Basketball Pickups: Eric Gordon steps up in second half

After 12 games were played on Monday, there will only be five games on Tuesday, which increases the value of players that may not be worth rostering in standard leagues in most scenarios. Five of the ten teams that play on Tuesday will be on the second night of a back-to-back (Jazz, Celtics, Lakers, 76ers, Knicks), so pay close attention to those injury reports when they drop.

Eric Gordon- 19%

Grayson Allen has been thriving in a starting role alongside Phoenix’s big three and has provided sixth round value this season. Gordon and Allen both shined early in the season when Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant all missed time, but since Allen remained in the starting lineup, he was able to retain that value. However, Allen exited early from Monday’s game with an ankle injury, which allowed Gordon to start the second half. He ended up finishing with 23 points, four rebounds, five assists, one steal, two blocks and five 3-pointers. Assuming Allen remains out against the Nets on Wednesday, Gordon should start and provide plenty of triples.

Cody Martin- 3%

Martin has spent the last four games in the starting lineup for a depleted Hornets roster, and he had his best game on Monday. He played 31 minutes and finished with 14 points, six rebounds, eight assists, one steal and three 3-pointers. In his previous game, he had nine points, seven rebounds and six assists. He has been solid lately, and he should continue to start, which gives him some upside.

Christian Wood- 12%, Jaxson Hayes- less than 1%

Anthony Davis said after Monday’s game that his groin injury “flared up” in the second half, and that he “couldn’t move the way he is accustomed to on both ends of the floor”, per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha. They play against Atlanta on Tuesday, and if he remains out, either Wood or Hayes will start in his place. Hayes saw more minutes on Monday and started the last time Davis missed a game. However, that was a month and a half ago, and Wood played a larger…