Last Updated on January 1, 2025 12:40 pm by Keston Paul | Published: January 1, 2025

Injury Report

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Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Game Time: 07:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

ORL +2 (+114) , DET -2 (-135)
Game Total 213

Key Storylines

Concerning: Tobias Harris’ production has fallen off a cliff as of late. Harris seems to be disconnected on offense and despite the Pistons having just signed him to a deal this off-season, the team does not appear to be making a conscious effort to get him more involved on a game-to-game basis. I would continue to hold Harris in standard formats for now, although the possibility of him getting benched in favor of Ausar Thompson at a later point in the season does loom large should Harris continue to struggle. If Harris ends up getting benched, it probably would move him into drop territory in standard formats.

Suggs Probable:  Jalen Suggs seems to have avoided a serious injury and is listed as probable to play on Wednesday. Whether the Magic decide to go with Wendell Carter Jr. at the four again is hard to predict on a game-to-game basis. Carter Jr. can be rostered in standard formats but does lose value whenever he is “limited” to playing exclusively as a backup five to Goga Bitadze, making him expendable and better suited as a streaming option unless we see him start for multiple games in a row.

Stream of the Game

Tristan da Silva remains widely available despite starting and is a solid streaming option for Wednesday’s slate in standard formats.

Alternatives: Malik Beasley, Ausar Thompson, Trevelin Queen and Anthony Black (questionable) (deeper formats). 

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Chicago Bulls @ Washington Wizards

Game Time:  7:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

CHI -6 (-218), WAS +6 (+180)
Game Total 238.5

Key Storylines

Be Careful: Patrick Williams is coming off a strong shooting night, scoring 17 points with five triples.
Williams has “teased” fantasy managers with intriguing statlines many times throughout his career, but has in most cases been unable to maintain this level of play for extended stretches. Williams is fine to consider streaming in for triples and defensive stats, but should not be relied upon for consistent production.

Dangerous Game: It can be dangerous to hold a player for extended stretches in standard formats or shallower formats hoping for the player to be traded and banking on this improving the players’ value. A change of scenery will not always result in an improvement in opportunity and production for a player. Jonas Valanciunas is a player that could fit this narrative. The Wizards are going nowhere this season, and have Alex Sarr as their future franchise big man already on their roster. Trading Valanciunas seems to be the logical move, but this does not mean that it will happen. However, as previously outlined, Valanciunas might end up for example on a contending team in a backup role if traded. If you are holding Valanciunas solely because you are waiting for a trade to happen, you could be losing out on value on your waiver wire while waiting for a move that might not even boost JV’s fantasy stock.

Stream of the Game

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Gabriel Pérez-Grill

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