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NBA roundup: Luka Doncic's birthday gift is a Lakers victory

Sun Mar 1 12:48am ET
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Luka Doncic celebrated his 27th birthday with 26 points, eight assists and six rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 129-101 rout of the Golden State Warriors on Saturday in San Francisco.

Los Angeles came into the Bay Area on a three-game losing skid but rebounded emphatically. The Lakers surrendered the game's first two points, then went on to score the next 10 en route to a lead they never relinquished.

LeBron James shot 4 of 6 from 3-point distance and 7 of 13 from the floor overall en route to 22 points. James also flirted with a triple-double, adding a game-high nine assists and seven rebounds.

Golden State had just one scorer with more than 12 points: Gui Santos, who finished with 14. Moses Moody scored all 12 of his points on 4-of-10 3-point shooting. De'Anthony Melton added 10 points and Al Horford scored eight points off the bench.


Hornets 109, Trail Blazers 93

Brandon Miller connected on six 3-point shots as part of his game-high 26 points as Charlotte beat visiting Portland.

Coby White, in his delayed Hornets home debut after a trade from Chicago and time off with an injury, racked up 20 points -- 10 in each half -- off the bench to help Charlotte win its fourth straight game. The Hornets effectively iced the game with a 10-0 run to build a 17-point fourth-quarter lead.

Jrue Holiday led the Trail Blazers with 25 points and Jerami Grant provided 21 points, reaching four consecutive games with 20-plus points for the first time this season.

Heat 115, Rockets 105

Bam Adebayo posted a double-double, and Andrew Wiggins ignited a fourth-quarter rally after returning from an in-game injury to lead Miami to a victory over visiting Houston.

Adebayo paired 24 points with 11 rebounds to help the Heat snap a two-game skid. Pelle Larsson (20 points) and Tyler Herro (18) contributed to the balanced scoring attack. But it was Wiggins, who took an elbow to the jaw from Rockets center Alperen Sengun and needed stitches in his cheek to close the gash, who led a critical fourth-quarter surge. Wiggins finished with 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

Kevin Durant scored a game-high 32 points and added eight assists for the Rockets. Amen Thompson (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Tari Eason (10 points, 11 boards) added double-doubles, while Reed Sheppard chipped in 14 points and five assists for Houston.

Raptors 134, Wizards 125

Immanuel Quickley had 27 points and 11 assists to propel visiting Toronto to a victory over Washington.

Brandon Ingram added 24 points and RJ Barrett chipped in 21 points for Toronto, which snapped a two-game skid. Jakob Poeltl totaled 18 points and 10 rebounds and Scottie Barnes scored 18 for the Raptors, who shot a sizzling 71.4% in the second half while scoring 73 points. Toronto shot 60% from the field for the game.

Will Riley's 19 points led the Wizards, followed by Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George's 14 points apiece. Tristan Vukcevic added 13, while Bub Carrington and Justin Champagnie finished with 12 apiece. Washington made 16 of 34 3-point attempts but dropped its fourth straight, shooting 53.4% overall.

Pelicans 115, Jazz 105

Saddiq Bey scored 24 points and New Orleans beat host Utah for the second time in three nights.

Bey, who scored a season-high 42 points in the Pelicans' 129-118 victory on Thursday night, was joined in double figures by rookie Jeremiah Fears (18), who added a season-high 11 rebounds, Bryce McGowens (18 points), Herb Jones (17) and Jordan Poole (11) as New Orleans won its fourth consecutive game. Leading scorer Trey Murphy III missed his fifth consecutive game because of a right shoulder contusion, and second-leading scorer Zion Williamson had just four points in 11 minutes before leaving the game with a right ankle injury.

Isaiah Collier scored 21, Keyonte George (ankle) returned from a six-game absence to score 17, Elijah Harkless added 14, Ace Bailey had 13, Kyle Filipowski had 12 and Brice Sensabaugh 10 to lead the Jazz, who lost their fifth straight game.

Player Notes
Keyonte George Sat Feb 28 8:40pm

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (ankle) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. It has been a tough month for George, who has only appeared in one contest during February. He has missed six straight games before getting cleared ahead of Saturday's contest. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Jazz have George under a minutes limit. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can go ahead and get George active in their lineups. The third-year guard won't be an ideal DFS choice, given his workload is unknown.

Draymond Green Sat Feb 28 8:30pm

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (back) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Green is returning after sitting out Wednesday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies due to lower back injury management. The expectation is that Green will have his full workload on Saturday. His return to the lineup should push Al Horford back to the bench. Horford won't be as appealing as a streaming option playing with the second unit. Fantasy managers can get Green active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.

De'Anthony Melton Sat Feb 28 8:30pm

Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (knee) has been cleared to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Melton is back in the mix after sitting out Wednesday's win due to left knee injury management. Given he has only missed one game, Melton should have his normal workload on Saturday. Over the last seven games, Melton is averaging 16.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over 25.3 minutes per game. He's worth a look as a streaming option given his recent play.

Deni Avdija Sat Feb 28 8:10am

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Deni Avdija (back) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Hornets and is tracking toward a third straight absence. His 29.0 usage rate leaves a sizable offensive gap. In Thursday's win over Chicago, Kris Murray started and logged 28 minutes with 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Jerami Grant posted 27 points with three triples in 35 minutes. Murray is a viable short-term streamer for minutes and modest across-the-board production, while Grant carries a higher scoring ceiling if Avdija remains sidelined.

Cole Anthony Sat Feb 28 8:00am

Free agent guard Cole Anthony was released by the Phoenix Suns on Friday after being acquired at the trade deadline and never suiting up for the team. The 25-year-old logged 35 games this season, averaging 6.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 15.0 minutes, but struggled to carve out a steady role. Anthony has shown flashes as a scoring spark and secondary playmaker in past stops, which should generate interest from guard-needy teams. For fantasy managers, he is off the radar in standard leagues but is worth monitoring if he lands in a situation with an immediate backcourt opportunity.

Tyus Jones Sat Feb 28 8:00am

Free agent guard Tyus Jones is expected to be released by the Dallas Mavericks before the March 1 deadline, allowing him to pursue a roster spot with a contender. The 29-year-old moved multiple times before landing in Dallas and saw limited action, appearing in eight games with two starts. In that stretch, he averaged 3.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 16.6 minutes. Jones should attract interest from playoff teams seeking steady point guard depth. His departure could open additional runs for Brandon Williams and create flexibility for Dallas to elevate Ryan Nembhard.

Quenton Jackson Sat Feb 28 7:50am

Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson had his two-way agreement converted to a three-year standard deal Friday. The 27-year-old is in his third season with Indiana and has steadily grown from a little-used two-way guard into a trusted reserve ball handler. His athleticism and ability to pressure the paint have made him a natural fit in the Pacers' up-tempo system, and he has also knocked down 39.5 percent of his 114 three-point attempts over the past two seasons. That progression ultimately earned him a standard three-year deal. Over his last four games, Jackson is averaging 15.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 26.2 minutes with 1.5 triples, carving out a meaningful role on a 15-45 squad. He is more of a watchlist option for now, but his value would climb quickly in deeper leagues if regular starters are sidelined.

Mason Plumlee Sat Feb 28 7:40am

San Antonio Spurs center Mason Plumlee is signing a deal to remain with the team for the remainder of the season. The veteran big man finished a recent 10-day agreement without appearing in a game and now profiles strictly as frontcourt insurance. With Victor Wembanyama logging 32 minutes and Luke Kornet handling backup duties, Plumlee is unlikely to enter the rotation barring injury. He can be ignored in standard formats, while Wembanyama and Kornet retain stable roles.

Devin Booker Sat Feb 28 7:30am

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (hip) is trending toward a return Tuesday in Sacramento or Thursday against Chicago after missing four straight games with a right hip strain. The All-Star has appeared sparingly since late January and is likely to face some form of minutes management once cleared. In 44 games, Booker is averaging 24.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 33.0 minutes with a 31.5 usage rate. His return would cut into Collin Gillespie and Jamaree Bouyea's workloads while easing pressure off Jalen Green as a primary scorer. Booker remains a firm hold in all formats.

Keegan Murray Sat Feb 28 7:20am

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (ankle) aggravated his sprained left ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Rockets and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Sacramento will likely play the long game with him, so his fantasy return hinges on how the ankle responds over the next couple of weeks in rehab. Murray averages 34.5 minutes with an 18.3 usage rate, leaving a clear void on the wing. Nique Clifford logged 39 minutes with 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in his last start and profiles as the top short-term add. Daeqwon Plowden and Malik Monk also gain streaming appeal in deeper formats.

Nikola Jokic Sat Feb 28 1:30am

Denver's C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 14 assists and 17 rebounds in a 121-127 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday, Feb. 27.

Norman Powell Fri Feb 27 10:10pm

Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (groin) is considered week-to-week after sustaining a right groin strain Thursday against Philadelphia, likely sidelining him for multiple games. Powell had been operating as a high-usage scorer, so his absence opens meaningful offensive volume. Tyler Herro, who posted 25 points with four triples, four rebounds, and seven assists in 32 minutes last game, is positioned for a larger role and is a strong hold. Pelle Larsson logged 33 minutes with nine points and six assists and remains a viable streamer while Powell is out.

Jabari Smith Jr. Fri Feb 27 10:00pm

Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) will not play in Saturday's game against Miami due to a right ankle sprain. Smith turned his ankle in Thursday's win over Orlando and will miss at least one contest, with his next chance to return coming Monday against Washington. Reed Sheppard is the leading candidate to absorb extra minutes after posting 20 points with five triples, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 31 minutes off the bench last game. Sheppard has been trending up and is more than a short-term streamer, especially if the added minutes continue.

Kristaps Porzingis Fri Feb 27 9:50pm

Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Lakers after practicing Friday as he looks to end a three-game absence. Porzingis appeared in one game since joining Golden State, posting 12 points with two triples and one block in 17 minutes, flashing immediate fantasy upside. If active alongside Draymond Green (back), Porzingis would likely cut into Al Horford's minutes and could push Quinten Post out of the rotation. Horford's short-term value would take a hit, while Porzingis carries clear upside if fully cleared.

Draymond Green Fri Feb 27 9:40pm

Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (back) is listed as probable for Saturday's matchup against the Lakers after sitting out Wednesday for lower-back injury management on the second night of a back-to-back. Head coach Steve Kerr indicated he is expected to return to the lineup. Over his last five games, Green has averaged 10.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers in 27.4 minutes, offering steady multi-category production. With Green returning, the frontcourt minutes should settle back into place, which likely eats into Al Horford's short-term streaming appeal as Green steps back into his normal role.

Spencer Jones Fri Feb 27 9:30pm

Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (shoulder) and forward Julian Strawther (toe) are available for Friday's game against Oklahoma City. Jones has been managing a right shoulder strain but will continue in a reserve role after posting six points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes against Boston. He has averaged 5.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.3 minutes over his last four contests and remains a fringe option. Strawther, who has been playing through a left toe sprain, started again Wednesday and recorded 12 points with two triples. He carries deeper-league appeal but remains matchup dependent.

Jalen Pickett Fri Feb 27 9:20pm

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (illness) and guard Jalen Pickett (knee) are available for Friday's game against Oklahoma City. Murray saw only brief action in Wednesday's win over Boston because of illness but is set to resume his full workload as the starting point guard. He remains a strong fantasy play given his 28.4 percent usage rate and consistent scoring alongside Nikola Jokic. Pickett returns from a two-game absence but averages 15 minutes per game and remains off the fantasy radar in most formats.

Dejounte Murray Fri Feb 27 8:00pm

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. The Pelicans are going to play it safe and rest Murray during the first game of this back-to-back set. The expectation is that Murray will be back in the mix for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Murray made his season debut versus the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. He missed the first 58 games of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles. He finished with 17 points, nine assists, and four steals during Thursday's game. Murray should offer strong upside once he's back to full speed. Bryce McGowens, Jordan Poole, and Jeremiah Fears should all see increased playing time with Murray out on Saturday.

Trey Murphy III Fri Feb 27 7:50pm

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. This will mark the fifth game in a row that Murphy has missed due to a right shoulder contusion. He is being ruled out a full day in advance, so he's probably not close to returning. The Pelicans haven't given a clear timetable on his return yet. His absence should mean Bryce McGowens and Jordan Poole continue to see increased run. Poole is inconsistent at times, but his scoring upside makes him worth rostering in most fantasy formats.

Caleb Martin Fri Feb 27 7:40pm

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Caleb Martin (back) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This sounds like a minor issue, so hopefully Martin will return for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavs are banged up with P.J. Washington (ankle), Cooper Flagg (foot), and Klay Thompson (rest) all absent on Friday. That means Khris Middleton, Brandon Williams, and Max Christie should all see increased playing time. Honestly, all three of them are suitable streaming options with the Mavs thin on depth right now.


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