RADIO
The honeymoon period is over, as many teams have played 20% of the season. You should have a good sense of what your squad is or is not, and begin to formulate plans to deal with it. COVID continues to ravage the NBA schedule. There are some teams who have played only 12 games so far. I am curious how the schedule will be balanced out at the end. Will every team be able to play the same amount of games? Anyways, the postponements just add another reason why the waiver wire can be a friend in times of need. I'll hold your hand and guide you down the waiver wire streets.
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 5 streamers earlier this week and will continue to do so all season long. I will be chiming in mid-week to add some sprinkles and frosting onto the beautifully baked Zvekic cake.
For the rest of Week 5 (Thursday to Sunday), there are 10 teams with a back-to-back and two teams who play three games. Check out the schedule grid for a better picture. As usual, I will try and isolate players who are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues and could contribute.
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ATLANTA HAWKS
The Hawks travel to Minnesota on Friday then to Milwaukee on Sunday. MIN is 7th in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. MIL is 6th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics travel to Philadelphia on Friday then host the Cavs on Sunday. PHI is 4th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. CLE is 28th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. Daniel Theis (C - 41% rostered) isn't starting with Tristan Thompson back in the mix and has only played 20 minutes the past two games. If you need rebounds, though, he could be serviceable. Don't expect much else. Tristan Thompson (PF/C - 26% rostered) is starting but only plays around 24-26 minutes per game. Like Theis, he will provide rebounds. Unlike Theis, he will contribute blocks and steals.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets travel to Cleveland on Friday then host the Heat the following day. CLE is 28th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. MIA is 13th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. Jeff Green (SF/PF/C - 6% rostered) has started the last eight games and averaged over 30 minutes per game. He's a low usage rate player but will provide three-pointers and rebounds. When Kyrie Irving returns, Green will lose playing time but should remain a part of the rotation.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets host the Bulls on Friday then travel to Orlando on Sunday. CHI is 2nd in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. Bismack Biyombo (C - 19% rostered) is the starter and provides rebounds and blocks. After averaging around 25 minutes per game for seven games, Biyombo played a season-high 34 against the Raptors last time out. Not sure why and if it's an outlier but something to keep an eye on.
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls travel to Charlotte on Friday then host the Lakers the following day. CHA is 20th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. LAL is 15th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. Garrett Temple (PG/SG - 6% rostered) has started two of the last four games due to injuries. In those instances, he's playing over 32 minutes per game and providing points, three-pointers, some rebounds, and defensive numbers. Even when coming off the bench, he's a part of the rotation and will play in the low-20s. Patrick Williams is dealing with a hip contusion so Temple could notch more starts this week. Thaddeus Young (PF - 7% rostered) is averaging 23.5 minutes per game off the bench in 10 games this season. He garners a respectable usage rate of 19 and is averaging 8 shots per game. This has translated to 10.4 points. His primary contributions, though, are rebounds and defensive stats. He has also been averaging three assists per game which is a nice bonus. The field goal percentage is excellent but the free throw shooting is terrible at 61%.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers host the Nets on Friday then travel to Boston on Sunday. BKN is 5th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. BOS is 18th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. Isaac Okoro (SF - 10% rostered) has started the last six games and averaged 36.4 minutes per game, with two of those at least 40 minutes. Okoro is a low usage player, so don't expect many points, but he will contribute a little in every category. Now, he's getting extra run due to the injuries for Darius Garland and Collin Sexton so keep an eye on their statuses if going with Okoro. Cedi Osman (SF/PF - 31% rostered) has also benefited from the SexLand injuries. He's started the last six games and averaged 35.4 minutes, 14.2 points, 2.2 three-pointers, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The shooting efficiency has been beyond awful at 35%, but he's garnered a 23.7 usage rate and shot 15.3 per game. He will turn back into a pumpkin when SexLand get healthy. Damyean Dotson (SG - 4% rostered) has started the past five games and averaged 36.7 minutes per game. He will provide points, three-pointers, assists, and some steals. SexLand are both still questionable so all three of Okoro, Osman, and Dotson could have short-term value.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks travel to San Antonio on Friday then host the Rockets the following day. SA is 17th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. HOU is 8th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. James Johnson (PF/C - 5% rostered) has averaged 25.7 minutes over the last four games. He's contributed 11.3 points, 1.5 three-pointers, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 steal, and 1.5 blocks per game. The free-throw shooting has been atrocious at 37% but he's converting 54% of his field-goal attempts. Willie Cauley-Stein (PF/C - 15% rostered) has started the past seven games and averaged 26.1 minutes. He's provided rebounds and defensive stats. Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell are close to returning, so Cauley-Stein's run may be coming to an end.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets travel to Phoenix for back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. PHX is 29th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. Paul Millsap (PF/C - 44% rostered) has started every game this season but is only averaging 24 minutes per game. Most of the time the contributions are boring, but he does have the ability to contribute in every category and can access ceiling games like he did on Tuesday: 13 points, two three-pointers, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. P. J. Dozier (PG/SG - 3% rostered) averages around 23 minutes per game and provides three-pointers, rebounds, and steals. Monte Morris (PG/SG - 23% rostered) leads the league in assist-to-turnover ratio. Woo hoo! He also plays 26 minutes a night and will provide some points with a side of assists and steals. Gary Harris (SG/SF - 18% rostered) starts and averages 30 minutes per game. The shooting efficiency is always an issue but he can provide three-pointers and steals.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons host the Rockets on Friday then the 76ers on Saturday. HOU is 8th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. PHI is 4th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. Josh Jackson (SG/SF - 12% rostered) is a hired gun if you need points. He's no longer starting and is only receiving around 20 minutes of playing time each game, but when he's out on the court, he's hucking and chucking. The usage rate is 25 and he's hoisting up 11 shots per game. He will also contribute three-pointers and steals.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors host the Knicks on Thursday then travel to Utah on Saturday. NYK is 30th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 24th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets travel to Detroit on Friday then to Dallas the following day. Eric Gordon (SG/SF - 48% rostered) garners a respectable usage rate around 24, whether he starts or comes off the bench. When he's out on the court, he's shooting, shooting, then shooting some more. He provides a good amount of three-pointers and has been contributing in the defensive categories. I'm not sure that continues but it is what is for now. P. J. Tucker (PF/C - 21% rostered) starts and plays a ton of minutes. The usage rate is a laughable 8 on the season but that's not why you roster him. Tucker provides three-pointers, rebounds, and defensive stats.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers host the Magic on Friday then the Raptors on Sunday. ORL is 20th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 10th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. Justin Holiday (SG/SF - 35% rostered) has been starting due to all the injuries and averaged 30.7 minutes per game. Holiday is a 3-and-D player who will trip into a few rebounds. Doug McDermott (SF/PF - 13% rostered) is a 3-and-no D player. McDermott is strictly a points and three-point specialist who can light it up on any given night. He's gone for at least 20 points in two of the past four games.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers host the Thunder on Friday and Sunday. OKC is 12th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. Patrick Beverley (PG/SG - 22% rostered) will always have issues shooting, but he provides three-pointers, some assists, rebounds very well for his position, and gets steals and blocks. Marcus Morris (PF/C - 27% rostered) can light it up, as evidenced by the 20 and 18 points on 63% and 58% shooting from the field the last two games. He also can shoot 37% from the field as he did in consecutive games prior to the heaters. Morris provides points, three-pointers, and some rebounds.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers travel to Milwaukee on Thursday then to Chicago on Saturday. MIL is 6th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. CHI is 2nd in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. Kyle Kuzma (SF/PF - 44% rostered) only plays around 24 minutes per game, but he provides points, three-pointers, and rebounds. Over the past four games, he's pulled down at least 10 rebounds in three of them.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies travel to Portland on Friday then host the Kings on Sunday. POR is 11th in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. SAC is 13th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. Xavier Tillman (PF - 17% rostered) has played 29 and 28 minutes in the last two games. He started one because Jonas Valanciunas is in COVID protocols but came off the bench in the other with Valanciunas in the lineup, so that's encouraging. Tillman has the ability to score, but he's out there more for his defense. Rebounds and defensive stats are what he will contribute.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat travel to Toronto on Friday then Brooklyn the following day. TOR is 10th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. BKN is 5th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. Kelly Olynyk (PF/C - 40% rostered) has started the last seven games and averaged 31 minutes per game. He can score and drain three-pointers while also contributing in rebounds, assists, and the defensive categories. He is inconsistent, though.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks host the Lakers on Thursday, then the Wizards the following day, then the Hawks on Sunday. LAL is 15th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. ATL is 9th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves host the Hawks on Friday then the Pelicans on Saturday. ATL is 9th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. NOP is 26th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. Jarred Vanderbilt (SF - 6% rostered) received his first start last game and contributed eight points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block in 29 minutes. Juan Hernangomez was out but there's a chance Vanderbilt becomes the starting power forward. The coaching staff has been raving about him. Naz Reid (C - 12% rostered) got the start again last game with Karl-Anthony Towns out with a wrist injury. He played 28 minutes and contributed nine points, a three-pointer, two rebounds, an assist, two steals, and one block. The efficiency is a concern, as he shot 44% from the field, but he can provide production in every category while Towns is out.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans travel to Utah on Thursday then to Minnesota on Saturday. UTA is 24th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. MIN is 7th in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. Josh Hart (SG/SF - 25% rostered) isn't sexy but he plays in the mid-to-high 20 minutes per game range and provides some three-pointers, rebounds, and steals. He's averaging 7.7 rebounds per game on the season, which is robust for his position.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks travel to San Francisco on Thursday, then to Sacramento the following day, then to Portland on Sunday. GSW is 3rd in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. SAC is 13th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. POR is 11th in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. Immanuel Quickley (PG - 43% rostered) has shown that he can play in the league. The only problem is that the minutes have been all over the map. He played 15 minutes last game while playing 28 and 29 in two of the prior four games. He can provide points, three-pointers, assists, and defensive stats. He may be more of a long-term stash than a streamer.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder travel to Los Angeles for games against the Clippers on Friday and Sunday. LAC is 27th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. Luguentz Dort (SG/SF - 47% rostered) is starting and averaging close to 30 minutes per game. He racks up steals, rebounds, and three-pointers. The usage rate is a respectable 18 and he's jacking up around 10 shots per game. He's shooting 48% from the field after posting a 39% mark last season. George Hill (PG/SG - 20% rostered) isn't sexy but he plays around 26 minutes per game and contributes some points, three-pointers, assists, and steals.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic travel to Indiana on Friday then host the Hornets on Sunday. IND is 15th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. CHA is 20th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The 76ers host the Celtics on Friday then travel to Detroit the following day. BOS is 19th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. DET is 23rd in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns host the Nuggets on Friday and Saturday. DEN is 25th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. Cameron Johnson (SF/PF - 35% rostered) got his first start of the season but only played 23 minutes. He can provide three-pointers and points with some rebounds.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers host the Grizzlies on Friday then the Knicks on Sunday. MEM is 17th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. NYK is 30th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. Rodney Hood (SG/SF - 17% rostered) got the start for C. J. McCollum and played 25 minutes. He scored 21 points while contributing two three-pointers, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal. He may or may not continue starting for McCollum, but he should play over 20 minutes per game and contribute points. Carmelo Anthony (SF/PF - 39% rostered) should pick up some of the offensive slack vacated by McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings host the Knicks on Friday then travel to Memphis on Sunday. NYK is 30th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. MEM is 17th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs host the Mavericks on Friday then the Wizards on Sunday. DAL is 22nd in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. Devin Vassell (SG - 3% rostered) has averaged 23 minutes over the past three games. He will contribute rebounds and some three-pointers but he's all about the steals. He's notched at least one steal in every game but two. He has a 10-game streak with at least one steal. Rudy Gay (SF/PF - 24% rostered) only plays around 21-22 minutes per game but he can provide a little something in every category. He occasionally accesses ceiling games as well, like his 21-point outburst in his last game with five three-pointers, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors host the Heat on Friday then travel to Indiana on Sunday. MIA is 13th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. IND is 15th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz host the Pelicans on Thursday then the Warriors on Saturday. NOP is 26th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. GSW is 3rd in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. Royce O'Neale (SF/PF - 27% rostered) is a top 110 player on the season. He starts and plays over 32 minutes per game. The usage is low, so the points will rarely be abundant, but he provides three-pointers, rebounds, some assists, and a little in the defensive categories.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards travel to Milwaukee on Friday then to San Antonio on Sunday. MIL is 6th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. SA is 17th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. Robin Lopez (C - 12% rostered) received the start and played 26 minutes in place of injured Thomas Bryant. He's a rebound and block player. Moritz Wagner (PF/C - 8% rostered) played 22 minutes backing up Lopez. Wagner is a rebound and three-point player.
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