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Jalen Brunson vs. MEM
With Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis out, it’s going to be the Jalen Brunson show today. With both of them off the floor this year, Brunson has a 23.7% USG and 1.1 FP/min. When Brunson got four starts last week, Brunson put up 30+ FP in four straight and three of them ended with 40+ DKP. He’s simply too cheap for a guy that’s going to command the ball throughout this game. Memphis is a bottom-five defense in basketball and look for Brunson to exploit that.
Dennis Smith Jr. vs. BOS
No Damian Lillard or Anfernee Simons, so we could see Dennis Smith Jr. enter the starting lineup here. Even if he doesn’t, he’s firmly cemented in this rotation considering how many bodies they’re missing at the guard spot. He played 18 minutes after Simons left last game and put up 20 FP. In fact, he’s played 17+ minutes in two straight games and poured in 20+ DKP in each game. He’s averaging 1.3 steals per game, which could be a huge bump for his FD and Y! stats.
FanDuel
Marcus Morris vs. SAC ($4,300)
There is a very real chance Marcus Morris sits here, but if he doesn’t, he’s a fantastic value at just 4.3K on FD. He had his best game offensively of the year on Friday, notching 21 actual points, something he is very capable of. He booted Eric Bledsoe out of the starting lineup and posted a 20% usage rate. If he sits, that gives a huge bump to the likes of Serge Ibaka and Luke Kennard. Both of those guys would stand out as great values to me.
Derrick Jones Jr. vs. BKN ($4,100)
With Javonte Green out -- the Bulls starting power-forward these days -- someone is going to have to fill the void. Not only that, but they could also be without Alex Caruso as he’s listed as questionable. Jones could see a boost with or without Caruso because Green’s already been ruled out. He’s someone who’s been extended past 20 minutes on multiple occasions this year and it wouldn’t surprise me if he played some small ball power-forward here.
DraftKings
Josh Richardson vs. POR ($3,700)
With Jaylen Brown and Al Horford officially out and Romeo Langford questionable, the Celtics could be without a lot of members of it’s rotation. With Brown the only one out on Friday, Richardson played 28 minutes and put up 20 DKP. He could push that to 30 without Langford in the lineup. This match-up is much better against Portland as the Blazers are 29th in DRtg this year.
Juan Toscano-Anderson vs. SAS ($3,300)
With Otto Porter Jr. officially being ruled out, that makes both Andre Iguodala and Porter out for the Warriors on Saturday. That should vault JTA into the fire. He actually played 26 minutes on Friday and has topped 22 minutes in four of his last five games, twice putting up at least 35 DKP. His floor is very, very low, but he makes a whole lot of sense in tournaments on this slate.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Pat Connaughton vs. MIA ($15)
With Giannis Antetokounmpo doubtful to play today, expect Connaughton to slide into the Bucks starting lineup. Connaughton is a very solid contributor with this team and when he’s scoring the basketball, he has a pretty high ceiling. I said when because he’s not always looking for his shot, but with Giannis off the floor, that changes. He averages .81 FP/min without Giannis this year and should see 30+ minutes in a competitive setting.
Player News
Jimmy Butler (thigh) is not on the injury report ahead of Tuesday’s Play-In Tournament matchup with the Grizzlies.
Butler injured his thigh during Sunday’s overtime loss to the Clippers. He played through it and said after that he would play against Memphis, and the initial injury report lines up with his statement. Butler should see a heavy workload in a matchup to make the playoffs and take on the Rockets in the first round.
Trae Young (Achilles) is probable to play against the Magic in the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday.
Even in the postseason, Atlanta is still listing Young as probable ahead of every game. There isn’t a chance that he sits out, so expect him to occupy his typical spot in the starting unit in the 7/8 matchup, with a chance to play the Celtics in the first round on the line.
Jimmy Butler (thigh) logged 48 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Clippers, tallying 30 points (12-of-20 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), one rebound, nine assists, one steal and one blocked shot.
Butler’s final stat line on Sunday was outstanding but came with some pain. He took a Kawhi Leonard knee to the left thigh during overtime but stayed in the game. That injury, combined with Stephen Curry’s right thumb, is why the Warriors could have used the time off that would have come with a victory over the Clippers. Instead, Butler and the Warriors will host the Grizzlies on Tuesday. Following the game, Butler said he was fine and will be in the lineup, but don’t be surprised if Jimmy is on the initial injury report.
Brandin Podziemski accumulated 19 points (7-of-11 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block and two three-pointers in 43 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Clippers.
Stephen Curry amassed 36 points (10-of-20 FGs, 9-of-9 FTs), three rebounds, six assists, two steals and seven three-pointers in 38 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Clippers.
James Harden shot 13-of-23 from the field and 8-of-9 from the foul line in Sunday’s win over the Warriors, scoring 39 points with seven rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, two blocks and five three-pointers in 48 minutes.