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Fantasy Basketball Pickups: This is the music of Zaccharie Risacher


Fantasy Basketball Pickups: This is the music of Zaccharie Risacher

While there have been some solid rookie performances so far, Hawks winger Zaccharie Risacher (34% on roster, Yahoo) arguably had the best night of any first-year player this season. He played 37 minutes and finished the game with 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, two blocks and six 3-pointers as the Hawks defeated the Knicks in Atlanta. His season-long value remains low, but Risacher was a respectable 12th-round pick last week. His value depends on the availability of De'Andre Hunter, who is out with a knee injury, but now is an excellent time to jump on the bandwagon.

Let's take a look at a few more of Wednesday's top picks:

Benedict Mathurin (34%), Indiana Pacers

Despite scoring 16 or more points in four straight games and starting the last three games due to injuries to other players, Mathurin continues to appear in less than 40% of Yahoo leagues. The most encouraging thing about his recent run has been the improved rebound and assist production. Mathurin finished Wednesday's win over Orlando with 20 points, 11 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a 3-pointer, while scoring 13 points at the foul line. While there were no assists on Wednesday, Mathurin had three or more in each of the previous three games. And he has grabbed at least six rebounds in four straight games. Mathurin is worth keeping in the lineup while Aaron Nesmith (ankle) is out.

Russell Westbrook (35%) and Peyton Watson (21%), Denver Nuggets

Despite filling the void left by Jamal Murray (concussion), Westbrook is a polarizing player in fantasy basketball. He's a much better option for points leagues than category leagues, and Wednesday reminded us that there's still value in using him even with Murray out. Westbrook shot 10 of 15 from the field and 6 of 9 from the foul line and finished Wednesday's win over Oklahoma City with 29 points, six rebounds, six assists, one steal and three 3-pointers (on four attempts). . You don't expect this kind of production to be consistent, but Westbrook is worth a look in the points leagues and even some of your deeper category leagues.

As for Watson, there was no shortage of support for him as a streamer with Aaron Gordon (calf) sidelined. He didn't provide many points on Wednesday, scoring nine points on 4 of 9 shooting (and 1 of 4 at the foul line). But the stat line was filled, with Watson also accounting for three rebounds, three assists, a steal, three blocks (including one that sealed the win) and a 3-pointer. Watson played 34 minutes as part of an eight-man rotation, which is tenable without Gordon out of the lineup. If he's available in your league, especially in the variant category, get Watson.

Jose Alvarado (30%) and Brandon Boston Jr. (9%), New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans couldn't hand Cleveland its first loss of the season, but Alvarado had an excellent game. He shot 7 of 7 from three and scored 27 points with two rebounds, five assists and three steals. With Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum sidelined for extended periods of time, there is room for Alvarado to be a reliable streamer. The Pelicans have no other options to rely on at point guard. As for Boston, he remained in the starting lineup despite Jordan Hawkins returning from a back injury. Boston (14/2/5/0/1 with two 3-pointers) played 38 minutes and Hawkins didn't appear comfortable during his 19 minutes on the court. Even with 13 games on Friday's schedule, Boston is worth a look due to the lack of healthy perimeter bodies in the deep leagues.

Luguentz there (23%), Oklahoma City Thunder

Can Dort be a top-50 player all season? Probably not. But it would be foolish to ignore what he has done so far. The points yield may still be modest, but Dort's ratings have improved significantly and he offers added value in all category leagues. The Thunder guard finished Wednesday's loss to the Nuggets with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals, two blocks and three 3-pointers in 26 minutes. Playing time may be a little low for some fantasy managers' tastes, but Dort has played between 25 and 30 minutes in all eight games so far. Given Lu's defensive skills and improved percentages, he won't need much time to make an impact.

Goga Bitadze (16%), Orlando Magic

Like last season, Bitadze can be an effective streamer if the Magic are without Wendell Carter Jr. Bitadze played 30 minutes against his former team in Wednesday's loss to the Pacers and recorded 10 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocked shots. Meanwhile, substitute Moritz Wagner only played 15 minutes. Since Carter is essentially an everyday option, Bitadze's durability in fantasy leagues is not guaranteed. But he will be worth a look for Friday's game against the Pelicans if Carter continues to be sidelined.

Davion Mitchell (13%), Toronto Raptors

Mitchell's performance against the Kings was outstanding and he has played relatively well since filling the void left by Immanuel Quickley (pelvis). Mitchell finished Wednesday's loss with 20 points, three rebounds, six assists, one steal and two 3-pointers in 32 minutes. He shot 8 of 11 from the field and was responsible for just one turnover. Quickley is reportedly close to returning, so there may not be many options left to stream Mitchell.

Isaiah Stewart (10%), Detroit Pistons (Duren injury)

With Jalen Duren suffering a sprained ankle in Wednesday's one-point loss to the Hornets, perhaps it's time for some beef stew. Stewart played 26 minutes off the bench and finished with six points, seven rebounds, six assists and one blocked shot. Although it wasn't an elite series, the production combined with Duren's injury increased Stewart's fantasy value.

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