NBA Player News

Smart’s potential absence may impact Scotty Pippen Jr. more than anyone else, as the Grizzlies’ backup point guard may play a few more minutes. However, neither Smart nor Pippen has much value outside of deep leagues, with Ja Morant and Desmond Bane available.

After scoring 11 points in his first two appearances of the season, Middleton scored six on 2-of-9 shooting in the two games that followed. Accuracy remains an issue, but the Bucks forward was more active as a scorer on Friday. Middleton established season-highs in points and shot attempts as Milwaukee was without Damian Lillard (calf). With the Bucks hosting the Wizards on Saturday, fantasy managers with Middleton rostered should plan for him to sit that out.

With Damian Lillard (calf) out, Bucks coach Doc Rivers started Green instead of another point guard (Delon Wright). That approach backfired spectacularly, with Green struggling in 17 minutes on the court. Wright (two points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 17 minutes) started the third quarter, but the damage was done by then. Saturday’s matchup with the Wizards should be better for Milwaukee, whether Lillard plays or not.

Friday’s blowout win was a routine night at the office for the Cavaliers’ big men, with Mobley playing 27 minutes and Jarrett Allen (10 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals) playing 25. First-year head coach Kenny Atkinson vowed to unlock Mobley’s full potential, and that approach has made the fourth-year big a top-25 player in 9-cat formats. Meanwhile, Allen continues to provide top-50 value starting alongside Mobley. On Saturday, they’ll face a Joel Embiid-less 76ers squad to end Week 8.

For the first time this season, “the Strus was loose” on Friday. A fixture in the starting lineup last season, he came off the bench against the Bucks and fired up eight shots (all 3-pointers) in 19 minutes. Once he’s no longer restricted, Strus will be most valuable to category league managers needing points and 3-pointers. Plan for him to sit out Saturday’s game against the 76ers, as it may be too soon for Strus to play both games of back-to-backs.

Wade started for the injured Isaac Okoro (shoulder) and produced one of his best offensive efforts in Friday’s rout. His 15 points were four shy of his season-high, and this was also the second game this season in which he made at least four 3-pointers. Wade’s minutes weren’t the best, but that had more to do with the game being a blowout than anything else. Wade should get another start on Saturday when the Cavs host Philadelphia.

Unsurprisingly, not having Damian Lillard in the lineup proved problematic for Milwaukee on Friday. In addition to struggling offensively, all the Bucks could do to slow down Mitchell was get beat to the point where Kenny Atkinson pulled the plug early in the fourth quarter. Spida has provided top-25 per-game value in 9-cat formats, trailing his Yahoo ADP (17) by a few spots. Cleveland ends Week 8 with a home game against the 76ers on Saturday.

Friday’s game was the second of a back-to-back for the Hornets, meaning Mark Williams (foot) was ruled out. Richards received the starting nod, and while he struggled with defending Joel Embiid (most centers do), the overall stat line was decent. Richards will still have some value when Williams plays, but that will only last as long as the former lottery pick’s minutes are restricted.

Due to Brandon Miller spraining his ankle during Monday’s loss to Philadelphia, Martin made his sixth start of the season in Friday’s rematch. He was solid against the 76ers, finishing one blocked shot shy of a complete stat line in 20 minutes on the floor. The negative for fantasy managers was the workload, with DaQuan Jeffries (12/5/1/1/1 with two 3-pointers in 30 minutes) and Tidjane Salaun (8/8/5/2 with two 3-pointers in 24 minutes) playing more than Martin. If Miller is back for Monday’s game against the Rockets, there’s no need to consider any of these three in most fantasy leagues.

Friday’s game was the second in as many nights for the Hornets, resulting in LaMelo Ball sitting and Micic moving into the starting lineup. He played well against the team that selected him in the second round of the 2014- NBA Draft, leading the Hornets with 20 points on 50% shooting and dishing out four assists. The Hornets don’t play again until Monday, so fantasy managers can drop Micic to free up a roster spot for the final two days of Week 8.