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The NBA is back in full swing after a loaded 10-game series on Wednesday. With so many games on the schedule, I’ll discuss a fantasy basketball takeaway from each game on the second night of the season.
Networks @ Falcons
Dyson Daniels is an essential squad in all leagues. He is starting as a shooting guard and although he is known for his defense (he had five steals and a block in his debut with the Hawks) he efficiently shot 6 of 12 from the field, with two triples, five rebounds and two assists. He played the third most minutes on the team (35) and with only 29% of his roster, he is a player who contributes in all categories and whose offensive game is maturing quickly enough to also feature in points leagues.
Also, what’s up, Onyeka (Okongwu)! That’s my breakthrough coming off the bench, scoring an efficient 28 points with eight rebounds and three hits.
Pacers @ Pistons
Welcome back Bennedict Mathurin. He finished the first game of the season with 19 points (5-8 FG, 2-3 3PT, 7-9 FT), six rebounds and one assist. Shooting nine free throws in 28 minutes was a surprise, but also a reminder that he’s a bucket off the bench. He was in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year his rookie year and could be looking to regain that status after an injury-plagued second season. At 19% of the roster, I would consider streaming Mathurin in 12-team points leagues.
Cavs @ Raptors
Immanuel Quickley left Wednesday’s competition with a pelvic injury and did not return. He will undergo testing and Fantasy officials will have to wait and see his prognosis. IQ also had a great start to the season. He added 13 points with four assists, two rebounds, two triples and a steal in 14 minutes.
Magic @ Heat
There were no turnovers for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner?!? That’s just the second time in 142 regular-season games that neither player fumbled in the same game. Both players had very efficient games, combining for 56 points, 7 of 14 from three with 15 rebounds, five actions and seven total assists. Watching Paolo take care of the ball and Franz hit his three-pointers is a great start for the Orlando Magic and Fantasy managers.
Bucks @ Sixers
The most underrated stat of the night goes to Brook Lopez, going 4-for-5 with 10 points, eight rebounds, six assists and six blocks, a truly dominant performance in the paint for the 17-year veteran. There is still a notable decline in his field goal percentage, but his three-point shooting from the center position and his shot blocking will continue to shore up his value.
Hornets @ Rockets
There are many to choose from here, but I still think Tre Mann (15% of the roster) is a must-have roster in 12-team points and category leagues. Depending on the severity of Brandon Miller’s hip injury, Mann could be a must-have roster in every league. Mann has been impressing since the preseason, but now that this is carrying over into the regular season, fantasy managers should act quickly. He’s operating as the primary option off the bench, but offers more stat-boosting potential than Deuce McBride. Mann played 29 minutes and scored 24 points (8-16 FG, 4-8 3PT, 4-4 FT) with six rebounds, a steal and a block. Mann’s game reminds me of Allen Iverson, let him cook.
Oh, and shout out to LaMelo Ball, who shows his upside in the first round. LaMelo was the third-youngest player in NBA history to drop a 30-point, 10-assist game in the season opener.
Bulls @ Pelicans
No injury was more significant Wednesday night than that of Dejounte Murray. Much to the dismay of Pels fans and Fantasy managers, Murray reportedly fractured his left hand and is facing an extended absence. Zion Williamson also missed Wednesday’s contest with an illness, but when he returns, I would expect Murray’s usage to be primarily on CJ McCollum (who will likely start at point guard), Brandon Ingram and Willamson. Jordan Hawkins and José Alvarado will also see more minutes. However, I need to see more production before considering adding them to any league. My take on Ingram’s fade will not age well.
Grizzlies @ Jazz
Zach Edey got into foul trouble, so his debut was quiet, but Santi Aldama (27% of the roster) leading the Grizzlies in scoring was a surprise. He made five 3-pointers and it’s safe to say he’ll be a starter at PF for as long as Jaren Jackson Jr. is out. Aldama is a playable option in all 12-team leagues until JJJ returns, but Santi can be a bit streaky at times.
Another note is that while Keyonte George shot horribly from the floor and on a charity stripe, he had seven dimes and zero turnovers – progress!
Soles @ Clippers
James Harden’s 39.4% usage in Game 1 is precisely why he should have been a first-round pick in fantasy drafts. I don’t know how he’ll stay healthy with that kind of workload, but it’s a great look for his fantasy value going forward.
It was a disappointing night for Devin Booker, who attempted fewer than 10 shots in a game for the third time in his career when he played at least 30 minutes.
Warriors @ Trail Blazers
It was a surprise to see Scoot Henderson come off the bench and Toumani Camara start and play well in 30 minutes.
The biggest takeaway is that the Warriors will continue to alter their rotation, which could impact multiple players each night. The rotation is deep and Steph Curry hinted that the Warriors will continue to sign a lot of players because that is part of their identity. Curry acknowledged that it could depend on the confrontationor certain situations may require a tighter rotation, but a blowout in the first game of the season didn’t do us any favors. Fantasy officials should continue to monitor the distribution of minutes between Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Andrew Wiggins.