Fantasy Basketball schedule preview for Week 19

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Fantasy fringe players of interest in Week 19 (Monday, March 6 through Sunday, March 12)

By Alex Rikleen
Special to Yahoo Sports

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Maurice Harkless, Por, SF (5 games, 36% owned in Y! leagues) – Not only do the Trial Blazers have five games this week, but only one opponent is a consistently challenging fantasy matchup. The Wizards have been a top-10 defense, in terms of per possession scoring, all season. The other four opponents have are in the bottom half of the league over their past 10 games. Two opponents, the 76ers and the Suns, rank in the bottom-five since the All-Star break. Harkless is averaging 36.3 minutes per game since the break – extrapolate that out over a five game week, and that’s 181.5 minutes he’s likely to spend accumulating fantasy stats. A player who plays 30 minutes per game would need six games to record that much court time. Given Portland’s favorable schedule, Allen Crabbe (PG/SG, 22% owned) is also worth a look.” data-reactid=”12″>Maurice Harkless, Por, SF (5 games, 36% owned in Y! leagues) – Not only do the Trial Blazers have five games this week, but only one opponent is a consistently challenging fantasy matchup. The Wizards have been a top-10 defense, in terms of per possession scoring, all season. The other four opponents have are in the bottom half of the league over their past 10 games. Two opponents, the 76ers and the Suns, rank in the bottom-five since the All-Star break. Harkless is averaging 36.3 minutes per game since the break – extrapolate that out over a five game week, and that’s 181.5 minutes he’s likely to spend accumulating fantasy stats. A player who plays 30 minutes per game would need six games to record that much court time. Given Portland’s favorable schedule, Allen Crabbe (PG/SG, 22% owned) is also worth a look.

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<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Patrick Beverley, Hou, PG/SG (4 games, 74% owned) – During the All-Star break, the Rockets made a change in their shot selection. Before the break, the Rockets were averaging 39.3 three-point attempts per game – the most in the league, ahead of the second-place Cavaliers, who were attempting 33.6 (for context, the most three-point attempts per game over the course of a full season is 32.68). They decided that wasn’t enough, however, and since the break the Rockets are attempting 51.5 threes per game. That shift in play style has increased the value all Rockets perimeter players. Before the All-Star break, Beverley was averaging 4.3 three-point attempts per game, along with 4.4 assists in 30.5 minutes. Since the break, he is attempting 5.3 threes per game, to go with 5.0 assists in 29.8 minutes.” data-reactid=”14″>Patrick Beverley, Hou, PG/SG (4 games, 74% owned) – During the All-Star break, the Rockets made a change in their shot selection. Before the break, the Rockets were averaging 39.3 three-point attempts per game – the most in the league, ahead of the second-place Cavaliers, who were attempting 33.6 (for context, the most three-point attempts per game over the course of a full season is 32.68). They decided that wasn’t enough, however, and since the break the Rockets are attempting 51.5 threes per game. That shift in play style has increased the value all Rockets perimeter players. Before the All-Star break, Beverley was averaging 4.3 three-point attempts per game, along with 4.4 assists in 30.5 minutes. Since the break, he is attempting 5.3 threes per game, to go with 5.0 assists in 29.8 minutes.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Bojan Bogdanovic, Was, SG/SF (4 games, 48% owned) – After the Trail Blazers, the Wizards might have the most favorable schedule this week, at least in terms of who they play. All four of their opponents rank in the bottom-seven this season in opponent points per possession. The Wizards play four games in five days, which is good news for a bench player like Bogdanovic, who may see some extra action in order to preserve the health of the starters. Excluding Bogdanovic’s first game with Wizards, he is averaging 25.5 minutes and 16 points on 51.2 percent from the field with his new team.” data-reactid=”15″>Bojan Bogdanovic, Was, SG/SF (4 games, 48% owned) – After the Trail Blazers, the Wizards might have the most favorable schedule this week, at least in terms of who they play. All four of their opponents rank in the bottom-seven this season in opponent points per possession. The Wizards play four games in five days, which is good news for a bench player like Bogdanovic, who may see some extra action in order to preserve the health of the starters. Excluding Bogdanovic’s first game with Wizards, he is averaging 25.5 minutes and 16 points on 51.2 percent from the field with his new team.

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Down and out: Players to avoid in Week 19

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Jrue Holiday, Nor, PG/SG (3 games) – The Pelicans are one of just seven teams who have three games this week, and all three are against challenging opponents. All three defenses rank in the top half of the league in opponent field goal percentage, and two of the three rank in the top half in defensive rating – the third team misses the cut by 0.1 points per 100 possessions. Despite going for 26 points Friday, Holiday has been held to only six points in two of his five games since the All-Star break, and is averaging 5.6 assists in that span, down from his season average of 7.3 per game.” data-reactid=”18″>Jrue Holiday, Nor, PG/SG (3 games) – The Pelicans are one of just seven teams who have three games this week, and all three are against challenging opponents. All three defenses rank in the top half of the league in opponent field goal percentage, and two of the three rank in the top half in defensive rating – the third team misses the cut by 0.1 points per 100 possessions. Despite going for 26 points Friday, Holiday has been held to only six points in two of his five games since the All-Star break, and is averaging 5.6 assists in that span, down from his season average of 7.3 per game.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="DeMarre Carroll, Tor, SF/PF (3 games) – It’s rare that a player can average 30 minutes per game, but still be a fantasy liability. Nonetheless, that’s Carroll this week, who plays only three games, all away games on nights with at least eight games on the schedule. Two of those three opponents rank in the top six in defensive rating since the All-Star break. In five games since the break, he is averaging 29.2 minutes, but only 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.8 threes while shooting 33.3 percent from the field.” data-reactid=”19″>DeMarre Carroll, Tor, SF/PF (3 games) – It’s rare that a player can average 30 minutes per game, but still be a fantasy liability. Nonetheless, that’s Carroll this week, who plays only three games, all away games on nights with at least eight games on the schedule. Two of those three opponents rank in the top six in defensive rating since the All-Star break. In five games since the break, he is averaging 29.2 minutes, but only 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.8 threes while shooting 33.3 percent from the field.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Cory Joseph, Tor, PG (3 games) – Carroll’s teammate is also struggling, and (obviously) faces the same difficult schedule as Carroll. Expectations were high for Joseph after Kyle Lowry (wrist) went down, but so far, has fallen short. Before the Lowry’s injury, Joseph was averaging 22.6 minutes. Since the injury, his minutes have jumped to 32.6 per game, but despite all the extra court time, his numbers have barely improved, and they have even remained stable or gone down in rebounds, threes, and blocks.” data-reactid=”20″>Cory Joseph, Tor, PG (3 games) – Carroll’s teammate is also struggling, and (obviously) faces the same difficult schedule as Carroll. Expectations were high for Joseph after Kyle Lowry (wrist) went down, but so far, has fallen short. Before the Lowry’s injury, Joseph was averaging 22.6 minutes. Since the injury, his minutes have jumped to 32.6 per game, but despite all the extra court time, his numbers have barely improved, and they have even remained stable or gone down in rebounds, threes, and blocks.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Taj Gibson, OKC, PF/C (3 games) – The Thunder play only three games this week, and all are against tough matchups for a big man. Since the All-Star break, all three opponents rank in the top third of the league for rebound percentage.” data-reactid=”21″>Taj Gibson, OKC, PF/C (3 games) – The Thunder play only three games this week, and all are against tough matchups for a big man. Since the All-Star break, all three opponents rank in the top third of the league for rebound percentage.

Notable injuries

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Frank Kaminsky, Cha, PF/C (4 games – shoulder) – Kaminsky had been a popular waiver add in recent weeks, but a sprain in his shoulder will sideline at least through Saturday, if not longer. Cody Zeller is back after missing 13 of 14 games with a quad injury, and should re-enter the starting lineup in Kaminsky’s absence on Saturday. Zeller has been the starter for most of the season, so even if Kaminsky returns quickly, there is no guarantee what role he will come back to.” data-reactid=”27″>Frank Kaminsky, Cha, PF/C (4 games – shoulder) – Kaminsky had been a popular waiver add in recent weeks, but a sprain in his shoulder will sideline at least through Saturday, if not longer. Cody Zeller is back after missing 13 of 14 games with a quad injury, and should re-enter the starting lineup in Kaminsky’s absence on Saturday. Zeller has been the starter for most of the season, so even if Kaminsky returns quickly, there is no guarantee what role he will come back to.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Wesley Matthews, Dal, SG/SF (3 games – hip) – Matthews missed two games with a hip injury, but is set to return Sunday against the Thunder. It’s never “safe” to start a player dealing with an injury, but Matthews seems set to return to his normal workload. The Mavericks have only three games this week, but all three opponents are fantasy friendly.” data-reactid=”28″>Wesley Matthews, Dal, SG/SF (3 games – hip) – Matthews missed two games with a hip injury, but is set to return Sunday against the Thunder. It’s never “safe” to start a player dealing with an injury, but Matthews seems set to return to his normal workload. The Mavericks have only three games this week, but all three opponents are fantasy friendly.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Victor Oladipo, OKC, PG/SG (3 games – back) – Oladipo is still dealing with back spasms, and has not yet joined the team for its current road trip, which ends Sunday in Dallas. It is not clear, thus far, as to whether or not Sunday’s game is being seriously considered as a possible return date.” data-reactid=”29″>Victor Oladipo, OKC, PG/SG (3 games – back) – Oladipo is still dealing with back spasms, and has not yet joined the team for its current road trip, which ends Sunday in Dallas. It is not clear, thus far, as to whether or not Sunday’s game is being seriously considered as a possible return date.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Willy Hernangomez, NY, C (4 games – ankle) – Following Joakim Noah’s (knee) injury, there is a lot of value available in the Knicks frontcourt. A healthy Hernangomez would be the frontrunner to seize the bulk of that value, but he missed two games with an ankle sprain. As long as Hernangomez is out, Lance Thomas should continue to see extra minutes.” data-reactid=”30″>Willy Hernangomez, NY, C (4 games – ankle) – Following Joakim Noah’s (knee) injury, there is a lot of value available in the Knicks frontcourt. A healthy Hernangomez would be the frontrunner to seize the bulk of that value, but he missed two games with an ankle sprain. As long as Hernangomez is out, Lance Thomas should continue to see extra minutes.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Joel Embiid, Phi, PF/C (4 games – knee) – Embiid has not played January 27, but it was only last week that he was finally shut down for the season. His absence, combined with the recent trade that sent Nerlens Noel to the Mavericks, increases the long-term value of Jahlil Okafor.” data-reactid=”31″>Joel Embiid, Phi, PF/C (4 games – knee) – Embiid has not played January 27, but it was only last week that he was finally shut down for the season. His absence, combined with the recent trade that sent Nerlens Noel to the Mavericks, increases the long-term value of Jahlil Okafor.

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Fantasy Basketball schedule preview for Week 19

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