Week 5 of the NBA season is wrapping up, and H2H league managers should be fighting for every category win possible to ensure a good position in the playoffs. Today's column focuses on last minute fights for categories on Saturday and Sunday.
Remember, these streamers are solely for short term gains in specific categories. For recommendations on guys to add for the long-term, be sure to check out our Waiver Wire Pickups List.
NBA Waiver Wire : Category Streamers – Weekend Edition (Week 5)
NBA Waiver Wire : Category Streamers – Weekend Edition (Week 5)
Weekend of 11/28 & 11/29
Teams with 2 games: BKN, LAL, TOR
Teams with 0 games: CHI, MIA, OKC
Points
Luis Scola (PF/C, TOR)
Owned in 30% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, Nov. 28 @ Washington & Sunday Nov. 29 vs. Phoenix
ANALYSIS: The veteran forward from Argentina already had a role in the Raptors frontcourt, but the injury last week to starting center Jonas Valanciunas has provided Scola with more opportunity on the floor. In his past 5 games, Scola has averaged 17 ppg and has proven to be a skilled offensive player in his 9 year career. The Raptors have a full schedule this weekend, and take on two teams that place in the bottom six in opponents FG%. Look for Scola’s resurgence to continue through Sunday.
Rebounds
Bismack Biyombo (C, TOR)
Owned in 14% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, Nov. 28 @ Washington & Sunday Nov. 29 vs. Phoenix
ANALYSIS: Biyombo, a former lottery pick, has had a career to this point that can be described as nothing short of underwhelming and disappointing. However, the injury last Friday evening to Valanciunas has created an opening in the Raptors starting lineup and Biyombo now holds significant value in the rebounding category.
In two starts since the injury, Biyombo has played over 30 minutes in both, and has averaged an eye-catching 13 rpg. Don’t expect long term value here, but with two games on the schedule this weekend, Biyombo could be exactly the player you need to win you the rebounding category.
Assists
Greivis Vasquez (PG/SG, MIL)
Owned in 4% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Sunday, Nov. 29 @ Charlotte
ANALYSIS: The assists pool is rather shallow these days, but Vasquez has been able to provide them despite his inconsistent swings in minutes played. Averaging just below 20 minutes per game on the season is not a desirable number, but even in limited time, Vasquez has actually dished out assists at an impressive rate. Over his past 5 contests, general Greivis has averaged 4.2 assists including 7 in only 16 minutes of action on Wednesday night.
Steals
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SG/SF, BKN)
Owned in 13% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, Nov. 28 @ Cleveland & Sunday, Nov. 29 vs. Detroit
ANALYSIS: The rookie out of Arizona has been one of the few bright spots in a lost season for Brooklyn, as he was able to seize the starting small forward role early, and does not face much competition for minutes. Playing over 30 minutes in 2 of his previous 3 contests, Hollis-Jefferson has compiled 8 steals in those games, and has averaged 1.5 spg on the year. With two games on the slate this weekend, expect multiple steals from the rookie to help you take that category.
Blocks
Jerami Grant (SF/PF, PHI)
Owned in 10% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Sunday, Nov. 29 @ Memphis
ANALYSIS: Fantasy basketball players know that blocks are one of the hardest stats to project, and are usually centralized within a group of players known for swatting away shots. This is Grant’s third straight week in this spot (he is averaging 1.7 bpg on the year), because he continues to amaze on the defensive end, showing the timing and athleticism of an elite shot blocker. Those skills are on full display in this clip from earlier this month where Grant stifled Kevin Love for an outstanding recovery block. He is a lock to record at least one block Sunday, but expecting multiple swats has become the norm for Grant.
Three Pointers
Gary Harris (SG, DEN)
Owned in 13% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, Nov. 28 @ Dallas
ANALYSIS: Harris opened the season as the Nuggets starting shooting guard, and has provided a consistent threat from beyond the arc, converting on a three pointer in all but two games thus far while stroking the long ball at a 44% clip. In his past 5 games Harris is averaging 2.0 three pointers made, and despite a difficult matchup against a solid Mavericks defense that has done a good job defending the three ball this season, Harris should be able to continue his consistent shooting from downtown.
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