RADIO
It's championship week in most leagues. It's time to go all-out on streaming. You can dump your stars if they're banged up or out of games, and totally sell-out on trying to win certain categories.
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 22 Category Streamers
Weekend of 4/1, 4/2 & 4/3
Teams with 2 games: BOS, BKN, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DET, GSW, IND, MIA, MIL, MIN, MEM, NYK, ORL, PHI, PHO, POR, SAC, TOR, UTA, WSH
Teams with 1 game: ATL, DEN, HOU, LAC, LAL, NOP, OKC, SAS
Points
Josh Richardson (SG/SF, MIA)
Owned in 37% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, April 1 @ Sacramento & Saturday, April 2 @ Portland
ANALYSIS: Richardson looks to be a real diamond in the rough for the Heat as a second-round pick this past year. He has been one of the better players for Miami in March, earning the trust of the coaching staff that has now routinely given the rookie over 30 minutes on the court. He has emerged as a must-own player, particularly for his scoring prowess (just under 15.0 ppg over his previous five games) and has a favorable schedule this weekend against two teams that rank in the bottom 12 in opponents scoring per game. It is entirely possible to expect Richardson to score in bunches against two weak opponents over the weekend.
Other alternatives: Lance Stephenson is coming off a dud on Monday night, but has been a consistent scorer for the Grizzlies, averaging 17.3 ppg in his six games prior. The lottery-bound Pelicans have gotten a boost from point guard Toney Douglas while other backcourt mates are out with injury. Douglas has managed to score in double digits in 10 of his previous 11 contests. The Rockets caught lightning in a bottle for the stretch run after signing Chinese League MVP and former 2nd overall draft pick Michael Beasley, who is scoring over 14 ppg since his return to the NBA. Sean Kilpatrick has cooled off a bit of late, but overall has played exceedingly well for the Nets since his D-League call up weeks ago and faces the Knicks (12th in opponents ppg) and the Pelicans (25th in opponents ppg) this weekend. Norman Powell made a name for himself months ago, dominating at times in summer league games. The rookie second-rounder has been used sparingly this season, but injuries have pressed him into the Raptors rotation since last weekend, where he has managed to score over 15 ppg in three games. Maurice Harkless has gotten back on the fantasy radar for the closing weeks of the season, as he has really played good basketball as the Blazers turn to a small-ball lineup featuring Harkless at PF.
Rebounds
Dwight Powell (PF, DAL)
Owned in 7% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, April 1 @ Detroit & Sunday, April 3 @ Minnesota
ANALYSIS: Powell has really emerged as a reliable fantasy option for the stretch run, and could provide a huge boost this weekend in the rebounding category. Injuries have allowed Powell to assume a role in the Mavs rotation as they continue to compete for the 8th seed out West. With the increased role has come increased production: Powell has managed to gather 20 rebounds over his previous three contests and should be able to endure his current production.
Other alternatives: Blazers forward Ed Davis has been as good as anyone from a rebounding standpoint, averaging an impressive 9.3 rpg in his previous seven games. Ian Mahinmi of the Pacers has been solid for rebounds and blocks all season long, and has totaled 18 boards in his last two contests. P.J. Tucker has been an excellent rebounding option for the Suns and fantasy owners from the SG/SF position all season, but has really picked up his rebounding lately, averaging over 9.0 rpg in his previous four games. Alexis Ajinca of the Pelicans and Dewayne Dedmon of the Magic are intriguing deep-league options who have recently seen an increase in playing time and have produced solid rebounding totals over the past week.
Assists
Shelvin Mack (PG, UTA)
Owned in 36% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, April 1 vs. Minnesota & Sunday, April 3 @ Phoenix
ANALYSIS: Mack’s brief tenure with the Jazz has had its ups-and-downs thus far, and it appears that he is on the way back up again. In 20 games for Utah, Mack has averaged 5.6 apg (easily a career high) including 16 total assists in his previous three games. While inconsistencies are certainly possible, Mack seems like a pretty safe and reliable option for assists this weekend against two non-playoff teams who seem more interested in tanking than competing right now.
Other alternatives: J.J. Barea, as expected, has played well for the Mavericks in the absence of Deron Williams, and is coming off an 11 assist game Monday. Knicks point guard Jose Calderon is clearly not the same player he was years ago, but has actually been useful in the assists category, totaling 28 assists over his previous four games. D.J. Augustin has found fantasy relevance following his trade to the Nuggets at the trade deadline, contributing points, threes, and assists (21 in his last three contests). The Nets have many reasons to play Shane Larkin during this final sretch, and he has performed, averaging 5.6 apg in his last five. With the Pelicans nursing numerous injuries in their backcourt, former Sixers and Blazers castoff Tim Frazier has provided nice depth, contributing over 4.5 apg in seven games with his new team.
Steals
Devin Harris (PG/SG, DAL)
Owned in 2% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, April 1 @ Detroit & Sunday, April 3 @ Minnesota
ANALYSIS: Several players, including Harris, have benefitted in the absence of Deron Williams. The veteran point guard has managed an impressive 6 total steals in his last two games, each of which he saw over 20 minutes on the floor. Williams’ injury (and lack of timetable for a return), Harris’ recent penchant for steals, and two games on the schedule seem like a good recipe to pile up thefts this weekend.
Other alternatives: Heat rookie forward Justise Winslow has had a solid debut season, particularly on the defensive end of the floor, and continues to see heavy minutes. Gary Harris is averaging 1.3 spg on the season for the Nuggets, and he too continues to see around 30 minutes nightly, increasing opportunity for thefts. Grizzlies swingman Tony Allen is as reliant and dependable as it comes for steals, averaging 1.7 on the year. The Nets have found a defensive gem in rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who was injured earlier in the year but worked his way back into the lineup last week and has averaged 1.5 spg since his return. Thunder big man Steven Adams has been a surprising source of steals from the C position, averaging 1.6 spg in his previous six games.
Blocks
John Henson (PF/C, MIL)
Owned in 24% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, April 1 vs. Orlando & Sunday, April 3 vs. Chicago
ANALYSIS: Since entering the league as a late lottery pick in 2012, Henson has averaged 1.6 bpg for his career. The wiry forward returned earlier this month from a 20-game absence and has picked up where he left off; blocking shots with high efficiency. In 7 games back in the Milwaukee rotation, Henson has compiled 17 swats for an average of 2.4 bpg. The Bucks have two games on the schedule this weekend, and Henson should continue to send opponents shots away at a rapid pace.
Other alternatives: Raptors center Bismack Biyombo has been a beast when it comes to blocks, swatting multiple shots in 8 of his previous 10 games. The Blazers Ed Davis has managed an impressive 7 blocks over his last three contests. Matt Barnes of the Grizzlies has provided useful blocks production from the SG/SF spot, averaging over 1.0 bpg this month. Big men Cody Zeller of the Hornets and Cole Aldrich of the Clippers are getting limited minutes, but have been quite productive in the blocks department.
Three Pointers
Seth Curry (PG, SAC)
Owned in 6% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, April 1 vs. Miami & Saturday, April 2 @ Denver
ANALYSIS: It’s a Curry in Northern California...so why not, right? Genes aside, Curry has come on from downtown of late, totaling 7 threes in his last previous three contests, good for a 2.3 per game average. Curry is coming off a career high 21 point night earlier this week, where he made his third consecutive start. The Kings have two games on the slate this weekend, and with the playoffs nowhere in sight, they have a ton of incentive to play the “other” Curry big minutes down the stretch.
Other alternatives: Mirza Teletovic has drained threes in massive numbers for the Suns all season, and appears to be over a slump earlier this month, hitting 11 threes over the past week. Longtime veteran forward Luis Scola has really added a new wrinkle to his game this season, extending his range out deep and has connected on multiple three-balls in five of his last six. Josh Richardson of the Heat was mentioned earlier to help with points, but the rookie has also been an asset from downtown, totaling 9 threes in his previous three games. Bulls forward Doug McDermott has improved his game this year, and has been useful from three-point land all season long. Sixers teammates Hollis Thompson and Isaiah Canaan are getting heavy usage and have a green light from long range.
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