Deni

Avdija

Avdija started the year on a major shooting slump, but the last few games have been the exact opposite. He has shot better than 60% from the floor in three straight games and has shot at least 50% in six of their last seven. Though he didn’t do it in this game, Avdija typically can contribute enough in other categories to make him an effective fantasy option, though the added efficiency tear has done wonders for his value. Even in a reserve role, Avdija has been and will continue to be a reliable player in fantasy basketball.

Avdija is rostered in 65% of Yahoo leagues despite coming off the bench, and with good reason. He recorded another solid stat line on Sunday, shooting nearly 67% from the field and putting up solid points, rebounds, assists, and 3-pointers. While Avdija did not record any defensive stats in Phoenix, he’s averaging 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. He should have reliable late-round value in standard leagues for the remainder of the season.

Avdija has reached double figures in 11 of his last 12 outings, with Portland’s blowout loss to the Jazz on December 6 being the outlier. Friday’s performance against the Spurs was one of his best, with the fourth-year wing scoring at least 19 points for the third time this season. Even with the bench role limiting his fantasy ceiling, Avdija is still rostered in 66% of Yahoo leagues. If Portland were to reach a point where they’d shut down Jerami Grant (we aren’t there yet), Avdija would be one player whose fantasy value would increase.

Toumani’s been a regular starter for Portland but his status for Sunday after logging just eight minutes in his last contest is concerning. Deni Avdija could be poised for a spot start in Camara’s place.

Camara exited early during their last game, which allowed Deni Avdija to start the second half in his place. Head coach Chauncey Billups said that Camara didn’t practice on Saturday, but their next game after Sunday will be on Friday, so he’ll have time to recover. Avdija should see a nice fantasy boost on Sunday as the starter in place of Camara.

Camara played eight minutes before exiting Friday’s game during the first half. His absence frees up additional minutes for Deni Avdija, who started the third quarter in Camara’s absence. Avdija is already rostered in 69% of Yahoo leagues, so an extended absence for Camara would make him a viable option in shallow leagues.

Avdija has been playing at a high level recently, whether he has started or come off the bench. He has scored at least 15 points in five straight games and has been a top-100 player in 9-cat leagues over the last two weeks. He got off to a slow start to his first year with the Trail Blazers, but he has put that behind him in recent weeks. This was an ugly loss for Portland, and they’ll look to get back on track on Friday with the Jazz coming to town.

With Jerami Grant back in the lineup, Avdija was pushed back to the bench. However, he still had a strong night. He scored a season-high 20 points in their last game and followed that up by achieving a new season-high for points once again. Avdija started off his tenure with Portland poorly, but he has picked things up in recent weeks. Even if he remains in a reserve role, he should continue to be a reliable option in fantasy, especially if the roster shakes up at the trade deadline in two months.

Grant will be back in the lineup following a two-game absence, which will send Deni Avdija back to the bench. Avdija should still be worth rostering even with Grant available and starting in this game. The rest of the starters will remain the same for this game.

Avdija has started Portland’s last two games for the injured Jerami Grant, and he’s been an excellent asset to have rostered. He’s recorded complete stat lines in both games, tallying a season-high 20 points on Friday. A top-25 player in 9-cat formats over the last week, Avdija’s rostered in 65% of Yahoo leagues. Look for that percentage to increase ahead of Sunday’s game against Dallas.