RADIO
Welcome to the RotoBaller NBA recap. In this feature, we highlight three fantasy basketball takeaways from the previous night's slate of NBA games. Following the usual light schedule on Tuesday, there was a lot of action on Wednesday with 11 games on the docket. This is the eighth time this year that at least two-thirds of the league's teams have played a midweek game.
In sports, in general, home teams are supposed to have an advantage and the NBA is no different. There are currently just nine teams with losing records at home compared to 19 teams with losing records on the road. This trend was substantiated on Wednesday as the team that got to play in front of their home crowd went 8-3, although two of the teams that suffered losses (76ers and Warriors) are among teams with the best records at home. Overall, seven of the 11 contests played last night were decided by single-digits, including three games being decided by five or fewer points.
Anthony Davis is Rotoballer's Fantasy Player of the Night as he led the inconsistent Pelicans to a 118-114 victory over the Thunder with a season-high 44 points to go along with 18 rebounds. Davis, who produced a night leading 74.6 fantasy points, wasn't the only star to shine on Wednesday as John Wall, Joel Embiid, Kemba Walker, Kyle Lowry, Kyrie Irving, C.J. McCollum, and Paul George also had big games. However, the storyline of Dec. 12 was really how several "unsung heroes" stepped up and lead their team to victories. The rest of the article will look at three of these players and how they impact the fantasy basketball world. A special shoutout goes out to Nemanja Bjelica, who just missed the list, as he tallied 25 points and knocked down four triples.
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Marcus Morris: Sixth Man Who Steps Up His Play When Inserted In Starting Lineup
Morris has been one of the most consistent players for the Celtics over the past two years. The 6-foot-8 veteran power forward has stepped up his play since replacing Gordon Hayward in the starting lineup nine games ago. The Celtics improved to 8-1 with Morris playing with the first unit following their 130-125 victory over the Wizards.
The 29-year-old came up big in the fourth quarter scoring eight of his 12 points in the period over the final three minutes to give the Celtics a chance to win the game in regulation. But the C's allowed Bradley Beal to get his own rebound off a missed free throw and knot the game with the layup to force overtime. Morris finished the game with 27 points as he made 11 of 20 shots from the field, one of four three-point attempts, as well as all four of his free throw tries. He also grabbed nine rebounds and doled out two assists in a season-high 40 minutes. The 40.6 fantasy points that he recorded was the 27th highest on the night.
Morris has now scored in double-figures in eight of his nine starts, which includes tallying 58 points over his last two games as he has made 21 of 35 shots overall and six of 12 three-point tries. Along with the 31 points he pumped in against the Pelicans on Monday, Wednesday's performance meant that he scored at least 25 points in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. The eighth-year pro is an intelligent and tough player who can do almost anything on the court. He is a good scorer and has the ability to get buckets inside and out, although the former Kansas Jayhawk has been surprisingly efficient this year producing career highs of 1.37 points per shot along with a 59.2 effective shooting percentage. Morris is averaging 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and two assists while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc as a starter.
With his fantasy game at an all-time high, if Morris is not owned in your league, it is time to pounce on him now.
Spencer Dinwiddie: Becoming More Than A Role Player
Despite being just 25 years-old, Dinwiddie is in his fifth season in the Association and demonstrating that he is a key rotational player on an improving Nets squad. Dinwiddie poured in a career-high 39 points on 11-for-18 shooting from the floor, 4-for-6 from beyond the arc and 13-for-14 from the free throw line in a 127-124 victory over the 76ers. He's the second Net since 1981-82 to score 30 or more points off the bench twice in a season. Dinwiddie also chipped in five assists, two rebounds, one steal as well as four turnovers.
The 6-foot-6 point guard tallied 12 of his points in the fourth quarter as the Nets fended off the Sixers down the stretch by making all six of his free throws in the final minute. He was 8-for-8 from the charity stripe in the final stanza. The 13 free throw makes ties a career high while his free throw attempts are a season-best. His four turnovers were the most since Nov. 17 when he turned the ball over four times as well. The Colorado product had the 13th highest fantasy points last night with 47.9.
Dinwiddie, who is having a career year, has dumped in 64 points over his last two games and is averaging 20.7 points in the month of December. He has scored in double-figures in 27 of 29 games.
Thaddeus Young: Defensive Star Shuts Down Giannis Antetokounmpo
Young is the epitome of an NBA role player. The 30-year-old is a solid pro who is capable of big games, but he has also done the little things his whole career. He is a quality passer, very good shooter with limited range, good offensive rebounder, solid screener and an excellent defender.
The 12th-year veteran showed off all these qualities in the Pacers 113-97 victory over the Bucks. Young scored a season-high 25 points to go along with 11 rebounds (five offensive), four assists, five steals, and a steal in the game. It was his third double-double of the campaign. He was 9-for-14 from the field, 1-for-4 from beyond the arc, and 6-for-8 from the charity stripe. Young set season highs in steals, field goals, field goal attempts, free throw makes, as well as free throw attempts. His 60.2 fantasy points were the fourth-highest total on Wednesday.
More importantly, the Georgia Tech Product was a defensive pest and limited Antetokounmpo's effectiveness as he finished with a game-high plus-28 rating. Young held Antetokounmpo, who finished with 12 points in 31 minutes, to just 10 points along with four rebounds and two turnovers in 53 possessions that he guarded him. The Bucks scored a total of 42 points while Young was manning up on Antetokounmpo. In two games this year, Antetokounmpo has scored 29 points, dished out six assists and committed six turnovers in 94 possessions against Young.
The 2007 first round selection, who has produced double-doubles in consecutive games, is averaging 15.5 points along with 7.7 caroms, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 58.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from the three-point line over the last five games. Fantasy owners should take advantage of Young playing well and pick him up if he is still available.
