When Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet returned from an adductor strain on Thursday, the rookie amen thompson Fantasy values will take a hit. That didn't happen, as the No. 4 overall pick showed results against the Pelicans and Suns. After posting 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 3-point shot in 28 minutes against New Orleans on Thursday, Thompson (45% of roster, Yahoo) helped the Rockets hold off the Suns. , had another good night. Friday.
He played 33 minutes off the bench and had 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two blocked shots. Thompson went 6-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line. Although his 3-point and free throw percentages are low, the rookie has shot nearly 61 percent from the field over the past two weeks. Houston's first two games after the All-Star break showed Thompson is good enough to make an impact regardless of his place in the rotation. VanVleet may be healthy, but Tali Eason (leg) is still recovering, so Thompson shouldn't have to struggle for minutes.
This affects other first-round picks as well. cam whitmore (17%), and had 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 3-pointers in 21 minutes off the bench against Phoenix. Whitmore is more of a deep-league option at this point, but he's a player whose value could increase during a “silly season,” especially if Houston can't close the gap in the race for a play-in tournament spot.
Let's take a look at some more of Friday's top picks, starting with the team's inactive starters.
Ayo Dosunmu (44%)
Dosunmu has been a worthy streamer in recent weeks and isn't going to disappear from the radar anytime soon. On Friday, it was reported that Patrick Williams will undergo surgery on his right foot after the season. Dosunmu will remain in the starting lineup for the time being as it is unclear when Zach LaVine (ankle) will return. Over the past month, he has been delivering his 6 round value per game in the 8 cat format and his 7 round value in the 9 cat format.
deandre hunter (36%)
Hunter is an interesting case, coming off the bench behind starting forwards Saddiq Bey and Jalen Johnson. However, the absence of Onyeka Okongwu (toe) forced Hawks coach Quin Snyder to use Johnson as the backup center during Friday's loss to the Raptors. This approach could open up opportunities for Hunter, who has scored 21 points or more in three straight games. He played 25 minutes off the bench in the two-point loss, scoring 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, making two 3-pointers, going 8-of-16 from the field and 4-of-4 from the foul line. This was a record success.
duncan robinson (28%) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (35%)
Miami's 106-95 win in New Orleans turned into a chaotic game, with an altercation in the fourth quarter resulting in four ejected players. A bigger concern for the Heat was the hyperextension of his left knee suffered by Tyler Herro late in the quarter. His extended absence will likely put Robinson and Jaquez back in the spotlight in some standard leagues, as the team is already short on talent on the perimeter. Robinson had 17 points, two assists and two blocked shots on Friday, hitting five 3-pointers. Jaquez struggled to shoot the ball (2-of-8 FG, 4-of-4 FT), finishing with eight points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Rui Hachimura (twenty two%)
For the past two weeks, Hachimura has been a top 50 player in the 9-cat format. It's understandable to be hesitant to sign him due to his limited rebounding and defensive ability, but Louie appears to be firmly entrenched in the Lakers' starting lineup. In 32 minutes against San Antonio on Friday, Hachimura had 17 points, seven rebounds, two steals, one blocked shot and three 3-pointers. With LeBron James still dealing with nagging ankle issues, now would be a good time to consider jumping on the Hachimura bandwagon.
corey kispert (15%)
Deni Avdija (heel) suffered a late injury Friday, making Kispert the more valuable player in the Wizards' rotation despite coming off the bench. Kispert was one of the few bright spots in the blowout loss to Oklahoma City, scoring 20 points with three 3-pointers, two rebounds and two steals in 25 minutes. Kispert has reached double digits in three straight games, eight of his last 10, and has delivered 10 rounds worth of money in the nine-cat format over the past three weeks. If Avdija remains sidelined, Kispert would be a much better streaming option than Landry Shamet, who filled the starting lineup Friday.
Terrence Mann (Four%)
The Clippers had their entire starting lineup in place for Friday's game at Memphis. However, the absence of sixth man Norman Powell (ankle) has given more opportunities to other members of the team's supporting cast. As the fifth starter, Mann took full advantage of his position, scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal and making four 3-pointers in 31 minutes. While his position in the rotation makes it difficult for Mann to consistently provide solid fantasy value, Powell's absence leaves the equation regarding streaming him into deeper leagues. will change.
Grady Dick (Four%)
Toronto was without RJ Barrett for the game against Atlanta, who was sidelined with a lingering knee issue. Jordan Nwora was the first player in the starting lineup, but it was the Raptors' first-round pick who took advantage of the opportunity despite coming off the bench. Grady made 8 of 13 from the field in a two-point loss to the Hawks, finishing with 18 points, two rebounds, one assist and two 3-pointers in 22 minutes. Toronto, still four games behind Atlanta in the loss column for the No. 10 seed in the East, isn't giving up on qualifying for the play-in tournament, but their rookie wing could add value in a “stupid season.” He was someone I could rely on.”
