It is time, I have decided, to once again focus on individual fantasy categories in the NBA schedule breakdown. I have two reasons for this decision. First of all, you should know who the good overall matchups are by now. If you have been reading this article and don’t know which teams to load up against based upon pace, defensive rating and other factors, then I have failed you.
More importantly, at this time of year targeting a few categories where you can still make up ground isn’t just smart, it is often essential. What is the point of picking up Dennis Schroder if you already have a big lead in points and assists? I like him a lot, but he is wasting a roster spot if you don’t need the key stats he provides.
With that in mind I have identified players this week to help you targeted categories, specifically steals, assists, blocks, threes and rebounds. Most of these players can help in other categories as well, but their skills and schedules make them uniquely suited to contributing in these categories.
Jeremy Lin, Los Angeles Lakers (Road vs. Warriors, Home vs. Jazz, Home vs. 76ers) Lin is averaging 1.2 steals on the season and 2.2 over his last six games. All three opponents this week are in the top six in the NBA in opponent’s steals. To make things even better, the Lakers have two days off before the Utah and Philadelphia games, and they haven’t played outside the state of California since March 8. Lin should be able to help in assists and threes as well, but this is a great chance to make up some ground in steals.
Evan Turner, Boston Celtics (Home vs. 76ers, Road vs. Thunder, Road vs. Spurs, Home vs. Detroit, Road vs. Nets) The only small forward-eligible players with more assists per game than Evan Turner this season are LeBron James, Tyreke Evans and Kobe Bryant. Boston’s opponents this week rank first, 13th, 23rd, third and seventh in opponent’s assists this season. Evan Turner had seven assists Wednesday with Isaiah Thomas out, and that injury makes Turner even more attractive.
Jusuf Nurkic, Denver Nuggets (Road vs. Grizzlies, Road vs. Rockets, Road vs. Heat, Road vs. Magic) I am banking on Nurkic returning from his ankle injury by Monday, though that is far from a sure thing. If he is healthy, however, he can rack up some blocks. The Grizzlies, Rockets and Magic are all in the top eight in the NBA in opponent’s blocks this season, and Nurkic has averaged 1.7 blocks per game in 2015. He is worth picking up now, even if he does not play for a couple more games. Will Barton, who is averaging 0.7 bpg since going to Denver, is a good pickup this week as well.
Anthony Morrow, Oklahoma City Thunder (Road vs. Mavericks, Home vs. Celtics, Home vs. Hawks, Home vs. Heat) Morrow is a 3-point specialist, and the Hawks are tied with the Mavericks for most threes allowed per game this season. The Heat are top-10 in opponent’s 3-point percentage and the Celtics are top-five in opponent’s points.
Dewayne Dedmon, Orlando Magic (Road vs. Rockets, Road vs. Mavericks, Home vs. Trail Blazers, Home vs. Nuggets) Dedmon is averaging 8.8 rebounds in 21.5 minutes in March, and Orlando’s schedule is great if you need rebounds. Dallas Portland and Denver are in the top six in opponent’s rebounds while the Rockets are 11th. In more shallow leagues Channing Frye and Elfrid Payton can help you in rebounds as well.