There are a lot of Shooting Guard/Small Forward options I include on this list weekly. Flexing is important in fantasy sports and especially on night’s in which just about all of your players are playing because it will help further organize your lineup. The more flex options you have, the easier it is to make trades. Depth is key!
Terrence Ross SG/SF TOR-22% Ownership: Even though Ross is the third of fourth shooting option on Toronto, he has scored in double figures in four of his last five games. Ross is a bit shot dependant, but lately, we have seen him produce in other categories. Before his last game, he grabbed at least four rebounds in four straight games. Ross’ defense has been keeping him in the game, and he has had four multi-steal games in his last six and even had two blocks in his last game. He has also hit the 30-minute mark in 3 of his last 5 games showing the Raptors commitment to him. Ross is also a scoring threat from the outside. He is absolutely a safe add right now.
Courtney Lee SG/SF NY-39% Ownership: The Knicks defense STINKS and because Lee is the team’s best defender, expect him to get more playing time. Lee has played 38 and 34 minutes in his last 2 outings and this will not change. Lee has scored in double figures in his last four games and provides minor rebound and assist help. He does not turn the ball over much and does help with steals. Most of his scoring will come from the perimeter and he has driving ability but does not use it enough. As the old cliché goes, sometimes defense is your best offense and when you add Lee, it will not be because he is putting up a ton of numbers, it is because he will have the opportunity to play deep into games each time out.
E'Twaun Moore G NO-5% Ownership: The carousel of Pelicans guard production continues as Moore has played 20 minutes or more in his last 6 games. Moore does have double-digit scoring capabilities and does not shy away from taking long-range jumpers. Moore also provides rebounding help and guards who rebound, are beneficial in fantasy basketball. Moore has grabbed at least three rebounds in four of his last six games. Moore spends a good amount of time playing off the ball so assists won’t play as much of a factor, but, we have seen surprising block production from him. Guards who block are also good for fantasy and he has four in his last four games. The playing time commitment is there and he does get shots. If you start to see consistent double-digit scoring outings he will become a must add, but for now, add him, but keep tabs on who else is out there.
Jodie Meeks SG ORL-4% Ownership: One small step for Meeks translates to one giant leap offensively for the Magic. They struggle offensively and Meeks consistency from behind the arc has given him starts. Meeks can also ball-handle which will spot him even more playing time. Meeks has scored in double figures in four of his last five games and scored 23 (hitting 6 three’s) in one of those games. Meeks will also provide minor rebound, assist and steals help. The playing time commitment is there as he has played over 20 minutes in his last 6 contests with 2 of those games being over 30 minutes. Again, the Magic’s offense is powered by Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic….THAT’S IT! Meeks certainly has the ability to be an everyday contributor offensively for this team.
Vince Carter SG/SF MEM-4% Ownership: Carter is at the twilight of his career and injuries have not been helping, BUT, Memphis has been plagued by injuries all season and most of the team are on his level health-wise. Carter’s stats and playing time have been trending upward lately and even played 30 minutes in his last game. He played over 20 minutes in the 4 games before his 30-minute outing. Carter has hit nine three pointers in his last 3 games combined and has scored in double figures in his last three games. Carter provides minor rebounding help and because he is a seasoned veteran, he knows to wait for long rebounds before falling back on defense and that has certainly helped his cause. Carter grabbed seven rebounds in his last game and even though he may have lost a step, he is still in a position to produce because Chandler Parsons is not and his recovery has been very slow.
Jeremy Lamb SG/SF CHA-6% Ownership: Even if a player has an outstanding game, it does not necessarily mean to pick him up. Sample size is important and before his last two games, Lamb had scored in double figures in four of five games and even had a six and eight rebound game during that span. Lamb is known for his shooting, but he needs playing time in order to produce and 12 minutes won’t cut it. Remember, Lamb is a Hornet. The Hornets are another team that relies on their guards for all of their offense, which keeps Lamb in the mix for shots, minutes and offensive production. Lamb also has recorded a steal in each of his last four games and even a block in three of his last five games.
Dante Cunningham F-NO-2% Ownership: WATCH HIM! Cunningham’s stats have not been pretty, and he is not a scorer, but he does the dirty work for the Pelicans and on a team that lacks depth up-front, Cunningham’s playing time has been stable as he has played over 30 minutes in 5 of his last 6 games. He would have played over 30 minutes in his last game if he didn’t injure his knee (he came back that same game). Cunningham swiped the ball in four of his last five games and provides minor blocks help. The other stat that stands out for Cunningham (besides his playing time) is his rebounding and he has grabbed five or more in five of his last six games. Cunningham is also playing with a huge chip on his shoulder because Donatas Motiejunas has signed with the team and is currently learning the Pelicans offense. Once Motiejunas is settled, Cunningham will be in a battle for playing time, so if there ever was a time for Cunningham to be motivated, his time is now.
Wayne Ellington SG/SF MIA-10% Ownership: Ellington is back from injury and he looks back to being 100 percent. Ellington has scored in double digits in his last five games and he has hit four three-pointers in three of his last five games. Ellington also provides minor help in steals. With Justise Winslow out for the remainder of the season, Ellington picks up more playing time and shots and has played 37 minutes in 2 of his last 3 games. Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson have been effective, but neither are top scoring options and Miami has been going with the hot-hand when it comes to shot distribution because they have nothing else going for them. Even Hassan Whiteside has been out of the lineup, and when he is in, teams know to put the majority of focus on him and Tyler Johnson. The opportunity for Ellington to have consistent 20-point outings is there and he is certainly worth picking up.
Kosta Koufos PF/C SAC-3% Ownership: Just when you think Koufos is about to get some serious consistent run on the floor, the Kings switch it up. This is what happens when you lack an identity DeMarcus Cousins plays all over the court and he will bring up the ball and not even pass. Koufos has been able to stand out and recently posted an 18- point outing with 5 rebounds. Koufos is a specific low block player, but serves as a bailout option inside. He is often forgotten about by defenders because of Cousins’ overall impact. He provides minor help with blocks and steals and works hard to gain positioning to keep plays alive. After seeing three straight games with 20-minutes or more, he was given 15 minutes of playing time versus the hobbled Heat. Not ideal! Keep Koufos under serious watch for the next couple of days because the Kings do lack depth.
WILD CARD PICK UP: Anthony Tolliver F SAC-1% Ownership: Not impressed with Koufos? Tolliver minutes have improved and even though he is averaging 20 minutes per game for the season, we have been seeing him play consistently in the late 20’s and even early 30’s. The Kings have no idea what they are doing with their rotation (per usual). Tolliver has scored in double figures in two of his last three games and has grabbed at least four rebounds in three of his last five games. Tolliver does have the ability to burn defenders from the outside and in recent weeks he had games in which he has hit four and even five three-pointers. Tolliver is another bailout option for Cousins when he is tripled. Tolliver is good at finding the cutter when at the key and he will a bit with assists. Tolliver is also not afraid to drive and take contact adding to his offensive game.
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Jimmy Butler returned to the lineup on Monday and contributed 27 points (7-of-12 FGs, 12-of-12 FTs), five rebounds, six assists, one block and one three-pointer in a 109-106 win over the Rockets in Game 4 on Monday.
After missing Game 3, Butler was back in the lineup on Monday. He started off slow, but he scored 23 points after halftime to help Golden State take a 3-1 lead in the series. This was “Playoff Jimmy” on full display. Excluding his early exit in Game 2, Butler had scored at least 24 points in his last six completed games, dating back to April 9. If he’s playing this well, the Warriors will be tough to beat in a seven-game series. It’s worth noting that Jonathan Kuminga, who started in place of Butler in Game 3, was back to being out of the rotation in this game. Expect Butler to continue to dominate as Golden State attempts to clinch this series in Houston in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Buddy Hield started on Monday and finished with 15 points (6-of-15 FGs), four rebounds, three assists, two steals and three three-pointers against the Rockets in Game 4 on Monday.
Jimmy Butler’s return from a one-game absence also allowed Hield to enter the starting lineup after scoring 17 points in Game 3. He really struggled in Games 1 and 2, but he was able to build on his performance from Saturday in Monday’s win. Hield is a streaky shooter, but he has been on recently and hit eight triples across Golden State’s two home games. He’ll look to carry this shooting with him to Houston for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Quinten Post provided a boost off the bench with 13 points (4-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, three assists and two three-pointers against the Rockets in Game 4 on Monday.
With Jimmy Butler, head coach Steve Kerr bumped Post back to the bench, though he still played a significant reserve role. After playing 27 minutes as a starter, he played 20 minutes off the bench in Game 4 and scored in double figures for the second time this postseason. The numbers weren’t eye-popping, but the threat of a stretch big certainly opens things up on offense for Golden State. Post will continue to be an important part of the team’s rotation moving forward.
Brandin Podziemski lit up the Rockets with 26 points (9-of-18 FGs), five rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block and six three-pointers in Game 4 on Monday.
Podziemski has made things happen in this series. He scored in double figures in Games 1 and 3, which were wins. He exited early from Game 2, which was a loss. He played 40 minutes in Game 4 and had his best game of the postseason, which helped the Warriors take a 3-1 lead in the series. Podz did a little bit of everything in this game, but he did most of his damage beyond the arc. He’ll look to stay hot in Game 5 on Wednesday to help the Warriors close out the series.
Amen Thompson finished with 17 points (7-of-12 FGs), nine rebounds, two assists and one steal in Game 4 against the Warriors on Monday.
Thompson dealt with some foul trouble in the first half, but he was able to turn things around after the break. He was able to turn in decent numbers, but Thompson’s first postseason hasn’t been as expected. Through four games, he has averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the floor. He has also contributed just 1.3 defensive stats per game after averaging 2.6 per game during the regular season. The Rockets will need him to be much better to keep their season alive in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Fred VanVleet lit up the Warriors with 25 points (8-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, six assists and eight three-pointers in Game 4 on Monday.
VanVleet has struggled to find his shot in this series, but that wasn’t the case on Monday. He scored 24 of his 25 shots from beyond the arc, and he only took one shot inside the three-point line, which was a miss. He had a chance to force overtime, but his drifting triple fell short. VanVleet will look to stay hot as the series shifts back to Houston for Game 5 on Wednesday. If he’s hitting shots like he did in this game, they will have a chance to keep their season alive.