RADIO
The season truly is a marathon and not a sprint. Although we are in Week 7 now, there are still over 12 weeks left, depending on your league settings and format. Every point, three-pointer, rebound, assist, steal, and block is important so be diligent and mine the waiver wire to your advantage.
Our one and only, Milos Zvekic broke down the Week 7 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 12 teams with a back-to-back and one team (UTA) 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 host the Jazz on Thursday then the Raptors on Saturday. UTA is 25th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. TOR is 11th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency.
BOSTON CELTICS
The Celtics travel to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Friday then go to Phoenix on Sunday. LAC is 27th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency. PHX is 28th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. Tristan Thompson (PF/C - 17% rostered) received the start last game with Marcus Smart injured and played 25 minutes. He is a rebounds specialist.
BROOKLYN NETS
The Nets host the Raptors on Friday then travel to Philadelphia the following day. Jeff Green (SF/PF/C - 39% rostered) started the most recent game but had been coming off the bench for the prior six games. Regardless of his role, Green has become an integral piece for Coach Nash, as he's been playing the small-ball center position in order to space out defenses for the Big Three. He's coming off a seven-point dud but had scored double digits in 10 consecutive games prior to that. Green will also contribute three-pointers, rebounds, and some defensive stats. He's averaging around 30 minutes per game. I'm surprised the roster percentage still remains below 50%. Bruce Brown (SG - 1% rostered) has started eight games this season and averaged 24.8 minutes, 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 59% from the field and 62% from the line. When either James Harden or Kevin Durant has missed a game this season, Brown has been the one to fill in. With a back-to-back, there's a chance one of the Big Three sits.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets host the Jazz on Friday then the Wizards on Sunday. UTA is 25th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. WAS is 1st in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. Cody Zeller (C - 47% rostered) has been a beast the last two games, playing 39 and 34 minutes while contributing 19 points, 12 rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in one game, and seven points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and one block in the other one. He's getting elevated playing time due to P.J. Washington's injury but, even when he returns, Zeller should still play 28-30 minutes a game.
CHICAGO BULL
The Bulls travel to Orlando for a double-dip on Friday and Saturday. ORL is 20th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers host the Bucks for a double-dip on Friday and Saturday. MIL is 7th in pace and 15th in defensive efficiency.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks how the Warriors on Thursday and Saturday. GSW is 3rd in pace and 11th in defensive efficiency. Dorian Finney-Smith (SF/PF - 6% rostered) is fully back after missing nine games. It took him a few games to get ramped up but he's now played 37 and 34 minutes the last two games. DFS isn't a high usage player so the points will rarely be voluminous, but he provides three-pointers, rebounds, and steals.
DENVER NUGGETS
The Nuggets travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Thursday then head to Sacramento on Saturday. LAL is 19th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. SAC is 12th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. JaMychal Green (PF/C - 14% rostered) only averages around 20-22 minutes per game but can contribute points, three-pointers, rebounds, and steals. In the last two games, the usage rate has been very low at 13.7 and 7.1, but prior to those games, he had usage rates of 25.4, 22.4, and 21.9. He's scored double figures in 10 games and grabbed at least five rebounds in all but two games this season. Will Barton (SG/SF - 44% rostered) is a frustrating player due to the inconsistency. He can go for 20 points while filling the entire stat sheet on any given night. Unfortunately, there have been plenty of two-point outings. Now, Gary Harris is likely out this week due to an adductor strain so Barton could slide into the shooting guard position and get a few more minutes of playing time. Monte Morris (PG/SG - 16% rostered) could start for Harris, as he was the direct sub when Harris went down. Even if he doesn't and Barton starts, Morris will still see an uptick in playing time and provide those juicy assists.
DETROIT PISTONS
The Pistons travel to Phoenix on Friday then to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Saturday. PHX is 28th in pace and 6th in defensive efficiency. LAL is 19th in pace and 1st in defensive efficiency. Josh Jackson (SG/SF - 10% rostered) has played 30 and 24 minutes the last two games after receiving 17, 22, and 20 the prior three games. It's been an up and down season both from a playing time and production standpoint. With that said, the one thing I know about Jackson is that, when he's on the court, he's going to huck and chuck up shots. He garnered a usage rate of 31.6 and 26.9 over the last two games and is rarely below 20. Now, the shooting efficiency can be rough at times which can affect his playing time but the contributions in the defensive stats mitigate that to some degree.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The Warriors travel to Dallas on Thursday and Saturday. DAL is 24th in pace and 17th in defensive efficiency. Juan Toscano-Anderson (SF - 1% rostered) played 27 minutes last game because Kevon Looney got injured and Eric Paschall was ineffective. He contributed 16 points, three three-pointers, two rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block. He could see consistent minutes this week.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Rockets travel to Memphis on Thursday then host the Spurs on Saturday. MEM is 10th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. SA is 14th in pace and 18th in defensive efficiency. Danuel House Jr. (SF/PF - 11% rostered) has played 26, 28, 19, and 13 minutes since returning from an 11-game absence, so he's ramped up and ready to go. In the last two games, House stuffed the stat sheet but he's mainly a three-point, rebounds, and steals player.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers host the Pelicans on Friday then the Jazz on Sunday. NOP is 16th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. UTA is 25th in pace and 4th in defensive efficiency. T. J. McConnell (PG/SG - 18% rostered) has dished out 8, 6, 6, 6, 7, 9, 9, 6, 8, and 7 assists over the last 10 games. What's a guy have to do to get rostered these days? He hasn't scored in double-digits in any of those contests, but he's grabbed some rebounds and stolen at least one in every game but one.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
The Clippers host the Celtics on Friday then the Kings on Sunday. BOS is 18th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency. SAC is 12th in pace and 30th in defensive efficiency. Nicolas Batum (SF/PF - 49% rostered) is a top 60 player for fantasy on a per-game basis this season. The 50% field goal percentage will come down, likely to the 45% range, but he still provides three-pointers, rebounds, assists, and steals.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers host the Nuggets on Thursday then the Pistons on Saturday. DEN is 28th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. DET is 23rd in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies host the Rockets on Thursday then travel to New Orleans on Saturday. HOU is 4th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency. NOP is 16th in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency. De'Anthony Melton (PG/SG - 32% rostered) has been a top 30 player over the last three games. He's averaged 27 minutes, 16.3 points, 3.3 three-pointers, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks while shooting 51% from the field. Now, that shooting efficiency won't last, as he's a career 40% shooter, but he stuffs the stat sheet in every other category. The playing time has been elevated due to injuries, especially Grayson Allen, so he could go back to playing in the low-20s. With that said, there's a chance that he's carved out a more significant role with his recent play. Desmond Bane (PG/SG - 2% rostered) has played 26 and 25 minutes the last two games and scored double-digit points in five straight. He's mainly a three-point specialist but will chip in some rebounds and steals on occasion.
MIAMI HEAT
The Heat host the Wizards on Friday then travel to New York on Sunday. WAS is 1st in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. NY is 30th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. Kelly Olynyk (PF/C - 24% rostered) is starting but only averaging around 23-24 minutes per game. The shooting has been poor and he's only scored double figures in three of the last 10 games. He does provide three-pointers and some rebounds, though, if you're into those sort of things.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Bucks travel to Cleveland for a double-dip on Friday and Saturday. CLE is 26th in pace and 7th in defensive efficiency.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves travel to Oklahoma City for a double-dip on Friday and Saturday. OKC is 9th in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans travel to Indiana on Friday then host the Grizzlies the following day. IND is 13th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. MEM is 10th in pace and 5th in defensive efficiency. Josh Hart (SG/SF - 19% rostered) averages around 26 minutes per game. His main contribution is rebounding and will chip in some three-pointers and steals. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG/SF - 12% rostered) has been up and down, primarily due to the playing time. Over the last six games, he's played 18, 33, 23, 30, 21, and 18 minutes. The usage rate has been consistently in the 18-19 range. Now, NAW can stuff the stat sheet but the shooting efficiency is always an issue. With JJ Redick on the block and the Pelicans wanting to give NAW more playing time, he's a viable option. He will be inconsistent, though, until his role is solidified.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks host the Trail Blazers on Saturday then the Heat the following day. POR is 14th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. MIA is 22nd in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. Nerlens Noel (PF/C - 33% rostered) has played 28 and 25 minutes in the last two games. This is not the New World Order, as he will usually play around 20 minutes, but he rebounds and blocks shots when he's on the court. Alec Burks (SG/SF - 36% rostered) can provide points, three-pointers, rebounds, and steals. The playing time has fluctuated recently, as he played 31, 27, and 27 when he first returned but then had a stretch of three games in which he played 23, 24, and 22 minutes. Last game out, though, he played 29 minutes.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The Thunder host the Timberwolves for a double-dip on Friday and Saturday. MIN is 8th in pace and 23rd in defensive efficiency. Theo Maledon (PG - 15% rostered) has started the last four games in place of the injured George Hill, who is out for at least the next four weeks. Since becoming a starter, Maledon has produced top 75 value, averaging 28.3 minutes, 13 points, three three-pointers, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and one steal while shooting 56% from the field and 100% from the line. There's a chance that Maledon remains the starter for the remainder of the season as well. Darius Bazley (SF/PF - 39% rostered) can provide some points, three-pointers, rebounds, and some blocks. He's scored double figures in four straight and averages around 30 minutes per game. The big bugaboo is the shooting efficiency, as he's converting 40% of his attempts on the season.
ORLANDO MAGIC
The Magic host the Bulls for a double-dip on Friday and Saturday. CHI is 2nd in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. Chuma Okeke (PF - 1% rostered) returned from a 12-game absence and played 18 minutes. He contributed 10 points, two three-pointers, three assists, and one steal. Aaron Gordon is out for about a month and Gary Clark, who will likely start in the short term, isn't very good. Khem Birch is a rebound and hustle guy so there's a chance Okeke steps in for Gordon at some point. Cole Anthony (PG - 43% rostered) has averaged 31.3 minutes, 12.8 points, 1.6 three-pointers, five rebounds, and 4.3 assists over the last eight games. The shooting efficiency has increased from 37% to 47% from the field. It looks like he's more comfortable now and could see a slight usage bump with Gordon out.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The 76ers host the Trail Blazers on Thursday then the Nets on Saturday. POR is 14th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. BKN is 5th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency.
PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns host the Pistons on Friday then the Celtics on Sunday. DET is 23rd in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. BOS is 18th in pace and 13th in defensive efficiency.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Trail Blazers travel to Philadelphia on Thursday then to New York on Saturday. PHI is 6th in pace and 3rd in defensive efficiency. NY is 30th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. Gary Trent Jr. (SG/SF - 44% rostered) has started the last five games in place of CJ McCollum and produced top 35 value. He's averaged 36.9 minutes, 19.4 points, 4.8 three-pointers, two rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks while shooting 44% from the field and 83% from the line. It's crazy that he's still available on some wires.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings host the Nuggets on Saturday then travel to Los Angeles to face the Clippers the following day. DEN is 28th in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency. LAC is 27th in pace and 12th in defensive efficiency.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs travel to Houston on Saturday. They are the only team to play one game. HOU is 4th in pace and 2nd in defensive efficiency.
TORONTO RAPTORS
The Raptors travel to Brooklyn on Friday then to Atlanta the following day. BKN is 5th in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency. ATL is 16th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency.
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz travel to Atlanta on Thursday, then Charlotte the following day, then to Indiana on Sunday. ATL is 16th in pace and 8th in defensive efficiency. CHA is 20th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency. IND is 13th in pace and 14th in defensive efficiency. Royce O'Neale (SF/PF - 30% rostered) has been a top 50 player over the last four games. He contributes in every category without hurting you in any. Joe Ingles (SG/SF - 39% rostered) plays around 25 minutes per game and will provide three-pointers and assists.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
The Wizards travel to Miami on Friday then to Charlotte on Sunday. MIA is 22nd in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. CHA is 20th in pace and 16th in defensive efficiency.
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