2 min read • March 14, 2022
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The Jazz go into the late night inter-conference matchup with both star C Rudy Gobert and versatile scorer Bojan Bogdanovic ailing while floor spacing C Brooke Lopez will make his return from back surgery.
Jazz SIC Health Score - 84.9
The NBA team playing sweet music has done so all season posting an exceptional record of 42-25 which has them sitting 4th in the Western Conference and 1st in the Northwest division. The Jazz have weathered multiple issues to their stars this season but a new issue for Gobert (FD $7,500) leaves him hampered going into the contest.
The Frenchman was previously dealing with a left calf strain that has lingered till recently and was the cause of a 9-game absence late January/early February. He has been able to tough it out playing in 10 consecutive game before being ruled out yesterday with a foot sprain. This issue is new and will be one to watch with reports saying he went through shoot-around today and is planning on suiting up versus the Bucks.
Although his defense was sorely missed on Sunday, backup big man Hassan Whiteside (FD $6,100) provided value in Gobert's absence picking up 12 points and a massive 21 boards. If Gobert surprisingly misses or plays less minutes than usual, Whiteside can again be boon for DFS and fantasy players as he was last night (49.7 points on FanDuel Sunday).
Another health concern going into the game is the status of Bogdanovic (FD $5,500). He was unable to get through shoot-around today as he nurses a strained left calf and will likely miss the matchup. With SF Joe Ingles injured and traded, the Jazz will have to rely on journey-man Danuel House Jr. (FD $3,700) to start at SF. House Jr. provided 7 points and 3 rebounds in 23 minutes on Sunday.
Bucks SIC Health Score - 92.3
The Bucks are running hot of late winning 6 of their last 7 but were recently cooled down on Sunday as the Warriors cruised 122-109. With the Warriors being one of the top teams in the West, the Bucks would be smart to not dwell and instead take their frustrations to the court.
Adding to the affair is the return of lanky C Brooke Lopez (FD $6,000), who make the defending champs even healthier as they head into the stretch run without many major injury concerns.
Lopez has been sidelined since the first game of the season after undergoing back surgery and should provide decent minutes but may be rusty in his first game back. This directly effects C Bobby Portis (FD $6,800) as he has fancied himself a great season averaging 15.5 points a game but will likely take a backseat going forward.
Although G Pat Connaughton continues to be sidelined with a fractured hand veteran PG George Hill will return after missing the last 16 games with a neck issue.
The Jazz have too many injury questions heading into the matchup giving the Bucks the SIC score health advantage:
Bucks ML - The Bucks are the healthier team and have every opportunity to win the game outright
Khris Middleton O20.5 Points - With Bogdanovic likely out, the versatile scorer should easily go over this number doing so in 4 out of the last five games
Giannis Antetokounmpo U11.5 Rebounds - Lopez back in the lineup will be the first time a true center has started since Game 1 of the regular season, should lighten the Greek Freak's rebound load enough to go under this number
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