Ian Mahinmi (C, WAS) - Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Ian Mahinmi has made the most of his recent spike in playing time. The 6-foot-11 big man has seen action in a season-high six straight games as he is currently the Wizards only option at center behind center Thomas Bryant with Dwight Howard and Markieff Morris currently dealing with injuries. He is coming off two of his shortest outings over the last three weeks this weekend.

Mahinmi has seen at least 14 minutes of action in six of the team's last 11 contests during this stretch. The 11th-year pro will provide rim-protection, physical defense, hustle and rebounding regardless of the amount of time he is on the floor. Anything that on the 11th-year pro provides on the offensive end -- besides offensive rebounds -- is a bonus, although he is an excellent finisher around the rim.

The 32-year-old is averaging 5.9 points, 4.6 rebounds (1.8 offensive), 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and one block in just 16.2 minutes over the last three weeks (nine appearances). More importantly, from a Wizards perspective, he has a plus-4.1 rating. Mahinmi has scored in double-figures once and racked up double-digit rebounds once, although he has pulled down at least seven caroms on three occasions. His best games during this period came in consecutive games against the 76ers where he totaled 16 points, picked up 15 boards, had six assists, two blocks along with six steals.

While Mahinmi's minutes have been sporadic, even with Morris and Howard out, he is worth a pickup off of waivers due to his ability to rebound and block shots. Howard is likely out at least a couple more weeks though he could remain sidelined until the end of February. Meanwhile, Morris is out until the end of February.