Welcome to Wednesday’s Daily Dish!  Nine games appeared on the NBA schedule tonight, including the Raptors edging the Hornets 112-110 in overtime and the Rockets defeating the Hawks 122-115 despite a triple-double from Trae Young.  Read on for some observations to help you tinker with your team.   

Adds of the Night

Derrick Jones Jr., F, Miami Heat – 30 minutes, 18 points, 7 rebounds, two steals, two blocks, two 3-pointers, 5-of-10 FG

Jones is looking solid in a sixth man role especially considering his 13% ownership in Yahoo leagues. He has reached double-digit points in three of his last four to go with 21 rebounds, six steals, and five blocks over that stretch.  Erik Spoelstra has played him at 31.1 minutes on average in his last ten contests, and he even hit two triples against the Pacers despite a terrible season mark of 24.1 percent from deep. Generally, Jones prefers closer shots and sits at 48.7 percent on the season when it comes to field goals.  The defensive stats are also a welcome sight, but the steals are definitely not a fluke when you look at his season average of 1.2 thefts. It’s true that Justise Winslow only saw 16 minutes on the floor and that figure should rise, but probably not enough to leave Jones without a prominent bench role.

Tim Hardaway Jr., F, Dallas Mavericks – 30 minutes, 15 points, two assists, three 3-pointers, 5-of-11 FG

Hardaway shot 16-for-27 in his last two full games prior to being sidelined with a hamstring injury at the end of December.  He has always been a streaky marksman, and right now his long-range stroke doesn’t look affected by rust.  While he shot 3-for-9 from behind the arc on Wednesday, that followed a 3-for-4 performance on Monday. He was dropped by a significant number of teams while hurt which helps to explain the 33% ownership in Yahoo.  It also helps that he reached 30 minutes after only getting 22 when Rick Carlisle attempted to ease him back into action against the Bulls. Kristaps Porzingis has not yet returned from his knee issue which also gave Hardaway some breathing room.  He has always been a volume shooter, not to mention that Luka Doncic can be a real asset for guys who can get open and fire the basketball. 

Drop Zone

Here are a couple of players who could be worth cutting if you find a promising free agent.

Michael Porter Jr.

I’m not the only one to notice the demise of Porter’s statistics.  Porter’s Yahoo ownership has sunk to 29% after flirting with 40% very recently.  He showed flashes of his promise by scoring 19 points on December 29 while shooting 8-of-10 from the floor.  Last Thursday, he added another 25 points by making 11-of-12 field goals. However, on Wednesday Mike Malone granted him just 14 minutes even though Will Barton was missing for personal reasons.  His final line was two points, three rebounds, one steal, and three turnovers. Monte Morris has poured in 23 points over his last two appearances, which helps to explain Porter’s diminished impact.  Even Malik Beasley managed 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one block in his 26 minutes off the bench. Things are too unpredictable in Nuggetsland to bank on Porter in the short term.

Chris Boucher

No, this isn’t me criticizing a former Oregon Duck because I attended another Pac-12 institution.  Tonight, Boucher scored three points, gathered three rebounds, and blocked two shots in 14 minutes.  Boucher actually enjoyed a solid game on Tuesday with 12 points and nine rebounds during 16 minutes of action.  If you’re in a deep league and count on him for blocks, I won’t blame you for holding onto him.  Nevertheless, Boucher is still owned in 11% of Yahoo leagues which is high for someone averaging 13.3 minutes per game this season.  He has grabbed 4.6 rebounds per contest, which is impressive for a player who is used so little but hardly worthy of a roster spot in a standard league.  Boucher did post two games of 20 points or more during December, but only when he received 24-28 minutes per contest.  It will be hard to count on him unless Nick Nurse moves him to a more prominent place on the Raptors’ depth chart.

Injury Report

Kevin Knox (sprained right ankle) played 29 minutes and scored six points.

Mitchell Robinson (left greater toe sprain) was able to play for 22 minutes.

Dennis Smith Jr. (left oblique strain) was held out against the Jazz.

Daniel Theis (left neck soreness) scored 15 points in only 20 minutes.

Paul Millsap (left knee contusion) was a late scratch against the Mavs.

Domantas Sabonis (left knee soreness) had a huge game with 27 points and 14 boards in 37 minutes.

Kenrich Williams missed facing the Bulls due to right lower back soreness.

Lauri Markkanen (left ankle sprain) scored 14 points during 29 minutes of play.

Norman Powell (left shoulder subluxation) was unable to play.

Jimmy Butler (lower back soreness) scored 14 points in 28 minutes.

Marvin Williams (nasal fracture) did not suit up against the Raptors.

Kemba Walker (illness) was able to play but was ultimately ejected from the game against the Spurs.

Malcolm Brogdon (lower back soreness) was unable to play against the Heat.

Rocket Redick

J.J. Redick began his NBA career in 2006 and has drained 41.5 percent of 3-pointers since then.  Through 35 games, he has actually fared better on triples (46.2 percent) than field goals overall (45.1 percent).  Redick’s best full-season percentage from distance was 47.5 percent with the Clippers in 2015-16, but he’s on pace for his second best success rate during his first campaign with the Pelicans.  That figure has been buoyed by a ridiculous 15-for-27 stretch this calendar year. Outside of December 29 against the Rockets, he has been a very consistent source of offense. He made 6-of-12 threes on Wednesday against the Bulls, finishing 7-of-15 from the floor.  Redick added four rebounds, four assists, and one steal which are nice fringe benefits when you consider his role of sniper.  

Shining Spur

Kawhi Leonard made such an impact for the Raptors as they captured the 2019 title that it’s easy to forget the primary asset acquired by the Spurs when they traded him away.  No one is going to accuse a player boasting 99% ownership in Yahoo of existing under the radar, but DeMar DeRozan is shooting over 59 percent from the field in his last 10 appearances.  He’s up to 53 percent for the season compared to 45.5 percent in his career.  Wednesday was the second time he reached 30 points in his last four games, and he sweetened his fantasy line by going 10-for-10 on free throws.  DeRozan is intelligent enough to limit his 3-point attempts, ending the game with only one. He added six rebounds, four assists, and a steal as the Spurs defeated the Celtics by 15 points.