Injury Report

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Miami Heat @ Detroit Pistons

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

MIA -4.5 (-185), DET +4.5 (+154)
Game Total: 219

Key Storylines

Dru Smith’s ascent: Smith has played 20-plus minutes in four of his last five games and 25-plus minutes in three of those five. He is a a two-way contract player, but if the Heat are trusting him like this, he could be converted into a standard deal with the empty roster void left by the Thomas Bryant trade. Smith does not project to be a 12-team player, but he might get into the 16-team range and beyond. 

Tobias Harris is out: Harris is nursing a right thumb sprain and we don’t have a timeline, so this could be a one-week or one-game absence or a multi-week one, we don’t know. Ron Holland popped off last week, but most of his “pop” came in garbage time. Ausar Thompson understandably isn’t up to speed yet, but maybe this is his chance. Simone Fontecchio also hasn’t really gotten the chances but he is another option at PF. Whoever starts may be a low-end 12-team stream, but likely isn’t a must-have. 

Stream of the Game

Malik Beasley or Duncan Robinson for points plus treys. Terry Rozier may be on waiver wires now too and is streamable.

Alternatives: Haywood Highsmith, Jaime Jaquez Jr. (shaky), Dru Smith, Isaiah Stewart, Tim Hardaway Jr. (maybe he remembers he’s meant to be an elite shooter)

Whoever starts between Ausar Thompson, Simone Fontecchio or Ron Holland

Philadelphia 76ers @ Charlotte Hornets

Game Time: 07:00 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

PHI -3 (-148), CHA +3 (+124)
Game Total: 217

Key Storylines

Is it a lost season?: The Sixers’ first-rounder this season is top-6 protected, so in theory, they could tank. Joel Embiid’s sinus fracture doesn’t sound like it will hold him out too long as it took a second evaluation to rule him out, though it was still a day ahead of Monday’s game. Jared McCain has a meniscus injury and we don’t know if it’ll be a trim (6-to-8 weeks) or a full repair (multiple months and potentially season-ending) so hopefully we get clarity on that. McCain can be dropped in shallow formats, but for example, I am still holding him in a 20-team league where I’m in a comfortable spot until I get more clarity. 

LaMelo is questionable: The Hornets have a back-to-back-to-back (Mon-Thurs-Fri) this week and LaMelo Ball is questionable to return from his calf strain today. If he suits up, expect him to sit one half of the back-to-back later this week. Tre Mann (back) still appears to be far away from a return unfortunately. Also, Mark Williams started the previous game and Nick Richards’ minutes fell dramatically. Williams still isn’t near starter-level minutes yet but he has been productive and is must-roster. I think Richards can be moved on from, though, Williams will certainly sit half of the B2B set so Richards can also be held for streaming purposes this week if you have more urgent moves to make.  

Stream of the Game

Kelly Oubre is suddenly a double-double threat and should just be rostered. Guerschon Yabusele is my stream pick sans Joel Embiid.

Alternatives: KJ Martin (Caleb being out also helps), Andre Drummond, Kyle Lowry (deep formats), Ricky Council IV

Nick Richards, Vasilije Micic (way less useful if Ball plays), Cody Martin, Josh Green

Chicago Bulls @ Toronto Raptors

Game Time: 07:30 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

CHI -2 (-122), TOR +2 (+102)
Game Total: 240.5

Key Storylines

We got a Jalen Smith glimpse, but Nikola Vucevic is probable now: The storyline title explains itself. Smith double-doubled with a triple and five blocks last Friday when Vucevic missed his first game of the season. Vooch is probable now though, so that’s over, but remember that Smith performance in case of a Vooch trade or injury. Patrick Williams also returned on an extreme minutes limit and honestly, he doesn’t need to be on 12-team radars as he’ll likely only become a streamer at best. 

Mogbo Mania Part 2?: Jonathan Mogbo started last Thursday’s game without Scottie Barnes (who already did light running and jumping on Sunday, but should still be weeks away), so Mogbo can be rostered for the non-scoring stats like boards, steals, blocks and perhaps even assists. Although, this lineup leaves a playmaking void besides RJ Barrett, so maybe the Raptors could shift things around. Do they want to win games by shifting things around and do they have an option (Davion Mitchell? – shudders, Jamal Shead? – an actual PG) to add playmaking to the starters though?

By the way, Bruce Brown (right knee surgery/reconditioning) practiced fully on Sunday and although he is out again, he is considered day-to-day so he’s getting close! Though, he will need to be eased in.

Stream of the Game

Note, Zach LaVine is questionable, which could give a boost to Ayo Dosunmu if he isn’t already rostered. Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji are likely gone now too, so my stream is Jonathan Mogbo. 

Alternatives: 

Deep leagues – Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams, Jalen Smith, Matas Buzelis, Julian Phillips, Talen Horton-Tucker

Standard – Kelly Olynyk, Davion Mitchell

Deep – Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Brooklyn Nets

Game Time: 07:30 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

CLE -10 (-485), BKN +10 (+370)
Game Total: 216.5

Key Storylines

Mobley probable: Evan Mobley should slot back in after his one-game absence. More interesting, Max Strus, who was reportedly aiming to return last Friday, has now been ruled out a day in advance of that game and this one. Perhaps he suffered another setback with his right ankle sprain. If we find out anything, we will tell you. 

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