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Milos Zvekic's fantasy basketball waiver wire streamers for head-to-head leagues. He reviews the Week 16 NBA schedule (2/3 - 2/9) and streaming options to pick up.
Fantasy playoffs are getting closer and closer and most of us are in a tight battle for either playoff birth or favorable seeding. Every matchup is a step closer or further away from our goal.
Streaming just the right players can be a very useful and powerful tool and help us make that step in the right direction. Here are my thoughts on the fantasy basketball streamers for Week 16.
Playoffs - here we come!
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NBA Schedule Guide - Week 16
Here's the low-down:
Teams with 4 games:
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Dallas Mavericks
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
New York Knicks
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
San Antonio Spurs
Teams with 3 games:
Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets
Cleveland Cavaliers
Denver Nuggets
Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
Oklahoma City Thunder
Sacramento Kings
Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards
Teams with 2 games:
Chicago Bulls
Number of teams playing each day:
Monday: 20
Tuesday: 8
Wednesday: 18
Thursday: 10
Friday: 16
Saturday: 18
Sunday: 14
Back-to-Backs (beware of older or banged-up players who might rest):
Monday/Tuesday: CHA, SAS
Tuesday/Wednesday: DEN
Wednesday/Thursday: ORL
Thursday/Friday: HOU, PHI, POR
Friday/Saturday: DAL, DET, IND, PHO, SAC, TOR
Saturday/Sunday: LAC, NYK
Sunday/Monday the following: ATL, MIA, UTA
Days with five or fewer games
Tuesday: 4 games
Thursday: 5 games
Teams playing on both days:
Houston Rockets (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Portland Trail Blazers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
San Antonio Spurs (4 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat)
Los Angeles Lakers (3 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat)
Milwaukee Bucks (3 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat)
New Orleans Pelicans (3 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat)
Teams with a GOOD START to the week (three games from Monday to Thursday)
Orlando Magic (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat)
San Antonio Spurs (4 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat)
Teams with a GOOD END to the week (three games from Thursday to Sunday)
Houston Rockets (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
New York Knicks (4 games - Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Portland Trail Blazers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Teams with a POOR START to the week (one or no games from Monday to Thursday)
Chicago Bulls (2 games - Thurs, Sun)
Oklahoma City Thunder (3 games - Wed, Fri, Sun)
Sacramento Kings (2 games - Mon, Fri, Sat)
Toronto Raptors (3 games - Wed, Fri, Sat)
Utah Jazz (3 games - Wed, Fri, Sun)
Washington Wizards (3 games - Mon, Fri, Sun)
Teams with a POOR END to the week (one or no games from Thursday to Sunday)
Brooklyn Nets (3 games - Mon, Wed, Sat)
Charlotte Hornets (3 games - Mon, Tue, Sat)
Cleveland Cavaliers (3 games - Mon, Wed, Sun)
Denver Nuggets (3 games - Tue, Wed, Sat)
Golden State Warriors (3 games - Mon, Wed, Sat)
Minnesota Timberwolves (3 games - Mon, Wed, Sat)
Baller Streaming Strategy for Week 16
There are 10 games on Monday and nine on Wednesday. They should pose little trouble for fantasy owners. On the other hand, Tuesday with four and Thursday with five should prove more challenging.
This is why we will focus on the six teams that play on both Tuesday and Thursday. From this group of teams, Houston, Portland and San Antonio all have four games while the Lakers, the Bucks and the Pelicans play just three times next week.
Even though it's not always a good idea to stream a player who has just three games next week, the good news here is that there are 18 teams that play two games from Friday to Sunday so you can seamlessly replace your initial streamer who has just one game left after Thursday with another who plays two more times in Week 16. Furthermore, the Clippers and the Knicks have a back-to-back set on Saturday and Sunday. It's quite possible that the Clippers will rest either one or both of their superstars - Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, which could open more minutes for some deep league options like JaMychal Green or Moe Harkless.
Streaming Options for Week 16
Shallower League Streaming Adds for the Week:
P.J. Tucker, SF/PF, HOU, (48% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL, REB
Eric Gordon, SG/SF, HOU, (59% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Carmelo Anthony, SF/PF, POR, (76% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%, REB - buyer beware: missed the game on Friday for unknown reasons
Trevor Ariza, SG/SF, POR, (39% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, STL
Derrick White, PG/SG, SAS, (46% Owned) - Strong Cats: Jack of all trades
Rudy Gay, SF/PF, SAS, (39% Owned) - Strong Cats: Gay, too, is a Jack of all trades
Dejounte Murray, PG, SAS, (75% Owned) - Strong Cats: STL, AST, REB
Danny Green, SG/SF, LAL, (46% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, STL/BLK
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF, LAL, (68% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS
JaVale McGee, C, LAL, (44% Owned) - Strong Cats: REB, FG%, STL/BLK
Dwight Howard, PF/C, LAL, (56% Owned) - Strong Cats: REB, FG%, STL/BLK
J.J. Redick, SG/SF, NOP, (65% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Shallower League Add
Trevor Ariza, SG/SF, POR - 39% Owned
Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, STL
Since Ariza was traded to the Trail Blazers from the Kings about two weeks ago he appeared in four games and is averaging 12.8 points with 2.0 threes on 54.1% from the field and 75.0% from the line, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.0 turnovers in 36 minutes a night during this stretch. This has him ranked inside the top-50 for the period.
His shooting might be flakey, as he had two 21-point games already for the Blazers, and also produced two duds scoring seven and two, but he was definitely brought into this Portland team for a reason, and 36 minutes per outing shows us he will be getting his fair share of playing time.
Now we can't expect miracles from Ariza as he will be the last option on offense in most Portland lineups, but he will contribute in his three strongest categories (3PM, STL, REB). If that is enough for you in his four-game week he can be a decent option.
Deeper League Add
Josh Hart, SG/SF, NOP - 25% Owned
Strong Cats: STL/BLK, REB, 3PM
Hart has been hanging around top-100 value the whole season, and is, in my opinion, being widely overlooked and undervalued.
No, he is not the one who will go on a scoring spree. In fact, he only scored more than 20 points once this season.
No, he won't carry your team's percentages with his efficiency. He is just above 41% from the field and 76% from the charity stripe.
He will, however, contribute across the board and help you out heavily in threes, steals and out-of-position boards with a dash of points and a block and an assist here and there. He won't turn the ball over often either.
And if anyone thought Zion coming back will impact Hart negatively, that hasn't been the case so far, as he is averaging 9.2 PTS with 1.4 3PM on 45.9 FG% and no misses from the line (five attempts total), 7.8 REB, 1.0 AST, 1.0 STL, 1.2 BLK and 0.8 TO in 26 minutes a game. This has Josh flirting with top-50 value.
So, if you don't mind that Hart doesn't sound sexy, that he won't have a very positive impact on your percentages, and he won't blow you away with an otherworldly performance, but you will appreciate him working his ass for you to get you stocks and boards with some threes and points without hurting you in the turnover department, Hart is someone to consider. At least until he's played his third and last game for next week on Saturday.
Insanely Deep League Add
Gary Trent Jr., SG, POR - 2% Owned
Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%
Gary has showed up big time when the Blazers needed him the most when CJ McCollum was out and hit 12 treys and 61 points over a three-game stretch. This was a testimonial to both his character and ability. He stuck around in the rotation ever since and coach Terry Stotts seems to have faith in him.
If we count the last two weeks, which includes those three games with CJ out, Trent Jr is ranked at the #82 spot. Although it might be more realistic if we take into consideration the previous three games with McCollum back. In these Gary has averaged 8.7 PTS with 2.0 3PM on 42.9 FG% and no misses from the line (on just two attempts though), 2.0 REB, 2.3 AST, 0.7 STL, 0.3 BLK and 0.3 TO in almost 25 minutes per game. This has him ranked just outside the top-150.
When we factor in Portland's favorable schedule, deeeep league teams looking for some three-point range from a decent free throw shooter who can swipe the ball here and there could definitely do much worse than Trent during Week 16.
Other Deep League Options for the Week
Danuel House, SG/SF, HOU (17% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, a bit of everything
Ben McLemore, SG, HOU (5% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, a bit of STL/BLK
Austin Rivers, PG/SG, HOU (4% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
Gary Trent Jr., SG, POR, (2% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%
Anfernee Simons, SG, POR, (4% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM
Bryn Forbes, PG/SG, SAS, (6% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Patty Mills, PG/SG, SAS, (7% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%
Jakob Poeltl, C, SAS, (18% Owned) - Strong Cats: BLK, FG%, REB
Trey Lyles, PF, SAS, (1% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB
Lonnie Walker IV, SG, SAS, (1% Owned) - Strong Cats: a little bit of everything
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, PG/SG/SF, LAL, (11% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%, STL
Rajon Rondo, PG, LAL, (13% Owned) - Strong Cats: AST, STL
Avery Bradley, PG/SG, LAL, (0% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%, STL
Donte Divincenzo, SG, MIL, (18% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL - buyer beware: missed the game on Friday and is questionable for Sunday
Wesley Matthews, SG/SF, MIL, (2% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%
Pat Connaughton, SG/SF, MIL, (2% Owned) - Strong Cats: REB, 3PM
Kyle Korver, SG/SF, MIL, (1% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%
Josh Hart, SG/SF, NOP, (25% Owned) - Strong Cats: STL/BLK, REB, 3PM
Nicolo Melli, PF, NOP, (0% Owned) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL, a bit of everything
Jaxson Hayes, PF/C, NOP, (10% Owned) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, BLK/STL
I hope you guys enjoyed the article and I hope that this will help you win your matchups next week and bragging rights for the week after.
