Cam Spencer Makes Third Career Start Saturday
Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer will join the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup against the Washington Wizards, replacing Santi Aldama. Spencer struggled in his only previous start this season, finishing with four points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a 117-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 2. However, he was excellent during his first career start late last season against the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 23 points and delivering seven assists. On Saturday, Spencer looks poised for another productive night, as Memphis faces a poor defensive team in a pace-up situation.
Source: Memphis Grizzlies
Source: Memphis Grizzlies
Cam Whitmore, Jamir Watkins Out Against Grizzlies
Washington Wizards forwards Cam Whitmore (shoulder) and Jamir Watkins (illness) have been ruled out for Saturday's contest against the Memphis Grizzlies. The duo was initially listed as questionable for the game. Bilal Coulibaly (ankle) will also exit the lineup against Memphis, opening up playing time for the likes of Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Malaki Branham (thumb). Of the four players, Johnson has been the best fantasy option, though he has been inconsistent.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Bilal Coulibaly Departs Lineup Saturday
Washington Wizards guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (ankle) won't be in the lineup for the first leg of a back-to-back on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies. After returning from an oblique injury this week, Coulibaly has suffered a left ankle sprain. Fortunately for Washington, Khris Middleton (knee) has been cleared to return. The veteran will help to fill some of Coulibaly's minutes, while Justin Champagnie and Will Riley could also get additional run-outs.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Khris Middleton Ready to Face Grizzlies
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (knee) is available on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies. The injury-prone veteran has been out for four games due to a right knee contusion. Over 16 appearances, Middleton has averaged 10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 25.8 minutes. He has started in all 16 games and is expected to return to the first unit on Saturday. This is a good fantasy matchup for Middleton and the Wizards, as both teams like to run, which could lead to a shootout.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tre Mann, Pat Connaughton Active Saturday
Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (knee) and guard/forward Pat Connaughton (calf) will be in the lineup on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons. The latter is available to play after missing four weeks with a right calf strain. Mann has sat out seven games with a right knee bone bruise. Coming off the bench, Mann has had a fairly decent year, averaging 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 20.6 minutes. He could pick up some extra minutes on Saturday due to Collin Sexton's (quadriceps) absence. Connaughton has averaged less than 10 minutes per game over 12 appearances, and his return won't have a big impact on Charlotte's rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Caris LeVert Cleared for Action Saturday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Caris LeVert (knee) will be active against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports. He was upgraded from questionable to probable earlier Saturday and has now officially been cleared for action despite dealing with a sore right knee. In Thursday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks, LeVert saw his double-digit scoring streak come to an end on three games. He has a good opportunity to start a new streak on Saturday, facing a team that allows the seventh-most points in the Association.
Source: Hunter Patterson
Source: Hunter Patterson
Duncan Robinson Good to Go Saturday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Duncan Robinson (knee) will be active against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. The team has upgraded him from probable to available. Robinson was on the injury report due to a left knee contusion he sustained on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran sniper operates as a starter in Detroit but has a fairly limited role. In December, Robinson has averaged 9.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. He could see a boost in production on Saturday when facing a team that allows the third-highest three-point percentage in the league.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tony Bradley Available Versus Pelicans
Indiana Pacers center Tony Bradley (thumb) will be active on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 27-year-old big man is dealing with a fractured thumb and was initially listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup. Bradley is not expected to have a significant role against New Orleans, as Indiana tends to rely on Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson at center. The two have a very favorable matchup on Saturday, as the Pelicans have one of the league's weakest defenses against centers and give up the seventh-most rebounds to the position.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Sam Hauser Makes Fifth Start of the Campaign
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser will join the first unit on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors, making his fifth start of the season. He will replace Jaylen Brown (illness). Hauser has struggled with his shooting this season, but he had an impressive showing on Friday against the Miami Heat, draining five of six attempts from deep to finish with 15 points. As a starter this season, the 28-year-old has averaged 2.8 three-point makes per game, putting up 9.8 points and grabbing 3.0 rebounds. On Saturday, Hauser faces a team that has limited opponents to 33.8 percent shooting from downtown.
Source: Boston Celtics
Source: Boston Celtics
Quentin Grimes Returns to Starting Lineup Saturday
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Quentin Grimes has been named a starter for Saturday's clash against the Dallas Mavericks. After making back-to-back starts, Grimes was back in the second unit on Friday night against the New York Knicks. However, Paul George's (knee) absence on Saturday has reopened the door for him to return to the starting lineup. As a starter, Grimes has averaged 13.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 36.7 minutes this season. Philadelphia is in a pace-up spot on Saturday, making this a good fantasy matchup for Grimes.
Source: Philadelphia 76ers
Source: Philadelphia 76ers
Jakob Poeltl Misses Meeting With Celtics
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) will be sidelined for a second consecutive game on Saturday against the Boston Celtics. The big man is considered day-to-day and could be available to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets. Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles will handle the center minutes during Poeltl's absence. Mamukelashvili had a productive outing as a starter in the last game and hopes to repeat it on Saturday. However, it's a tough matchup against a team that allows the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing centers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Klay Thompson Available for Saturday's Tilt
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson (knee) has shaken off a questionable tag and will play on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. While it will be good to see one of the all-time great snipers on the court, fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much from Thompson. He had only five points in his last appearance against the Detroit Pistons and is averaging 10.8 points for the campaign. Matchup-wise, Saturday is also a bad spot for Thompson, as Philadelphia has held opponents to 34.6 percent from three-point range.
Source: Dallas Mavericks PR
Source: Dallas Mavericks PR
Paul George Out Saturday
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (knee) won't play on Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks. This is the second leg of a back-to-back for Philadelphia, and the team is giving George some time off after he logged 33 minutes in Friday's win over the New York Knicks. Joel Embiid (knee) is also out again, making Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes the main sources of offense for the 76ers. The latter is a candidate to take George's spot in the starting unit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Won't Play Against Mavericks
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (illness) won't play in Saturday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, NBA insider Marc Stein reports. Embiid was unavailable on Friday night against the New York Knicks and wasn't expected to face Dallas after being tagged as doubtful on the injury report. Andre Drummond recorded a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double against the Knicks and figures to remain in the starting lineup as Embiid's replacement. Dallas gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to centers, which sets Drummond up for another productive night.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Anthony Davis Cleared to Play Saturday
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis (illness) has been upgraded from probable to available and will hit the court on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Davis picked up a probable tag on the injury report after dealing with an illness earlier this week. Philadelphia has ruled out Joel Embiid (illness) for the contest, making this a more favorable matchup for Davis. The 10-time All-Star has posted back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 19.8 points and 12.3 rebounds in 30.8 minutes this month.
Source: Dallas Mavericks PR
Source: Dallas Mavericks PR
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