Goga

Bitadze

Bitadze has recorded a double-double in three straight and five of his last six games. The Magic center has provided consistent value since Paolo Banchero’s oblique injury, ranking within the top-50 in 9-cat formats over the past two months. Rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues, Bitadze’s only issue in the short term is the schedule, as Orlando doesn’t play again until Wednesday in Detroit.

Bitadze has recorded a double-double in four of his last five games as he continues to play well for the shorthanded Magic. Over the past two weeks, the 6-foot-11 center has provided top-40 per-game value in 9-cat formats. Bitadze is rostered in 55% of Yahoo leagues, which is far too low, given Orlando’s many injuries.

To define Bitadze as a “league-winning” player at this point in the season would be premature, but he’s been a significant asset to managers who were able to add him. Rostered in 50% of Yahoo leagues, the Magic center has been a 3rd-round player over the past two weeks, taking the starting center job from Wendell Carter Jr. WCJ played 13 minutes on Thursday, finishing with five points, six rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot. Bitadze needs to be added in standard leagues.

The injuries continue to pile up for Orlando. Wagner exited early from Saturday night’s game because of the knee injury, and he will be sidelined for the rest of the season. Goga Bitadze and Wendell Carter Jr. will fill out extra minutes at center, giving both of them a strong boost in fantasy value.

Another double-double for Bitadze, another Magic who has benefitted while the team is dealing with multiple injuries in its starting lineup. Wendell Carter Jr. was ejected after amassing two technical fouls in just 13 minutes of play, making Bitadze the primary down low option for Orlando. He made all eight of his field goal attempts and pulled down 13 rebounds. Bitadze is a perfect streamer to use as long as the Magic continue to play shorthanded.

Bitadze has now recorded a double-double in three of his previous four games despite pairing with Wendell Carter Jr. in the frontcourt. He led all Magic starters in points. Bitadze has continued to show his value as a streaming option while the the Magic’s two star players are on the mend.

Rostered in 34% of Yahoo leagues, Bitadze is the best streaming option, with Franz Wagner (oblique) joining Paolo Banchero (oblique) on the sideline over the weekend. A 7th-round player for the season, Goga has provided top-40 value over the past two weeks. The Magic won’t play again until December 15 or 16 against the Atlanta/New York loser, so adding Bitadze in the aftermath of Tuesday’s defeat may not be necessary. But he should be on fantasy managers’ radars.

Bitadze seems to be over his ankle injury as he played 31 minutes in this one. He controlled the glass as he pulled down 16 rebounds, including nine on the offensive end. Bitadze’s fantasy value is stable with the Magic missing so many players in the frontcourt. Orlando has three games next week, starting with the Bucks on Tuesday.

Bitadze was back in the starting lineup after missing Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks. He shot the ball well and recorded one steal and a blocked shot, but the final stat line was underwhelming. Wendell Carter Jr. was even worse, finishing with two points, six rebounds, two assists, and one blocked shot in 32 minutes. Bitadze’s fantasy value takes a hit when he isn’t the lone big on the floor, but the lineup doesn’t appear likely to change anytime soon.

Bitadze was initially a game-time decision but has been ruled in for Wednesday and will continue to start alongside Wendell Carter Jr. in the frontcourt. Tristan da Silva will return to the bench in the aftermath.