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Day 6 of Week 7 of the NBA promises to bring some more action to the league, after a thrilling Day 5. Memphis Grizzlies managed to get a come from behind, double-overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets, 131-125, thanks to some jaw-dropping performances by the rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. and the veteran Mike Conley. The Houston Rockets blew the San Antonio Spurs again out of the park with a 136-105 win. The Denver Nuggets managed to win a nail-biter over the Portland Trailblazers, 113-112.
There are 7 games to look forward to tomorrow, best among them should be a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Boston Celtics - a matchup between 2 underperforming teams, one from the Western Conference and the other from the Eastern Conference respectively. Another game to look forward to is the Detroit Pistons facing the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry marks his return from injury in this game and also look for the Warriors to make a long overdue comeback and take over the Western conference, barring any new injuries. Another hard fought game could be a matchup between the rising Sacramento Kings against the Indiana Pacers, who are without Victor Oladipo for a while.
Honourable mentions:
1. PG - Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics), Trey Burke (New York Knicks)
2. SG - Klay Thompson ( Golden State Warriors), Derrick Rose (Minnesota Timberwolves)
3. SF - Kevin Durant ( Golden State Warriors), Otto Porter Jr. (Washington Wizards)
4. PF - Dario Saric (Minnesota Timberwolves), Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors)
5. C - Karl Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves), Enes Kanter (New York Knicks)
PG 1 - Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors):
Curry will return against the Detroit Pistons, according to the head coach of the Warriors, Steve Curr. He has missed the past 11 games with an injury to his groin. Without their talisman, the Warriors faced a rough patch. A bust-up between Green and Durant, which led to a suspension for Green and then a subsequent injury as well. The Warriors in that 11 game span have had an underwhelming record of 5-6, less than 50%, with losses against the Spurs, the Mavericks and the Clippers, with a few too close for comfort games against the Magic and the Kings.
Before his injury, Curry was averaging almost 33 points per game, with 6 assists and 5 rebounds. He was also shooting atleast 11 3 pointers a game, making 6 of them, shooting at an absurd efficieny of 53%. He was in the MVP discussion again before his unfortunate injury. His return will boost the Warriors and look for Curry to make an instant impact against the Pistons and contribute right away. He should be rostered in all daily fantasy squads.
PG 2 - De'Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings):
De'Aaron Fox is enjoying his best season yet in his young career. After an underwhelming rookie season, where he averaged 11.6 points per game with 4.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. He had disappointed many fans, Kings or not, with him not realising his potential. But in offseason, Fox has definitely put in a lot of work into his game, finishing at the rim, his passing and his shooting. He has also been conditioning his body to take more of the physicality in the NBA.
He is averaging an amazing 17.6 points per game, to go with 7.6 assists and 4 rebounds per game too. He has also had a triple-double this season and is shooting at a 47% from the field, a 6% increase from his rookie season. He is also more 3 pointers this season and is shooting them at a good 39% clip, compared to a woeful 30%. He seems to have matured as well, not taking shots he doesn't need to and passing the ball instead. He has also doubled his free throw attempts, from 3 a game last season to 6 this season. He seems to be the real deal for the Kings and should be rostered in your team if you have the funds.
SG 1 - Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards):
The Washington Wizards seem to be in turmoil. Many league insiders reporting that everyone on the Wizards roster is up for a trade, John Wall launched a verbal tirade against Scott Brooks in training, leading to fine. Apart from this, they are simply not able to gel on the court, with an 8-14 record to start the season. The only thing that is seemingly working for them is the continued development and rise of their new star Bradley Beal.
He has been averaging almost 22 points per game this season, along with 4.4 assists and rebounds per game. He has improved his all-round game by averaging a block and a steal per game too. Look for him to perform well against a Nets team that is coming off a tough double OT loss against the Grizzlies. He is a great player to add on the roster of your team if you have the funds.
SG 2 - Tim Hardaway Jr. (New York Knicks):
The New York Knicks have been playing really badly for the past few seasons and this one is no exception. They have been without their franchise star Kristaps Porzingis, who doesn't look like will return this season and have won only 7 games this season. The only proven scorer left on their team is Tim Hardaway Jr and when he performs, the Knicks seem to stand somewhat of a chance to compete and win.
He has been averaging over 22 points per game this season, on 40% shooting. He doesn't get you much of any other stats but he is a volume shooter and is scoring really well too, given that his career average is 12.7 points per game. He is having a breakout season and should be rostered on your team if you have the funds for it.
SF 1 - Bogdan Bogdanovic (Sacramento Kings):
The Kings are on the rise and that is down not just due to one player, but a bunch of players, making a leap. From Buddy Hield's exceptional shooting to Willie Cauley Stein being a force to reckon with in the paint. De'Aaron Fox dropping dimes and making the right shots at the right time to Nemanja Bjelica shooting the 3s like he was Steph Curry, it is all coming around for the Kings.
Bogdanovic was out for the start of the season but has now returned to the starting lineup and providing another scoring option. He has come back pretty strong, averaging 15 points per game since coming back, attempting almost six 3s a game and shooting at a 43% clip, he seems to have taken a step up from his rookie year last season. Look for him to continue his strong play tomorrow and he should be a nice budget addition to your team.
SF 2 - Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks):
The Bucks have started the season exceptionally well under their new coach Mike Budenholzer, embracing his new system really well. They are now 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a 15-6 record. Brook Lopez is a player reinvigorated under Mike, only Klay Thompson has taken more 3s this season than Lopez, which is absolutely absurd. Giannis is a monster unleashed, the new system really built around him, allowing him to do whatever he pleases.
But this system has also unlocked Khris Middleton, who has been a great supporting player to Giannis this season. He has been averaging a career high in 3 pointers, attempting 7 per game at a 42% clip. He has also been averaging almost 19 points a game, to go with 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game too. His ability to defend almost any position is also a great skill to have and his 1.3 steals are very valuable to a roster. He should be taken against a weak Knicks where he will have a chance to break out of a semi rut and show off some skills.
PF 1 - Giannis Antetokoumpo (Milwaukee Bucks):
Whatever we say about a player like Giannis Antetokoumpo is not enough for him. He has been a total revelation this season under the new head coach, Mike Budenholzer, who has been utilizing him to his fullest. He has not only given the keys to the offence to Antetokoumpo but has also arranged a great supporting cast around him to fit the system that he will thrive in.
Giannis is averaging a career-high 27 points per game to start the season, to go along with a career-high in rebounding as well as assists per game, 13 and 6 respectively. He has also been a nuisance on the defensive end, averaging at least 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. His 3 point shooting is the only thing he has to improve upon. He is one of the first players on your team sheet and should be a lock tomorrow as well.
PF 2 - Blake Griffin (Detroit Pistons):
One of the forgotten heroes in the NBA who has suddenly become relevant again, Blake Griffin is back from basketball obscurity to a superstar athlete. He was shipped off to the Detroit Pistons by the Los Angeles Clippers after they promising to keep him till he retired. They were done with his injuries and the Pistons were ready to take a chance and pair him with Andre Drummond in a monster backcourt. After having a decent start to his career in Detroit, Blake has been an absolute superstar this year.
He is averaging a career-high 25 points per game to go with almost 10 rebounds per game and 5 assists too. He has been taking as many as 6 3s per game this season, shooting them at a 37% clip. He and Drummond have been taking down teams with ease and he has added another dimension to his game with his passing, apart from his ability to knock down shots from anywhere on the field. He seems to be a fantasy star this season and against a weak Golden State Warriors backcourt, should be putting up some huge numbers tomorrow.
C 1 - Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons):
Andre Drummond was a player who was supposed to become a great center. While he had the tools for scoring and rebounding at the glass, he was always a horrible free throw shooter, until last season, where he averaged 60% shooting from the line, a huge improvement over his career average of 38%. He was also averaging a career high of 16 rebounds per game last year. With the addition of Blake Griffin mid-season, he has just improved more this season.
He has scored almost 19 points per game, to go with 16 rebounds as well. His assist numbers are almost a non-factor, given that Blake has taken over the playmaking duties. He is also a defensive monster, almost averaging 2 blocks and steals. He has also started shooting 3s this season, although at a really bad clip of 20%. He will look to dominate the Warriors center tomorrow, given that Green will most likely miss out again. He should be a big player for the game tomorrow and should be a lock in your roster.
C 2 - Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers):
Nobody thought Sabonis was going to become this good this fast. He was an average to good prospect for the Thunder while he was there. But the moment he was traded alongside Victor Oladipo for Paul George, he has become a revelation. He had shown his upside last season, coming off the bench for the Pacers and being a stand-in for Myles Turner, who has been a disappointment of late. This season too, he has come off the bench for all but 1 game, yet he has become a more important player than Myles Turner already.
He has been averaging a career high in points, rebounds, assists, field goal % and free throw attempt made. He has been an absolute beast this season. His 15 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists per game at 65% shooting has been superb for the Pacers. He is almost running the second unit for the Pacers and there seems to be no stopping him. It seems to be an interesting matchup against the Kings tomorrow and look for Sabonis to have a great game again.
