Injury Report

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Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Game Time: 07:10 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

WAS +17 (+1000), CLE -17 (-1800)
Game Total 232.5

Key Storylines

Return of Sarr: Rookie Alex Sarr is not listed on the injury report ahead of Friday’s contest. This could put a damper on Jonas Valanciunas’ run of strong games while Sarr was sidelined. The Wizards have started Sarr and Valanciunas together at times this season, although that has not translated to strong production from the Lithuanian big man. Valanciunas’ rest of season outlook concerns me, as the Wizards should start prioritizing their younger player sooner than later.

Not Yet: There were multiple reports throughout the week that Max Strus would be making his season debut on Friday, but that will not be the case just yet. Strus started last season for the Cavs and finished the season just outside the top-120 in per-game value in 9-cat formats. Strus is worth stashing on IL if possible, especially in deeper formats, as he should be making his return shortly.

Stream of the Game

The Wizards are quite shorthanded at the moment, opening the door for Justin Champagnie to be a streaming option for a boost in scoring and 3-pointers.
Georges Niang would also be a solid option for 3-pointers and rebounds should Evan Mobley (questionable) be unable to play.

Alternatives: Caris LeVert, Marvin Bagley III, Ty Jerome and Dean Wade (deeper formats).

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Indiana Pacers @ Philadelphia 76ers

Game Time:  7:10 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

IND +6.5 (+205), PHI -6.5 (-250)
Game Total 227.5

Key Storylines

Underappreciated: T.J. McConnell is a top-100 player in per-game value in 9-cat formats over the last two weeks and should be considered a must-roster player for as long as the Pacers remain without both Aaron Nesmith and Ben Sheppard. McConnell’s assists have oddly dropped this season to four per game after being over five per contest the previous two seasons, but the rest of his numbers have improved. McConnell is being super efficient from 2-point range and providing fantasy managers with 1.4 steals per game. 

Monitoring Yabusele’s role: Guerschon Yabusele provided standard league value during the stretch in which Joel Embiid was sidelined as the starting five for the Sixers. Embiid returned last game, but Yabusele remained in the starting unit at power forward, which was an encouraging sign for his value moving forward. However, Yabusele ended up playing just 14 minutes for the game. Head coach Nick Nurse mentioned postgame that this was a matchup dependent decision, and not necessarily an indication of what Yabusele’s role will look like moving forward. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Yabusele on Friday to see what his role looks like.

Stream of the Game

Kelly Oubre Jr. continues to start over rookie Jared McCain and is worth a stream in standard league formats.

Alternatives: Guerschon Yabusele, Andrew Nembhard, Caleb Martin, Jared McCain and Jarace Walker (deeper formats).

Brooklyn Nets @ Memphis Grizzlies

Game Time:  8:10 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

BKN +11.5 (+455), MEM -11.5 (-625)
Game Total 230.5

Key Storylines

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