Week 19 of fantasy basketball wraps up with eight games on Sunday. Despite being out of the playoff race, the Grizzlies are providing fantasy owners with value, even at this late stage of the season. Joakim Noah continues to turn back the clock with his solid performances and Avery Bradley appears to have found a nice groove on both ends of the floor. He has scored in double-digits in all but two of his games with the Grizzlies, playing at least 32 minutes in five. His efficiency could certainly be better but his current role warrants at least consideration in most competitive formats.
Not using Fantrax to host your fantasy basketball league? Check out our fantasy basketball commissioner and see why you should be!
Fantasy Basketball Daily Forecaster
Key Injuries
- Evan Turner – Trail Blazers (knee – questionable)
- Eric Gordon – Rockets (knee – probable)
- Kenneth Faried – Rockets (hip – probable)
- Gerald Green – Rockets (illness – questionable)
- Iman Shumpert – Rockets (calf – doubtful)
- Aron Baynes – Celtics (foot – questionable)
- John Collins – Hawks (illness – doubtful)
- Taurean Prince – Hawks (personal – out)
- Kevin Huerter – Hawks (back – probable)
- Alex Len – Hawks (knee – probable)
- Omari Spellman – Hawks (ankle – out)
- Vince Carter – Hawks (knee – probable)
- Zach LaVine – Bulls (back – probable)
- DeAndre Jordan – Knicks (ankle – questionable)
- Mario Hezonja – Knicks (leg – out)
- D.J. Augustin – Magic (ankle – questionable)
- Kevin Love – Cavaliers (rest – available)
- Ante Zizic – Cavaliers (concussion – out)
- Robert Covington – Timberwolves (ankle – out)
- Jaren Jackson Jr. – Grizzlies (leg – out)
- Paul George – Thunder (shoulder – questionable)
Potential Pickups
- Moe Harkless – Trail Blazers
- Robin Lopez – Bulls
- Luke Kennard – Pistons
- Thomas Bryant – Wizards
- Avery Bradley – Grizzlies
- Joakim Noah – Grizzlies
Potential Streamers
- Jake Layman – Trail Blazers (points, rebounds)
- Austin Rivers – Rockets (Gordon injury)
- DeAndre Bembry – Hawks (multiple injuries)
- Allonzo Trier – Knicks (points)
- Henry Ellenson – Knicks (points)
- Ivica Zubac – Clippers (rebounds)
- JaMychal Green – Clippers (points, rebounds)
- Landry Shamet – Clippers (three-pointers)
- Isaiah Briscoe – Magic (Augustin injury)
- Marquese Chriss – Cavaliers (Zizic injury)
- Wayne Ellington – Pistons (three-pointers)
- Ish Smith – Pistons (points, assists)
- Josh Okogie – Timberwolves (steals)
- Markieff Morris – Thunder (George injury)
- Nerlens Noel – Thunder (blocks)
Matchups for Sunday, March 3
Trail Blazers @ Hornets
Moe Harkless has been bringing it on the defensive end of late, racking up a combined 12 steals over his last five games. Across that span, he has scored in double-digits in four games while averaging 7.0 rebounds per contest. His playing time is still a little inconsistent but is certainly at a higher volume when compared to a few weeks ago.
Jeremy Lamb was shifted to the bench after the All-Star break but it has certainly done nothing to impact his fantasy value. He had been in a slump prior to the move and it appears to have reinvigorated him on both ends of the floor. He has scored at least 16 points in four of five games since the break while also contributing a combined 28 rebounds, 14 assists, and nine steals.
Rockets @ Celtics
Eric Gordon is questionable heading into Sunday after missing the previous game with a knee injury. In his absence, Austin Rivers was able to see 31 minutes of court time, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Owners should keep an eye on Gordon’s status leading up to tip-off in case he is ultimately ruled out once again.
Aron Baynes is questionable after not playing since February 3 as a result of a bruised foot. His return will minimal fantasy impact but is worth noting for those in deeper formats.
Hawks @ Bulls
The Hawks head into Sunday with no less than six players on the injury report. A portion of this may be a result of the quadruple-overtime game only 48 hours prior. DeAndre Bembry ended that game with 13 points and seven rebounds, and with Taurean Prince already ruled out, could be worth a look as a streaming option in competitive formats.
Robin Lopez has now played 40 minutes in two consecutive games, blocking a combined eight shots. His role appears secure and given his numbers over the past month, he should be rostered in all formats moving forward.
Knicks @ Clippers
The Knicks continues to baffle owners with their bizarre rotations, not least of which has been the recent playing time afforded to Henry Ellenson. He has played 36 and 27 minutes in the last two games, scoring 13 points in each contest. He has also connected on six triples and pulled down 14 rebounds. As unassured as it might sound, Ellenson is worth considering as a streaming option if you are fighting for a playoff -berth.
JaMychal Green appears as though he is going to see the floor for around 20 minutes per night which does rule him out as a standard league asset. However, streaming potential is there if you need points and rebounds. Just don’t expect him to earn himself a permanent roster spot.
Magic @ Cavaliers
D.J. Augustin suffered an ankle sprain during Saturday’s victory over the Pacers and was unable to return. If he is unable to go for Sunday, Isaiah Briscoe could be a sneaky pickup in many formats. He has the ability to rack up rebounds and assists, numbers that could be the difference between winning and losing this week.
Kevin Love sat out Saturday’s game as part of his management plan but will return for Sunday’s game against the Magic. His return could send Marquese Chriss back to the bench, ending his one-game run as a starter. Even as a member of the starting five, Chriss had just nine points on 2-of-8 shooting, and he can safely be ignored in competitive formats.
Raptors @ Pistons
Not a lot to look at from a fantasy perspective for the Raptors, however, after the Bucks lost to the Jazz on Saturday, the Raptors do have a chance to close the gap in the race for the No. 1 seed. Aside from Fred VanVleet, the Raptors are at full strength and Marc Gasol has been increasing his involvement, running with the starters in two of the last three games.
The Pistons have won eight of their last 10 games and have moved into the No. 7 seed in the East. Luke Kennard torched the Cavaliers for 26 points Saturday, including 6-of-7 from the perimeter. His exact role remains a little uncertain but he has attempted at least 10 field goals in five of his past six games, and certainly has the highest upside of any of the Pistons fringe players. If you are in a competitive league and have an open roster spot, Kennard is worth considering based on his recent production.
Timberwolves @ Wizards
Robert Covington is nearing a return but appears unlikely to play Sunday. In his absence, Josh Okogie continues to see decent minutes, resulting in a steady stream of steals. Over his last nine games, he is averaging 2.0 steals, a number worth considering if you are struggling in that category heading into the final day of the week.
Thomas Bryant had just two points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes against the Celtics, coming off what had been a couple of impressive games. The matchup was certainly not a favorable one and chances are he could be better Sunday. He is worth picking up to see if he can maintain his form which deserted him in his last outing.
Grizzlies @ Thunder
Joakim Noah had another productive game Saturday, ending with 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in 17 minutes. The playing time was down slightly due to the Grizzlies blowing out their opposition but it mattered not. As weird as it sounds, Noah needs to be rostered in competitive formats despite the fact it is 2019.
Paul George has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, both games resulting in losses for the Thunder. In his absence, Markieff Morris has moved into the starting lineup and has provided serviceable production. Thunder fans will be hoping George can return for Sunday’s game but if that is not the case, Morris is worth a look as a streaming asset
Got a question about today’s fantasy basketball fringe report? Hit Adam up on twitter @adamking91 or give a shout out to @Fantrax
Fantrax is one of the fastest growing fantasy sites of 2018. With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.