Welcome to the Fantasy Basketball Schedule Preview for March 18 – 24. The playoffs continue! Like last week, you undoubtedly feel the missed games across the NBA. A key element of success in the playoffs is moving off players quickly to make room for players suddenly receiving opportunities. This is even more tricky in leagues with keepers or limited waiver wire selections. Another problematic hurdle is mental—dropping players that propelled your team to the playoffs. In terms of players injured for the rest of the season, there is no reason to roster them unless they are keepers. A player like RJ Barrett (TOR – SG), out for personal reasons, is a more challenging and situation-dependent call. Remember that winning the matchup only takes five (out of nine) categories for category leagues. Your team might have been better all year, but that matters little in a head-to-head matchup. Ensure you play your opponent and pick up players with the right skill sets to win categories.
As for this week, study your schedule, find your weak categories, and stream as aggressively as possible within the limits of your league settings. The teams below offer solid streaming options this week; check them out, and good luck!
Fantasy Basketball Schedule Overview
- Monday (3/18): 8 games
- Tuesday (3/19): 5 games
- Wednesday (3/20): 8 games
- Thursday (3/21): 7 games
- Friday (3/22): 8 games
- Saturday (3/23): 8 games
- Sunday (3/24): 6 games
Teams with four games this week:
BOS, SAC, IND, MIN, PHI, NOR, POR, UTA, GSW, MIA, CLE, DET
Teams with three games this week:
HOU, OKC, PHO, ATL, MEM, TOR, SAS, ORL, WAS, LAL, LAC, NYK, BKN, CHI, MIL, DEN
Teams with two games this week:
DAL, CHA
Fantasy Basketball Streamers
This week’s schedule is low on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Only the New Orleans Pelicans play on each of these low days. As seen below, many other teams will help on Tuesday/Thursday. There may be better players on your waiver wire suited to your team, but the players below could help swing a few categories.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (TUES/THURS/FRI/SUN)
- Larry Nance Jr. (PF/C): Nance Jr. has been getting a larger share of the minutes as he takes preference in the frontcourt. Nance Jr. Provides rebounds, a few assists, and excels in steals. Nance Jr. is a suitable deep league play this week.
- Jose Alvarado (PG): Alvarado is a backup guard but can still be helpful in 20-30 minutes. He can help you with threes, assists, and especially steals.
HOUSTON ROCKETS (TUE/THURS/SUN)
- Amen Thompson (SG): Now the starter in Houston, Thompson has provided huge stat lines across the last two games. Expect points, rebounds, and assists with upside in steals down the stretch. Add him if you can.
- Dillon Brooks (SG/SF): Houston is thin in the frontcourt, and Brooks is getting consistent playing time and offering across-the-board production, including points, threes, rebounds, and assists.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (TUE/THURS/SAT)
- Bilal Coulibaly (SG/SF): Coulibaly is playing 30-plus minutes and producing down the stretch. He scores points, threes, rebounds, and provides upside in steals. While the Wizards limp down the stretch, Bilal will be showcased.
- Richaun Holmes (PF/C): He is the starter at center for the Wizards, at least until Bagley returns. Don’t expect much, but finding a reliable center can be difficult. Deploy unless Bagley returns.
- Corey Kispert (SG/SF): While the Wizards are thin, Kispert is soaking up the minutes. Kispert provides streaming value for points and threes.
ORLANDO MAGIC (TUES/THURS/SAT)
- Jonathan Isaac (SF/PF): Once considered an up-and-coming fantasy megastar, Isaac has returned from years of obscurity to provide your team with a jolt of defense. Isaac makes for a valuable and potentially matchup-swinging stream this week. Just be prepared to drop him if he suddenly can’t play.
BROOKLYN NETS (TUES/THURS/SAT)
- Dorian Finney-Smith (SF/PF): DFS is a no-frills deep league streaming option that provides a little bit of everything. He is locked into a 25-plus minute role and won’t hurt you.
- Dennis Smith Jr. (PG): For deeper leagues, Smith Jr. offers an upside in steals and will provide a few assists as the backup point guard. Not exciting, but practical.
DENVER NUGGETS (TUES/THURS)
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG/SF): KCP has reliable minutes as an entrenched starter. In deeper leagues, he produces threes and steals but not much else.
DALLAS MAVERICKS (TUE/THURS)
- Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG/SF): THJ offers points and an upside in threes, but be careful, as he can wreck your percentages and disappear entirely.
- Dereck Lively II (C): The emergence of Daniel Gafford has minimized Lively II, but the big man can still threaten a double-double with blocks in twenty minutes. He can also produce highly empty lines. Use with caution.