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The kid is coming out just eight days after expected, so the wait is over. We no longer have to deal with a GTD tag that lasts throughout the game. We also get Shabazz night! You can call it free square Wednesday if you want to. With Lillard out, Shabazz Napier is going to slide in and play 34+ minutes. It was just a couple months ago when Napier was putting up 35+ fantasy points a night with Lillard out for extended time. At minimum price, play him in 100% of lineups. Maurice Harkless will also remain out, so Evan Turner will see an increase in minutes at the three and will have the opportunity to ball-handle a bit. C.J. McCollum is an easy play at the two in cash games, but Napier is good enough to be trusted down the stretch with the ball. Aminu has also been playing great and could grab a few extra shots from the corner. This Lillard news is huge and everyone benefits, but Napier is the clear play.
Larry Nance is going to get back towards 25 minutes and you have to love him in a solid match-up with a weak Hornets interior. Jeff Green and Tristan Thompson could also pick up some minutes and I’m a fan of both in cash games for a punt. You'd like Nance to get the start, but he could still return value off the bench.
Booker and Warren have been out for a while, so we know it’s Troy Daniels and Josh Jackson that benefit. Both are still in play. Alex Len is the real news. Facing DeAndre Jordan, they need a real big body. Alan Williams has just returned from injury and he seems like the perfect guy. You just don’t know if he’s ready for the minutes. He can put up 40 fantasy points in 25 minutes, so I love him in tournaments. Bender and Chriss will also benefit and I’m fine with either, but don’t love it. The Clippers are a nominal defense at best and not worth talking about.
He would have been a solid value against the Suns, but said value now goes elsewhere. Austin Rivers has his minutes locked down and you can virtually guarantee 35. He will also have the ball in his hands a lot more. Minutes-wise, Sindarius Thornwell and Tyrone Wallace will benefit. Both are fine, but you can probably do better on this slate of games.
We know what to do here.
Horford is tasked with Rudy Gobert tonight, so it likely won’t be much fun even if he does play. If he’s out, his minutes will be split between Greg Monroe and Aron Baynes. Baynes makes more sense against Gobert in terms of physicality, but Monroe could also be effective from the elbow. Both are interesting in a tournament if Horford is out, but I can’t fall in love with either against a tough Utah interior.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 17.21 DK - 17.27
There’s not much to say about this one. With Lillard out, Napier can be locked in for 34-40 minutes. At the very least, he’s walking away with 25 fantasy points. That’s still plenty fine at his minimum price tag. On most nights, he’s putting up 35-40 here and forcing you to play him across the board for any chance at a W. If we’re being honest, this may be the easiest play on the entire season up to this point. His ownership will probably fall in the 80%’s, and I still have no thoughts on fading. That should say a whole lot.
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