
Simons chipped in a game-high 30 points (9-16 FG, 8-12 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds, six assists and one steal over 34 minutes during Thursday's 108-102 victory over Sacramento.
Simons absolutely went off on the Kings Thursday night. The 25-year-old shooting guard looked like the best player on the floor as he dropped a game-high 30 points and eight 3-pointers on Sacramento. Simons last scored at least 30 points on January 6 against the Pistons. Since the start of January, he's provided 7th-round fantasy value on a per-game basis.
Having shot 32.5% from the field in his prior three games, Simons got back on track Tuesday night. He's scored 20 points or more in ten of the 18 games he's played since the beginning of January. Since January 2, Simons has offered 7th-round per-game value in 8-cat formats, one round better than his season-long production. With Portland having won nine of its last 10 games, could that change their approach to the minutes of key players like Simons after Thursday's trade deadline? The Blazers picked up their 22nd win on Tuesday but remain five games behind 10th-place Golden State in the loss column.
Clingan will make a second consecutive start for Portland, which sticks with the quintet that began Friday's win over Charlotte. Robert Williams will take on the backup center responsibilities and should also get the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball.
After playing well in Portland's two wins in Florida, Simons continued his run with a 27-point outing in Charlotte. He's provided 6th-round value in 9-cat formats over the past week, four rounds better than his season-long value. And Simons playing both games of Portland's back-to-back was encouraging for those who have him rostered. Portland hosts Oklahoma City on Sunday to end its Week 13 slate.