It's never too early to start streaming. Whether you have an opening due to an injury, you auction-drafted a crew of stars and scrubs, or you just didn't bother putting any effort into your last couple draft picks, you probably have a player or two on your team who isn't must-own. You're better off using that roster spot to stream players to eke out wins in close categories in your weekly head-to-head matchups.
This year, RotoBaller will be making weekly recommendations for extreme short term category specialists every week in all six counting stat categories (points, assists, threes, rebounds, steals, and blocks).
Below are my Week 16 offensive category streamers for fantasy basketball - points, threes, and assists are below. All position eligibility and ownership percentages are based on Yahoo! fantasy leagues.
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Three Points Made Streamer
C.J. Miles, SG/SF, IND, Opponents: Friday @ WAS, Saturday vs. MIL (20% Owned);
C.J. Miles is as erratic as they come, but he’s still making 2.1-of-5.2 (41.2%) three-pointers per game. In nine starts at shooting guard, Miles is averaging 10.7 points and 2.4 triples per game. He’s got a back-to-back starting Friday against a high-paced Wizards team, followed up on Saturday vs. the Bucks. That still leaves you the Sunday, where you have options to stream another player. The field goal percentage is a bit of a bummer, but if you’re looking for volume, then Miles is your man.
In terms of other options, Brandon Rush looks to have taken the shooting guard minutes with the void that Zach LaVine (torn ACL) has left. His per-minute numbers are less than desirable, but he still remains a three-point specialist. Even with Blake Griffin back, Marresse Speights has been putting up the usual offensive numbers. He’s recorded a triple in 25 straight games and is a decent option if you need a body on Saturday. Emmanuel Mudiay (back) is struggling to stick in the lineup and has been limited whenever he can suit up, so Jamal Murray has seen extended minutes off the bench. He’s always a threat to go off on the offensive end.
Other Options: Brandon Rush, SG/SF, MIN (2% Owned); Marresse Speights, PF/C, LAC (12% Owned); Jamal Murray, SG, DEN (23% Owned)
Points Streamer
Shabazz Muhammad, SG/SF, MIN, Opponents: Friday vs. NOP, Sunday vs. CHI (19% Owned)
Zach LaVine (torn ACL) won’t be coming back this season, so there’s an offensive void that needs filling in Minnesota. Shabazz Muhammad and Brandon Rush are the front runners thus far, but Muhammad has been the overall better scoring option for the Wolves. He’s scored in double figures his last 10 games with averages of 13.3 points, 3.9 boards and 1.5 threes on 49.5 percent from the field over that time. He’s also averaging 25.0 minutes off the bench and continues to be an option for Tom Thibodeau as a sixth man. Give him a look if you’re in need of scoring in the late week.
If ‘Baz is unavailable, then there are other good options including Matt Barnes, who’s stepped up after Garrett Temple (hamstring) went down. Rodney Hood isn’t expected back until next week, so Joe Johnson could get a boost in minutes and touches. Marco Belinelli has been logging strong minutes for Steve Clifford off the bench for his offensive ability. Lastly, Kelly Oubre can be looked upon in deep formats for a game on Saturday.
Other Options: Matt Barnes, SG/SF, SAC (19% Owned); Joe Johnson, SG/SF, UTA (17% Owned); Marco Belinelli, SG/SF, CHA (12% Owned); Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, WAS (2% Owned)
Assists Streamer
Tyus Jones, PG, MIN, Opponents: Friday vs. NOP, Sunday vs. CHI (3% Owned)
The injuries to both Kris Dunn (hand) and Zach LaVine (ACL) have allowed Tyus Jones more ballhandling duties as primary backup to Ricky Rubio. In the last two games, Jones has averaged 7.5 points, 7.5 assists, 1.0 threes and 1.5 turnovers, Dunn was available against the Heat on Monday, but never saw the court. It looks like Minnesota won’t take too much chances with their fifth overall pick in the 2016 draft, so Jones could see some extra run for the next few games. Watch for news in the coming days.
Ty Lawson remains an alternative option with strong outings in the month of January. He’s been timesharing with Darren Collison, but Lawson has been outplaying his counterpart for the better part of a month now. Raymond Felton has a few more weeks of production until Chris Paul comes back, so he should probably be owned in deep formats. Ish Smith has picked up his play lately with averages of 10.0 points and 5.5 assists in his last four games and is worth a streaming look if you need dimes in the late week.
Other Options: Ty Lawson, PG, SAC, (18% Owned); Raymond Felton, PG/SG, LAC (20% Owned); Ish Smith, PG, DET (12% Owned)
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