BKN 107, DET 105: Jr. Notches 54.1 Yahoo FP
Tommy Flanagan
Journeyman Electrician ยท Boston Celtics fan
Michael Porter Jr. Goes Nuclear, Nets Sneak Past Pistons in Wire-to-Wire Thriller
Michael Porter Jr. didn't just have a good night. He had the kind of night that makes you check the box score twice to make sure it's real. 54.1 Yahoo fantasy points on a 30/13/1 line with seven made free throws. That's not a performance, that's a takeover.
Here's the thing though, this was supposed to be a Pistons game. Detroit had all the narrative momentum coming in. Close to home. But the Nets weathered it, 107-105, and MPJ was the reason why. Plus 5.8 points over his season average, shooting 10-25 from the field but making the ones that mattered. When you're getting 39 minutes and you're that efficient from the line, you're carrying the load.
Top Performers
| Player | ESPN FP | Yahoo FP | Tonight | Season Avg | +/- Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Porter Jr. | 51.0 | 54.1 | 30/13/1 | 24.2/7.0/3.1 | +5.8 |
| Jalen Duren | 43.0 | 47.8 | 17/14/2 | 18.4/10.7/1.7 | -1.4 |
| Marcus Sasser | 34.0 | 30.6 | 8/3/4 | 4.8/0.8/1.8 | +3.2 |
| Day'Ron Sharpe | 33.0 | 30.4 | 13/7/4 | 8.5/6.7/2.3 | +4.5 |
| Tobias Harris | 29.0 | 30.0 | 18/10/0 | 13.3/5.2/2.3 | +4.7 |
| Ziaire Williams | 34.0 | 28.8 | 23/4/0 | 9.4/2.4/1.0 | +13.6 |
| Daniss Jenkins | 28.0 | 28.7 | 11/1/9 | 7.5/1.8/2.8 | +3.5 |
| Nic Claxton | 25.0 | 25.2 | 2/6/4 | 12.5/7.2/3.9 | -10.5 |
| Noah Clowney | 20.0 | 23.6 | 16/3/2 | 12.9/4.2/1.7 | +3.1 |
| Duncan Robinson | 26.0 | 21.0 | 15/0/4 | 12.0/2.7/1.9 | +3.0 |
The Good News and Bad News for the Nets
Ziaire Williams was absolutely insane off the bench. 23 points on 5-8 shooting with five threes made. That's plus 13.6 versus his season average and it came in just 31 minutes. This is the kind of game that gets guys added in 10-team leagues, but here's the reality check, he's averaging 9.4 points on the season. One night doesn't make a player. Don't get cute and trade for him thinking this is the new normal.
Day'Ron Sharpe was solid too, 30.4 Yahoo points with 13 points, seven boards, and four assists in 21 minutes. He's a bench guy who stepped up when the team needed it. Same energy as Williams, different execution. These are feel-good stories but not league-winners.
The real problem is Nic Claxton. The man averaging 12.5 points and 7.2 boards came in with 2 points on 1-5 shooting. Minus 10.5 versus his average. He still grabbed six rebounds and chipped in three blocks but if you're counting on him for scoring, last night was a non-starter. Keep an eye on his role in the next game because this is the kind of dud that can signal a bigger issue.
Detroit's Night: Solid Bench, Wasted Opportunity
Jalen Duren did his job without going off. 17/14/2 on 7-19 shooting. That's a minus 1.4 versus his average, which basically says he played his game without the extra sauce. For a big who's been productive this season, this was just average.
Marcus Sasser was a sparkplug though, 30.6 Yahoo points with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and five steals in 28 minutes. Plus 3.2 on points but the steals are where he adds fantasy juice. Four steals off the bench is real. If he's available in your league, he's worth a stash just for the defensive upside.
Tobias Harris had one of those nights where the shooting was clean and the rebounding was there. 18/10 on 8-14 shooting gives you 30 Yahoo points, plus 4.7 on scoring. He went 1-1 from three and basically did everything the Pistons asked. Problem is, it wasn't enough. This is a guy who can pop on any given night, but consistency has been the question mark all season.
Daniss Jenkins was everywhere with 35 minutes of floor time and 28.7 Yahoo points, but look at that line, 11 points and nine assists. The assists are carrying the value here. Nine dimes from a shooting guard is legit, but one rebound tells you where his game lives. If he's on your wire and you need assists, he's worth a flier.
The Bottom Line
This was close, and that matters. The Nets won by two and Michael Porter Jr. was the difference. If you have him, ride that wave. If you don't, he's not getting added by anyone worth a damn right now, so don't bother.
For Detroit, this loss sucks but it was competitive. Jalen Duren remains a top-tier fantasy asset even on off-nights, and Daniss Jenkins proved he deserves more minutes if the team is serious about competing. Marcus Sasser is becoming a sneaky add for playoff leagues who need steals.
The real story here is that nobody from this game is moving the fantasy needle massively except Porter Jr. This was a one-man show that happened to have a supporting cast. That's not sustainable long-term, but last night it was more than enough.