Fantasy Basketball Daily Forecaster

Monday brings with it 11 games across the NBA, and thus an abundance of player injury news as well as possible pickups. I give you another edition of the Daily Forecast, looking at injuries, pickups, and streaming options as well as snapshots of all 11 games. Of all the pickups, Cheick Diallo of the New Orleans Pelicans is one of the more intriguing. Anthony Davis is ramping down his production and Diallo is by far the most interesting beneficiary. He has put together back-to-back double-doubles and also has the ability to contribute on the defensive end of the floor. He has shown flashes in the past and so there is certainly a reason to be cautious. That being said, if he manages to carve out a sizeable enough role, he could be a difference maker in a number of leagues.

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Key Injuries

Draymond Green – Probable
Evan Turner – Out
Tristan Thompson – Out
Myles Turner – Questionable
Derrick White – Probable
Spencer Dinwiddie – Out
T.J. Warren – Out
Justise Winslow – Doubtful
James Johnson – Doubtful
Rodney McGruder – Doubtful
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Doubtful
George Hill – Out
Otto Porter Jr. – Questionable
Taurean Prince – Out
Kevin Huerter – Questionable
DeAndre Bembry – Probable
James Harden – Questionable
Iman Shumpert – Questionable
Mike Muscala – Probable
Mike Conley – Probable
Karl-Anthony Towns – Probable
Robert Covington – Out
Joel Embiid – Out
Darius Miller – Questionable
Luka Doncic – Questionable
Maxi Kleber – Questionable

Potential Pickups

Jake Layman
Ante Zizic
Wesley Matthews
Luke Kennard
Patty Mills
Tyler Johnson
Dion Waiters
Robin Lopez
Delon Wright
Ivan Rabb
Cheick Diallo
Dorian Finney-Smith

Potential Streamers

Moe Harkless (steals)
Kyle O’Quinn (Myles Turner injury)
Wayne Ellington (three-pointers)
Marco Belinelli (three-pointers)
Allen Crabbe (three-pointers)
Ed Davis (rebounds)
Ersan Ilyasova (Giannis Antetokounmpo injury)
Wayne Selden Jr. (Otto Porter injury)
DeAndre Bembry (Kevin Huerter injury, Taurean Prince absence)
Austin Rivers (James Harden injury)
Gerald Green (three-pointers)
Reggie Bullock (three-pointers)
Avery Bradley (points)
Joakim Noah (rebounds, blocks)
Josh Okogie (steals)
Boban Marjanovic (rebounds, FG%)
T.J. McConnell (steals)
Jalen Brunson (Luka Doncic injury)
JaMychal Green (rebounds)
Landry Shamet (three-pointers)

Matchups for Monday Feb. 25

Golden State Warriors @ Charlotte Hornets

The only real news out of Golden State is that Draymond Green is likely to play after exiting the previous game with an ankle injury. Outside of that, it will be the usual suspects putting up the bulk of the fantasy value.

The Hornets have been wildly inconsistent over the past few games and Monday presents them with another difficult task. Cody Zeller is a low-key center that needs to rostered in a lot more leagues. At present, he is on 60 percent of rosters but he has an open path to minutes and provides solid rebounds and blocks with an ability to score the ball with high-efficiency.

Portland Trail Blazers @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Jake Layman continues to play well for the Trail Blazers, and the arrival of Enes Kanter has done very little to slow him down. Layman has an intriguing skill set with the ability to rebound and block shots as well as hit three-pointers on reasonably high-efficiency.

Kevin Love had his best game since returning from injury, finishing with 32 points and 12 rebounds. Despite his increase in playing time, Ante Zizic has also put together two strong games. He has put up a combined 32 points and 19 rebounds over those games and is worth considering if you need a big man.

Indiana Pacers @ Detroit Pistons

Myles Turner remains questionable heading into Monday and if he misses time, Kyle O’Quinn will likely get another shot at the starting center spot. O’Quinn has been solid in his two starts but has the ability to put up numbers in a hurry, making him a player to keep an eye on in case Turner is ruled out.

Luke Kennard has had a number of impressive performances over the past few games but consistency appears to be an issue. His playing time has fluctuated, mirroring his numbers, in what is a frustrating trend for fantasy owners. That being said, he has the most upside of any of the Pistons fringe players and is someone to monitor.

San Antonio Spurs @ Brooklyn Nets

The Spurs put up a terrible showing against the Knicks on Sunday, and now have to back up against the improving Nets. Derrick White was available Sunday but didn’t see the floor, presumably to get him ready for Monday. If he does indeed take the floor, he will cut into the value of players such as Patty Mills and Bryn Forbes.

Ed Davis is one of the more consistent rebounders in the league and remains available in over 70 percent of leagues. He typically shoots the ball well and should be considered if you need rebounds.

Phoenix Suns @ Miami Heat

Tyler Johnson erupted for 29 points in his previous game; more than he had scored in his previous four games combined. The Suns are giving Johnson a good look as the starting point guard, having played him at least 32 minutes in three of his five games.

Dion Waiters remains available in 63 percent of leagues despite scoring in double-digits in six straight games. His playing time appears set and despite occasional inefficiencies, he is worth a look in most competitive formats.

Milwaukee Bucks @ Chicago Bulls

Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful heading into Monday’s game, which could allow extra playing time for Ersan Ilyasova. There is a chance Ilyasova is given the starting role depending on whether the Bucks want to keep Nikola Mirotic running with the second unit. Nonetheless, Ilyasova should see an increase in his playing time.

Robin Lopez has been balling out over the past two weeks, running as the unopposed starting center for the Bulls. At this stage, it appears as though the production could stick around making him a sneaky pickup in certain 12-team leagues.

Atlanta Hawks @ Houston Rockets

Both Kevin Huerter and Taurean Prince could miss Monday’s game, allowing DeAndre Bembry to see an uptick in production. Bembry himself is questionable but it sounds as though he is going to play through the injury. If the aforementioned players are both ruled out, Bembry could be a potential streaming option.

It seems as though James Harden could miss another game Monday, once again opening up an opportunity for Austin Rivers. It was Kenneth Faried who moved into the starting lineup in the previous game, but Rivers did manage to play 34 minutes. Even as a starter, Rivers was unable to provide consistent numbers but he is worth a look if you need points and threes.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies

Reggie Bullock has slotted in as a regular member of the starting five for the Lakers, however, he is yet to take full advantage. He has managed to hit multiple three-pointers in all but one of his games since being traded. He is a risky play but worth considering if you need perimeter scoring.

Delon Wright had his best game for the Grizzlies against the Cavaliers, ending with 15 points in 33 minutes. Avery Bradley is starting and had been playing well prior to his foul trouble in the previous game. At this stage, both players are cutting into each other’s value, however, Wright has the better upside and could be worth a speculative look.

Sacramento Kings @ Minnesota Timberwolves

There is not a lot of fantasy news when it comes to the Kings with the bulk of their value lying in just six players. Nemanja Bjelica, who had been a standard league asset earlier in the season, is now out of the rotation. This has little impact other than strengthening the value of both Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marvin Bagley.

Karl-Anthony Towns missed the last two games due to a concussion, however, it appears as though he will play Monday. In his absence, Taj Gibson and Dario Saric saw a boost in their playing time. If Towns does indeed return, they will likely go back to a timeshare, making them both risky plays in standard formats.

Philadelphia 76ers @ New Orleans Pelicans

Joel Embiid will miss another game Monday, once again allowing Boban Marjanovic to be unleashed. He was less impressive in his second game as the starter but figures to see an increased role here in what is a more favorable matchup. He is certainly a player to target if you need points, rebounds, and high efficiency with a smattering of blocks.

Anthony Davis is set to return for Monday’s game after missing the Pelicans previous encounter due to rest. That being said, his minutes are going to be limited moving forward and it has been Cheick Diallo who has seen the most benefit. He has back-to-back double-doubles and has outplayed Jahlil Okafor on both occasions. Diallo certainly has the higher upside and the hope is that the Pelicans coaching staff are going to see what they have in Diallo. The is obviously an element of risk here but Diallo is worth picking up in most competitive leagues to see what happens.

Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Clippers

Luka Doncic could miss another game Monday, affording Jalen Brunson another opportunity to put up big numbers. Brunson has looked good over the past two games and if Doncic does miss Monday, he could be a player to stream in if you need guard stats.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was seen as a primary beneficiary after the trade deadline but has thus far been disappointing. Based on his last few performances, owners who are holding onto Gilgeous-Alexander may be able to find a more reliable option on the waiver wire. Don’t simply drop him because it feels like the right thing, make sure it is either to open up a streaming spot or for a hot free-agent.

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

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