Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis: Week 20
Terance Mann continues to step up big for the Clippers on both ends of the floor.
Every week, we’ll be looking at players who are widely available and rostered in fewer than 60 percent of fantasy leagues on Yahoo. We’ll be looking at players who can help you in each of the eight categories who you can get before your league-mates catch on.
The eight categories we’ll focus on each week are:
- Points
- Rebounds
- Assists
- Steals
- Blocks
- Threes
- Field-goal percentage
- Free-throw percentage
Points
Terance Mann (SG/SF – LAC): 53%
We learned nothing from the latest Paul George update, and for those who have Mann, that’s good news.
Mann has been hot of late, hitting double figures in scoring in six of his last seven games and scoring at least 19 points in four of his last five outings.
What’s more, he’s been playing major minutes for the Clippers, and he should continue to get every opportunity as one of the focal points in the offense moving forward. Scoop him up if he’s available in your league.
Rebounds
Daniel Gafford (C – WAS): 52%
The biggest post-All-Star break news for me is that Gafford started for the Wizard Friday night.
We’ve talked about him a lot since the trade deadline, as he’s one of the players who can carry you to a title with his path to minutes. He didn’t disappoint, as he scored 17 points with six boards.
I’m expecting minutes around the 28 mark each night and around 10 rebounds per game. Don’t let him stay on your waiver wire.
Assists
Alec Burks (PG/SF/SF – NYK): 34%
With Kemba Walker shut down for the year, and now with the news that Derrick Rose will miss more time with ankle surgery, Burks holds major value moving forward.
He played 34 minutes on Friday, and while he only recorded two assists in the game, I’m expecting that per-game number to climb with the volume that Burks will be playing.
Steals
Tre Mann (PG/SG – OKC): 13%
We don’t talk about Bruno, but we will talk about Mann.
He’s quietly played 31-plus minutes in four straight games, and while he’s made a mark in the scoring category (scoring 22-plus points in three of those games), he’s also getting it done on the defensive side of things.
Over the last month, he’s 13th in the league in total steals. We know the Thunder will start limiting the minutes of their, umm, stars, so expect Mann to see more run down the stretch.
Blocks
Isaiah Jackson (PF – IND): 35%
It’s I-Jax szn, folx.
He got the start on Friday night, and he didn’t disappoint. As a matter of fact, he came through in a big, big way.
He only played 23 minutes as it was just his second game since the end of January. But even in limited time, Jackson posted 17 points, six boards, and five blocks.
He’s a must-roster. He’s a must-starter. And he’s a player who can lead you to a title if the Pacers don’t screw this up.
Threes
Reggie Bullock (SG/SF – DAL): 29%
After missing a couple of games, Bullock returned to the Mavericks’ lineup Friday night, and he immediately saw 34 minutes of action.
What’s more, while his scoring and overall performance predictably came back to Earth, he’s still knocking down three-pointers. He had nine points Friday, and all of them came from downtown.
Bullock has now made two or more threes in 10 straight games.
Field-goal percentage
Jaxson Hayes (PF/C – NOP): 33%
The Pelicans are continuing to give Hayes decent run, and he’s been producing given the opportunity.
Over the last month, Hayes is shooting 76 percent from the field, and he’s averaging 12.5 points in doing so.
As long as he plays 20-plus minutes per night, he’s a useful fantasy option.
Free-throw percentage
Thad Young (PF/C – TOR): 25%
You know the drill by now with this category. We find someone who can knock down free throws, yes, but it’s also to highlight a player who we can’t quite squeeze into any of the above categories. This week, we’ll talk about Young.
Young was moved to the Raptors at the deadline, in the deal that saw Goran Dragic go to San Antonio only to be bought out.
Suddenly, though, Young is in a position to have real-life and fantasy value as OG Anunoby is going to miss extended time with a broken finger.
Granted, the Raptors have a weird rotation with their players, and Young failed to do much in 21 minutes Friday, but he’s a player that should be rostered and should contribute down the stretch with the new path to playing time and relevancy.
