Even though this article focuses mainly on trends, do not forget about players who were hot earlier in the season and even if they are in slumps, keep them on your watch list. All it takes is one injury, lack of hustle, lack of being able to hit shots consistently, and the rotations are shifted. Focus on those teams who have no shot at making the playoffs. Never disrespect a Veteran. They have been there before and experience is huge when looking at short-term pick-ups down the stretch.
Yogi Ferrell PG DAL-35% Ownership: Ferrell playing time is stable even with a healthy J.J. Barea. It will take a couple of weeks for Barea to get back into rhythm and Ferrell has scored in double figures in three of his last four games. Expect his minutes to remain in the late 20’s and he will provide a bit of assist help as well. He has dished at least I’ve assists in four of his last five games. Ferrell is quick and will slash in the lane and has a long-range game that he doesn’t rely on as much as the drive. Ferrell should be extra motivated with the return of Barea and he jumped through hurdles to get his spot, and as long as he keeps the turnovers down, he is safe.
Norman Powell SG/SF TOR-6% Ownership: Powell has played in the 20’s in each of his last three games and has scored in double figures in three of his last four games, with one being a 21 point outing. Powell has both mid range and long range shooting ability. He sets a nice screen in the middle for the guard on the ball and is able to get open when he pops out. DeMarre Carroll and Kyle Lowry being out have been helping his cause. He will provide minor rebounding and assist help and will take contact. Powell will attack the rim a bit more than P.J. Tucker and if he can step up his defense a bit more, he will remain secure in the Raptors rotation until Lowry returns.
Allen Crabbe G POR-24% Ownership: When Crabbe is trending up, life is great because it features 20-plus point games with a strong shot selection and better decision-making with the ball. Crabbe has been playing over 20 minutes consistently and he has scored in double figures in four of his last five games. Crabbe has been a consistent rebounding helper. When his shot is on, the Blazers will keep feeding him and Crabbe hit five three-pointers a couple of games ago. He has been a waiver wire darling all season and the arrow is currently pointing up. Have your next add in sight if he starts messing up his opportunity.
Larry Nance Jr. PF LAL-17% Ownership: There are certain statistics that stand out and eight and four is one of them for a big man. The scoring factor and when you see eight consistently it shows a small but visible commitment in the rotation and the rebounding comes into play to provide that player stability and for a player like Nance who hovers around that 20 minute mark, eight and four is productive. Nance has grabbed at least four rebounds in each of his last four games and has recorded at least one steal in each of his last five games. As much as Nance and Julius Randle are similar in their role and playing style, the Lakers need all of the defensive help they can get. Expect Nance’s playing time to only go up down the stretch as long as he stays healthy. Health has been Nance’s biggest issue this season. He can grow to be an enforcer in the league over the next few seasons.
Wayne Ellington SG/SF MIA-9% Ownership: As much as Ellington’s playing time seems to live and die by his shooting off the bench, it is the perimeter defense that shows up half the time that also will determine it. Ellington has scored in double figures in four of his last five games. We have been seeing a lot more four-rebound games recently and he has stolen the ball in three of his last four games. Tyler Johnson and Dion Waiters have been in and out of the lineup throughout the season and his value rises tremendously when one of them is inactive. Add Ellington mainly for the scoring help, especially from mid and long-range, but watch the other stats because the Heat have a lot of shooters and the ones who can stop the bleeding on the other end will be rewarded.
Willy Hernangomez C NY-39% Ownership: The rule is that if the player falls under 40 percent, he can be a part of this article and Hernangomez is the future and PRESENT big that the Knicks will rely on down the stretch. Hernangomez is healthy and the word around the Knicks locker room is that there is tremendous chemistry between Hernangomez and Kristaps Porzingis (not shocking) and that could give Hernangomez even more playing time. Joakim Noah is out for the season and Kyle O’Quinn cannot do it all in the middle himself. In his first game playing over 20 minutes since returning from injury, Hernangomez recorded a double-double. He has been great at running the floor and keeping pace with the guards.
Jeremy Lamb SG/SF CHA-3% Ownership: Lamb is a bailout option with ball handling ability. A lot of the Hornets scoring comes from their backcourt and Lamb has the long range shooting ability to fill in for Nicolas Batum and Kemba Walker when they need a rest. Lamb has scored in double figures in two of his last three games and he will be a minor blocks and steals help. The standout statistic for Lamb at this time is his rebounding. He has grabbed at least three rebounds in every game in pretty much the last month. Guards who rebound are beneficial to fantasy teams because it shows a commitment to both sides of the ball. The key to Lamb is climbing over the 20-minute threshold and he has played over 20 minutes in his last three games.
Tyler Ulis PG PHX-23% Ownership: Eric Bledsoe has been a bit banged up and the Suns need all of the scoring and playmaking help they can get lately Ulis has filled in nicely and even hit a buzzer-beater last week. Ulis can run the floor and has dished at least four assists in each of his last five games. Ulis has scored in double figures in two of his last four games and scored 20 points in 1 of them. Ulis has made a small impact on the ball while on defense. Ulis has swiped the ball at least once in five of his last six games. The Suns are a complete mess and focusing on the future and Ulis can see more time down the stretch and be another perimeter backcourt offensive weapon because their frontcourt has not done anyone any favors on offense.
C.J. Miles SG/SF IND-30% Ownership: Waiver wire darling Miles is trending upward again as he has scored in double figures in each of his last four games. He grabbed four or more rebounds in three of those four games, which shows he is not only scoring dependant. Miles is a major long-range shooting threat and has his at least three three-pointers in each of his last five games. Playing time has been a question mark for Miles all season, but the fact that he has eclipsed 30 minutes in 2 of his last 3 games is a positive side for at least the short-term.
WILD CARD PICK-UP: Jordan Crawford G NO-7% Ownership: The main reason this is a “wild” pick up option is because Crawford is currently on a 10-day contract and he very well can be released in a few days. The Pelicans have been finding ways to get him the ball. In the two audition games he’s played with New Orleans, he scored in double figures in both of them and hit multiple three-pointers in both. Crawford will also provide minor rebounding and assist help. Crawford recorded a two-steal game in one of them. The fact that Crawford has played at 20 minutes or more in these games shows the Pelicans lack of depth when it comes to scoring guards. Crawford has had two productive games and thus far is deserving of a second 10-day contract.