Fantasy Basketball Weekend Start/Venue Decisions: Derik Queen at Reserve Role
Whether you are in Yahoo! High scoring league, Sleeper league, match limit league or you simply have so many players with matches scheduled that you can’t start them all, making a decision on who to start or sit can help you win or lose your match.
Obviously, in many leagues, having multiple games played each week ends up making the difference in a matchup. I’m not saying bench a player in a points-scoring league with no game limit. Even though I expect a terrible match, five points are better than zero!
Announcement
The Nets, Hornets, Mavericks, Warriors, Rockets, Clippers, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Magic, Trail Blazers, Kings and Spurs will play twice this weekend, so if you’re just looking to maximize games, prioritize those teams.
Guards:
Start: Miles McBride, New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson is dealing with an ankle injury, and while there hasn’t been any report yet indicating a long-term absence, dealing with it is a good idea. If McBride starts more games, he’s a valuable streamer. At the very least, he should have a good performance against the Heat on Friday. Brunson has already been ruled out for that game, so McBride is expected to start. Miami plays at a faster pace than anyone else in the league, which should help improve McBride’s stats.
Announcement
Start: Sam Merrill, Cleveland Cavaliers
It is unclear how long Darius Garland (forward) will remain unavailable, but Merrill will continue to start in his place. The Cavs only have one game this weekend, but it will be against a Grizzlies team that hasn’t defended the three-point line well this season. This is a great opportunity for Merrill to get back on track; he opened the year as a starter and averaged 4.5 3-pointers per game in his first four games before suffering a hip injury.
Sit: Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves
DiVincenzo has struggled in the last three games with Anthony Edwards (though he was good in Edwards’ return), and this weekend won’t get any easier. Minnesota plays the Kings and the Nuggets. Sacramento hasn’t been great lately, but they’ve done a good job of defending three-pointers this year. Plus, there’s the added motivation from coach Doug Christie after the last game, who threatened to change the starting unit. Denver has been one of the best teams at defending the three-point line this year. This is not a great opportunity for DiVincenzo to get back on track.
Announcement
Sitting: Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets
Sheppard is starting to figure things out, but this weekend isn’t ideal for him. The Rockets face the Trail Blazers and Magic, and both teams rank in the top four in fewest three-pointers allowed per game. Sheppard has hit at least four 3-pointers in three straight games and hit a season-best five 3-pointers against Washington on Wednesday, but that streak could certainly be coming to an end.
Attackers:
Start: Bogdan Bogdanovic, LA Clippers
With Bradley Beal (hip) set to miss the rest of the season, John Collins has moved into the starting lineup, but it’s Bogdanovic who is most productive. In his last three appearances, he averaged 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 3-pointers in 26 minutes per game. He has two games this weekend, and while the matchups aren’t ideal, he’s been effective when Beal is injured.
Announcement
Starting: Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets
Clowney is the starter for Brooklyn and has been really productive in four of the last five games. The match against the Magic on Friday is not easy, but for him it is an opportunity. However, it’s the game against the Wizards on Sunday that is intriguing. Washington has the worst defense in the league, making it a great opportunity for Clowney to have a productive night.
Sit: Trendon Watford, Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers only have one game this weekend, and it will be against the Pistons, who have been elite on defense this season, especially in the paint. After that surprising triple double, Watford were disappointing. He could continue to start, but the return of Dominick Barlow (elbow) could impact Watford’s minutes.
Announcement
Sitting: Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns
Brooks is coming off one of the best offensive performances of his career, but his only outing this weekend will come against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Limited opportunities combined with a matchup against the Hawks makes this weekend less than optimal for Brooks.
Centers:
Start: Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets
Ryan Kalkbrenner (personnel) was ruled out Friday against the Bucks, who will at least be a starter for Diabate. They play again Saturday against the Thunder, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Kalkbrenner misses both. Diabate has been solid as a reserve, but his cap and minutes will increase significantly with Kalkbrenner unavailable.
Announcement
Start: Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
It’s not really about pairings here; Queen are playing too well to not let him go. Queen’s aren’t starting yet, but they’re playing their opening minutes. On Wednesday, he scored a career-best 26 points and played 38 minutes. The Lakers and Warriors are not easy matchups, but they shouldn’t scare the coaches when Queen’s breaks out.
Sit: Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat
Miami only has one game this weekend, and it will come against the Knicks, who have been one of the best rebounding teams in the league this season. Ware didn’t do much against the Knicks as a starter earlier this year, but only with Bam Adebayo available. Adebayo (toe) is still out, so Ware should play more minutes, but this isn’t an ideal matchup for Ware.
Announcement
Seated: Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks
Lively (knee) will return on Friday against the Clippers, who are last in the league in terms of pace. A slower pace leads to fewer shots, which leads to fewer rebounding opportunities. Sunday’s matchup with Portland is more favorable, but Gafford and Lively haven’t played together yet this season. Additionally, Anthony Davis (calf) could return. It’s best to play it safe when it comes to Dallas’ bigs and wait to figure things out next week; it wouldn’t be shocking if they both played 15-20 minutes.