Desmond Bane might be the most undervalued player in fantasy hoops. The Memphis Grizzlies' sharpshooting guard has been a popular inclusion in this column all season thanks to impressive performances like Monday's career-high 32 points in a rousing win over the first-place Phoenix Suns.
It was encouraging to see Bane and Ja Morant thrive together in the road victory, becoming the first starting backcourt with both players being 23 or younger to each have 30 points in the same game since Allen Iverson and Jerry Stackhouse back in 1997. The tandem also became the first starting backcourt in franchise history to have each posted 30 points in the same game.
In the one-point victory -- thanks to a last-second Morant layup -- Bane sank a career-best six 3-pointers. The TCU product has averaged 21.9 points while sinking an absurd 52% of his 3-pointers during his last seven games. Somehow still available in roughly 40% of ESPN leagues, Bane could buoy your fantasy roster.
Highlights
James Harden, Brooklyn Nets: 39 points (15-25 FG), 8 rebounds, 15 assists, 2 steals
Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas Mavericks: 34 points (12-21 FG), 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Lowlights
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies: 11 points (3-11 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Monday takeaways
• Yesterday's column identified Cam Reddish as a strong fantasy option given how depleted the Atlanta rotation has been due to injuries and health and safety protocols. The second-year wing posted 33 points in a loss to Chicago and now has scored at least 30 points in two of his last four games after not having done so once in his career prior to this stretch. With Atlanta still short-handed this week, Reddish remains a strong interim addition to rosters.
• The Trail Blazers have been hit by both injuries and health and safety protocols lately, a main reason the team has gone 3-12 in its last 15 games, the team's worst 15-game stretch in five years. One encouraging outcome has been more opportunities for young wing Nasir Little, who produced 20 points with 10 boards and five combined blocks and steals in last night's loss to the Mavericks. The scoring leap was likely a bit of an outlier, but it's worth noting Little has posted at least eight rebounds and multiple steals in three straight games.
• The Clippers haven't had Marcus Morris Sr. in the lineup very often this season, but he's been productive whenever active. Last night saw Morris score a team-high 24 points while also dishing six dimes. With Kawhi Leonard still without a defined timeline to return and Paul George due to miss multiple weeks due to an elbow injury, Morris could be a focal point of the Los Angeles offense going forward. The good news is that he's a free agent in nearly 90% of ESPN leagues.
Injuries of note
• Toronto will be without at least three starters this evening, with OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, and Scottie Barnes all in health and safety protocols. Chris Boucher has seen his minutes and fantasy production surge of late, making him an ideal pickup ahead of tonight's game against the 76ers.
• The Magic will be without 10 players for tonight's matchup with the Bucks. With several starters and key rotation players sidelined. R.J. Hampton and Gary Harris should both see plenty of minutes and touches this evening.
• Bradley Beal is questionable to play for the Wizards against the Heat as he exits health and safety protocols.
• The Timberwolves are getting the band back together, as Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D'Angelo Russell are all listed as available to play after each missed time in health and safety protocols. Jaylen Nowell tallied a career-high 29 points in last night's win over Boston, but this performance reads like an outlier now that the team's top trio is returning.
Analytics advantage for Tuesday
The Cavaliers won't have their starting tandem of defensive big men this evening, as both Jarrett Allen and Rookie of the Year candidate Evan Mobley are still in health and safety protocols. Given their absences, Kevin Love becomes a viable streaming option in deeper leagues despite a ceiling on his playing time, as he's posted 29.5 points and 15.4 rebounds per 36 minutes with his two frontcourt peers off the floor this season.
Darius Garland makes for a strong daily fantasy building block, as his usage rate has risen to nearly 30% with both Allen and Mobley off the floor this season. There should be some intriguing and affordable stacks to consider from Cleveland's rotation, especially facing a New Orleans defense that ranks 24th in defensive rating on the season.
DFS discussion
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat: With Bam Adebayo banged up and Kyle Lowry in health and safety protocols, Butler should be quite busy against a Washington team that ranks 27th in defensive rating during the last 10 games.
Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram is listed as doubtful to play for the Pelicans this evening, while Valanciunas is probable to return to the court after missing several games due to a non-COVID illness. With Cleveland's depleted frontcourt in mind, Valanciunas could deliver one of his signature huge lines.
