Detroit

Pistons

Schroder had at least 20 points for the first time since joining the Pistons at the trade deadline. The 31-year-old point guard played 28 minutes, his first time playing at least 25 minutes for Detroit. Schroder was dealing with an ankle injury that caused him to miss a game last week, but appeared to be 100 percent Wednesday. There’s plenty of opportunities available with the Pistons for Schroder to have fantasy value as the backup point guard.

Cunningham scored just 11 and 15 points last Friday and Saturday, but has since bounced back with 29 and 37 points in his last two games now. The 23-year-old point guard is a do-everything superstar for the Pistons. However, his three-point shooting leaves much to be desired. Cunningham is just 3-of-15 from behind the three-point line over his last two games. He’s also turned the ball over at least five times in three straight games now. Cunningham has been a top-10 player over the last three weeks in eight-category leagues.

Initially probable for Wednesday’s game, Stewart is officially available. He’ll slot into his usual backup center role, where Beef Stew offers limited fantasy value. Paul Reed’s minutes will decrease, although Tobias Harris’ (personal) absence may keep him in the rotation.

Stewart missed Monday’s game against Utah, but he is expected to be back against Los Angeles. Paul Reed filled out the backup center minutes against the Jazz, but he won’t have as large of a role with Stewart back in the lineup.

Harris has missed two games for personal reasons, including Wednesday’s. Malik Beasley started Monday’s win over the Jazz and should remain in that role Wednesday night. While he shot 3-of-14 from three against Utah, Beasley should be rostered regardless of Harris’ availability.

Thompson was one of two Pistons starters to not miss a shot from the field on Monday, with Jalen Duren being the other. A double-digit scorer in three straight and five of his last six appearances, Ausar’s 17 points are the most he’s had in a game since February 12. While his season-long fantasy value remains outside the top 100 in eight- and nine-cat formats, Thompson has been a top 50 player since the All-Star break. He should be rostered in more than 66 percent of Yahoo! leagues, as he was after play on Monday.

Despite not having backup center Isaiah Stewart for Monday’s game, the Pistons didn’t skip a beat, and Duren was one reason for that. Recording his fourth double-double in five games, he was also responsible for two steals and four blocked shots. Since the All-Star break, Duren has provided top-20 value in eight- and nine-cat formats, sitting just outside the first round in 12-team leagues in the latter. This is the player many fantasy managers hoped Duren would be before this season began, and he’s bounced back from a slow start.

With Tobias Harris (personal) away from the team, Beasley made his first start since February 7 on Monday. While cold from deep, shooting 3-of-14, Malik extended his run of games with at least three three-pointers to 11 straight and 19 of his last 20 appearances. Rostered in 43 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Beasley has provided top-100 value in nine-cat formats since the All-Star break. Monday night wasn’t great, but fantasy managers needing value with Harris out would be wise to consider Beasley.

While Cunningham shot 50 percent from the field on Monday, he missed seven of his eight three-point attempts. Inside the arc, the Pistons’ All-Star point guard was elite. Other than the three-point shooting, the only issue for Cunningham was the six turnovers. However, high-turnover nights have not occurred as often this season, one reason the Pistons are the most improved team in the NBA. Detroit will end its West Coast trip with three more games during Week 18, starting with the Clippers on Wednesday.

The lone change to the Pistons’ starting lineup has been prompted by Tobias Harris being away from the team for personal reasons. He’ll be replaced by Beasley, who has been a productive option since Jaden Ivey suffered a fractured fibula. And against the rebuilding Jazz, Beasley should be plugged into standard league lineups for Monday’s slate.