Tuesday's Fantasy Basketball Streamers: Brook Lopez, Jaden Ivey, and More
Streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Tuesday.
With just four games on the schedule today, we are a little short on streamers. There are some days when I skip this column because there aren't enough feasible options, but we are only slightly short on Tuesday.
Below, I have two great matchups for you and one team that doesn't quite meet the criteria but is close enough on a day that requires a little creativity. I'll point out which group doesn't have a pristine matchup (Spoiler: The Pistons), but there are still enough options today for owners in need of fill-ins.
Let's look at streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Tuesday. We will focus on the guys who get on the court and are widely available in fantasy leagues, able to be picked up. Most stats are from NBA.com.
Use FantasySP's daily and weekly projections to compare players and help make your toughest lineup decisions!
Boston Celtics @ Utah Jazz
Utah plays at the third-fastest pace and has the second-worst defensive rating. I have been calling Washington my favorite target for several years now, but Utah might currently hold that dubious title.
The Celtics are plugging away in a season in which they know they won't ever be at their best. They are still going to make the playoffs, but I don't think anyone is going to see Boston as a true contender. Jaylen Brown and Co. will have a chance to prove that they don't need Jayson Tatum (and others).
Guard
Gonzalez has been playing a lot recently, including 30 minutes and 13 points on Sunday. He hasn't put up a ton of numbers, but if he keeps getting on the court that much, he will produce. Walsh is a lower-level player who doesn't play as much and doesn't put up many stats when he does.
Forward
Hauser is another guy who really doesn't put up enough numbers to be on the fantasy radar, averaging 7.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Center
Queta is the best streamer from the Celtics today, a guy who starts for the Celtics and puts up 10 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. I like him as a streamer if you need help at center. Garza is a backup and puts up stats accordingly, keeping him off the fantasy radar.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Sacramento Kings
The Kings play at the 11th-fastest pace and have the third-worst defensive rating. While they are just outside the top 10 in pace, Sacramento is several tenths of a possession from 10th place and about one possession from the top five; it's close enough to qualify.
The Clippers could very well be the most disappointing team of the season so far, holding a 10-21 record, third worst in the West. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have been on the court, but moves for Bradley Beal and Chris Paul didn't work out for different reasons, and this team could probably do with a teardown if they can stomach it.
Guard
Dunn is the guy you want from this group if you're going to grab a Clippers guard. He's a low-level fantasy player, but 8.2 points and 1.5 steals is something if you're desperate in a deep league. Sanders and Miller are off the fantasy radar but getting on the court with Bogdan Bogdanovic out (and Beal and Paul both gone for the season).
Forward
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Nic Batum
Neither guy here is much of a fantasy player either. Jones is close to 10 points and over one block per game, so like Dunn, he has some deep-league, low-level value. Batum just doesn't do enough statistically (though he made four three-pointers in their last game).
Center
Lopez was a big-time fantasy name a few years ago as a guy who loaded up on rebounds, blocks, and three-point shots. He isn't putting up numbers this year, but Ivica Zubac is out, so Lopez has played big minutes the past few games, scoring 31 points with nine three-pointers (!!!) on Friday. With Zubac still out, Lopez is an intriguing streamer today.
Detroit Pistons @ Los Angeles Lakers
Our final target team today isn't a great target the way that Utah and Sacramento are. While the Lakers have the sixth-worst defensive rating, they rank 24th in pace. I look to go after teams that play fast because they generate more possessions per game, giving more chances for players to accumulate stats.
A team as slow as the Lakers isn't creating those extra possessions, but that still only works out to a few possessions per game outside the top 10, so it's not a major loss given their poor defensive performance.
The Pistons are the class of the East right now, holding the best record by one game over the Knicks. They have the third-best point differential, slightly trailing the Knicks and Celtics, but Detroit looks like a real threat to take the Eastern Conference.
Guard
LeVert is doubtful for this game and probably won't play, leaving more opportunities for the others. That opens up more for Ivey, a former top-five pick who has gotten limited time but played 29 minutes on Sunday when LeVert was injured. Ivey is intriguing but risky. Green is a low-level guy who doesn't put up many stats in any category.
Forward
Robinson is around 30 minutes and 12 points per game while making close to three three-pointers. He's a decent streamer if you need scoring/shooting, but you can also find a better player elsewhere. Holland is another backup who puts up backup stats; he needs to get on the court more before becoming a fantasy fixture.
Center
Stewart is the epitome of a streaming center, a backup who gets enough minutes, points, rebounds, and blocks to have value in the right matchups. He's interesting any time you're short at center.
