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RotoBaller NBA Recap: The KAT Is Out Of The Bag

Karl-Anthony Towns - NBA DFS Lineup Picks, Daily Fantasy Basketball

Spencer Aguiar highlights three fantasy basketball takeaways from the NBA's January 12th slate. This recap focuses on Will Barton, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Welcome to the RotoBaller NBA Recap. In this feature, we highlight three fantasy basketball takeaways from last night's slate of NBA games. Saturday was a competitive day in the NBA with all eight contests decided by 10 points or less. The Minnesota Timberwolves squeaked by the New Orleans Pelicans 110-106. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way for Minnesota, posting a monstrous stat line of 27 points, 27 rebounds, three assists, two steals, four blocks and three three-pointers on 10-for-23 shooting from the floor. The 27 boards were a career-high for Towns and are also the most that anyone has recorded this season. The 23-year-old looks like he is starting to round into form under new head coach Ryan Saunders, and he has provided absurd production over his previous nine games, averaging 28.3 points, 16.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 3.1 blocks and 1.7 threes on 53 percent from the field. It is safe to say that the KAT is out of the bag.

The Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-104. Blake Griffin played his first game against the Clippers at Staples Center on Saturday, scoring 44 points to go along with eight rebounds and five assists. In one of the more iconic moments of the night, Griffin snubbed Clippers owner Steve Ballmer before the game as Ballmer was attempting to shake his hand. The story has been blown up by the media, but it does add to the narrative of one of your classic revenge spots.

And the Utah Jazz outlasted the Chicago Bulls 110-102. Donovan Mitchell continued his scorching pace, providing 34 points on Saturday to go with six rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and four three-pointers. Mitchell has scored at least 33 points during the past three games of Ricky Rubio (hamstring) and Dante Exum (ankle) being out. The 22-year-old has been playing point guard for the Jazz during their absences and is also contributing 7.3 assists in his last three games. Rubio and Exum should remain out for at least the next few contests, which means Mitchell should continue his sweltering momentum. Our three main fantasy takeaways of the night are still to come, so without further ado, let's dive deeper into the January 12th slate.

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Will Barton Makes His Return To The Lineup

After being out of action since October 20th, Will Barton made his return for the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, tallying six points, five rebounds, three assists, and one three-pointer in 16 minutes versus the Phoenix Suns. Barton is going to be on a minutes restriction for the foreseeable future, which is understandable given how much time he has missed this season.

There is a ton of upside for the 28-year-old in the Nuggets fast-paced offense, but it is going to take some time to get the return you are expecting. For that reason, he is virtually unplayable in DFS lineups for the time being and remains a better hold in season-long formats. However, it seems likely that many owners could become fed up with his production if he provides a few more shaky games, so be on the lookout for some unwarranted drops. Barton has top-50 potential once he gets back into gear, and you should be able to find a nice buy-low window in the next few weeks.

 

Kelly Oubre Jr. Matches Career-High On Saturday

Kelly Oubre Jr. matched his career-high of 26 points on Saturday against the Denver Nuggets. The 23-year-old has been up-and-down since being acquired by the Phoenix Suns 14 games ago, but his 26-point effort is the second time in three games that he has equaled his career-high in scoring.

Oubre is currently owned in just 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, but his defensive prowess does make him a speculative add in standard settings. The University of Kansas product should be a steady contributor in three-pointers made, free throw percentage and points scored. As long as Devin Booker (back) is out, Oubre will take on more of the offensive load and can be looked at as a streaming option. Unfortunately, his inconsistencies do not make him a must-own at this very moment. If you have an empty spot and can afford to see what happens in the next few weeks, go for it. But things will most likely look much different once Booker can return.

 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Has Hit Rookie Wall

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander failed to eclipse 25 minutes of action for the eighth straight game on Saturday, scoring seven points to go along with one rebound, four assists and one steal against the Detroit Pistons. Gilgeous-Alexander did not play the final 18:45 of the contest and continues to have Patrick Beverley eat into his playing time.

Coming into the season, Beverley was always going to be an issue to surpass on the depth chart because of his defensive abilities, but the young rookie did have a short period where he was averaging around 30 minutes a night. However, those days are long gone with his suspect performances over the past month. The 20-year-old does carry some slight value due to his pickpocketing ability, but he is tough to roster in a standard league because of his inferior production everywhere else. It is possible that the rookie bounces out of his funk eventually, but outside of his upside, there isn't much reason to hold onto him right now.

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Deandre Ayton

Finalizing Contract Buyout with Portland
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Anfernee Simons

"a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
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