Tim

Hardaway Jr.

Hardaway returned to the Pistons lineup on Tuesday after sitting out Sunday’s win over the Hornets. While he has reached double figures in six of his last eight appearances, the production has been “feast or famine” for those who have THJ rostered. Over the past three weeks, Hardaway’s production placed him just inside the top 300 in eight- and nine-cat formats. Malik Beasley, who has been a superior fantasy option despite coming off the bench most nights, finished Tuesday’s win with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two three-pointers in 25 minutes.

Hardaway is back after a one-game absence. His return means Malik Beasley will head back to the bench, where his fantasy value takes a slight hit. However, Beasley has been productive enough to merit being rostered in some 12-team leagues.

Both Cade and THJ were out against New Orleans on Sunday, which allowed Dennis Schroder and Malik Beasley to enter the starting unit for that game. That will likely be the case again if Cunningham and Hardaway Jr. are sidelined against San Antonio. Marcus Sasser and Ron Holland also had spectacular games off the bench on Sunday and will certainly have some upside if Detroit is shorthanded once again.

Hardaway sprained his ankle during Friday’s loss to the Mavericks. His absence means a likely move into the starting lineup for Malik Beasley, who boasts a higher fantasy ceiling. Despite coming off the bench, he has been a superior fantasy option to Hardaway throughout the season.

THJ injured his ankle in the second quarter, and it will keep him sidelined for the second half of Friday’s game. Malik Beasley should start the second half in his place and provide plenty of three-pointers.

To say Hardaway needed a night like Sunday would be an understatement. Since scoring 20 points in a February 5 loss to the Cavaliers, he has averaged 6.2 points per game (six outings) on 28.9 percent shooting from the field. While Hardaway has maintained his place in the Pistons starting lineup, he has been more valuable to his new team than to fantasy managers. Rostered in six percent of Yahoo! leagues, THJ remains ranked outside the top 250 in eight-cat formats. Despite Sunday’s solid effort, there’s no need to consider adding him in most leagues.

Harris left Wednesday’s game against the Cavaliers in the third quarter with a calf injury. It’s a good sign that Harris is probable for the Pistons’ next game. If Harris were to miss the game with the 76ers, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley would be counted on for more scoring.

Hardaway hadn’t scored at least 20 points in his last nine games entering play Wednesday. The 32-year-old shooting guard had the hot hand from behind the 3-point line, making 6-of-11 attempts from behind the arc. THJ can get hot, but hasn’t consistently scored enough points to be fantasy relevant this year.

THJ got off to a hot start to this game and scored the Pistons’ first 10 points of the game. This was his third game with at least 25 points this season, with all of them coming in his last five appearances. Typically, most of his points have come from beyond the arc this season, but he was able to get it done at the free throw line in this one and set a new season-high for free throws made. THJ has been on fire lately and will look to have another big night against the Suns on Saturday to close out the week.

Hardaway Jr. sat out Thursday’s game against the Warriors and was initially listed as questionable Saturday with a back injury. The 32-year-old shooting guard started and put on a show against the Raptors. Hardaway Jr. poured in 27 points including seven 3-pointers. It’s not every night that THJ will shoot like this, but with Jaden Ivey (leg) out there’s plenty of opportunities available with the Pistons.