Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Jordan Clarkson (hamstring) struggles vs. Clippers
    Jordan Clarkson (left hamstring strain) amassed six points (2-of-9 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, five assists, and one steal in Friday’s 117-103 loss to the Clippers.

    Advice: With Clarkson having been sidelined since November 29, he was done no favors with Friday’s matchup. The Clippers boast two of the league’s top perimeter defenders in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the last thing a player returning from a hamstring injury needed to see. Deep-league managers shouldn’t read too much into Clarkson’s performance. However, those in standard leagues may want to consider potential alternatives. Clarkson, who’s rostered in 79% of Yahoo leagues, remains ranked outside the top 200 in 9-cat per-game value, but he’s a top 150 player in 8-cat. A rebuilding team isn’t the best place to look for efficient production. Rotoworld Today, 1:12 am
     
  • Talen Horton-Tucker scores 15 points vs. Clippers
    Talen Horton-Tucker played 22 minutes in Friday’s 117-103 loss to the Clippers, accumulating 15 points (6-of-11 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), one rebound, five assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: After going six straight games with seven points or less, Horton-Tucker has hit double figures in three straight. Also of note from his performance is that this was THT’s first full stat line (while scoring in double figures) since November 10. Still ranked outside the top 200 in 9-cat per-game value, Horton-Tucker is still rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues. Even with rookie Keyonte George (15 points, three assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 28 minutes) ranked well below that, it will take a lot for Horton-Tucker to jump back into the starting lineup. Rotoworld Today, 1:00 am
     
  • Paul George scores 20 PTS in 37 minutes vs. UTA
    Paul George played 37 minutes in Friday’s win over the Jazz, recording a stat line of 20 points (8-of-13 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, three assists, five steals, one block, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: George and Kawhi Leonard have been performing at an elite level this season and if the Clippers can figure out a way to get James Harden and Russell Westbrook into a flow, this squad could make some noise. George has been healthy this season, which is a welcomed change for managers who have rostered him over the years. Rotoworld Today, 12:46 am
    Paul George LAC - SG,SF,PF
    New Player Note
     
  • Josh Richardson sinks five 3-pointers vs. Cavs
    Josh Richardson logged 31 minutes in Friday’s 111-99 loss to the Cavaliers, accounting for 17 points (6-of-11 FGs), one rebound, two assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers.

    Advice: On a night when Duncan Robinson finished with more turnovers (six) than points (one), shooting 0-of-7 from the field, Richardson did his best to help pick up the slack. J-Rich shot 5-of-7 from three, with the five triples being a season-high. He’s reached double figures in eight of his last nine outings, scoring 15 or more in five. Rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues, Richardson has been an 11th-round player over the previous two weeks. At best, he’s a deep-league streamer, but Week 8 could be a good time to gamble on Richardson. The Heat play four games, two against the Hornets and two against the Bulls, two teams ranked in the bottom third of the league in defensive rating. Rotoworld Today, 12:31 am
     
  • Bojan shoots 4-of-10 for nine points vs. Magic
    Bojan Bogdanovic played 28 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Magic, recording a stat line of 9 points (4-of10 FGs, 0-of-1 FTs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one 3-pointers.

    Advice: Bojan scored 20 or more points in his last two games so managers were excited about his successful return. His production came crashing down to earth in Friday’s blowout loss to the Magic. Bojan will bounce back from this performance and provide rest-of-season value if he stays healthy. Rotoworld Today, 12:22 am
     
  • Darius Garland puts up 18 points, six assists
    Darius Garland played 26 minutes in Friday’s 111-99 win over the Heat, amassing 18 points (6-of-11 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs), two rebounds, six assists, four steals, and one 3-pointer.

    Advice: Early foul trouble parked Garland on the bench for all but 18 minutes of the first half, and he contributed just four points, one assist, and one steal. To the relief of fantasy managers, the Cavaliers’ point guard was much better after the halftime break. Garland shot 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line, racking up 14 points, two rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one 3-pointer. Add in Georges Niang (13/3/2 with three 3-pointers), who scored all 13 of his points in the second half, and the Cavaliers were able to pull away for the win. Garland is still ranked outside the top 100 in 9-cat per-game value, but he’s a top 50 player in 8-cat. If he can get the turnovers (3.9 per game) in check, that would significantly improve Garland’s fantasy value. Rotoworld Today, 12:08 am
     
  • Offensive output continues Friday
    Williams finished Friday's 138-136 overtime victory over the Warriors with 28 points (12-15 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals across 40 minutes.

    Advice: Williams scored 28 points in the overtime victory, tallying at least 20 points for the fourth time in the past six games. It's been a nice return to form for Williams who has been a little underwhelming to start the season. He is a top-55 player over the past two weeks, despite still averaging just 1.0 steals per game. With room for improvement, Williams should be able to crack the top 50 in no time. Rotowire.com Today, 12:07 am
     
  • Drains four triples in loss
    Thompson logged 22 points (8-15 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and one block over 39 minutes during Friday's 138-136 overtime loss to the Thunder.

    Advice: Thompson scored at least 20 points for the first time in the past three games, continuing his underwhelming start to the season. He currently sits just inside the top 200 in standard leagues, averaging 15.8 points and 2.8 three-pointers. He is shooting a career-low 40.4 percent from the floor, an indication that his best is behind him. He should still be rostered in all leagues but is going to find it difficult to be anything more than a top 120 player. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:59 pm
     
  • Tre Jones dishes out eight assists, scores 18 PTS
    Tre Jones played 28 minutes off the bench in Friday’s 121-112 loss to the Bulls, tallying 18 points (6-of-7 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), five rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: Jeremy Sochan was back in the starting point guard role after coming off the bench in Wednesday’s loss to the Timberwolves, but Jones performed best as a playmaker. The eight assists are the most he’s had in a game since November 6 (eight vs. Indiana), with the 18 points being a season-high. The Spurs appear to be set on developing Sochan (4/3/4/0/1 in 34 minutes vs. Chicago) into a primary playmaker, but the process has limited the fantasy values of him and Jones. Both are ranked outside the top 150 in 9-cat formats, with Sochan still outside the top 200. Fantasy managers in standard leagues can track Jones and Sochan; there isn’t much upside to rostering either right now. Rotoworld Yesterday, 11:52 pm