DraftKings
Ivica Zubac, LAC ($4,700)
It’s hard to predict when Zubac is going to play a lot, but he has topped 26 minutes in three of the last four and has hit at least 23 in three straight. In those three games, he has two double-doubles and put up at least 29 DKP in each game. Houston is last in defensive rating, 20th in rebounding, and second in pace. All those things greatly benefit Zubac on this five-game slate.
Dennis Schroder, HOU ($4,400)
With Kevin Porter Jr. listed as doubtful and Eric Gordon ruled out, Schroder is firmly back in play on this slate. He started on Wednesday, played 38 minutes and went for 44 DKP. Though Schroder likely won’t have the ball in his hands nearly as much with Christian Wood back, he and Wood could dominate in pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations. Schroder is a must-play on tonight’s slate.
FanDuel
Jalen Green, HOU ($4,300)
So the Rockets are not only going to be without Kevin Porter Jr. but Eric Gordon as well. That puts Green into the limelight here. He’s started playing much better lately, scoring double figures in nine straight games. He’s also put up 17+ actual points in three of five while scoring 20+ FP in five straight and six of seven overall. With those two aforementioned players out, Green has a 26.2% USG rate. Green profiles more as a tournament play because of his low floor. Yes, I would play both him and Dennis Schroder in the same tournament lineup.
Jordan Nwora, MIL ($4,200)
After playing just 15 minutes against the Pacers, Grayson Allen was forced from the action and Nwora stepped in and played 26. Yes, Milwaukee went out and acquired DeAndre’ Bembry – but what’s his immediate impact going to be? Nothing! He’s been ruled out for tonight’s game. Milwaukee is down multiple players in the backcourt and on the wing, so Nwora is going to have a role. He’s played 23 and 26 minutes off the Bucks' bench in the last two games. With who’s out or has been traded, Nwora has a 22.2% USG and averages .81 FP/min.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Seth Curry, BKN ($19)
The Nets will be without Kyrie Irving tonight with this game being played in Brooklyn, so look for Seth Curry to be the leader of this offense once again. In two games with his new team, he’s scored 23 and 20 actual points with 38.75 and 34.25 DKP. He has a 23.6% USG rate and averages 1.09 FP/min and, somehow, he’s less than $20 on Yahoo! Washington is 22nd in DRtg this year and 19th in February, so advantage Curry and the Brooklyn offense.
Deni Avdija, WAS ($14)
As the Wizards head into the All-Star break, Avdija may be playing his best basketball of the season. The team will be without at least Bradley Beal (for the remainder of the year) and Kristaps Porzingis tonight, and Rui Hachimura is questionable. Avdija has seen an uptick in playing time lately, topping 28 minutes in four straight games. He’s had at least a block or steal in six straight games and has scored 10+ real points in four straight games as well. He’s put up 27 and 34 Y! pts the last two games and is in a good matchup against a banged-up Brooklyn team.
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.