JANUARY 10•KANSASCITY.COM
Jazz not backing down from heavyweights, deal with Nuggets nextThe Utah Jazz have won eight of their past 10 games and are suddenly ferocious against top-flight competition.The Jazz look to make it three...
Jae Crowder - Recalled Tuesday afternoonMilwaukee recalled Crowder (groin) from the G League's Wisconsin Herd on Tuesday.
ImpactCrowder is the candidate to fluctuate between the Bucks and Herd as he builds up practice reps in preparation for an imminent return. He's unlikely to see any G League playing time.
JANUARY 9•ROTOWIRE
Ochai Agbaji - Non-factor in winAgbaji totaled two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one rebound in 15 minutes during Monday's 132-116 victory over the Bucks.
ImpactAgbaji has failed to exceed five points in each of his past seven games. On Monday, 10 players for Utah logged at least 15 minutes, which is indicative of the team's depth and crunch for minutes at times. The second-year guard flashed continued promise earlier this season, logging 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals on 48.3 percent shooting in 27.3 minutes in 10 games as a starter, but he hasn't cracked the starting lineup since Dec. 11 against Oklahoma City.
JANUARY 9•ROTOWIRE
Simone Fontecchio - Muted scoring impactFontecchio contributed five points (2-6 FG, 1-5 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 32 minutes during Monday's 132-116 win over the Bucks.
ImpactFontecchio's continues to start and log his normal workload, but he finds himself in a 4-for-16 mini-slump from beyond the arc over Utah's last three games. The Italian has blossomed into a relevant two-way contributor in his second season with the Jazz, however, making him a slight bounce-back candidate moving forward. Across 20 games as a starter this season, Fontecchio is averaging 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists while hitting 36.7 percent of his threes.
JANUARY 9•ROTOWIRE
Jae Crowder - Will begin ramping upCrowder (groin) has been assigned to Milwaukee's G League affiliate and will participate in 5-on-5 sessions with the Herd this week, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
ImpactCrowder underwent surgery and was given a two-month recovery timeline after suffering a left adductor and abdominal tear Nov. 11th against Orlando. The 33-year-old is healing on-time, although his official return will be dictated by how his body responds to the upcoming practice reps. Crowder's eventually returning to action will be a boost to a Milwaukee team scarce on wing defense.
JANUARY 9•ROTOWIRE
Malik Beasley - Drains five threes MondayBeasley finished Monday's 132-116 loss to Utah with 17 points (6-12 FG, 5-8 3Pt), four rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 24 minutes.
ImpactBeasley was sharp from deep, and while he holds a secondary role in an offensive scheme that's led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Beasley can offer double-digit points and decent shooting percentages on a regular basis. Beasley has scored in double digits in six of his last nine appearances while hitting multiple threes seven times in that span. He's also shooting 55.8 percent from deep in that nine-game stretch.
JANUARY 9•ROTOWIRE
Khris Middleton - Comes close to double-doubleMiddleton totaled 23 points (7-16 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds, eight assists, one block and two steals in 34 minutes during Monday's 132-116 loss to the Jazz.
ImpactMiddleton reached the 20-point mark just for the second time over the Bucks' last six games, and while his contributions were decent, Milwaukee suffered its third loss over its last four games. Middleton's value is nowhere near what it once was, as the veteran forward is now the third option on offense behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. His numbers reflect that, as Middleton is averaging 14.7 points per game this season -- his lowest mark since the 2016-17 campaign.
JANUARY 9•ROTOWIRE
