Jalen Duren left Detroit's 128-111 win at Miami in the second quarter with a right thigh injury and did not return. Paul Reed started the second half in his place and finished with 19 points on 8 of 11 shooting, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in 26 minutes. That is not a fluke line. That is a direct beneficiary line.
If Duren misses time, Paul Reed's 19-point, 11-rebound night in 26 minutes is the kind of wire add that wins a category for you. Detroit plays at Philadelphia on Sunday, and Reed is the name that matters until we hear otherwise on Duren. Ausar Thompson also left Friday's game with an ankle tweak, which only opens more minutes in Detroit.
The other name is Darius Acuff Jr. The Kings rookie scored 33 points in only his second career game, in a 128-120 loss to Portland. Rookies do not score 33 by accident, and Sacramento has minutes to give while it sorts out its rotation. This is a Watch that can become an Add in a hurry if the role holds for one more game.
The rest of the night in one pass: Domantas Sabonis had 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists for Sacramento. Dyson Daniels had 11 points, 9 rebounds and 7 steals in Atlanta's record 47-point rout of Charlotte. Cameron Boozer had 25 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists for Memphis in its comeback win at Golden State. Walker Kessler had 22 points, 6 blocks and 3 steals for the Lakers.
So the calls are Add on Reed if Duren sits, Watch on Acuff Jr. for one more game, and Watch on Boozer's role in Memphis after a 25-13-6 night. Friday's slate is where this either sticks or fades, and Saturday's eight games are the next audition.
Key Facts
- The call: ADD Paul Reed, Pistons, if Jalen Duren misses time
- The line: Reed 19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists in 26 minutes after Duren left with a thigh injury
- The rookie: Darius Acuff Jr., Kings, 33 points in his second career game
- Watch: Cameron Boozer 25-13-6 for Memphis; Dyson Daniels 11-9-7 steals for Atlanta
- The watch: Duren and Ausar Thompson injury updates before Sunday at Philadelphia