Fantasy Basketball Streaming: Friday's Best Waiver Wire Targets and Matchups
Streaming players from three NBA teams with good matchups on Friday.
Every NBA team has close to 10 games remaining, putting us in the final stretch of the year. It's a long season, and it's easy to get lost in the schedule, even as we approach the end. There is still plenty to be figured out with seeding in both conferences, though we mostly know who will make the postseason already.
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.
Use FantasySP's injury report to keep up with the players set to miss games as we wind down toward the end of the season!
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz
Based on season-long numbers, the Jazz are our favorite streaming target, ranking second in pace and holding the second-worst defensive rating. It's not quite as rosy of an outlook when we only focus on the time since the All-Star break, but Utah still has a top-five pace and bottom-10 defensive rating in that time, making them a high-level target.
The Nuggets currently sit fourth in the West and could conceivably finish anywhere between third and sixth. Staying out of the play-in is an obvious plus, but locking in homecourt advantage in the first round would be a big deal for a team that enjoys one of the best advantages in the league, partly because they play a mile above sea level.
Guard
Denver's starters handle a lot of minutes and shots, not leaving a lot for the reserves, especially at guard. Hardaway is the better fantasy option between these two, averaging 13.7 points and 2.8 3-pointers per game on the season and 12.7 and 2.9, respectively, in March, though he doesn't add much else.
Brown is less of a statistical player and doesn't generally get onto our fantasy radar.
Forward
Aaron Gordon missed Wednesday's game and is questionable here, and his absence would leave more fantasy upside for these guys. Johnson is now owned in around 55% of fantasy leagues and might not qualify for our streaming list, but I'll throw him in since there's still enough availability to make it worth checking. Johnson is averaging 12.9 points and 2.3 3-pointers in March (both a little better than his season numbers) but doesn't add much else.
Watson had a very good stretch earlier in the season when there were injuries in front of him, but he then suffered an injury of his own and missed over six weeks before returning on Sunday. In his two games back, Watson has combined for 43 minutes, 35 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. He's a good streaming option here.
Jones doesn't put up the numbers to be a fantasy asset.
Center
- None
Jonas Valanciunas showed up in this spot often during the season, but he has seen his role diminished to the point of not playing in some games. Nikola Jokic dominates the center minutes, not leaving much for anyone else.
Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Wizards
Washington is our other top target along with Utah, holding a top-six pace and a bottom-two defense both over the full season and post-All Star. The Wizards are fighting with the Nets and Pacers for the worst record in the East, and those teams along with Sacramento are battling to finish in the bottom three and have the best lottery odds.
The Warriors are locked into the play-in and currently sit in 10th place in the West. While they could climb as high as seventh, they are more likely to finish in the bottom half of the play-in, requiring two wins to advance. Stephen Curry's return could be the difference in Golden State having any shot at advancing into the proper postseason.
Guard
Podziemski has been by far his best in March (probably the best month of his career): 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.3 3-pointers per game. He has been able to handle the ball much more with Curry out and will continue to be a fantasy asset at least until the star returns.
Spencer had a few decent scoring games, but his minutes and his production are both inconsistent and leave him off the fantasy radar. The rookie Richard (a college national champion last year!) is a fine backup but doesn't do nearly enough to be a fantasy asset.
Forward
Santos was essentially a nonfactor until the last week in January. He then averaged 15.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.9 3-pointers in February and is at 15.6, 5.8, 4.2, 1.4, and 1.6, respectively, in March. He is a strong fantasy streamer if you need a forward.
Melton adds some scoring (13 points on the season, 14.4 in March) but doesn't generally do much else, though his rebounding is OK this month. Staying below 2 3-pointers limits him a bit. Payton's season-long numbers aren't great, but his 13.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in March are worthy of lower-level fantasy consideration.
Center
- None
Both Al Horford and Quinten Post are out for this game, leaving Golden State without a backup center worth mentioning. Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green will handle the minutes here today.
LA Clippers @ Indiana Pacers
Indiana fits our target group well over both the full season and the second half. While their pace has slowed down a little since the All-Star break, their defensive rating is by far the worst in the league in that latter segment. The Pacers currently hold the distinction of the worst record, one game behind Brooklyn.
The Clippers are another team essentially locked into the play-in, though they could finish anywhere between No. 7 and No. 10. They are currently a half game above Portland for the eighth seed, an important line, as it gives them two chances to win one game and advance.
Guard
Dunn is a good defensive player and a fine role player, but he doesn't put up the numbers to be under real fantasy consideration.
Miller missed the most recent game and is questionable for this one with a back injury, making him a bit of a risk even if he plays. Miller can score (11.6 points per game this month) but doesn't add much else and doesn't make many 3-pointers.
Forward
Jones gets on the court plenty, but his stats are just moderate, as he is a little over 10 points per game and close to one steal and one block. He is a lower-level fantasy forward.
Batum is now 37 years old, and while it's commendable that he is still playing rotational minutes on a playoff team, he doesn't put up any kind of real stats.
Center
Lopez and Jackson are averaging very similar numbers this month, both around 10 points, 5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. Lopez scores a little more and has added 1.7 3-pointers in March, giving him the slight advantage, but neither is a great fantasy asset, holding a defined ceiling.
