NBA Fantasy Weekly Streamers for Week 20 (May 10 - May 16)

May 9, 2021

Milos Zvekic's fantasy basketball waiver wire streamers for head-to-head leagues. He reviews the Week 20 NBA schedule (5/10 - 5/16) and streaming options to pick up.

Here we are! The last week of this challenging NBA season! Congrats on making it through regardless of how well you did. It was a bumpy ride for all of us!

And if you're reading this then chances are you've still got something to play for. Most likely you're in the Finals or fighting for third place which is nothing to scoff at! Let's end this season on a winning note!

I've taken a look ahead and here are my thoughts on the fantasy basketball streamers for Week 20. 

NBA Schedule Guide - Week 20

Here's the low-down:

Teams with 5 games:
Indiana Pacers
Memphis Grizzlies
Milwaukee Bucks
San Antonio Spurs

Teams with 4 games:
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Miami Heat
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
New York Knicks
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

Teams with 3 games:
Detroit Pistons
Oklahoma City Thunder

Number of teams playing each day:
Monday: 12
Tuesday: 22
Wednesday: 12
Thursday: 18
Friday: 16
Saturday: 12
Sunday: 30

Back-to-Backs (beware of older or banged-up players who might rest):
Monday/Tuesday: GSW, IND, MEM, MIL
Tuesday/Wednesday: BOS, BKN, DAL, LAL
Wednesday/Thursday: ATL, POR, SAS
Thursday/Friday: DEN, LAC, MEM, ORL, PHI, SAC, TOR
Friday/Saturday: -
Saturday/Sunday: BOS, BKN, CHA, CHI, IND, LAL, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYK, PHO, SAS
Sunday/Monday the following: none, it's the end of the regular season!

Days with SIX or fewer games:
Monday: 6 games
Wednesday: 6 games
Saturday: 6 games

Teams playing on all three days:
San Antonio Spurs (5 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun)

Teams playing on Monday and Wednesday:
San Antonio Spurs (5 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Atlanta Hawks (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun)
Cleveland Cavaliers (4 games - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)
Houston Rockets (4 games - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)
New Orleans Pelicans (4 games - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)
Portland Trail Blazers (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun)
Utah Jazz (4 games - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)
Washington Wizards (4 games - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)

Teams playing on Monday and Saturday:
San Antonio Spurs (5 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Indiana Pacers (5 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Milwaukee Bucks (5 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)

Teams playing on Wednesday and Saturday:
San Antonio Spurs (5 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Boston Celtics (4 games - Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun)
Brooklyn Nets (4 games - Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun)
Los Angeles Lakers (4 games - Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun)

Teams with a GOOD START to the week (three games from Monday to Thursday)
San Antonio Spurs (5 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Indiana Pacers (5 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Milwaukee Bucks (5 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Memphis Grizzlies (5 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Atlanta Hawks (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun)
Portland Trail Blazers (4 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun)

Teams with a GOOD END to the week (three games from Thursday to Sunday)
San Antonio Spurs (5 games - Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Indiana Pacers (5 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Milwaukee Bucks (5 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Memphis Grizzlies (5 games - Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Charlotte Hornets (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Chicago Bulls (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Denver Nuggets (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Los Angeles Clippers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Miami Heat (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Minnesota Timberwolves (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
New York Knicks (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Orlando Magic (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Philadelphia 76ers (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Phoenix Suns (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Sacramento Kings (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)
Toronto Raptors (4 games - Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sun)

Teams with a POOR START to the week (one or no games from Monday to Thursday)
Detroit Pistons (3 games - Tue, Fri, Sun)
Oklahoma City Thunder (3 games - Tue, Fri, Sun)

Teams with a POOR END to the week (one or no games from Thursday to Sunday)
-

Baller Streaming Strategy for Week 20

With Monday, Wednesday and Saturday having six games a piece, we will focus on players from teams that play at least twice on these days. In case you missed it, you can find which teams play on which two days above. San Antonio is the only team that plays on all three. Only Memphis is the exception. Here's why.

Four teams have a five-game week: Indiana, Milwaukee, Memphis and San Antonio. All these teams are good options if you have room on your roster for streamers on the days they play so check that out before adding them. Even though Memphis plays only one game on one of the scarce days next week (on Monday), their players will be featured here as their five-game week might help out fantasy teams whose schedule fits well with theirs.

Streaming Options for Week 20

Shallower League Streaming Adds for the Week (Rostered in 25-75 % of Yahoo leagues):

Keldon Johnson, SF/PF, SAS, (45% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, a little bit of everything
Jakob Poeltl, C, SAS, (71% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, STL/BLK
T.J. McConnell, PG/SG, IND, (61% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST, STL, FG%
Justin Holiday, SG/SF, IND, (38% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
Oshae Brissett, SF/PF, IND, (46% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, STL/BLK
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF, MEM, (61% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL, FT%
Brandon Clarke, SF/PF, MEM, (55% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, STL/BLK
Donte Divincenzo, PG/SG, MIL, (59% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, AST, STL
Bobby Portis, PF/C, MIL, (45% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, 3PM, REB, STL/BLK
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF/PF, ATL, (73% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, a bit of everything
Danilo Gallinari, SF/PF, ATL, (59% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Kevin Huerter, SG/SF, ATL, (53% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%, STL, AST
Lou Williams, PG/SG, ATL, (38% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Darius Garland, PG, CLE, (63% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, AST, STL, FT% - buyer beware: missed the previous five games due to an ankle injury and is still out
Kevin Love, PF/C, CLE, (73% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, REB, STL - buyer beware: missed the previous game due to a knee issue
Cedi Osman, SF/PF, CLE, (29% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST, PTS
Kevin Porter Jr., SG/SF, HOU, (60% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, AST - buyer beware: missed the previous two games due to a sprained ankle
Jae'sean Tate, SG/SF/PF, HOU, (51% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, STL, a bit of everything
KJ Martin Jr., SF, HOU, (33% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, STL/BLK, PTS
Eric Bledsoe, PG/SG, NOP, (72% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST
Steven Adams, C, NOP, (67% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, STL/BLK - buyer beware: missed a lot of games recently due to injuries
Carmelo Anthony, SF/PF, POR, (48% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT% - buyer beware: missed the previous game due to an ankle issue (perhaps it was just a rest on a back-to-back)
Enes Kanter, C, POR, (65% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB - buyer beware: playing around 17 minutes a game lately
Royce O'Neale, SF/PF, UTA, (27% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, a bit of everything
Rui Hachimura, SF/PF, WAS, (49% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, PTS, a bit of everything - buyer beware: missed two games due to an illness, but returned in the previous one
Davis Bertans, PF/C, WAS, (52% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Daniel Gafford, C, WAS, (27% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, BLK
Robert Williams III, C, BOS, (56% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, BLK/STL, FG% - buyer beware: missed the previous game due to a turf toe
Evan Fournier, SG/SF, BOS, (63% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL, a bit of everything
Joe Harris, SG/SF, BKN, (69% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FG%
DeAndre Jordan, C, BKN, (47% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, BLK - buyer beware: poor FT% and minutes are not guaranteed
Blake Griffin, PF/C, BKN, (53% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, AST
Jeff Green, SF/PF/C, BKN, (32% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, a bit of everything
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF, LAL, (54% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, REB - buyer beware: currently dealing with lower back tightness
Montrezl Harrell, PF/C, LAL, (72% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, STL/BLK - buyer beware: didn't play in the last game due to tactical reasons

Shallower League Add

Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF/PF, ATL, (73% Rostered)

Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, a bit of everything

Okay, okay, I know it's a long shot that Bogi is available in your league. But I think I would die if I didn't use this opportunity to talk up one of my favorite players of all time (I'm from Serbia myself, and am a lifelong fan of Bogdan's first professional club Partizan Belgrade)!

My man Bogdan has been in the form of his life lately averaging 21.7 points with 4.6 threes, shooting 48.1% from the field and 85.7% from the charity stripe, 3.9 boards, 4.1 dimes, 1.4 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.6 turnovers in almost 36 minutes a game over the last month. That has him just outside the top 30 in Yahoo leagues. INSANEEE!

Everything you need him to do, he does and does it well. He even blocks a shot here or there. I just love that he is out of his initial slump after joining Atlanta and that he and the whole team are playing so well.

If by any chance Bogi was dropped in your league (he did have three off days from Friday till Sunday so it's not out of the question), I would pick him up immediately. Furthermore, Atlanta has three games from Monday until Thursday, so you can even use his spot to stream on Friday and Saturday as his final game comes on Sunday when all teams play anyway.

Deeper League Add

K.J. Martin Jr., SF, HOU, (33% Rostered) 

Strong Cats: REB, STL/BLK, PTS

This guy is unbelievable lately! Nobody expected this much from the 52nd pick of the 2020 draft, especially since Houston had both James Harden and Russell Westbrook on the books at the moment he was picked. Seems like ages ago doesn't it?

But with both of them long gone and the Rockets being ravaged with injuries this season, Kenyon Martin's son has gotten his opportunity and stepped up big time, averaging 17.9 PTS with 1.9 3PM on 53.8 FG% and 80.0 FT%, 7.1 REB, 2.1 AST, 0.7 STL, 0.9 BLK and 1.0 TO in 32 minutes per outing over the previous two weeks. This has him inside the top 40 in Yahoo rankings for the period.

Now, he might not be THIS good on a nightly basis, but with him still rostered in just 1/3 of leagues, he offers some insane potential the rest of the way. He is definitely worth a look in deeper leagues, especially as an early week stream with him playing on both Monday and Wednesday.

Insanely Deep League Add

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG/SF, NOP, (9% Rostered)

Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL

Buyer Beware: Just returning from injury

There is some risk associated with picking NAW up here, so soon after him missing a couple of weeks of action due to injury, but with the Pelicans missing star players in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, if he comes back at full speed he could just be the difference-maker in your next week's matchup.

Let me just remind you of how good Nickeil was back in late March, early April. He strung together seven double-digit scoring games in a row, hit at least two triples and three boards in all of them and failed to get a steal in just two of these games, and the same goes for blocks.

His FG% isn't the greatest, and nor is his FT%. He can rack up turnovers as well on occasion. But if you can stomach this, and you need someone who will contribute across the board, with his nice schedule next week and the opportunity that could arise in the depleted Pelicans rotation, NAW could be worth a punt.

Anyways, he is expected to return on Sunday, so check for news after that and before the second half of a back-to-back set on Monday.

Other Deep League Options for the Week

Rostered in less than 25% of Yahoo leagues

Patty Mills, PG, SAS, (13% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, AST
Rudy Gay, SF/PF, SAS, (19% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, STL/BLK
Lonnie Walker IV, SG/SF, SAS, (18% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Devin Vassell, SG, SAS, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, a little bit of everything
Doug McDermott, SF/PF, IND, (14% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Jeremy Lamb, SG/SF, IND, (8% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL, FT% - buyer beware: missed 10 straight games due to a sore knee
Edmond Sumner, PG/SG, IND, (5% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST, STL - buyer beware: missed two games before returning in his last one
Aaron Holiday, PG, IND, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST, STL, FT% - positive circumstance: is seeing more minutes while Malcolm Brogdon is missing time
Goga Bitadze, C, IND, (2% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, BLK
Grayson Allen, SG/SF, MEM, (16% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL, FT% - buyer beware: is dealing with some injuries
De'Anthony Melton, PG/SG, MEM, (14% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST, STL
Desmond Bane, PG/SG, MEM, (5% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM
Jeff Teague, PG, MIL, (17% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST, STL
Pat Connaughton, SG/SF, MIL, (6% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, STL
Bryn Forbes, PG/SG, MIL, (4% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM
P.J. Tucker., PF/C, MIL, (9% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
Solomon Hill, SG/SF, ATL, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
Onyeka Okongwu, C, ATL, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, FG%, STL/BLK
Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, CLE, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, AST, STL/BLK - buyer beware: playing time is not certain
Isaac Okoro, SG/SF, CLE, (15% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, STL
Dean Wade, PG/PF/C, CLE, (4% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, REB, STL/BLK
Armoni Brooks, PG, HOU, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM
Daquan Jeffries, PG, HOU, (0% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST, STL
D.J. Augustin, PG, HOU, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST
Khyri Thomas, SG, HOU, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL - buyer beware: only played two games for the Rockets so it's still a small sample size
Danuel House Jr., SF/PF, HOU, (6% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM
Anthony Lamb, SF, HOU, (0% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM - buyer beware: is only an option when the Rockets have a few players out (which is always the case, however)
Jaxson Hayes, C, NOP, (11% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, STL/BLK - buyer beware: could see a dip in playing time when Steven Adams returns
Guillermo Hernangómez, C, NOP, (9% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, STL/BLK - buyer beware: could see a dip in playing time when Steven Adams returns
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG/SF, NOP, (9% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, STL - buyer beware: just returning from injury
Naji Marshall, SF, NOP, (6% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST, STL
Kira Lewis Jr., PG, NOP, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST, STL
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, POR, (2% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM
Derrick Favors, PF/C, UTA, (7% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, BLK/STL, FG%
Georges Niang, SF/PF, UTA, (2% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM
Trent Forrest, SG, UTA, (0% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST
Robin Lopez, C, WAS, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB
Raul Neto, PG, WAS, (8% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%, STL
Alex Len, PF/C, WAS, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: FG%, REB, STL/BLK
Ish Smith, SG/SF, WAS, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: AST
Tristan Thompson, C, BOS, (23% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, FG% - buyer beware: missed one game in the previous week but has since returned and should be good to go
Payton Pritchard, PG, BOS, (5% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM
Grant Williams, SF/PF, BOS, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, a little bit of everything
Aaron Nesmith, SG/SF, BOS, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, 3PM
Bruce Brown, SG, BKN, (14% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, STL, FG%
Nicolas Claxton, C, BKN, (4% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, BLK/STL, FG%
Landry Shamet, PG/SG, BKN, (15% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, PTS, FT%
Marc Gasol, C, LAL, (14% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, BLK - buyer beware: missing too many games to be safe to count on
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, PG/SG, LAL, (18% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, FT%, STL 
Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF, LAL, (15% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB, STL - buyer beware: missed the previous two games due to strained right calf
Alex Caruso, PG/SG, LAL, (3% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM, AST, STL - buyer beware: missed two games last week due to a foot contusion, returned since but is questionable for Sunday's game
Markieff Morris, PF/C, LAL, (6% Rostered) - Strong Cats: REB - buyer beware: doesn't play as much as before
Ben McLemore, SG/SF, LAL, (1% Rostered) - Strong Cats: 3PM

It's been a pleasure sharing streaming thoughts with you this season. I hope my work helped some of you get this far, and that this last article of the season will get you that title! Good luck!

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