NBA Player News

Banchero extended his streak of 20-point games to seven, but it wasn’t enough to help Orlando get the win. They’ve now lost six of their last seven games. However, Banchero supplied a ton of offense for the Magic in this game as he scored 25 of their 84 points. It was a low-scoring game for both teams, but he was still able to provide his usual dose of buckets. This road trip will continue for Orlando in New Orleans on Thursday.

The Magic are without Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, opening up two spots in the starting lineup. Joseph and da Silva will fill the voids but offer limited streaming upside with Wagner and Banchero on the court.

The Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis for Friday’s game. Joe Mazzulla has decided to use a bigger lineup, starting Kornet and Horford and shifting Tatum to small forward. Kornet and Horford are more valuable as starters, but both are limited to providing deep-league value.

Kel’el Ware, available despite dealing with a knee injury, will come off the bench for the first time since January 19. Davion Mitchell is also moving to the bench, which means the ball will be in Tyler Herro’s hands even more than usual. With their moves into the starting lineup, Robinson and Jaquez will be more valuable in fantasy leagues.

Due to its loaded injury report, the 76ers are using this starting lineup for the first time this season. Yabusele is the “safest” fantasy option of the five, but all will have value due to Philadelphia’s lack of available bodies. Yabusele, Bona and Council will be the most valuable for the rest of the season.

Jones will miss a sixth straight game with a quad injury, meaning the Mavericks will again go small in the middle. Kessler Edwards has been the starter most nights, and while he’ll be at a size disadvantage, he’s worth a look in deep leagues. Dwight Powell will also play rotation minutes at the five.

Anthony was a late scratch Thursday with a toe injury and is set to miss another game Friday. Cory Joseph will likely continue to fill in for Anthony in the starting lineup. Tristan De Silva and Caleb Houstan figure to pick up more minutes with Caldwell-Pope resting.

Exum and Williams are available after initially being questionable on the injury report. Both will figure prominently in the Mavericks’ rotation, with Exum being a somewhat safer play for managers seeking defensive production.

Washington is set to miss his seventh straight game with an ankle injury. Naji Marshall and Kessler Edwards should continue to start in the absence of the 26-year-old power forward.

Olynyk missed Thursday’s loss to the Magic for personal reasons, so Bruce Brown moved into the starting lineup. With Yves Missi (ankle) questionable for Saturday’s game, Olynyk could replace Karlo Matkovic in the starting lineup, taking over the center responsibilities. If Missi can play, Brown will likely head to the bench.

Missi did not play in Thursday’s loss to the Magic, with Karlo Matkovic replacing him in the starting lineup. With Kelly Olynyk available, the Pelicans could use him at the five if Missi misses another game. This lineup would ensure Bruce Brown another start, preserving his streaming value.