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It feels like just yesterday we were drafting our NBA fantasy teams, full of hope that our early picks will stay healthy, that our late-round picks will have breakout seasons and that we will be sitting comfortably at the top of our league tables by now.
And now, Week 14 is upon us and most of us are in a tough battle to clinch playoff berths, the guys we drafted late in the draft have long since been forgotten on the waiver wire and we've reluctantly but wisely turned their places into streaming spots.
As always, I have taken a look ahead at the NBA schedule for next week, and here are the fantasy basketball streamers for Week 14.
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NBA Schedule Guide - Week 14
With Tuesday having just two games, while Thursday and Saturday both have only three, there's little doubt which days will be the most difficult on fantasy managers. All other days have between 11 and 13 games played, so we will continue with the assumption that most fantasy teams will be filled on these days, and focus on teams that play on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Here's the low-down:
Teams with 4 games:
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Dallas Mavericks
Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Portland Trail Blazers
San Antonio Spurs
Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards
Teams with 3 games:
Cleveland Cavaliers
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
Phoenix Suns
Teams with 2 games:
Houston Rockets
New Orleans Pelicans
Sacramento Kings
Number of teams playing each day:
Monday: 24
Tuesday: 4
Wednesday: 26
Thursday: 6
Friday: 22
Saturday: 6
Sunday: 22
Back-to-Backs (beware of older or banged-up players who might rest):
Monday/Tuesday: NYK
Tuesday/Wednesday: DET, MIN
Wednesday/Thursday: DAL, IND
Thursday/Friday: GSW
Friday/Saturday: MIL, OKC
Saturday/Sunday: -
Sunday/Monday the following: CHI, NYK, UTA
Days with THREE or fewer games
Tuesday: 2 games
Thursday: 3 games
Saturday: 3 games
Teams playing on at least two of these days:
Golden State Warriors (4 games - Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
New York Knicks (4 games - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sun)
Indiana Pacers (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat)
Phoenix Suns (3 games - Mon, Thurs, Sat)
Teams with a GOOD START to the week (three games from Monday to Thursday)
Dallas Mavericks (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun)
New York Knicks (4 games - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sun)
Indiana Pacers (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat)
Teams with a GOOD END to the week (three games from Thursday to Sunday)
Golden State Warriors (4 games - Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Teams with a POOR START to the week (one or no games from Monday to Thursday)
Houston Rockets (2 games - Wed, Fri)
Sacramento Kings (2 games - Wed, Sat)
Denver Nuggets (3 games - Wed, Fri, Sun)
Teams with a POOR END to the week (one or no games from Thursday to Sunday)
New Orleans Pelicans (2 games - Mon, Thurs)
Houston Rockets (2 games - Wed, Fri)
Sacramento Kings (2 games - Wed, Sat)
Cleveland Cavaliers (3 games - Mon, Wed, Sat)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3 games - Tues, Wed, Sun)
Baller Streaming Strategy for Week 14
Tuesday (with two games played) along with Thursday and Saturday (both with three games) are the days with the least amount of games by far. All other days have 11+ games so it's not even close. Therefore, it is obvious that teams playing on these three days will be more desirable streaming targets for most.
There are only four teams that play two games on these days (and no teams play on all three), and we will pay most attention to their players:
There are only four such teams and we will focus on their players:
- Golden State Warriors (4 games - Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
- New York Knicks (4 games - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sun)
- Indiana Pacers (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat)
- Phoenix Suns (3 games - Mon, Thurs, Sat)
Just like last week, there aren't too many options from just these four teams. In that regard, I would like to mention a few other strategies that may prove helpful (although I won't cover players from the teams I mention below as there are too many variables and combinations):
- "Retain flexibility" - In addition to New York and Indiana (we will cover their players below), Dallas also has three games from Mon to Thurs. If you have a guy you like from either of these teams, this will allow you to get three games from him before Friday with just one add, and leave you with the rest of your weekly moves on Friday to focus on the categories that are close. Keeping your adds for later might even come in handy in case of some trades happening a bit "early" and opening up some room for a player on your waiver wire (the trade deadline is on the 10th of February).
- "Follow the back-to-backs" - New York plays on Mon and Tues, Dallas and Indiana on Wednesday and Thursday, and Milwaukee and Oklahoma City have back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. This will give you six games in six days with three adds and just one streaming spot. If you have an extra add, it will allow you to complete a seven-game week from your one streaming spot.
- "In-form players and injury/Covid beneficiaries" - This strategy is not related too much to the schedule itself, but just plain makes sense in today's NBA where half a team can be out and low rostered players suddenly find themselves in a large role. For example, if Kevin Durant ends up missing time, Bruce Brown, Kessler Edwards and Cameron Thomas could see an increased opportunity.
Streaming Options for Week 14
Shallower League Streaming Adds for the Week (Rostered in 25-75% of Yahoo leagues):
Otto Porter Jr., SF/PF, GSW, (27% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, 3PM, STL
Alec Burks, SG/SF, NYK, (54% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL - positive circumstance: is seeing some additional minutes with Derrick Rose missing time
Kemba Walker, PG, NYK, (60% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, AST, STL - buyer beware: is currently out due to knee soreness (missed eight straight games)
Evan Fournier, SG/SF, NYK, (68% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL
Nerlens Noel, PF/C, NYK, (36% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, STL/BLK - buyer beware: he just can't stay healthy
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF, PHO, (51% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, a bit of STL, PTS, REB - buyer beware: missed previous two games due to an ankle issue
Jae Crowder, SG/SF, PHO, (27% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, a bit of STL, REB, PTS
Chris Duarte, SG, IND, (31% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%, a bit of REB, STL
Justin Holiday, SG/SF, IND, (26% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
Shallower League Add
Alec Burks, SG/SF, NYK, (54% Rostered)
Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL
Positive Circumstance: is seeing some additional minutes with Derrick Rose missing time
With such a specific and difficult week for streaming, I don't think there are many better options for streaming than Burks. He checks all the boxes.
Form: YES! In the last two weeks, he is averaging 11.3 points with 1.3 threes on 32.4% from the field and 92.3% from the charity stripe, 6.3 boards, 4.3 dimes, 2.3 steals, 0.3 blocks, and just 0.4 turnovers in almost 34 minutes per outing. The rebounds, assists, and steals with such a low number of turnovers have him ranked at #40 for the period despite him shooting so poorly.
Schedule: YES! The Knicks play three games from Monday to Thursday, two of which come on the scarce days. This allows fantasy managers to decide whether to keep Burks for his game on Sunday or cut him on Friday in favor of getting some more games from different players if that's more beneficial for their teams in that moment.
Long term: YES! Burks looks like a guy who will keep playing next to 30 minutes a night for the rest of the season, so even if you're looking for someone who will help you this week, but perhaps stick in your team for longer - Burks has the potential to even become that guy for you.
Deeper League Add
Jae Crowder, SG/SF, PHO, (27% Rostered)
Strong Cats: 3PM, a bit of STL, REB, PTS
It's been just over a week since Jae has returned from the health and safety protocols and he's been playing quite well. In the three games he's been back, he has averaged 10.0 PTS with 2.3 3PM on 38.5 FG%, 75.0 FT%, 7.0 REB, 1.7 AST, 2.3 STL, 0.3 BLK, and 1.0 BLK in 30 minutes per outing. He is ranked just outside of the top-60 for the last two weeks with these stats.
Now, Jae is the hot or cold type when it comes to his scoring, but you can always count on him giving a 100% on the floor which usually results in some boards and steals at the very least.
Crowder is by no means a flashy option, and it's a rare occasion that he lights up the scoreboard. But he does stuff the stat sheet and contributes in most categories, and with a favorable schedule and lack of options that play on multiple scarce days this week, you could probably do a lot worse.
Insanely Deep League Add
Jonathan Kuminga, SF/PF, GSW, (8% Rostered)
Strong Cats: REB, PTS, a bit of everything
This is a hit-or-miss pick, but in such deep leagues, it's the best we can do. Kuminga isn't having a great rookie season so far (him averaging just 10 minutes a game says enough I think), but he has strung together two admirable performances in a row over his previous two games. Over these two outings, he averaged 20.0 PTS with 1.5 3PM on 53.6 FG% and 70.0 FT%, 5.0 REB, 1.5 AST, 1.0 STL, 1.5 BLK, and no turnovers. This has him ranked inside the top-40 for the previous week on Yahoo.
Now, this won't be going on for long as Draymond Green is expected back any game now, so Kuminga's playing time is in jeopardy. Also, I'm not really expecting him to play this well even if he gets 22 minutes per game as he did in the previous two games. But for a short-term punt and a streaming option in a really deep league - why not?
Other Deep League Options for the Week
Rostered in less than 25% of Yahoo leagues
Nemanja Bjelica, PF, GSW, (4% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, 3PM, a little bit of everything
Gary Payton II, PG/SG, GSW, (16% Rostered) - Strong Cats: STL, FG%, 3PM - buyer beware: missed his previous game (Jan 14) due to injury
Kevon Looney, PF/C, GSW, (16% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, FG%, STL/BLK
Jonathan Kuminga, SF/PF, GSW, (7% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, PTS, a bit of everything
Juan Toscano-Anderson, SF/PF, GSW, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, AST, STL
Andre Iguodala, SG/SF, GSW, (2% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST, a bit of everything - buyer beware: misses a lot of games due to injuries and rest
Damion Lee, SG/SF, GSW, (2% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, a bit of STL, REB
Immanuel Quickley, PG, NYK, (12% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST, FT% - positive circumstance: is seeing some additional minutes with Derrick Rose missing time
Obi Toppin, SF/PF, NYK, (5% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, STL/BLK
Taj Gibson, PF/C, NYK, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, STL/BLK
Quentin Grimes, SG, NYK, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL - buyer beware: only getting time due to a lot of regulars missing
JaVale McGee, C, PHO, (18% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, STL/BLK, FG%
Cameron Payne, PG/SG, PHO, (8% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, a bit of STL, AST, PTS
Jalen Smith, PF, PHO, (7% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, BLK, FG%
Landry Shamet, PG/SG, PHO, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM
Lance Stephenson, SG/SF, IND, (23% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST
Oshae Brissett, SF/PF, IND, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, a bit of PTS, STL, BLK
Torrey Craig, SG/SF/PF, IND, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB
Keifer Sykes, PG, IND, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST, STL - buyer beware: only getting time due to a lot of regulars missing
Good luck with your next week's matchup! I hope this helps!
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