Fantasy CPR » second half

Second-Half Fantasy Basketball Players to Watch-Western Conference

Zachary Thompson — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:20:32 +0000

The NBA’s second half starts tonight, and there’s plenty of fantasy basketball sleepers to grab including Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) who here attempts a shot against Golden State Warriors guard Charles Jenkins (22) and Warriors guard Kent Bazemore (20) during the second half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA returns tonight from its All-Star break hiatus which means fantasy basketball will be back in full swing. If you’re looking to improve your fantasy hoops team for the stretch run or playing daily leagues on DraftStreet, FanThrowdown, or other daily sites, these are players to watch as the second half starts.

In this post, we’ll focus on the Western Conference. The order of the players isn’t in order they should be claimed, but based on the current standings of the team. CLICK HERE for the Eastern Conference players to watch.

San Antonio Spurs-Danny Green

Green has stepped it up in scoring and three’s lately while adding some nice steal numbers as well. So far this month, he’s averaging 3.7 three-pointers made per game helping him to 15.7 points per game while averaging just under two steals and two assists per game. Green’s value is primarily his scoring and three-point shooting, but he can definitely help out if you’re looking for those categories in one of the 35% of leagues he’s available in.

Oklahoma City Thunder-Reggie Jackson

While most of the Thunder production will come from the big names, Jackson is started to see more playing time off the bench. In the last five games, he’s averaged 19.4 minutes per game while twice reaching his career-high of 12 points. He’s added an average of three assists and three rebounds per game. He won’t tear it up percentage-wise, but it’s worth noting his increased role. As the Thunder look to keep Russell Westbrook fresh, Jackson could have some nice games in the second half. He’s owned in only 0.2% of EPN leagues right now.

Feb 8 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chauncey Billups (1) during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

LA Clippers-Chauncey Billups

Billups has only played four games this season and only limited minutes. When he has been on the floor though, he’s shown he has plenty left in the tank scoring 19 and 21 points in his last two games while hitting a total of nine three-pointers. Billups is an obvious injury-risk, but he can be a huge asset when healthy and could be the missing piece for the Clips and your fantasy team if you can add him in one of the 58% of the leagues he’s available in.

Memphis Grizzlies-Tony Allen

Although he’s well-known, Allen is still only owned in 25.7% of ESPN leagues. He’s stepped up his scoring a bit since the Rudy Gay rade and has had 17 or more points in two of his last three. If you’re looking for steals, there’s probably not a better option on the wire as Allen has averaged 1.8 in the last five games and 1.6 on the season. Normally, Allen won’t hurt your averages but also won’t contribute big-time points, but if he can maintain his other stats and increase his scoring, he’ll be a huge pickup.

Denver Nuggets-Corey Brewer

The Nuggets tend to go with the hot hand and lately that’s been Brewer who has averaged over 24 minutes per game this month. He’s scored 12.4 points while adding 1.4 steals over that seven-game span. He’ll have his off-games, but he can be a bargain at times as well. He’s scored nine points or more in each of his last four games while adding five steals, six rebounds, and six assists total in those four games. Watch his minutes and see how Coach George Karl works his rotation since Brewer can contribute when he gets things going.

February 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) shoots the ball against Houston Rockets center Omer Asik (3) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Rockets defeated the Warriors 116-107. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Golden States Warriors-Andrew Bogut

The big Australian is expected to be back to full strength after the All-Star break including playing both halves of back-to-back games. He has only been able to play 22.5 minutes per game in his 10 games back but has averaged 7.7 points and 9.0 rebounds over the Warriors last five games. If Bogut can truly take the training wheels off, he should return to double-double status and pick up his blocks numbers as well.

Utah Jazz-DaMarre Carroll

Carroll is quietly starting to score some points for the Jazz as he sees his playing time increase. He’s averaged 26 minutes per game over the last five games while putting up 10.6 points and 4.2 rebounds. Carroll is only deep-league material at this point, but if Gordon Hayward remains sidelined he’s a solid option who won’t kill your percentages and is a nice cheap add in many daily formats.

Houston Rockets-Patrick Patterson

This former UK Wildcat is notoriously streaky, and has lived up to that reputation to this point in the season. This month he’s been pouring it on scoring 15.6 points per game while adding 5.3 boards. He’s scored in double-figures in 11 of his last 12 games and is one of the better pickups if you need points and boards. Right now, Patterson’s owned in just 26% of leagues, and many owners may be hesitant to pull the trigger after picking him up early only to have him go silent in the middle part of the first half.

Keep Reading for seven more players to watch from the non-playoff teams in the Western Conference

Second-Half Fantasy Basketball Players to Watch-Eastern Conference

Zachary Thompson — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:20:18 +0000

The best pickup of the season from the waiver wire could be Milwaukee Bucks center Samuel Dalembert depending on his playing time and situation for the second half. Find out who else can make a difference for your fantasy team right here. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

It’s back to work for the NBA tonight which means Fantasy basketball goodness all around as the NBA resumes its regular season with nine games tonight, 11 tomorrow, and 12 on Friday. If you’re looking to improve your fantasy hoops team for the stretch run or playing daily leagues on DraftStreet, FanThrowdown, or other daily sites, these are players to watch as the second half starts.

In this post, we’ll focus on the Easter Conference. The order of the players isn’t in order they should be claimed, but based on the current standings of the team. CLICK HERE for the Western Conference players to watch.

Miami Heat-Udonis Haslem

The Heat don’t really have much fantasy value outside of the big three. Haslem though has contributed when given minutes like his nine-point, 13-rebound game when Bosh was out two weeks ago. Haslem won’t hurt your percentages at all and does get rebounds. Unless Chris Bosh is out for an extended time period though, Haslem is only useful in ultra-deep leagues or as a final-roster spot bargain in daily leagues.

New York Knicks-Steve Novak

While his value is only in certain categories, Novak is a consistent three-point threat. Novak has hit multiple three’s in four of his last six games including a high of five three-pointers against Sacramento earlier this month. His value is fairly limited, but he’s got a decent chance of hitting three’s in any game if you need a boost in that category.

Indiana Pacers-Lance Stephenson

Stephenson is one of the more interesting names on this list. He’s played tons of minutes all year but just recently starting contributing at fantasy-relevant levels in several categories. Stephenson has dropped 11.4 points to go with 4.0 rebounds and 33 assists in his seven games this month. He’s always going to get minutes, at least until the return of Danny Granger, and could slide into a bigger scoring role off the bench.

Feb 11, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans (30) reacts to defeating the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Brooklyn defeats Indiana 89-84 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Brooklyn Nets-Reggie Evans

Evans is a specialist, but a useful one if you’re looking for rebounds. He’s averaged 9.2 boards on the year but has picked it up as of late averaging 13.0 over his last five including a massive 22 rebounds last Monday against Indiana. Evans is only a 50% free throw shooter, so you’ll need to make sure you can take the hit in that category. For many teams though, it’s worth that liability to get the asset of his rebounds. He’s currently available in 95% of leagues, but can help you control the boards if he keeps getting big-time minutes.

Chicago Bulls-Jimmy Butler

After an impressive run in the starting lineup, Butler has been banished to the bench. Over his last ten games, he’s averaged 11.3 points, 1.3 steals, and 4.7 rebounds. He’s owned in only 6% of leagues and his value is closely tied to his role which is still to be determined on a constantly shifting Bulls squad. If he comes off the bench, his value is limited, but if he sees more minutes he can be a multi-category contributor.

Atlanta Hawks-Zaza Pachulia

Like many NBA followers, I doubt this team stays constituted the way it currently is after the coming trade deadline. Whether the Hawks move Josh Smith or not, Pachulia will likely overtake Anthony Tolliver and get more playing time as he recovers from his Achilles injury. He’s shown some signs of fantasy production in limited minutes playing an average of just 16.7 minutes but getting an average of 7.3 points and 2.3 rebounds. When he’s healthy and getting playing time, Pachulia can give you about ten points and ten boards a night. He’s most likely not going to set the fantasy world ablaze but can be a solid contributor if you need big-man numbers in one of the 99.7% of leagues he’s available in.

Feb 13, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green (8) gets fouled by Chicago Bulls center forward Taj Gibson (22) as he tries to dunk the ball during the first quarter at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics-Jeff Green

Green has been playing better as of late but is still owned in under 30% of ESPN leagues. He’s averaged 14.4 points in his seven games this month while adding almost two blocks and two assists to his four boards per game. His main value is in blocks and points and he has at least eight points in his last 11 games with 14 or more in five of his last seven.

Milwaukee Bucks-Samuel Dalembert

Dalembert is a solid source of points, boards, and blocks when he gets playing time. He had been virtually non-existent in fantasy leagues before the last five games when he exploded on the scene. He’s still unowned in 45% of ESPN leagues despite despite averaging 16.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 1.4 steals over his last five. His playing time will be worth watching as he and Larry Sanders share time at Center in Milwaukee, and he’s also the topic of trade rumors heading toward the deadline. Depending on where he goes and how much he plays, Dalembert may continue this pace or blend back into the shadows. Make sure you’re watching the big man if you’re in the market for a center.

Keep Reading for seven more players to watch from the non-playoff teams in the Eastern Conference