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Fantasy Week 8 | NBA Week 8

NBA roundup: Cavs stay perfect, stun Nets for 11-0 start

Sun Nov 10 2:54am ET
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Evan Mobley collected 23 points and 16 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers, who trailed by 13 early in the fourth quarter, extended their season-opening winning streak to 11 games with a 105-100 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.

Cleveland became the first team to open a season 11-0 since the Golden State Warriors won their first 24 games in 2015-16 en route to a 73-9 finish.

Donovan Mitchell added 22 points and Darius Garland contributed 20, and Cleveland outscored the Nets 35-18 in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers shot 54.1 percent from the field for the game and made 14 of 18 shots (77.8 percent) in the final 12 minutes.

Dennis Schroder hit a triple to put Brooklyn up 85-72 just 46 seconds into the fourth quarter before Cleveland put together its ferocious rally.


Cameron Johnson had 23 points while Schroder and Cam Thomas added 22 apiece for the Nets. Brooklyn held a 96-89 lead with 4:24 left in the game following a 3 by Johnson, but the Cavaliers outscored the Nets 16-4 the rest of the way.

Bulls 125, Hawks 113

Zach LaVine returned to the lineup to score 18 points and sparked a late rally to help visiting Chicago overcome a 17-point second-half deficit and defeat Atlanta to end its four-game losing streak.

The balanced Bulls had eight players score in double figures, including Ayo Dosunmu, who had 19 points. Nikola Vucevic and Coby White each scored 18, with Vucevic adding 12 rebounds.

The Hawks got 20 points apiece from Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela, who had nine rebounds. Zaccharie Risacher scored 17 points and Trae Young had 14 to go along with 16 assists.

Jazz 111, Spurs 110

Collin Sexton scored 23 points and Jordan Clarkson canned four key free throws in the final 12 seconds to help Utah beat host San Antonio.

Lauri Markkanen added 20 points for the Jazz. Clarkson finished with 16, John Collins had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Johnny Juzang notched 10 points.

Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 24 points and 16 rebounds. Stephon Castle had 23 points, Devin Vassell scored 21, Keldon Johnson hit for 14 and Harrison Barnes tallied 10 in the loss.

Clippers 105, Raptors 103

Norman Powell and James Harden each scored 24 points and Los Angeles sent visiting Toronto to its third consecutive loss to start a five-game road trip.

Harden added 12 rebounds and a game-high seven assists as the Clippers extended their winning streak to four games. Kevin Porter Jr. came off the bench to register 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Toronto's Immanuel Quickley had 12 points in the fourth quarter and matched Ochai Agbaji with a team-high 21 for the game. Gradey Dick scored 15, Chris Boucher had 14 off the bench and RJ Barrett added 13.

Player Notes
Andrew Wiggins Wed Dec 11 9:10am

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (ankle) is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday versus Houston. He missed Sunday's matchup against Minnesota with an ankle issue. Officially, Wiggins has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's action. However, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr declared Wiggins is "ready to go" after he had a full practice session with the team on Tuesday. Wiggins' performance levels fluctuate, but he enjoyed a meeting with the Rockets last week, posting 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. Gary Payton II will likely return to a bench role with Wiggins in the lineup.

Fred VanVleet Wed Dec 11 9:00am

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet (knee) appears ready to rejoin the action on Wednesday versus Golden State. He missed Sunday's 117-106 win against the Clippers with a knee contusion but isn't on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game. VanVleet's most recent appearance came against the Warriors, and it was a struggle for him with 5-for-16 shooting and 13 points in a 99-93 loss. He also had a difficult time in this season's first head-to-head meeting and was limited to 9.3 points on 21.2 percent shooting in the matchup in 2023-24, so it looks like the Warriors have worked out what stifles VanVleet offensively.

Bogdan Bogdanovic Wed Dec 11 8:40am

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) has a questionable designation on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Knicks. A quadriceps contusion might keep Bogdanovic off the court for the second straight game. Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci get extra work with Bogdanovic out, but neither was productive in Sunday's heavy loss to Denver. The two combined for only five points and four assists off the bench despite both seeing 20-plus minutes of action.

De'Andre Hunter Wed Dec 11 8:40am

Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (knee) has been labeled as probable ahead of Wednesday's NBA Cup game against the Knicks. Hunter continues to manage a knee injury, and he took a blow to the head in Sunday's loss to Denver, but the 27-year-old is set to make a 12th consecutive appearance. Atlanta has seen the best of Hunter lately, as he's finished each of the last four games with 20-plus points. Hunter took a whopping 20 shots in 24 minutes on Sunday and should get additional offensive duties again in Wednesday's game if Jalen Johnson (shoulder) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) remain sidelined.

Josh Hart Wed Dec 11 8:30am

New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (ankle) is considered questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against Atlanta. He might miss his first game of the season because of an ankle sprain. New York's bench mob, featuring Miles McBride, Cameron Payne, and Precious Achiuwa, will likely be more involved in the game if Hart doesn't get cleared for Wednesday night. McBride offers the most fantasy value out of the three, but he's been quiet offensively in recent games, finishing back-to-back outings with eight points.

Jalen Johnson Wed Dec 11 8:30am

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (shoulder) might miss a second straight game on Wednesday versus the Knicks. He's been listed as questionable on the injury report. Following back-to-back double-doubles, Johnson exited the lineup on Sunday against Denver due to a sore shoulder. This pushed Larry Nance Jr. to the starting lineup for only the second time this season. Nance Jr. hasn't played a lot for the Hawks, but the veteran forward proved that he can get the job done. He finished with 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a couple of steals.

Karl-Anthony Towns Tue Dec 10 8:30pm

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) is probable heading into Wednesday's matchup versus the Atlanta Hawks. KAT wasn't available for Saturday's loss to the Detroit Pistons. However, he was back on the floor for the win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday evening, finishing with a massive 24 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. But if Towns suffers an unforeseen setback, Precious Achiuwa, coming off a seven-point, six-board, two-block effort, could work his way into the starting lineup.

Trae Young Tue Dec 10 8:20pm

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (Achilles) is expected to play on Wednesday in New York. The former Sooner is on the injury report because of right Achilles Tendinitis. However, this injury isn't anything new, so he should play barring a setback. Young has averaged just 20.9 points and shot 31.0% from behind the arc, both down from last season. Fortunately, he has logged a career-high 12.2 assists. Young is always a capable fantasy producer. Yet, he may be even more productive against the Knicks if Jalen Johnson (shoulder), De'Andre Hunter (knee), and Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) are sidelined.

PJ Washington Tue Dec 10 8:10pm

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (illness) won't play on Tuesday versus Oklahoma City. The former Hornet isn't feeling well, so he'll get a night off. Fortunately for Dallas, Naji Marshall (illness) is back from a four-game absence, which will help lessen the blow. Marshall will likely start in Washington's place, with the 26-year-old averaging 13.1 points in seven starts during the 2024-25 campaign.

Naji Marshall Tue Dec 10 8:00pm

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (illness) will play in Tuesday's game against OKC. He was under the weather, keeping him off the floor for the Mavs' previous five contests. But Marshall's return comes at the perfect time, with P.J. Washington (illness) and Maxi Kleber (illness) sidelined for Tuesday's meeting with the Thunder. The 26-year-old has played well in his first season in Dallas, averaging a career-high 11.6 points and 1.0 steals. Marshall will likely start, so there's a good chance he'll be even more productive.

Lonzo Ball Tue Dec 10 9:00am

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball is set to play a larger part in the rotation going forward. Per Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has said that Ball's minutes restriction has been elevated to 20 minutes. After missing 33 months because of a knee injury, Ball has been on a 16-18-minute limit this season. He has already reached the 20-minute mark a couple of times in recent games. The versatile guard has averaged 16.8 minutes during his comeback campaign, recording 4.9 points, 2.4. rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. Ball's numbers will likely get a slight boost with the increased playing time, but his fantasy value will still be limited.

Jaden Hardy Tue Dec 10 8:50am

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (ankle) will be out of the lineup for a second straight game on Tuesday versus Oklahoma City. The 22-year-old is nursing a right ankle sprain. Hardy hasn't played a consistent role in the Mavericks rotation, and his absence will not have a big impact on Tuesday. Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes will continue to lead the second unit. Dinwiddie has been the more consistent performer out of the two, averaging 14.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for the month.

Naji Marshall Tue Dec 10 8:40am

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (illness) is considered questionable for Tuesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against Oklahoma City. He's already missed four games because of an illness. There appears to be an illness bug going around in the Mavericks locker room. P.J. Washington (illness) is also considered questionable for Tuesday's game with an illness, and Maxi Kleber (illness) has been ruled out. Marshall and Washington are both important pieces in the rotation for the team, and the Mavericks would find themselves in a tough spot if they can't play.

Karl-Anthony Towns Tue Dec 10 8:30am

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a big double-double in Monday's 113-108 win over Toronto as he returned from a one-game absence. Towns initially struggled to score but finished the contest with a team-high 25 points and had the final five points in the game, including a three-point dagger. He finished 2-for-5 from behind the arc and shot 7-for-13 overall with an 8-for-10 record at the free-throw line. Towns' eighth consecutive appearance with at least 12 rebounds included 15 boards, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. The big man has fitted in superbly in New York and will look to help his team reach the NBA Cup semifinals next. The Knicks play Atlanta in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Towns dominated with 34 points and 16 rebounds when these teams met for the first time this season.

Scottie Barnes Tue Dec 10 8:20am

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (ankle) suffered his second injury of the season in Monday's 113-108 loss to the Knicks, but there was some good news: initial X-rays on Barnes' right ankle/foot came back negative. He will be further evaluated on Tuesday. Barnes missed 11 games earlier in the season due to an orbital bone fracture. Defensive specialist Davion Mitchell and rookie Ja'Kobe Walter, who scored a career-high 19 points in Monday's defeat, will likely figure more prominently in the rotation if Barnes has to miss some time.

Immanuel Quickley Mon Dec 9 6:10pm

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (elbow) is scheduled to get more imaging done next week. It has been a month since Quickley went down with a partial torn UCL in his left elbow. The team hasn't given a timetable for his return, but there should be more information after the additional imaging is done. That being said, Jamal Shead, Davion Mitchell, and Gradey Dick should all see additional playing time. Both Shead and Mitchell have struggled, but Dick is worth rostering in most fantasy formats right now.

PJ Washington Mon Dec 9 5:50pm

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (illness) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Washington appears to have picked up a minor illness, so fantasy managers will likely have to wait to see how he feels closer to tip-off. The Mavs could be shorthanded for this game with Maxi Kleber (illness) already ruled out for this game. That being said, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and even Dwight Powell could see more minutes in the rotation. Lively is the best fantasy option out of the bunch, assuming Washington is out.

Maxi Kleber Mon Dec 9 5:50pm

Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kleber will miss his second game in a row due to an illness. He remains day-to-day, but his absence won't have a huge impact on the rotation. Kleber has only been playing 17 minutes per game, so the Mavs will likely use a committee approach to fill the void. P.J. Washington (illness), Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford should all pick up extra playing time.

Khris Middleton Mon Dec 9 5:40pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankle) is listed as probable ahead of Tuesday's game against the Orlando Magic. Middleton made his season debut last week and is expected to appear in his third straight game. He's averaging 11 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 21 minutes per game in two games. There isn't a ton of fantasy value coming from Middleton right now, but his value will get better once he's back to full speed. The expectation is that Middleton will be out there for the NBA Cup Quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Mon Dec 9 5:30pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is currently listed as probable ahead of Tuesday's game against the Orlando Magic. The superstar forward has been a regular on the injury report, but has only missed two games this season. It's highly unlikely that Antetokounmpo misses this game given that it's the NBA Cup Quarterfinals. Fantasy managers should double check ahead of tip-off, but Antetokounmpo should be fine for Tuesday's game. If he sits, Bobby Portis would see increased playing time and be a strong streaming option.


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