RADIO
Tick. Tock. There are still around 11 weeks left in the fantasy basketball season, depending on your league settings, but the end will present its ugly face sooner than later. Don't procrastinate until it's too late. Notch as many wins and stats as you can by mining the waiver wire.
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 8 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 8 (Thursday to Sunday), there are 4 teams with a back-to-back (ATL, NYK, PHX, and UTA), three teams play three games (ORL and POR), while three teams (BKN, CHI, and WAS) play one game. 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 host the Spurs on Friday then the Pacers the following day. SA is 10th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. IND is 13th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics host the Raptors on Friday then the Pistons on Sunday. TOR is 10th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. DET is 22nd in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. Tristan Thompson (PF/C - 23% rostered) has started the last five games. Over that span, he's averaged 24.3 minutes, 10.8 points, and 8.4 rebounds. He will also provide a good field goal percentage of over 50%. The free-throw shooting isn't great at 63% and he doesn't provide much else, but if you need rebounds, Thompson is your guy.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets travel to San Franciso on Saturday. GS is 2nd in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets host the Timberwolves on Friday then the Spurs on Sunday. MIN is 8th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. SA is 10th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. Malik Monk (PG/SG - 10% rostered) has played 26, 32, 27, 28, and 40 minutes in the last five games due to injuries. Devonte' Graham is still dealing with a groin injury so Monk could continue seeing significant run. If so, he can provide points and three-pointers. He scored a career-high 36 points five games ago, so the ceiling is high. He also scored six points on 37% shooting three games ago, so the range is wide.
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls host the Clippers on Friday. LAC is 28th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers travel to Portland on Friday then to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Sunday. POR is 15th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. LAC is 28th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. With Larry Nance out for a significant portion of time, Taurean Prince (SF/PF - 12% rostered) should see a ton of playing time. In the first game that Nance missed, Prince didn't start but still played 25 minutes. In the prior three games that Nance missed, though, he played 33, 28, and 32 minutes. Prince can provide three-pointers, rebounds, and a smidgen of defensive stats. The shooting efficiency is always a concern (40% on the season) but he has converted 45% of his attempts over the last four games.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks host the Pelicans on Friday then the Trail Blazers on Sunday. NOP is 20th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. POR is 15th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. Dorian Finney-Smith (SF/PF - 7% rostered) starts and plays around 30 minutes per game. He's a low usage player, though, so points shouldn't be expected. What he provides are three-pointers, rebounds, and steals.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets host the Thunder on Friday then the Lakers on Sunday. OKC is 9th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. LAL is 19th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. Monte Morris (PG/SG - 18% rostered) plays around 26 minutes per game regardless of the situation but gets to over 30 if he starts. He doesn't turn the ball over and can provide some points and three-pointers, but his main contribution is in the assist category. He also is a very efficient shooter. Just don't expect much in the way of defensive stats.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons host the Pacers on Thursday then travel to Boston on Sunday. IND is 13th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. BOS is 24th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. Josh Jackson (SG/SF - 46% rostered) is a professional hucker and chucker. When he's on the court, he garners a 26 usage rate and hoist up over 10 shots per game. He's averaging 24 minutes per game on the season, but over the last four games, he's played 30, 25, 37, and 29 minutes. He can score, provide three-pointers, and rebounds, but he also contributes in the defensive categories. Now for the bad. There have been seven games in which he's converted fewer than 30% of his attempts.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors host the Magic on Thursday then the Nets on Saturday. ORL is 21st in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. BKN is 6th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. Juan Toscano-Anderson (SF/PF - 16% rostered) has started the last four games due to the injuries to Kevon Looney and James Wiseman. He's been a top 120 player over that span, averaging 32.2 minutes, 8.8 points, 0.8 three-pointers, 9.3 rebounds, three assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 55% from the field. Wiseman is expected back soon, so that would slide Draymond Green back down to power forward with Toscano-Anderson to the bench. With that said, he should still see significant minutes in the mid-20s range.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets host the Heat on Thursday then travel to New York on Saturday. MIA is 23rd in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. NYK is 30th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. Danuel House Jr. (SF/PF - 16% rostered) has played over 30 minutes in three of the last four games. There have been injuries so that likely isn't the New World Order. With that said, he's a part of the rotation and should see minutes in the mid-20s. He can provide points, three-pointers, rebounds, and steals.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers travel to Detroit on Thursday then to Atlanta on Saturday. DET is 22nd in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. ATL is 15th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. T. J. McConnell (PG/SG - 27% rostered) is an assist and steals specialist. Over the last 13 games, he's averaged 25 minutes, 8.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. I'm surprised he's still only rostered in 27% of leagues.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers travel to Chicago on Friday then host the Cavaliers on Sunday. CHI is 3rd in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. CLE is 26th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. Ivica Zubac (C - 39% rostered) has averaged 25 minutes over the last three games and contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 67% from the field and 100% from the line on 2.7 attempts. He was averaging 19.5 for most of the season so not sure the increased playing time sticks but, regardless, he provides rebounds, defensive stats, and good field goal percentage.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers host the Grizzlies on Friday then travel to Denver on Sunday. MEM is 14th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. DEN is 27th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers on Friday then to Sacramento on Sunday. LAL is 19th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. SAC is 10th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. Desmond Bane (PG/SG - 4% rostered) has averaged 24.2 minutes over the last six games. He's contributed 12.5 points, 2.3 three-pointers, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 49% from the field. He did have a streak of seven consecutive games in which he notched a steal as well. Dillon Brooks (SG/SF - 41% rostered) is not for the faint of heart as he will often tank the field goal percentage. With that said, he plays around 30 minutes per game and hoists up over 15 shots, so he can deliver points and three-pointers. He will also chip in some steals and rebounds as well. He has scored in single digits four times, though, despite the heavy minutes and volume.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat travel to Houston on Thursday then to Utah on Saturday. HOU is 5th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 25th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. Kelly Olynyk (PF/C - 37% rostered) is inconsistent and recently went five straight games scoring in single digits. He can get hot, though, like he did the last outing with 20 points and six three-pointers. Over the last six games, Olynyk has scored double-digits in five of them, so the trend is our friend. He will also chip in some rebounds as well.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks travel to Utah on Friday then to Oklahoma City on Sunday. UTA is 25th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. OKC is 9th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. Bryn Forbes (PG/SG - 9% rostered) received the start for the injured Jrue Holiday last game and played 26 minutes while contributing 15 points, three three-pointers, five rebounds, and an assist. Holiday is out for a couple of weeks so Forbes would presumably be making more starts. He's not an exciting option but he should provide some points, three-pointers, and assists if he gets the minutes. Don't expect much in the defensive contributions.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves travel to Charlotte on Friday then to Tampa Bay to face the Raptors on Sunday. CHA is 17th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 10th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans travel to Dallas on Friday. DAL is 18th in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks travels to Washington DC on Friday then host the Rockets the following day. WAS is 1st in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. HOU is 5th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. Reggie Bullock (SG/SF - 3% rostered) is a 3-and-D player, an inconsistent one at that. He had a 21-point, seven three-pointers, four steal game three games ago, so that's the ceiling. He's also scored single digits in 13 games this season with a bagel in 21 minutes for one. Do you like to live dangerously? And how bad do you need three-pointers and steals? Alec Burks (SG/SF - 33% rostered) may cede some playing time to Derrick Rose but he will still likely see playing time in the low-to-mid 20s. Burks can provide points, three-pointers, rebounds, with some assists and steals.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder travel to Denver on Friday then host the Bucks on Sunday. DEN is 27th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. MIL is 7th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. Hamidou Diallo (SG/SF - 40% rostered) has started three of the last four games and averaged 35.5 minutes, 16.8 points, seven rebounds, four assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 48% from the field and 75% from the line. He should continue to get playing time while Theo Maledon is out.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic travel to San Francisco on Thursday, then to Sacramento the following day, then to Phoenix on Sunday. GS is 2nd in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. SAC is 10th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. PHX is 29th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. Frank Mason III (PG - 1% rostered) filled in for the injured Cole Anthony last game and contributed 11 points, one three-pointer, seven rebounds, and four assists in 33 minutes. If Anthony misses time, the Mason should continue starting and would be primarily an assists player while chipping in a few rebounds.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The 76ers travel to Portland on Thursday then to Phoenix on Saturday. POR is 15th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. PHX is 29th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. Matisse Thybulle (SG/SF - 7% rostered) is strictly a defensive specialist. Over the last seven games, he's averaged two steals and 1.1 blocks in 21.7 minutes of action. Unfortunately, he doesn't contribute in anything else.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns host the 76ers on Saturday then the Magic on Sunday. PHI is 4th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. ORL is 21st in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers host the 76ers on Thursday, then the Cavaliers the following night, then travel to Dallas on Sunday. PHI is 4th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. CLE is 26th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. DAL is 18th in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. Carmelo Anthony (SF/PF - 34% rostered) is inconsistent, as he's just as easy to score 20 or two points on any given night. With that said, over the last four games, he has eclipsed the 20-point mark three times. He will also grab some boards and has surprisingly contributed in the defensive categories.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings host the Magic on Friday then the Grizzlies on Sunday. ORL is 21st in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. MEM is 14th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs travel to Atlanta on Friday then to Charlotte on Sunday. ATL is 15th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. CHA is 17th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. Jakob Poeltl (C - 40% rostered) has started the last four games due to the injury for LaMarcus Aldridge, who received a pain-reducing injection for his hip and could be out for an extended period of time. Poeltl has double-doubled in two of the four games and blocked at least one shot in each game (two games with four blocks).
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors travel to Boston on Friday then host the Timberwolves on Sunday. BOS is 24th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. MIN is 8th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz host the Bucks on Friday then the Heat the following day. MIL is 7th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. MIA is 23rd in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. Joe Ingles (SG/SF - 42% rostered) has started the last two games due to Mike Conley's injury. He's played 36 and 32 minutes while scoring 24 and seven points respectively. The injury to Conley doesn't sound serious but there is no timetable for his return, so Ingles should continue to see heavy minutes during that time. He can provide some points, three-pointers, rebounds, and assists. No defensive contributions, though. Even when Conley returns, Ingles should play in the low-to-mid 20s. Royce O'Neale (SF/PF - 33% rostered) contributes a little in every category without hurting you anywhere. He's the opposite of sexy but very functional. On the season, he's averaging 32.3 minutes, 7.9 points, 1.8 three-pointers, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks while shooting 46% from the field and 81% from the line.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards host the Knicks on Friday.
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