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Fantasy Week 3 | NBA Week 3

NBA roundup: Cavs set franchise mark with 9-0 start

Thu Nov 7 1:56am ET
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Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers set the record for the best start in franchise history at 9-0 with a 131-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

Mitchell led a balanced attack as six players scored in double digits -- including Jarrett Allen (16 points and 14 rebounds) and Caris LeVert (16 points off the bench).

The 1976-77 Cavaliers started their season 8-0.

Zion Williamson scored 29 points to lead the Pelicans, while Jose Alvarado scored 27 and Brandon Ingram had 20.


Nuggets 124, Thunder 122

Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 20 rebounds and 16 assists, Peyton Watson made a game-sealing block with one second left, and host Denver handed Oklahoma its first loss of the season.

Russell Westbrook scored 29 points and Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun had 24 each as Denver ended a four-game head-to-head losing streak against Oklahoma City. Jokic logged his fourth triple-double of the season.

Jalen Williams had 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Thunder, who had opened with seven straight wins. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28 points.

Warriors 118, Celtics 112

Stephen Curry amassed 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds to help visiting Golden State stretch its winning streak to five games with a victory over Boston.

The Warriors trailed by seven in the middle of the fourth quarter but used an 16-4 run to take a 104-99 lead with 2:30 to play on a Curry layup. Boston pulled within 115-112 when Payton Prichard made three free throws with 16 seconds remaining, but the Warriors closed out the win by making 3 of 4 at the foul line the rest of the way.

Golden State, which improved to 5-0 on the road, made 12 of its 13 free-throw attempts in the final quarter. Buddy Hield and Andrew Wiggins each added 16 points for Golden State. Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 32 points for the Celtics, whose three-game winning streak ended. Derrick White made seven 3-pointers and added 26 points.

Clippers 110, 76ers 98

Norman Powell scored 26 points and James Harden added 18 as Los Angeles spoiled Paul George's return with a victory over visiting Philadelphia in Inglewood, Calif.

Ivica Zubac scored 15 points with nine rebounds and Derrick Jones Jr. added 14 points as the Clippers won their second consecutive home game after losing the first four at their new $2 billion arena, Intuit Dome.

George scored 18 points for the 76ers in his second game of the season and first against his former team after leaving as a free agent in the offseason. The 76ers activated Joel Embiid (knee) for the first time this season, but the 2022-23 MVP remained out as he started to serve a three-game suspension for an altercation with a newspaper columnist Saturday.

Suns 115, Heat 112

Kevin Durant recorded 32 points and eight rebounds and host Phoenix topped Miami to increase its winning streak to six games.

Devin Booker added 22 points and nine assists and Jusuf Nurkic collected 20 points and 18 rebounds as Phoenix won for the seventh time in eight games this season.

Tyler Herro registered 28 points and six assists and Haywood Highsmith added 19 points for the Heat. Miami had possession with a chance to tie but didn't get a shot off in the final seconds.

Hornets 108, Pistons 107

Brandon Miller's putback at the buzzer off a missed 3-point shot gave Charlotte a dramatic victory against visiting Detroit.

Miles Bridges pumped in 27 points and LaMelo Ball scored five of his 25 points in the final minute to help the Hornets end a three-game losing streak.

Miller, who missed time earlier this season with an injury, finished with 19 points by rebounding Grant Williams' missed 3-pointer and scoring just in time. Cade Cunningham posted a triple-double in the loss (20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists).

Pacers 118, Magic 111

Indiana's Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner each recorded double-doubles, and Tyrese Haliburton capped his 17-point performance with a late 3-pointer as Indiana held off Orlando in Indianapolis.

Orlando played without injured star Paolo Banchero -- who scored 50 points when these two teams met last week -- and the Magic lost their fifth straight.

Indiana raced to an early, 18-point lead. The Magic, however, chipped away behind Franz Wagner's game-high 28 points, and made the game competitive throughout the second half until Haliburton hit a 3-pointer to give the Pacers a five-point lead with 33 seconds left.

Mavericks 119, Bulls 99

Luka Doncic had 27 points and 13 assists to lead host Dallas past cold-shooting Chicago, handing the Bulls their third straight loss.

The Mavericks feasted on poor Chicago transition defense, scoring 21 fastbreak points, and led by as much as 30.

The Bulls, playing without All-Star Zach LaVine (adductor strain), shot just 41.9 percent from the floor and were 12-of-42 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range. Nikola Vucevic led Chicago with 14 points in 25 minutes.

Kings 122, Raptors 107

DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points, including 11 in a commanding fourth quarter, to lead Sacramento past visiting Toronto.

Keegan Murray combined 22 points with 12 rebounds, De'Aaron Fox contributed 21 points, and Domantas Sabonis notched his 61st career triple-double -- and second in five days -- with 17 points, 11 boards and 13 assists.

RJ Barrett scored 23 points and Davion Mitchell added 20 for the Raptors, who led by four points after three quarters before the were outscored 33-14 in the fourth.

Hawks 121, Knicks 116

No. 1 overall draft pick Zaccharie Risacher tallied career highs with 33 points and seven rebounds to lead Atlanta past visiting New York.

Risacher was 11-for-18 from the field, including 6-for-10 on 3-pointers, with three assists, three steals and two blocks to help the Hawks end a three-game home-court losing streak to the Knicks.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 34 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Jalen Brunson scored 21 points and Miles McBride came off the bench to add 16 points and seven assists.

Grizzlies 131, Lakers 114

Ja Morant scored 20 points before leaving the game late in the third quarter with an injury and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaylen Wells also contributed 20 to lead Memphis to a victory over visiting Los Angeles.

LeBron James had 39 points to lead the Lakers, who played without injured big man Anthony Davis, the NBA's leading scorer at 32.6 points per game. Austin Reaves added 19 for Los Angeles, which lost for the fourth time in five games.

Memphis was aided by its strong long-range shooting. The Grizzlies made 17- of 34 3-pointers, including 12 of 16 in the second half. Morant took a hard fall with 3:45 left in the third quarter while attempting a left-handed dunk. He walked to the locker room and did not return. He was later diagnosed with a right hamstring injury.

Rockets 127, Spurs 100

Fred VanVleet recorded his first double-double of the season while Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun combined for 37 points as Houston cruised to a victory over visiting San Antonio.

VanVleet paired 21 points with 10 assists and also grabbed seven rebounds while enjoying a remarkable shooting night. He finished 10 of 11 from the floor, including 9 for 9 from inside the arc. Houston finished 44 for 69 (63.7 percent) on 2-pointers. Green (21 points, four 3-pointers) and Sengun (16 points) totaled 10 rebounds and eight assists.

The Spurs were undone by their 20 turnovers, which Houston converted into 20 points. Victor Wembanyama scored 15 points but missed 5 of 6 3-pointers, including his first five. Chris Paul, Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham and Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 10 points each for San Antonio.

Player Notes
Giannis Antetokounmpo Wed Nov 6 10:50pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (adductor) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Utah Jazz. The Freak didn't play in Monday's loss to the Cavaliers because of a right adductor strain, marking his first absence of the 2024-25 campaign. Bobby Portis got the start in that one, finishing with 21 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks. If Antetokounmpo is ruled out again, Portis could be in line for another solid fantasy performance. The same can be said for Damian Lillard, who had 36 points on Monday night.

Lauri Markkanen Wed Nov 6 10:50pm

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (back) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The veteran has missed Utah's previous three games because of back spasms, opening the door for Kyle Filipowski to enter the starting lineup. The rookie has been decent with the first five, averaging 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 37.5% from deep. However, that kind of production won't earn him a place in most fantasy lineups. Instead, John Collins, who is coming off a massive 28-point, 13-rebound, and five-assist showing from off the bench in Monday's win over the Bulls, should be the preferred fantasy option if Markkanen doesn't suit up.

Ja Morant Wed Nov 6 10:40pm

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant injured his hamstring during the 3rd quarter in the Grizzlies' matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Morant went up for a lob attempt and got blocked by Lakers' center Christian Koloko before tumbling to the ground. The play happened with about 3:50 left in the third quarter. Luke Kennard checked in for Morant about third seconds later and Morant didn't return to the game after. No details have been released by the team yet regarding Morant's hamstring, but fantasy managers should certainly keep an eye on the superstar's condition going forward. Memphis' next game is Friday against the Washington Wizards. If Morant is unable to play, expect Scotty Pippen Jr. to take the reins at point guard.

Bradley Beal Wed Nov 6 8:20pm

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (elbow) will play during Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat. As expected, Beal will play through his elbow strain like he did on Monday. He finished with 17 points and five rebounds in 34 minutes of action during that game. That being said, Beal doesn't seem to be impacted by the elbow issue, so fantasy managers can leave him in their fantasy lineups. The expectation is that Beal will see his normal workload during Wednesday's game.

Zach LaVine Wed Nov 6 8:10pm

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. LaVine will miss his second straight game due to a lingering groin issue. Ayo Dosunmu has been filling in for LaVine in the starting five. He finished with 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists during 35 minutes of playing time on Monday. Dosunmu should be a strong streaming option until LaVine is able to get back on the court. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly ahead of tip-off.

Josh Giddey Wed Nov 6 8:10pm

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (illness) is available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. As expected, Giddey will suit up for this game after being considering as probable with a minor illness. He'll resume his role in the starting five and should see a higher usage with Zach LaVine (groin) sidelined once again. He finished with 15 points and seven assists through 30 minutes of action during Monday's game. Giddey should be rostered in most fantasy formats and managers can get him in there as active on Wednesday.

Austin Reaves Wed Nov 6 7:50pm

Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (hip) and Austin Reaves (ankle) are both available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. As expected, both players will suit up for this game after being listed as probable. The Lakers are missing some key pieces on offense so Russell and Reaves should be asked to do more heavy lifting on offense. Both players should see significant boosts in fantasy value ahead of Wednesday's game.

Zion Williamson Wed Nov 6 7:40pm

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (thigh) is available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The big man is back in the starting five after missing the last two games due to right thigh soreness. This is great news for the banged up Pelicans roster right now. The return of Williamson should shift Jeremiah Robinson-Earl back to the bench. It's unlikely that Robinson-Earl is going to have viable streaming value with Williamson back in the mix. Fantasy managers can get Williamson back in their lineups on Wednesday.

Anthony Davis Wed Nov 6 7:10pm

Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (foot) won't play on Wednesday versus Memphis. He's been dealing with a foot injury since the summer. Unfortunately, he re-injured it in Monday's loss to the Detroit Pistons. AD was on the floor taking shots before the game. However, fantasy managers are now left wondering if this is the start of a lengthy absence. With Rui Hachimura (illness) also out, Dalton Knecht, Christian Koloko, and Jaxson Hayes warrant streaming attention.

Brandin Podziemski Wed Nov 6 7:00pm

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (illness) won't play in Wednesday's meeting with the Celtics. He was listed on the injury report as available on Tuesday. Yet, the illness that forced him to exit Monday's matchup with the Wizards will keep him off the floor against the defending champs. Fortunately, Stephen Curry (ankle) is back in the lineup. At the same time, Buddy Hield, coming off a 20-point, five-rebound, two-steal effort, remains a viable starting fantasy option.

LaMelo Ball Wed Nov 6 6:50pm

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) won't play on Wednesday versus the Detroit Pistons. The 23-year-old is battling ankle soreness. However, after testing things during pre-game warmups, he'll suit up against a Detroit team that has won two-straight games. Ball, averaging a career-high 28.6 points with 5.7 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, remains a must-start despite the chance of re-injury.

Caris LeVert Wed Nov 6 6:50pm

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (knee) will return for Wednesday's contest against the Pelicans. The 30-year-old missed the Cavs' previous two games because of right knee soreness, opening the door for more minutes for Isaac Okoro and Sam Merrill. While Okoro should continue to start with Dean Wade (illness) and Max Strus (ankle) sidelined, LeVert's presence could lower his ceiling. Merrill, who had 12 points, five boards, and two steals in 27 minutes on Monday versus the Bucks, is still worth streaming in deeper fantasy formats.

Shaedon Sharpe Wed Nov 6 6:40pm

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the San Antonio Spurs. The 21-year-old has been sidelined with a labral tear and was expected to be out for 4-6 weeks. While it appears he could be nearing a return, there's still a chance that won't happen on Thursday night. But even if Sharpe is in uniform, he'll likely see reduced minutes while he works his way back. With that in mind, his potential absence should mean more minutes for guys like Scoot Henderson, Toumani Camara, and Rayan Rupert.

De'Andre Hunter Wed Nov 6 6:20pm

Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (knee) won't play on Wednesday against the Knicks. The 26-year-old will now miss a seventh consecutive contest because of a knee injury, so his next chance to get back on the floor will be on Friday in Detroit. Without Hunter, Zaccharie Risacher, averaging 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals, has streaming potential in deep redraft setups. On the other hand, his 20.0% shooting from deep hasn't been welcomed by category managers. David Roddy (illness), who had 11 points, six boards, and three assists in Monday's meeting with the Celtics, also has a place in most fantasy lineups.

David Roddy Wed Nov 6 6:20pm

Atlanta Hawks forward David Roddy (illness) will play on Wednesday versus the Knicks. He was dealing with an illness, resulting in a questionable designation. However, the 23-year-old will be out there. With De'Andre Hunter (knee) still out, Roddy, who had 11 points, six boards, and three assists in Monday's loss to the Boston Celtics, should warrant streaming consideration.

Trae Young Wed Nov 6 6:10pm

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (rib) will play on Wednesday versus the Knicks. The 26-year-old was limited to only 23 minutes because of a rib injury in Monday's loss to the Boston Celtics. But he's good to go for the meeting with New York. Young has averaged 23.9 points, 11.0 assists, and 1.3 steals this season. Yet, he's logged 4.9 turnovers and shot 30.7% from behind the arc. Still, Young remains a top fantasy option, especially since his shooting woes should come to an end at some point.

Jaylen Brown Wed Nov 6 6:10pm

According to Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, forward Jaylen Brown (hip) is considered "day-to-day." He's dealing with a hip flexor strain and will miss his third consecutive contest when the C's play the Warriors on Wednesday. Without question, Brown has been a top fantasy producer this season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. Although he's shot a rough 26.7% from behind the arc, category managers hope to get him back on the floor, possibly as early as Friday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. In the meantime, Neemias Queta, coming off a 10-point, seven-rebound, one-block outing versus the Hawks on Monday night, has streaming potential.

Tari Eason Wed Nov 6 3:50pm

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (illness) is listed as questionable for Wednesday night's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Eason is dealing with an illness but has yet to miss any game action this season. Fellow forward Dillon Brooks is also listed as questionable with an illness, potentially forcing a depth issue for the Rockets if both were to miss tonight's game. Eason has been solid but volatile for the Rockets off the bench, averaging 10.9 PPG and 4.6 RPG. His offensive volume has ranged from three FGA to 19 FGA, making him harder to rely on. In his two matchups against the Spurs this season he's scored six points twice and recorded two assists twice with the only variation happening with his rebounds, going from two to five. Fantasy managers looking for rebounding help may want to consider the 23-year-old but otherwise he may be a risky option off the bench. If Brooks is out and Eason is healthy and gets the start then he becomes much more viable. If both Brooks and Eason are out, consider Amen Thompson who is averaging 10.0 PPG and 5.9 RPG.

Dillon Brooks Wed Nov 6 3:40pm

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (illness) is listed as questionable for Wednesday night's matchup with the San Antonio Spurs. Brooks is dealing with an illness. If forced to miss tonight's game it would be the first game he's missed all season. The 28-year-old is averaging 11.4 PPG and 4.0 RPG this season. His moderate offensive production won't be what's missed most, though, as Brooks' defensive presence will be the glaring issue for Houston if absent. Houston holds a 104.5 defensive rating with Brooks on the court and a 124.9 defensive rating with him off. If Brooks is unable to suit up, expect Amen Thompson to be inserted into the starting lineup with fellow forward Tari Eason also listed as questionable for tonight. Thompson is averaging 10.0 PPG and 5.9 RPG while the Rockets hold a 110.4 defensive rating with him on the floor, making him a suitable defensive replacement for Brooks.

Luke Kennard Wed Nov 6 3:30pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (foot) is listed as questionable for Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Kennard has yet to make his 2024-2025 season debut due to a muscle strain in his foot he sustained during preseason action. The questionable tag marks progress for the 28-year-old, though, as it's the first time he's carried the questionable tag this season. Kennard was a full participant in Tuesday's practice as well, pointing to a positive sign that he may be able to give it a go on Wednesday. Kennard averaged 11.0 PPG while shooting 45% from three in his first full season with the Grizzlies and was brought back on a one-year $9.25 million contract this offseason. The sooner he can get on the court for the 4-4 Grizzlies, the better. Fantasy managers should temper their expectations if he's active for Wednesday night given it will be his first regular season game action in 2024. If he's ruled out, expect Scotty Pippen Jr. to continue to be the main threat off the bench for Memphis.


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