Indiana Pacers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (ankle) is regarded as questionable for Wednesday's tilt against New Orleans. He would be out for a fourth straight game if Nesmith can't return from a right ankle sprain. Bennedict Mathurin has taken over from Nesmith in the starting lineup and could be in for another big night on Wednesday if he continues to receive extra minutes. The newly crowned NBA Rookie Challenge MVP matched his career high with a 34-point effort against Toronto on Monday.

The Indiana Pacers have downgraded forward Aaron Nesmith (ankle) from doubtful to out for Monday's game versus the Toronto Raptors. Nesmith sprained his right ankle in Indy's final game before the All-Star break and still isn't ready to play, but he'll hope to return in Wednesday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard are both worthwhile streamers in a contest with the highest implied point total (245.5) on Monday's four-game slate.

Miami Heat center Thomas Bryant will serve a three-game suspension for his involvement in a melee during Friday's meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 26-year-old has averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds this season. However, along with his lack of production, he has routinely been held off the floor by head coach Erik Spoelstra. As a result, Bryant's suspension won't have much of an impact on fantasy managers, considering he hasn't done much in any statistical area this season.

Miami Heat center Thomas Bryant was ejected from Friday's game against New Orleans without logging any playing time. A foul on Zion Williamson early in the fourth quarter sparked an altercation, and things got very heated between Bryant and Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado. Both players threw punches at each other and will likely receive a suspension following the incident. Bryant has played just seven games since the turn of the year, so Miami shouldn't have any issues coping with his absence. The 26-year-old big man has averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 10.4 minutes in 25 games for the season.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton lingered on the injury report with a hamstring issue for quite a while leading up to the All-Star break. After putting on a show for the hometown fans, Haliburton cleared the injury report and should be a full go for Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. For fantasy managers that have Haliburton in their lineup, they'll be happy to see that his first game back in action is against the lowly Pistons' defense which has allowed Haliburton to average 20 points and 13 assists per game against them this year over two games.