Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Domantas Sabonis posts 23/14/7/3/1 line vs. Pels
    Domantas Sabonis played 42 minutes in Friday’s 105-98 loss to New Orleans, accounting for 23 points (9-of-14 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), 14 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one blocked shot.

    Advice: As was the case on many nights, Sabonis recorded a double-double in his final game of the 2023-24 season. He recorded a league-best 77 double-doubles, including 61 straight at one point. Sabonis posted a full stat line on Friday, par for the course for a player who provided top 20 per-game value in 8-cat formats. He finished the season ranked 30th in 9-cat formats, according to Basketball Monster. Sabonis did not make good on his Yahoo ADP (15), but he wasn’t far off, with free-throw percentage (70.4%) and turnovers (3.3 per game) being the issues. He’s unlikely to last past the end of the second round in most drafts next fall. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:52 pm
     
  • Jonas Valanciunas posts 19/12/3 line, two blocks
    Jonas Valanciunas finished Friday’s 105-98 win over the Kings with 19 points (8-of-16 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots in 27 minutes.

    Advice: There have been times this season when the Pelicans used Zion Williamson at the five, relegating Valanciunas to the bench. With the Pelicans’ best player out with a hamstring injury, JV’s minutes appear to be more secure. However, Friday’s matchup had much to do with that, as he logged 27 minutes against fellow Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis. Valanciunas recorded a solid double-double with a few assists and blocks, and this is the level of production the Pelicans will need from him with Williamson out. However, Larry Nance Jr. could figure more prominently in the first-round series against Oklahoma City due to the Thunder’s lack of a bruiser in the middle. Nance played 21 minutes on Friday, finishing with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:20 pm
     
  • Leads team with 14 boards
    Vucevic notched 16 points (7-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt), 14 rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals over 35 minutes during Friday's 112-91 Play-In Game loss to the Heat.

    Advice: Vucevic turned in a valiant effort in Friday's elimination game, but the Heat cruised to a big victory with the help of Tyler Herro and Jamie Jaquez. Vucevic was held in check offensively along with the rest of the Chicago squad, as the Bulls were held to 91 points on 38.0 percent shooting from the field. The 33-year-old closed the season with four consecutive double-doubles. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:30 pm
     
  • Slow yet efficient night
    Adebayo finished Friday's 112-91 Play-In Game win over the Bulls with 13 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, four assists and two blocks over 32 minutes.

    Advice: Adebayo didn't have the type of performance one would expect in a big-time game, but he was calculated in his chances and enjoyed the show as Tyler Herro led the Heat to victory with a massive showing. Friday marked Adebayo's lowest rebounding total since April 10, so he'll need to get back on track on the glass during Miami's upcoming series against Boston to have a chance. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:14 pm
     
  • Nikola Vucevic records 16/14/5/2/1 line vs. Miami
    Nikola Vucevic played 35 minutes in Friday’s 112-91 loss to the Heat, amassing 16 points (7-of-17 FGs), 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: Vucevic finished his 2023-24 season with a double-double, fitting for a player who recorded 45 during the regular season. The veteran center was responsible for a full stat line, but the impact was muted. Vucevic, who had a Yahoo ADP of 47.4, hovered around that number in 8- and 9-cat formats this season, ranking 52nd in the former and 48th in the latter. He’s a relatively safe bet for top-50 fantasy value, especially if injuries continue to plague Zach LaVine (foot) and Lonzo Ball (knee). Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:09 pm
     
  • Provides quality bench minutes
    Love supplied 16 points (2-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 10-10 FT), seven rebounds and one assist in 12 minutes during Friday's 112-91 Play-In Game win over the Bulls.

    Advice: Love didn't make much of an impact until the second half, and his veteran presence aided Miami in maintaining a big lead down the stretch. The 35-year-old totaled 11 points, six rebounds and one assist in eight second-half minutes. Love could see his role increase heading into the Heat's opening-round series against the Celtics given his extensive postseason experience. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:08 pm
     
  • Kevin Love contributes 16 points, seven rebounds
    Kevin Love shot 2-of-6 from the field and 10-of-10 from the foul line in Friday’s win over Chicago, tallying 16 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two 3-pointers in 12 minutes.

    Advice: Love gave the Heat welcome production off the bench, and he did most of his damage at the foul line. The ten attempts (and makes) were season-highs for Love, which is production DFS players cannot count on moving forward. With Jimmy Butler (knee) sidelined, Love will have opportunities to produce offensively, but Boston is a far more difficult matchup than Chicago. Game 1 is on Sunday in Boston. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:42 pm
     
  • Bam Adebayo records 13 points, two blocked shots
    Bam Adebayo accounted for 13 points (5-of-8 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 32 minutes in Friday’s 112-91 win over the Bulls.

    Advice: Adebayo’s stat line may not be overly impressive, but the Heat did not need gaudy production from its All-Star center. He began the game guarding DeMar DeRozan and would also take on the task of defending Nikola Vucevic during Friday’s blowout victory. With Jimmy Butler (knee) sidelined and Terry Rozier’s (neck) status undetermined, Miami could be without two starters for Sunday’s Game 1 in Boston. Adebayo’s defensive assignment will bear watching in that series, as the Celtics boast multiple high-level offensive players who need to be accounted for. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:35 pm
     
  • Sidelined for Game 1
    Wood (knee) won't play in Saturday's Game 1 against the Nuggets, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Wood has yet to take the court since his arthroscopic knee procedure, so his absence shouldn't impact LA's rotation much. It remains unclear if he'll get the green light to return at some point during the postseason. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:45 pm