The NBA season is headed towards its final precious weeks and the Fantasy Basketball Playoffs are here with it. Loyal fantasy managers, whom they have trusted for months, trust those players to do whatever it takes.
But for those seeking championships to win, they must be prepared, and look to upgrade players with normal statistics. One must be open-minded to change.
Ten franchises will miss the Play-In Tournament and the NBA Playoffs, and most of those organizations struggle to make it through the playoffs, so fantasy managers should look there for the first advantage.
The Washington Wizards are especially terrible at allowing points and solid shooting, and the Utah Jazz, especially with the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons and relevant Indiana Pacers even after taking away Daniel Gafford.
Those with a weekly format should focus on games being played regardless of the opponent. This current week, for example, the Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets each play only two games.
Innumerable teams play double the number. No one should rule out Luka Doncic, but statistically, we should keep an eye on the other key players. Although two-game volume matters after that, the weeks don’t.
Players are injured or many top players are rested, and they will not return for more than a few games in the final week or, in some cases, two, if at all. Trae Young and Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns are legitimately hurt and it’s anyone’s guess whether they’ll return by the first week of April. Donovan Mitchell is out with a broken nose and could sit the last week. Fantasy managers may need a roster spot today.
For our purposes in the hypothetical world, at a minimum we would focus on recommending 50% of the players available in ESPN standard leagues, considering primarily a team’s numbers and opponents.
Boston Celtics
The top seed, the Eastern Conference, is almost done, so the Celtics are hoping to rest their star players, perhaps against the likes of the Denver Nuggets (who are still competing for the top seed) and the Milwaukee Bucks (who are not in first place). Will remain) more like in the West) than other teams.
That plan has already begun in Boston as Peyton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet increase minutes near the end should the season continue. The Celtics will face the weakened Hawks twice next week, with two games remaining against the Hornets and one game remaining against the Wizards. Don’t part with all your stars as well, but expect Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to sit liberally.
Minnesota Timberwolves
One of several teams to be the top seed in the West, the Pistons and Bulls will host the Timberwolves next week, and the Wizards and Hawks will host the Raptors, then the Raptors in April.
But for Naz Reid’s fantasy investors, it looks positive it’s not just Anthony Edwards who could be available in your league. Nickell Alexander-Walker and Kyle Anderson have averaged 24 ESPN fantasy points over the last 30 days. McDaniels while Jaden is close. They are all easily available. Towns are placed on the roster in 76% of leagues, but it’s safe to move on from him unless you’re playing keeper in the draft.