Around The League
In the West, the Rockets have been one of the hottest teams in the league recently, climbing to the 4th seed and overtaking both the Lakers and Suns. In the East, the Knicks have regained their form, putting together a five-game winning streak to move into a tie with the Boston Celtics for the 2nd seed. In other news, the NBA has suspended Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. George began serving the suspension on Saturday and is expected to be eligible to return on March 25. Now, let's dive into this week's data-driven insights to give you the edge you need to dominate your matchup.
This Week's Highlights
- Schedule Advantage (4 Games no B2B): LAC, MIN
- Waiver-Wire Top Adds: Ayo Dosunmu, Ty Jerome, Robert Williams
- Rotation Report:⬆️ Dominick Barlow (George suspension)
⬇️ Jonas Valanciunas (Jokic return from injury)
The Weekly Slate
Around a third of the league has a 4-game week. Fantasy managers should prioritize players from the following 4-game teams who avoid a back-to-back set, minimizing the likelihood of a planned rest day.
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Minnesota Timberwolves
Owning The Waiver Wire
Here are the top players to target this week based on recent trends and their upcoming schedule.
Our top pick for 10-team leagues
Ayo Dosunmu (CHI - SG): (Rostered: 33% ESPN, 32% Yahoo)
- Weekly Schedule: @MIl, @TOR, DEN
- Recent Trends: Dosunmu is averaging 18.1 points, 2.3 triples, and 4.4 assists on 54% shooting over the past 2 weeks. He has been seeing starter minutes with the injuries to Josh Giddey and Tre Jones. Stream him for points, triples, and field-goal percentage.
Our top pick for 12-team leagues
Ty Jerome (MEM - PG): (Rostered: 32% ESPN, 15% Yahoo)
- Weekly Schedule: MIN, @SAC, @POR, @POR
- Recent Trends: Jerome has returned from his season long injury and has immediately moved into the starting lineup. In his one game back, Jerome put up 20 points, 6 assists and 1 steal in just 20 minutes of play. He will look to continue from last season’s career averages and become a valuable fantasy asset for the remainder of the season.
Our top pick for 14-team leagues
Robert Williams (POR - C): (Rostered: 1% ESPN, 3% Yahoo)
- Weekly Schedule: PHX, MEM, MEM
- Recent Trends: Williams has been great over his last 3 games with averages of 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 1.3 steals on a whopping 88% shooting from the floor. He is an excellent stream for these specific categories.
Top Players For Each Category
Tier key:10-team ≈ 30-40% rostered12-team ≈ 10-20% rostered14-team ≈ 0-10% rostered
POINTS
• 10-team: Ayo Dosunmu (CHI), Jaylon Tyson (CLE)
• 12-team: Ty Jerome (MEM), Tim Hardaway Jr. (DEN)
• 14-team: Khris Middleton (WAS), Pelle Larson (MIA)
REBOUNDS
• 10-team: Neemias Queta (BOS), Saddiq Bey (NOR)
• 12-team: Jonas Valancuinas (DEN), Mitchell Robinson (NYK)
• 14-team: Day’Ron Sharpe (BKN), Maxime Raynaud (SAC)
ASSISTS
• 10-team: Isaiah Collier (UTA), Ayo Dosunmu (CHI)
• 12-team: Ty Jerome (MEM), Bub Carrington (WAS)
• 14-team: Tyler Kolek (NYK), Dru Smith (MIA)
STEALS
• 10-team: Tari Eason (HOU), Saddiq Bey (NOR)
• 12-team: Jeremiah Fears (NOR), Bub Carrington (WAS)
• 14-team: De’Anthony Melton (GSW), Jake LaRavia (LAL)
BLOCKS
• 10-team: Collin Murray-Boyles (TOR), Moussa Diabate (CHA)
• 12-team: Sandro Mamukelashvilli (TOR), Bilal Coulibaly (WAS)
• 14-team: Robert Williams (POR), Al Horford (GSW)
3-POINTERS
• 10-team: Egor Demin (BKN), Collin Gillespie (PHO)
• 12-team: Tim Hardaway Jr. (DEN), Moses Moody (GSW)
• 14-team: Isaiah Joe (OKC), Jared McCain (PHI)
FIELD GOAL %
• 10-team: Moussa Diabate (CHA), Ayo Dosunmu (CHI)
• 12-team: Kyle Flipowski (UTA), Aaron Nesmith (IND)
• 14-team: Robert Williams (POR), Jaxson Hayes (LAL)
The Trade Market
Take advantage of fluctuating player values by targeting players in slumps and selling those who are overperforming.
Buy Low
LeBron James (LAL - SF/PF)
- The Slump: Over the past 2 weeks, James is averaging only 19.0 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds on 47% shooting from the floor. He is providing 18th-round value.
- StatCats Take: James has struggled recently and while his numbers look solid, he is still delivering terrible value. At his age, he will have ups and downs but we are optimistic he will bounce-back soon.
Jalen Brunson (NYK - PG)
- The Slump: Brunson has provided 12th-round value over the past 2 weeks, with averages of 23.3 points, 2.8 triples, and 0.6 stocks on 44% shooting.
- StatCats Take: Brunson has been scoring effectively but inefficiently and is providing almost nothing else. He should be a good buy-low candidate even though it’s only been a couple of weeks.
Sell High
Naz Reid (MIN - PF/C)
- The Surge: Over the past month, Reid has been on fire, averaging 16.0 points, 2.9 triples, 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks on 54% shooting, which ranks him 33rd.
- StatCats Take: Reid has been great the past month on both sides of the ball. Look if you can package him with another player for a top 50 asset.
Jamal Murray (DEN - PG)
- The Surge: Over the past month, Murray has averaged 27.1 points, 2.5 triples, 8.7 assists, and 1.1 steals on 53% shooting from the floor. Ranked 8th in that span.
- StatCats Take: Murray has been phenomenal ever since Nikola Jokic got injured. With Jokic’s imminent return, Murray’s usage and production will inevitably slow down. He could get you a top 15 player right now.
Injury & Rotation Report
Recent Notable Injuries
- Evan Mobley (CLE - PF, C): Out 1-3 Weeks (Left Calf)
- ⬆️ Increased Role: Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade should see a boost in playing time.
- Paul George (PHI - SF, PF): Suspension (25 Game Suspension)
- ⬆️ Increased Role: Dominick Barlow will likely see the biggest boost of minutes in George’s absence
Returning to Action
- Nikola Jokic (DEN - C): Returned 1/30
- ⬇️ Decreased Role: Jonas Valanciunas will see the biggest dip in minutes as Jokic reclaims his starting spot
- Ty Jerome (MEM - PG): Returned 1/31
- ⬇️ Decreased Role: Cam Spencer should be most affected minutes-wise