Oklahoma City Thunder forward Luguentz Dort had a very productive line in a 127-125 win over Chicago. Dort scored 21 points with eight rebounds, a career-high six steals, four triples, and a block in 40 minutes. The 21-year-old went off in the third quarter for 10 straight points, as he showed his complete two-way ability in this contest. He became just the third Oklahoma City player with at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five steals in a game, joining Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Dort is definitely worth an add in leagues where he's available- as he's turned into a great source for threes and steals.
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine dropped 35 points with eight triples, seven rebounds, six assists, and a steal in an overtime loss to the Thunder. LaVine did have six turnovers, but he has now scored 30-plus points in each of his last four games, including at least eight treys in back-to-back contests. The 25-year-old is a top-15 fantasy player right now with no signs of that slowing down, as the Bulls play the third-fastest pace in the NBA and need every bit of his scoring at 4-8 through 12 games. LaVine will next play on Sunday against a tough defensive team in the Mavericks, though his fantasy managers shouldn't be afraid of matchups right now.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 33 points in an overtime victory over the Bulls. Gilgeous-Alexander added 10 assists, five boards, three triples, and a steal in 44 minutes. The star guard earned his career-high in points on a clutch and-one that tied the game with less than 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander is starting to heat up offensively, as his scoring average and shooting splits have all risen in January. He'll take on a middle-of-the-pack 76ers defense on Sunday.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton finished with 25 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in 37 minutes during Friday's win over the Mavericks. Middleton has been decent recently, recording at least 20 points in five of the past six games. Overall, the forward has been solid this season, averaging 21.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. His next chance to shine comes on Monday against a Brooklyn team that is average defensively.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 31 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one block in 30 minutes during Friday's win over Dallas. Giannis now has at least 25 points in five of the past seven games. Overall, the 26-year-old has been averaging 26.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this season, which is fantastic for fantasy purposes. He has a chance to build on his performance on Monday against the Nets, who are average defensively.
Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic compiled 28 points, nine rebounds, and 13 assists in 36 minutes during Friday's loss to the Bucks. Doncic has now put up a double-double or triple-double in the last six games. He's also scored at least 27 points in five of the past six games. The point guard is in a groove right now and it's translating to stellar fantasy production. Next up is a very favorable matchup on Sunday against a Bulls squad that is bottom-five in the league defensively.
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Wesley Matthews (Achilles) has been given the thumbs up to take the floor for Friday's game versus New Orleans, returning from a three-game absence due to Achilles soreness. Matthews is likely to return to his prior bench role, which has seen serious statistical fluctuations, based primarily on his ability to knock down threes. The veteran has had three games this year with four or more made triples, but also seven contests where he has scored four or fewer points. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) on the floor as well, Matthews has little fantasy intrigue, with his own return knocking Talen Horton-Tucker's appeal down a peg as well.
Toronto Raptors center Alex Len (personal) will miss his second straight contest due to personal reasons for Saturday's contest versus the Hornets. Having started the last two games that he has been active for, Aron Baynes has taken over starting duties in place of Len, despite Chris Boucher's emergence off the bench. Len has not made a field goal in his past four games, and at this stage, is not a viable fantasy asset in any-sized season-long format. His next chance to take the floor comes Monday against Dallas.
Brooklyn Nets point/shooting guard Tyler Johnson was not listed on the team's injury report for Saturday's contest versus Orlando, an indication that he has cleared the league's health and safety protocols. Johnson has played a minimal role off the bench when active this year, but he could be in line for extended minutes with Kyrie Irving (personal) unavailable. Johnson will carry sizable risk as a DFS commodity, but he has shown an ability to score and compile assists when given adequate playing time. Once the Nets get their full allotment of backcourt members back, Johnson is likely to hold little fantasy appeal.
Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard (shoulder) has been ruled out for the third consecutive contest Saturday against the Pistons as he battles a shoulder ailment. Leonard has appeared in just three games this season, seeing a minimal role when active. His absence could loom large Saturday if Miami is unable to reach the requisite number of players to take the floor as they work through the league's health and safety protocols. At this stage, Leonard is not a relevant fantasy commodity, with managers able to look elsewhere for production until the Heat provide an update that he could be nearing a return.
