In addition to the guys listed below, John Collins is being reevaluated on Sunday by the Hawks and could be on the verge of finally playing. If he was dropped in your league, it’s probably time to grab him.
Week 4 Schedule: Games Played
4 Games: ATL, BOS, DEN, DET, HOU, IND, MIA, MIL, NYK, OKC, ORL,
3 Games: BKN, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, GSW, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIN, NOP, PHI, PHX, POR, SAC, TOR, UTA, WAS
2 Games: SAS
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Point Guards
Tyus Jones Timberwolves 14% owned in Yahoo! leagues - Jones is the only healthy point guard in Minny right now, as Jeff Teague missed his third straight game on Sunday, while Derrick Rose is iffy for Sunday with a sore ankle. Jones hasn’t exactly been killing it, but should quickly build on his 6.3 points and 3.3 assists if Teague and Rose continue to miss time. Rose is now probable for Sunday’s game, but I still like the idea of owning Jones for as long as Teague is out.
Dennis Schroder Thunder 67% - Schroder’s owned in most leagues so I’m just putting here in case he’s available in yours. He’s averaging 14.6 points, 6.0 assists, a steal and 1.3 3-pointers through eight games this season.
Frank Ntilikina Knicks 24% - After a pair of breakout games against the Warriors and Nets on Friday and Monday, Frankie has posted a couple scoring duds against the Pacers and Mavericks, but he had seven assists in each of those games. He’s averaging 10.6 points, 5.0 assists, a steal and 1.6 3-pointers over his last five games, and is getting 31 minutes a night, which is very encouraging. The Knicks have four games this week, too.
Isaiah Canaan Suns 2% - I wish I was talking about Elie Okobo here, but he still hasn’t been given the keys to the Suns’ car. Canaan returned from his ankle injury on Friday night and hit 8-of-12 shots and two 3-pointers for 19 points and two assists. Okobo could be given the starting job at any time now, but until it happens, Canaan should have some good scoring games.
Shelvin Mack Grizzlies 8% - Mack is starting to make some noise in Memphis after scoring 14 points on Tuesday and going for 19 points, six boards and three assists on Friday. He’s averaging 12 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.6 3-pointers over his last five games and has seen his role increase off the bench. The Grizz have won three straight and Mack’s a big reason why.
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Shooting Guards
Justin Holiday Bulls 47% - Holiday had played well in a couple straight games and had nine points, six rebounds, two steals and three 3-pointers on Saturday. He’s averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 4.0 3-pointers over his last five. And with Bobby Portis out for another several weeks with his sprained knee, Holiday’s minutes should hold steady for at least another month.
Josh Okogie Timberwolves 14% - Okogie has hit double digits in scoring in three straight games and is averaging almost 30 minutes a game over his last five. And even with Jimmy Butler gracing us with his presence on Friday night, Okogie still got 25 minutes and scored 15 points. He’s averaging 11.2 points, 5.6 rebound, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.8 blocks and 0.8 3-pointers over his last five games. He could be hurt if the Wolves bring back a shooting guard in a trade, but Okogie’s been fun to own up to this point. And Jimmy’s sitting out again on Sunday.
Joe Harris Nets 56% - Harris has been rolling for three straight games, as well as most of the season. He’s averaging 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.8 3-pinters in just under 32 minutes over his last five games. If you need a 3-point shooter, Harris is your guy.
Garrett Temple Grizzlies 23% - Temple’s hit double digits in scoring in three straight games and has hit six 3-pointers during that window. He’s averaging 11.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.6 3-pointers over his last five games, but those numbers jump to 15.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, a steal and 2.0 3-pointers over his last three (all Memphis wins).
Allonzo Trier Knicks 6% - Just like the last few guys I’ve written about, Trier is also hot, racking up double-digit games in three straight. He’s averaging 16.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.6 3-pointers. He also scored a career-high 23 points against the Mavericks on Friday. He’ll likely be a hot pickup with the Knicks being one of just 11 teams with four games.
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Small Forwards
Wesley Matthews Mavericks 59% - Matthews has cooled off a bit after scoring at least 20 points in four straight games, but it’s nothing to be concerned about. He’s still averaging 16.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.0 3-pointers on 43 percent shooting over his last five. I slept on him because of his age, but the Mavs are giving him a ton of minutes and responsibility again this year.
Jae Crowder Jazz 52% - Crowder’s having a nice year and is peaking right now, scoring in double figures in four straight games and averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.8 3-pointers over his last five. And over his last three, he’s averaging 4.3 3-pointers per game, and yes, I’d rather own him than Derrick Favors.
Kelly Oubre Wizards 56% - Even though he’s coming off the bench, Oubre’s been one of the more reliable Wizards this season. He’s cruising, averaging 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.0 3-pointers over his last five games.
Rodney Hood Cavaliers 36% - Hood blew up for 26 points and four 3-pointers on Tuesday, but then laid a 1-of-9 egg on Thursday and then hit just 3-of-8 shots on Saturday. With Kevin Love down and out after toe surgery, I still think Hood’s the guy to own. But if he’s unavailable in your league, Sam Dekker or Larry Nance also makes sense for a pickup.
Justise Winslow Heat 11% - Winslow had a season-high 15 points along with 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, two blocks and two 3-pointers on Saturday against the Hawks in a rare start when Goran Dragic sat out with a toe injury. We have no idea how much time Dragic will miss, or if Winslow would continue to start if that’s the case, but Winslow is worth a look for as long as Dragic is out. And even though Tyler Johnson is coming off the bench, he had 17 points, four boards, four assists and two 3-pointers on Saturday, and should ultimately be the direct beneficiary if Dragic continues to miss games. Winslow, Johnson and the Heat have four games this week. And yes, Rodney McGruder is still worth owning across the board, as well.
Power Forwards
Nemanja Bjelica Kings 77% - Yeah, I know he’s already owned in most leagues out there, and I’m also aware that several of my cohorts think it’s time to sell high on Bjelica, but I’m all in on him. I’m not even going to list his stats here. If he’s somehow available in your league, get him. I don’t think he’s a flash in the pan.
Marcus Morris Celtics 57% - Morris had a season-high 23 points with six boards, a steal, a block and four 3-pointers on Saturday, and is having a nice year. He’s averaging 18.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.6 3-pointers over his last five games. And I still don’t understand how he’s as good as he is. He’ll need Gordon Hayward to continue to stay quiet to do this all season long. The Celtics play four times this week, which is good news for Morris.
Al-Farouq Aminu Blazers 37% - Aminu’s five-game week is coming to a close and while it wasn’t an overwhelming success, it wasn’t too bad, either. He’s had double digit rebounds in three of his last four games and had two steals and two blocks on Saturday, but scored just four points. He’s averaging 7.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals over his last five games, and is hitting just 38 percent of his shots over that stretch. If his shot starts dropping he’ll get hot in a hurry.
Noah Vonleh Knicks 25% - Vonleh played just 10 minutes and picked up five fouls on Friday, but double-doubled in his previous game and had eight points and 10 boards in the game prior. The Knicks go four times this week and Vonleh is averaging 7.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks on 50 percent shooting over his last five games. I like rolling the dice on him for this four-game week.
Sam Dekker Cavaliers 5% - Dekker is starting in place of Kevin Love (toe) and while the Cavaliers are a sinking mess of a team, Dekker has some potential to do well. He’s averaging 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.8 3-pointers on 47 percent shooting over his last four games. And he’s getting 28 minutes a night right now.
Centers
Mitchell Robinson Knicks 37% - Robinson blew up for 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and hit 5-of-6 shots on Friday against the Mavericks. He failed to score in 18 minutes in his previous game, but the Knicks are now talking about starting Robinson at center for the rest of the season. That’s a big deal, and with four games this week, he might be the hottest pickup on this entire list. Go get him. This is also bad news for Enes Kanter, but I wouldn’t drop him at this point.
Boban Marjanovic Clippers 19% - Boban started on Friday and it sounds like he may start again on Monday, and he’s actually played very well in three of his last four games. He’s averaging 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 1.6 blocks over those five games, but Marcin Gortat looks really bad, and Marjanovic could be ready to finally take off. He burned me (and everyone else) the last time I got excited about him, so I’m a little leery of that happening again, but the signs are pointing in the right direction on Bobie.
Cody Zeller Hornets 23% - Zeller’s only scored five and six points in his last two games, but had scored in double digits in his previous four games. He’s averaging 9.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks on 63 percent shooting over his last five, which could help you, and really won’t hurt you anywhere. He’s also blistering free throws right now at an 89 percent clip.
Alex Len Hawks 21% - Len’s scored in double digits in three straight games and is averaging 14.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.0 steals and 1.0 3-pointers over them. He doesn’t miss shots and is usually a decent free throw shooter, as well. I like him better than Dewayne Dedmon right now.
Tyson Chandler Lakers? 2% - Chandler was bought out by the Suns and will reportedly sign with the Lakers soon. He’d likely back up hot JaVale McGee in L.A., but should be guaranteed some nightly minutes off the bench. If you need boards and blocks in a deeper league, he’s worth a look with his new team.
