-
February 3, 2025, 12:03 am
I have not mentioned it in a while, but I’ve been dealing with injuries to both of my wrists (left one is worse) since the offseason but I have been improving. I do have to try to manage my workload a bit more than I have been though and since I’ve done a bit of typing on Sunday, I am going to try to keep this short and sweet.
Seven seconds or less? Let’s see how informative I can be in two sentences or less for each storyline.
Injury Report
Note that teams have until 1 p.m. local time on the day of a game to submit their report for the second leg of a back-to-back, so look out for updates throughout the day as appropriate.
Teams that have a Sunday-Monday B2B:
Pistons, Grizzlies, Bucks
The only things to note are that Bobby Portis (personal) was still out on Sunday and Ja Morant (shoulder) also missed a second game in a row.
The Bucks had six guys listed as probable on Sunday (Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton, Lopez, Trent and Prince) so we might get some sits on Monday.
Atlanta Hawks @ Detroit Pistons
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
DraftKings Lines
ATL +3.5 (+136), DET -3.5 (-162)
Game Total: 235.5Key Storylines
Can’t Tank, Can’t Win: The Hawks first-rounder is owed unprotected to the Spurs (they didn’t move it in the Fox trade) this season, so you can be sure they won’t tank. We are monitoring the growth of Zaccharie Risacher and who the fifth starter will be moving forward as it has been Mouhamed Gueye and then Dominick Barlow in the past week, not Vit Krejci.
Solid: Tobas Harris looks solid again, so add him if he was dropped. His poor runs are longer this season, but overall he should likely still be on 12-team rosters.Stream of the Game
Zaccharie Risacher: A couple of better games lately.
Alternatives:
De’Andre Hunter
Ausar Thompson
Malik Beasley (more than a stream, but roster % remains too low)
Isaiah Stewart (rebounds, blocks and flagrant fouls)
Tim Hardaway Jr.–deep league line–
Larry Nance Jr.
Garrison Mathews
Simone Fontecchio
Vit Krejci (12-team if he starts)
Keaton WallaceMonitor Dominick Barlow and Mouhamed Gueye but they could be DNP-CDs as much as they can be in the rotation, so I don’t trust a stream unless you get word of one of them “starting” as a 15-to-20-minute player.
Washington Wizards @ Charlotte Hornets
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
DraftKings Lines
WAS +4 (+160), CHA -4 (-192)
Game Total: 217.5Key Storylines
No Sarr: Alex Sarr remains out with a left ankle sprain and generally, we are just looking at the young guys to see what they are doing.
Micic questionable: The Hornets could be without a PG as KJ Simpson and Isaiah Wong are the only natural PGs left on the team if Micic is out. If it isn’t one of them, I could see one of Seth Curry or perhaps DaQuan Jeffries starting and allowing Nick Smith Jr. to try running the offense, or Miles Bridges.Stream of the Game
Nick Smith Jr.: He had a better game last time and maybe if he has to play some PG (he is supposed to be a combo guard anyway), some assists could help.
Alternatives:
Vasilije Micic if he plays – questionable
Bilal Coulibaly
Malcolm Brogdon
Bub Carrington
Corey Kispert
Josh Green–deep league line–
Kyshawn George
Moussa Diabate
Seth Curry
DaQuan JeffriesHouston Rockets @ New York Knicks
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET
DraftKings Lines
HOU +5 (+170), NYK -5 (-205)
Game Total: 222.5Key Storylines
Sengun questionable, no FVV: Steven Adams and Tari Eason have benefitted from Sengun’s absence. If Sengun joins FVV, Aaron Holiday could start and benefit, but if Sengun is available, Eason won’t have to play as much small-ball five and he could start on the wing instead.
Anunoby (and Hart) questionable: Josh Hart should play, but Anunoby’s injury (right foot sprain) looked like it should be a multi-week issue and the sports doctors I follow (who are almost always right) indicated the same. Precious Achiuwa had 15 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and a steal in 30 minutes on Saturday, so he looks like the add if Anunoby is out.Stream of the Game
Tari Eason and Precious Achiuwa: I am assuming Eason might be rostered as he should be and that Anunoby might be ruled out, because he probably should be if the Knicks are smart.
Alternatives:
Dillon Brooks
Steven Adams if Sengun is out, deep-league if Sengun plays.–deep league line–
Miles McBride (borderline 12-team, especially if Anunoby is out)
Cam Whitmore
Cam Payne
Aaron HolidayNote that Jock Landale is doubtful.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
DraftKings Lines
MIL +9 (+295), OKC -9 (-375)
Game Total: 233.5Key Storylines
B2B Watch: Khris Middeton played both legs of the last b2b but was severely limited on the second night, so he might sit but if he does not, I may not expect much out of him.
Aaron Wiggins Saved Basketball (again): That is still my favorite player reference and with Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace all questionable, Wiggins could save basketball again on Monday after he had 41 points, 14 rebounds, six triples and three assists on Saturday.Stream of the Game
Want to get access to the rest of this game preview Layup Line article? You’ll need to have an NBA FantasyPass membership. Click here to learn more and sign up!
Premium Access RequiredClick here to join us on Discord! And Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Join the SportsEthos team by filling out an application by clicking here!