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March 4, 2025, 1:09 pm
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 Monday-Tuesday B2B:
Rockets, Warriors, 76ers, HawksHouston Rockets @ Indiana Pacers
Game Time: 07:00 pm ET
BetMGM Lines
HOU +3.5 (+125), IND -3.5 (-155)
Game Total 232.5Key Storylines
Injury woes hit Houston: Alperen Sengun (back), Amen Thompson (shoulder), Fred VanVleet (ankle management), Tari Eason (lower leg management) and Dillon Brooks (knee) all missed Monday’s clash against the Thunder, and while Eason and VanVleet should be ready to face Indiana, the same can’t be said about the rest. These injuries popped up before the end of the weekend and Houston could choose to keep their star duo of Sengun and Thompson to give them some extra time to recover, as well as Dillon Brooks. VanVleet did hint that he aggravated his ankle injury too though, so there is a chance that it is more that B2B rest for him, but perhaps the others took the night off against a Thunder team they may have lost to anyway.
If neither of them are available to play, I could see names like Jabari Smith Jr, Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore and even Jock Landale having boosts to their game. Aside from Jabari, the other three have had a very limited season in terms of fantasy contributions, but Reed Sheppard had a career night against the Thunder, and even though he won’t have the same usage, he could start seeing meaningful minutes for the Rockets.
Mathurin likely to remain out: Bennedict Mathurin (wrist) is listed as doubtful against Houston, bringing down his chances to return to the court by a lot. This is good news for whoever picked up Aaron Nesmith as a streamer, as he balled out against the Bulls on Sunday with 27 points, six triples and five rebounds. He’s definitely the pickup once again with Mathurin likely to not play on Tuesday night, but the Pacers offer more than just an option, with the likes of Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell being very interesting profiles.
Stream of the Game
Houston injury struggles are not clear enough to crown a pick over there, but Indiana’s are clear enough: Aaron Nesmith is a good value for Tuesday’s clash.
Alternatives: Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell (points, assists, steals), Cam Whitmore (points, 3s, rebounds), Reed Sheppard (points, 3s, assists), Obi Toppin (3s, rebounds, steals).
Toronto Raptors @ Orlando Magic
Game Time: 07:00 pm ET
BetMGM Lines
TOR +7.5 (+240), ORL -7.5 (-300)
Game Total 209.5Key Storylines
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