Friday the 13th Fantasy Basketball Streaming: These 3 Matchups Are Scary Good
Streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Friday.
Happy Friday the 13th! It's the second straight month with the ominous day thanks to the 28-day February calendar, so those who missed it the first time get another chance to celebrate a scary day about seven-and-a-half months before Halloween. (The next Friday the 13th is in November, just after the spooky holiday, coincidentally.)
In the basketball world, it's getting scary for the teams that are staring down play-in position. Those spots aren't locked in yet, but there is at least a six-game gap between the 10th and 11th seed in both conferences, meaning we probably know which teams will reach the postseason.
Moving to fantasy basketball, let's look at streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Friday. 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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Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans plays at the 11th-fastest pace and has the fifth-worst defensive rating. The Pelicans also clock in among the bottom 10 in offensive rating, leaving the team without any facet even approaching average. The lack of their own first-round pick this year makes things even more bleak.
The Rockets' remaining games are mostly against non-playoff teams and teams in the West that are battling against them for playoff position. They are in a good place to secure homecourt advantage in the first round, but Houston will have the finish the season strong.
Guard
Sheppard is now owned in around 60% of leagues, too many to be on the streaming list. He's here because we really don't have many more options on this team, and there's enough availability that you might still be able to grab him. Sheppard is a strong fantasy asset.
Eason had a stretch of good statistical play, but he has fallen off big time over the past three weeks and is nothing more than a low-level streamer right now.
Forward
Smith is another guy owned in around 60% of leagues, but he fits the same mold as Sheppard because there aren't many other good options on this team, and there's still enough availability that it's worth checking (and he can slot in at center as well in most leagues).
Finney-Smith is a better real-life player than fantasy player, as he doesn't put up many numbers but offers defense and versatility to a lineup that has enough scorers.
Center
Alperen Sengun is questionable for this game due to back pain; his status directly affects Capela. If Sengun plays, then Capela isn't a fantasy asset. If the starter is out, though, then Capela gains some low-level streaming intrigue (just don't expect too much).
LA Clippers vs. Chicago Bulls
Chicago plays at the fourth-fastest pace and has the eighth-worst defensive rating. The Bulls are on a West-coast road trip right now, playing the Suns, Kings, Warriors, Lakers, and now Clippers before heading home for a four-game homestand beginning on Monday (followed by four more on the road to close the season).
The Clippers are essentially locked into the play-in, though they could finish anywhere between the eighth and 10th seed. Locking in No. 8 would give them two chances to advance to the proper postseason, but the Warriors and Blazers are both within three games behind them.
Guard
Darius Garland is out for this game, which will lead to Miller getting more minutes and touches. He has been as good in seven March games as he has in any month statistically, averaging 10.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 1 steals in 27 minutes per game. With starter minutes likely coming his way today, he's a sneaky streaming option.
Dunn is another guy who is better in real basketball than fantasy basketball and not an option here.
Forward
Jones missed long stretches in November, December, and January, but he has looked better since getting on the court consistently. Jones is averaging 13.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game in March, decent enough to have some low-to-mid-level streaming value.
Batum doesn't do enough at this point in his career to be on the fantasy radar.
Center
Lopez was just a reserve most of the season, but he has been playing starter minutes since the trade deadline and performing better. He is over 10 points per game and near two 3-pointers in that time, OK lower-level work.
Jackson plays fewer than 20 minutes most games, keeping him below a fantasy level.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz
Utah plays at the third-fastest pace and has the worst defensive rating in the league. The Jazz and Wizards are battling for the title of worst defense, and it looks like it will be a photo finish at the end for the dubious distinction.
The Blazers have been a common friend here recently, facing the Hawks, Grizzlies, and Pacers this month, three teams that we will target when the time is right. Portland would have to bottom out hard to fall out of the play-in, and they could still climb as high as the eighth seed.
Guard
Henderson has been a little inconsistent since the last day of February after starting hot following his early-February debut. In his last two games, Henderson combined for 45 points and seven assists, so there's obvious upside, but everyone in front of him is healthy, which brings a little risk.
Krejci hasn't been good enough lately to be on our radar.
Forward
Grant can score. If nothing else, he puts the ball in the basket on a regular basis, averaging 19 points per game on the season and 20 in March despite a four-point performance to start the month. It would just be nice if he added more elsewhere.
Camara grabs the rebounds that we wish Grant would get, averaging 5.4 on the season and 6.2 in March. His scoring has cooled down to it's lowest level so far during this month, though, leaving him behind Grant as a fantasy player.
Center
Williams is worth a look if you're desperate, particularly in games that starter Donovan Clingan misses. Clingan will play in this one, leaving a lower ceiling for Williams, but he's a low-level, deep-league flier.
