RADIO
This is the stretch run -- in many leagues, it is the last week before the fantasy playoffs. Now it's all about what your available roster spots can do for you now. There's no point in holding onto a guy who's banged up or struggling. Instead, you should be focusing on maximizing contributions every day to key categories that will determine whether you win or lose your weekly matchup.
This column is posted weekly as part of RotoBaller's regular season NBA coverage for the 2015-16 NBA season. It will focus on available players who could win you your H2H matchup in specific categories.
Last thing, we’ll usually only focus on one player per category, but list other available options underneath. Certain guys might be listed in more than one category, so if you need help in both, be sure to make those players a priority.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
NBA Waiver Wire: Week 19 Category Streamers
Weekend of 3/11, 3/12 & 3/13
Teams with 2 games: ATL, BKN, CHA, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, MIA, MIL, MEM, NOP, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHI, POR, SAC, UTA, WSH
Teams with 1 game: BOS, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, LAL, MIN, PHO, SAS, TOR
Points
Jerryd Bayless (PG/SG, MIL)
Owned in 25% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, March 12 vs. New Orleans & Sunday, March 13 @ Brooklyn
ANALYSIS: Bayless was playing well even before the season-ending hip injury suffered by Michael Carter-Williams. The injury, however, will open up a ton of minutes for Bayless and also increase his chance to have the ball in his hands. Bayless has emerged as a player who has significant range from downtown, allowing him to fill it up on a given night. Factor in his opponents this weekend (New Orleans ranks 24th in opponents ppg and Brooklyn ranks 21st), and the Bucks combo guard has the chance to score in droves this weekend. His back-to-back games to end the week could be the perfect remedy to tip the scoring scales in your favor.
Other alternatives: Underrated Nuggets two-guard Gary Harris has not scored below 15 points in any game since February 24 and is a great “1b” option for the weekend. Bojan Bogdanovic of the Nets is a young player who has really emerged as a reliable scoring option for a depleted roster. The enigmatic but talented Lance Stephenson has played better basketball since being dealt to the Grizzlies, who are one of the NBA’s most banged up teams playing Stephenson healthy minutes at multiple positions. Timberwolves swingman Shabazz Muhammad is always a decent, albeit inconsistent scoring option for fantasy owners, capable of scoring around 20 on a given night…or single digits.
Rebounds
Ed Davis (PF/C, POR)
Owned in 47% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, March 11 @ Golden State & Saturday, March 12 vs. Orlando
ANALYSIS: Davis is a player on the rise in fantasy circles, primarily for his rebounding prowess. Over his last 10 contests, Davis is averaging 7.9 rpg and is coming off an impressive 15-rebound game Tuesday against the Wizards. He doesn’t have much frontcourt competition and is still a young player the Blazers want to continue to develop. Davis has a back-to-back to kick off the weekend against two teams that rank in the middle-of-the-pack in opponents rebounds allowed
Other alternatives: Thunder big man Steven Adams has been a steady source for boards all year long (6.4 rpg), and has grabbed at least 8 of them in three of his previous five. Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green went from obscure to relevant following Memphis’ rash of injuries and is coming off a monster stat-stuffing game on Monday that saw him contribute 10 rebounds. Brandon Bass of the Lakers is playing more frequently (mid-high 20s) of late and has managed a useful 19 boards over his last three games. Ian Mahinmi of the Pacers cracks the weekend list for blocks, but is also a reliable source of rebounds, averaging 7.2 for the season. Suns swingman P.J. Tucker provides excellent rebounding numbers out of the SG/SF spot and is currently averaging 7.3 rpg in the month of March.
Assists
Norris Cole (PG/SG, NOP)
Owned in 30% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, March 11 @ Memphis & Saturday, March 12 @ Milwaukee
ANALYSIS: Cole has made himself fantasy relevant this season, his first full season for the Pelicans, playing a career-high 26 minutes per game and averaging a career-high 3.7 assists per game. While that number doesn’t jump off the page, his recent assist numbers should. Cole has averaged 6.5 assists in his previous six games, a number that could prove pivotal in back-to-back road games this weekend. Just check up on his status before investing in his dimes, as he was scratched from Wednesday night’s game with a sore back.
Other alternatives: Shane Larkin of the Nets continues his battle for point guard minutes and has overachieved of late, averaging over 5.0 assists in his previous seven contests. The Suns' Ronnie Price is a point guard currently receiving a ton of usage and are strong bets in the steals and assists category this weekend. Shelvin Mack came to the Jazz over the trade deadline and immediately generated buzz for fantasy owners, but has yet to achieve what most owners expected. With a two-game slate this weekend and strong minutes ahead, he could potentially deliver just enough dimes to win the category.
Steals
Tony Allen (SG/SF, MEM)
Owned in 44% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, March 11 vs. New Orleans & Saturday, March 12 @ Atlanta
ANALYSIS: The defensive minded swingman returned to action Monday after missing his previous eight games in a big way. Allen’s rare offensive explosion is sure to be a fluke, but his five steals are not out of the ordinary. Allen has always been a fantasy gem when it comes to steals, averaging 1.7 spg in six seasons with the Grizz. That number alone should have him rostered in most leagues, and when you factor in the myriad of injuries currently plaguing his team, Allen is a must-own player for those in need of steals with a two-game slate scheduled this weekend.
Other alternatives: Like Allen, Corey Brewer has always been gold in the steals category for fantasy owners and has 7 thefts in three March games. The Suns have turned to Ronnie Price as their starting point guard and has averaged 2.0 spg for the month. Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley is a hard-nosed player coming off a 3 and 4 steal night in his previous two contests.
Blocks
Ian Mahinmi (C, IND)
Owned in 34% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, March 12 @ Dallas & Sunday, March 13 @ Atlanta
ANALYSIS: The Pacers starting center is valuable on fantasy rosters for his contributions in blocks, rebounds, and FG%. Mahinmi has swatted multiple shots in four of his last five games, for a total of a very impressive 12 blocks in that stretch. His minutes are steady, his role is clearly defined, and he should be a reliable option for blocked shots this weekend in back-to-back games to end the week.
Other alternatives: Jerami Grant has been bright spot for the 76ers and a gem for fantasy owners in need of blocks this season, ranking right around the top 10 in the NBA (1.6 bpg) with an ownership percentage far lower than it should be (20%). Ed Davis is rebounding the basketball at an impressive rate for the Blazers as mentioned above, but is also a solid source of blocks of late, averaging slightly below 2.0 bpg since the end of February. Bulls forward Taj Gibson is said to be ailing, but the coaching staff appears ready to ride him hard for the remainder of the season, and his season average of 1.1 bpg could be valuable for owners.
Three Pointers
Mirza Teletovic (SF/PF, PHO)
Owned in 51% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, March 12 @ Golden State
ANALYSIS: Yes, Teletovic only has one game this weekend and it happens to be against the NBA’s top ranked defense in terms of opponent 3PT shooting %, but he has been as reliable as anyone from downtown between February – March, averaging right around 3.0 threes per game. Concerned about the difficult matchup? That is certainly fair, however, in three games against the Warriors this season, Teletovic hasn’t skipped a beat, has shot 50.0% from long range, averaging 2.3 3PM. His lone game could be more than enough to win you the category.
Other alternatives: D.J. Augustin has done well since being acquired by the Nuggets at the trade deadline. He is playing consistently over 20 minutes per game and has connected on 10 threes in his previous four games. Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy is getting heavy usage in his last five games (28 mpg) and has knocked down 12 threes in that stretch. Magic point guard Brandon Jennings has had an up-and-down tenure in his brief stint after a February trade, as the coaching staff has been playing him sporadically. If you believe he is going to get significant playing time this weekend, he faces two opponents in the bottom 10 of the league in terms of opponent 3PT%. Bayless is a prime scoring option this weekend, but also has a knack for the three-ball, averaging 2.0 on the season.
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