Believe it or not, it is week 3 of the NBA fantasy season.  If you have had a worse than expected start to the season--don't panic! I've got some great category streamers for you this week to help you win a close category or two over the weekend.

This column will be posted every week 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.

All of these players will have multiple games over the weekend, but in most cases will only help your team in one or two categories. To be clear, most of these players are “streamers,” meaning that unless they drastically increase their basketball skills overnight, these players should NOT be rostered for an extended period of time in leagues of standard depth. Everyone should only be used if you need help winning a specific category in your matchup and you don’t have to drop anyone valuable.

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 Week 3 Category Streamers

Blocks Streamer

Clint Capela (HOU, PF/C) - 12% owned

Weekend Schedule: Fri @ DEN, Sat vs. DAL

With two excellent match ups this weekend, I had to include Clint Capela as a block streamer. I’ve mentioned before that I like to target tall, athletic bigs against both the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks, and Capela (6’10”, uber athletic) happens to be playing both this weekend.

It’s very evident watching Capela play that he is a future starting center in this league. For now he’s stuck behind Dwight Howard. However, the Rockets have been very clear that they are being cautious with Howard’s health and to start the season have rested Howard on one of the nights of a back-to-back.

I’m not sure which game Howard will miss because the opponents are both pretty bad, but Capela will start which ever one he does sit out. In the two games this season Capela has played at least 25 minutes, he has combined for seven blocked shots, including three against Denver in their first meeting.

Ideally both of these games will be over early, and Capela will get plenty of minutes to rest Howard. Blocks is a tough category to find on the waiver wire week to week, but the favorable situation for Clint Capela this weekend is exactly what you should be looking for in an ideal blocks streamer candidate.

Also consider: Brandan Wright (MEM, PF/C), Steven Adams (OKC, C)

 

3PM Streamer

Marcus Thornton (HOU, SG/SF) - 38% owned

Weekend Schedule: Fri @ DEN, Sat vs. DAL

Well, I was off by one 3PM in my prediction from last week’s article, but Marcus Thornton still hit six combined 3PM last weekend. This weekend, the match ups are even better, and although you’re probably sick of me writing about him by now, he keeps forcing me to include him with his ridiculous numbers.

His two match ups are at Denver on Friday, and at home against Dallas on Saturday. What I like about both of these match ups is that they both could wind up being blowouts, giving Marcus Thornton even more opportunity to score in garbage time.

Even if they’re not blowouts, these games should definitely be high paced with lots of scoring. Denver and Dallas are not exactly known for their perimeter defense, or defense in general, which means they’ll have to be more aggressive stopping James Harden, leaving Thornton wide open to jack up another 17 threes (that’s right, he shot 17 3PA last weekend!!)

If he shoots even slightly better than last weekend, you could expect closer to 10 3PM. That could easily win you that category over the weekend if it’s close.

Also consider: Nick Young (LAL, SG/SF)

 

Steals Streamer

Will Barton (DEN, SG/SF) - 25% owned

Weekend Schedule: Fri vs. HOU, Sat @ PHX

Will Barton has had flashes of fantasy success in the past, and it’s seems like it’s about to be one of those times. The Denver Nuggets have gone small the last two games, inserting Barton into the starting lineup and moving J.J. Hickson to the bench. Aside from the potential increase in minutes, Barton has great match ups this weekend to swipe a handful of steals.

I’ve already mentioned above how much I love the Denver vs. Houston match up from a fantasy perspective, and Barton should definitely reap the benefits as well.  The uptick in possessions and pace against both Houston on Friday and Phoenix on Saturday should provide some of the best opportunities for steals this weekend. O, and Will Barton has at least one steal every game this season.

Much like blocks, steals is usually pretty thin on the waiver wire unless you’re willing to sacrifice in almost every other category (i.e Tony Allen). However, Will Barton also averages 4.5 rebounds a game, and about one 3PM which is a nice added bonus.

Per Will Barton himself, his job is to “go fill the stat sheet up” and I fully expect him to do that this weekend.

Also consider: Tony Allen (MEM, SG/SF), Thabo Sefolosha (ATL, SG/SF)

 

Assists Streamers

Jameer Nelson (DEN, PG/SG) - 2% owned (watch injury status)

Weekend Schedule: Fri vs. HOU, Sat @ PHX

AND

J.J. Barea (DAL, PG) - 4% owned

Weekend Schedule: Fri vs. LAL, Sat @ HOU

I’m including both of these guys as assists streamer candidates because they are almost identical fantasy players at this point in their careers. Although Jameer Nelson has been a starter for the majority of his career, he now finds himself as the backup to emerging rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay.

While J.J. Barea may be slightly more comfortable in his backup role, they both have shown the ability to put up big assist numbers coming off the bench. This season both players have reached nine assists in a game, which is a good sign with favorable matchups this weekend.

Both players provide different upside, but I slightly prefer Barea, almost entirely because of his Friday night matchup against the Lakers. Barea also has been a little more consistent scoring, but it’s not by much, and that’s not why you’re adding either player.

Nelson has provided a little more consistency with regards to assists, having dished out at least four assists in every game but one this season (the season opener).  However, like I mentioned above, Jameer Nelson sat out last night against Portland due to a lower back strain. I would expect him to play this weekend even if he's not quite 100% considering he is one of only two point guards on the active roster.

Both players can chip in with a few 3PM as well, but you should only be adding either of them if you need help with assists this weekend.

Also consider: Matthew Dellavedova (CLE, PG/SG)

 

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