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With fantasy playoffs coming up in a couple of weeks (or even less), for teams that are in pursuit of a playoff spot or a higher seed, streaming is a powerful tool. With bottom-of-the-bench guys having less and less time to prove their value, if their schedule doesn't help you, it might be a good time to part ways.
Every week I take a look ahead at the NBA schedule and pinpoint some critical days where fantasy GMs will have a tough time fielding a full lineup and suggest some options to fill that void. This week is no different.
Here are my thoughts on the fantasy basketball streamers for Week 14.
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NBA Schedule Guide - Week 14
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
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards
Teams with 3 games:
Cleveland Cavaliers
Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Toronto Raptors
Number of teams playing each day:
Monday: 22
Tuesday: 8
Wednesday: 20
Thursday: 14
Friday: 20
Saturday: 16
Sunday: 14
Back-to-Backs (beware of older or banged-up players who might rest):
Monday/Tuesday: LAC, WAS
Tuesday/Wednesday: PHO
Wednesday/Thursday: BKN, DET, MIA, SAS
Thursday/Friday: ATL, CHA, GSW, NOP
Friday/Saturday: DAL, IND, MIL, MIN, NYK, OKC, POR, SAC, UTA
Saturday/Sunday: ORL, PHI
Sunday/Monday the following: BKN, HOU
Days with SEVEN or fewer games:
Tuesday: 4 games
Thursday: 7 games
Sunday: 7 games
Teams playing on all three days:
Atlanta Hawks (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Charlotte Hornets (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Los Angeles Clippers (4 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sun)
Orlando Magic (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Denver Nuggets (3 games - Tue, Thurs, Sun)
Teams playing on Tuesday and Thursday:
Atlanta Hawks (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Charlotte Hornets (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Los Angeles Clippers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Orlando Magic (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Denver Nuggets (3 games - Tue, Thurs, Sun)
Washington Wizards (4 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat)
Teams playing on Tuesday and Sunday:
Atlanta Hawks (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Charlotte Hornets (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Los Angeles Clippers (4 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sun)
Orlando Magic (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Denver Nuggets (3 games - Tue, Thurs, Sun)
Teams playing on Thursday and Sunday:
Atlanta Hawks (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Charlotte Hornets (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Los Angeles Clippers (4 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sun)
Orlando Magic (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Denver Nuggets (3 games - Tue, Thurs, Sun)
Brooklyn Nets (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun)
Golden State Warriors (4 games - Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
New Orleans Pelicans (4 games - Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Teams with a GOOD START to the week (three games from Monday to Thursday)
Brooklyn Nets (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun)
Detroit Pistons (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat)
Los Angeles Clippers (4 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sun)
Miami Heat (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat)
San Antonio Spurs (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat)
Washington Wizards (4 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat)
Teams with a GOOD END to the week (three games from Thursday to Sunday)
Atlanta Hawks (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Charlotte Hornets (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Golden State Warriors (4 games - Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
New Orleans Pelicans (4 games - Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Orlando Magic (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Teams with a POOR START to the week (one or no games from Monday to Thursday)
Los Angeles Lakers (3 games - Wed, Fri, Sun)
Portland Trail Blazers (3 games - Wed, Fri, Sat)
Teams with a POOR END to the week (one or no games from Thursday to Sunday)
Phoenix Suns (3 games - Tue, Wed, Fri)
Toronto Raptors (3 games - Mon, Wed, Fri)
Baller Streaming Strategy for Week 14
With Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday being the only days with seven or fewer games played, our focus will be on teams that play on these days. Especially since there are six such teams, so there should be enough options available out there in most leagues for us fantasy managers to fill some gaps in our rosters on these days.
Teams that play on all three days are Atlanta, Charlotte, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando, Philadelphia (all with a four-game week) and Denver (with three games next week). Players from these teams will be our focus today.
By the way, Orlando really shuffled their roster at the trade deadline, so their players could all be good shouts even in the long run. But I'm really not sure who out of this bunch will perform and who will not.
Streaming Options for Week 14
Shallower League Streaming Adds for the Week (Rostered in 25-75 % of Yahoo leagues):
Danilo Gallinari, SF/PF, ATL, (65% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Kevin Huerter, SG/SF, ATL, (58% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%, STL, AST
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF/PF, ATL, (49% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, a bit of everything
Lou Williams, PG/SG, ATL, (44% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT% - buyer beware: just joined via trade, we're not sure of his role on the Hawks yet
De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF, ATL, (55% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, REB, STL- buyer beware: just returned from injury (played two games) and sat out again on Friday due to a sore knee
Miles Bridges, SF/PF, CHA, (44% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, STL/BLK
Ivica Zubac, C, LAC, (45% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, BLK - positive circumstance: is getting more minutes due to Serge Ibaka being out
Nicolas Batum, SF/PF, LAC, (35% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST, STL, REB, FT%
Wendell Carter Jr., C, ORL, (72% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, BLK, FG% - buyer beware: just joined via trade, we're not sure of his role on the Magic yet, but should start at C and get enough time and opportunity to prove his worth
Otto Porter Jr., SF/PF, ORL, (43% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, STL - buyer beware: just joined via trade, we're not sure of his role on the Magic yet
Terrence Ross, SG/SF, ORL, (65% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%, STL - buyer beware: missed the previous six games due to a knee issue but should be the primary scoring option on the Magic when healthy
Seth Curry, PG/SG, PHI, (58% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%, AST - buyer beware: missed three games about a week ago due to a sprained ankle (returned in their previous game though)
Dwight Howard, C, PHI, (39% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, BLK, FG% - buyer beware: poor FT%
Danny Green, SG/SF, PHI, (40% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL/BLK, a bit little of everything
Will Barton, SG/SF, DEN, (58% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, REB, STL
Paul Millsap, PF/C, DEN, (31% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, BLK/STL, FG% - buyer beware: could lose value due to Aaron Gordon and JaVale McGee coming in via trade
Shallower League Add
Danny Green, SG/SF, PHI, (40% Rostered)
Strong Cats: 3PM, STL/BLK, a bit little of everything
What a fantasy beast has Danny been since Joel Embiid went down. In the previous two weeks he is averaging 15.0 PTS with 4.1 3PM on 47.4 FG% and 100.0 FT% (hit both of his free throws), 3.6 REB, 0.9 AST, 2.0 STL, 1.3 BLK and 1.0 TO in 30 minutes a game. This has him at #34 in Yahoo rankings over this period.
Some of his highlights include a 28-point game with eight 3-pointers and a gem of a full stat line in another game with five steals and three blocks.
Of course, Green is always a liability to go 1-of-10 from the field, but he hit at least one three in 24 straight games and had at least one stock in all but one of his previous 15 games. This alone is worth it for most owners who need help in these categories.
When you take his hot form into consideration, Green surely deserves to be rostered in more than 40% of leagues and could really do wonders in your next week's matchup with his four games on such a favorable schedule.
Deeper League Add
Malik Monk, PG/SG, CHA, (22% Rostered)
Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Positive Circumstance: is getting more minutes and touches due to LaMelo Ball being out
Rookie of the Year favorite LaMelo Ball went down with a fractured wrist that will keep him out until at least near the end of the season. And as he went down Monk went up!
In the three games without Ball, Monk is averaging 20.7 points with 2.7 threes on 57.1% from the field and no misses in his six attempts from the charity stripe, along with 3.9 boards, 2.3 dimes, 1.3 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.3 turnovers in 25 minutes per game.
Now, even though Monk isnt this good a shooter usually, and he doesnt steal the ball this often, this new opportunity could bring out the best of him. If it does, he could be a season-long keeper.
If you need some threes, points and a good free throw shooter to help out with a four-game week on the scarce days next week, Monk fits this role perfectly.
Insanely Deep League Add
Bismack Biyombo, C, CHA, (3% Rostered)
Strong Cats: REB, FG%, BLK
Positive Circumstance: is starting at center at the moment
If you're familiar with the "It Ain't Much, But It's Honest Work" Meme, then you will know exactly what it feels like having Biyombo on your roster lately. His averages over the past month describe what to expect from him perfectly: 5.0 PTS on 61.4 FG% and 52.4 FT%, 4.6 REB, 1.2 AST, 0.3 STL, 1.2 BLK and 1.1 TO in 21 minutes per game.
However, he seems to have surpassed Cody Zeller in the pecking order and is getting over 24 minutes a game over his last four games. If this playing time sticks, Biyombo could be quite helpful for fantasy managers looking for some boards and blocks. He will miss a few free throws, so be aware of this if your team can't handle it.
Don't expect any flashy lines from him (although he did have a four-block game just last week), but you can count on the big-man stats he provides night-in night-out.
Other Deep League Options for the Week
Rostered in less than 25% of Yahoo leagues
Tony Snell, SG/SF, ATL, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM
Solomon Hill, SG/SF, ATL, (0% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
Malik Monk, PG/SG, CHA, (22% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS - positive circumstance: is getting more minutes and touches due to LaMelo Ball being out
Cody Zeller, C, CHA, (10% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, FG%, STL/BLK - buyer beware: lost a lot of playing time
Bismack Biyombo, C, CHA, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, FG%, BLK - positive circumstance: is starting at center at the moment
Cody Martin, SG/SF, CHA, (0% Rostered) - Strong Cats: I'm not sure really
Brad Wanamaker, PG/SG, CHA, (0% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%, STL - buyer beware: just joined via trade, we're not sure of his role on the Hornets yet, but could see some backup PG/SG minutes with LaMelo Ball out
Marcus Morris, PF/C, LAC, (24% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, PTS - buyer beware: is currently having issues with his calf
Luke Kennard, SG/SF, LAC, (7% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB - buyer beware: gets inconsistent minutes
Reggie Jackson, PG/SG, LAC, (5% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL, AST
Terance Mann, SF, LAC, (2% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, REB, AST
Rajon Rondo, PG, LAC, (4% Rostered) - Strong Cats: STL, AST - buyer beware: just joined via trade, we're not sure of his role on the Clippers yet
Michael Carter-Williams, PG/SG, ORL, (14% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST, STL/BLK, REB
Khem Birch, PF/C, ORL, (9% Rostered) - Strong Cats: STL/BLK, REB
Dwayne Bacon, SG, ORL, (2% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS
James Ennis III, SG/SF, ORL, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, REB
Mo Bamba, C, ORL, (6% Rostered) - Strong Cats: BLK, REB
Chuma Okeke, PF, ORL, (17% Rostered) - Strong Cats: STL/BLK, REB, 3PM
Shake Milton, PG/SG, PHI, (24% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%, AST
Matisse Thybulle, SG/SF, PHI, (10% Rostered) - Strong Cats: STL/BLK
Furkan Korkmaz, SG/SF, PHI, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
Mike Scott, SF/PF, PHI, (0% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
Monte Morris, PG/SG, DEN, (8% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST, 3PM, STL - buyer beware: missed the last two weeks due to a quad injury
Facundo Campazzo, PG, DEN, (2% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST, STL
PJ Dozier, PG/SG, DEN, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
JaMychal Green, PF/C, DEN, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, 3PM - buyer beware: could lose value due to Aaron Gordon and JaVale McGee coming in via trade
JaVale McGee, C, DEN, (4% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, FG%, BLK - buyer beware: just joined via trade, we're not sure of his role on the Nuggets yet
Good luck with your matchups next week guys! Let's get that win!
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