Injury Report

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Orlando Magic @ Brooklyn Nets

Game Time: 3:30 pm ET

BetMGM Lines

ORL -8.5 (-350), BKN +8.5 (+280)
Game Total 210.5

Key Storylines

It’s a Franz world we live in: Franz Wagner has stepped-up in all senses of the expression as Paolo Banchero remains out with an oblique injury, but we have to give credit to the Magic as a team, as they have won 11 out of their last 12 matches and sit as the third best record of the Eastern Conference at 14-7, only behind the Cavaliers and the Celtics. The German wing has averaged 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.9 triples on 38.3% efficiency and 2.5 steals over the past two weeks, nothing short of a career breakout performance.

However, the Magic are much more than Franz, and a lot of their most important players are in streamer range: Wendell Carter Jr, Goga Bitadze, Moritz Wagner, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac are good prospects to help you team and are widely available on most leagues.

Take advantage of the injuries in Brooklyn: With Cam Thomas (hamstring) and Noah Clowney (ankle) out for a while, Dorian Finney Smith (ankle) in doubt and Day’Ron Sharpe (hamstring) still not ready to come back, there’s enough space in Brooklyn’s rotation for widely available players to make an impact. I would target Jalen Wilson, Ziaire Williams, Trendon Watford and Shake Milton as those four should see enough minutes to hope any of them can have a decent game. Is far from the safest gamble, but I rather be surprised than disappointed picking up Ben Simmons for some rebounds and assists.

Stream of the Game

Wendell Carter Jr. should overtake the center spot now that he’s healthy, but Goga Bitadze should still have a decent output alongside with him.

Alternatives: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (points, 3s, steals), Anthony Black (points, assists, steals), Jalen Wilson (points, rebounds), Shake Milton (points, assists).

Indiana Pacers @ Memphis Grizzlies

Game Time: 3:30 pm ET

BetMGM Lines

IND +7.5 (+260), MEM -7.5 (-350)
Game Total 242.5

Key Storylines

Watch out for Jarace Walker: After a great performance of 10 points, five steals, three boards and four assists in Friday’s loss against the Pistons, and the fact that Obi Toppin has been at a mid-level for a while, makes me think that we’re close to seeing the 21-year-old forward lock up the main backup spot for the Pacers as he’s defensive potential should outweigh Toppin’s more developed offensive skills sooner than later. Indiana needs that defence more than they need offense as they have enough creators with Tyrese Haliburton regaining his level, the consistency of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin breakout campaign so far.

Buy-low on Desmond Bane: I know we talk about mostly streamers in The Layup Line, but after three consecutive stinkers including a string of missed games due to injury a month back, Desmond Bane is as good as a buy-low candidate as it gets. The 26-year-old is much better than what he has shown so far in the season, and you should try to finesse other managers into taking a sell-high candidate or someone who doesn’t have the same potential as Bane but is doing better at the moment, to try and acquire the struggling sharpshooter.

Additionally, I’d be worried about Scottie Pippen Jr, if he manages to have another solid game again, I’d look to move him off my team since Ja Morant and Marcus Smart are back and dealing.

Stream of the Game

There’s a nice group of players to stream for this match, mostly from Memphis side: Marcus Smart is gaining momentum at a very low ownership percentage even with Ja Morant back. I’d give him a chance along with Jay Huff as long as Zach Edey (ankle) remains out.

Alternatives: Jarace Walker (points, rebounds, stocks), Jaylen Wells (points, 3s, rebounds), Brandon Clarke (points, rebounds).

Miami Heat @ Toronto Raptors

Game Time: 06:00 pm ET

BetMGM Lines

MIA -4.5 (-200), TOR +4.5 (+165)
Game Total 221.5

Key Storylines

No new streamers in Miami: With the Heat starting-five all healthy once again, there’s little we can encounter in terms of streamers as Erik Spoelstra runs a tight rotation on most nights. Duncan Robinson has been the most consistent producer as of late from the bench, but he’s still a very limited fantasy player outside of points and triples. Kevin Love is not making enough impact to be considered as a good bet, and Miami’s young pieces like Nikola Jovic and Kel’el Ware are just not seeing minutes to even have a chance at being relevant.

Is not always greener on the other side: Leaving Ochai Agbaji out of the conversation, it’s hard to find any production from streamers in Toronto even with key injuries to Immanuel Quickley (elbow) and Gradey Dick (calf) from a decent while now. Chris Boucher, Davion Mitchell and even Jonathan Mogbo have all been on disappointing displays for some time now, leaving opportunities for Ja’Kobe Walter to have standout games and then fall-off right on the next one. This is just the way it is sometimes.

Stream of the Game

It’s only possible for me to trust whoever has the most consistency in both of these teams based on their career trajectory: Duncan Robinson and Chris Boucher are the names I’d go with on this matchup. I’m not excited about it though.

Alternatives: Davion Mitchell (points, assists, steals).

New Orleans Pelicans @ New York Knicks

Game Time: 06:00 pm ET

BetMGM Lines

NOP +11.5 (+500), NYK -11.5 (-700)
Game Total 226.5

Key Storylines

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