Basketball Pickups: Multiple options emerge in Portland

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The “silly season” is in full swing in the NBA. While some teams are jockeying for playoff/play-in tournament positioning, others know their season will end on April 14. One of those teams is Portland, which dropped to 19-51 with its loss to the Clippers on Friday. Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton were among those sidelined for the game, while Anfernee Simons exited during the third quarter with an apparent knee injury.

Those absences open things up for other players on the roster, and there may not be much motivation to make the established players available for all 12 of the team’s remaining games. Three players who stand to benefit are Jabari Walker (10% rostered, Yahoo), Kris Murray (9%), and Duop Reath (6%). Murray and Reath were in the starting lineup against the Clippers, while Walker was the first big man off the bench.

Murray had his best offensive game of the season, scoring 21 points while accounting for seven rebounds, two assists, three steals, and three 3-pointers in 36 minutes. While Reath’s production (13/3/2/2 with two 3-pointers) was modest, he did enough for fantasy managers to avoid thoroughly regretting their decision to stream him. Walker (14/8/3/1 in 28 minutes) offered a bit more despite coming off the bench. All three players could have tangible fantasy value moving forward, depending on what happens with Grant and Ayton.

Let’s look at a few of Friday’s other top pickups:

Payton Pritchard (33%)

The Celtics were shorthanded again, with Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum among the players sidelined for their matchup with the Pistons. That opened things up for Pritchard, who finished the blowout victory with 20 points, two rebounds, nine assists, and four 3-pointers. With Boston visiting the Bulls on Saturday, that’s another game in which Pritchard would be a relevant streamer. Sam Hauser (14/4/1/1 with four 3-pointers in 24 minutes) had a good night off the bench, but his recent ankle injury could make him a prime candidate to sit out Saturday’s game.

Jake LaRavia (14%)

The Grizzlies ended their four-game losing streak with a win over the Spurs on Friday, with LaRavia among the contributors. He…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/basketball-pickups-multiple-options-emerge-072348972.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2024-03-23 07:23:48

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