Uncover the Fantasy Fates of Portland Trail Blazers Players
No. 104: Deni Avdija
Deni Avdija's journey to the Portland Trail Blazers was a significant one. Acquired on draft day in a deal with the Washington Wizards, the young Israeli wing has made his mark on the team. Despite a slight dip in his raw per-game numbers this season, averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 41.7% from the field, his impact on the court remains crucial. Avdija's ability to contribute in various aspects of the game has been instrumental in the Blazers' improvement. Just missing out on making ESPN's top 100, he finds himself sandwiched between No. 103 Cameron Johnson (Brooklyn) and No. 105 Kyle Kuzma (Washington). His consistent play and potential make him a player to watch in the fantasy basketball realm. 2: Avdija's defensive skills also add value to the Blazers' lineup. His ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses is often overlooked. His tenacity on the court and willingness to take on challenging defensive assignments have earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches. In addition to his on-court contributions, Avdija's work ethic and determination off the court are qualities that bode well for his future in the league.No. 108: Anfernee Simons
Similar to Deni Avdija, Anfernee Simons' statistics have seen a decline from the previous season. This year, he is averaging 16.7 points and 4.4 assists per game, but his shooting percentage from three has dropped to 33.1%. Despite these early struggles, Simons has shown flashes of his scoring ability, most notably in his 24-point third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. His ability to go on scoring sprees and provide a boost to the team in crucial moments cannot be ignored. 2: Simons' potential is still very much alive, and his coaches and teammates believe in his ability to bounce back and perform at a higher level. His quickness and explosive scoring ability make him a dangerous player on the court. As he continues to work on his shooting and overall game, there is no doubt that he will continue to be a key contributor to the Blazers.No. 115: Deandre Ayton
Entering this season with some momentum after a strong finish to his first campaign with the Blazers, Deandre Ayton has been a subject of much discussion. Drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, he was traded to the Blazers in the now-famous three-team trade involving Damian Lillard. Ayton has always been seen as an underachiever, putting up solid numbers on the surface but never reaching his full potential. This season, he is averaging 14.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while shooting 56.4% from the field. While these numbers are not bad, they have not been enough to earn him a higher ranking on ESPN's list, as he finds himself behind No. 113 Nic Claxton (Brooklyn) and No. 114 Jabari Smith, Jr. (Houston). 2: Ayton's physical presence and rebounding ability are undeniable. He is a force in the paint and can dominate the boards. However, his lack of playmaking skills and perimeter shooting have limited his overall impact in fantasy basketball. If he can work on expanding his game and becoming more versatile, he has the potential to significantly improve his ranking and become a more valuable asset to the Blazers.No. 119: Jerami Grant
Jerami Grant is a veteran presence on this young Blazers team, providing steady and reliable leadership both on and off the court. He is averaging 15.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, shooting 38.6% from the field, 35.8% from three-point range, and 81.7% from the free-throw line. Despite his solid numbers, he finds himself ranked just behind No. 118 Ayo Dosunmu (Chicago) and No. 117 Terry Rozier (Miami) on ESPN's list. His lack of assists and rebounding may not be particularly suited for fantasy basketball metrics, but his scoring ability and defensive prowess cannot be overlooked. 2: Grant's three-point shooting has been particularly impressive over his last 10 games, as he is making 40.5% of his attempts. This hot streak has added a new dimension to his game and has made him a more valuable asset in fantasy basketball. His ability to score in bunches and play tough defense makes him a key player for the Blazers, and his contributions often go unnoticed in the rankings.Thoughts?So, what do you think? Did ESPN do a fair job ranking Blazers players on this list? Did any of it catch you off guard? In your opinion, is there another Portland player that deserves to be mentioned in the top 150? Let us know in the comments section below!Duke vs South Carolina - A Battle for Basketball Supremacy
Recent Wins and Team Dynamics
The Duke women's basketball team has been on a roll, showcasing their prowess with a 3-0 week. Their victories over teams like then-No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Kansas State have demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level. With a current record of 8-1, they enter Thursday's game with confidence. The team's chemistry and individual performances have been key factors in their success. Players have been stepping up and contributing in crucial moments, making them a force to be reckoned with.These wins have not only boosted the team's morale but also set the stage for an exciting showdown against South Carolina. The players are aware of the significance of this game and are ready to give their all.
Last Season's Encounter and This Year's Matchup
Last season, Duke faced off against then-No. 1 South Carolina. The Gamecocks emerged victorious with a score of 77-61, thanks to a team-high 15 points and 14 rebounds from senior Kamilla Cordoso. This undefeated season for South Carolina added to the anticipation of this year's ACC/SEC Challenge matchup.Duke, however, has returned all but two players from last season's Sweet 16 squad. This brings a new level of intrigue to the game as the team looks to build on their previous experience and challenge the reigning champions. The players are eager to prove themselves and make a statement on the court.
Game Details and Streaming Options
The Duke vs South Carolina game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN this Thursday. The start time is 9 p.m., and Courtney Lyle and Carolyn Peck will call the game from the booth at Colonial Life Arena.For those looking to watch the game on livestream, FUBO is a great option. Streaming the game allows fans to follow every exciting moment from the comfort of their own homes. It provides an immersive experience and keeps fans connected to the action.
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First Half Highlights
In the first half, Izzy Higginbottom was doing everything she could. She had 19 of the 34 points Arkansas scored. The Razorbacks took a 30 - 27 lead after an Ojenuwa free throw and Higginbottom's driving layup. But the Eagles went on a 6 - 2 run to take a 33 - 32 lead. Kiki Smith blew past her defender for a layup with 1:07 left in the half, giving Arkansas an advantage at intermission.
During the first quarter, having the ball in Izzy Higginbottom's hands was the best offense for Arkansas. She scored all the points since the last timeout with a layup and jumper to beat the shot-clock buzzer. But it wasn't enough to keep up with the Eagles. Boston College went up 16 - 10 on T'yana Todd's third three-pointer and a Teya Sidberry jumper. After Higginbottom trimmed the deficit to 16 - 12, the Eagles got a lucky bounce on a jumper by Savannah Samuel with 6 seconds left in the quarter. Higginbottom had 10 points, but Arkansas needed more scorers.
Second Half Thrills
At halftime, Arkansas was down 34 - 33. Izzy Higginbottom continued to shine, making a tough jumper in the lane to put Arkansas ahead by 4 at the final media timeout of the game. She was up to 27 points and had been lights out from mid-range. Arkansas was on a 9 - 0 run and had its largest lead of the night.
In the third quarter, Boston College extended its lead to 53 - 48 on a Teya Sidberry. But Arkansas pulled within 51 - 48 on back-to-back three-pointers from Kiki Smith and Jada Bates. Arkansas was outrebounded 16 - 9 in the third quarter, including 10 offensive rebounds given up.
In the fourth quarter, Higginbottom will be at the stripe again after a timeout. She has a career-high 36 points. Boston College finally snapped its scoreless drought, but it still had no answer for Izzy Higginbottom. She has 34 points and is headed to the free-throw line right now. Arkansas is amid its best stretch of minutes yet this season, on a 14 - 0 run and Higginbottom has 32 points.
Izzy Higginbottom made a tough jumper in the lane to put Arkansas ahead by 4 at the final media timeout of the game. She is up to 27 points and has been lights out from mid-range tonight. Arkansas is on a 9 - 0 run and has its largest lead of the night.
Izzy Higginbottom is up to 25 points as Arkansas is amid a 7 - 0 run, capped by a Kiki Smith three-point play to take the lead. After the Eagles took a 49 - 42 lead on a Kaylah Ivey trey, their largest advantage since being up 8 early in the second quarter, Arkansas pulled within 51 - 48 on back-to-back three-pointers from Kiki Smith and Jada Bates.
Arkansas simply cannot stop Boston College right now. The Eagles have scored 13 points since the break and are 6 of 8 (75%) from the field since halftime. After the Eagles chased down a loose ball for an offensive rebound, Andrea Daley made a go-ahead jumper 19 seconds into the third quarter. Izzy Higginbottom gave Arkansas the lead back, 36 - 35, with a difficult jumper. Savannah Samuel and Daley made back-to-back layups to give Boston College a 39 - 36 lead before Vera Ojenuwa brought the deficit to 1 on a put-back jumper. Ojenuwa was fouled on the make but couldn't complete the three-point play. Daley extended the lead with a layup before Ojenuwa got another second-chance jumper. Boston College has since gone on a 5 - 0 run, which includes back-to-back layups by Dontavia Waggoner.
Carly Keats made a tough jumper off the bounce to beat the shot clock and pull Arkansas within 46 - 42. That was all the scoring since the last timeout. Boston College got 5 looks on their last trip down before Izzy Higginbottom finally cleared a rebound and was fouled. It will be the Razorbacks’ ball out of the timeout.
Starting lineups for the game were Arkansas (4 - 5): G Izzy Higginbottom, G Kiki Smith, G Carly Keats, F Jenna Lawrence, F Vera Ojenuwa; and Boston College (6 - 3): G Andrea Daley, G T’yana Todd, G Savannah Samuel, G Jakayla Thompson, F Nene Ndiaye.
Tonight's matchup features two teams looking to snap two-game losing streaks while helping out their conference in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Arkansas (4 - 5) enters on a two-game skid, having fallen to Oklahoma State (70 - 56) and Bowling Green (79 - 78) at the Daytona Beach (Fla.) Classic. The Razorbacks blew a 14 - point lead in the loss to Bowling Green. Boston College (6 - 3) also enters on a two-game losing streak, having lost twice in the Baha Mar Women’s Championship: to Ole Miss (92 - 55) and Oregon State (54 - 49). Arkansas will be without forward Danika Galea (concussion protocol) and guard Karley Johnson (undisclosed injury). Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on SEC Network.