Injury Report

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Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

PHI  -9.0 (-110), DET +9.0 (-110)
Game Total 224.5.

Key Storylines

-Philly Runaway Train – The Sixers have covered every game this season and appear to making a seamless transition in the post-James Harden era.  Tyrese Maxey has thrown his hat in the ring as one of the elite PGs in the league and that is before the Sixers have even assimilated any of the spare parts they got from the Clippers.  It’s rare that a team can lose a player of Harden’s caliber and not a miss beat, but so far this season they’ve shown no signs of slowing down or taking a step back.

– PG Frenzy -:The Pistons are loaded with guards and while that looks great on the depth chart, there is already rumblings of discontent on this squad which still can’t seem to win many games.  The conversation starts with Cade Cunningham, but Ausar Thompson looks like a revelation and that has forced Jaden Ivey to watch from the sidelines which is a role he is not used to or comfortable with.  Stay tuned.

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Stream of the Game

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Killian Hayes: With Ivey being ruled out already, Hayes should continue to start and while he doesn’t have a sky-high ceiling, he’s doing just enough of the dirty work to be worth streaming in 14-team leagues.

Charlotte Hornets @ Washington Wizards

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

CHA +3.0 (-110), WIZ -3.0 (-110)
Game Total 240.5

Key Storylines

– Street Ball: Both of these teams seem allegoric to defense and it’s impossible to predict who will end up scoring enough points to beat the other team.  The Wizards just beat the Hornets, so the zig-zag theory applies, but both these teams seem destined for the lottery.  It should be a great game for fantasy purposes, but otherwise there isn’t a lot of hope for either squad to make a run towards .500 ball.

– Poole Party for None: There was a fools hope that the Wizards might be a scrappy upstart team that surprised people with unchecked offensive talent, but so far only Kyle Kuzma is pulling his weight.  Jordan Poole looks like a shell of his former self and can’t seem to do the one thing he does naturally, score the ball.  He’s not a write-off yet, but eventually the poor percentages and careless TOs are going to outweigh whatever else he is providing on the court.

Stream of the Game

Delon Wright: Tyus Jones has been playing well, but Wright is the only hope for stopping the point of attack on defense and he looked great last game.  He’s only rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues and his ability to rack up steals should keep his value inside the top-150 at a minimum.  The Wizards play three times over the next four days.

Brooklyn Nets @ Boston Celtics

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

BRK 11.5 (-110), BOS -11.5 (-110)
Game Total 227.5

Key Storylines

– Celtic Revenge: The Celts just lost a barnburner vs. the Sixers and you know they will be out for blood vs. this banged up Nets squad.  The Celts have a tendency to come out of the gates swinging, get out to a big lead and just keep the pressure until it balloons north of 20.  I expect nothing less in this game and they should be good for close to 130 points.

– Ambulance Chasing Nets – The Nets just lost Cam Thomas for two weeks with an ankle sprain and are still without Nic Claxton.  Ben Simmons has been ruled out, but at least Cam Johnson will make his long-awaited return in this one.  They don’t have a lot of warm bodies left and as good as Mikal Bridges is, not even he can pick up the slack for this depleted Brooklyn team.

Stream of the Game

Lonnie Walker IV: Walker doesn’t have the most diverse skill set, but he can score in bunches and the Nets are in desperate need of shooting right now.  He’s scored 40 points combined over the last two games and is a decent player to stream when he gets hot like this.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

MIN -6.5 (-110), SAN +6.5 (-110)
Game Total 225

Key Storylines

-Something Has to Give: The Wolves are one of the best defensive teams in the league and the Spurs are one of the worst.  This game could get out of hand quickly if both teams play to form.  Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama will have his hands full with Rudy Gobert down low and with Devin Vassell still getting over his groin issue, I wouldn’t expect the Spurs to put up much of a fight with the way the Wolves are playing.

– Ant-Man Ascending – It was simply a matter of time until Anthony Edwards made the leap and starting imprinting his boot on other teams.  We just saw him to take over a game late vs. the Celtics and dominate on both ends of the floor and that more of an opening act than the finale.  The Wolves still have a couple of pieces to fully integrate, but the hierarchy is set and everything runs through Edwards.  Don’t sleep on the Wolves.

Stream of the Game

Kyle Anderson: Slo-mo hasn’t been as great as he was in the back-half of last season, but he is still an integral part of this team and capable of running the second unit.  His real value will pop when someone gets hurt and his role is increased, but he’s still had five blocks over this last three games, which is enough to warrant streaming with solid upside.

New Orleans Pelicans @ Houston Rockets

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

NO +2.5 (-110), HOU -2.5 (-110)
Game Total 218.5

Key Storylines

A Tale as Old as Time – The Pelicans are banged up again and this should come as no surprise, but at least it is not Zion Williamson, who will return on Friday after sitting out for the birth of his child on Wednesday.  With CJ McCollum out, Herb Jones banged up and a couple role players out, the Pelicans are testing the extent of their depth and so far the results are troubling.  The Pelicans have lost three in a row, all by double digits and they are going to need someone to step up if they are going to beat the upstart Rockets.

– Rockets in Flight: Everyone including me clowned the Rockets for their offseason where they seemingly just brought in players who needed the ball in order to be effective.  There is no denying Ime Udoka should be the Coach Of The Year frontrunner as he has this team playing hard, unselfish ball every game which most thought was impossible.  They still need to iron out some of their rotations, but the fact that the playoffs are possible is a shocking revelation.

Stream of the Game

It’s Jordan Hawkins or bust here as he’s only rostered in 45% of Yahoo leagues and has hit 13 treys over his last three games.  His rest of season potential might be limited once the Pelicans get healthy, but for now they need his shooting desperately and he should continue to let it fly with abandon.

Utah Jazz @ Memphis Grizzlies

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

UTA +4.5 (-110), MEM -4.5 (-110)
Game Total 229.5

Key Storylines

-How the Might Have Fallen: The Grizzlies were supposed to represent stability in the Western Conference as they were still supposed to be on the up and coming, but Ja Morant has shot them in the foot so far this season.  They are 1-7 and down almost all of their front court depth with no real talent to fill in. It’s going to get worse before it gets better and if the Grizz don’t start taking care of business at home there won’t be much point in Morant returning at all after 25 games.

– Keys to Keyonte- The Jazz are finally starting rookie Keyonte George and the early returns are promising.  They have three legit front court players when healthy, two now with Walker Kessler out for two weeks, but it’s the lack of quality guard play that is keeping the Jazz from winning games.  George is more of a long term answer than a short term one, but the reps he gets now will pay off down the road.

Stream of the Game

We’re not going to overthink this one as George is only rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues and had nine dimes in a career-high 31 minutes last game.  If he can up his scoring and swipe at least one steal, there is a road where he provides solid fantasy value as long as he is starting.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Dallas Mavericks

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

LAC +1.5 (-110),DAL -1.5 (-110)
Game Total 235

Key Storylines

Stud vs. Stud: This is the kind of game we all want to see.  There are storylines all throughout this game and the James Harden vs. Kyrie Irving one is probably one of the lamest.  This is about Kawhi Leonard vs. Luka Doncic and everyone will be glued to their sets when they go 1v1.  Both these teams have high hopes and while the Clippers are still working out the new kinks, the Mavs have jumped out to a 6-2 record while the Clippers have yet to win on the road.

Who Takes a Backseat: We all know there is only one ball, but who is willing to share it and who still thinks they are elite.  The Clippers have four former/current all-world players and while some have declined more than others, self-awareness is not a trait that former superstars often possess.  Russell Westbrook is the most likely casualty on this team, but we’ve also seen that he is the least likely to acquiesce to any new normal.

Stream of the Game

With Derick Lively II and Maxi Kleber questionable for this game, it potentially opens up a hole in the Dallas frontcourt.  Grant Williams is over 50% rostered now on Yahoo so he might not be available, but I need to keep giving him his flowers.  He is a key member of this team and should see plenty of minutes all season and even more open looks from deep.

 

Oklahoma Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings

Game Time: 10:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

OKC -1.5 (-110),SAC +1.5 (-110)
Game Total 230

Key Storylines

Fireworks Galore: On paper this has all the potential to be a high-flying affair, but with De’Aaron Fox still out with an ankle injury, the expectations have to be tempered down.  The Kings are off to a slow start, but it’s hard to blame them without their superstar point guard.  At least Domantas Sabonis woke up last game and hopefully he can build some momentum because without him stepping up, the Kings are screwed.

Thunder Train All-Aboard: This Thunder team might be special and while it’s going to take a few weeks to get fully operational, the early returns are encouraging.  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP candidate and Chet Holmgren is right there for Rookie Of The Year.  They are 5-3 and once they figure out just exactly where everyone fits in the pecking order, they are going to be a tough out every game.

Stream of the Game

Davion Mitchell: I might be the last person on the Mitchell bandwagon, but I refuse to get off just yet.  He showed a little something last game with 16 points and three triples, but he needs to be adding defensive stats to help his value.  Hopefully Fox is back soon, but Mitchell has all the tools to be a decent fantasy player.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns

Game Time: 10:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

LAlL+3.5 (-110),PHX -3.5 (-110)
Game Total 224.5

Key Storylines

Next Man Up: The Suns might be the unluckiest team from a health standpoint this season as Devin Booker and Bradley Beal have each almost missed the entire season.  Beal is hopefully back from his back issues after playing the last game, but Booker remains without a timetable.  Kevin Durant has picked up the slack, but those early season miles will come back to haunt the Suns later this season.

Brow Down: Anthony Davis did his weekly fantasy GM scare when he appeared to tweak his groin two games ago.  He missed the last game and the Lakers got blown out, so if he can’t go again tonight, it wouldn’t shock me if there was a similar result. There are no more surprises when it comes to rostering Davis as everything is on the table.

Stream of the Game

If Davis can’t go then it would make sense to stream Christian Wood even though he was awful vs. his old team last game.  Rui Hachimura is also on the board as he dropped 24 points last game.  I would stick with Wood one more game and see if he can abuse the Suns frontcourt, but no promises.