RADIO
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 10 streamers earlier this week and will continue to do so all season long. I will be chiming in mid-week to add some sprinkles and frosting onto the beautifully baked Zvekic cake.
For the rest of Week 9 (Thursday to Sunday), there are nine teams with a back-to-back (IND, LAC, MEM, MIN, NYK, OKC, SAC, UTA, and WAS), five teams play three games (LAC, MEM, NYK, SAC, and WAS), while two teams (CLE and SAS) play one game. Check out the schedule grid for a better picture. As usual, I will try and isolate players who are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues and could contribute.
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ATLANTA HAWKS
The Hawks travel to Oklahoma City on Friday then to Miami on Sunday. OKC is 11th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. MIA is 24th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. Tony Snell (SG/SF - 0% rostered) is infamous for providing bagels in every category during a game in which he played 28 minutes, so this recommendation is for the truly desperate. Cam Reddish is dealing with an Achilles injury. In his absence, Snell received the start and played 33 minutes, providing 11 points, three three-pointers, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks. If Reddish misses more time and Snell plays over 30 minutes, then he's a viable option.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics host the Pacers on Friday then the Wizards on Sunday. IND is 14th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets host the Magic on Thursday then the Mavericks on Saturday. ORL is 18th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. DAL is 21st in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. Bruce Brown (SG - 5% rostered) has started the seven games, primarily in place of Kevin Durant, who is expected back before the All-Star break but no definitive time has been given. So long as Durant is out, Brown will be a viable option and provide points, rebounds, and steals. He has scored 29 and 13 points in the last two outings, but he also went for nine, two, and three points the prior three games. The range is wide with Brown so be cognizant of that.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets travel to San Francisco on Friday then to Sacramento on Sunday. GS is 2nd in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. SAC is 9th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. Malik Monk (PG/SG - 9% rostered) has played 24, 22, and 31 minutes the last three games because Devonte' Graham has been out with a knee injury. If Graham continues to miss time, then Monk is viable for points, three-pointers, and rebounds. He's a streaky shooter, so he can score five points or go for over 20. He's not bashful, though, as he's attempted 12, 11, and 13 shots, so at least you know he's going to huck and chuck.
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls host the Suns on Friday then travel to Florida to take on the Raptors on Sunday. PHX is 29th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 12th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. Garrett Temple (PG/SG - 16% rostered) has started the last six of the last seven games and been a top 65 player for fantasy. He's been averaging 33 minutes, 11.1 points, 1.6 three-pointers, four rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and one block while shooting 57% from the field and 83% from the line.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers travel to Philadelphia on Saturday. PHI is 7th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks travel to Philadelphia on Thursday then to Brooklyn on Saturday. PHI is 7th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. BKN is 8th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. Jalen Brunson (PG/SG - 18% rostered) has been on quite the heater. Brunson burner? Over the last five games, he's averaged 29 minutes, 17.2 points, 2.2 three-pointers, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 54% from the field and 86% from the line.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets host the Wizards on Thursday then travel to Oklahoma City on Saturday. WAS is 1st in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. OKC is 11th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. Monte Morris (PG/SG - 14% rostered) has played 33, 32, and 29 minutes the last three games, while starting one, as a result of Gary Harris suffering an injury. The Nuggets said they will take their time with Harris, so Morris should be in line for more starts in the short term. Morris has been shooting poorly from the field recently but he's at 47% for the season. With that said, don't expect many points but Morris can contribute some three-pointers, assists, and chip in a few rebounds and steals while rarely turning the ball over. Facundo Campazzo (PG - 11% rostered) has benefitted from the injuries as well. Over the last four games, he's played 26.8 minutes and contributed 10.8 points, 2.3 three-pointers, three assists, and 1.3 steals. He's shooting a robust 54% from the field so that will obviously regress as he's at 40% on the season. Like Morris, Campazzo also takes good care of the ball.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons host the Kings on Friday then the Knicks on Sunday. SAC is 9th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. NYK is 30th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. Saben Lee (PG - 19% rostered) has played 29 and 33 minutes the last two games. He's averaged 16.5 points, 1.5 three-pointers, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals while shooting 66% from the field and 50% from the line. He's more like a 44% shooter from the field and 70% from the line. The coaches have raved about Lee being a true point guard and such, so while Dennis Smith Jr. has been starting, Lee has been playing the bulk of the minutes. Plus, Smith Jr. isn't particularly good at this basketball thing, which makes me sad because I thought he would be Stevie Franchise Part Deux.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors host the Hornets on Friday then travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Sunday. CHA is 15th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. LAL is 17th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets travel to Florida to face the Raptors on Friday then host the Grizzlies on Sunday. TOR is 12th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. MEM is 13th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. Jae'sean Tate (SG - 46% rostered) has started 19 of the last 20 games, but the minutes have really ticked up lately due to the release of DeMarcus Cousins and the Rockets going with more small-ball lineups. Tate has played 32, 33, and 40 minutes the last three games and he's stuffed the stat sheet, providing double-digit points, three-pointers, rebounds, some assists, and plenty of steals.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers travel to Boston Friday then to New York the following day. BOS is 23rd in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. NYK is 30th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. TJ McConnell (PG/SG - 40% rostered) has been a top 50 player over the last five games. He's providing a ton of assists, steals, and even blocks. And he's shooting 50% from the field. It's crazy that he's still available in over 50% of leagues.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers travel to Memphis for a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday, then head to Milwaukee on Sunday. MEM is 13th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. MIL is 4th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. Ivica Zubac (C - 38% rostered) provides rebounds and blocks. When he plays over 25 minutes, he's almost a lock for a double-double. Therein lies the problem, though, as he usually plays 20 minutes or fewer.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers host the Trail Blazers on Friday then the Warriors on Sunday. POR is 18th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. GSW is 2nd in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. Marc Gasol (C - 22% rostered) has played 27, 24, 20, and 30 minutes in the last four games. That's a significant upgrade from the 20 he was playing on the season. As long as Anthony Davis remains out, the playing time should be there. He's not going to score many points, but he will contribute three-pointers, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The percentages aren't great but the volume is low so it's fine.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies host the Clippers on Thursday and Friday then travel to Houston on Sunday. LAC is 27th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. HOU is 3rd in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat host the Jazz on Friday then the Hawks on Sunday. UTA is 20th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. ATL is 16th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks host the Pelicans on Thursday then the Clippers on Sunday. NOP is 22nd in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. LAC is 27th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves travel to Washington on Saturday then host the Suns the following day. WAS is 1st in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. PHX is 29th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans travel to Milwaukee on Thursday then to San Antonio on Saturday. MIL is 4th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. SA is 9th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. Josh Hart (SG/SF - 44% rostered) has played 29.8 minutes over the last seven games. His main contributions come from rebounds, but he's been chipping in some defensive stats and three-pointers. Once in a blue moon, he will pop up with points but realize that's not the New World Order. Guillermo Hernangomez (C - 16% rostered) is strictly a rebounds specialist. He's grabbed 13, 13, and 17 rebounds over the last three games and has played 23, 23, and 29 minutes, starting two of those games.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks host the Kings on Thursday, the Pacers on Saturday, then they travel to Detroit the following day. SAC is 9th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. IND is 14th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. DET is 25th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder host the Hawks on Friday then the Nuggets the following day. ATL is 16th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. DEN is 28th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. Theo Maledon (PG - 13% rostered) has started the last five games and is averaging 31.7 minutes. He's a 41% shooter on the season and the points won't be voluminous, but he will provide three-pointers, some rebounds and assists, and some steals.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic travel to Brooklyn on Thursday then host the Jazz on Saturday. BKN is 8th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 20th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. Michael Carter-Williams (PG/SG - 15% rostered) has started the last six games and averaged 29.5 minutes. The shooting efficiency is awful, like 33% awful. With that said, he does provide a handful of rebounds and assists with a sprinkling of steals.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The 76ers host the Mavericks on Thursday then the Cavaliers on Saturday. DAL is 21st in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. CLE is 26th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. Danny Green (SG/SF - 23% rostered) has been a top 60 player over the last four games. Yeah, I was just as shocked. He's a 3-and-D player who's been averaging 3.5 three-pointers and two steals with one block over that span.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns travel to Chicago on Friday then to Minnesota on Sunday. CHI is 4th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. MIN is 6th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers. LAL is 17th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings travel to New York on Thursday, to Detroit the following day, then host the Hornets on Sunday. NYK is 30th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. DET is 25th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. CHA is 15th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs host the Pelicans on Saturday. NOP is 22nd in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors host the Rockets on Friday then the Bulls on Sunday. HOU is 3rd in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. CHI is 4th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz travel to Miami on Friday then to Orlando the following day. MIA is 24th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. ORL is 18th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. Royce O'Neale (SF/PF - 33% rostered) is the antithesis of sexy when it comes to fantasy, but he has utility because he plays 33 minutes per game and contributes in every category without hurting you anywhere. As a result, he's a top 100 player on the season.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards travel to Denver on Thursday, host the Timberwolves on Saturday, then travel to Boston the following day. DEN is 28th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. MIN is 6th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. BOS is 23rd in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency.
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