Week 21 Overview
As Week 21 of the fantasy basketball season begins in Yahoo default leagues, the playoffs are officially underway and managers must maximize their strategies to secure wins. This week features multiple opportunities, particularly with two teams scheduled for five games and a lighter Sunday for roster adjustments. Here are the key details to consider for navigating this crucial week of fantasy play.
Game Schedule
The week starts with a varied slate, showcasing games from Monday through Sunday. Here’s a quick glance:
- Total Games per Team:
- 5 Game Teams: Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards
- 4 Game Teams: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs
- 3 Game Teams: Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz
Target Teams
In terms of player prioritization, the teams to consider are:
- All Week: Focus on the Suns and Wizards
- Early in the Week: Look at the Orlando Magic
- Midweek: Target players from the Clippers, Pelicans, Nuggets, and Timberwolves
- Weekend: Pay attention to the Timberwolves, Raptors, Blazers, Nets, Nuggets, and Celtics
Suns: Despite their challenging matchups—including the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, and San Antonio Spurs on the road—the Suns could effectively utilize players like Grayson Allen and Oso Ighodaro in shallow leagues, while Royce O’Neale may be valuable for 12-team leagues.
Wizards: Washington faces a similar tough path, battling the Golden State Warriors and twice against the Detroit Pistons, then wrapping up with a game against the New York Knicks. The landscape for fantasy players on the Wizards is particularly erratic due to their commitment to a rebuilding process. For those playing points leagues, Will Riley and Tre Johnson are worth considering, along with Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington for deeper leagues due to their volume potential.
Strategic Advice
When making decisions regarding waiver wire pickups, patience is critical. Avoid making rash moves early in the scoring period unless there is a notable change such as an injury or team decision. It’s often beneficial to hold on to fringe players but consider dropping players from the Chicago Bulls since they have no games between Thursday and the following Monday.
Pay special attention to lighter days, namely Friday and Sunday, which feature smaller slates that can yield strategic advantages. Teams like the Knicks, Raptors, Celtics, Nets, Timberwolves, and Blazers play on these days, so it’s wise to save roster changes for the weekend.
Preparing for Round 2
If you have secured a bye in Round 1, now is the time to strategize for Round 2. Stay informed about player evaluations, particularly for stars like Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid, whose availability could impact their teammates’ fantasy outlooks. With no team scheduled for more than four games in Week 22 and two games each for Minnesota and Phoenix, adding players from the Charlotte Hornets or Sacramento Kings can provide great streaming opportunities.
For Those in Ongoing Leagues
For those continuing their fantasy basketball journey past Week 21, your dedication through the challenges of a full season deserves recognition. Best of luck to all participants vying for a championship as you delve deeper into this exciting playoff season!
