As we head into the weekend, many fantasy basketball managers may find themselves facing a deficit in their matchups.
If you’re looking to make a final push for the win, consider these standout options that could help turn the tide in your favor for High Score and points/9-category leagues.
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â–¶ï¸ Play these guys in High Score
Kel’el Ware – FC, Miami Heat (62% rostered)
See if Ware’s out there on your waiver wires because Bam Adebayo (toe) will miss Friday’s contest against the Hornets. Ware is an auto-start against Charlotte, who are bottom-10 in fantasy points allowed to opposing centers this season (58.6 standard fantasy points per game).
Ware’s been in and out of Spo’s doghouse, but he played well in relief of Adebayo on Wednesday, delivering 13 points, 13 rebounds, 4 steals and 1 block in 27 minutes. The Heat also play on Saturday, leaving a couple of opportunities to start Ware before Sunday.
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Jusuf Nurkić – FC, Utah Jazz (33% rostered)
With Walker Kessler (shoulder) out for the season, Nurkic steps in as the next center for the Jazz in the short term. Nurk’s played 30+ minutes in his last two contests without Kessler and has averaged 39.5 fantasy points in High Score.
He’s averaging 1.22 fantasy points per minute, a strong indication that he’ll continue to put up numbers in a starting role. The downside to adding Nurk is that the Jazz only have one more game this week (Friday), but I’d hold beyond Week 3 given the opportunity size.
P.J. Washington – FC, Dallas Mavericks (44% rostered)
Washington ranks 63rd in per-game average for High Score at 36.5 fantasy points per game. The Mavs face off against the Grizzlies and Wizards on Friday and Saturday, two teams he should feast against.
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Both teams are in the bottom five in points allowed to opposing power forwards, letting up 52 standard fantasy points per game. Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II remain out, so Washington is a safe play.
🔠Players to stream in points and 9-cat leagues
Ajay Mitchell – PG/SG, Oklahoma City Thunder (31% rostered)
The Thunder will be without Aaron Wiggins (thigh) and Lu Dort is questionable (shoulder), which will open up more minutes for Mitchell. He’s coming off his third 20+ point performance on Wednesday and he’ll make for a solid stream against the Kings on Friday and Grizzlies on Sunday. He’ll get you points, 3s, steals and a few rebounds and assists.
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Jarace Walker – SF/PF, Indiana Pacers (16% rostered)
Walker has started for the last five games for the Pacers, averaging 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. He’s a player I’d add in High Score as well as points and 9-cat formats. The Pacers play a Saturday-Sunday back-to-back set this weekend, so if you’re in a pinch, Walker can step in as a last-minute production-filler as he’ll touch multiple categories — just don’t expect much from a stocks perspective. Ben Sheppard (3%) is another deep-league option.
Terance Mann – SG/SF – Brooklyn Nets (12% rostered)
Pinpointing which Nets player to stream can be challenging on most nights because they run such a deep rotation. However, with Cam Thomas ruled out for Friday’s contest due to a hamstring injury, Mann steps into a 30+ minute role this weekend against the Pistons (Friday) and Knicks (Sunday).
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He started at PG in their last game, dishing out six assists and posting at least five assists in three of his previous four games. He’s been enjoying the best start of his career and may be worth holding beyond a streamer if the efficiency and steals remain constant.
He’s creeping into top-100 territory on a per-game basis in 9-cat leagues. Lastly, keep an eye out for Noah Clowney (4% rostered).
Trendon Watford – PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers (2% rostered)
The Sixers play a Saturday-Sunday back-to-back, which means there’s a strong chance Joel Embiid will not play in one of those games. Watford has been playing exceptionally well in a reserve playmaking role for the second unit, averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists over his past three games, shooting 63% from the field.
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It’s a deep cut, but he’ll be productive if you’re looking for key counting stats in points, rebounds and assists over the weekend.
🚫 Skip these teams
If you’re holding fringe Jazz or Hornets players like Kyle Filipowski, Taylor Hendricks or Moussa Diabaté, consider dropping them. Due to Friday’s 11-game schedule, you’re likely not going to have space to play them on that slate.
To make matters worse, they don’t play again until Monday, leaving no remaining streaming opportunities this weekend. Hold your main guys on both teams (including Nurkić, Collin Sexton and Ryan Kalkbrenner), but move on from the rest.
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