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What you need to know for Wednesday's games
After an historic Monday, Tuesday's five-game slate left something to be desired, although most of the games were close and entertaining. The exception was the New Orleans Pelicans, who scored a franchise-best 153 points in a blowout win over the Utah Jazz as all five starters scored in double figures and Zion Williamson had a career-high 11 assists (along with 17 points and three rebounds).
The Denver Nuggets held off the Indiana Pacers behind a triple-double and some late heroics from Nikola Jokic. Jokic isn't getting a lot of MVP love this season but the numbers are there and the Nuggets are still one of the best teams in the league. The big news from this game was that Tyrese Haliburton would miss time after trying to come back too early from his hamstring injury. He was out on Tuesday and will miss at least two more games as he attempts to heal. Andrew Nembhard started at point guard and had 15 points and seven dimes for the Pacers, while T.J. McConnell came off the bench and added 17 points and seven assists. Flip a coin, but I prefer rolling with McConnell when given a choice.
Spencer Dinwiddie started for the Brooklyn Nets against the New York Knicks but played just 19 minutes and missed all four of his shots to finish with zero points and four assists. Dennis Smith Jr. played 29 minutes and came through with eight points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. DSJ has been playing well for about a month and the Nets' point guard situation is worth keeping an eye on. DSJ has actually been better than Dinwiddie on many nights and had averaged 8.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.8 SPG and 0.9 3PG in January before Tuesday night's game.
If D'Angelo Russell's time with the Los Angeles Lakers is coming to an end, he is going out with a bang. Russell had 27 points and 10 assists against the LA Clippers Tuesday night and has scored at least 20 points in four straight games. He has averaged 27.2 points, 7.0 assists and 4.3 3-pointers over his past six games and it will be interesting to see where Russell goes with the trade deadline looming in a few weeks. Kawhi Leonard had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for just the second triple-double of his career. His dream season continues for the Clippers, who beat the Lakers 127-116.
Wednesday's Stream Team
P.J. Washington, PF, Charlotte Hornets (55.4%)
Nick Richards (ankle) could miss his fifth straight game and Mark Williams (back) is nowhere to be found so Washington should man the middle again on Wednesday against the Pistons. Washington has averaged 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 3-pointers over his past three games and has a nice matchup against a young Detroit squad.
Vince Williams Jr., SF, Memphis Grizzlies (21%)
Williams has scored in double figures in five straight games and is coming off a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, a block and two 3-pointers on Monday against the Toronto Raptors. He has also hit at least two triples in all but one of his January games and has simply become a must-start fantasy player in all formats.
Honestly, we could have created an entire 'stream team' of Grizzlies tonight. Santi Aldama and Xavier Tillman are both dealing with knee injuries, which should clear the way for GG Jackson (4.2%) to get back into the mix Wednesday night after a couple of duds. He averaged 21.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 2.0 blocks and 2.5 3-pointers in two games before his recent two-game slide. Luke Kennard (6.7%) has scored in double figures in seven straight games, is racking up solid assists and has hit at least two 3-pointers in eight straight.
Jeremy Sochan PG/PF, San Antonio Spurs (25.6%)
Tre Jones suffered a foot injury on Monday, and it didn't look good, leaving him questionable for Wednesday night. If he's out, look for Sochan to play a big role against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sochan had 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, a block and three 3-pointers on Monday and has averaged 13.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG and 1.5 3PG in the month of January.
Jabari Walker, PF, Portland Trail Blazers (5.6%)
Walker had 14 points, 13 rebounds, a block and two 3-pointers in 34 minutes of a tough loss to the Thunder on Tuesday and has averaged 13.0 PPG, 10.7 RPG and 1.0 3PG over his past three games. He has averaged 28 MPG this month and while he's capable of disappearing and posting a fantasy dud on any given night, he has been very solid in six of his past eight games.
Sam Merrill, SG, Cleveland Cavaliers (2.7%)
Merrill blew up for 26 points, three rebounds, a steal and eight triples against the Orlando Magic on Monday as the Cavaliers have quietly won eight straight games and climbed into fourth place in the East. Merrill has scored in double figures in eight of his nine games this month and has averaged 15 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.8 SPG and 4.2 3PG over his past five. His rostership should be much higher.
Projections and Injury Reports
Fantasy projections powered by ESPN Analytics.* Projections assume all players who are listed as GTD will play. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Players available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues are listed in italics.
Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
BPI Projection: Pistons in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Cody Martin, (GTD - Knee); Gordon Hayward, (OUT - Calf)
Pistons: Malcolm Cazalon, (OUT - Ankle); Cade Cunningham, (GTD - Knee)
Hornets projections:
LaMelo Ball, PG/SG: 42.6 FPTS (23.0 pts, 4.6 reb, 6.7 ast, 3.3 3PM)
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 36.8 FPTS (20.5 pts, 6.8 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 26.1 FPTS (14.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Mark Williams, C: 23.1 FPTS (11.0 pts, 7.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
P.J. Washington, PF: 20.4 FPTS (10.3 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.6 ast)
Nick Richards, C: 18.4 FPTS (8.1 pts, 7.2 reb, 1.1 ast)
Kyle Lowry, PG: 17.4 FPTS (6.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 3.0 ast)
Pistons projections:
Bojan Bogdanovic, SF/PF: 31.8 FPTS (19.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.9 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Jalen Duren, C: 30.5 FPTS (13.7 pts, 10.6 reb, 2.5 ast)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 29.8 FPTS (17.2 pts, 4.4 reb, 4.2 ast)
Alec Burks, SG: 19.6 FPTS (12.3 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Monte Morris, PG: 19.6 FPTS (7.4 pts, 2.8 reb, 3.8 ast)
Ausar Thompson, SG/SF: 19.3 FPTS (8.6 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.6 ast)
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 18.8 FPTS (8.3 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.9 ast)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
BPI Projection: Timberwolves in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles)
Wizards: None reported
Timberwolves projections:
Anthony Edwards, SG/SF: 42.0 FPTS (26.4 pts, 5.3 reb, 5.4 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C: 37.9 FPTS (20.6 pts, 8.2 reb, 3.5 ast)
Rudy Gobert, C: 32.0 FPTS (14.6 pts, 13.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.8 blk)
Mike Conley, PG: 24.9 FPTS (9.3 pts, 2.5 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Naz Reid, PF/C: 20.6 FPTS (11.3 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.0 ast)
Jaden McDaniels, SF: 19.4 FPTS (10.9 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.3 ast)
Kyle Anderson, SF/PF: 15.7 FPTS (5.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 3.4 ast)
Wizards projections:
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF: 39.9 FPTS (21.7 pts, 6.9 reb, 4.3 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Tyus Jones, PG: 28.8 FPTS (12.0 pts, 3.1 reb, 4.7 ast)
Jordan Poole, PG/SG: 26.7 FPTS (14.9 pts, 2.2 reb, 3.3 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Deni Avdija, SF/PF: 26.1 FPTS (10.9 pts, 6.1 reb, 3.4 ast)
Daniel Gafford, PF/C: 24.2 FPTS (10.5 pts, 8.0 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.8 blk)
Marvin Bagley III, PF/C: 18.6 FPTS (9.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 0.9 ast)
Bilal Coulibaly, SG: 16.8 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.8 ast)
Memphis Grizzlies at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. Kaseya Center, Miami
BPI Projection: Heat in the 8th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Derrick Rose, (OUT - Hamstring); Santi Aldama, (OUT - Knee); Jake LaRavia, (OUT - Ankle); Brandon Clarke, (OUT - Achilles); Marcus Smart, (OUT - Finger); Desmond Bane, (OUT - Ankle)
Heat: Haywood Highsmith, (GTD - Foot); Jaime Jaquez Jr., (NA - Groin); Terry Rozier, (GTD - Not Injury Related); Dru Smith, (NA - Knee)
Grizzlies projections:
Ja Morant, PG: 42.1 FPTS (24.0 pts, 4.8 reb, 6.7 ast)
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C: 32.0 FPTS (20.3 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.8 3PM, 1.2 blk)
Vince Williams Jr., SF: 24.2 FPTS (9.5 pts, 6.3 reb, 2.6 ast)
Luke Kennard, SG: 22.2 FPTS (10.8 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.3 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Steven Adams, C: 21.4 FPTS (8.5 pts, 9.1 reb, 2.1 ast)
Xavier Tillman, PF/C: 18.4 FPTS (7.8 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.8 ast)
David Roddy, PF: 15.8 FPTS (8.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.3 ast)
Heat projections:
Bam Adebayo, C: 42.3 FPTS (22.5 pts, 10.8 reb, 4.7 ast)
Tyler Herro, PG/SG: 37.5 FPTS (21.5 pts, 5.5 reb, 4.0 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Jimmy Butler, SF/PF: 36.3 FPTS (21.2 pts, 5.0 reb, 4.4 ast)
Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 36.0 FPTS (18.7 pts, 3.4 reb, 5.5 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 20.9 FPTS (10.4 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.9 ast)
Duncan Robinson, SG/SF: 18.3 FPTS (9.1 pts, 2.1 reb, 2.2 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Kevin Love, PF/C: 15.1 FPTS (5.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.5 ast)
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. Toyota Center, Houston
BPI Projection: Rockets in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen)
Rockets: Jalen Green, (GTD - Illness); Reggie Bullock Jr., (GTD - Back); Tari Eason, (OUT - Lower Leg); Victor Oladipo, (OUT - Knee)
Blazers projections:
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG: 37.2 FPTS (22.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 4.8 ast, 3.1 3PM)
Jerami Grant, PF: 32.0 FPTS (21.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Deandre Ayton, C: 27.6 FPTS (13.8 pts, 9.9 reb, 1.7 ast)
Malcolm Brogdon, PG/SG: 26.1 FPTS (13.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 4.0 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Jabari Walker, PF: 24.8 FPTS (12.6 pts, 8.7 reb, 1.3 ast)
Scoot Henderson, PG: 18.0 FPTS (11.5 pts, 2.4 reb, 3.4 ast)
Duop Reath, C: 17.6 FPTS (8.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.0 ast)
Rockets projections:
Alperen Sengun, C: 46.6 FPTS (25.6 pts, 10.0 reb, 4.6 ast)
Fred VanVleet, PG: 34.3 FPTS (14.3 pts, 3.3 reb, 6.8 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Jalen Green, SG: 27.1 FPTS (16.1 pts, 4.0 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C: 24.9 FPTS (12.2 pts, 8.0 reb, 1.2 ast)
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: 20.9 FPTS (11.5 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.3 ast)
Cam Whitmore, SF: 19.9 FPTS (11.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.0 ast)
Amen Thompson, SG: 16.5 FPTS (7.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.5 ast)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
BPI Projection: Cavaliers in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Caris LeVert, (GTD - Wrist); Emoni Bates, (OUT - Suspension); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Shoulder)
Cavaliers projections:
Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG: 49.3 FPTS (28.2 pts, 5.0 reb, 6.1 ast, 3.2 3PM)
Jarrett Allen, C: 33.2 FPTS (14.3 pts, 10.4 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.2 blk)
Evan Mobley, PF/C: 31.1 FPTS (15.0 pts, 9.8 reb, 2.9 ast, 1.5 blk)
Darius Garland, PG: 31.1 FPTS (18.1 pts, 2.5 reb, 5.7 ast)
Caris LeVert, SG/SF: 22.4 FPTS (11.5 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.3 ast)
Max Strus, SG/SF: 18.5 FPTS (7.3 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.6 ast)
Sam Merrill, SG: 17.0 FPTS (8.3 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.2 3PM)
Bucks projections:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C: 49.2 FPTS (29.4 pts, 10.5 reb, 5.5 ast)
Damian Lillard, PG: 46.4 FPTS (27.5 pts, 4.4 reb, 6.4 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Khris Middleton, SF: 27.9 FPTS (15.0 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.4 ast)
Brook Lopez, C: 25.1 FPTS (13.0 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.1 blk)
Malik Beasley, SG: 22.3 FPTS (11.8 pts, 4.0 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.8 3PM)
Bobby Portis, PF/C: 19.3 FPTS (9.7 pts, 5.7 reb, 1.1 ast)
Jae Crowder, SF/PF: 11.5 FPTS (4.8 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.1 ast)
Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. American Airlines Center, Dallas
BPI Projection: Mavericks in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Suns: Eric Gordon, (GTD - Wrist); Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)
Mavericks: Dante Exum, (GTD - Heel); Kyrie Irving, (GTD - Thumb); Seth Curry, (GTD - Ankle)
Suns projections:
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 48.8 FPTS (29.2 pts, 5.8 reb, 6.2 ast)
Devin Booker, PG/SG/PF: 48.6 FPTS (28.7 pts, 5.1 reb, 6.9 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Bradley Beal, PG/SG: 34.3 FPTS (19.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.2 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 28.4 FPTS (11.9 pts, 10.0 reb, 3.3 ast)
Grayson Allen, SG: 24.6 FPTS (10.9 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Eric Gordon, SG/SF: 16.1 FPTS (7.9 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Theo Maledon, PG: 12.0 FPTS (5.5 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.7 ast)
Mavericks projections:
Luka Doncic, PG: 56.4 FPTS (33.2 pts, 7.8 reb, 7.7 ast, 3.8 3PM)
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG: 43.5 FPTS (24.5 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.6 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF: 23.5 FPTS (13.7 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.7 3PM)
Dereck Lively II, C: 21.5 FPTS (8.7 pts, 7.9 reb, 1.0 ast)
Derrick Jones Jr., SF: 20.1 FPTS (10.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 0.9 ast)
Josh Green, SG/SF: 17.7 FPTS (8.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.9 ast)
Jaden Hardy, SG: 14.6 FPTS (8.4 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.5 ast)
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
9:30 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
BPI Projection: Thunder in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Thunder: None reported
Spurs: Sidy Cissoko, (OUT - Ankle)
Thunder projections:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG: 52.4 FPTS (29.3 pts, 5.5 reb, 5.6 ast)
Jalen Williams, SG/SF/PF: 38.8 FPTS (19.2 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.5 ast)
Chet Holmgren, PF/C: 34.3 FPTS (16.6 pts, 6.8 reb, 3.3 ast, 2.3 blk)
Josh Giddey, PG/SG/PF: 27.7 FPTS (11.8 pts, 6.2 reb, 4.3 ast)
Luguentz Dort, SG/SF: 23.0 FPTS (11.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Cason Wallace, PG/SG: 16.2 FPTS (7.1 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.1 ast)
Isaiah Joe, SG: 14.3 FPTS (7.0 pts, 1.9 reb, 0.7 ast)
Spurs projections:
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 32.8 FPTS (19.2 pts, 8.5 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.1 blk)
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 31.6 FPTS (17.6 pts, 3.8 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Tre Jones, PG: 26.6 FPTS (12.0 pts, 3.8 reb, 4.6 ast)
Keldon Johnson, SF: 26.6 FPTS (15.1 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 26.5 FPTS (13.3 pts, 6.1 reb, 3.6 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 21.2 FPTS (10.9 pts, 5.0 reb, 2.6 ast)
Dominick Barlow, SF/PF: 15.0 FPTS (7.3 pts, 5.2 reb, 0.9 ast)
Atlanta Hawks at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco
BPI Projection: Warriors in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Bruno Fernando, (GTD - Back); Vit Krejci, (OUT - Shoulder); Wesley Matthews, (OUT - Calf); Mouhamed Gueye, (OUT - Back)
Warriors: Brandin Podziemski, (GTD - Illness); Moses Moody, (OUT - Calf); Gary Payton II, (OUT - Hamstring)
Hawks projections:
Trae Young, PG: 41.8 FPTS (24.5 pts, 3.0 reb, 8.2 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG: 38.1 FPTS (20.5 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.0 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Jalen Johnson, SF/PF: 31.0 FPTS (13.9 pts, 7.4 reb, 3.2 ast)
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 24.7 FPTS (13.2 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.3 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Saddiq Bey, SF/PF: 23.0 FPTS (10.7 pts, 5.8 reb, 1.1 ast)
Clint Capela, C: 21.8 FPTS (10.1 pts, 8.8 reb, 0.7 ast, 1.4 blk)
De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF: 16.6 FPTS (10.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.1 ast)
Warriors projections:
Stephen Curry, PG: 42.9 FPTS (24.5 pts, 4.0 reb, 5.3 ast, 4.2 3PM)
Klay Thompson, SG/SF: 31.3 FPTS (18.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.7 ast, 3.5 3PM)
Chris Paul, PG: 27.8 FPTS (10.5 pts, 4.0 reb, 5.8 ast)
Jonathan Kuminga, PF: 26.1 FPTS (16.3 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.8 ast)
Dario Saric, PF: 25.2 FPTS (11.9 pts, 6.0 reb, 2.8 ast)
Andrew Wiggins, SF/PF: 23.9 FPTS (14.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.1 ast)
Draymond Green, PF/C: 20.6 FPTS (7.4 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.8 ast)