Wednesday's Fantasy Basketball Streamers: Reed Sheppard, Bobby Portis, and More
Streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Wednesday.
Every day on the NBA schedule is different. That's an obvious statement, but there is plenty of variance from the number of games to the quality of the matchups even to the number of stars who are out with injuries that day.
That also affects fantasy basketball, as both the number and the quality of players changes, leaving owners to navigate the landscape and decide who is good enough to enter their fantasy lineup.
Let's look at streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Wednesday. Most stats are from NBA.com.
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Boston Celtics vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies play at the eighth-fastest pace, and they hold the 11th-worst defensive rating. They are on the edge in terms of the things I look for in a fantasy target, but Memphis fits the bill as a good matchup.
The Celtics are coming off a 102-100 loss to the 76ers yesterday, a loss that dropped them to 5-7. Kelly Oubre Jr. made a shot off an offensive rebound with 8.7 seconds, then Derrick White missed a three-point shot and Neemias Queta missed a tip-in to end the game. It wasn't a great day for Boston, who scored fewer points in just one game this season.
Guard
- None
Forward
Both Hauser and Minott play around 22 minutes per game, but neither puts up great stats. They are each around eight points per game, and Minott does a little more of everything else, though both players are just low-level streamers.
Center
- Neemias Queta
Queta is right around eight points and eight rebounds per game with 1.5 blocks. It's nothing great, but if you're in need of a streaming center, there are worse options than the Boston big man.
Houston Rockets vs. Washington Wizards
The Wizards are kind of like an old friend in this column, a regular who we can keep coming back to when it gets hard to find a good target. Washington has been in this spot for several seasons now, and they continue to be one of our favorite targets, playing at the third-fastest pace and holding the second-worst defensive rating.
The Rockets keep doing their thing, holding a 6-3 record and ranking in the top 10 in offensive rating and defensive rating. In fact, they have the top offensive rating in the league, scoring as efficiently as anyone else.
Guard
Sheppard is the scorer from this group, averaging 11.2 points per game and 2.6 three pointers. He has playmaking chops, but Sheppard won't get a lot of chances on the same team as guys like Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, so Sheppard will do his best work scoring and shooting.
Okogie puts up fewer stats in most areas, leaving him as a low-level fantasy player. Sheppard is the better option, though neither guy here is a must-have.
Forward
Smith is a productive player, averaging 33 minutes per game with 14 points, 5.9 rebounds, and almost one steal and one block. Smith is close to being a worthy keeper, and he's a strong streamer in this matchup (who can also slot in at center in most fantasy leagues). Eason plays less and does everything at a little bit lower level, but he is another decent streaming player who is worth grabbing if Smith isn't available.
Center
Adams is a known name, but he puts up modest stats. In 22 minutes per game, he is averaging 6.8 points and 8.9 rebounds, including nearly five offensive rebounds. Adams is fine as a lower-level streamer if you need a center.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte plays at the 10th-fastest pace and has the sixth-worst defensive rating. Like Washington, the Hornets have been one of our favorite targets for a few years now, regularly playing fast and poor defensively.
The Bucks are at the edge of the bottom 10 in defensive rating, but they are 10th in offensive rating, helping lead to their 7-4 start. They are likely to improve on defense with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner on the front line, but this is a very stars-and-scrubs lineup, and they need their top guys to play their best to win big.
Guard
Trent and Green are very similar, playing around 28 minutes per game and scoring just under 11 points without many other stats. Anthony only plays 20 minutes per game, but he is averaging 10.5 points and 5.0 assists, reaching the same fantasy level as the other guys. Any of the three are OK to consider as streamers, though I prefer Trent and Green (in that order).
Forward
Kuzma is averaging 25 minutes and 13.8 points per game, a decent mark for a guy who doesn't do a lot else. He has twice topped 20 points this season, and Kuzma is coming off his best game, scoring 26 in 32 minutes against the Mavericks on Monday. With Taurean Prince out for an extended period, Kuzma could get a little extra run.
Center
Portis has nice versatility as a guy who can slot in at both forward and center in most fantasy leagues. His stats are modest at 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds, but Portis has a little value as a streaming center if you're in need.
