RADIO
All-Star weekend is just around the corner, and it's an exciting for all NBA fans as we approach the weekend. In case you didn't know, this year's All-Star game will feature a different format, in which the captains (LeBron James & Stephen Curry) has selected members to be on their teams. It also gives some fantasy owners a time to regroup and use the extra time to reevaluate their strategy for the upcoming weeks and playoffs. Winning a competitive fantasy basketball isn't easy, as owners who are in the lead are often the ones who are constantly looking for ways to improve their team. Week 18 and 19 are often combined into one week under most league settings, so this is why I have highlighted Week 18 and 19 separately and also combined.
As a reminder for most leagues, fantasy playoffs will begin on Week 21 which begins March 12th. Drop the dead weight, make an effort to improve your team via trades / waiver wire. Don't be attached to short-term pick ups when there is a hot player with a better outlook. Be wary of weekly streaming options and stay ahead of your opponents. Owners should try to do anything in their power to squeeze their way into the playoffs, as it's a completely different ball game.
Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, so be sure to check them out! Now let's get prepared for Week 18 and 19.
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Week 18 Schedule
2 Games - Jazz, Raptors, Spurs, Kings, Suns, Sixers, Magic, Thunder, Knicks, Pelicans, Hawks, Nets, Bulls, Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors, Clippers, Rockets, Lakers, Heat, Bucks, Timberwolves
1 Game - Celtics, Hornets, Mavericks, Pacers, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, Wizards
Week 19 Schedule
3 Games - Sixers, Wizards, Cavaliers, Hornets
2 Games - Jazz, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Suns, Magic, Thunder, Knicks, Pelicans, Timberwolves, Bucks, Heat, Grizzlies, Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, Warriors, Pistons, Nuggets, Mavericks, Bulls, Celtics
1 Game - Hawks, Pacers, Nets, Raptors
Weeks 18 and 19 Schedule Combined
5 Games - Sixers
4 Games - Hornets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors, Rockets, Clippers, Lakers, Heat, Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Knicks, Thunder, Magic, Spurs, Suns, Kings, Jazz, Wizards
3 Games - Hawks, Nets, Celtics, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, Raptors
2 Games - Pacers
Week 17 Breakout Performers
James Harden, PG/SG/SF, Houston Rockets
Week 17 averages: 35.0 PPG 5.0 RPG 7.3 APG 1.0 SPG 0.7 BPG 4.7 3PM 48% FG 88% FT 3.7 TO
Harden has been on a roll all year and he's been the #1 overall player in 9-category leagues thus far. He's been extremely fun to own, and the Rockets will continue to push the Warriors the rest of the way for the top seed in the Western Conference. This bodes well for his value, and owners should just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Brandon Ingram, SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers
Week 17 averages: 22.3 PPG 2.3 RPG 4.7 APG 0.7 SPG 0.7 BPG 3.0 3PM 64% FG 100% FT 1.7 TO
Ingram has quietly improved his efficiency and suddenly started hitting 3-pointers, which is a massive boost to his value. He's also shown improvement in his free throws, which was also a problem. He's also been playing a lot of point guard for the Lakers with Lonzo Ball (knee) currently still out. The potential to average a 3-pointer, steal, and a block per game is fantasy gold and he should be owned in all standard leagues in case you were fed up with his efficiency early on. Ingram looks ready to take off from here on out.
Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers
Week 17 averages: 29.3 PPG 3.3 RPG 6.3 APG 2.0 SPG 0.3 BPG 4.0 3PM 46% FG 100% FT 3.7 TO
Lillard dropped a 50 burger on 16-of-26 shooting Friday after struggling for 6 of 22 shooting Thursday. This goes to show there's no reason to worry about Lillard's production, as he is the engine that makes the Blazers go. He's been a rock solid first-round option all year and that doesn't change with the Blazers hoping to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
Week 17 averages: 26.7 PPG 14.7 RPG 1.7 APG 1.0 SPG 2.3 BPG 2.0 3PM 49% FG 78% FT 2.0 TO
Those who gambled on Embiid on draft day is probably smiling, simply because he was picked in the third and fourth rounds of most drafts. He's been extremely good and durable for most of the season and he has even been cleared for back to back games. The Process been a monster lately, almost identical to a DeMarcus Cousins without the assists. The first-time All-Star's future is bright and his ability to fill up the box score makes him worthy of a first-round selection in next year's draft. #TrustTheProcess
Eric Bledsoe, PG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks
Week 17 averages: 20.0 PPG 4.0 RPG 7.3 APG 2.0 SPG 0.7 BPG 2.0 3PM 58% FG 92% FT 3.0 TO
Not a lot of point guards in this league can contribute across-the-board stats like Bledsoe, and he was a first-round play this week for good reason. He'll remain busy at the point guard position as the Bucks continue to inch their way into the playoffs. With Malcom Brodgon (torn left quadricep tendon) out for at least the next 6-8 weeks, Bledsoe's minutes should continue to eclipse 30+ minutes per game.
Victor Oladipo, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers
Week 17 averages: 32.5 PPG 9.0 RPG 5.5 APG 5.5 SPG 0.5 BPG 2.0 3PM 47% FG 78% FT 3.0 TO
This first-time All-Star has been an absolute stud and a steal for his owners this year. He has smashed every projection and rankings, and continues to emerge as one of the best two-way players in this league. He's been a top-3 player over the past two weeks and he's looking like a legitimate top-7 pick in next year's draft. Dude has 11 steals over the past two games. Eleven. No need to say much else.
Week 18/19 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Jarrett Allen, PF/C, Brooklyn Nets (50% Ownership)
It's Jarrett Allen's world, and we're just living it in. He's quickly established himself over the past month since being inserted into the starting lineup. His contributions in field-goal percentage, boards, and blocks is similar to Steven Adams. Make sure he's not available in your league, as he's a must-own, must-start player in all 10+ team leagues.
D.J. Augustine, PG, Orlando Magic (30% Ownership)
The surprising trade of the trading deadline sent Elfrid Payton to the Phoenix Suns for just a second round pick, and the veteran Augustine is arguably the only true point guard left on the Magic. He has shown in the past to flirt with mid-round value whenever given the opportunity, as he scored 18 points with three rebounds, nine assists, two steals and two 3-pointers on Thursday. Get him if he's available on your waiver wire.
Allen Crabbe, PG/SG/SF, Brooklyn Nets (47% Ownership)
Crabbe has been hot, hitting 14 3-pointers in the past two games combined. He doesn't do much outside of points and 3-pointers, and he won't be shooting it this well on most nights. However, he's a very big part in what the Nets are trying to build and he'll continue to flirt with 28-30 minutes even when Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin) and Caris LeVert (knee) returns.
Michael Beasley, SF,PF, New York Knicks (60% Ownership)
The injury to Kristaps Porzingis (ACL tear) makes Beasley a must-own player. He's going to be a starter the rest of the way and will have the green light for the Knicks. Aside from his off court antics, he's an incredibly efficient basketball player when given the minutes and opportunity. Beasley scored 21 points with seven rebounds, one assist, three steals, and a block on Thursday and also pulled down a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards on Sunday.
Bam Adebayo, PF/C, Miami Heat (20% Ownership)
The injury to Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) has opened some mintues for Adebayo, and he responded with a double-double and two blocks on Friday. He won't be this good, but Olynyk could be out for a couple of weeks. Give him a look if you have someone to drop.
Josh Jackson, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns (52% Ownership)
Josh Jackson has had one of his best stretches all year, as he's been averaging 19.0 points and 1.6 blocks over the past two weeks. He's a second-half breakout candidate and the arrival of Elfrid Payton actually boosts his value because Payton has the ability to dish and generate a fast pace offense.
Dragan Bender, PF/C, Phoenix Suns (9% Ownership)
Bender has done enough to hold off Marquese Chriss, and he could be the starting center for the Phoenix Suns going forward. He can stretch the floor and has shown the ability to block shots, so this is a big boost to his outlook.
Tomas Satoransky, PG/SG, Washington Wizards (24% Ownership)
John Wall (knee) isn't expected to be back for at least another month, making Satoransky a nice player to add for now. He's playing well right now, giving his contributions in assists and 3-pointers. There's no telling if he'll stay this hot, but give him a look since he'll be able to put up top-100 numbers for the next month or so.
Dwight Powell, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks (27% Ownership)
Powell has been one of the hottest pick ups recently, and with good reason. Big men this year in fantasy is extremely valuable and they have been dropping like flies due to injuries. He's an efficient player who operates around the basket for high percentage shots, and his ability to rebound, pick up steals, and block shots makes him a very nice player to add. Get him if he's floating on your wire.
Week 18/19 Deep Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Josh Hart, SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (25% Ownership)
Hart has been phenomenal over this two week stretch, putting up top-50 value over the past two weeks. He is projected to take a hit with Isaiah Thomas in town, but I have a good reason to believe he'll continue to log significant minutes because he can play multiple positions. He's a rookie with four-years of college experience, something that explains his readiness to put up consistent numbers. He's still doing enough to be owned right now, so owners mind as well hold him until we get a grasp on what the new rotation will look like when Lonzo Ball (MCL sprain) returns.
Fred VanVleet, PG, Toronto Raptors (17% Ownership)
VanVleet is leapfrogged Delon Wright ahead of the back up point guard position, and he's looked very comfortable over the past few games. VanVleet scored 13 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, one 3-pointer, two steals and one turnover in 28 minutes on Sunday. He's been a top-60 play over the past month.
Andrew Harrison, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (20% Ownership)
With Mike Conley (Achilles) done for the year, Harrison has been inserted into the starting line up where he has produced enough to warrant standard league consideration. He is getting a chance to play significant minutes, and has scored in double-figures in six of the last seven games. Even though the news of Tyreke Evans not getting traded hurts his value, he's been playing well enough to be picked up to see what happens.
C.J. Miles, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors (8% Ownership)
Miles has been leading the Raptors bench unit this past week, and he's a good reason why the Raptors starters did not have to play in the fourth quarter for the fifth time in a row. The Raptors are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, and their bench unit has been rock solid all year. Look for Miles to supply 3-pointers and points, as he's coming off a 24-point, six-trey game on Sunday. Miles has 14 3-pointers combined in the past three games.
Gerald Green, SG/SF, Houston Rockets (17% Ownership)
Green has been sneaky good, coming off six straight double-digit scoring games heading into Sunday. Trevor Ariza (hamstring) is still without a time table, so his minutes should be safe for another week or so. Eric Gordon (back) is also a bit banged up and could use the All-Star break to rest. The Rockets are attempting the most 3-pointers (42.6 attempts per game) in the league, with the second being the Nets at 34.6 attempts. He's also playing with willing passers with Chris Paul and James Harden, so he'll continue to be a knock down shooter until the Rockets are healthy.
Emmanuel Mudiay, PG/SG, New York Knicks (13% Ownership)
Mudiay gets to have a fresh start in New York, and has an opportunity to produce right away. He is currently in a four-way timeshare with Jarret Jack, Frank Ntilikina, and Trey Burke. However, he was quite impressive with a double-double assist game with 14 points and 10 dimes on Sunday. To be clear, he logged 29 minutes coming off the bench, which is a positive for his outlook. There will be plenty of efficiency and turnover issues, so take the good with the bad.
Buy Low
D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets
Russell was out for 11 weeks and the rust is obvious. Russell was averaging 20.4 points per game prior to his injury, so there shouldn't be much doubts over his upside. 'Ice In My Veinz' finally had a good game on Saturday, scoring 21 points with nine rebounds, five assists, one steal, five turnovers and five 3-pointers in 32 minutes against the Pelicans. If you're looking to get Russell, now is the time.
Nikola Vucevic, PF/C, Orlando Magic
Vucevic (hand) is ruled out ahead for Monday's contest, but he is very close to a return. He's considered day-to-day and he will likely return after All-Star break after getting a couple of practices in. Vucevic was putting up top-15 numbers prior to his injury, so this is a great time to get a big man whose been incredible for most of the season.
DeAndre Jordan, C, Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers has the best fantasy schedules in the NBA, being the only team to play 12 games from Week 21 - Week 23. The departure of Blake Griffin will only boost his rebounding numbers, and his name value isn't as high as it should be in fantasy. Free throws aside, he's a top-20 player if you punt that category. Get Jordan now to anchor your field-goal percentage and elite rebounding.
Sell High
Kemba Walker, PG, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets could eventually fall out of the playoff race soon, and Walker's been so good lately that we have every reason to believe it's unsustainable. I'd use this time to explore another elite option, like Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving or Damian Lillard.
Tyreke Evans, PG/SG/SF & Marc Gasol, C, Memphis Grizzlies
It's pretty crazy that both Evans and Gasol remained a Grizzlie past the trading deadline, and he will now be inserted back into the starting lineup. While owners are relieved that he will put up some top-50 numbers the rest of the way, the Grizzlies don't have much incentive to give him significant minutes because they'd likely rather lose games than to play their veterans to help them win. These next couple of weeks will probably be a great time to sell high on both, as their second-half outlook is looking grim with every passing day.
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