Welcome to your midweek guidance for Week 18! The goal of this post is to help you identify streaming options who will help you win your head-to-head matchup. With there being only one night of games remaining for this half of the matchup, I’m only running down options for Thursday’s games this week. However, this post felt sad and empty without some additional long-term options, so I’ve included players at the bottom who fit that mold.
If you’re in a dead heat for the final playoff spot, trying to hold down a bye, or actually in a playoff battle, adding the players with the right categorical strengths can make all the difference. As we often see in the week leading up to the All-Star break, several teams are using the occasion to hold players out and provide them with a few extra days of rest. Many of the players below are the beneficiaries of those absences, so check out their strengths and go get what you need to win!
Regarding the schedule, the Nets are the only team to play tonight and on the first night after the break – February 24th – so there’s your two-for-one option if you’re short on player additions. This raises the streaming value of Cameron Thomas and Bruce Brown, for instance. With that being said, here is the full list of players I’m considering for tonight.
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Three Category Contributors
- Maxi Kleber (Threes, Rebounds, Blocks): You have to take the good with the bad when it comes to Kleber. One night, he’s playing 35 minutes and blocking 5 shots to go along with 19 points and 6 boards. The next night, he’s playing 21 minutes and contributing 8 rebounds with no other counting stats. Still, with Kristaps Porzingis gone, the opportunity is there for Kleber to put up numbers in his most high value categories – boards and blocks.
Two Category Contributors
- Nicolas Batum (Threes, Steals): In addition to doing two things really well – getting steals and hitting threes – Batum is averaging 0.7 blocks per contest on the season.
- Terance Mann (Rebounds, Steals): It’s difficult to make heads or tails of the Clippers’ wing rotation, but in the three games since Norman Powell’s foot injury, Mann started and played at least 32 minutes. I don’t trust the scoring numbers from his first two outings as a starter, but he’s shown the ability to produce defensively, rebound, and even chip in some dimes.
- Deni Avdija (Rebounds, Steals): There’s still no sign of Kristaps Porzingis in Washington, so Avdija continues to have a 30 MPG role. He’s expanding his portfolio to include blocks (0.8/game in last 4 games).
- Gabe Vincent (Assists, Steals): Tyler Herro is out tonight, so the runway is clear for another 30 minute outing for Vincent.
- Cameron Thomas (Points, Threes): Kevin Durant still doesn’t have a timetable to return, and Kyrie Irving is set to miss four of the Net’s next seven games. The arrival of Seth Curry dampens Thomas’s output to an extent, but it didn’t stop Thomas from pouring in 21 points on Wednesday (Plays Thursday, 17 Feb, and Thursday, 24 Feb).
- Thomas Bryant (Blocks, FG%): Adding him depends on his status on the tail end of a back-to-back, along with the prospect of Daniel Gafford returning. Bryant is being capped at 22 minutes even without Gafford in the rotation, so the upside is limited either way.
- Omer Yurtseven (Rebounds, FG%): Miami’s backup center job belongs to Omer tonight. He’s a per-minute beast on the glass.
- Jordan Nwora (Threes, Steals): With Grayson Allen doubtful for tonight and Pat Connaughton on an extended absence, look for Nwora to step in and play meaningful minutes.
- Serge Ibaka (Rebounds, FG%): Ibaka played 24 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Pacers, grabbing 5 rebounds and converting all 3 of his attempts. I miss the blocks, but he’s still a deeper-league option for the other big man categories.
One Category Contributors
- Bruce Brown (Steals): His averages are skewed higher by his amazing outing on Monday (19/6/6 with 5 steals and 3 blocks), but with the Nets playing on the final night before the break in addition to the first game back, his cumulative stats may help you (Plays Thursday 17 Feb and Thursday, 24 Feb).
- Jaxson Hayes (FG%): Since Jonas Valanciunas returned from injury, Hayes’ production has been volatile and closely linked to whether or not Valanciunas is in foul trouble. Even if he only plays 20 minutes and takes 6 shots, it’s hard to find a more reliable guy to bolster your FG%.
- PJ Tucker (Rebounds): P.J. dropped off sharply in the past two weeks, but absences across Miami’s roster may rekindle his value tonight if he can pull down his typical allotment of rebounds and nail a couple threes.
As promised, here are some players are long-term options who are available in a lot of leagues (disclaimer: none are playing tonight!):
- Patrick Beverley (Threes, Assists, Steals, Blocks)
- Justice Winslow (Rebounds, Assists, Steals)
- Chuma Okeke (Threes, Rebounds, Steals)
- Chris Duarte (Points, Threes, Steals): Due to return after the all-star break.
- Grayson Allen (Threes, Steals): Due to return after the all-star break.
- Malik Monk (Points, Threes)
Hit me up in the comments with questions and/or feedback. Best of luck!
