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Dicky looks ahead to Week 23 for fantasy basketball waiver wire pickups and more lineups advice.
Hopefully you're in good shape as we are in the midst of fantasy basketball playoffs. We wish everyone the best of luck in your upcoming playoffs and may the odds forever be in your favor!
As a reminder for most leagues, it's crucial to plan ahead. Waiver wire adds, scheduling, player injuries are all things to consider at this point of the season. Drop the dead weight, make an effort to improve your team by maximizing your weekly adds and utilizing streamer spots via the waiver wire. Don't be attached to short-term pick ups when there is a hot player on the horizon. Be wary of weekly streaming options and stay ahead of your opponents. This is not the time to hang on to struggling players, even if it means you have to drop them to just to advance to the next round.
Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, so be sure to check them out! Now let's get prepared for Week 23.
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Week 23 Schedule
4 Games – Hawks, Nets, Hornets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Pistons, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, Pelicans, Knicks, 76ers, Spurs, Raptors, Jazz
3 Games –Celtics, Mavericks, Nuggets, Warriors, Lakers, Timberwolves, Thunder, Magic, Suns, Trail Blazers, Kings, Wizards
Week 23 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
**At this point of the season, it's more about getting the maximize the use of games and categorical needs. Almost all players, standard or deep may become of use to advance to the next round.**
Marcus Morris, SF/PF & Terry Rozier, PG, Boston Celtics (47 & 54% Ownership)
Kyrie Irving (knee) is still iffy, and Jaylen Brown (concussion) is still not cleared to return, making both Morris and Rozier good plays for the upcoming week. There's plenty of minutes going around with Marcus Smart (thumb) also done for the year. Rozier has been outstanding in fill-in starts, averaging 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks and 3.0 3-pointers while Morris is averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 boards, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.8 3-pointers over their last five.
Quinn Cook, PG & Nick Young, SG/SF, Golden State Warriors (10 & 21% Ownership)
Stephen Curry (ankle), Klay Thompson (thumb), and Kevin Durant (rib fracture) is all out for the Warriors, and Cook is coming off two impressive games, averaging 26.5 points, 4.0 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 5.0 3-pointers over his last two games. Yes, he's worth grabbing if he isn't already. Nick Young, aka Swaggy P is also worth grabbing because he's a human microwave and has the upside to single handedly win you the 3-pointer category.
Delon Wright, PG/SG, Toronto Raptors (11% Ownership)
Wright has been Jekyll & Hyde all season, but he's played well as of late and the Raptors are really leaning on their bench play to finish the season as they pretty much have the No. 1 seed locked up in the Eastern Conference. Kyle Lowry also rested a game this week and this should mean well for Wright's rest of the way outlook. It also helps that Fred Vanvleet (bruised hand) is also considered day-to-day so Wright could be looking at minutes closer to 30 this week. Wright is a solid target if you're in need for some steals, 3-pointers, and a decent source of assists. The Raptors play four times this week.
Al Jefferson, PF/C, Indiana Pacers (6% Ownership)
You didn't read wrong, as this is the same Al Jefferson who was once a solid top-15 fantasy asset dating back to 2010 through the 2014 seasons. He's getting the call to produce because Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis are both out with ankle injuries. Turner is probably closer to a return than Sabonis, but Jefferson has been stellar with two nice games, including a 20-point, 12-rebound game on Thursday.
Greg Monroe, PF/C, Boston Celtics (44% Ownership)
Monroe is slowly getting more comfortable with the Celtic's system, as he's now scored double-figures in five of the last seven games. He's also had a great when given the minutes, as he can flirt with a double-double on a daily basis. Get him if you need a center to play this week, although be wary the Celtics only plays three times this week.
Dillon Brooks, SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies (23% Ownership)
There's almost no chance he's on the waiver wires in most competitive leagues, but in a rare case that he is, he should be picked up immediately. The tank train has been full steam for the Grizzlies, and they have every incentive to let Brooks loose for the rest of the way. Brooks is averaging 18.1 points per game in March and is averaging 32.8 minutes per game.
Corey Brewer, SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (30% Ownership)
The ex-Laker is enjoying a new chance of scenery in Oklahoma City, averaging 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.8 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.6 3-pointers on 51 percent shooting. He's a key part of the rotation and is being asked to guard opposing wings and guards, which really bodes well for his fantasy value. He's not likely to be this good, but his steals potential with the upside to contribute multiple categories makes him a must-play right now.
Denzel Valentine, SG/SF, Chicago Bulls (24% Ownership)
Valentine started for the injured Zach LaVine (knee) and went nuts on Saturday with a career-high 34 points on 13-of-20 shooting, including an impressive 8-of-11 from behind the 3-point line, while chipping in with seven rebounds, six assists and a blocked shot. Yes, Valentine is a must-play right now given his upside potential. This is one of those run, don't walk moment.
Week 23 Deep Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
E'Twaun Moore, PG/SG/SF, New Orleans Pelicans (34% Ownership)
There's not a lot to Moore's game besides just points and 3-pointers, but he's still getting minutes on a Pelicans team that needs his shooting. Give him a look and hope he can give you decent production this week.
Evan Turner, SG/SF, Portland Trail Blazers (13% Ownership)
Turner has played well in his last couple of games, but can very much fade the next game. However, he's still a decent low-end play because he can give four to five assists on any given night. Assists are hard to find on the wire, so he can potentially be a make-or-break kind of play depending on where you stand.
Bam Adebayo, PF/C, Miami Heat (8% Ownership)
Hassan Whiteside (hip) continues to be out and he's already been ruled out Monday against the Nuggets, so Adebayo will continue to see minutes next to Kelly Olynyk. Adebayo doesn't have the biggest upside because he doesn't do much outside of rebounding and blocks, but he will see minutes in the mid 20s and that should be good enough to roster for teams that need help in rebounding.
C.J. Miles, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors (13% Ownership)
Miles isn't going to do much outside of 3-pointers and a couple of steals every so often, so give him a look since he's been playing well as of late. Miles doesn't hurt you elsewhere in percentages or turnovers, so he's not a bad option.
Cameron Payne, PG, Chicago Bulls (5% Ownership)
Kris Dunn (toe) and Zach LaVine (knee) could potentially be shut down the rest of the way, making Payne a good pick up right now. He's coming off 13-point, 10-dime game. Assists is one of the hardest categories to find on the wire, so picking up Payne and dropping Dunn makes a lot of sense right now.
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