NBA Week 8 Overview
As the NBA heads into Week 8, the spotlight is set to shine brightly on the upcoming NBA Cup bracket play, with quarterfinal matchups scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, and semifinals on Saturday. This week’s schedule looks quite varied across the league, with no teams scheduled for four games. A total of five teams will participate in three games, nine teams will see just one game, while the remaining 16 teams are set for two contests.
Among those playing three games, several players are making a case for fantasy basketball enthusiasts to take notice. Leading the charge is Maxime Raynaud, along with fellow add-ons Jay Huff and Collin Gillespie, each of whom will also see three games this week. Additionally, fantasy managers should keep an eye on an impressive Dallas point guard and an Orlando player who could be poised for a more significant role, not to mention two brothers making strides in their respective teams.
Top Waiver Wire Suggestions for Week 8
- Maxime Raynaud
- Ryan Nembhard
- Jay Huff
- Collin Gillespie
- Kyle Filipowski
- Anthony Black
- Jordan Walsh
- Jaylon Tyson
- Cam Spencer
- Pat Spencer
In-Person NBA Matchup: Don’t forget to catch the NBA action on Peacock, with the Sacramento Kings facing off against Indiana at 7 p.m. ET followed by the Pelicans squaring off against the Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday night.
Fantasy Basketball Insights for Week 8
This week is uniquely impacted by the NBA Cup, with teams like Indiana, Minnesota, and Sacramento benefiting from favorable schedules.
Collin Gillespie of the Phoenix Suns (33% rostered) is set for expanded playing time as Devin Booker is sidelined for a second consecutive game. In his past five games, Gillespie has delivered impressive averages, including 19.6 points and 4.6 assists over 31.8 minutes.
Another standout is the Dallas Mavericks’ Ryan Nembhard (27% rostered), who has shone in his role as starting point guard. He’s put up an admirable average of 14.8 points and nearly 7 assists per game, shooting an excellent percentage from the field.
Emerging talent Anthony Black (27% rostered) from the Orlando Magic has recently posted notable statistical outputs, including a double-double last Sunday, making him a vital asset moving forward, especially with other players potentially missing time.
Jaylon Tyson (25% rostered), taking center stage with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been a beacon of consistency with five consecutive starts and is making a strong case for long-term fantasy relevance due to Cleveland’s ongoing injury woes.
The Indiana Pacers’ Jay Huff (25% rostered) continues to lead the league in blocks, showcasing his valuable skills on both ends of the floor, while Kyle Filipowski (20% rostered) of the Utah Jazz is stepping up impressively in the absence of Lauri Markkanen.
Other notable names to consider include Cam Spencer (16% rostered) from Memphis, who has stepped up during Ja Morant’s absence, and Jordan Walsh (15% rostered), who has cemented his position with the Boston Celtics as a reliable contributor.
Maxime Raynaud, nicknamed “Mad Max” (14% rostered), is carving a niche for himself and has been particularly impactful lately, recently recording notable games including a 25-point performance. If starter Domantas Sabonis is out, Raynaud’s minutes are likely to remain high.
Pat Spencer (11% rostered) should also be on your radar as potential backcourt support for the Golden State Warriors amid injury struggles. Other potential adds include the likes of Donte DiVincenzo (44%), Jerami Grant (42%), and Miles McBride (15%) depending on league settings.
