Shaedon Sharpe

Portland is without Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III and Yang Hansen due to injury. Interim head coach Tiago Splitter has decided to go small to begin Thursday's game, with Murray moving into the starting lineup. The other change is Sharpe, who returns to the lineup at the expense of Sidy Cissoko.

While Sharpe's minutes restriction had been lifted for a few games, acting head coach Tiago Splitter continued to bring him off the bench. That changed on Thursday, with the athletic guard replacing Sidy Cissoko with Portland's first five. Sharpe was productive in that role, with his night including a 4-of-6 effort from beyond the arc. For the season, he remains ranked outside the top-100 in eight- and nine-cat formats, providing greater value in the former.

For the first time since November 19, Cissoko was used in a reserve role, with Shaedon Sharpe reclaiming his place in the starting lineup. However, this did not negatively affect Cissoko's opportunities, as he played 32 minutes. And the former second-round pick had the best night of his NBA career, recording his first 20-point game. Cissoko still isn't at the point where he should be rostered in most fantasy leagues. However, he will get his opportunities while the Blazers await the returns of players such as Jrue Holiday, Matisse Thybulle and Scoot Henderson.

Avdija was just one rebound and three assists shy of a triple-double. The 24-year-old small forward led the way with 35 points, though Jerami Grant had 29 points and Shaedon Sharpe had 28 points. For the season, Avdija is providing third-round fantasy value.

While Sharpe once again came off the bench, the fact that he was able to play both games of Portland's first back-to-back since missing four games due to injury was encouraging. The athletic wing was productive in his 31 minutes, finishing a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Sidy Cissoko, who has been the starter, played well in Cleveland, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and one three-pointer in 25 minutes. Even with the run of starts, he is not at a point where he needs to be rostered in fantasy leagues.