Rotoballer NBA Recap: The Stars Align

December 6, 2018

Daniel Benjamin highlights three fantasy basketball takeaways from the NBA's December 5th slate. This recap focuses on Jamal Murray, Jonas Valanciunas and Jeff Teague.

Welcome to the RotoBaller NBA recap. In this feature, we highlight three fantasy basketball takeaways from the previous night's slate of NBA 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 seventh time this year that at least two-thirds of the league's teams have played a midweek game.

What a great night of basketball. While 70 percent of the games last night were decided by double-digits, several games were won in the fourth quarter. Paul George -- Rotoballer's fantasy Player of the Night -- was one of eight of the league's "stars" who posted at least 57 fantasy points as he finished with 72.0, marking the second-highest on the night behind Karl-Anthony Towns (75.9). George, who poured in a season-high 47 points, scored 25 of OKC's 39 fourth-quarter points as the Thunder outscored the Nets by 20 to earn a 114-112 victory. He was 15-for-27 from the field, 6-for-13 from beyond the arc as well as 11-for-14 from the free throw line. The nine-year vet collected 15 rebounds, doled out four assists and blocked a shot. It was his eighth double-double of the season. George also set season marks in field goals makes and rebounds while tying his season-highs in three-pointers along with free throws. George was not the only Thunder player to have a monster game as Russell Westbrook picked up his 108th career triple-double to take over sole possession of third place on the NBA's all-time list. Westbrook finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and 17 dimes. He totaled 65.5 fantasy points. LeBron James was also fantastic down the stretch tallying 20 of his 42 points on the night in the final stanza as the Lakers outscored the Spurs 43-31 to earn their first win (121-113) in three tries over San Antonio this season. James, who registered the sixth-most fantasy points on the night with 61.0, was 15-for-24 from the field as well as 9-for-13 from the charity stripe. It was his third 40-point outing this season.

Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard were the other players to finish among the top eight in fantasy points. Now, let's get to the top fantasy basketball takeaways Wednesday, December 5.

Jamal Murray  - Ready To Take Game To Next Level

Murray came up big when needed. In what was perhaps the best game of the night, it was definitely the closest, Murray took over the game in overtime down the stretch to help propel the Nuggets to a 124-118 victory over the Magic. The 21-year-old scored seven of the Nuggets' final nine points of the period as he sank four of five free throws to go along with a 23-foot three-pointer. Denver outscored Orlando 12-6 in the extra period.

With two minutes left and the Nuggets leading 115-114, Murray knocked down a technical foul free throw and then 12 seconds later knocked down a triple to increase their lead to 119-114. He finished the night with 31 points on 10 of 25 shooting from the floor to go along with eight assists, four rebounds, one steal, and one turnover. The 6-foot-4 point guard also made two of three three-pointers and nine of 11 free throws. Murray set season highs in minutes (46), free throws and free throw attempts. The game also marked his second most field goal attempts, field goal makes and points.  Murray had the 14th most fantasy points on Wednesday with 49.8.

The No. 7 overall draft pick has been more aggressive lately with backcourt mate Gary Harris (hip) being unable to play the majority of four of the past five games. Murray has attempted at least 18 shots in four of his last five games, three of which Harris was unavailable and one that he only played nine minutes before leaving with an injury.  He has topped the 20-point mark in four of the past five contests. Additionally, the University of Kentucky product has registered at least eight assists and four rebounds in three of the five outings. Murray is averaging 20.8 points, 6.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 three-pointers, and 3.2 turnovers in nearly 40 minutes over his last five games while shooting 38.0 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc.

Despite missing all five of his fourth-quarter shots against the Magic, Murray, who had four assists in the game, has been very good in the fourth quarter this season. He is averaging 4.6 points and 1.6 assists along with producing a plus-2.0 rating during the last 12 minutes of the game. Additionally, he is averaging 8.6 fantasy points in the final stanza.

With Harris possibly out for an extended period of time, Murray could be primed for a lot more big games. He is currently owned in 98 percent of fantasy leagues. So, if Murray is still unclaimed in your league pick him up immediately. Fantasy owners may also want to see if they can manipulate a trade for a solid scoring lead guard whose shooting numbers will likely increase. Murray, who is a career 43.0 percent shooter, is currently shooting 41.9 percent from the field and a career-worst 31.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Jonas Valanciunas - Manhandles Joel Embiid Again 

Valanciunas was fantastic yet again against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. Valanciunas scored a season-high 26 points in just 18 minutes off the bench, or  1.44 points per every minute that he was on the floor. It is the second time this year that the 7-foot Lithuanian has scored more points than minutes that he was on the floor. He is just the second player in the three-point era to compile 26 or more points in 18 or fewer minutes.

Valanciunas was 9-for-13 from the field and 8-for-9 from the charity stripe. He also hauled in eight rebounds and had two assists. Valanciunas helped the Raptors' big men outscore the 76ers' big men 54-to-19 and outrebound them 28-to-26.

Valanciunas has dominated Embiid in the two meetings so far this year, both games which the Raptors won. The 26-year-old has topped the 20-point plateau twice and is averaging 26.5 points along with six rebounds, 7.5 free throw attempts, one block, and 1.5 assists while shooting 63.0 percent from the floor.

In a head-to-head matchup with Embiid, Valanciunas is averaging 18.5 points a game while shooting 75 percent from the field in 21.5 possessions while the Raptors, as a team, have produced 31 points a game while Embiid has guarded Valanciunas. Defensively, Valanciunas has limited Embiid to 6.5 points and 54.5 percent shooting from the field on 25 possessions although the 76ers have scored 32.8 points a game as a team.

With Valanciunas splitting time with Serge Ibaka at center and him being so inconsistent offensively, the seventh-year pro is no more than a solid DFS in particular matchups.

Jeff Teague  - Sets league-mark for assists in a game this year.

Teague continues to struggle shooting the ball, but he did dole out a league and career-high 18 dimes in the Wolves victory over the Hornets. His 18 assists turned into 41 points for the Wolves, which equates to 2.21 points per assist.

Teague also compiled three points, two blocks, one steal, and three turnovers in the game. He was 1-for-6 from the floor and 0-for-1 from the three-point line. It was his second-lowest scoring output of the season, although it was just the second time in seven outings that he failed to score in double figures. The game also marked the first time in 10 contests that the 6-foot-2 point guard recorded double-digit assists and the fourth time overall this year.

Teague was terrific in his first two games back after missing six games with a bruised left knee. The 10-year pro posted double-doubles in each of those contests but hasn't done so since. He is averaging 9.6 points, 9.2 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals over his last five contests. Teague is tied for seventh in the league in assists on the season.

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