Who to focus on based mostly on Week 22 schedule

The fantasy basketball playoffs begin subsequent week — Week 22 — in most leagues.

So which gamers on the waiver wire ought to playoff-bound fantasy managers goal or keep away from based mostly on their Week 22 schedule?

Listed below are André Snellings, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick, Eric Moody and Steve Alexander to clarify.

Benefit from the Pelicans’ mushy schedule

The New Orleans Pelicans usually are not one of many groups enjoying 4 video games, however two of the three video games they do get to play are in Houston towards the horrible Rockets, a staff that doesn’t give protection a lot of any thought. Nonetheless with out Zion Williamson, the Pelicans give huge minutes and alternative to SF/PF Herbert Jones and SG/SF Trey Murphy III, and every has responded with higher play recently. Jones had 48 fantasy factors on Monday. Murphy had 49. Hold these fellows round if you win your playoff week, for his or her Week 23 begins with the Spurs! — Karabell

Keep away from Charlotte, New York and Utah

The Hornets, Knicks and Jazz solely have two video games within the upcoming week in fantasy hoops. And if the variety of video games performed matter in your league, dropping some gamers from these groups is sort of a should. Particularly when 15 groups (half the league) play 4 instances. Charlotte and New York solely have one four-game week left on the schedule, however the Jazz end up 4-4-4 after the two-game week, making Utah gamers somewhat simpler to maintain round for those who’re torn about who to drop. Groups who end 4-4-4 after subsequent week: Bulls, Grizzlies, Sixers, Kings, Jazz. — Alexander

Look to Jones, Smith and Wright

Tyus Jones is a participant fantasy managers ought to goal now that Morant is out indefinitely. Within the 10 video games Morant has missed, Jones has averaged 19.4 factors and eight.1 assists. Dennis Smith Jr. is one other to focus on particularly with LaMelo Ball dominated out for the season. He is nice for assists and steals. Delon Wright additionally advantages from Monte Morris’ absence. Within the final 5 video games, he has averaged 11.6 factors and 5.4 assists. — Moody

Bagley and McDaniels are two others so as to add

Two key names emerged for me; Detroit appears pot-committed to getting each probability to get Marvin Bagley III untracked. Gobs of minutes and 4 video games performed in Week 22 indicators upside. In the meantime, Jaden McDaniels continues to be doing his two-way factor for Minnesota amid a busy four-game slate. With Minnesota within the thick of the Western Convention race, McDaniels is prone to play heavy minutes whereas offering a uncommon mix of two-way outcomes. — McCormick

Olynyk’s upside will not seem till Week 23

Kelly Olynyk (accessible in 69.7% of leagues) has been a robust streaming possibility since shifting into the beginning lineup for the Jazz, averaging 14.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.2 APG and 1.3 3PG in his final 12 outings. He presently resides within the beginning energy ahead slot, with Lauri Markkanen at small ahead and Walker Kessler at middle. However, the Jazz solely have two video games in Week 22, on the Miami Warmth and residential towards the Boston Celtics. Each groups have been powerful on opposing energy ahead this season, with the Warmth permitting the fifth-fewest fantasy factors and the Celtics the fewest fantasy factors to the place. Solely two video games, each towards powerful defenses, brings Olynyk’s streamer worth down for Week 22. — Snellings