RADIO
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 13 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 11 (Thursday to Sunday), there are 14 teams with a back-to-back (BOS, CLE, DAL, DET, GSW, HOU, LAL, MEM, MIA, MIL, MIN, NOP, POR, and UTA), two teams play three games (LAL and POR), while three teams (CHI, IND, and OKC) 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 San Francisco on Friday then to Denver on Sunday. GSW is 2nd in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. DEN is 29th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG/SF/PF - 45% rostered) has played 22, 30, and 29 minutes in the last three games. In the prior six games after returning from a 25-game absence, he played 16, 20, 17, 22, 25, and 20 minutes. Now, there have been a ton of injuries on the wing for the Hawks, so there's uncertainty about how the rotations shake out when everyone is healthy. With that said, he's worth the pick-up, for now, to see if he does start getting over 30 minutes of playing time and cements a role going forward. He's been a top 75 player over the last three games.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics travel to Milwaukee on Friday then to Oklahoma City the following night. MIL is 3rd in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. OKC is 14th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets travel to Detroit on Friday. DET is 25th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets host the Heat on Friday then the Suns on Sunday. MIA is 26th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. PHX is 27th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. Malik Monk (PG/SG - 19% rostered) is going to get more playing time with LaMelo Ball out for. In the first game without Ball, Monk played 27 minutes, attempted 15 shots, and garnered a 26.9 usage rate. He's the microwave off the bench for the Hornets and now will have plenty of opportunities to huck and chuck.
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls travel to San Antonio on Saturday. SA is 15th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers on Friday then head to Sacramento the following night. LAL is 18th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. SAC is 8th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks host the Pacers on Friday then travel to New Orleans on Saturday. IND is 9th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. NOP is 15th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. Maxi Kleber (PF/C - 21% rostered) has been a top 80 player over the last 12 games. He's averaged 30.3 minutes and will contribute three-pointers, rebounds, and defensive stats.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets travel to New Orleans on Friday then host the Hawks on Sunday. NOP is 15th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. ATL is 22nd in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. Facundo Campazzo (PG - 3% rostered) has been averaging 24.1 minutes per game over the last seven games. He won't provide many points, but he has been contributing six assists and 1.4 steals. The field goal percentage is rough at 37% on the season, but the volume is low so the impact is mitigated.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons host the Nets on Friday then travel to Washington D.C. the following night. BKN is 12th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. Saddiq Bey (SF - 35% rostered) has been averaging 35.5 minutes over the last three games and been a top 45 player. He went for 20 points, two three-pointers, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in one game while contributing 28 points, six three-pointers, 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the other. In the most recent game, though, he produced a dud with three points, one three-pointer, four rebounds, and two assists. He's a rookie! There are going to be ups and downs with Bey but he's playing a ton of minutes and will likely continue to get a heavy workload as the Pistons are in developmental mode. Isaiah Stewart (PF/C - 15% rostered) has averaged 23.1 minutes over the last six games. He's scored in double figures in the most recent four games and provided rebounds and defensive stats. The encouraging thing regarding Stewart is that he's played alongside Mason Plumlee at times. The Pistons will likely want to get as much development time for the young players as the season winds down. Josh Jackson (SG/SF - 25% rostered) is a high usage player when he's on the court. On the season, he garners a usage rate of 26.4. The shooting efficiency is always a concern as he's converting 42% of his attempts on the season but he hucks and chucks. I do like him because he contributes in both the steals and blocks categories but there are some concerning things about him. He only averages around 25 minutes per game and there's a slight chance that number goes down when the Pistons get healthy. With that said, he's still a young player and I think the team would want to develop him as well.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors travel to Sacramento on Thursday then host the Hawks the following night. SAC is 9th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. ATL is 22nd in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets travel to Minnesota for a double-dip on Friday and Saturday. MIN is 4th in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. Jae'sean Tate (SG - 29% rostered) has been a top 70 player over the last four games. He's averaging 33.2 minutes, 11 points, 1.3 three-pointers, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 50% from the field. With PJ Tucker out of Houston, Tate should get all the minutes he can handle. I'm surprised he isn't rostered by more teams.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers travel to Dallas on Friday. DAL is 24th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers travel to San Antonio on Thursday then host the 76ers on Saturday. SA is 15th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. PHI is 6th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. Ivica Zubac (C - 40% rostered) has flourished with Serge Ibaka out with a back injury. He's averaged 28.2 minutes and been a top 25 player in three games. Zubac provides rebounds, steals, and blocks while providing excellent percentages. Ibaka is out for Thursday's game but could come back for Saturday. That hasn't been determined yet. When Ibaka returns, Zubac will likely go back to playing around 20 minutes per game, but until then, ride the wave.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers host the 76ers on Thursday, the Cavaliers on Friday, then the Magic on Sunday. PHI is 6th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. CLE is 23rd in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. ORL is 19th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies travel to Utah for a Friday/Saturday back-to-back. UTA is 15th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat host the Trail Blazers on Thursday then travel to Charlotte the following night. POR is 20th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. CHA is 13th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks host the Celtics on Friday then the Knicks on Saturday. BOS is 21st in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. NYK is 30th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves host the Rockets on Friday and Saturday. HOU is 5th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans host the Nuggets on Friday then the Mavericks the following night. DEN is 29th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. DAL is 24th in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. Josh Hart (SG/SF - 37% rostered) plays around 28 minutes per game and will always provide rebounds. He won't score many points, but he will contribute three-pointers, steals, and some assists while popping up in the points department from time to time. Since I've been writing this column, I think Hart has been written up in every single one. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG/SF - 20% rostered) has started the last two games due to Lonzo Ball's injury. He's played 34 and 31 minutes in those games and produced 18 points, three three-pointers, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal in one while going for 20 points, three three-pointers, three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks in the other. He shot 50% from the field in both games and the usage rate was 23 and 22.3. With rumblings that Ball could be traded and the fact that Ball is injured, NAW provides short-term value and could be a boon for your fantasy team if Ball does indeed get moved.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks host the Wizards on Thursday then travel to Milwaukee on Saturday. WAS is 1st in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. MIL is 3rd in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. Reggie Bullock (SG/SF - 8% rostered) has averaged 37.7 minutes over the last three games and been a top 45 player. His main contribution comes from three-pointers, but he can chip in steals, rebounds, and assists. Now, the Knicks backcourt has been riddled with injuries, so when the team gets healthy, the playing time will likely crater to the low-to-mid 20s.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder host the Celtics on Saturday. BOS is 21st in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic host the Trail Blazers on Friday then travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Sunday. POR is 20th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. LAL is 18th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The 76ers travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Thursday then the Clippers on Saturday. LAL is 18th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. LAC is 27th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. Danny Green (SG/SF - 39% rostered) has been a top 15 player over the last four games! He's scored double figures, provided at least three three-pointers, and grabbed at least two rebounds in each game. His main value comes from the defensive stats, though. He's racked up nine steals and four blocks over that span. Tony Bradley (C - 3% rostered) and Dwight Howard (C - 44% rostered) are splitting the centers minutes and both are viable for rebounds and blocks. Bradley is coming off a game in which he put up 18 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 33 minutes. If he gets the bulk of the center minutes going forward, then act accordingly.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns travel to Florida to face the Raptors on Friday then head to Charlotte on Sunday. TOR is 11th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. CHA is 13th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. Jae Crowder (SF/PF - 35% rostered) has been a top 90 player over the last four games. He's averaged 29.3 minutes, 10.3 points, 2.5 three-pointers, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, one steal, and 0.8 blocks. He's been shooting 45% from the field which is NBA Jam, He's on Fire territory for Crowder. On the season, he's converting 40% of his attempts.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers travel to Miami on Thursday, to Orlando on Friday, then to Toronto on Sunday. MIA is 26th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. ORL is 19th in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 11th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings host the Warriors on Thursday then the Cavaliers on Saturday. GSW is 2nd in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. CLE is 23rd in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs host the Clippers on Thursday then the Bulls on Saturday. LAC is 27th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. CHI is 7th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. Rudy Gay (SF/PF - 14% rostered) has played 25 and 26 minutes in the last two games. The usage rate has been 29.9 and 20.9 while he's attempted 11 shots in each game. Gay can provide points and will contribute some three-pointers, rebounds, assists, and steals. The minutes have fluctuated all season long, but if he gets consistent minutes in the mid-20s, he'd be a more than viable fantasy option.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors host the Suns on Friday then the Trail Blazers on Sunday. PHX is 27th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency. POR is 20th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz host the Grizzlies on Friday and Saturday. MEM is 8th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards travel to New York on Thursday then host the Pistons on Saturday. NYK is 30th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. DET is 25th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency.
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