RADIO
We are now past the All-Star Break, so time is running short to improve your playoff positioning. Remember, the later in the season we get, the less long-term value trumps short-term value. As we get closer to the playoffs, it's all about what your available roster spots can do for you now.
This column is posted weekly as part of RotoBaller's regular season NBA coverage for the 2015-16 NBA season. It will focus on available players who could win you your H2H matchup in specific categories.
Last thing, we’ll usually only focus on one player per category, but list other available options underneath. Certain guys might be listed in more than one category, so if you need help in both, be sure to make those players a priority.
Position Eligibility & Ownership Rate Based on Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Player List
NBA Waiver Wire: Week 17 Category Streamers
Weekend of 2/26, 2/27, & 2/28
Teams with 2 games: ATL, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DET, IND, MIA, MIN, MEM, NYK, ORL, PHI, POR, TOR, WSH
Teams with 1 game: BOS, BKN, DEN, GSW, HOU, LAL, LAC, MIL, NOP, OKC, PHO, SAC, SAS, UTA
Points
Lance Stephenson (SG/SF MEM)
Owned in 12% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, February 26 @ Los Angeles Lakers & Saturday, February 27 @ Phoenix
ANALYSIS: Talent has never been an issue for Stephenson. He has shown an ability to score and contribute in many different ways, and now following a trade last week, has a favorable role and situation with Memphis. Injuries to several prominent Grizzlies have opened up plenty of minutes for Stephenson who recently claimed that he’s "very motivated" to play for the Griz, and managed to score 16 points in his debut on Sunday. With two extremely favorable matchups this weekend, Stephenson could really score in droves.
Other alternatives: Blazers forward Maurice Harkless cooled off on Tuesday night, but in five games before that averaged an impressive 14.4 ppg. Bulls guard E'Twaun Moore has been an inconsistent scorer this season, but is capable of making an impactful scoring output on any given night. Stephenson’s veteran teammate Vince Carter has scored double-digits in his last three contests (including 16 on Sunday) and his minutes are trending upwards given the aforementioned injuries to the Grizzlies right now.
Rebounds
Bobby Portis (PF/C, CHI)
Owned in 21% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, February 26 @ Atlanta & Saturday February 27 vs. Portland
ANALYSIS: The Bulls rookie forward has been steadily playing in the 22-28 minute range and has outperformed established veteran forward Taj Gibson. In Portis’ previous five games, he has averaged 8.2 rpg, including back-to-back 10 rebound performances in his games before and after the All-Star break. The rookie is playing his best basketball of the season right now, and with two games on the slate this weekend, Portis could swing the rebounding category in your favor.
Other alternatives: Miami rookie forward Justise Winslow had seen an increased usage in the absence of All-Star Chris Bosh, and has been rebounding at an impressive clip (7.3 rpg in his previous three contests). Alex Len of the Suns has averaged 8.7 rpg in seven February games and faces a frontcourt that no longer has Marc Gasol this weekend.
Assists
Shelvin Mack (PG, UTA)
Owned in 17% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Saturday, February 27 vs. Brooklyn
ANALYSIS: Perhaps no other player is going to see a bigger benefit from the trade deadline in terms of role and possibly production than Mack. A deadline deal that sent him from Atlanta (where he was essentially a third-string point guard) to Utah (a team as point guard needy as any) has done wonders for his fantasy stock and outlook. Mack has played 24 and 32 minutes respectively in his first two games for the Jazz, including a start in Tuesday’s win. He has dished out a total of 8 assists in those two contests, but should have a nice outing this weekend against a brutal Brooklyn team with a terrible point guard situation of their own.
Other alternatives: Hawks point guard Dennis Schroder has sky-high potential and has averaged 8.0 apg over his last two games, but his upside and numbers remain limited while Jeff Teague is still the starter. The Suns have played Archie Goodwin more at the two-guard position, to clear the way for Phil Pressey, who is coming off a 10 assist game Monday and is clearly in their shot-term plans while Brandon Knight remains weeks away from return following a groin injury.
Steals
Jeremy Lin (PG, CHA)
Owned in 37% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, February 26 @ Indiana & Sunday, February 28 @ Atlanta
ANALYSIS: Lin’s steal numbers are down this season compared to his career (0.7 spg this year compared to a 1.2 spg career average), but he has been red hot in the category of late, averaging 2.7 spg in his previous three tilts. He has not been a steady, consistent source of steals, but with two games on tap for this weekend, paired with his recent trend of steals, Lin could provide a major boost in a specialized category this weekend.
Other alternatives: Nuggets shooting guard Gary Harris is averaging 1.3 spg this season and has put up around 2.0 spg over his previous five contests. Like the Nuggets, the Clippers only have one game this weekend, but the long-armed Wesley Johnson has become a valuable defensive standout for the Clips and should be able to collect several steals. Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley is a hard-nosed defender that has been a reliable source of steals this season.
Blocks
Jerami Grant (SF/PF, PHI)
Owned in 14% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, February 26 vs. Washington & Sunday February 28 @ Orlando
ANALYSIS: Grant has been a blocked shots specialists all season long, and has won over the coaching staff in Philadelphia as well. He has averaged an impressive 1.7 bpg in the month of February, and remains a very safe bet to continue those numbers through the weekend. Prior to Wednesday night's game, Grant was able to block at least one shot in 11 straight, and remains a safe bet to collect at least one block in both games, with the potential for multiple swats in each game.
Other alternatives: Raptors center Bismack Biyombo has returned to his bench role since Jonas Valanciunas came back from injury, but is still a steady source of blocked shots and is capable of one category-turning performance. Thunder big man Steven Adams has registered two blocks in each of this previous three games.
Three Pointers
Brandon Jennings (PG, ORL)
Owned in 44% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Weekend Schedule: Friday, February 26 @ New York & Sunday, February 28 vs. Philadelphia
ANALYSIS: Jennings’ tenure with Orlando following the trade deadline got off to a hot start in terms of minutes (25 in his first two games with the Magic) and overall statistics, particularly from downtown (3.0 threes in those games). His performance Tuesday was a step in the wrong direction (11 minutes), but it appears that his lack of playing time was due to head coach Scott Skiles fickle nature, pulling Jennings following a bad foul he committed. I’m willing to chalk it up to a fluke as Jennings enters the weekend with two extremely enticing matchups. The Knicks have completely fallen off defensively and have struggled to defend point guards all season long, getting chewed up by players less talented than Jennings. I would expect that with sufficient playing time, he could put on a show at MSG Friday night. Sunday’s matchup is also inviting, as Philadelphia plays hard, but still ranks 17th in opponents 3PT%. Again, this will all come down to Skiles playing Jennings the minutes he deserves, but as long as that happens, the potential is there for a huge weekend.
Other alternatives: Suns forward Mirza Teletovic is a sharpshooter and is red hot of late (3.0 3pg in his last three) has been a strong source from downtown all season long. Doug McDermott of the Bulls has collected 7 triples in his last two contests, and with a two-game slate this weekend, his long-ball prowess can put you over the top. Wizards veteran swingman Jared Dudley is coming off a 6 three-pointer night Tuesday, and is always a safe bet for multiple threes.
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