Daily Fantasy Basketball Forecaster

After just two games Thursday, the schedule picks up again with nine games slated for Friday. Adam King is here once again, with the Daily Fantasy Basketball Forecaster, analyzing a number of injury concerns as well as a few players that could have value across tomorrows games. Delon Wright has put together a pair of strong performances, both with and without Mike Conley on the floor. Wright possesses a fantasy friendly game and despite a still developing role, should be rostered in most competitive leagues.

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Key Injuries

Maxi Kleber – Mavericks (knee – questionable)
Ante Zizic – Cavaliers (concussion – doubtful)
Goran Dragic – Heat (calf – questionable)
Joel Embiid – 76ers (knee – out)
Boban Marjanovic – 76ers (knee – out)
Kenneth Faried – Rockets (hip – out)
Ricky Rubio – Jazz (hip – doubtful)
Raul Neto – Jazz (hamstring – out)
Jaren Jackson Jr. – Grizzlies (quad – out)
Avery Bradley – Grizzlies (ankle – probable)
Justin Holiday – Grizzlies (neck – probable)
Jrue Holiday – Pelicans (abdominal strain – out)
E’Twaun Moore – Pelicans (quad – out)
Jahlil Okafor – Pelicans (ankle – questionable)
Klay Thompson – Warriors (knee – probable)
Kevon Looney – Warriors (pelvis – probable)
Wilson Chandler – Clipper s (quad – questionable)

Potential Pickups

Luke Kennard – Pistons
Joakim Noah – Grizzlies
Delon Wright – Grizzlies

Potential Streamers

Thomas Bryant – Wizards (blocks)
Frank Kaminsky – Hornets (points, rebounds)
Jalen Brunson – Mavericks (assists)
Dion Waiters – Heat (points, three-pointers)
Wayne Ellington – Pistons (three-pointers, steals)
Ish Smith – Pistons (assists)
Jonah Bolden – 76ers (blocks)
Mike Scott – 76ers (points, three-pointers)
Gerald Green – Rockets (three-pointers)
Cheick Diallo – Pelicans (rebounds, steals, FG%)
Frank Jackson – Pelicans (Holiday injury)
Mason Plumlee – Nuggets (rebounds, assists, FG%)
Malik Beasley – Nuggets (three-pointers)
Nerlens Noel – Thunder (blocks)
JaMychal Green – Clippers (rebounds)
Ivica Zubac – Clippers (rebounds)

NBA Matchups for Friday, March 8

Wizards @ Hornets

The Wizards continue to fight for an unlikely playoff spot, meaning rest for any of their major pieces seems unlikely at this stage. Thomas Bryant has dropped off after a couple of strong performances and is more of a blocks streamer, with the potential to score at an efficient rate.

Much like the Wizards, the Hornets will likely continue to roll out their guys as they attempt to get into the playoffs. Frank Kaminsky has put together three strong games, averaging almost 18 points and six rebounds while hitting 2.3 triples. He has forced Michael Kidd-Gilchrist out of the rotation completely and is worth streaming in to see if this trend can continue.

Mavericks @ Magic

Jalen Brunson played 36 minutes in the Mavericks last game, finishing with 11 points and eight assists. His numbers since the All-Star break have been wildly inconsistent but the Mavericks have everything to gain by putting him out there down the stretch. He is worth considering if you need assists with a smattering of points.

The Magic are also one of a number of teams battling for a playoff berth, meaning rest may not be coming as many would have predicted. Isaiah Briscoe appears to have emerged as the primary backup to D.J Augustin but it yet to provide any consistent production. There is not a lot of incentive to pick him up but an injury to Augustin would make him an intriguing target.

Cavaliers @ Heat

Davis Nwaba is coming off a career-high 22 points in the Cavaliers last game, a night on which he shot 9-of-13 from the field. Prior to this, he had not scored in double-digits in almost a month. He would need to put together a couple of games like this before even being considered in 12-team formats.

After coming out hot in his return to action, Waiters has slowed over the past two weeks. His playing time has been hovering in the mid-twenties and the scoring numbers have fluctuated from night-to-night. If you are desperate for points, Waiters could be worth a look, however, nothing is guaranteed.

Pistons @ Bulls

The Pistons are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and Luke Kennard has been a major factor in their recent success. He has scored at least 19 points in four of his past five games, hitting a combined 19 triples in that time. His playing time has been a little up-and-down but given the groove, he finds himself in, he should be picked up in most competitive formats.

The Bulls have won six of their past nine games thanks in large part to the rebirth of Robin Lopez. Lopez is now rostered in over 50 percent of leagues but could still be available in a few. If he is sitting there, it is pretty hard to leave him on the waivers given the fact he is a top-60 player over the past month.

76ers @ Rockets

Joel Embiid has already been ruled out for Friday’s game meaning Jonah Bolden could have one final game of value. Bolden has blocked two shots in four of his last five games while also hitting a combined eight three-pointers. He doesn’t have the highest upside but the interesting skillset makes him a possible pickup in many team builds.

Gerald Green is coming off an 18-point effort in which he went 4-of-7 from the three-point line. He has hit multiple threes in seven of his past nine games but basically offers nothing outside of that category. Feel free to stream him in if you need a boost in three-pointers but don’t expect anything resembling an all-around line.

Jazz @ Grizzlies

It appears as though Ricky Rubio could miss Friday’s game with a hip injury. With Raul Neto already ruled out, it is going to be Joe Ingles assuming more of a facilitation role. Royce O’Neale could also find himself in a bigger role but he isn’t really on the radar in standard formats.

Delon Wright is coming off a game in which he matched his career-high with 25 points, even with Mike Conley on the floor. He has played well since moving to the Grizzlies but his role remains somewhat uncertain. Perhaps his last two efforts are enough to earn him increased playing time moving forward. He has a very fantasy-friendly game and is a viable option in all standard formats.

Raptors @ Pelicans

Not a lot to report in terms of fantasy for the Raptors, outside of the possibility the Kawhi Leonard rests Friday. Owners will be hoping that isn’t the case and there has been no word thus far. If he doesn’t feel like playing for any reason, OG Anunoby would see a boost in playing time but still isn’t a 12-team pick up.

Jrue Holiday is going to be re-evaluated in 7-10 days after suffering an abdominal strain. With Holiday sidelined, there is no clear pickup, however, Frank Jackson figures to see an uptick in playing time and usage. He has been playing well over the past few games even with Holiday in the lineup. He doesn’t appear to have a particular fantasy friendly game but is worth considering to see if he can take advantage of the situation.

Nuggets @ Warriors

The Nuggets were able to end their three-game losing streak against the Lakers and head into Oakland, looking to assert themselves as a real threat in the Western Conference. They are basically back to full health with the exception of Trey Lyles, thus making streaming quite hard. Mason Plumlee tends to find a way to have limited value even in very little playing time. His ability to rebound, pass and block shots, offers up potential even on nights he isn’t scoring the ball.

Klay Thompson appears as though he will play Friday which is good news for the Warriors who have lost three of their past four games. The Nuggets present as a team attempting to establish themselves as a real title contender. Outside of the Warriors starting five, there is no real value to be had and no reason to consider streaming anyone in.

Thunder @ Clippers

Fatigue could be a factor for the Thunder after the beat the Trail Blazers in an overtime classic Thursday. From an overtime perspective, the Thunder are reasonably predictable and have no major injuries to report. Nerlens Noel could be sought out if you need blocks but his playing time has reduced over the past month, seeing a few as eight minutes in certain games.

The Clippers continue to defy the odds, remaining firmly in the playoff picture despite the lack of any real superstars. They have won three straight games and will host a Thunder team barely 24 hours removed from an intense overtime matchup with the Trail Blazers. JaMaychal Green has been getting more involved on both ends of the floor, filling a role for the Clippers after they traded away their best player in Tobias Harris. He will not blow anyone away with his numbers but could be considered if you need rebounds and a few points.

Got a question about today’s fantasy basketball fringe report? Hit Adam up on twitter @adamking91 or give a shout out to @Fantrax

Adam King is new to NBA writing for FantraxHQ. He also currently writes for Rotowire and has previously written for Locked on Fantasy Basketball and Locked on Timberwolves. He has played sports his entire life with fantasy basketball becoming a passion over the past six years. By day, Adam is the service coordinator at the Autism Centre in Canberra, Australia. Adam was born and raised in Queanbeyan, Australia and currently resides in Bungendore, Australia with his wife and two children.

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