A look at Week 15 in fantasy basketball to give managers a games played advantage in their head-to-head leagues.
Fantasy basketball managers should be ready because Week 15 brings them the Martin Luther King Day holiday which means plenty of Monday NBA games. The slate this week is packed full of action giving us plenty to discuss, so let’s jump right into it.
As always be sure to check out the Advanced Schedule Grid at Hashtag Basketball for a fast and easy breakdown on any fantasy week you desire to deep dive.
Weekly lock leagues
Tips for the week: The massive slate sees 18 teams play four times in Week 15. There are two teams (Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers) that have just two games. The remaining ten organizations suit up three times.
It is going to be difficult to start any Hornets or Pacers player this week. Victor Oladipo and Kemba Walker may crack your lineup, but having a guy playing twice as many games is likely a wiser strategy.
Here are the top-ten players worth rostering that playing four times this week: (All percentages are based on Yahoo leagues and under 50 percent rostered was the cutoff line for available on the waiver wire)
- P.J. Tucker- Houston Rockets (45%)- Tucker continues to be an asset in steals (1.4 per game), 3-pointers (1.9) and rebounds (6.3).
- Dwayne Wade- Miami Heat (29%)- The 37-year-old Wade is always a bit of a danger to sit out a game, but the Heat do not play a back-to-back in Week 15. Wade is averaging 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 0.5 blocks per game on the year making him a worthwhile stream.
- Wesley Matthews- Dallas Mavericks (32%)- Matthews minutes and production has trended down to start 2019, but it is likely just a slump. He is a strong producer in points and 3-pointers with the potential to average over a steal per game.
- D.J. Augustin- Orlando Magic (42%)- Augustin is producing 4.8 assists, 1.7 3-pointers made, 11.6 points, and 2.1 rebounds per game with fantastic percentages for a point guard.
- Fred VanVleet- Toronto Raptors (47%)- The Raptors backup PG is still producing 4.5 assists, 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 3-pointers made, and 0.9 steals a night.
- Collin Sexton- Cleveland Cavaliers (45%)- The rookie PG is averaging 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He lacks threes and defensive stats, but he is a worthy addition.
- Noah Vonleh- New York Knicks (47%)- Vonleh is giving fantasy managers 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game on the year.
- Bobby Portis- Chicago Bulls (42%)- Portis continues to be a strong add for points (12.5 per game) and rebounds (7.5) with 1.1 3-pointers made each night.
- JaMychal Green- Memphis Grizzlies (39%)- Green is shooting the ball well (50.7 percent from the field) and averaging 10.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game on the year in just over 23 minutes a night.
- E’Twaun Moore- New Orleans Pelicans (25%)- Moore is playing 30 minutes per game this year and continues to produce. He averages 12.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 3-pointers made, and 0.8 steals on solid percentages.
Daily roster changes
First, a word on the schedule itself: This slate gives fantasy managers three days with double-digit games in Week 15. Monday has 11 games. Wednesday and Friday both have ten contests. Sunday also has nine games making it questionable for streaming. Let us take out the three double-digit days and look at the back-to-backs.
Note: The Portland Trail Blazers play three times on light schedule days this week giving them a bit of a schedule advantage.
Back-to-backs
Tuesday-Thursday pseudo
Minnesota Timberwolves
Josh Okogie (3%)- Deeper league add for steals and blocks from a guard.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Nerlens Noel (7%)- Noel is averaging 1.0 steal and 1.4 blocks per game in under 14 minutes a night.
Phoenix Suns
Josh Jackson (29%)- Jackson is averaging 1.0 steal and 0.6 blocks per game on the year.
Mikal Bridges (26%)- Bridges continues to play a steady 27 minutes a night and produces 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.
Richaun Holmes (24%)- Deeper league blocks target.
De’Anthony Melton (10%)- Melton’s minutes are trending down with Devin Booker back, but the rookie continues to produce strong steals and blocks numbers for a guard.
Portland Trail Blazers
Evan Turner (7%)- Turner’s 4.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game make him a safe add, especially in deeper leagues.
Moe Harkless (2%)-Harkless needs to stay healthy, but could easily produce 1.0 steal and 1.0 block per game for the year in 22 minutes a night.
Thursday-Saturday pseudo
Golden State Warriors
No recommended streamers.
New Orleans Pelicans
E’Twaun Moore (25%)- Moore is a steady across the board contributor playing over 30 minutes per game.
Portland Trail Blazers
Listed under Tuesday-Thursday pseudo.
Saturday-Sunday
San Antonio Spurs
Bryn Forbes (31%)- Forbes is averaging 12.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.1 3-pointers made per game in 28 minutes a night for the season.
Marco Bellinelli (23%)- 3-pointers made add.
Looking ahead to Week 16
Managers who want to gain an advantage in their next matchup can use the final add of Week 15 to boost their lineup in the future. Here are the top adds for that move.
Sunday-Monday
LA Clippers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (37%)- Only playing 25.5 minutes a night, but still averaging 1.0 steal and 0.6 blocks per game.
New York Knicks
Noah Vonleh (47%)- Vonleh’s 8.5 rebounds are likely unmatched on the waiver wire plus he throws in 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals per game.
The Knicks are notorious for switching their rotation so keep an eye on it this week for the Sunday add.
Final thoughts
Week 15 has another holiday and more schedule craziness. Be sure to check out the Watching the Boxes Podcast. It will keep you abreast on the latest fantasy basketball news. We analyze everything you need to know to dominate your league, so do not miss it.