December 11, 2017

Ray D analyzes Week 9 streaming opportunities for head-to-head fantasy basketball leagues. He reviews the upcoming NBA schedule and players to add.

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 9 is a bit scattered, with more teams playing three games this week than four, and several two game teams throwing a wrench into many lineups. There are five days this week with eight games or less, meaning it is a week where streaming will be your best friend if done right. It can also prove to be your downfall if you bet on the wrong players.

NBA Schedule Guide - Week 9

Teams with 4 games: Boston, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, LA Clippers, Memphis, Miami, Oklahoma City, Portland, Toronto, Washington

Teams with 3 games: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Indiana, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, Utah

Teams with 2 games: Golden State, LA Lakers, Miami, Philadelphia

Number of teams playing each day:

Monday: 12
Tuesday: 14
Wednesday: 18
Thursday: 10
Friday: 22
Saturday: 16
Sunday: 8

Back-to-Backs (beware of older banged up players who might rest):

Atlanta: Thurs/Fri
Boston: Fri/Sat
Brooklyn: Thurs/Fri
Charlotte: Fri/Sat
Cleveland: Sat/Sun
Denver: Tue/Wed
Detroit: Thurs/Fri
Houston: Fri/Sat
Indiana: Sun/Mon (Week 10)
LA Clippers: Fri/Sat
Memphis: Fri/Sat
Miami: Fri/Sat
Milwaukee: Fri/Sat
Oklahoma City: Fri/Sat
Phoenix: Tue/Wed
Portland: Fri/Sat
San Antonio: Fri/Sat
Utah: Fri/Sat
Washington: Tue/Wed

Teams Playing Twice on Days with Five or Fewer Games (Thurs/Sun):

Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit, Sacramento

Teams Playing Three in Four Days on the Weekend:

Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit

Baller Streaming Strategy for the Week

It is a bit of an odd week with the way games are stacked, and it is a slow weekend with a total of 12 games played during Saturday and Sunday. Prime streaming targets this week will be players from Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit, and Sacramento, as they're the four teams playing on days of five games or less. Interestingly enough, they also all play on Tuesday, which has only seven games slated. Considering the spread of games for these four teams, and the relative availability of many players on each of these teams, the most promising strategy of the week seems to be riding a hot hand from one of these teams.

Among the best options is Caris LeVert, who can be more than simply a streamer as he is on a roll right now, coming off of the best two week stretch of his career. He is putting up double-digit point totals, dishing a solid amount of dimes, and chipping in by grabbing boards, steals, and even a block here and there. This is likely your last chance to scoop him up, as he is undoubtedly one of the hottest waiver wire commodities right now.

Allen Crabbe is a solid option as well, though more likely available in shallow leagues, while Joe Harris is a decent deep league add if you're looking for a steady stream of points, three-pointers, and rebounds. Cleveland has a trifecta of hit or miss assets in Kyle Korver, Jeff Green, and J.R. Smith, who in any given game can put up a double-double or reign down the threes. Jeff Green is under the radar, and though he has a bad fantasy reputation at this stage of his career, he is consistently scoring and grabbing rebounds lately, while Korver and Smith are...you know, Kyle Korver and J.R. Smith.

Detroit has one of the more interesting fantasy options this week in Stanley Johnson. At moments he shows flashes of fantasy brilliance and can be an interesting gamble for those that need an eclectic boost to their stats. He doesn't score much, averaging only 7.5 PPG this season, but his defense makes him worth a look, as he tends to stuff his stat sheet with steals and rebounds, with some assists and triples sprinkled in there.

Sacramento, again, is a team full of options as Bogdan Bogdanovic, Garrett Temple, and George Hill are all around contributors who are likely available in many leagues. Skal Labissiere is also worth a look, as he is back to starting after a dominant G-League stint. He is someone that if he builds some momentum, can turn into a hold in many leagues due to his talent, size, and opportunity on a lottery Kings squad.

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