
The Pelicans are without CJ McCollum, who will miss Monday's game for personal reasons. They're going with a bigger lineup, shifting Murphy and Williamson up a position while Matkovic moves into the starting lineup. Alvarado continues to start for Dejounte Murray, who's done for the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in late January.
Alvarado moves into the starting lineup, as the Pelicans will go with a true point guard to account for Dejounte Murray (Achilles) being done for the season. Rookie Karlo Matkovic heads to the bench but should play rotation minutes off the bench. Unfortunately, he loses whatever streaming value he possessed with this lineup change.
Matkovic made his first start as an NBA player on Wednesday, and the rookie recorded a complete stat line. The willingness to start Matkovic alongside fellow rookie Yves Missi (12 points, six rebounds, and two rebounds in 32 minutes) is something to watch, especially with New Orleans trading Brandon Ingram to the Raptors late Wednesday night. If Willie Green sticks with that tandem, Matkovic will have some value as New Orleans plays out the string.
The Pelicans are going big for Wednesday's rematch with Denver, which won Monday's meeting comfortably. Williamson shifts to the three, with Matkovic replacing Javonte Green in the starting lineup. Given the opportunity, Matkovic is worth streaming, and he'll have added value the rest of the way after the Pelicans traded Daniel Theis to Oklahoma City.
Theis has played a small role for the Pelicans this season, but his time with them has come to an end due to a move that will put them below the luxury tax. If Theis isn't bought out by OKC, it is unlikely that he sees the floor enough to provide any value in fantasy basketball. However, this does open the door for Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic to see a few extra minutes at center for New Orleans.