X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

RotoBaller NBA Recap: Spencer Dinwiddie Outduels Kemba Walker

Daniel Benjamin highlights three fantasy basketball takeaways from the NBA's December 26th slate. This recap focuses on Rodions Kurucs, Montrezl Harrell and Malik Beasley.

Welcome to the RotoBaller NBA recap. In this feature, we highlight three fantasy basketball takeaways from the previous night's slate of games. Following the usual light schedule on Tuesday, there was a lot of action on Wednesday with 10 games on the docket. This is the 11th time this year that at least two-thirds of the league's teams have played a midweek game. While only two of the five Christmas Day games were decided by single-digits, there was a whole bunch of drama on Wednesday as eight of the contests ended with the difference being less than 10 points. This includes one overtime game as well as a double-overtime game.

The game of the night had to be the Nets thrilling 134-132 double-overtime victory over the Hornets as Spencer Dinwiddie outdueled Kemba Walker. Dinwiddie poured in a game-high 37 points as he drained a season-high seven triples to go along with 11 assists. It was his third 30th-point game off the bench tying Clifford Robinson for the most in franchise history. Dinwiddie, who opened up the second overtime period with a four-point play, scored nine of the team's 20 points in overtime while also contributing two assists during the extra sessions. Meanwhile, Walker tried to put a dagger through the Nets heart late in regulation as he went on a personal 12-2 run to give the Hornets an eight-point lead with three minutes left. But the Nets changed defenses and were able to force overtime by outscoring the Hornets 18-10 the rest of the way. Walker finished with 35 points on 13 of 26 shooting from the field for his 10th 30-point outing of the campaign. Joe Harris, whose steal and layup with 3.4 seconds left in the second overtime period gave Brooklyn the victory, also had a big game as did Jeremy Lamb.

Dinwiddie, RotoBaller's Fantasy Player of the Night, compiled 54.9 fantasy points, according to NBA.com. However, that total was only the third most on the evening as Anthony Davis, who put up 32 points and 18 rebounds, led the way with 60.6 fantasy points. Devin Booker had the second most fantasy points (59.4) as he contributed 35 points along with eight assists and seven rebounds in the Suns 122-120 overtime victory over the Magic. The rest of the article will look at three of these players and how they impact the fantasy basketball world.

Upgrade To VIP: Win more with our NBA and DFS Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! Jamie Calandro and Dan Palyo lead the RotoBaller team in 2024-25 with exclusive DFS picks, Prop picks and more. Gain VIP access to our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, DFS Cheat Sheets and VIP Chat Rooms. Go Premium, Win More!

 

Rodions Kurucs Produces Second Straight Double-Double

The 2018 second-round draft choice finally got back into the Nets' rotation at the beginning of December, but the 6-foot-9 small forward has really picked up his play after replacing Allen Crabbe (knee) in the starting lineup against the Wizards on Dec. 14. Kurucs recorded his second straight double-double last night with 13 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, one block, and three steals last night. He is the first rookie to post double-doubles in consecutive games since Terrence Williams accomplished the feat during the 2009-10 season. The rookie, who set career-best marks in rebounds and tied his season high in steals,  was 6-for-9 from the field and 1-for-3 from beyond the arc.

Kurucs has been excellent the last three games as he has been contributing on the defensive end and filled the stat sheet for the first time versus the Hornets. He has scored in double-figures in three straight games, which ties a season high, and has now posted a blocked shot in five consecutive games. The 20-year-old has produced 53 points, 25 rebounds, three blocks, and four steals during this three-game stretch.

The Latvian native has reached double-figures in seven of his 12 outings this month. He is averaging 12.9 points, six rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 three-pointers while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc as a starter. Perhaps more importantly, the Nets are 6-1 with him in the starting lineup and have won nine of 10 overall. It remains to be seen what coach Kenny Atkinson will do with the rotation once Crabbe, who is day-to-day returns, but it is all but assured the No. 40 overall draft selection will remain in the rotation. Saying that, 12-team fantasy owners need to see if Kurucs is still available on the waiver wire and nab him if he is.

 

Montrezl Harrell Swats Away A Career High Tying Five Shots

Harrell hasn't been as consistent this month as he was in November, but the 6-foot-8 power forward has been much better in that respect recently. Harrell was absolutely awesome last night in the Clippers 127-118 victory over the Kings, posting 22 points along with nine rebounds (five offensive), and a career-tying five blocks as well as one assist and two steals. He did most of his heavy lifting in the second quarter as he chipped in nine points to finish the first half with 15. The 24-year-old made eight of 12 shots from the field overall and was six of seven from the free throw line.

Last night marked his sixth-straight game in double-figures as he has made 44 of 69 (63.7 percent) shots from the field. He has also hauled in six or more caroms in five of the six outings. Harrell is averaging 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds along with 2.3 assists and 1.5 blocks during this stretch.

While the fourth-year pro hasn't seen a ton of minutes, he has still provided top-100 fantasy value. Harrell registered the fourth-most fantasy points on the night with 54.3 and he has produced 34.5 fantasy points over his last six contests

 

Malik Beasley Pumps In A Career-High 22 Points

The third-year pro turned in his best game of the season last night, compiling a career-high 22 points along with seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 111-103 loss to the Spurs. It was his second 20-point game of the season. He tied his season highs with eight field goals and four triples. The 19 field goal attempts were a season high.

Beasley, who has been much better in December, is enjoying the best stretch of the season. The 22-year-old has scored in double-figures in three straight games, for the first time this season, totaling 45 points. He also has grabbed 12 rebounds, doled out eight assists and come up with seven assists during this stretch. Beasley also didn't commit a turnover against the Spurs, marking the second straight game that has occurred, meaning that he still has turned the ball over just five times this month.

Beasley has taken advantage of several injuries including to Gary Harris, Will Barton and Isaiah Thomas. He currently has top-150 value in nine-category fantasy with his most valuable contribution coming in three-pointers, steals, and turnovers. However, it is likely that his value will become all most extinct when all Nugget players become healthy.

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Griffin Conine

To Have Shoulder Surgery On Tuesday
Luke Keaschall

Twins Prospect Luke Keaschall Suffers Broken Forearm
Logan Gilbert

Leaves Friday's Start With Forearm Tightness

Vikings Select Tai Felton To Finish Day 2

Seahawks Select Quarterback Jalen Milroe With The 92nd Pick Overall

Browns Select Dillon Gabriel 94th Overall

Packers Pick Savion Williams At No. 87 overall

Steelers Snag Kaleb Johnson In Round 3

Broncos Select Wide Receiver Pat Bryant With The 74th Overall Pick

Texans Select Jaylin Noel With 79th Pick

Lions Select Wide Receiver Isaac TeSlaa With The 70th Overall Pick
Jack Leiter

To Start On Sunday

Patriots Add Wide Receiver Kyle Williams In Round 3

Browns Draft Harold Fannin Jr. With 67th Pick
Garrett Mitchell

Makes Early Exit
Luke Keaschall

Removed Early On Friday
Blake Snell

Likely Avoids Major Injury
Cole Ragans

Dealing With Mild Groin Strain

Broncos Add RJ Harvey To Backfield With 60th Pick

Raiders Select Jack Bech With 58th Pick

Chargers Add Wide Receiver Tre Harris In Round 2
Detroit Lions

Lions Acquire 57th Pick From Broncos

Seahawks Draft Elijah Arroyo 50th Overall
Carolina Panthers

Panthers Acquire 51st Pick From Broncos
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Snag Will Johnson At No. 47

Jets Add A Pass-Catcher With Mason Taylor At No. 42

Rams Select Terrance Ferguson With 46th Pick
Houston Texans

Texans Acquire 48th Pick From Raiders, Draft Aireontae Ersery

Saints Snag Tyler Shough At No. 40
Brenton Doyle

Out For Personal Reasons On Friday
Brandin Podziemski

Not On Injury Report For Game 3
Jimmy Butler III

Warriors Optimistic About Jimmy Butler III Playing Saturday
Jae'Sean Tate

To Remain Out Saturday
Jock Landale

Unavailable For Game 3
Terry Rozier

Out On Saturday
Jrue Holiday

Ruled Out For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Orlando
Kevin Love

To Miss Saturday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Available For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Magic
Gary Payton II

Iffy For Saturday's Action
Jayson Tatum

Officially Available On Friday For Game 3 Against Magic
Will Smith

Back From Injury On Friday
Luke Kennard

Questionable For Game 4 On Saturday
Darius Garland

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Ja Morant

To Miss Game 4 On Saturday
Rui Hachimura

Available For Game 3 In Minnesota
Aaron Ekblad

Available To Return Saturday
Erik Swanson

Ryan Burr Progressing
Daulton Varsho

To Return On Tuesday At The Latest
Max Scherzer

Takes Positive Step On Friday
Aleksander Barkov

Questionable For Saturday
Gabriel Landeskog

Set For Larger Role In Game 4
Calvin Pickard

To Start Game 3 For Oilers
Randy Arozarena

Resting For First Time This Year
Jonas Siegenthaler

To Play Limited Minutes In Game 3
MLB

Red Sox-Guardians Game Postponed On Friday
Luke Hughes

Remains Out On Friday
MLB

Tigers-Orioles Postponed On Friday
Patrik Laine

A Game-Time Decision Friday
Yainer Diaz

Out On Friday Against Royals
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Hopes To Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Salvador Perez

Sitting Out For First Time This Season
Jaylen Brown

Questionable For Game 3 On Friday
Brendan Donovan

Back In Action On Friday
Jimmy Butler III

Could Miss Game 3 On Saturday
Coby Mayo

Getting On A Roll At Triple-A
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Cade Cunningham

Collects Double-Double In Loss
Jalen Brunson

Drops 30 Points In Game 3
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads All Scorers In Game 3 Victory
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown

A Favorite At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Set To Open Up UFC Kansas City Main Card
Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF