RADIO
We're almost halfway into the season -- it's time to really bear down and fight for playoff positioning. Today we have some advice on some guys to target to address specific categories in your H2H matchup.
Remember, these streamers focused on making short term gains in specific categories. For recommendations on guys to add for the long-term, be sure to check out our Waiver Wire Pickups List. Also, be sure to check out the rest of our Week 10 NBA coverage, including our recommendations for Waiver Wire Centers, Forwards, and Guards.
NBA Waiver Wire : Category Streamers – Weekend Edition (Week 12)
Weekend of 1/16 & 1/17
Teams with 2 games: LAL
Teams with 0 games: CLE, NOP, TOR
Points
Shabazz Muhammad (SF/SF, MIN)
Owned in 9% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Sunday, January 17 vs. Phoenix
ANALYSIS: Muhammad has gone through stretches throughout his career where he is a consistent and reliable scorer for the Timberwolves and for fantasy teams. At the moment, he is in one of those stretches. Muhammad has scored in double-figures six of his previous seven games, including 3 of those games where he scored 20 or more. At some point, he will cool off and return to a deep bench role, but his scoring tear should continue against a bad Suns team that is a complete mess right now and ranks 29th in the NBA in points allowed.
Rebounds
Larry Nance Jr. (PF, LAL)
Owned in 24% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, January 16 @ Utah & Sunday, January 17 vs. Houston
ANALYSIS: Nance has been a rare bright spot in a nightmare season for the Lakers. Entering the season as a second-round pick, Nance has entrenched himself as a valuable part of the Lakers rotation, and has the full support of the coaching staff who continues to heap praise on the rookie forward. Nance plays hard, and hits the boards hard despite not having ideal size. The minutes have been a bit inconsistent, but his rebound numbers have been strong, averaging 8.6 over his previous 10 contests. The Lakers are the only team with a back-to-back this weekend, and Nance’s rebound numbers could provide a pivotal boost.
Assists
Jameer Nelson (PG, DEN)
Owned in 10% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Sunday, January 17 vs. Indiana
ANALYSIS: Nelson has proved to be a reliable, stabilizing force for a young Nuggets team, particularly while Emmanuel Mudiay eases back into the rotation. In his previous 5 games on the court, Nelson dished out just under 7 assists; a number that could come in and provide the final boost needed on Sunday night to win this category. Don’t be alarmed by his absence in last Sunday’s game with a hip injury, as he returned to the starting lineup Wednesday against the Warriors. Jose Calderon (43%) and Donald Sloan (12%) remain cheap waiver-wire options.
Steals
Tony Allen (SG/SF, LAC)
Owned in 41% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, January 16 vs. New York
ANALYSIS: I have mentioned before that Allen is a true fantasy “one-trick pony,” specializing in one category (steals) and offering little everywhere else. If guaranteed consistent minutes, Allen is a lock for multiple steals. The good news here is that in his last five games, Allen has played just under 32 minutes per game. To no one’s surprise, he has racked up multiple steals in four of those five. Expect Allen to get over 30 minutes against Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks.
Blocks
Steven Adams (C,OKC)
Owned in 11% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Sunday, January 17 vs. Miami
ANALYSIS: Adams is rounding into a very serviceable NBA player, and so far in January has offered sneaky-good fantasy value as well. His blocked shots have been inconsistent of late (1.0 bpg over his last five games, but two of them came up empty), but he has a very favorable matchup over the weekend. Miami’s 6.7 blocked field goals per game ranks last in the NBA, so Adams should be able to contribute multiple swats this weekend.
Three Pointers
Mirza Teletovic (SF/PF, PHO)
Owned in 27% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Sunday, January 17 @ Minnesota
ANALYSIS: Teletovic has carved out a role as an excellent three-point shooter in his short career, and he has lived up to his reputation during his first season in the desert. Due to coaching decisions, injuries, and not being able to get over your brother being traded to Detroit, the Suns rotation has been in a constant state of flux and Teletovic has seen his minutes fluctuate all season long. As is the case with shooters, they have the potential to run “hot” and “cold” at various times. Currently, we are in the middle of a Teletovic “hot” streak, making 4.25 three-pointers over his last 5 contests, a remarkable rate that won’t last too much longer. Minnesota ranks in the middle-of-the-pack when it comes to opponents 3PT FG%, but expect Teletovic to continue his impressive run from downtown.
