In case you haven’t noticed I’ll go ahead and state the obvious, I don’t like to lose. What’s that? You don’t either? Good, because it’s that time of year once again when we find out just what lengths we’ll go to to insure an early playoff victory. Can you drop a player who’s been one of your most productive for months? It’s easy when they’re injured but when you start to see your season about to end can you let the better player walk to gamble on a player with more games? I can’t make that life altering decision for you but I can offer you a few words of counsel.
First, I ask that you confess your most shameful of fantasy sins, not to me but to yourself. If you drafted Tristan Thompson and ignored all the warnings then you need to first come to grips with that before you can proceed. This will be the internal struggle that not until you have accepted will you truly find peace. Secondly, you must accept that none of us can do this little thing called life, or fantasy basketball, all by ourselves. There was once and still are people there to guide me and as I write I pass this knowledge on to you. I know one day you will continue this circle of life and pass the knowledge on to the next generation of fake basketballers. And third, only you can make the decision to turn your life, or roster, over with this new found knowledge. In other words, if you post your login/password below I will not make the move for you. Now my apprentice go forth with this knowledge of weekend streamers and bring us back word of your glorious victory.
Tony Wroten – PG – Phi – With James Anderson out due to a thigh bruise on Monday, Wroten got the start at SG and played 37 minutes. Even if Anderson returns Wroten should still see 30 or so minutes per game. FT% has been a caveat of his all year but in February he shot 72% and so far in March he’s shooting 76% from the stripe. Turnovers are still high but Friday vsNYK and Saturday @Chi should still yield good points with a smattering of everything else. Wroten also plays Monday but @SAS isn’t all that appealing.
Kendall Marshall – PG – LAL – Marshall is a little higher owned than most of the guys on this list but if he’s available in your league he should be scooped up now. I’ll wait… With Jordan Farmar hurt yet again Marshall should immediately return to 36+ minutes per game, double-doubles with points and assists while also throwing in a 3 or 2 and with so many minutes 1.0 steals per game should be assumed. Friday vsWas could be tough with John Wall covering him but Sunday vsOrl should be a good one and next weeks 4-game schedule looks promising.
Shaun Livingston – PG/SG – Bkn – We tried Livingston earlier in the year when Deron Williams was down and he was serviceable. Now playing SG and getting 32+ minutes, Livingston is once again serviceable. We can’t expect any 3s but what we can expect is 2 good percents, solid assists, steals and an occasional out of position block. Friday vsBos and Sunday @Dal should be just fine. Next week Livingston has a solid 4-game week including Monday @NOP if your already planning ahead.
Tim Hardaway Jr. – SG – NYK – Certainly not the most trustworthy player on this list but he’s hot and if you need 3s to make it through the week then Friday @Phi is as good as it gets and Sunday vsCle is solid too. 4 solid match-ups next week could potentially see Timmy Jr stick around for you as a 3-point specialist.
Terrence Ross – SG/SF – Tor – Still only 30% owned and playing much better recently. Over the last 30 days TRoss’ numbers are such, .508/1.000/2.5/13.2/2.1/1.1/1.0/0.4/1.3 in 28 minutes per game. Good for a ranking of 58 overall on Yahoo. Last time out Ross played 40 minutes and looks to finally be developing a little consistency. Friday vsOKC and Sunday vsAtl are tough match-ups but he should still come close to matching his last-30 day numbers. Next week consists of a 4-game week with 4 plus match-ups.
Mike Dunleavy – SG/SF – Chi – Dunleavy lost a little luster last week when his minutes got crunched but over his last 3 games those minutes have returned. We know by now what to expect, a couple 3s, some points, some boards, a few assists and some random steals and blocks. Friday @Ind looks like a tough game but Saturday vsPhi is appetizing. Only a 3-game week next week for Chicago but a Monday game vs Ind could help those who are looking ahead but low on moves.
Kyle Singler – SG/SF – Det – Another wing who’s lost some luster with his recent play but I still like him to perform this weekend since his minutes are still solid. Friday @Pho and Saturday @LAC don’t look too good on paper but Singler is one of those guys that can both surprise with a big game and help in all 9 categories on an ‘off’ night. Next week Detroit plays 4 games and all 4 look like very good match-ups, including Monday @Uta.
P.J. Tucker – SG/SF – Pho – Tucker tends to be all over the stat sheet but where he helps most is with high end boards for a wing and steals in bunches. The schedule isn’t great with Friday vsDet and Sunday @Min but I think Tucker will still produce given that his minutes have rarely been going under 30 per game recently. Tucker is another guy with a solid 4-game week next week including a Monday game @Atl.
Maurice Harkless – SF – Orl – When I look at schedules there are a few things I pay the most attention to. Sunday/Monday games so I can end a week and start the next with only one move and Saturday/Sunday games so I can end a week strong if it looks like I’m going to need a miracle. This week only Cleveland and Orlando play Saturday and Sunday. If you can add Jarrett Jack or Dion Waiters then I would go that route over Harkless. I’m guessing most competitive leagues won’t have that option so instead I’m touting Harkless to be the difference in steals, maybe block a shot, and hit a 3 or 2. Since he’s still averaging about 30 minutes per game he should hit all those categories in the best match-ups of the weekend, Saturday @Uta and Sunday @LAL.
Ryan Kelly – PF – LAL – I’ve mentioned in the comments recently that the run RKelly is on is something special. He’s helping all 9 categories and is back up to 32+ minutes per game. I know we can’t trust D’Antoni but since Kelly still saw 33 minutes in a blowout to the Spurs last week in which he ‘struggled’, I’m willing to take the plunge and accept the risk. I want to tell you where I think he’s going to help but I believe he’s going to help in all 9 categories, especially 3s, blocks, and FT% though. Friday vsWas and Sunday vsOrl both look good as neither teams starting PFs can cover him on the perimeter. Next week looks like 4 match-ups that are even better. I fully endorse The Who from Whoville for the remainder of the season and some version of that nickname really needs to stick.
Kyle O’Quinn – PF/C – Orl – If you’re digging for big man stats this weekend then O’Quinn could very well be the guy that puts you over the top. The match-ups of Saturday @Uta and Sunday @LAL couldn’t be much better. For those 2 days combined I feel comfortable projecting him to go 18/16 and 5 blocks. He’s got a tough 3-game week next week so O’Quinn is good for a weekend streamer but after Sunday it will be time to move on.
Drew Gooden – PF/C – Was – I can’t really be endorsing this guy can I? Given his last 2 games and minutes creeping up to 30 per game I feel OK about Gooden. Certainly plenty of risk but Friday @LAL and Sunday @Den are spectacular match-ups for him or any big. He’s doing a little bit of everything right now. Lots of points, solid boards, a few 3s, steals, and blocks. The dud against Orlando last week has me a little worried but given those upcoming match-ups I feel good we won’t see another dud this weekend. There is an added bonus of a game tonight @Por if you’re still able to make the move and get him into your lineup.
