RADIO
Week 6 already? It was just yesterday that I was flummoxed by the quick turnaround to the season. Time flies when you're having fun, right? Fantasy hoops is our joy but it hasn't been all fun and games this season. Injuries, postponements, and COVID have made this season more MASH than NBA is faaaaaaantastic. As a result, mining the waiver wire has become more important.
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 6 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 6 (Thursday to Sunday), there are six teams with a back-to-back and one team that plays three games. 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 only play one game, as they travel to DC on Friday. WAS is 1st in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics only play one game, as they host the Lakers on Saturday. LAL is 17th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets travel to Oklahoma City on Friday then to DC on Sunday. OKC is 10th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. Jeff Green (SF/PF/C - 25% rostered) relinquished his starting role when Kevin Durant returned, but he's played 26, 26, and 34 minutes off the bench regardless, as he's been playing the small-ball, stretch-five position when Nash wants more offense on the floor. Over the past four games, Green has been a top 75 player, providing points, three-pointers, rebounds, steals, and excellent percentages. He's shooting 56% from the field on the season.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets host the Pacers on Friday then the Bucks on Saturday. IND is 15th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency. MIL is 8th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. Bismack Biyombo (C - 16% rostered) is still starting, despite the return of Cody Zeller, and playing around 25 minutes per game. That could change since Zeller has seen an increase of around four minutes in the three games since returning from injury (11, 15, and 18 minutes), but Biyombo should still see around 20 minutes of playing time for now. He is strictly a rebounds and blocks specialist.
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls only play one game, hosting the Trail Blazers on Saturday. POR is 12th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers travel to New York on Friday then to Minnesota on Sunday. NYK is 30th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. MIN is 5th in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. Taurean Prince (SF/PF - 17% rostered) can tank your field goal percentage with no remorse for human life. With that said, since arriving in Cleveland, he's shot 44% from the field, which is equivalent to 75% for most players, and contributed across-the-board production. He did start one game for Larry Nance Jr., but even when coming off the bench, he played 21, 22, and 32 minutes. Cedi Osman (SF/PF - 36% rostered) has started the past 10 games and played over 30 minutes in all but two of those games. He even played 50 minutes against the Nets a week ago. Now, he struggles with shooting efficiency as well and is inconsistent, but he can deliver points, three-pointers, rebounds, and assists from time to time. The Knicks matchup isn't a good one, but the Timberwolves one is very juicy. Isaac Okoro (SF - 8% rostered) has also started the last 10 games and is playing a ton of minutes and will provide steals. Unfortunately, he won't contribute much else outside of rebounds.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks travel to Utah on Friday then host the Suns on Saturday. UTA is 25th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. PHX is 29th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. Dorian Finney-Smith (SF/PF - 8% rostered) is expected to return from COVID protocols. When Finney-Smith was active, he was averaging 29 minutes and providing three-pointers, rebounds, steals, and blocks. He's a low usage guy so the points weren't voluminous, but he was posting top 80 production.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets travel to San Antonio on Friday then host the Jazz on Sunday. SA is 12th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 25th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. Gary Harris (SG/SF - 13% rostered) is far from sexy but he plays over 30 minutes per game and can provide points and three-pointers. He's very inconsistent and the floor is literally two points, but he has a 21-point, five three-pointer game on the season. Monte Morris (PG/SG - 22% rostered) isn't sexy either but he can provide some points, three-pointers, and assists, which is the main allure. He's had seven games with at least four assists, with two of those with six.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons host the Lakers on Thursday then travel to San Francisco on Saturday. LAL is 17th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. GSW is 3rd in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. Wayne Ellington (SG/SF - 39% rostered) has started the last seven games and averaged 27.9 minutes. He's gone over 30 minutes in three of those games. He's been a top 100 player contributing 15.6 points and 4.4 three-pointers while shooting 56% from the field. On the season, he's shooting 51% from downtown. Ellington is a career 41% shooter from the field and 38% from beyond the arc, so ride the wave until it crashes. Josh Jackson (SG/SF - 11% rostered) comes off the bench and only plays around 22-23 minutes per game, but when he's out there he's hucking and chucking up shots. The usage rate is in the low-20s and he will provide points and has been contributing some defensive stats. 2, 3, and 3 blocks in the last three games.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors travel to Phoenix on Thursday then host the Pistons on Saturday. PHX is 29th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. DET is 22nd in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets host the Trail Blazers on Thursday then travel to New Orleans on Saturday. POR is 12th in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. NO is 24th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. David Nwaba (SG/SF - 17% rostered) has been a top 50 player over the past seven games!!! Hallelujah! Before we go crowning him, though, he's shot 53% from the field and averaged 10.6 points, 0.7 three-pointers, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks. Nothing spectacular but nice across-the-board production. He's benefitted from the injury situation in Houston but it seems that he's carved out a role regardless.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers travel to Charlotte on Friday then host the 76ers on Sunday. CHA is 20th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. PHI is 4th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. T. J. McConnell (PG/SG - 14% rostered) has been a top 75 player over the past six games. He's averaged 25.2 minutes per game with 7 assists and 2.3 steals while shooting 51% from the field. Just don't expect many points or three-pointers. Justin Holiday (SG/SF - 34% rostered) has started the last eight games and averaged 32 minutes per game. He will provide some points, three-pointers, rebounds, and steals. The shooting efficiency has been good, at 49% for the season, but there are stretches when he shoots in the low-40s. For perspective, he's shot 42%, 38%, and 37% from the field over the last three seasons. Doug McDermott (SF/PF - 15% rostered) is coming off a brutal game in which he scored two points. Prior to that, though, he had scored in double figures four straight games, with one being a 23-point explosion. He's starting and playing over 30 minutes per contest. Strictly a points and three-points player.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers travel to Miami on Thursday then to Orlando the following day. They end the week in New York on Sunday. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are in COVID protocols so there's a good chance they miss all three games. Patrick Beverley is dealing with a sore knee so, if he's unable to go, then Reggie Jackson (PG/SG - 13% rostered) will be a more than capable replacement. In his last game, Jackson went for 20 points, two three-pointers, seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block in 39 minutes. Jackson has this upside on any given night. Unfortunately, he's inconsistent and is just as likely to produce a dud. Luke Kennard (SG/SF - 21% rostered) got the start last game with Leonard and George out and contributed 13 points, two three-pointers, three rebounds, two assists, and four steals in 28 minutes. He jacked up 13 shots but only converted 38% of them. Kennard had a usage rate of 21.4, so he will have the ball in his hands with the opportunity to make plays. Marcus Morris (PF/C - 23% rostered) did not start with Kawhi and George out but still played 24 minutes. He had a usage rate of 21.2 and can score, provide three-pointers, and grab rebounds. Ivica Zubac (C - 34% rostered) plays less than 20 minutes per game, but he's very productive in those minutes. He's contributed a double-double in three of the last four games, will get some blocks, and shoots very well from both the field and free-throw line.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers travel to Detroit on Thursday then to Boston on Saturday. DET is 22nd in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. BOS is 18th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (PG/SG - 19% rostered) is strictly a three-point specialist. It's a shame he only plays 25 minutes per game but he has a high of 23 points with seven three-pointers on the season. He does have six single-digit performances, though.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies game has been postponed.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat host the Clippers on Thursday then the Kings on Saturday. LAC is 28th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. SAC is 10th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks travel to New Orleans on Friday then to Charlotte the following day. NO is 24th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. CHA is 20th in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves host the 76ers on Friday then the Cavaliers on Sunday. PHI is 4th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. CLE is 27th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. Naz Reid (C - 35% rostered) will have value for as long as Karl-Anthony Towns is in COVID protocols. He's been a top 35 player over the last four games, averaging 26.4 minutes, 14.5 points, 1.5 three-pointers, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks while shooting 51% from the field (10.3 attempts) and 100% from the line (2.5 attempts). Once Towns returns, Reid will go back to playing 16 minutes. Jarred Vanderbilt (SF - 20% rostered) has started the last five games due to Juancho Hernangomez being out. Vanderbilt has been a top 70 player over that stretch. He's only averaged 22.5 minutes but has contributed 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 55% from the field. The free-throw shooting is poor at 50%, though. When Hernangomez returns, his ability to space the floor may be the preferred option but maybe Vanderbilt's defensive contributions will be the choice. We will just have to wait to see how it plays out but, for now, utilize Vanderbilt for the defensive contributions.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans host the Bucks on Friday then the Rockets the following day. MIL is 8th in pace and 10th in defensive efficiency. HOU is 6th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. Josh Hart (SG/SF - 19% rostered) won't score many points but he will contribute a robust number of rebounds for his position, in the seven to eight range on most nights. He also plays over 25 minutes per game and will provide some three-pointers and steals.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks host the Cavs on Friday then the Clippers on Sunday. CLE is 27th in pace and 9th in defensive efficiency. LAC is 28th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder host the Nets on Friday. BKN is 6th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic host the Clippers on Friday then travel to Tampa Bay on Sunday to face the Raptors. LAC is 28th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 9th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. Cole Anthony (PG - 42% rostered) has converted 56% of his attempts over the last four games. For perspective, he's shooting 36% from the field for the season. He's a rookie so maybe he's figured some things out? It's possible but I'd expect regression from these levels. With that said, he is providing three-pointers and rebounds well for a guard. The assists are a little light at sub-4 per game and he's light in the defensive cats.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The 76ers travel to Minnesota on Friday then to Indiana on Sunday. MIN is 5th in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. IND is 15th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns host the Warriors on Thursday then travel to Dallas on Saturday. GSW is 3rd in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. DAL is 22nd in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. Cameron Johnson (SF/PF - 30% rostered) has started the last four games and seen his playing time increase each game, from 22.6 to 28.5 to 31.6 and finally 34.9. He's scored in double-digits just two of those games, though. Johnson is a 3-and-D player who won't contribute in much else.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers travel to Houston on Thursday then to Chicago on Saturday. HOU is 6th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. CHI is 2nd in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. Since C. J. McCollum went down, Anfernee Simons (PG/SG - 4% rostered) has seen his playing increase each game, from 15 to 23 to 29 minutes. Over the last two games, he's scored 26 points with six three-pointers and 16 points with four three-pointers. He doesn't contribute much else and the shooting efficiency won't be so robust every game, but if he's getting the minutes, Simons could provide points and three-pointers. Carmelo Anthony (SF/PF - 38% rostered) has seen his usage rate spike to the mid-20s with the injuries to McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic. He's still coming off the bench when the rest of the team is healthy but is still playing 26 minutes. He will provide points, three-pointers, rebounds, and he's been contributing in the defensive categories. At least a steal and block in each of the last three games.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings travel to Tampa Bay on Friday then to Miami the following day. TOR is 9th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. MIA is 19th in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs host the Nuggets on Friday. DEN is 26th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors host the Kings on Friday then the Magic on Sunday. SAC is 10th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. ORL is 21st in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz host the Mavericks on Friday then travel to Denver on Sunday. DAL is 22nd in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. DEN is 26th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. Royce O'Neale (SF/PF - 19% rostered) won't score many points, although he is coming off a 20-point performance. On the season, he's scored in double-figures just four games. What he does is play a ton of minutes and contribute a little something in every category without hurting you anywhere.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards host the Hawks on Friday then the Nets on Sunday. ATL is 15th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. BKN is 6th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. If the Wizards get players back from COVID protocols, then disregard this player but Garrison Mathews (SG/SF - 1% rostered) has averaged 25.3 minutes per game over the last four. He is a 3-and-D player who has contributed 2.8 three-pointers and 1.5 steals. Robin Lopez (C - 13% rostered) has started the last three games and played 30, 24, and 26 minutes. He can provide rebounds and blocks and has been dishing out some assists lately.
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