Don’t let the viral video of Kyle Kuzma air balling a technical free throw override the fact the Los Angeles Lakers forward has been a breakout fantasy option in recent games. With All-Star Anthony Davis sidelined by a lingering Achilles injury, Kuzma has surged statistically, including his 17 points and strong peripheral numbers in Monday’s drubbing of the Golden State Warriors.
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The Lakers were dominant in the paint in the win, making all 25 of their attempts in the restricted area, good for the most attempts without a miss from this area of the floor in the last 25 seasons. Kuzma was part of a season-high 71 points for the Lakers’ bench. It’s also worth noting that LeBron James posted his 61st triple-double after turning 30, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the most such performances in league history.
Kuzma is rostered in just shy of 50% of ESPN leagues even after averaging 22.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.3 threes over the last three games. With Davis unlikely to return to the floor this month, it’s time to roster Kuzma.
Monday recap
Highlights
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: 31 points (12-19 FG), 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: 32 points (11-25 FG), 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals
Lowlights
Nerlens Noel, New York Knicks: 0 points (0-0 FG), 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Josh Richardson, Dallas Mavericks: 6 points (3-8 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Monday takeaways
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Antetokounmpo became the first reigning MVP with three straight 20-point triple-doubles since Michael Jordan did it back in 1988-89. The performance also marked his seventh career 30-point triple-double, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most in Bucks history. One key fantasy takeaway from the contest was the strong play of guard Donte DiVincenzo, who contributed an efficient 12 points and 13 combined assists and rebounds.
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Sacramento’s Richaun Holmes has quietly become a fantasy force this season. The Kings center delivered his fourth career game with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds and became the first Sacramento player with at least 15 points, 15 boards, and five assists since DeMarcus Cousins achieved this feat in 2017. Holmes will be a free agent this summer, so it will be interesting to see where he lands for next season.
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Rui Hachimura has been playing well for the Wizards. The young forward has scored 51 points across his last two games thanks in part to a surge in shooting success from beyond the arc. With Washington thin in the frontcourt, Hachimura should continue to earn plenty of minutes and touches in the weeks ahead.
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Detroit’s Delon Wright is the sixth-most added player in ESPN leagues during the last week. This makes some sense as the combo guard recently returned from injury. Last night, Wright was productive in 31 minutes of action. A popular name in trade rumors, Wright’s fantasy value is likely highest if he stays in a high-usage role with the Pistons.
Injuries of note
1 Related
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Houston will be without both John Wall and Eric Gordon tonight, while Christian Wood is listed as doubtful. This means Kenyon Martin Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. are key fantasy options. Porter has been scooped up in most completive leagues, while Martin remains a free agent in the vast majority of leagues.
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Clint Capela of the Hawks is questionable to play due to a foot injury. If the league’s leading rebounder can’t go, center Nathan Knight could flirt with a double-double against the depleted Rockets.
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Kevin Love is listed as doubtful to play for the Cavaliers this evening and Taurean Prince has already been ruled out, which means Larry Nance Jr. should play a sizable role against the Heat.
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Darius Bazley and Al Horford won’t play for the Thunder tonight. Aleksej Pokusevski is a strong streaming play given the team’s lack of alternative frontcourt options.
Analytics advantage for Tuesday
Atlanta’s Cam Reddish is likely to miss more than a month due to an Achilles injury. Danilo Gallinari has posted a blistering .688 true-shooting clip (anything above .600 is considered elite) and an offensive rating of 143 during the last four games, clearly doing quite well with both Reddish and De’Andre Hunter sidelined. You can still find the stretch forward in free agency in roughly 55% of leagues.
Top player to watch on Tuesday
CJ McCollum isn’t listed on the injury report for the Trail Blazers this evening. The scoring guard was enjoying career-highs across the board before suffering a broken foot early in the season. It will be interesting to see how Portland performs against the Pelicans tonight now that their star will be back on the floor.