WEEK 22 PICKUPS:
First, make sure Beno Udrih isn’t available. (See previous article.) Sure, Tyreke Evans could be back sooner than expected, but one would think the Kings might baby the future of the franchise, just a little. If Udrih’s has already been taken, keep reading.
Toney Douglas (36%)
Just check out his game log since Mike D’Antoni plugged him into the starting lineup. Those in roto leagues should definitely snatch Douglas. Those in H2H leagues should probably do so as well, although the Knicks only have 2 games in Week 22. It’ll be tough to start him in weekly leagues — weigh your options carefully and do the math — but those in daily leagues should definitely take advantage of Douglas’ hot streak.
Jrue Holiday (43%)
If Toney hadn’t hit 10 treys in his last 2 games, Jrue would be at the top of this list. And in H2H leagues, Jrueshould be at the top, as PHI plays one more game than NY this week.
Jason Maxiell (22%)
He’s hot then he’s cold. He’s yes then he’s no. Okay, I’m going to stop reciting Katy Perry lyrics before I kick my own ass. But with Ben Wallace hurt again, Maxiell is on the “hot” and “yes” side of the equation.
Hasheem Thabeet (9%)
Don’t let the last box score (vs. GSW) fool you. Thabeet didn’t play many minutes because he had exactly 0 people to match up with. But as long as Marc Gasol is out, which could be a while the further the Grizzlies slip out of playoff contention, Thabeet is a solid source or reb and blk.
Robin Lopez (34%)
Speaking of matching up against GSW, Lopez figures to get more run Monday, as he’s nimbler than Thabeet. He’s also posted a couple solid games in a row, although I’m only comfortable using him in spot starts at this point.
James Johnson (5%)
Luol Deng’s continued absence + CHI’s favorable H2H schedule (4 games against soft/undersized front lines, including 2 games on slower days) = a great pickup in deeper leagues, and even not-so-deep leagues. (For that matter, Taj Gibson and Brad Miller are still solid plays as Joakim Noah slowly gets worked back into the rotation.)
Terrence Williams (20%)
Williams has been providing across-the-board productions for a couple weeks now. He had two horrid shooting games to start last week — but that was with Devin Harris out of the lineup. When Harris returned on Saturday, Williams’ shot attempts went back down to a manageable level, while all his other stats remained intact.
Quentin Richardson (30%)
It’s the same story every week. Q is unpredictable from game to game, but over the month of March he’s averaging 3.5 treys per contest.
Nicolas Batum (19%) and Rudy Fernandez (24%)
Batum has quietly been a top 50 player by averages in Yahoo leagues over the last month thanks to his efficiency and across-the-board production, while Rudy of course is more of a 3-pt specialist. Both are solid plays in weekly H2H leagues with daily schedule changes, as they play on 2 of the slower days this week.
Keep an eye on: Anthony Tolliver (27% — see last week’s list), Brandon Rush (35%), Bill Walker (8% — started at SF on Sunday), C.J. Miles (7% — a solid play as long as Andrei Kirilenko is out), James Singleton(4%), Wesley Matthews (11%), Reggie Williams (5%).