The Monday games provided a real thriller, with the Atlanta Hawks upsetting the Celtics, after being down 30 points. However, what caught my attention was the last possession, with the Hawks missing the shot, Clint Capela battling and getting the offensive rebound and getting the ball to De’Andre Hunter in the perimeter with a 1-point lead and 10 seconds on the clock. At that point, every European basketball mind is thinking “We keep the ball, move it around and make them foul us as late as possible”. However…
I want you to focus on both Bogdan Bogdanovic in the right corner, who is already thinking the above sentence but also Wesley Mathews in the left corner, who as a veteran knows that Hunter tried to throw the game for no reason at all and is holding his head until the ball goes in. Both were relieved by the outcome but it goes to show you that enthusiasm is not always going to be the correct guide in those late game situations.
Regarding last week’s suggestions, we were expecting a bit more from Keon Ellis as a starter, but he did provide a 19/4/5/6/2/1/0 line against Orlando. Taylor Hendricks was also mediocre, but I have confidence he will play more than 28 minutes per game as Lauri Markkanen and/or John Collins will get “injured”. Finally, Trayce Jackson-Davis has been productive, particularly in the defensive end with 11 blocks in the last 5 games and remains rosterable, while Bojan Bogdanovic’ minutes remain too low to be anything else than a drop candidate, as suggested last week.
Buy
Miles McBride: We are still unsure about the exact return date of OG Anunoby after the elbow discomfort he felt last week but in the meantime, Miles McBride is the obvious pickup. He has started the last 4 games sans Anunoby and is averaging a completely ridiculous 46 minutes, including a game against Brooklyn when he never left the floor. A potential return of Anunoby could kill his value, but with 3 more games left this week and those minutes, he should be picked up (32% owned).
Tre Mann: Another player that benefits from 3 more games remaining this week, Tre Mann can provide a solid boost in assists and steals coupled with decent rebounds for a guard and triples. If we take as reference his averages as a starter that accounts to 36 points, 4.5 triples, 15 rebounds, 15 assists and 5 steals, so take a look at your matchup and scoop him up from the wire if those can make a difference for you (30% owned). On the contrary, Nick Richards (48% owned) can also be utilized if your team needs traditional big man stats.
Vit Krejci: More of a deeper league streaming option, Vit Krejci has secured ample playing time for the depleted Hawks, playing 30 minutes a night as a starter during the last 2 weeks. This has not translated to outstanding fantasy value but he is a player who can contribute across the board with a back-to-back game today and 2 games this week in low volume days. This can be valuable in the fantasy and the potential absence of Dejounte Murray in one of those 2 back-to-back games with back soreness further boosts Krejci’s appeal as a streamer until Saturday (4% owned). De’Andre Hunter is the preferred streaming option, but with a 55% ownership percentage I wanted to provide you with an alternative option from the Hawks.
Sell
Buddy Hield: His trade to the 76ers has proven a bust for his fantasy value and not even some spot starts or increased minutes during the last week are enough to get Buddy Hield going. He is ranked outside the top180 during the last month in per game value and the situation is only getting worse, so there is no room for him in your roster with the fantasy playoffs underway (71% owned).
