As we head into the fantasy basketball playoffs semifinal weekend, the goal is to maximize every transaction. Friday has 10 games on the slate, which is exactly why you should avoid selecting players who play that day. Instead, utilize the schedule to your advantage by targeting players who will play on Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Below is a more in-depth look at how I’m planning out the rest of Week 22.
Week 22 Strategy
Target the New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings — they each play three games (Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday), giving you a crucial edge over teams that either play two or fewer games this weekend or play on Friday’s 10-game slate. The Detroit Pistons are also a solid option, with two games on Thursday and Saturday. Prioritizing these teams maximizes your streaming potential for the weekend. The Magic and Knicks play on Thursday and Sunday, but they don’t tend to have many streaming options (more on them later).
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Plan out the rest of the week to avoid using roster spots for players who play on Friday’s big slate. There’s nothing worse than picking up a player you can’t fit into your lineup. Instead, pick up a player from the Hornets, Pelicans or Kings on Thursday to get three games out of one add, giving you more value than single-game streamers. The goal is to get the most out of your transactions.
Teams to Fade
Fringe players from the Cavaliers, Mavericks and Lakers can be cut. Unless they’re going to fit into your lineup on Friday, there’s no point in holding because they won’t play another game after Friday in Week 22.
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Streaming Options
Shallow leagues (under 35% rostered)
Daniss Jenkins — PG/SG, Detroit Pistons (35%)
Cade Cunningham is out indefinitely with a collapsed lung and Jenkins is the direct beneficiary. Without Cade this season, Jenkins is posting 16.6 points, 8.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 34-plus minutes. The Pistons play Thursday and Saturday — two games in the thinnest part of the slate. Add him now if you see him on waivers.
Malik Monk – PG/SG, Sacramento Kings (28%)
Monk is back in the rotation because of so many injuries in the Kings’ backcourt. He dished out 14 assists on Tuesday and fantasy managers can expect he’ll bounce back from his 3-for-13 shooting night against a struggling Orlando Magic team on Thursday. The schedule and opportunity are far too good to pass up for the remainder of the week.
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Herbert Jones – SG/SF/PF -New Orleans Pelicans (27%)
Armed with a three-game schedule on the best days heading into the weekend, Jones is far too versatile to be left on waivers. He’s been in double figures in three straight games, hitting 3s and racking up stocks to help fantasy managers defensively. Herb’s been a top-100 player the past two weeks in 9-cat.
Deep leagues (under 15% rostered)
Devin Carter – PG, Sacramento Kings (9%)
Similar to Monk, Carter will benefit from all of the injuries in Sacramento. He’s put together a couple of strong performances in his last two outings, averaging 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in 30-plus minutes. Being available in 93% of leagues is criminal.
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Jeremiah Fears – PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans (16%)
I’d consider Fears for points leagues where his inefficiency won’t hurt you too much. The favorable schedule and counting stats in points, assists and 3s are really what you’re chasing.
Karlo Matkovic – PF/C, New Orleans Pelicans (3%)
A name to know in the deepest formats. The Pelicans are giving him run as they build toward next season, and three games in the lightest part of the window make him worth a flier if you’re desperate for big-man stats (FG% and stocks).
Yves Missi — C, New Orleans Pelicans (15%)
Missi had been playing very well before Wednesday’s 2-4-2 line with zero stocks in 17 minutes. Still, he had blocked at least one shot in seven consecutive games, with several nights with more than 10 rebounds. I’d hold given the schedule and consider Wednesday an off night.
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Dylan Cardwell — PF/C Sacramento Kings (10%)
If you’re looking for a rebounding specialist, Cardwell is your guy. Now that he’s back playing anywhere from 15-24 minutes, that’s more than enough time for him to help fantasy managers in a few areas. The schedule is on his side, though be cautious if he pops up on the injury report before the Saturday-Sunday back-to-back.
Ryan Kalkbrenner – C, Charlotte Hornets (10%)
Another block and FG% play, the Hornets don’t have much to pull from outside of their rookie big man. I’d only consider him in deeper formats, needing defensive help with a high FG% and low turnover rate. At least you know he’s a lock to fit into your lineups on Thursday and Saturday.
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Other considerations:
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Kevin Huerter – SG/SF, Detroit Pistons (3%)
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Daequon Plowden – SF/PF, Sacramento Kings (11%)
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Paul Reed – PF/C, Detroit Pistons (5%)
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Jamal Cain – SG/SF, Orlando Magic (1%)
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Mitchell Robinson – C, New York Knicks (20%)
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Dylan Harper – PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs (20%)
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Jordan Clarkson – PG/SG, New York Knicks (3%)
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