In a season chock full of statistical surges from relatively unknown players, maybe it shouldn't be surprising that Hamidou Diallo of the Detroit Pistons has been one of the league's leading scorers over the past week.
With a combination of injuries and COVID-19 depleting Detroit's roster, Diallo has averaged 31 points and 10 rebounds during his last three appearances, including a season-high 34 points against the Spurs in a one-point overtime win on Saturday. The fantasy market has yet to fully recognize Diallo's shift in value, as he's still a free agent in roughly 87% of ESPN leagues.
Those in shallow leagues should also pursue second-year scoring forward Saddiq Bey, who posted a career-high 17 rebounds in the win over San Antonio. Bey has become a productive fantasy option in the wake of Jerami Grant's injury and, with the Pistons listing 10 players as being out for tonight's game against the Bucks, both Bey and Diallo should continue to lead Detroit on offense.
Weekend recap
SATURDAY
Highlights
James Harden, Brooklyn Nets: 34 points (9-22 FG), 12 rebounds, 13 assists
Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs: 18 points (5-13 FG), 3 rebounds, 14 assists
Lowlights
Joe Ingles, Utah Jazz: 2 points (1-7 FG), 2 assists
Jae'Sean Tate, Houston Rockets: 8 points (3-10 FG), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 TO
SUNDAY
Highlights
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics: 50 points (19-29 FG), 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks
Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder: 17 points (7-16 FG), 13 rebounds, 14 assists, 4 steals
Lowlights
Gary Trent Jr., Toronto Raptors: 5 points (2-7 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Weekend takeaways
Boston's Brown delivered a career-high in scoring on Sunday, becoming just the fourth player in Boston's storied history with at least 50 points and 10 rebounds in a game, joining Jayson Tatum, Larry Bird (who did it twice) and Kevin McHale. On the losing side, Orlando's Gary Harris continues to provide steady scoring, as he tallied 23 points against Boston and has averaged 18.6 points during his last eight games, all starts.
On Sunday, Luka Doncic of the Mavericks played in his first game since December 10 and finished one rebound shy of a triple-double in a victory over the Thunder. It's great to see Doncic back on the floor after nearly a month, but even more notable was another stellar statistical showing from Oklahoma City's Giddey, who became the youngest player in NBA history to record 14 assists in a game. Giddey remains a free agent in more than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Denver's Facundo Campazzo might just be one of the most dazzling passers in the league. The guard exhibits the kind of creativity that would fit right with the Harlem Globetrotters in regards to using deception and deft angles to deliver the ball to teammates. Over the weekend, Campazzo erupted for 22 points, 12 assists, and five steals in a win against the Rockets. It's unlikely that Campazzo can sustain such scoring success, but he does have multiple steals in four straight games and at least five assists in eight of his last nine outings.
Cleveland's Evan Mobley produced a team-high 24 points in a win over the Pacers on Sunday while matching a career-high with 11 made field goals. While Mobley is making a serious bid for Rookie of the Year honors, Cleveland is also enjoying a renaissance season from Kevin Love, who posted 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench on Sunday, marking his fifth straight 20-point performance. This is Love's longest such streak since 2017.
Injuries of note
The Grizzlies won't have Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson, or De'Anthony Melton in the rotation this evening due to the league's health and safety protocol. Desmond Bane figures to play an even larger role as a perimeter scorer given the absence of his peers.
Orlando won't have either Cole Anthony or Jalen Suggs in the lineup this evening, which means Gary Harris should be tasked with quite the heavy workload from the Magic backcourt.
Damian Lillard won't play for Portland this evening due to injury management, vaulting Norman Powell, Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little into more significant roles.
Analytics advantage for Monday
The Washington Wizards have been searching for a solution at center ever since Thomas Bryant suffered a serious knee injury last February. As this season has unfolded, Daniel Gafford has surfaced as a serious contender to the team's long-term answer in the paint. Gafford is currently fourth in the entire league in true shooting percentage as well as fifth in total blocks.
He has also posted 30-plus DraftKings points in three straight games while somehow missing just two of his 23 field goal attempts (91% from the floor!) during this stretch. While Montrezl Harrell remains in the league's health and safety protocol, Gafford gets a nice matchup with a Charlotte team that ranks last in the entire NBA in rebounding percentage.
DFS discussion
Christian Wood, Houston Rockets: Speaking of poor rebounding teams, the Rockets face a Philadelphia roster ranked 29th in rebounding percentage -- despite having Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond at the pivot. Likely to play a busy role for Houston this evening, Wood could enjoy a productive day on the glass and around the rim.
Omer Yurtseven, Miami Heat: Undrafted out of Georgetown in 2020, Yurtseven is making a home for himself in Miami as a rebounding force for a depleted Heat roster. Earning his first NBA start last week, Yurtseven has averaged 14.5 points and 14.5 rebounds during his last four games. Among the league-leaders in rebounding opportunities since Christmas, Yurtseven makes for a strong bargain in a matchup with an undersized Golden State roster this evening.
