The Orlando Magic upset the New York Knicks on Wednesday night thanks to a season-high 30 points from sixth man Terrence Ross. Orlando has dealt with several major injuries this season, but Ross has been a steady presence for the Magic while becoming an increasingly valuable fantasy option. With the victory, the Magic moved to 6-2 in games where Ross has scored at least 30 points in his career.
Ross sank 10 of his 16 shots and all but one of his six 3-point attempts in the win. Averaging 21 points over the last six games (thanks to a team-high 7.7 3-point attempts) Ross has also averaged 1.7 combined blocks and steals during this stretch to provide more value than your traditional shooting specialist.
With starting wing Evan Fournier positioned as a prime trade candidate, given Orlando's poor record and an expiring contract, Ross -- rostered in roughly 40% of ESPN leagues -- could inherit an even larger offensive role for the Magic should his teammate be dealt by the deadline.
Wednesday recap
Highlights
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers: 43 points (14-28 FG), 4 rebounds, 16 assists
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz: 23 points (8-12 FG), 20 rebounds, 1 assist
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers: 36 points (13-21 FG), 17 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals
Lowlights
Gary Harris, Denver Nuggets: 2 points (1-5 FG), 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Derrick Rose, New York Knicks: 4 points (1-10 FG), 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Wednesday takeaways
Philadelphia's Seth Curry had struggled for several weeks after finally returning to the floor following a COVID-19 diagnosis in early January. Now, he is possibly back in top form after producing 25 points and five assists for the first time in his career in a win over Houston. Curry averaged 7.4 PPG during his first eight games back, but has averaged 15.7 points in his subsequent six games.
Houston's Jae'Sean Tate delivered a solid line for the Rockets in a loss to the 76ers and has now scored 13-plus points in five of his last seven outings. Strong assist and steal rates bolster a fun fantasy profile for Tate, who is rostered in just 16.5% of leagues.
Sharpshooter Davis Bertans was brilliant from the floor last night with a career-high 35 points, thanks to sinking nine of his 11 3-point attempts. The performance resulted in a true shooting rate of 120.5%, good for the highest rate for a 30-point game in NBA history. Rostered in just 17% of leagues, Bertans is finally rounding into form and should be considered a valuable specialist in both roto and category formats.
Jerami Grant scored a career-high 43 points in a loss to the Bulls, signaling that his scoring ceiling is even higher now that Rose and Blake Griffin are no longer in the picture for the Pistons. Rookie shooting specialist Saddiq Bey logged 31 minutes and started for Detroit. He should play a sizable role going forward.
Sabonis became the first Pacers player with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in the same game since the franchise joined the NBA in 1976. The game also marked his seventh career triple-double, moving him ahead of Detlef Schrempf for the most in Pacers history.
Kyle Anderson of the Grizzlies tallied 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals in a win over the Thunder. Anderson became the first Grizzlies player since Mike Conley to tally as many points, rebounds, assists, and steals in a single game. He now has a total of 13 steals in his last four games. Anderson has become a much more reliable shooter and defender this season for Memphis and makes for a solid trade target in fantasy leagues.
Injuries of note
Steven Adams of the Pelicans left last night's loss to the Trail Blazers early due to an ankle injury. Replacing Adams as the team's primary center, Willy Hernangomez pulled down a season-high 17 rebounds. Keep an eye on this injury, as Hernangomez would become a solid streaming option if his teammate misses any significant time.
Brooklyn's Kevin Durant won't play against the Lakers on Thursday due to a mild left hamstring strain. Durant previously missed Tuesday's game with the injury.
Toronto's Kyle Lowry is questionable for tonight's matchup against the Bucks due to an ankle injury that cut his last game short. Norman Powell's already steady fantasy profile would only become more interesting if Lowry sits.
Analytics advantage for Thursday
Jrue Holiday of the Bucks will miss another game tonight due to health and safety protocols. Shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, a free agent in roughly 40% of ESPN leagues, has averaged 4.1 more DraftKings points (per 36 minutes) with Holiday off the floor this season. Tonight's opponent, the Raptors, have allowed an average of 44.2 DraftKings points to shooting guards over the last seven games, ninth-most in the NBA during this stretch.
Top players to watch on Thursday
Harrison Barnes is doubtful to play for the Kings against the Heat this evening due to a sprained foot. When Barnes has been off the floor this season, stretch forward Nemanja Bjelica has averaged 15 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists on a 59% true shooting clip per 36 minutes. With Bjelica positioned as a top trade candidate, this game could serve as a meaningful showcase for him.
It's also worth watching how much and how well Hassan Whiteside plays for Sacramento, as starting center Richaun Holmes will miss the game due to a knee injury. This means Whiteside, fresh from his best game of the season, might thrive as the team's top rim protector and rebounder against his former team.
