Tuesday's Fantasy Basketball Streamers: Donte DiVincenzo, Quentin Grimes, and More
Streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Tuesday.
Basketball is a game of runs. Look at any game, and there will be a span of a few minutes that makes the losing team look like the better squad, even if they got blown out. When one team goes on an 8-0 run, it's only a matter of time before the other team strikes back.
It's the same over a long season, as every team will lose a stretch of games then bounce back to go on a winning streak. Your fantasy team will do the same thing; even if you've had a rough stretch up to now, better days are (probably) coming.
Let's look at streaming players on three NBA teams with good matchups on Tuesday. We'll focus on the guys who are widely available in fantasy leagues and can be picked up. Most stats are from NBA.com.
Use FantasySP's fantasy assistant to link your teams and get advice on roster moves, lineup decisions, and more!
Minnesota Timberwolves @ New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans don't meet every standard I usually look for, but on a day when we're just a little short on great targets, New Orleans is a very good one. They have the third-worst defensive rating, offering better scoring chances for opponents, but the Pelicans only play at a medium pace (shoutout to Adam Sandler).
Minnesota is in the back half of the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating, a good standing for a team with plans on contending. After making the conference championship round the past two years, the Timberwolves are 12-8 and in good position a quarter of the way through the season.
Guard
DiVincenzo offers a little of everything, averaging more than 31 minutes with 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. I like him as an end-of-roster fantasy guy, but you might also have better options. Conley doesn't put up many stats anymore, averaging 5.8 points and 3.5 assists in just under 20 minutes per game; he's not on the fantasy radar in most cases.
Forward
Center
These two are both owned in well over 50% of leagues, so they don't really fit as streamers. The reason I'm listing them here is because there aren't any other good streamers on Minnesota at these positions, and McDaniels and Reid at least have a little availability. Check on them, as they are worthy of a spot in your lineup today.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards
The Wizards show up here for the second straight day after upsetting the Milwaukee Bucks yesterday 129-126. Despite winning the game, Washington gave up plenty of points, with six Bucks scoring in double digits (including four guys listed here as streamers). The Wizards play at the fourth-fastest pace and have the worst defensive rating.
Philadelphia ranks right near the middle in both offensive and defensive rating. They have a 10-9 record and an average point differential of minus-0.6; the 76ers have been about as average as a team can be so far. Joel Embiid has only played seven games and Paul George five, so there is hope they can look better the rest of the way. The stars both played on Sunday, but Embiid is out for this one, and George is questionable.
Guard
Grimes is probable for this game, but he is dealing with a calf injury, so verify his status. While Philly has dealt with injuries, their guards have been healthier, leaving fewer minutes for the depth guys. Grimes is a worthy fantasy player, averaging 33 minutes and 17 points per game; McCain is just a deep-league guy who could get a few extra minutes if enough players miss this game.
Forward
Barlow is the real guy of note here, as he averages about 27 minutes per game, but he puts up modest numbers, with just 7.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks. With injuries around him and a great matchup, Barlow is an intriguing streamer today.
Edwards and Walker could get some time simply because of how many guys are out. They have low floors and might not see the floor much, so these are only deep-league and desperation streamers.
Center
Drummond is questionable for this game with a knee injury. If he plays, he would be the fantasy player to grab, but if Drummond were to miss the game, then Bona would be in line for heavy minutes, making him the sneaky pickup. Stay tuned to 76er lineup news early on Tuesday.
Toronto Raptors vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland plays at the third-fastest pace and has the ninth-worst defensive rating. They weren't expected to be a very good team, and that is playing out, as the Blazers have an 8-12 record and sit in 10th place.
Toronto is on the opposite side of the coin, holding a 14-7 record and ranking in the top 11 in both offensive and defensive rating. The Raptors look like real contenders right now against all odds.
Guard
The streaming guys for Toronto are all low-level fantasy players, not leaving us a ton of value in the average league. Shead and Walter both score between five and six points per game and don't add much else for stats, leaving them off the fantasy radar.
Forward
It's more of the same here. Dick is a scorer and shooter who isn't making shots; there's no other reason to have him out there. Murray-Boyles can fill in at forward and center, a nice bonus, but his stats are also modest at 6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Center
Mamukelashvili is the best of the streaming players for Toronto. He is another guy who can play both forward and center, and he is averaging 10.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, decent production. He's just a lower-level streamer, but Sandro can fill in with a good matchup.
