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This year we'll take more of a holistic approach to streaming, by providing a weekly overview of which teams to look at based on their schedules and what players to consider targeting in advance to maximize the bang for the buck you get out of limited weekly transactions. Streaming is just about maximizing a roster spot with whoever is available after all, it's never about targeting a specific player.
Anybody can go onto their waiver wire, look for the most interesting player with a game the next day, and add him. So we'll be plotting out our moves in advance, because being able to target a stream two days out, or add two extra games in one transaction is where you can really gain an edge over the average streamer. Hopefully this weekly overview will help you realize that edge.
Week 8 has a relatively balanced schedule of games, with 20 teams playing four games, however, there is a high number of two game teams, with five. Both Tuesday and Thursday are slated for less than five games, and Phoenix, Utah, and Washington are four-game teams that play on these days, making their players prime streaming candidates.
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NBA Schedule Guide - Week
Teams with 4 games: Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indiana, Memphis, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, Utah, Washington
Teams with 3 games: Brooklyn, Golden State, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Sacramento, Toronto
Teams with 2 games: Houston, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Miami, Portland
Number of teams playing each day:
Monday: 22
Tuesday: 6
Wednesday: 20
Thursday: 8
Friday: 16
Saturday: 20
Sunday: 12
Back-to-Backs (beware of older banged up players who might rest):
Atlanta: Sat/Sun
Charlotte: Fri/Sat
Chicago: Fri/Sat
Cleveland: Fri/Sat
Memphis: Fri/Sat
Milwaukee: Fri/Sat
New Orleans: Sun/Mon (Week 9)
New York: Sat/Sun
Orlando: Fri/Sat
Philadelphia: Sat/Sun
Phoenix: Mon/Tues
San Antonio: Fri/Sat
Toronto: Sun/Mon (Week 9)
Utah: Mon/Tue
Washington: Mon/Tue
Teams Playing Twice on Days with Five or Fewer Games (Tues/Thurs):
Oklahoma City, Utah, Washington
Teams Playing Three in Four Days on the Weekend:
Philadelphia
Baller Streaming Strategy for the Week
With a steady flow of games this week, there are plenty of streaming options available for you to buy in on. Early in the week, a way to maximize your streaming would be to pick up a player from Phoenix, Utah, or Washington. As stated above, they are prime streaming options due to their four-game weeks, and games on days of less than five games being played.
Between these teams, there are some interesting options, including Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tomas Satoransky, who are both benefiting from the absence of John Wall, and Alec Burks, who is stepping up his game with Rodney Hood sidelined.
Nabbing a Phoenix player is a bit more complicated. They are the only one of these teams who also have a weekend game, but their front court is an absolute fantasy mess, with the trio of Alex Len, Greg Monroe, Tyson Chandler—all capable contributors—rotating games that they sit out. It is recommended to stay away from these guys unless Monroe is traded soon, but Mike James is worth an add for his steady dose of dimes.
Another streaming option involves Sunday games, as there are only six. Philadelphia plays on Thursday and Sunday, while Sacramento plays on Tuesday and Sunday. Jerryd Bayless is worth a look, as he fills in for T.J. McConnell, and Bogdan Bogdanovic and Garrett Temple are both guys who chip in all over the floor and can give a nice short-term boost.
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