Injury Report

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Charlotte Hornets @ Washington Wizards

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET

BetMGM Lines

CHA -3.5 (-175), WAS +3.5 (+145)
Game Total 226.5

Key Storylines

Hornets streamer landscape changes with two big returns: Due to LaMelo Ball (calf) and Miles Bridges (knee) coming back from injury in the last two games, Charlotte’s rotation is bound to have major changes moving forward. This also heavily depends on the status of Brandon Miller, who abandoned Monday’s game against the 76ers after spraining his left ankle. He’s listed as questionable.

Expect Vasilije Micic, DaQuan Jeffries and Tidjane Salaun to have lesser roles or even no minutes at all on most nights if Miller avoids missing extended time, as the Hornets will shorten their rotation and give more play to its main stars.

However, you can still find value in assets like Nick Richards while Mark Williams is still on a minute limit, as well, Cody Martin and Josh Green can provide good production although very inconsistent for both perimeter players.

Watch out for Justin Champagnie: The 23-year-old forward has been excellent in his past few games, covering Kyle Kuzma (ribs), Corey Kispert and Kyshawn George (ankle) absences, averaging 15 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals during the last 15 days. It’s a small amount of games, sure, but the efficiency has been there as a streamer. Kispert, George and Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) have all returned to practice in the latest reports, but none are confirmed to be taking part in Thursday’s game against the Hornets.

Champagnie seems to have a priority in the rotation if he keeps up this great level of play, at least while his teammates return from injury.

Update: Brogdon, Kispert and George are off the injury report, which should sink Champagnie’s value.

Stream of the Game

Nick Richards and if Brandon Miller gets ruled out, Cody Martin for points/boards/steals.

You can also look at the returning Malcolm Brogdon and maybe Kyshawn George.

Alternatives: Josh Green (points, 3s, steals)

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Orlando Magic

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET

BetMGM Lines

OKC -6.5 (-250), ORL +6.5 (+200)
Game Total 209.5

Key Storylines

NBA Cup Runners Up: The Thunder got the short end of the stick Tuesday night after the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Cup Final in a 81-97 match, where the Thunder once again showed they’re still a bit away from being a major threat against more experienced teams. This game didn’t count for fantasy basketball, so it was definitely a loss for all managers who had players involved.

Now, against the Magic, Oklahoma shouldn’t have much of an issue as Orlando is missing their two star players in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, both due to an oblique injury. Streaming wise, the Thunder don’t have many options, as Lu Dort is very closely approaching non-streaming roster percentage, as well as Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe not being able to consistently produce as of late.

I’ve said this too many times already: Goga Bitadze and Moritz Wagner should be your targets if they’re still available in your league. Both of them have been great ever since Paolo Banchero suffered his oblique injury and should continue to be great performers for the time being.

Both are surely harder to get a hold of now compared to a month ago, but their roster percentage is still low enough for you to find them in the waiver wire. The Magic has a cast of streamers who are interesting to follow, but the two big men are definitely the most effective. I’ve said this like three or four times already but people continue to sleep on them.

Stream of the Game

Moritz Wagner is my choice as Goga Bitadze is probably taken in most leagues already. As well, don’t sleep on Wendell Carter Jr.

Alternatives: Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, Anthony Black (points, assists, steals), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (points, 3s, steals), Jonathan Isaac (rebounds, steals, blocks), Tristan da Silva (points, rebounds.

Utah Jazz @ Detroit Pistons

Game Time: 07:00 pm ET

BetMGM Lines

UTA +3.5 (+145), DET -3.5 (-175)
Game Total 227.5

Key Storylines

As poor of a team, as a streamer source: The lottery competing Jazz is currently in a position where streamers are just not their cup of tea. Keyonte George has been recognized as a more of an asset rather than a streamer, which he is and his roster percentage shows, while Jordan Clarkson continues to be at a high roster percentage due to his production in spite of his injury woes.

This leaves us with Kyle Filipowski, who recently came back from a lower leg injury but surprisingly isn’t getting notable minutes anymore, and Brice Sensabaugh, who has risen within Utah’s rotation after starting the season seeing little to no minutes. Both are intriguing profiles and have potential, but their lack of consistency in production and minutes are crucial in them not being a safe recommendation.

Detroit’s key players in doubt: Tobias Harris (thumb) is probable, Jaden Ivey (knee) is doubtful and Isaiah Stewart (knee) is out for Thursday’s clash vs. the Jazz, and will definitely shift minutes within the J.B. Bickerstaff’s rotation. Malik Beasley and (but not Ausar Thompson with Harris probable) will immediately become the main beneficiaries of these absences, but Tim Hardaway Jr, Ron Holland II and even Paul Reed could also see an increase in production if the previously mentioned group are confirmed to miss the game.

Stream of the Game

While Beasley could still be available in leagues and should be targeted, Ron Holland II and Tim Hardaway have been on a solid level of play as of late, they could be intriguing options for those in need of production or deep-leagues as well.

Alternatives:  All in deeper leagues -> Kyle Filipowski (points, rebounds), Brice Sensabaugh (points, assists, steals), Paul Reed (points, blocks), Simone Fontecchio (points, 3s).

Chicago Bulls @ Boston Celtics

Game Time: 07:30 pm ET

BetMGM Lines

CHI +14.5 (+725), BOS -14.5 (-1200)
Game Total 243.5

Key Storylines

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