Monday's Must-Add Fantasy Basketball Streamers
Streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Monday.
Divisions in the NBA really don't matter anymore now that playoff seeding in each conference is based purely on record. If conference alignment were abandoned, as some suggest, and teams were just ranked 1-16 (or 20 if the play-in were included) in the playoffs, it would end the division meaning even more.
If you care about division races, though, four of the six divisions are within three games at the top. It means nothing more than a banner; playoff seeding completely ignores divisions. It's something to celebrate during a long season for the teams who win, and any fans who care might get a few good finishes.
Moving to fantasy basketball, let's look at streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Monday. 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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Indiana Pacers @ Atlanta Hawks
We'll start today with a game in which both teams are worthy of attacking with fantasy streamers. They aren't among our top targets, but these teams are both right on the fringe and fit just fine as secondary teams on days when it is necessary, like today.
The Pacers play at the 11th-fastest pace and have the 12th-worst defensive rating. The Hawks are super fast, ranking second in pace, but they are right in the middle in defensive rating; that's a team that is still vulnerable even if they aren't on the top of our target list.
Atlanta Hawks
Guard
Neither Kennard nor Krejci finds enough consistency to be real fantasy options most days. It makes sense to think that Atlanta's guards would have more opportunities with Trae Young now in Washington, but Young only played 10 games this season, so his departure didn't change much. Kennard has a little bit higher ceiling, but neither guy here offers much.
Forward
Zaccharie Risacher last played on January 7 and remains out for this one. Kispert performed well right away after joining the Hawks, scoring 19 and 16 points in two of his first three games with Atlanta, but he combined for just 21 points in the four other games, including playing 20 or fewer minutes in the past three.
Center
Koloko is a deep reserve who is getting a chance to play a little more with Kristaps Porzingis out. There isn't a lot here from a fantasy standpoint until he proves that he can produce.
Indiana Pacers
Guard
Bennedict Mathurin hasn't played since January 2 and is out for this one, giving more opportunities to all the guys listed in the guard and forward categories. McConnell is the better player here, averaging 9.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game; that gives him low-level streaming value. Sheppard is even a lesser fantasy guy and mostly off our radar.
Forward
This group is coming off a big game on Friday, when the near-last-place Pacers beat the first-place Thunder. Nesmith had 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Walker scored 26 points in 31 minutes. Nesmith is the best option by season-long numbers, averaging 13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.4 three-pointers per game. Mathurin's absence gives Nesmith and Walker a little more streaming intrigue, while Furphy is still a low-level statistical guy.
Center
Huff had been starting at center mostly for the Pacers, but he only played two minutes off the bench on Friday while Potter played 25 minutes and had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Potter has played very inconsistent minutes with his production fluctuating accordingly; I don't trust either guy here in my lineup until we get a more concrete minutes plan.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Chicago Bulls
Chicago plays at the fifth-fastest pace and has the seventh-worst defensive rating. The trade deadline will be interesting for the Bulls, as they could try to make a big move for an available star (like Anthony Davis and Ja Morant, who are both injured right now) or even look to go the opposite direction and sell off veterans. The most likely outcome? They continue their middling path.
One of the most fascinating conversations right now is whether the Lakers are a true contender. Their record says they are at least close, but LA has a negative point differential and the sixth-worst defensive rating. They don't look like they can make real playoff noise right now, but let's see what LeBron James has left when the playoffs hit.
Guard
Smart is the best option here, but he is still limited in fantasy, with his 10.1 points and 1.3 steals per game his best numbers. Smart has scored at least 10 points in six of his past seven games and had eight points in the other one. Vincent is a deeper reserve player who isn't on the radar outside of the deepest fantasy leagues.
Forward
LaRavia is questionable for this game, and his status affects both the forwards and guards, as LaRavia is a wing who fits at the 2 and the 3. He did more damage when there were injuries in front of him, but with the team healthier, LaRavia is a limited fantasy player.
Hachimura is averaging over 30 minutes and 12 points per game, but that's about all that he offers, limiting his fantasy impact; LaRavia has more upside but Hachimura a little better floor. Vanderbilt isn't much of a statistical player, off the fantasy radar.
Center
Hayes is a backup who doesn't play enough or put up enough numbers to factor into fantasy. He will be of interest if Deandre Ayton ever misses an extended period.
