Robert Williams and Jakob Poeltl are breaking out, De’Anthony Melton continues to make noise, Christian Wooden is again and Stephen Curry is a bit banged up. Let’s dose!

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Nets 124, Pacers 115

Kevin Durant’s (hamstring) newest scan got here again clear in keeping with Steve Nash and he “has a pair weeks of ramp up left” which units him up for a late March return. In the event you’ve been streaming guys like Bruce Brown, Landry Shamet and Jeff Inexperienced, it’s time to look elsewhere for gamers with higher upside. Kyrie Irving sat with a “groin” damage that was deemed as a precautionary DNP, so there’s no concern there and please don’t be fooled by Tyler Johnson’s fluky line on this one.

James Harden paced the Nets with a really epic line of 40 factors, 15 assists, 10 rebounds and a pair of steals and triples for his first 40-point recreation of the season and eleventh triple-double. He’s averaging 40.4 minutes over his final six video games, so possibly the Nets look to get him a relaxation day quickly. I’ve him because the No. 2 fantasy participant going ahead behind solely Nikola Jokic. The Nets have a dilemma on their palms, nevertheless it’s an excellent one in Nicolas Claxton. They simply signed Blake Griffin and are linked to each excessive profile massive man comparable to Andre Drummond and LaMarcus Aldridge, however how can they justify not enjoying this child? He had one other stellar night time, scoring 11 factors with eight rebounds, one help and two blocks in 23 minutes. I’ll say it once more, I feel he unseats DeAndre Jordan because the starter earlier than too lengthy.

Domantas Sabonis posted his franchise document sixth triple-double of the season (18/11/11) to go together with 4 steals, a block and a triple, Malcolm Brogdon added a 24/4/3 line and Caris LeVert seemed strong in his third recreation again, capturing 6-of-16 for 19 factors, 5 assists, three rebounds, two steals and three triples in 34 minutes. He’s already rocking a full workload, and his 25% utilization price over the past three video games is true according to Brogdon’s which implies he has established himself as one of many engines to this offense. LeVert must be a top-75 participant going ahead.

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Bucks 109, 76ers 105

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with a 32/15/5 line with a triple in 43 minutes, and he’s out of the blue proper again within the MVP dialogue the place he belongs — the Bucks have gained 10 of their final 11 video games and Giannis is averaging 31.9 factors, 12.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.2 steals and 1.2 triples because the No. 2 participant in fantasy in that span.

Jrue Vacation (19/6/6) has stabilized issues for the Bucks since his return and the buy-low window is slammed shut, and whereas Donte DiVincenzo has been hit and miss all season, he confirmed his upside tonight with a 20-point recreation to go together with eight rebounds, 5 assists, three steals and 4 triples. He ranks contained in the top-60 over his final 4 with 13.3 factors, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.8 steals and a pair of.0 triples, so congrats in the event you saved the religion. Bobby Portis performed simply 12 minutes and is more likely to lose minutes with the Bucks buying P.J. Tucker, and whereas Donte is a slight winner from the Bucks dropping D.J. Augustin, Pat Connaughton is a reputation to observe in deeper leagues. He performed 32 minutes with six factors, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Ben Simmons triple-doubled with a 13/12/10 line with two steals, two blocks and a uncommon triple, whereas Tobias Harris added a 19/9/4 line with two steals, a block and a triple. Seth Curry suffered an ankle sprain and wasn’t capable of return, in order that places each Shake Milton and Furkan Korkmaz on the radar. Milton had a 15/4/3 line with a steal and a triple and is the higher add in my view, however Korkmaz isn’t a nasty possibility both, averaging 14.6 factors, 2.2 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and a pair of.6 triples in 21 minutes over his final 5.

As for the place battle between Dwight Howard and Tony Bradley, I used to be clearly improper once I stated final week that Bradley was the higher add. Howard has double-doubled in back-to-back video games with at the very least 28 minutes in every, swatting 4 pictures in that span.

Kings 121, Wizards 119

De’Aaron Fox placed on a present for the Kings, dropping a 28/7/1 line with 5 steals and a triple, topping it off with a game-winning jumper. The Kings are 16-24 and this seems like one other misplaced season, however watching Fox make “the leap” at the very least offers followers hope for the long run — over his final 10 video games he’s averaging 27.7 factors, 8.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and a pair of.0 triples on 47% capturing.

Talking of the long run, Tyrese Haliburton thrived within the beginning lineup in a transfer that doubtless sticks with Marvin Bagley (wrist) injured but once more. Haliburton completed with 17 factors, three 3-pointers, 4 assists and two rebounds and provides top-50 upside now that he has his legs underneath him once more. Hassan Whiteside returned from the protocols and performed 20 minutes with six factors, six rebounds and two blocks, and he’s a participant I’m stashing as we get nearer to the deadline. If he lands a job of simply 20 minutes or extra, it goes with out saying he’ll be a monster in fantasy. Richaun Holmes had 18 factors, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks, persevering with his actually epic run because the sixteenth finest 9-cat participant for the final month. Solely a commerce to a contender may gradual him down as his expiring contract value $5M is without doubt one of the finest bargains within the NBA.

Russell Westbrook triple-doubled with a 26/14/10 line and Bradley Beal added a 29/6/5 line, however the Wizards dropped their seventh recreation out of their final eight and are proper again within the tank. Search for Westy’s minutes to get dialed again later within the season, and the identical might be true for Beal if a contender doesn’t rescue him on the deadline. Deni Avdija seems like the one fascinating participant to stash in Washington, as he has a per-36 line of 14.0 factors, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.4 blocks and a pair of.2 triples with Beal and Westbrook off the courtroom.

Nuggets 129, Hornets 104

There wasn’t a lot to see right here from the Hornets with Terry Rozier (21/5/4 with three triples and two steals) and Malik Monk (16 factors, two assists, two steals and one triple) being the one shiny spots. Devonte’ Graham had a quiet night time in 17 minutes, and with the Hornets failing to increase his contract over the summer time, I really feel like there’s an opportunity he’s moved on the deadline. For that purpose, I’d hold an in depth eye on Monk who had that six-game stretch from Feb. twenty second to March third when he put up 22.0 factors, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and three.3 triples in solely 26.9 minutes.

Nikola Jokic had a Rondo-like triple double with a 12/10/10 line, Will Barton (23/4/4 line) has utterly turned his season round and appears like a mid-rounder the remainder of the best way and Facundo Campazzo remains to be on the streaming radar with the Nuggets saying that Gary Harris (adductor) has no timetable. Campazzo had six factors, 10 assists, 4 steals, two rebounds and a triple in 25 minutes, and the Nuggets are loving their two-PG lineups. Michael Porter Jr. was the headliner right here although, going for 28 factors, 13 rebounds, three triples and a dime on 11-of-17 capturing. He has solidified himself as Denver’s third star, coach Malone is gushing about him and he’s a team-best +99 over the past 10 video games, hitting 60% from the sphere and 50% from the arc. He might be a top-25 participant the remainder of the best way.

Grizzlies 89, Warmth 85

You already know what I’m going to say. Coach Taylor Jenkins made one other egregious choice tonight by shifting Grayson Allen into the beginning 5 for Desmond Bane as an alternative of De’Anthony Melton, nevertheless it didn’t take lengthy for Melton to steal the highlight. Melton completed as a team-best +20 in 23 minutes, arising with an enormous steal, offensive rebound and pair of clutch free throws to seal the win. Melton had a gem of a fantasy line too with 13 factors, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and one triple, whereas Allen was 3-of-13 from the sphere and was a -17 in a 4-point win. You may’t make these items up.

Melton ranks thirty first in 9-cat over his final eight video games in 20.6 minutes regardless of Jenkins holding him again, but when he’s not freed after this efficiency I’m undecided he ever will probably be. I’ve been holding Melton in all places in case that wasn’t apparent. Brandon Clarke had his second dud in a row, and with so many scorching pickups on the wire, I don’t suppose he’s a must-roster participant. I additionally suppose it’s going to be Kyle Anderson who will get the backup PF minutes behind Jaren Jackson Jr. as an alternative of Clarke. Dillon Brooks (3-of-13 FGs) did what he does finest by lacking numerous pictures, and Justise Winslow has no enterprise being within the rotation.

Jimmy Butler (24/7/2 line with one steal and two triples) and Bam Adebayo (15/12/6 line with one steal) have been the one positives for Miami, who misplaced simply their second recreation of their final 12. Butler was questionable to play with an ankle difficulty however clearly seemed superb. He’s the No. 1 participant in 9-cat over his final eight video games, although I’m curious to see if the Warmth brings in some assist on the deadline. Tyler Herro (11/5/2 line with one block and one triple) merely isn’t an excellent fantasy asset but with too many holes in his recreation.

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Warriors 108, Rockets 94

Draymond Inexperienced’s (16/12/10 triple-double) resurgence continued, as he’s the twenty seventh ranked fantasy participant over the past month with 8.5 factors, 9.0 assists, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 triples. His jumper remains to be damaged, however I seem like a idiot for considering this man was washed only a few months in the past. Credit score to him for locating his second wind and he’s going to want it, as James Wiseman and Eric Paschall are set to overlook at the very least per week attributable to protocols. Stephen Curry left the sport with a bruised tailbone, with coach Steve Kerr saying after the sport that he’ll have an replace for us Thursday. “No concept if he’ll play in Memphis,” Kerr stated. “However he appears to really feel like he’ll be superb within the subsequent week or so. We’ll see. Do not take that to imply he is out per week. He might be again training tomorrow, for all I do know.”

Regardless, it’s time to choose up Jordan Poole and Kerr and Draymond Inexperienced each couldn’t cease hyping him up after the sport. Poole had 23 factors on 8-of-16 capturing with one rebound, two assists, six triples and two steals throughout 24 minutes and is averaging 19.0 factors, 2.2 assists and three.4 triples over his final 5. “It’s been a reasonably pure development for his improvement,” Kerr stated. “Nowadays, all of us need on the spot gratification. Nevertheless it takes time for gamers to get snug on this league. To me, he’s trying very snug now.”

Christian Wooden lastly returned from a 17-game absence, however couldn’t get a W within the win column (to the delight of their entrance workplace) for his or her 18th straight loss. Wooden had 21 factors (8-of-12 FGs), 9 rebounds, two assists and one block and seemed just like the top-25 participant he was earlier than the damage, even dropping Draymond with a nasty crossover (hyperlink).

He confirmed good chemistry within the two-man recreation with Kevin Porter Jr., and the one concern is how a lot the tank will have an effect on his fantasy worth down the stretch (decrease minutes, random DNPs and so on.). Talking of KPJ, his playmaking has been out of this world so that you higher imagine he’s going to like enjoying subsequent to Wooden. He had 25 factors, seven dimes, 4 rebounds, three steals and three triples, and assuming John Wall is shut down and/or Victor Oladipo is traded, the sky’s the restrict for a participant who may coast his option to early-round numbers. He’s already that good. KJ Martin Jr. had a 13-point recreation with 9 rebounds in half-hour, and he’s often an important supply of defensive stats. With P.J. Tucker gone, KJ Martin is a high quality pickup with top-100 upside. Consider him like a Derrick Jones Jr. with extra alternative. Justin Patton performed simply 11 minutes, and whereas this makes him a drop, he may simply resurface if the Rockets are open to utilizing him alongside Wooden. We will see.

Mavericks 105, Clippers 89

The phrases “Pandemic P” have been trending on Twitter which tells you all the things it’s good to know for the Clippers. Paul George was truly superb on offense with a 28-7-5 line with 5 triples, however was torched time and again by Luka Doncic. However to be honest, who wouldn’t get torched by Luka? Kawhi Leonard added a 20-7-7 line with a pair of steals, however the Clippers are reeling proper now as they’re 10-11 for the reason that begin of February. On the intense facet, possibly this implies much less relaxation for the studs. Meaning you’ll be able to’t sit any extra video games since you’re dizzy, George.

Serge Ibaka (again) missed one other recreation which made Ivica Zubac a no brainer in fantasy lineups, and he delivered with a 14/7/2 line with three steals and a block in 35 minutes. If he retains this up, Ty Lue goes to have a tough choice to make when Ibaka comes again.

Luka had a 42-point night time with 9 assists, six rebounds, three steals, two blocks and 6 triples for the road of the night time. The Mavs are 12-4 of their final 16 video games, and Luka has been unfair in that span with a 30/9/8 line with 3.7 triples, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks. A slight uptick in defensive stats and FT% and we’re speaking about the very best fantasy basketball participant within the coming years.

Spurs 106, Bulls 99

The Jakob Poeltl breakout may be very actual with the massive man going off for 20 factors, 16 rebounds and one help. He didn’t have any blocks which is weird by his requirements, however he was coming off a 14/12/2 line in his final recreation with 4 swats and has top-50 upside the remainder of the best way. Derrick White had a pleasant line however was simply 4-of-14 from the sphere to maintain the buy-low window open ever so barely, and endurance is lastly paying off for Keldon Johnson’s fantasy managers as he posted a 14/3/3 line with one steal, one block and one triple in 31 minutes.

Thaddeus Younger continues to gentle up the fantasy basketball panorama with one other gem of a line (16/8/5 with two steals and a block), and Chicago’s telephones are going to be ringing off the hook on the deadline. Do they flip him for a youthful asset/participant or maintain him and let him proceed to optimize guys like Zach LaVine along with his playmaking? Tomas Satoransky is averaging 10.0 factors, 7.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.3 triples over his final three video games, however I’m not satisfied his newfound position sticks for for much longer. Patrick Williams (18%) is the participant I’m extra inquisitive about, and whereas he had a productive night time with a ten/14/1 line with a pair of triples, he’s been tremendous unstable from night time to nighttime. Zach LaVine added 29 factors on 12-of-21 capturing with six dimes and three triples as he cruises his option to a top-15 season.

Pistons 116, Raptors 112

The Raptors lastly acquired Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam again within the lineup, however the rust was painfully apparent with the 2 combining to shoot 5-of-25 from the sphere. FVV stated he had a very robust time with COVID, so if we discovered something from Jayson Tatum it’s honest to anticipate a gradual climb again as much as peak kind. Chris Boucher began over Aron Baynes to the delight of the fantasy group, and he delivered with a 21/5/3 line with one block. If Boucher goes to flirt with half-hour regularly, he’s going to be a fantasy celebrity and he already ranks fifteenth over his final 5 video games. Norman Powell has been electrical for a pair months and paid a pleasant tribute to Monta Ellis with 43 factors on 14-of-18 capturing with zero assists, probably the most factors with out an help in Raptors’ historical past.

Saddiq Bey was one of many prime picks in my Waiver Wired column over the weekend, however I can promise you I didn’t anticipate anyplace near this line of 28 factors, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and 6 triples. The Pistons are utilizing him everywhere in the ground, so regardless that they’re experimenting with rotations, Bey’s fantasy worth seems locked in as a borderline top-100 participant. Delon Wright had a 18/10/8 line with two steals which suggests he’s able to be the top-50 participant he was earlier than the damage, and I’m guessing that he’s going to be beginning alongside Killian Hayes when he comes again. Isaiah Stewart had a ten/4/1 line with a block and a pair of triples and is doing simply sufficient to be thought of as an add, particularly if Dwane Casey is severe about utilizing him as a PF for stretches.

Cavaliers 117, Celtics 110

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown mixed for 57 factors, nevertheless it was Robert Williams who turned probably the most heads this night. He had a monstrous line of 13 factors, 14 rebounds, three assists, 4 blocks and two steals, enjoying a season-high 27(!) minutes. He did tweak his knee and Brad Stevens stated he was initially involved, nevertheless it turned out to be a easy contusion and he was capable of end the sport. Williams is ranked eighth in 9-cat over his final three video games with 11.0 factors, 10.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and three.8 blocks in 21.0 minutes. My favourite sleeper heading into the season may be very a lot awake.

Darius Garland bounced again with 25 factors, six dimes and two assists to calm the nerves of his fantasy managers, Collin Sexton has been constantly superior all season and had a 25/7/6 line with a pair of triples and Larry Nance Jr. (18/10/4 with two steals, one block and two triples) is full pace forward as a top-50 participant with Kevin Love out seemingly without end.

Isaac Okoro is the potential waiver-wire pickup I’ve acquired eyes on, as he had a 15/4/2 line and has proven that he can contribute in all places on the stat sheet.