Fantasy Basketball Schedule Preview: 15-21 March
Fantasy Basketball Schedule Preview: 15-21 March
Fantasy basketball leagues are heating up and the schedule is packed with games, so here is how to maximize your stats in head-to-head leagues.
Fantasy basketball leagues are heating up and the schedule is packed with games, so here is how to maximize your stats in head-to-head leagues.
The NBA schedule is about to heat up. The All-Star break is over and there are plenty of games to be made up in the second half of the season. That will create plenty of chaos for fantasy basketball managers. Be on your toes because more games means more rest. There will be plenty of opportunities to stream in players getting massive workloads in the second half.
Today, we attempt to use the schedule to our advantage to maximize our games played this week.
Team that plays five times (1)
Lakers.
Teams that play four times (20)
Celtics, Nets, Hornets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors, Rockets, Pacers, Grizzlies, Heat, Knicks, 76ers, Suns, Blazers, Kings, Spurs, Wizards.
Teams that play three times (9)
Hawks, Clippers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Thunder, Magic, Raptors, Jazz.
Fantasy basketball talking points
- Joel Embiid was injured and is set to miss two weeks. The Sixers will need someone to step up and fill his scoring roll. Tobias Harris and Seth Curry could be the beneficiaries. Keep an eye on Philly.
- The NBA trade deadline takes place on March 25. Be watching for deals and how they could impact playing time.
- Be looking to make moves in your fantasy league too. A trade can often be the difference between winning and losing a league.
- The Lakers have the best schedule of the week with five games. Unfortunately, they do not have a ton of streaming options for fantasy managers to use.
- The Toronto Raptors have the worst schedule with three games all on high volume days.
Top streaming options (rostered in under 50% of Yahoo Leagues)
Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies (48%), SG/SF
Brooks averages 15.8 points, 1.4 steals, and 1.9 3-pointers made per game on the season. His percentages are not ideal, but Brooks can help fantasy managers win all three categories every single week.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
179 |
2 |
29.5 |
0.444 |
0.500 |
2.50 |
15.00 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
0.50 |
0.00 |
4.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
130 |
31 |
29.3 |
0.399 |
0.826 |
1.90 |
15.80 |
3.10 |
2.60 |
1.40 |
0.50 |
2.20 |
Dwight Howard, Philadelphia 76ers (26%), C
Howard should get the starting nod with Joel Embiid out. Expect him to produce massive rebound and block numbers if he is playing anywhere near 30 minutes per game.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
94 |
2 |
21.3 |
0.625 |
0.667 |
0.00 |
12.00 |
11.00 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
1.50 |
2.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
284 |
38 |
16.3 |
0.590 |
0.538 |
0.10 |
6.40 |
7.50 |
0.70 |
0.40 |
0.90 |
1.70 |
Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks (31%), PG/SG
Brunson is having an outstanding season. He averages 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 53.1 percent shooting from the field and 82.2 percent on his free throws. He is the perfect streamer of owners looking to get a boost in assists, but keep their percentages up.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
148 |
3 |
27.0 |
0.533 |
0.666 |
1.30 |
15.30 |
3.30 |
3.30 |
0.70 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
145 |
33 |
25.2 |
0.531 |
0.821 |
1.30 |
12.90 |
3.50 |
3.40 |
0.50 |
0.00 |
1.20 |
Robert Williams, Boston Celtics (47%), C
Williams averages 1.6 blocks and 5.8 rebounds per game in just over 16 minutes this season. Do not expect a ton of playing time, but the big man could sway those categories.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
39 |
1 |
16.6 |
0.250 |
0.000 |
0.00 |
2.00 |
4.00 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
6.00 |
0.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
95 |
30 |
16.3 |
0.707 |
0.638 |
0.00 |
6.80 |
5.80 |
1.20 |
0.90 |
1.60 |
0.90 |
Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks (19%), PF/C
Kleber offers the rare combination of blocks, rebounds, and 3-pointers. He ranks inside the top 130 on the season, despite missing time in the health and safety protocols.
Malik Monk, Charlotte Hornets (26%), PG/SG
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
92 |
3 |
30.8 |
0.524 |
1.000 |
3.00 |
11.00 |
6.00 |
2.00 |
0.70 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
138 |
25 |
26.6 |
0.454 |
0.960 |
1.80 |
7.50 |
5.40 |
1.40 |
0.40 |
0.80 |
0.60 |
Monk averages 13.4 points and 2.4 3-pointers made in 22.3 minutes per game this season. The Hornets need scoring off their bench, so expect Monk to keep delivering.
Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat (40%), PF/C
Olynyk offers a diverse fantasy skill set. He helps most in rebounds (6.0 per game) and threes (1.9), but he won’t hurt managers anywhere.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
43 |
2 |
33.9 |
0.440 |
1.000 |
2.50 |
14.50 |
8.00 |
2.50 |
1.50 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
119 |
37 |
27.1 |
0.441 |
0.756 |
1.90 |
10.30 |
5.90 |
2.20 |
0.90 |
0.60 |
1.30 |
Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers (23%), SG/SF
Green offers outstanding contributions in threes, steals, and blocks. It continues to make him an underrated option in all leagues.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
65 |
2 |
32.3 |
0.444 |
0.000 |
2.50 |
10.50 |
6.00 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
139 |
38 |
28.6 |
0.394 |
0.642 |
2.20 |
8.60 |
3.70 |
1.80 |
1.20 |
0.80 |
1.20 |
Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons (31%), SF
Since moving into the starting five, Bey is averaging 12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.9 steals in 31.4 minutes per game. The rookie should continue to increase his production in the second half of the season.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
136 |
2 |
28.4 |
0.333 |
0.833 |
3.00 |
13.50 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
216 |
36 |
23.3 |
0.401 |
0.855 |
2.20 |
10.10 |
3.90 |
1.10 |
0.60 |
0.10 |
0.60 |
Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets (23%), SG
Tate is an underrated fantasy option. Over his last 17 games, he has averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals on 52.9 percent shooting from the field and 80.0 percent on his free throws. Add the 25-year-old if you need help in those categories.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
214 |
2 |
30.8 |
0.458 |
0.000 |
0.50 |
11.50 |
5.00 |
0.50 |
1.50 |
0.00 |
1.50 |
| 2020/21 Season |
144 |
36 |
27.7 |
0.529 |
0.726 |
0.60 |
9.90 |
5.30 |
1.60 |
1.00 |
0.50 |
1.20 |
Daily streaming options
Three days (Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) feature double-digit games. It will be difficult to stream anyone into your lineup on those days, but the rest of the week should be open.
Back-to-backs
Monday-Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers
Markieff Morris (4%): Deeper league rebounds and threes add.
New York Knicks
Immanuel Quickley (24%): Points and threes streamer.
Tuesday-Thursday pseudo
Los Angeles Lakers
Listed under Monday-Tuesday.
New York Knicks
Listed under Monday-Tuesday.
Portland Trail Blazers
Derrick Jones Jr. (24%): Blocks streamer.
Atlanta Hawks
No recommended adds.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Naz Reid (22%): Blocks target.
New Orleans Pelicans
Josh Hart (35%): Rebounds and threes add.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Darius Bazley (43%): Points, rebounds, and threes streamer.
Utah Jazz
Joe Ingles (48%): Threes, points, and assists target.
Royce O’Neale (33%): Rebounds and 3-pointers made add.
Thursday-Saturday pseudo
Los Angeles Lakers
Listed under Monday-Tuesday.
Charlotte Hornets
Malik Monk (26%): Points and threes streamer.
Cody Zeller (20%): Rebounds, points, and percentages add.
Bismack Biyombo (3%): Blocks target.
Utah Jazz
Listed under Tuesday-Thursday pseudo.
Looking ahead to next week
Fantasy managers may want to use the Saturday-Monday pseudo-back-to-back this week. Here are a few options playing both days.
Saturday-Monday pseudo
Charlotte Hornets
Listed under Thursday-Saturday pseudo.
Memphis Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks (48%): Points, steals, and 3-pointers made add.
De’Anthony Melton (20%): Assists, steals, and threes target.
Tyus Jones (5%): Assists and steals streamer.
Sacramento Kings
No recommended adds.
San Antonio Spurs
Rudy Gay (24%): Points, rebounds, and threes add.
Patty Mills (24%): Points and threes target.
Lonnie Walker IV (13%): Points and threes streamer.
Atlanta Hawks
Listed under Tuesday-Thursday pseudo.
LA Clippers
Nic Batum (24%): Steals and threes target.
Marcus Morris Sr. (20%): Points and 3-pointers made add.
Milwaukee Bucks
No recommended streamers.
The NBA schedule is about to heat up. The All-Star break is over and there are plenty of games to be made up in the second half of the season. That will create plenty of chaos for fantasy basketball managers. Be on your toes because more games means more rest. There will be plenty of opportunities to stream in players getting massive workloads in the second half.
Today, we attempt to use the schedule to our advantage to maximize our games played this week.
Team that plays five times (1)
Lakers.
Teams that play four times (20)
Celtics, Nets, Hornets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors, Rockets, Pacers, Grizzlies, Heat, Knicks, 76ers, Suns, Blazers, Kings, Spurs, Wizards.
Teams that play three times (9)
Hawks, Clippers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Thunder, Magic, Raptors, Jazz.
Fantasy basketball talking points
- Joel Embiid was injured and is set to miss two weeks. The Sixers will need someone to step up and fill his scoring roll. Tobias Harris and Seth Curry could be the beneficiaries. Keep an eye on Philly.
- The NBA trade deadline takes place on March 25. Be watching for deals and how they could impact playing time.
- Be looking to make moves in your fantasy league too. A trade can often be the difference between winning and losing a league.
- The Lakers have the best schedule of the week with five games. Unfortunately, they do not have a ton of streaming options for fantasy managers to use.
- The Toronto Raptors have the worst schedule with three games all on high volume days.
Top streaming options (rostered in under 50% of Yahoo Leagues)
Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies (48%), SG/SF
Brooks averages 15.8 points, 1.4 steals, and 1.9 3-pointers made per game on the season. His percentages are not ideal, but Brooks can help fantasy managers win all three categories every single week.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
179 |
2 |
29.5 |
0.444 |
0.500 |
2.50 |
15.00 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
0.50 |
0.00 |
4.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
130 |
31 |
29.3 |
0.399 |
0.826 |
1.90 |
15.80 |
3.10 |
2.60 |
1.40 |
0.50 |
2.20 |
Dwight Howard, Philadelphia 76ers (26%), C
Howard should get the starting nod with Joel Embiid out. Expect him to produce massive rebound and block numbers if he is playing anywhere near 30 minutes per game.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
94 |
2 |
21.3 |
0.625 |
0.667 |
0.00 |
12.00 |
11.00 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
1.50 |
2.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
284 |
38 |
16.3 |
0.590 |
0.538 |
0.10 |
6.40 |
7.50 |
0.70 |
0.40 |
0.90 |
1.70 |
Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks (31%), PG/SG
Brunson is having an outstanding season. He averages 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 53.1 percent shooting from the field and 82.2 percent on his free throws. He is the perfect streamer of owners looking to get a boost in assists, but keep their percentages up.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
148 |
3 |
27.0 |
0.533 |
0.666 |
1.30 |
15.30 |
3.30 |
3.30 |
0.70 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
145 |
33 |
25.2 |
0.531 |
0.821 |
1.30 |
12.90 |
3.50 |
3.40 |
0.50 |
0.00 |
1.20 |
Robert Williams, Boston Celtics (47%), C
Williams averages 1.6 blocks and 5.8 rebounds per game in just over 16 minutes this season. Do not expect a ton of playing time, but the big man could sway those categories.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
39 |
1 |
16.6 |
0.250 |
0.000 |
0.00 |
2.00 |
4.00 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
6.00 |
0.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
95 |
30 |
16.3 |
0.707 |
0.638 |
0.00 |
6.80 |
5.80 |
1.20 |
0.90 |
1.60 |
0.90 |
Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks (19%), PF/C
Kleber offers the rare combination of blocks, rebounds, and 3-pointers. He ranks inside the top 130 on the season, despite missing time in the health and safety protocols.
Malik Monk, Charlotte Hornets (26%), PG/SG
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
92 |
3 |
30.8 |
0.524 |
1.000 |
3.00 |
11.00 |
6.00 |
2.00 |
0.70 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
138 |
25 |
26.6 |
0.454 |
0.960 |
1.80 |
7.50 |
5.40 |
1.40 |
0.40 |
0.80 |
0.60 |
Monk averages 13.4 points and 2.4 3-pointers made in 22.3 minutes per game this season. The Hornets need scoring off their bench, so expect Monk to keep delivering.
Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat (40%), PF/C
Olynyk offers a diverse fantasy skill set. He helps most in rebounds (6.0 per game) and threes (1.9), but he won’t hurt managers anywhere.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
43 |
2 |
33.9 |
0.440 |
1.000 |
2.50 |
14.50 |
8.00 |
2.50 |
1.50 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
119 |
37 |
27.1 |
0.441 |
0.756 |
1.90 |
10.30 |
5.90 |
2.20 |
0.90 |
0.60 |
1.30 |
Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers (23%), SG/SF
Green offers outstanding contributions in threes, steals, and blocks. It continues to make him an underrated option in all leagues.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
65 |
2 |
32.3 |
0.444 |
0.000 |
2.50 |
10.50 |
6.00 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
139 |
38 |
28.6 |
0.394 |
0.642 |
2.20 |
8.60 |
3.70 |
1.80 |
1.20 |
0.80 |
1.20 |
Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons (31%), SF
Since moving into the starting five, Bey is averaging 12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.9 steals in 31.4 minutes per game. The rookie should continue to increase his production in the second half of the season.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
136 |
2 |
28.4 |
0.333 |
0.833 |
3.00 |
13.50 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
| 2020/21 Season |
216 |
36 |
23.3 |
0.401 |
0.855 |
2.20 |
10.10 |
3.90 |
1.10 |
0.60 |
0.10 |
0.60 |
Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets (23%), SG
Tate is an underrated fantasy option. Over his last 17 games, he has averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals on 52.9 percent shooting from the field and 80.0 percent on his free throws. Add the 25-year-old if you need help in those categories.
| TYPE |
R# |
GP |
MPG |
FG% |
FT% |
3PM |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
TOV |
| Last 7 Days |
214 |
2 |
30.8 |
0.458 |
0.000 |
0.50 |
11.50 |
5.00 |
0.50 |
1.50 |
0.00 |
1.50 |
| 2020/21 Season |
144 |
36 |
27.7 |
0.529 |
0.726 |
0.60 |
9.90 |
5.30 |
1.60 |
1.00 |
0.50 |
1.20 |
Daily streaming options
Three days (Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) feature double-digit games. It will be difficult to stream anyone into your lineup on those days, but the rest of the week should be open.
Back-to-backs
Monday-Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers
Markieff Morris (4%): Deeper league rebounds and threes add.
New York Knicks
Immanuel Quickley (24%): Points and threes streamer.
Tuesday-Thursday pseudo
Los Angeles Lakers
Listed under Monday-Tuesday.
New York Knicks
Listed under Monday-Tuesday.
Portland Trail Blazers
Derrick Jones Jr. (24%): Blocks streamer.
Atlanta Hawks
No recommended adds.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Naz Reid (22%): Blocks target.
New Orleans Pelicans
Josh Hart (35%): Rebounds and threes add.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Darius Bazley (43%): Points, rebounds, and threes streamer.
Utah Jazz
Joe Ingles (48%): Threes, points, and assists target.
Royce O’Neale (33%): Rebounds and 3-pointers made add.
Thursday-Saturday pseudo
Los Angeles Lakers
Listed under Monday-Tuesday.
Charlotte Hornets
Malik Monk (26%): Points and threes streamer.
Cody Zeller (20%): Rebounds, points, and percentages add.
Bismack Biyombo (3%): Blocks target.
Utah Jazz
Listed under Tuesday-Thursday pseudo.
Looking ahead to next week
Fantasy managers may want to use the Saturday-Monday pseudo-back-to-back this week. Here are a few options playing both days.
Saturday-Monday pseudo
Charlotte Hornets
Listed under Thursday-Saturday pseudo.
Memphis Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks (48%): Points, steals, and 3-pointers made add.
De’Anthony Melton (20%): Assists, steals, and threes target.
Tyus Jones (5%): Assists and steals streamer.
Sacramento Kings
No recommended adds.
San Antonio Spurs
Rudy Gay (24%): Points, rebounds, and threes add.
Patty Mills (24%): Points and threes target.
Lonnie Walker IV (13%): Points and threes streamer.
Atlanta Hawks
Listed under Tuesday-Thursday pseudo.
LA Clippers
Nic Batum (24%): Steals and threes target.
Marcus Morris Sr. (20%): Points and 3-pointers made add.
Milwaukee Bucks
No recommended streamers.