Late Season Pick-Ups: Fantasy Basketball

The NBA season is rapidly approaching the conclusion of a historically close race for the playoffs in the Western Division. While this tension is enough to suffice the average fan, fantasy owners are forced to watch the theatrics on ESPN SportCenter as they scramble for the perfect, last second roster fit to win that last category in tight Roto and H2H leagues. Below are some players to scoop up over the coming days to max out your games played and squeeze out those precious last points to win your league. (Check out everyon on DET, because they are resting starters for the next week).

FG%
Kyle Lowry, Mem
Owned in less than four percent of ESPN leagues, Lowry is averaging 27 minutes per game and .644 FG% over the past five games. You also gain a points bump (15.4 PPG), yet be wary of his shaky hand at the charity stripe, high turnover numbers, and relatively unimpressive all-around game.

Radoslav Nesterovic, TOR
Owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues, Nesterovic averaged a whopping 32.8 minutes per game over his last five. Over this period, he is shooting .561 FG% with 16.4 PPG, 7 RPG and 1.4 BPG. Expect to see Radoslav’s name pop up a couple more times on this list!

Al Thornton, LAC
Harder to find, the white hot Thornton is only available in about 13 percent of ESPN leagues. You’ll want to be slightly careful with this pick, because the return of Elton Brand will negatively impact Al’s production. Thornton is averaging .500 FG% over the last five games, while playing 35.8 MPG, scoring 21.4 PPG, and bringing a relatively strong all-around game with .923 FT%, 1.6 SPG and 5.2 RPG.

Honorable Mention: Nick Young, Fabricio Oberto, Bobby Simmons, Jason Maxiell, and Josh Boone.

FT%
Al Thornton, LAC
See above notes.

Luis Scola, HOU
One of the top candidates to steal the ROY trophy away from Kevin Durant, Scola is yet another streaky player (this list is loaded with them) performing well now. Running about 29 minutes per game over the last five, Scola is shooting .885 FT%. These numbers are no fluke either given that Scola attempted 10 or more free throws in two of his last five games. His solid steal numbers (1.2 SPG), rebounding numbers (7.6 RPG) and scoring (14.6 PPG) over the past week make Scola an attractive acquisition.

Chris Quinn, PG
Grab this kid quickly. Injuries are opening plenty of doors in Miami, and Quinn is taking full advantage of the opportunity. Still available in roughly 40 percent of leagues, he won’t be around for long with these numbers over his past five games: 36.2 MPG, .821 FT%, 0.6 3PG, 2.6 SPG, 5.0 RPG, 7.2 APG, and 13.4 PPG. Watch out for his UGLY shooting from the field (.310% FG).

Honorable Mention: Yi Jianlian, Devin Brown, Randy Foye, and Earl Boykins.

3s
DeShawn Stevenson, WAS
I don’t like DeShawn, and he recently sprained his right ankle, so double check his status before making a move. The main reason why I don’t like him as a basketball player – never met a three he didn’t like – is the same reason I want him on my fantasy team. He is simply bombing, with 31 attempts and 14 threes over his past five games. Expect additional contributions in the points category (14.6 PPG) and shooting percentage categories.

Sasha Vujacic, LAL
Another solid player who launches even more threes than DeShawn Stevenson, a whopping 45 attempts and 20 makes in his last five games. Solid percents and a 14.0 PPG average are bonuses, although the return of Gasol could crimp his free-shooting style.

Raja Bell, PHO
While not as sexy as the above options, Bell is as solid as they come from behind the arch. Bell’s 11 makes in 25 attempts, along with his balanced contributions in the assists (4.0 APG) and rebounds (4.6 RPG) categories, make him attractive for the risk-averse GM.

Honorable mention: Al Thornton, Martel Webster, Morris Peterson, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Chris Quinn.

Rebounds
Charlie Villanueva, MIL
Recent injuries in Milwaukee helped Villanueva out tremendously. He is averaging 30.6 MPG over his last five, with 15.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 1.2 BPG. Check on Yi and Bogut’s injury status before investing.

Josh Boone, NJ
The youngster from Connecticut is taking on a very strong playing load. He’s delivered a double-double once, and hit double-digit rebounds in three of his last five games. Pick up Boone’s 33.8 MPG with 10.8 RPG, 12.8 PPG, 1.8 BPG, excellent shooting percentage, yet be wary of his poor FT% and assist production.

Josh Powell, LAC
The season ending injury to Kaman opens the door for this youngster from NC State. Now the Clippers’ starting C, Powell responded with two straight games with double-digit rebounds (9.8 RPG). Buy now before the price get too steep.

Honorable Mention: Nick Collison, Leon Powe, Joel Przybilla, and Joakim Noah.

Assists
Chris Quinn, PG
See above notes.

Steve Blake, Por
The winning streak is long over, and the injuries are mounting up. One of the lone bright stars for Portland down the stretch is Blake’s 6.8 APG, 11.6 PPG and solid threes and percents over the past five games. Expect more of the same.

Marko Jaric, MIN
Jaric is locked into the starting roster for MIN. He is dishing out 5.8 APG over the past five games, all while averaging 39.2 MPG, 2.2 APG and 10.4 PPG. Not the best, yet better than most options remaining for desperate owners.

Honorable mention: Earl Watson, Ramon Sessions, Brevin Knight, and Delonte West.

Steals
Anthony Carter, Den
Steals are critical, and hard to find, in any fantasy basketball league. Carter skills, mixed with Denver’s aggressive offense style generates some exciting numbers. Over the past five games, Carter is producing 2.2 SPG with 5.4 APG, 8.6 PPG, solid averages and the occasional three. Invest confidently, because Denver is in a dog fight and will play everyone it can.

Marko Jaric, MIN
See above notes.

Renaldo Balkman, NY
The promising youngster is finally getting a few minutes per game, and the steals are beginning to follow (1.4 SPG) to the tune of seven steals over his last three games. Balkman is worth a flyer if you are looking to close out a small gap in the steals category.

Honorable mention: Chris Quinn, Brevin Knight, Paul Millsap, and Jared Dudley.

Blocks
Joel Anthony, Mia
Another player benefiting from all the injuries in MIA. Joel blocked 10 shots in the last two games, and is averaging 2.8 BPG over his past five. When paired with 7.0 RPG, you are starting to cook with gas.

Erick Dampier, Dal
Seven blocks over his past two games, expect an average of 2.0 BPG from Dampier through the end of the season, with a strong 9.2 RPG. Invest without hesitation.

Ronny Turiaf, LAL
His numbers are promising – 2.0 BPG over the past five – yet the return of Gasol throws a strong caution. Invest cautiously.

Honorable Mention: Joakim Noah, Amir Johnson, Josh Boone, and Darko Milicic.

Points
Al Thornton, LAC
See above notes.

Charlie Villanueva, MIL
See above notes.

Radoslav Nesterovic, TOR
See above notes.

Honorable mention: DeShawn Stevenson, Kyle Lowry, Chris Quinn, Travis Outlaw, and Nick Young.