As the 2023-24 NBA season approaches, the energy and anticipation are palpable! Both fantasy players and sports book bettors are looking forward to a fantasy-friendly, high-scoring Sunday. Perhaps the biggest upside and downside of all the different lineups is the lack of presence from central players. Cedric Coward—the other freshman in the mix—will see increased chances in the rotation. This opportunity arrives as the Memphis Grizzlies continue to tread water without superstar Ja Morant. At the same time, fast teams such as the Miami Heat throw different challenges this week.
Increased Opportunities for Coward
With Morant out, Cedric Coward should absorb a sizable portion of the extra playing time and responsibility for Memphis. This change should lead to greater opportunity to score points and increase fantasy value. Coward will go up against a Toronto Raptors team that has long been one of the league’s most porous defenses to other wings and their scoring prowess.
As Coward embarks on this extended role, he’s poised to exploit some of the Raptors’ defensive weaknesses. This is something the Raptors often find themselves struggling with defensively, where they leak points. This sets up the ideal opportunity for Coward to showcase his scoring abilities. The return of Jalen Williams could alter Coward’s usage rate, adding a layer of complexity to his expected contributions.
Miami’s Fast-Paced Offense
The Miami Heat lead the league with the fastest offense, operating at a tempo nearly two possessions per 48 minutes above the league average. The breakneck speed increases the ceiling for any player in the Dolphins’ offensive ecosystem. It creates opportunities for the other teams to rack up fantasy points against them.
In particular, the Heat can’t defend opposing playmakers, giving up the 4th most FPPG to PGs. This trend bodes well for opponents of Miami, as they should be able to exploit advantageous matchups. Josh Giddey will have his work cut out for him against Miami’s formidable defense. He’ll need to maintain his seeping All-Star-level play durable the gauntlet to come.
Rookie Jaime Jacquez has easily become one of the most surprising fantasy assets this season. He’s at his best when Chet Holmgren and Williams are not on the floor. His penchant for rebounding and making plays on the dribble add to his forward-looking fantasy profile since he’s likely to make the most of gained usage.
Key Matchups Affecting Fantasy Projections
Sunday’s slate has a number of interesting matchups that could be a huge boon for projections on the fantasy front. Doncic actually draws a pretty favorable matchup that should allow him to go off again for a huge game. His outrageous usage in an uptempo environment would work in concert with his gaudy scoring efficiency.
For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his minutes would obviously be affected by possible blowout scenarios. If the game becomes lopsided, he could exit the court in a hurry. This uncertainty makes Gilgeous-Alexander’s fantasy value a bit on the flimsy side. Meanwhile, Aaron Wiggins is in a promising position to produce significant numbers with Holmgren and Williams ruled out for the Thunder.
VJ Edgecombe is making a habit of outplaying his stature with outstanding defensive chops along with solid offensive support. As matchups get tougher and competition grows fiercer, knowing each player’s role and projected output is going to be key to fantasy managers making smart decisions.
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