Fantasy Basketball Streaming Guide: Top Waiver Wire Targets for Thursday’s NBA Matchups
Streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Thursday.
I talked yesterday about Bam Adebayo's 83-point outburst against Washington on Tuesday, but the conversation hasn't died down. It has been funny to see people call it out for the sham it was (in some eyes), with Miami keeping Adebayo in while blowing out the Wizards and even fouling while way up to get him the ball back.
Something that the NBA surely saw as positive press that would draw eyeballs has instead turned into another example of the league turning into a “joke.” I won't declare that statement myself, but this was NOT the crowning achievement the NBA would like it to be in the eyes of many fans.
Moving to fantasy basketball, let's look at streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Thursday. We'll focus on the guys who get on the court and are widely available in fantasy leagues. Most stats are from NBA.com.
Use FantasySP's daily and weekly projections to find the players expected to excel and help make your toughest lineup decisions!
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls
Chicago plays at the fourth-fastest pace and has the eighth-worst defensive rating. After losing 11 straight games (their entire February schedule), the Bulls have alternated wins and losses over their past six, beating playoff teams in Phoenix and Golden State along the way (and losing to Sacramento in between).
The Lakers have won six of their past seven and sit in the tightly packed group between No. 3 and No. 7 in the West. Those five squads are separated by just two games, making for a dogfight the rest of the way to secure homecourt advantage in the first round and avoid the play-in tournament.
Guard
Smart has been around for a long time, and he is a respected role player, but he doesn't put up the stats to be on the fantasy radar anymore.
Kennard has averaged around 10 points and two 3-pointers per game since joining LA at the trade deadline; that's OK low-level work if you are desperate in those areas, but Kennard is more of a desperation option.
Forward
Hachimura is another guy who is around 10 points and two 3-pointers per game. You would expect more rebounds and other stats from a forward, but Hachimura is mostly just a scorer, leaving him short of a fantasy level in most leagues.
LaRavia had times when he was on the court more, but he has been limited recently, averaging just 16.7 minutes and 5.5 points in six March games.
Center
Hayes missed Tuesday's game with back soreness and is questionable here. He doesn't generally put up many stats, but he does run into a few good games here and there, giving him a little low-level intrigue if you're a bit desperate.
Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards
Washington plays at the sixth-fastest pace and has the worst defensive rating in the league. Utah had overtaken the Wiz as the worst defensive team for a long stretch, but after giving up 83 points to Adebayo and 150 total to the Heat, they have reclaimed their spot atop the hill of futility.
The Magic are on a five-game winning streak, beating lowly teams like Washington, Dallas, and Milwaukee, but they also took down the Timberwolves with a 27-point drubbing on Saturday and beat Cleveland yesterday. Orlando is 36-28 and just percentage points above Miami for the fifth seed, but they're only 2.5 games above Atlanta at No. 9.
Guard
Both Carter and Howard are relegated to backup duty and don't put up many numbers. Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane handle most of the minutes and shots at the position, leaving the reserves off the fantasy radar.
Forward
da Silva was a modest statistical player most of the season, but he has been better recently. In six March games, he is averaging 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.6 steals in nearly 30 minutes per game. Penda doesn't do enough to be anywhere near the fantasy radar.
Center
Carter had a very weak statistical stretch early in February, but he has been better over his past eight games, averaging 12.5 points and 8.6 rebounds. He's a decent streamer. Wagner doesn't get enough minutes to be worth fantasy consideration.
Phoenix Suns @ Indiana Pacers
Indiana plays at the seventh-fastest pace and has the seventh-worst defensive rating. Prior to Wednesday's games, the Pacers were the only team to be officially eliminated from playoff contention. The offseason can't come fast enough in Indianapolis.
The Suns are part of that muddled middle in the West and currently sit with the worst record of the group, relegating them to the seventh seed. There is plenty of time to get above the play-in, but nothing will come easy over the final month.
Guard
Gillespie does a little stat-sheet stuffing, averaging 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Those numbers have been consistent through most of the season, leaving him as a good streamer, though he is owned in about 50% of leagues.
Allen is also owned in close to half of leagues. He is a better scorer and shooter than Gillespie but doesn't add as much elsewhere; the player you prefer probably depends on what you need more. Goodwin is a lesser statistical player who is a step below the others in fantasy.
Forward
O'Neale generally doesn't do enough to be on the fantasy radar, though he has had a few good games recently. On Tuesday, he scored 21 points on seven made 3-pointers, but that came after a game in which he scored just three points on 1-of-6 shooting. There's a little intrigue if you're desperate, but I prefer looking elsewhere.
Center
Ighodaro had a few good games of his own before slowing down recently. He is in the starting role with Mark Williams out, but Ighodaro is just a lower-level streamer.
Maluach was the 10th overall pick in the most recent draft and could have a brighter future, but he doesn't do enough right now to be a fantasy contributor.
