on track in a big way in this game. He was two rebounds shy of joining Alperen Sengun in recording a triple-double in this game, but he was still able to set a new season-high for rebounds, assists and 3-pointers. This was his best performance of the season, and he helped Houston win Group A of the NBA Cup and advance to the knockout round. He’ll look to keep this up in Philadelphia on Wednesday on the second night of a back-to-back."
Per Rotoworld, "Alperen Sengun stuffed the stat sheet on Tuesday with 22 points (9-of-23 FGs), 10 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and three blocks in a 117-111 win over the Timberwolves in overtime. Sengun did a little bit of everything on his way to his third triple-double of the season. His field goal percentage has been an issue this season, and that held true in this game. He is shooting 47.3% this year, which is a steep drop from 53.7% last season. Still, just like in this game, Sengun has been able to consistently produce in every other category, which has resulted in him providing third-round value so far this season. He has truly taken a step forward this season, especially on the defensive end, which has been a big reason for the team’s early success."
Per Rotoworld, "Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 34 points (13-of-23 FGs), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, three blocks and six 3-pointers in a 128-115 win over Utah on Tuesday. Stretching back to before his three-game absence, Wemby has hit at least four 3-pointers in six straight games and has hit at least six threes in four of those games. It has been an unreal stretch for Wemby and the Spurs, who have now won four straight and six of their last eight games. He has been the second-best player in fantasy basketball this season behind Nikola Jokic, and he is only getting better. A 7'4" center that is hitting 3-pointers at this rate is one of the best cheat codes in basketball."
Per Rotoworld, "Keyonte George led Utah with 26 points (9-of-16 FGs), three rebounds, five assists, two steals, six triples and six turnovers in a 128-115 loss to San Antonio on Tuesday. George hasn’t been able to improve his efficiency in year two, which has resulted in him not being a productive player in 9-cat leagues. However, he had one of his best performances of the year on Tuesday. George is an electric scorer, and he got going in this game, though the turnovers were still an issue. While this level of production would be great for fantasy managers, he has only scored 20 points twice this season. George is simply too inconsistent to trust at this point, which makes him difficult to roster in category leagues."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Tuesday, November 26, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, Scottie Barnes, KAT, Elfrid Payton.
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Johnson played 36 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Mavericks, scoring 28 points (12-of-20 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs) with 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block, and two 3-pointers. Averaging a double-double for the season, Johnson has recorded one in three straight and five of his last six games. As valuable as he was in fantasy basketball last season, he’s been a little better through the first month of the 2024-25 campaign. Johnson is ranked just outside the top 25 in 9-cat formats and within the top 20 in 8-cat."
Per Rotoworld, "OG Anunoby shot 16-of-23 from the field and 3-of-3 from the foul line in Monday’s win over the Nuggets, scoring 40 points with five rebounds, four assists, one block, and five 3-pointers in 38 minutes. Anunoby started hot and did not cool down until the game was no longer in doubt. He finished with his first career 40-point game, continuing his march toward being recognized as one of the NBA’s best two-way players. Anunoby provides top-15 per-game value in 9-cat formats, well ahead of his Yahoo ADP (80). The only concern for fantasy managers is availability, as Anunoby surpassed 60 games just three times in his first eight seasons."
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Brunson finished Monday’s win over the Nuggets with 23 points (8-of-14 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, 17 assists, and four 3-pointers in 38 minutes. OG Anunoby wasn’t the only Knicks player to have a career night in Denver. Brunson’s 17 assists were a career-high for him, and he only committed two turnovers. While he remains a few spots outside the top 50 in season-long value, Brunson has been a top 40 player over the last two weeks. There’s still some ground to make up if he’s to reach his Yahoo ADP (19), but Brunson will be fine."
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Williams shot 10-of-16 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line in Monday’s win over Sacramento, accumulating 28 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block, and three 3-pointers in 32 minutes. JDub is on a heater, scoring 27 points or more in four straight and six of his last seven games. That has translated into fantasy value, with Williams ranked first in 9-cat formats over the previous two weeks (he’s second in 8-cat). He’s a top-10 player for the season, and it isn’t unrealistic to think he can continue to perform at this level."
Per Rotoworld, "DeMar DeRozan finished Monday’s loss to the Thunder with 30 points (13-of-21 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), two rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 36 minutes. After struggling in his first two games after missing three with a back injury, DeRozan looked more like himself on Monday. He was efficient offensively, shooting over 50% from the field and dishing out six assists without committing a turnover. While the Kings have been disappointing, DeRozan is still providing top-50 fantasy value, which was the expectation before the season began."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, November 25, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Jimmy Butler, Ty Jerome (Cavs), Scottie Barnes, Jarrett Allen, Jayson Tatum.
Per Rotoworld, "Cam Thomas (lower back soreness) shot 11-of-22 from the field and 8-of-11 from the foul line in Sunday’s win over the Kings, scoring 34 points with two rebounds, six assists, and four 3-pointers in 36 minutes. Thomas came out hot, scoring 22 points in the first half as Brooklyn grabbed control of Sunday’s game. They had to hang on as the Kings made their charge, but the Nets got the job done ahead of Monday’s matchup with the Warriors. As impactful as Thomas was scoring-wise, he had six assists and just one turnover. Improved playmaking will increase his fantasy value and give him a better chance of achieving a significant payday in free agency next summer. Brooklyn plays four games in Week 6. Thomas fell hard during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win but said afterward that he was fine. Consider him questionable for Monday."
Per Rotoworld, "De’Aaron Fox logged 37 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Nets, accumulating 31 points (10-of-16 FGs, 8-of-12 FTs), one rebound, five assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers. Fox was rolling in the first half, scoring 24 points to keep the Kings within striking distance. Give the Nets credit for adjusting their defense after halftime to get the ball out of his hands, with Fox scoring just seven points the rest of the way. Closing in on first-round per-game value for the season, he’s produced at that level over the last two weeks. Fox and the Kings play four games in Week 6, beginning with the Thunder on Monday."
Per Rotoworld, "Kristaps Porzingis (left leg surgery) will make his 2024-25 debut on Monday against the visiting Clippers. Porzingis underwent left leg surgery back in June and was expected to return in five to six months. A September update gave him a targeted return date of December, so he’s ahead of schedule based on that timeline. Given his long layoff and extensive injury history, there’s no question Porzingis will face a minutes restriction in his first game back. The Celtics will surely bring him along slowly, meaning Al Horford should continue to play meaningful center minutes at least for the immediate future."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Sunday, November 24, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were LaMelo Ball, Jokic, Giannis, Wemby, Franz Wagner, Brandon Miller.
Per Rotoworld, "Franz Wagner shot 11-of-22 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Saturday’s win over the Pistons, tallying 30 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and four 3-pointers in 29 minutes. Wagner continues to flourish with Paolo Banchero sidelined, surpassing the 30-point mark for the fifth time in seven games. Franz provides top-20 per-game value for the season in 8- and 9-cat formats. While the production may take a hit once Banchero returns, managers who have Wagner rostered should just enjoy the ride."
Per Rotoworld, "Scotty Pippen Jr. shot 13-of-17 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Saturday’s win over the Bulls, tallying 30 points, two rebounds, 10 assists, and three 3-pointers in 31 minutes. Playing in the same building where his father helped hang three of Chicago’s six NBA championship banners (Chicago won the first three at the old Chicago Stadium), Pippen had a career night. The 30 points are a career-high for the Grizzlies point guard, who has filled in admirably for the injured Ja Morant. Pippen should be rostered in fantasy leagues until Morant returns, and he’ll likely have value even after that time comes."
Per Rotoworld, "LaMelo Ball played 40 minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Bucks, scoring 50 points (17-of-38 FGs, 10-of-13 FTs) with five rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and six 3-pointers. While some may offer a soft complaint about Ball’s percentages, the Hornets’ growing injury list makes it necessary that he take a lot of shots. He attempted 38 on Saturday, finishing with a career-high 50 points. This was not only Ball’s first 50-point game, but it was also his first with at least 40. The Hornets play four games in Week 6, beginning with the Magic on Monday."
Per Rotoworld, "Brandon Miller tallied 32 points (11-of-23 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), 11 rebounds, three assists, one block, and six 3-pointers in 43 minutes in Saturday’s loss to Milwaukee. Not only did Miller notch his second 30-point game in a row, but he also recorded his first double-double of the season. Due to Charlotte’s many injuries in the frontcourt, with Grant Williams (knee) going down during the fourth quarter, they’ll need more rebounding from Miller. He’s corralled 18 boards in the last two games, a positive development for fantasy managers."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Saturday, November 23, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Giannis, Jokic, Trae Young, Jalen Johnson (Hawks), James Harden.
Per Rotoworld, "Giannis Antetokounmpo finished Friday’s win over Indiana with 37 points (14-of-21 FGs, 9-of-11 FTs), 10 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in 35 minutes. Antetokounmpo finished Friday’s win with his second triple-double (and first 30-point triple-double). One game removed from scoring 41 in a win over the Bulls, he put up 37 more on the overmatched Pacers. Antetokounmpo has done what many fantasy managers expected, providing elite value in team builds that punt free-throw percentage and turnovers. He could be in for another big night on Saturday as the Bucks host the Hornets."
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Johnson recorded a double-double on Friday with 25 points (10-of-19 FGs), 13 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two 3-pointers in a 136-122 loss to the Bulls. Johnson has been producing at an elite level recently and has been one of the best players in fantasy basketball. Over the last two weeks, he is averaging 20.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.5 blocks and 2.0 triples while shooting 52.2% from the floor and 86.7% from the free throw line. The 3.0 turnovers per game during that stretch aren’t great, but he has been able to return positive value in every other category during that stretch. He’s one of the best players in fantasy basketball and has truly turned it on after a slow start to the season."
Per Rotoworld, "Trae Young posted a full line on Friday with 25 points (8-of-18 FGs), one rebounds, 13 assists, four steals and one triple against the Bulls. After scoring a total of 19 points over his last two games, Young got back on track in the points department without sacrificing his assist numbers. This was his sixth game with at least 25 points and 10 assists this season, and while he is averaging a career-high in assists, his scoring is the worst it has been since his rookie year. He is shooting 38.4% from the floor, which is the worst mark of his career. He shot 41.8% from the floor as a rookie, so if he can at least get back up to that mark, he’ll easily average 25/10 for the third straight season."
Per Rotoworld, "Nikola Jokic returned to the lineup on Friday and finished with 33 points (13-of-22 FGs), 17 rebounds, 10 assists and two 3-pointers in a 123-120 loss to Dallas. After missing their last three games, Jokic was back in full force on Friday. He recorded his fifth straight triple-double, and he scored at least 30 points in the final three. He was out of the lineup due to the birth of his son, but his time away from the team didn’t slow him down at all. Denver may not have been able to get the win, but Jokic continues to be the best player in fantasy basketball night in and night out. He’ll look to extend his triple-double streak on the second night of a back-to-back against the Lakers on Saturday."
Per Rotoworld, "Domantas Sabonis (lower back tightness) amassed 24 points (9-of-17 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), 15 rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers in 40 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Clippers. Sabonis returned to the lineup on Friday after missing two games, picking up where he left off regarding double-doubles. He’s recorded 13, only falling to do so in Sacramento’s season opener. Sabonis is providing 1st-round value in 8- and 9-cat formats, and it isn’t difficult to envision him maintaining that production level throughout the season."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Thursday, November 21, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Giannis, Jalen Williams, Joel Embiid, Jalen Brunson, Alperen Sengun.
Per Rotoworld, "Joel Embiid posted 35 points (10-of-21 FGs, 14-of-14 FTs) with 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal, a block, and a three-pointer in Wednesday’s 76ers-Grizzlies game. Embiid finally came to life against Memphis and posted season highs in minutes (35), points, and rebounds. Fantasy managers should be encouraged by his stat line in the defeat, but he has a long way to go to live up to his perceived fantasy value from the preseason. Philadelphia will need regular performances like this from the big man."
Per Rotoworld, "Jaren Jackson Jr. closed out the Grizzlies’ Wednesday win against the 76ers with 25 points (8-of-15 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, a steal, two blocks, and two three-pointers. Jackson scored the ball efficiently and notched his fourth straight game with at least a steal and two blocks. He’s fallen into a rhythm on offense and defense despite the Grizzlies’ health struggles."
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Brunson shot 12-of-21 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line in Wednesday’s win over Phoenix, tallying 36 points, two rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and seven 3-pointers in 37 minutes. There’s something about the Footprint Center that gets Brunson going. After going 9-of-9 from three in last season’s road win over the Suns, he hit his first five attempts on Wednesday. The 14 consecutive makes against a single opponent are the most for an NBA player since Allan Houston hit 13 in a row as a Knick against the Cavaliers during the 1996-97 season. Brunson finished 7-of-11 from deep and combined with Karl-Anthony Towns to become the first teammates to record 30-point double-doubles in the same game this season."
Per Rotoworld, "Devin Booker shot 12-of-23 from the field and 7-of-8 from the foul line in Wednesday’s loss to the Knicks, tallying 33 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes. Booker had a big night individually, but the Suns are now 0-5 without Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. Both may return as soon as Tuesday night, and while Booker’s numbers may take a hit, the chances of team success increase exponentially. He’s ranked just outside the top 25 in 9-cat formats for the season."
Per Rotoworld, "Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points (12-of-17 FGs) to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and three three-pointers to help the Warriors take down the Hawks on Wednesday. Wiggins has now scored at least 22 points in back-to-back contests. He’s slowly turning things around after a poor start to November. The Warriors wing’s playing time is on the rise and he’s responded to the increase in opportunities well."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, November 20, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Jalen Williams, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Jamal Murray, Shai.
Per Rotoworld, "Cameron Johnson shot 11-of-20 from the field and 6-of-6 from the foul line in Tuesday’s win over Charlotte, scoring 34 points with five rebounds, four assists, one steal, two blocks, and six 3-pointers in 38 minutes. With Cam Thomas (back) sidelined, the coast was clear for Johnson offensively. And he made the most of his opportunities, efficiently scoring a season-high 34 points and recording a complete stat line. Over the last two weeks, Johnson has been ranked just outside the top 25 in 9-cat per-game value. The Nets are off until Friday when they visit the 76ers."
Per Rotoworld, "Brandon Miller shot 11-of-17 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Tuesday’s loss to Brooklyn, accounting for 29 points, three rebounds, four assists, three steals, two blocks, and five 3-pointers in 38 minutes. After scoring 28 points on 11-of-29 shooting in the two games prior, Miller pumped in 29 on Tuesday. The point total was the highest for him since November 8, when he scored 29 in a win over the Pacers. And even with that mini-slump, Miller has still provided top 50 per-game value over the last two weeks. He’s a top 60 player for the season, exceeding his Yahoo ADP (64) by a few spots."
Per Rotoworld, "Dalton Knecht shot 12-of-16 from the field and 4-of-5 from the foul line in Tuesday’s win over the Jazz, scoring 37 points with five rebounds, one steal, and nine 3-pointers in 38 minutes. The Jazz had no answer for Knecht, who scored 21 of his career-high 37 points in the third quarter. In addition to the point total, he matched the NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a game. Knecht has averaged 24.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 5.3 3-pointers over the last week, ranking 15th in 9-cat per-game value per Basketball Monster. He’s doing this with Rui Hachimura (ankle) sidelined, but it’s fair to question if Knecht has done enough to remain in the starting lineup even after Hachimura returns."
Per Rotoworld, "LeBron James accumulated 26 points (9-of-16 FGs, 7-of-11 FTs), two rebounds, 12 assists, and one 3-pointer in 34 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Jazz. There isn’t much to complain about for a player to be as productive as James at age 39. However, fantasy managers may point to the turnover category if they’re in the business of picking nits. James had four turnovers on Tuesday and has averaged 4.7 per game over the last two weeks. Therefore, during this stretch, he’s ranked outside the top 40 in 9-cat formats while providing top-25 value in 8-cat. There is no need for concern, but hopefully, James can clean things up a bit moving forward."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Tuesday, November 19, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Brook Lopez, Jakob Poeltl, Nikola Vucevic, Jimmy Butler, RJ Barrett.
Per Rotoworld, "Tari Eason provided a boost off the bench with nine points (4-of-7 FGs), 14 rebounds, one assist, four steals, three blocks and one 3-pointer against the Bucks on Monday. Eason didn’t have a productive performance in their last game, which was a blowout game. He played just 18 minutes, which wasn’t enough time for him to make an impact. However, he bounced back with a season-high for rebounds and had seven stocks for the second time this season. He’s averaging career-highs in points, steals, blocks and 3-pointers while also shooting the best field goal percentage of his career, which has him ranked in the top-50 in 9-cat leagues. Eason is somehow available in 52% of Yahoo leagues, which simply shouldn’t be the case."
Per Rotoworld, "Brook Lopez posted a full line on Monday with 27 points (11-of-15 FGs), 10 rebounds, one assist, three steals, four blocks and five 3-pointers in a 101-100 win over the Rockets. Lopez has shown us recently that he definitely still has it, but it hasn’t come consistently. Two games before this one, he had 29 points, eight rebounds, eight “stocks” and five triples. He followed that up with a modest five points in a loss before going off again in this game. The norm should be somewhere in the middle, but he has been very hit or miss so far this season. There aren’t many players that can hit 3-pointers and blocks shots at the same rate as Lopez, and when he gets going, he can have some special performances."
Per Rotoworld, "Trae Young dished out the dimes on Monday and finished with seven points (1-of-7 FGs), three rebounds, 19 assists, two steals and five turnovers in a 109-109 win over Sacramento. Young simply didn’t shoot the ball much in this game, but he had no problem facilitating to his teammates. His 19 assists are the most in a game so far this season and the second-highest single-game total in his career. The lack of points were uncharacteristic and frustrating, but the abundance of dimes helped make up for it. He only took seven shots, which won’t happen often. Managers shouldn’t expect this to be the norm moving forward, and he should get back to being aggressive offensively when they play the Warriors on Wednesday."
Per Rotoworld, "De’Aaron Fox had a solid night on Monday with 28 points (11-of-23 FGs), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal and three 3-pointers against Atlanta. Fox wasn’t able to maintain his historic scoring pace, but he did have another good game in this one. He has now scored 137 points over the last four days, which has helped fantasy managers out tremendously. They now have three days off before their next game, and there is a chance that Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk are all back in the lineup for that one. If that’s the case, Fox will continue to be excellent in fantasy, but the monster scoring nights like he has had recently will likely be over."
Per Rotoworld, "James Harden played 41 minutes in Monday’s win over Golden State, tallying 12 points (4-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, 16 assists, two steals, two blocks, and two 3-pointers. While he wasn’t on the injury report leading into Monday’s game, Harden was under the weather, according to Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. That likely explains The Beard’s scoring production tailing off after halftime, as he focused more on setting up his teammates. The 16 assists matched Harden’s season-high, and he committed just three turnovers. Harden is providing first-round per-game value in 8-cat formats."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, November 18, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Cade Cunningham, Shai, Devin Booker, KAT, James Harden.
Per Rotoworld, "Ty Jerome shot 9-of-15 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Sunday’s win over Charlotte, scoring 24 points with two rebounds, eight assists, and four 3-pointers in 32 minutes. With Donovan Mitchell (rest) taking a planned night off, Jerome moved into the starting lineup on Sunday. He matched his career high with 24 points and dished out eight assists in an excellent performance for the 15-0 Cavaliers. Rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues, Jerome is providing 10th-round per-game value in 9-cat formats. Mitchell and Darius Garland being healthy means Jerome isn’t a must-add, but he’s worth a look in deep leagues for Week 5 due to Cleveland’s Tuesday/Wednesday back-to-back."
Per Rotoworld, "Josh Hart played 45 minutes in Sunday’s win over Brooklyn, amassing 20 points (8-of-13 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), eight rebounds, eight assists, and three 3-pointers. With Jalen Brunson (12 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals) struggling for most of the night, Hart was one of the Knicks who stepped up to lead them past the Nets. Like Mikal Bridges, Hart played all 24 second-half minutes and finished with his first game of at least 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists this season. While New York lost some of its depth this offseason due to free agency and trades, it cleared the deck for Hart, and he’s taken advantage. Fantasy managers should reap the rewards all season long."
Per Rotoworld, "Evan Mobley finished Sunday’s win over Charlotte with 23 points (9-of-12 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), 11 rebounds, one block, and two 3-pointers in 34 minutes. Mobley was back in the lineup after an illness sidelined him for Friday’s win over the Bulls, and he made up for lost time with another double-double. The Cavaliers big is up to five on the season, and he’s providing top-40 per-game value in 9-cat formats. Cleveland plays three games in Week 5, beginning in Boston on Tuesday, as they look to remain undefeated."
Per Rotoworld, "LaMelo Ball logged 35 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Cleveland, accounting for 31 points (11-of-29 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), one rebound, 12 assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers. Ball is $100,000 lighter after the NBA fined him for his comments after Saturday’s loss to the Bucks. As for what he did on the court in Cleveland, the Hornets point guard recorded his second 30-point double-double of the season (October 23 vs. Houston). In 8-cat formats, Ball has been everything fantasy managers hoped he would be, providing top-10 value and not missing a game. The Hornets play three games in Week 5, beginning with the Nets on Tuesday."
Per Rotoworld, "Karl-Anthony Towns (lower back contusion) finished Sunday’s win over the Nets with 26 points (10-of-16 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), 15 rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 30 minutes. Already dealing with a contused left knee, Towns took a hard fall on the small of his back during the third quarter of Sunday’s win. While he remained in the game then, KAT was subbed out with 7:20 remaining in the fourth quarter and did not return. Towns appeared to be moving well after the win, but the Knicks host the Wizards on Monday. Don’t be surprised if he shows up on the initial injury report."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Thursday, November 14, 2024
There was just one game on Thursday. Luka Doncic and John Collins put up big fantasy numbers.
Per Rotoworld, "John Collins finished Thursday’s win over Dallas with 28 points (10-of-20 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 35 minutes. Collins has shined over his last two games, starting for the injured Walker Kessler. After putting up 29 points and a complete stat line in Tuesday’s loss to Phoenix, he scored another 28 while finishing one blocked shot shy of another full line. A top-20 player over the last two weeks, Collins is providing 4th-round value for the season despite coming off the bench most nights. He’s already rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues, and those who have Collins rostered should consider selling high."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Thursday, November 14, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Giannis, Wemby, Cade Cunningham, KAT, LeBron.
Per Rotoworld, "Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 18 points (7-of-18 FGs), six rebounds, six assists, one steal, four 3-pointers and eight turnovers in a 106-88 loss to Oklahoma City on Wednesday. With the injuries that New Orleans is dealing with, this is basically the BI show, with only a few supporting actors that casual fans will recognize. Unfortunately, ratings haven’t been good with Ingram as the star of the show. Sure, he’s still putting up some decent numbers, but those have been accompanied by poor shooting and turnovers. In the three games since Zion went down, BI is averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.3 triples, though that has come along with 38.9% shooting and 6.0 turnovers per game. The team has also lost all three of those games and scored exactly 88 points in two of those. This spin-off of the main show hasn’t gone well, but there isn’t anything they can do other than simply wait for the other stars to get healthy."
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 31 points (10-of-18 FGs), six rebounds, seven assists, four steals, two blocks and four 3-pointers in a 106-88 win over New Orleans on Wednesday. Williams absolutely dominated this game, and it showed up in the box score. He set a new season-high for scoring and stuffed the stat sheet in their second game without a true center in the starting unit. JDub has practically been the team’s center, and he should retain that role for the foreseeable future. Williams has provided first-round value so far this season, and that will stick if he continues to put up numbers like he has over their last two games. He is in the midst of a breakout season and has turned into one of the premier players in fantasy basketball."
Per Rotoworld, "Victor Wembanyama lit up the Wizards with 50 points (18-of-29 FGs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal, three blocks and eight 3-pointers in a 139-130 win on Wednesday. Remember a couple weeks ago when Wemby was a disappointing first overall pick? Well, he’s playing a little better now. There have been concerns about how many 3-pointers he has taken, and 16 of his 29 attempts in this game were from beyond the arc. However, the results look really, really good when he gets hot. He’s been on fire over their last three games and is averaging 36.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 4.3 blocks and 6.7 triples per game during that stretch. If there were any concerns about his play, those can be laid to rest."
Per Rotoworld, "De’Aaron Fox accumulated 29 points (11-of-17 FGs, 6-of-8 FTs), six rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, one block, and one 3-pointer in 32 minutes in Wednesday’s win over the Suns. Fox got off to a good start on Wednesday, making all four shots he attempted. He finished with his fourth double-double of the season, and the 29 points were two shy of his season-high. Fox is providing 4th-round value in 9-cat formats, but he’s been a top-25 player in turnover-punt build. If DeMar DeRozan (back) misses time, Fox is one of the Kings whose fantasy values will be boosted."
Per Rotoworld, "LeBron James recorded a stat line of 35 points (13-of-22 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), 12 rebounds, 14 assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 37 minutes in Wednesday’s win over Memphis. One game after he became the oldest player in NBA history to record two straight triple-doubles, James became the oldest to record three straight. He was excellent in winning time, tallying nine points, eight rebounds, and five assists in the fourth quarter alone. James is providing 1st-round per-game value in 8-cat formats while sitting just outside that threshold in 9-cat because of an average of 3.1 turnovers per game. LeBron had six on Wednesday, but the overall stat line lessens the impact of that turnover count."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, November 13, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Tyler Herro, Stephen Curry, Jalen Johnson, John Collins, Franz Wagner.
Per Rotoworld, "Josh Hart shot 6-of-8 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Tuesday’s win over Philadelphia, scoring 14 points with 12 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 37 minutes. Having recorded four double-doubles this season, Hart notched his first triple-double on Tuesday. Rostered in 81% of Yahoo leagues, he’s providing 3rd-round per-game value in 9-cat formats. It’s time for some shallow-league managers to hop on the bandwagon, as Hart’s role should remain the same throughout the season."
Per Rotoworld, "Joel Embiid (left knee injury recovery) logged 26 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks, scoring 13 points (2-of-11 FGs, 8-of-8 FTs), three rebounds, five assists, one block, and one 3-pointer. Embiid made his much-anticipated season debut on Tuesday, and to no one’s surprise, he was rusty. The 76ers center did not move with much fluidity during his first stint on the court, but things got a little better as the night progressed. Unfortunately, he could return to the bench as the 76ers host Cleveland on Wednesday. Following Tuesday’s loss, 76ers coach Nick Nurse said nothing about Embiid or Paul George had been decided. Embiid said he wants to play, but don’t be surprised if the 76ers medical staff holds him out."
Per Rotoworld, "Bradley Beal (left calf tightness) tallied 24 points (8-of-15 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), three rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block, and four 3-pointers in 29 minutes. Beal was playing well on Tuesday, but his night ended prematurely. The Suns guard subbed out with 7:19 remaining and did not return. Following the game, it was reported that Beal was dealing with left calf tightness. Add this injury to the elbow and knee issues he was already dealing with. With the Suns playing in Sacramento on Wednesday, Beal should be considered questionable, with Grayson Allen likely to start if he cannot play."
Per Rotoworld, "Robert Williams III finished Tuesday’s win over the Timberwolves with 19 points (9-of-10 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks in 25 minutes. Is the “Time Lord” back? What a night for Williams, who came up big for the Blazers in a reserve role. Deandre Ayton sitting out Tuesday’s game freed up additional minutes in the post, putting Williams in position to provide added value despite coming off the bench. He isn’t a must-add in the aftermath of this performance, but Williams (12% rostered) will be worth a look in more leagues if Ayton cannot play in Wednesday’s rematch."
Per Rotoworld, "Naz Reid shot 10-of-17 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Tuesday’s loss to Portland, finishing with 28 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 34 minutes. Reid got hot in the second quarter, shooting 5-of-6 from the field and scoring 12 of his 15 first-half points. But that wasn’t enough to help Minnesota rebound from its poor start, leading to a 0-1 start to Emirates NBA Cup play. Reid’s exceeding his Yahoo ADP, providing top 70 per-game value in 9-cat formats. And that production level is sustainable, especially with Karl-Anthony Towns no longer in the picture."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Tuesday, November 12, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Shai, Wemby, Donovan Mitchell, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Williams.
Per Rotoworld, "Kyle Kuzma returned to the lineup on Monday and contributed 18 points (7-of-18 FGs), four rebounds, one steal and three 3-pointers in a 107-92 loss to Houston. Following a five-game absence due to a right groin injury, Kuzma made his return to the rotation on Monday night. He only logged 24 minutes in the loss, but he was able to provide some buckets. When Kuz gets back to playing his typical workload, he should provide more rebounds and assists, so his first game back was a bit underwhelming. Three of his four games this season have been disappointing, so hopefully this isn’t just going to be the norm for him this year. They’re heading to San Antonio for their next game on Wednesday, which will be an opportunity for Kuzma to bounce back."
Per Rotoworld, "Ben Simmons provided a boost off the bench with six points (3-of-5 FGs), five rebounds, 12 assists and two steals in a 107-105 win over New Orleans on Monday. He may have been playing in a reserve role, but Simmons was in full control of this game and provided a huge boost in the box score. He lost the starting center job to Nic Claxton and has been in and out of the lineup recently, but he set new season-highs in this game for both assists and steals. He won’t provide much value outside of rebounds and assists, but Simmons has been able to produce decent numbers so far this season, even if it’s nothing compared to what he once was."
Per Rotoworld, "Victor Wembanyama stuffed the stat sheet on Monday with 34 points (13-of-22 FGs), 14 rebounds, six assists, one steal, three blocks and six 3-pointers in a 116-96 win over Sacramento. Just another typical dominant performance from the second-year superstar. He’s the only player in the league that will have his shot-blocking average drop after swatting three shots. However, he did set a new season-high for scoring and has now hit six 3-pointers in two straight games. It may not be ideal for a player this tall to be shooting this much from the outside, but it’s difficult to complain when they’re going in at this rate. With three more games left on the schedule this week, Wemby is hitting his stride and should be in for some more monster performances, starting with the Wizards on Wednesday."
Per Rotoworld, "Alperen Sengun recorded a double-double on Monday with 27 points (12-of-19 FGs), 17 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one 3-pointer in a 107-92 win over Washington. Sengun controlled the paint in this game on the way to his second straight 27-point double-double. This was his fourth game this season with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds, and he fell one rebound shy of tying his season-high. His last two matchups haven’t been high on the difficulty rating, but now they host Ivica Zubac on the Clippers for two straight games. We’ll see if Sengun is able to keep this double-double streak alive against the second-leading rebounder in the league."
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Williams lit up the Clippers with 28 points (11-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and two triples on Monday. JDub got the start at center and may be the team’s starting big man moving forward. Chet Holmgren is set to be re-evaluated in 8-10 weeks, so until Isaiah Hartenstein or Jaylin Williams returns, JDub is the guy. Hopefully, this is what managers can expect from OKC’s new starting center. He has been elite this season, and he currently ranks in the top-20 in 9-cat scoring. More performances like this could elevate him to his first ever first-round finish."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, November 11, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Jokic, Giannis, Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry.
Per Rotoworld, "Keegan Murray logged 43 minutes in Sunday’s overtime win in Phoenix, producing 14 points (5-of-11 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 14 rebounds, one assist, and two 3-pointers in 42 minutes. Not only did Murray lead all players in rebounds on Sunday, but he also matched his career-high in the category. Thus far, he’s been the middle-round player in fantasy, which was the expectation based on Murray’s ADP (80). If he can continue to be effective as a rebounder and defender, there’s room for Murray’s fantasy ceiling to rise."
Per Rotoworld, "Bradley Beal (left knee injury) finished Sunday’s loss to Sacramento with 28 points (9-of-18 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and three 3-pointers in 38 minutes. Already dealing with a strained elbow, Beal suffered another injury scare during Sunday’s overtime period. DeMar DeRozan fell into the Suns guard’s left leg, which left Beal prone on the court for a brief period. The good news is that he stayed in the game after the timeout, but don’t be surprised if Beal shows up on the injury report ahead of Tuesday’s game in Utah."
Per Rotoworld, "Jerami Grant scored 20 points (7-of-15 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs) with a rebound, an assist, a steal, and two three-pointers in Sunday’s Trail Blazers-Grizzlies game. Grant didn’t have much to offer aside from points in this pairing. His raw scoring and efficiency are down with this year’s Trail Blazers and he’s grabbed just one rebound in two straight contests. A streaky 20-point scorer without other desirable numbers is sure to lose value over time."
Per Rotoworld, "Jaren Jackson Jr. tallied 20 points (6-of-12 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three three-pointers in the Grizzlies’ win over the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Jackson was noticeably less productive on offense after his recent 39-point performance but paced the Grizzlies in points again while chipping in with some defensive contributions. He’s been able to replicate his usual numbers even with his team shorthanded."
Per Rotoworld, "ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Chet Holmgren sustain a right iliac hip fracture, and a “return to play protocol will be provided in 8-10 weeks.” The Thunder were already down Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams, and Holmgren’s injury leaves the frontcourt without a true center. More minutes should be available for the likes of Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace and Ousmane Dieng, though it’s unclear how OKC’s rotations will look with no clear solution at the five."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Sunday, November 10, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Wemby, Evan Mobley, James Harden, Dyson Daniels (Hawks), Ivica Zubac.
Per Rotoworld, "Evan Mobley shot 10-of-11 from the field and 2-of-5 from the foul line in Saturday’s win over the Nets, scoring 23 points with 16 rebounds, one assist, four steals, one block, and one 3-pointer in 35 minutes. On a night when frontcourt sidekick Jarrett Allen struggled, Mobley was dominant as Cleveland rallied to push its record to 11-0. While the foul shooting left something to be desired, that’s the only issue fantasy managers will have with the 23-year-old’s stat line. Mobley is providing top-25 per-game value for the season, exceeding his Yahoo ADP (38) by a comfortable margin. As for Allen, he finished Saturday’s victory with four points, three rebounds, one steal, and one block in 21 minutes."
Per Rotoworld, "Zach LaVine (right adductor strain) finished Saturday’s win over the Hawks with 18 points (7-of-12 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), two rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 31 minutes. LaVine was restricted to 32 minutes in his first game back from a strained adductor, and he played 31 in Chicago’s comeback victory. Regarding playing time, Josh Giddey (25 minutes) was impacted the most by LaVine’s return of any guard. However, Ayo Dosunmu’s playing well off the bench also had something to do with that. Once LaVine’s minutes get back into the mid-30s, fantasy managers will better understand who (if anyone) is impacted negatively."
Per Rotoworld, "Trae Young logged 37 minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Hawks, amassing 14 points (6-of-16 FGs), three rebounds, 16 assists, and two 3-pointers. While Young was responsible for six turnovers, that doesn’t matter much when you rack up 16 assists. He’s up to nine points/assists double-doubles in 11 games, providing top-15 per-game value in 8-cat formats. Young is a third-round player in 9-cat due to the turnovers, but that was to be expected in the aftermath of the Hawks trading Dejounte Murray to New Orleans."
Per Rotoworld, "Ivica Zubac played 38 minutes in Saturday’s win over Toronto, scoring 14 points (7-of-12 FGs) with 12 rebounds, one assist, two steals, and three blocks. After playing 37 minutes in Friday’s win over the Kings in Sacramento, Zubac played 38 more on Saturday. The production remained consistent, with the Clippers center recording his sixth double-double of the season. Zubac heads into Week 4 as a top 75 player in 9-cat formats, exceeding his Yahoo ADP (84). And the longer Kawhi Leonard (knee) sits, the better Zubac’s chances are of sustaining his current fantasy value, if not improving it."
Per Rotoworld, "Immanuel Quickley (right pelvic contusion) finished Saturday’s loss to the Clippers with 21 points (8-of-18 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 26 minutes. With Quickley appearing in a game for the first time since Toronto’s opener, the Raptors weren’t going to take any chances with his help. He played well in those 26 minutes on the floor, sharing the team lead in scoring with Ochai Agbaji. The playing time may give Quickley better odds of playing in Sunday’s game against the Lakers, but fantasy managers should still consider him questionable."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, November 4, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Jalen Johnson (Hawks), Luka Doncic, Jalen Duren (Pistons), Trae Young, Brandon Ingram.
Per Rotoworld, "Jalen Johnson shot 12-of-20 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line in Sunday’s win over the Pelicans, scoring 29 points with nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks in 38 minutes. In a game matching two teams hit hard by injuries, the Hawks had more healthy options in their lineup, including Johnson. Matching his season-high with 29 points, Johnson’s scored 21 or more in three of his last four games. While he hasn’t yet produced to the level of his Yahoo ADP (42), Jalen is primed for another standout season, provided he remains healthy. The Hawks play four games in Week 3, beginning with the Celtics on Monday."
Per Rotoworld, "Trae Young finished Sunday’s win over New Orleans with 23 points (8-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, 12 assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers in 31 minutes. Having scored 23 points or more in six of seven games to begin the season, Young was elite on Sunday. In addition to the efficient scoring, he dished out 14 assists while committing two turnovers. Young’s providing 1st-round per-game value in 9-cat formats and is a top-5 player when turnovers are punted. This has the makings of a huge fantasy season for Young, which is what fantasy managers were hoping for."
Per Rotoworld, "Brandon Ingram amassed 32 points (12-of-19 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and four 3-pointers in 30 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Atlanta. Already playing without three starters due to injury, the Pelicans lost a fourth just before the start of Sunday’s game when Zion Williamson (hamstring) was scratched. That placed even more responsibility on Ingram’s shoulders. While he committed six turnovers, that’s understandable given the state of the Pelicans’ rotation. Ingram scored efficiently and recorded a complete stat line, resulting in far more positives than negatives for fantasy managers. New Orleans plays three games in Week 3, beginning with Portland on Monday."
Per Rotoworld, "Luka Doncic finished Sunday’s win over Orlando with 32 points (11-of-22 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds, seven assists, and five 3-pointers in 32 minutes. Luka was highly aggressive to begin Sunday’s game, shooting 5-of-10 from the field in the first quarter. He was even more accurate in the second, shooting 4-of-6 to help Dallas outscore Orlando by a 35-18 margin in the quarter. The game was essentially over by halftime, with Doncic calling it a night with just under eight minutes to go in the fourth. The Mavericks play four games in Week 3, beginning with Indiana on Monday."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Friday, November 1, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Wemby, Devin Booker, James Harden, Giannis, Ja Morant.
Per Rotoworld, "Ja Morant logged 29 minutes in Thursday’s win over Milwaukee, accumulating 26 points (9-of-16 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), 10 rebounds, 14 assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers. Morant nearly recorded a triple-double before halftime, as he headed into the break with 21 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. He’d get the 12th triple-double of his NBA career during the second half, a fitting capper to a dominant performance by the Grizzlies. Depending on how much time Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane miss due to their respective injuries, Thursday could be a sign of what’s to come from Morant."
Per Rotoworld, "Khris Middleton (bilateral ankle surgeries) told Eric Nehm of The Athletic that he’s “feeling better and better each day.” While Middleton is feeling better after undergoing surgeries on both ankles this summer, he hasn’t reached the point where he can play in games. “I feel good, just not good enough to play that’s all,” Middleton told The Athletic. “That’s really all I can say at this point. And just working to get back on the court. I’m feeling better and better each day just not good enough to play yet.” Middleton remains without a timeline for return, although he continues to go through the ramp-up process. Taurean Prince will remain the starter until that changes, but he is only worth a look in deep leagues."
Per Rotoworld, "Victor Wembanyama finished Thursday’s win over Utah with 25 points (9-of-20 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), nine rebounds, seven assists, five steals, five blocks, and four 3-pointers in 34 minutes. After being thoroughly outplayed by Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren on Wednesday, Wembanyama bounced back quickly. The Spurs phenom put up the famed “5x5" stat line, tallying five points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. In addition to that achievement, Wemby hit four 3-pointers (on 13 attempts). Given the matchup, this was a prime opportunity for Wembanyama to get untracked, and he made the most of it."
Per Rotoworld, "Devin Booker shot 11-of-18 from the field and 13-of-15 from the foul line in Thursday’s win over the Clippers, scoring 40 points with five rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and five 3-pointers in 38 minutes. The Suns erased a 21-point deficit on Thursday, and while there were unsung heroes, Booker led the way. Not only did he establish a new season-high with 40 points, but Book also holds the record for most points in a game at the new Intuit Dome. The Suns have played two of their last three without Bradley Beal, and it hasn’t been a significant issue due to the play of Booker and Kevin Durant, as well as the supporting cast."
Per Rotoworld, "James Harden finished Thursday’s loss to the Suns with 25 points (8-of-19 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), 10 rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, two blocks, and three 3-pointers in 36 minutes. Harden finished Thursday’s defeat with a triple-double, but the game was a tale of two halves for him and the Clippers. The Beard nearly had that triple-double by halftime, but a 1-of-5 third quarter factored into Phoenix’s ability to erase a 21-point deficit. While Harden did commit six turnovers, the four defensive contributions helped compensate for that. The Clippers will look to rebound when they host the Thunder on Saturday."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Thursday, October 31, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Trae Young, Jayson Tatum, Nick Richards (Hornets), Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Johnson.
Per Rotoworld, "Paolo Banchero shot 12-of-22 from the field and 5-of-7 from the foul line in Wednesday’s loss to the Bulls, accumulating 31 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two 3-pointers in 37 minutes. Banchero hit a miraculous shot at the end of Wednesday’s defeat, but it was waved off almost instantly because there was only one-tenth of a second on the clock when the play began. He followed up his 50-point performance with another quality effort, and Paolo has scored 31 or more in three of Orlando’s first five games. The free-throw percentage could use some polish, but Banchero is setting up to be the stud many expected him to be before the season began."
Per Rotoworld, "Zion Williamson struggled again on Wednesday and finished with just 12 points (5-of-20 FGs, 2-of-7 FTs), 12 rebounds, four assists and one block against the Warriors. Field goal percentage has been one of Williamson’s strongest categories throughout his career, but it has been a weakness for him early on this season. He has shot below 30% in three of his four appearances this year, though it seemed like he was going to get back on track after scoring 31 on 60% shooting on Tuesday. The double-double was helpful to retain some value, but there’s no denying that Zion has been one of the most disappointing players in fantasy basketball this season. He’ll look to get back on track against the Pacers on Friday before they play a back-to-back on Sunday and Monday."
Per Rotoworld, "Anfernee Simons led Portland with 25 points (10-of-24 FGs), two rebounds, six assists and three 3-pointers in a 106-105 win over the Clippers on Wednesday. After struggling in their last game, Simons was able to bounce back in this one and lead the team in scoring. His weak categories, such as rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage, continue to plague his value in 9-cat leagues, though that isn’t uncommon for an undersized guard. However, the points, 3-pointers and assists have been plentiful thus far, and he has maintained an elite free throw percentage and rate. Simons will continue to be exactly what he was expected to be, with some occasional poor shooting nights mixed in. Still, he responded well in this game, which was encouraging to see."
Per Rotoworld, "Norman Powell led the Clippers with 30 points (11-of-22 FGs), five rebounds, two assists, one steal and five 3-pointers in a 106-105 loss to Portland on Wednesday. Powell has been fantastic to start this season, and that continued in this game. He called it “addition by subtraction” when they lost Paul George, because he said he would get a chance to step up. He has done just that, which has played well in fantasy hoops. Most of Powell’s value has come from his efficient scoring and shooting, as he has shot 51.4% from the floor on 18.5 attempts per game, which has led to 26.0 points and 3.8 triples per game. Managers can’t rely on him for much production in other categories, but he should be an excellent scoring option all year."
Per Rotoworld, "James Harden posted a well-rounded line on Wednesday with 19 points (6-of-18 FGs), five rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, five triples and five turnovers against the Trail Blazers. While the counting stats continue to be great, efficiency continues to plague Harden’s value. His 35.5% field goal percentage and 6.3 turnovers per game would both be the worst marks of his career, even if his other numbers are more reminiscent of the player that was a perennial top ten player in fantasy basketball. Harden doesn’t have to produce to that level, but if he can improve his efficiency to a level that is simply “bad” and not “by far worst in the league”, his value in 9-cat leagues will skyrocket. We’ll see if he can make that happen on the second night of a back-to-back against the suns on Thursday."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, October 30, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Nikola Jokic, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Edwards, Dennis Schroder, Luka Doncic.
Per Rotoworld, "Luka Doncic put up 24 points (10-of-27 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs) with eight rebounds, eight assists, a steal, and a three-pointer in the Dallas Mavericks matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Doncic didn’t shoot the ball well but battled through a knee injury while contributing with his passing and rebounding en route to a win. Doncic remains a triple-double threat on a nightly basis."
Per Rotoworld, "Dennis Schroder posted 28 points (10-of-18 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs) with 14 assists and five three-pointers in the Brooklyn Nets’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. Schroder is on a roll. The Nets point guard has posted at least 20 points, six assists, and three three-pointers in three consecutive games. Brooklyn doesn’t have a legitimate backup point guard and Schroder is making the most of his situation."
Per Rotoworld, "Domantas Sabonis secured a double-double with 28 points (13-of-18 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs) with 11 rebounds, four steals, and a three-pointer in Tuesday’s Sacramento Kings-Utah Jazz matchup. Sabonis remains a double-double machine. The Kings’ big man has recorded three straight after falling two rebounds short in his 2024-25 opener. He’s been model of efficiency from everywhere but the free throw line so far this season."
Per Rotoworld, "Buddy Hield totaled 28 points (9-of-18 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs) with a rebound, an assist, two steals, and seven three-pointers to lead the Golden State Warriors past the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Hield scored just three first-half points and began the second half on the bench. However, his benching lit a fire under him. He made eight of his 10 field goal attempts in the second half. He’s now hit five or more triples in three of his four games with the Dubs."
Per Rotoworld, "Zion Williamson torched the Warriors for 31 points (12-of-20 FGs, 6-of-8 FTs) with eight rebounds, three assists, a block, and a three-pointer in the New Orleans Pelicans’ Tuesday game against the Golden State Warriors. Williamson eclipsed 20 points and shot better than 50% from the field for the first time this season on Tuesday. The Pelicans’ big man is warming up after a slow start to the 2024-25 campaign."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Tuesday, October 29, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Paolo Banchero, Nikola Jokic, Scottie Barnes, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard.
Per Rotoworld, "De’Aaron Fox shot 9-of-20 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line in Monday’s win over Portland, scoring 24 points with six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two 3-pointers in 35 minutes. Fox made some history on Monday, becoming the fifth player in Kings history to score at least 10,000 points for the franchise. He’s shot 9-of-20 from the field in consecutive games, and field goal percentage and turnovers have been an issue in Sacramento’s first three contests. The good news is that the foul shooting has improved, with Fox now 13-of-14 on the season. That category has been an issue in previous seasons, limiting Fox’s value, but he’s remained a solid fantasy asset."
Per Rotoworld, "Devin Booker shot 11-of-23 from the field and 8-of-8 from the foul line in Monday’s win over the Lakers, recording a stat line of 33 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 39 minutes. Booker notched his first 30-point game of the season on Monday, and this was also his first game with double-digit field goal makes. The Suns guard wasn’t exactly in a slump to begin the season, but the output wasn’t on par with what fantasy managers have come to expect. Monday’s performance was a welcome start to Week 2 for Booker, the Suns, and fantasy managers."
Per Rotoworld, "Anthony Davis finished Monday’s loss to the Suns with 29 points (12-of-24 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 15 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three blocks in 36 minutes. Davis’s streak of 30-point games to begin the season ended at three, with the Lakers star falling one point shy on Monday. However, the overall stat line was robust, with AD continuing to flourish under new head coach JJ Redick. As long as he stays healthy, this could be a massive year for Davis and the fantasy managers who have him rostered."
Per Rotoworld, "Luka Doncic struggled with his shot on Monday but still contributed 15 points (5-of-22 FGs), nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one block and one 3-pointer in a 110-102 win over Utah. Doncic had an uncharacteristically poor shooting performance in ths game, but he was still nearly able to record a triple-double and help his team secure a win. He had 40 points in a loss just two days prior to this game, but he wasn’t able to carry that shooting magic with him. They’ll head to Minnesota to play the second night of a back-to-back on Tuesday, so we’ll see if Doncic is able to bounce back quickly. Luka hasn’t been on the injury report, but since he was dealing with a calf injury during the preseason, there is certainly a chance that he’ll be deemed questionable for their second game in as many days."
Per Rotoworld, "Victor Wembanyama recorded a monster double-double on Monday with 14 points (6-of-14 FGs), 20 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and one 3-pointer in a 106-101 loss to the Rockets. For the third time in his young career, Wemby was able to reach the 20-rebound mark in a single game. He obviously has quite the height advantage, so there should be plenty more games like this throughout his career. It hasn’t been the prettiest start to the season for a player that was being drafted first overall in many leagues, but he has still put up some impressive numbers, specifically on the glass and as a shot blocker. As he logs more games and develops chemistry with his new point guard Chris Paul, expect Wemby to continue to improve his numbers."
Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, October 28, 2024
In yesterday's NBA games, the top fantasy basketball players were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Tyrese Maxey, Ivica Zubac, Jerami Grant.
Per Rotoworld, "Andrew Wiggins shot 11-of-15 from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line in Sunday’s loss to the Clippers, accumulating 29 points, three rebounds, one steal, one block, and five 3-pointers in 29 minutes. After shooting 3-of-10 from the field in Friday’s game against the Jazz, Wiggins got back on track Sunday night. Depending on whether or not Stephen Curry (ankle) misses time after exiting Sunday’s loss, Wiggins is one of the Warriors who may have to do more scoring. Wiggins has scored 20 or more in two of Golden State’s first three games, a good start for a player who had a forgettable 2023-24 campaign. The Warriors play three games in Week 2, beginning with a Tuesday/Wednesday back-to-back against the Pelicans."
Per Rotoworld, "James Harden finished Sunday’s win over the Clippers with 23 points (6-of-19 FGs, 9-of-9 FTs), seven rebounds, 11 assists, and two 3-pointers in 35 minutes. Harden didn’t have the best night shooting the basketball, going 6-of-19 from the field (2-of-12 from three). But he managed to record another points/assists double-double, which was his second in as many games. The Clippers play three games in Week 2, and they’re off until Wednesday night when they host the Trail Blazers."
Per Rotoworld, "Ivica Zubac played 38 minutes in Sunday’s win over the Warriors, amassing 23 points (10-of-19 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), 17 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one blocked shot. While there were expectations that Zubac would be more impactful this season, few envisioned this start. He’s the second center in Clippers history to open the season with three straight games of 20 points or more, joining Bob McAdoo (who did it twice). Just as notable as the scoring are the assists. With a career average of 1.2 assists per game, Zubac has 13 through three games. While this run may not feel normal, fantasy managers should not “sell high” on Zubac. Hold onto him, especially since it is unknown when Kawhi Leonard will return."
Per Rotoworld, "Chet Holmgren finished Sunday’s win over Atlanta with 25 points (8-of-12 FGs, 6-of-8 FTs), nine rebounds, four assists, one steal, six blocks, and three 3-pointers in 33 minutes. After blocking six shots in Oklahoma City’s first two games, Holmgren recorded six more against the Hawks. While the consensus was that he would improve after a stellar rookie season, fantasy managers may not have expected this. It’s early, but Holmgren looks like a player who should have been a first-round lock in standard league drafts. Oklahoma City plays three games in Week 2, beginning with the Spurs on Wednesday."
Per Rotoworld, "Cam Thomas shot 10-of-21 from the field and 10-of-11 from the foul line in Sunday’s win over Milwaukee, accounting for 32 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two 3-pointers in 35 minutes. Thomas has surpassed the 30-point mark in two of three games this season. The exception was Friday’s loss to Orlando, an unsurprising development given that team’s surplus of lengthy, athletic defenders. Thomas did not encounter as much resistance on Sunday and took full advantage. Add in the rebounds and steals, and this was an excellent night for managers who have him rostered."
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FANTASY BASKETBALL PLAYER RATINGS
Updated March 28, 2024
BEST FANTASY GUARDS 2024: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trae Young, Tyrese Haliburton, Ja Morant, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, LaMelo Ball, Jalen Brunson, De'Aaron Fox.
BEST FANTASY FORWARDS 2024: Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Julius Randle, Scottie Barnes, Paolo Banchero, DeMar DeRozan, Kawhi Leonard, Zion Williamson.
BEST FANTASY CENTERS 2024: Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, Anthony Davis, Alperen Sengun, Victor Wembanyama, Bam Adebayo, Nikola Vucevic, Jarrett Allen, Chet Holmgren.
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Guards | Forwards | Centers