NBA News
Nikola Jovic provided a boost off the bench with 12 points (5-of-14 FGs), four rebounds, eight assists and two 3-pointers against Portland on Tuesday.
There was some concern about Jimmy Butler's return to the lineup limiting Jovic, but that hasn't been the case. He has still been productive in all three games since Butler came back while playing a significant role off the bench. He tied his season-high for assists in this game and logged a season-high 35 minutes. Jovic has been a top-100 player over the past two weeks, and he has played well enough to continue seeing minutes off the bench. He is still worthy of a roster spot in standard leagues, and they have two more games this week.
(Jan 21 -- NBC Sports)
Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double on Tuesday with 22 points (11-of-14 FGs), 15 rebounds, two assists and one steal in a 116-107 win over the Heat.
Ayton had one of his best performances of the season in this game and had his second game with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds this year. He has had a few poor performances recently, so it was encouraging for him to have a night like this against a good team. They still have three more games this week, including a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday. January hasn't been a good month for Ayton, so hopefully this game is a sign of things to come.
(Jan 21 -- NBC Sports)
OG Anunoby had 20 points (8-of-18 FGs), four rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block and two 3-pointers against the Nets on Tuesday.
Anunoby dropped 20 points Tuesday against the Nets. While he wasn't very efficient as he needed 18 shots to get there, fantasy managers will likely take it without complaining because the 27-year-old small forward has averaged just 13.5 points per game over the past two weeks. Anunoby has still provided sixth round fantasy value on the season, though.
(Jan 21 -- NBC Sports)
D'Angelo Russell: Supplies 23 points in double-double
Russell (hamstring) supplied a team-high 23 points (6-17 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 7-7 FT), two rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and one steal in 31 minutes during Tuesday's 99-95 loss to the Knicks.
(Jan 21 -- Rotowire)
Anthony Black got the start on Tuesday and finished with 17 points (6-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and one 3-pointer against Toronto.
Black got the starting nod in place of Cole Anthony (illness), and he ended up having one of his best performances of the season. Black has scored in double figures in six straight games, and this was his highest-scoring start of the season. Black hasn't lived up to being a top ten pick yet, but he still has plenty of upside, which he has showcased recently. He still isn't a player that should be rostered in standard leagues, but he has had a strong stretch of production. If Anthony remains out on Thursday, Black may have some streaming appeal.
(Jan 21 -- NBC Sports)
Wendell Carter Jr. recorded a double-double on Tuesday with 10 points (4-of-11 FGs), 10 rebounds and three assists against the Raptors.
Carter Jr. got his fourth straight start in place of Goga Bitadze (concussion), and he has recorded double-doubles in three of those. He is averaging 13.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.0 triple during this stretch as a starter, though his field goal percentage (36.2%) has been an issue that continued in this game. Carter Jr. has been effective as a starter, but he hasn't been quite as good as Bitadze has been this season. We'll see who starts when Goga returns, and his next chance to play will be against Portland on Thursday.
(Jan 21 -- NBC Sports)
Cameron Johnson had 16 points (6-of-20 FGs), three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two 3-pointers against the Knicks on Tuesday.
Johnson missed seven of eight games with an ankle injury before returning Sunday and scoring 15 points on 11 shots in 25 minutes. The 28-year-old small forward was able to play 35 minutes Tuesday, but managed just 16 points on 20 shots. It was a struggle as the typically sharpshooting Johnson went 2-of-9 from behind the 3-point line. The Nets have a quick turnaround with a game against the Suns Wednesday where Johnson will have the chance to bounce back.
(Jan 21 -- NBC Sports)
D'Angelo Russell had 23 points (6-of-17 FGs), two rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, three blocks and four 3-pointers against the Knicks on Tuesday.
Russell played 31 minutes Tuesday, which is the most he's played in any of the four games he's played in since suffering a shin contusion earlier this month. The 28-year-old point guard led the team in scoring with 23 points and earned a double-double by dishing out 10 assists. Even when Ben Simmons comes back, Russell is going to be one of the primary playmakers for Brooklyn.
(Jan 21 -- NBC Sports)
Scoot Henderson got another start on Tuesday and finished with 11 points (4-of-8 FGs), two rebounds, eight assists and two 3-pointers against Miami.
Despite Anfernee Simons (elbow) being back in the lineup, Henderson remained in the starting lineup with Toumani Camara (illness) sidelined. However, he wasn't able to match his recent production. The assists were still there, and he was efficient, but he wasn't as aggressive with his shot as he has been over their last few games. Henderson is still playing well, and they were able to win a second straight game. However, this was a bit underwhelming. They still have three more games this week, which includes matchups against two tough defenses in the Magic and Thunder.
(Jan 21 -- NBC Sports)
Karl-Anthony Towns: Fills up stat sheet in win
Towns finished with 25 points (11-19 FG, 0-3 3FG, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks in Tuesday's 99-95 win against the Nets.
(Jan 21 -- Rotowire)
Kel'el Ware: Double-doubles in first start
Ware recorded 20 points (8-17 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 15 rebounds and two blocks in 39 minutes during Tuesday's 116-107 loss to the Trail Blazers.
(Jan 21 -- Rotowire)
Knicks overcome late shooting woes in 99-95 win over Nets
The Knicks maintained bragging rights over their crosstown rival on Tuesday night, defeating the Brooklyn Nets in a nail-biter, 99-95, at Barclays Center.
(Jan 21 -- Yahoo Sports)
Kel'el Ware got the first start of his career on Tuesday and contributed 20 points (8-of-17 FGs), 16 rebounds, two blocks and two 3-pointers in a 116-107 loss to the Trail Blazers.
After starting the second half of their last game, Ware got the first start of his career as the power forward next to Bam Adebayo down low. He ended up recording a monster double-double while still providing some blocks and 3-pointers. This was just the second double-double of his career and a new career-high for rebounds. Ware was incredibly productive despite the loss, and it would be surprising if Erik Spoelstra made a lineup change to return him to the bench after this. He should be rostered everywhere and could be a league-winning addition. They still have two more games this week, with a matchup in Milwaukee on Thursday coming up next.
(Jan 21 -- NBC Sports)
Anthony Davis: Available against Washington
Davis (calf) has been cleared to play in Tuesday's game against the Wizards, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
(Jan 21 -- Rotowire)
Herro (groin) out as Heat fall to Trail Blazers
Dealing with some groin tightness, guard Tyler Herro, who turned 25 on Monday and is averaging a team-best 24 points this season, was sidelined for the Miami Heat, as they fell, 116-107, to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at the Kaseya Center.
(Jan 21 -- ESPN)