NFL Playoffs? Don't Ignore These NBA 'Saviors' Winning Fantasy Matchups This Sunday
Streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Sunday.
It's a Sunday during the NFL playoffs; basketball is far from the top priority for American sports fans today. Fantasy basketball doesn't stop for anything, though, so it's business as usual as we attempt to set the best lineup each day.
Let's look at streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Sunday. We'll focus on the guys who get on the court and are widely available in fantasy leagues. Most stats are from NBA.com.
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Denver Nuggets @ Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis isn't usually one of our top target teams, but we're a little short on true top-line targets today, so the Grizzlies will have to do. They play at the 10th-fastest pace and rank right in the middle in defensive rating, not a team I like attacking, but again, we're begging, not choosing with this pick.
The Nuggets are hurting, currently missing Nikola Jokic for an extended period on top of Aaron Gordon also being out for this one with Jamal Murray and others questionable. Denver will be fine if they can get healthy before the playoffs, but this current iteration of the lineup shows how easily they can fall out of contention.
Guard
With all the injuries, there is room for Denver's streamers to make a fantasy impact. This group is generally off the fantasy radar in normal circumstances, but with Christian Braun out and Murray possibly joining him, there could be some minutes available. Pickett is the best of these three in fantasy, as he does well with scoring and playmaking, but his production is also inconsistent.
Forward
Watson has been a savior with the stars out. He has scored in double figures in every game since December 27 and has done a little stat-sheet stuffing along the way, helping both his team and his fantasy standing. Watson is a strong streamer, though his ownership keeps rising and could move him off the streaming list. Hardaway is a lesser statistical player, more left to deep-league streaming, but he is also getting more run with so many guys in and out of the lineup.
Center
Valanciunas missed the first three weeks of January before returning on Thursday with 22 minutes, 16 points, and nine rebounds. He missed Friday's game and is questionable here, but if he's on the court, Valanciunas is a good fantasy option. Nnaji moves back to a reserve role if Valanciunas is active, and that makes him a non-fantasy player.
Detroit Pistons vs. Sacramento Kings
Our other two target teams fit the criteria fully, with both the Kings and Pelicans (more on them in a minute) among the lowliest in the league. Sacramento is right around league average in pace, but they have the third-worst defensive rating, fitting exactly what we're looking for in that area.
The Pistons have a five-game lead in the Eastern Conference and are in good position to walk away with the top seed. There's still a long way to go; every team has a little less than 40 games left to play. Detroit is showing that they belong among the best, though, with an offensive rating just outside the top 10 and the second-best defensive rating in the league behind only the Thunder and with no one else particularly close.
Guard
Cade Cunningham is probable for this game and Caris LeVert doubtful, and one or both guys missing this one would give more value to these guards. Ivey is the guy to grab if you're really in need, but he's still a low-level streamer. Jenkins gets minutes only when players in front of him are out, and he isn't really an option here unless you're desperate.
Forward
Harris is the top option from this group, averaging 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Those aren't great numbers by any means, but it's enough to make him a decent streamer. Robinson doesn't add anything aside from points (12.1) and three-pointers (nearly three per game), but he is an OK option if you're in need of those stats. Holland is a deeper reserve player who doesn't put up enough numbers to be on the fantasy radar.
Center
Stewart is a backup who only has real fantasy value when starter Jalen Duren is out. Stewart is otherwise a low-level fantasy guy who probably isn't on your radar (though he does put up a few minutes if you find yourself in a pinch).
San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans plays at the ninth-fastest pace and has the fourth-worst defensive rating. There aren't any easy ways out of this mess for the Pelicans, who could very well give away the No. 1 pick in this year's draft (and are almost certain to lose a top-five pick unless the ping pong balls bounce in an unlikely way).
The Spurs are on the opposite side of that coin, sitting second in the West and holding a top-five defensive rating and top-10 offensive rating. San Antonio is one of the teams that won't get a real test of their ceiling until the playoffs; they've passed everything else up until this point, including beating last year's champs.
Guard
Champagnie is averaging 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 three-pointers per game, a decent set of numbers for a guy who can slot in at both guard and forward. Harper has a higher ceiling as the second overall pick in this year's draft, but he needs a little time to reach his fantasy potential, leaving him mostly off the radar right now.
Forward
Barnes plays over 28 minutes per game but doesn't put up a lot of numbers, averaging 10.7 points, three rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Johnson has a higher fantasy ceiling but also a lower floor, and he's coming off a game in which he scored 21 points in 31 minutes. I like Johnson's outlook when the matchup is right (like today).
Center
Kornet missed Thursday's game against the Jazz with a hamstring issue and is questionable here, so there's risk involved even if he does play. Kornet is only a backup with Victor Wembanyama active, so he's a player to skip here regardless of his status.
