The Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. is averaging 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists across 28.1 minutes over the past 15 games,
We’re about even this coming week in terms of teams with four- and three-game schedules, with the former slightly outpacing the latter. With a barrage of noteworthy injuries across the league at this point of the season – and non-contending teams in no rush to push key players back onto the floor – we have plenty of candidates to work across all roster spots to work with once again.
Each week, we’ll aim to highlight a pair of Start candidates at each position for your fantasy rosters who may shape up as some tougher calls of the week to make, focusing on players with a start or roster rate of 50% or less in Yahoo leagues.
Likewise, we’ll spotlight one Sit candidate at each position who would normally not be a consideration for a spot on your bench, often focusing on players with fewer game opportunities during the coming week.
TEAMS WITH FOUR GAMES: Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards
TEAMS WITH THREE GAMES: Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors
TEAMS WITH TWO GAMES: Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers
Without further ado, let’s examine some tougher start/sit decisions for Week 20:
Guards
Start: Brandon Williams, Mavericks
18% roster rate
Cooper Flagg missed a seventh consecutive game Sunday against the Thunder, and his absence therefore could very well extend to Tuesday’s contest against the Hornets, at minimum. That means Williams could be set for an additional run of starts after going into the game vs. OKC with averages of 16.0 points, 6.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds across his previous six games, a stretch where he’d also shot 54.8%, including 42.9% from 3-point range. Williams delivered another solid outing despite the tough matchup in the loss to the Thunder, supplying 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. With four games to work with and a potential role on the first unit in all of them, Williams is certainly in play, especially with Naji Marshall also possibly missing some time in coming days because of a finger injury that already cost him Sunday’s contest.
Start: Ace Bailey, Jazz
34% roster rate
Bailey put together an impressive February, averaging 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals across 32.7 minutes in 11 games despite shooting an inefficient 40.4% and posting a pair of four-point outings in that span. The rookie has gotten an abundance of floor time during his first NBA season, so it’s no surprise he may be finding his stride during the stretch run. Bailey is expected to play all four games this week without Lauri Markkanen due to his hip injury, brightening his prospects even further.
Sit: Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
100% roster rate
Mitchell missed a third straight game Sunday against the Nets due to a groin injury. Even though head coach Kenny Atkinson said recently the issue wasn’t expected to lead to a long-term absence, at least one more DNP could well be in the cards for the star guard. If that indeed comes to pass, that would leave Mitchell with just one other opportunity to take the floor this coming week, and that would come in a tough matchup against the Celtics. Even with his unquestioned upside, Mitchell has plenty of risk attached this week.
Forwards
Start: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Heat
39% roster rate
Jaquez has averaged 14.5 points (on 47.9% shooting), 5.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists across 28.1 minutes over the last 15 games, and he enters the Heat’s four-game week in position to potentially run with the first unit because of Norman Powell’s groin injury. Powell is officially week to week, and Jaquez has already proven amply capable of delivering strong multi-category production in a second-unit role. Even if Jaquez continues to come off the bench, he should see more than enough minutes to benefit your lineup through various means while absorbing some extra usage due to Powell’s absence.
Start: Saddiq Bey, Pelicans
45% roster rate
Bey is another forward who could be poised to benefit from a key absence on his squad, considering Zion Williamson sprained his ankle Saturday against the Jazz and missed Sunday’s game against the Clippers. Bey had an adequate line in Zion’s absence Sunday – 14 points, six rebounds and two assists – and he came into the game with averages of 22.4 points (on 48.5% shooting), 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 33.2 minutes over the previous 11 contests. That included 42- and 24-point showings in the two games immediately prior to Sunday. Bey could capitalize on any further Williamson absences during New Orleans’ upcoming four-game schedule.
ALSO CONSIDER: Tari Eason, Rockets (41% roster rate)
100% roster rate
Siakam is another star dealing with injury coming into the scoring period, as the big man’s wrist issue has already cost him three games. Siakam will have a couple days to get healthy for the Pacers’ next game Wednesday against the Clippers, but with Indiana’s season going nowhere, it’s probably safe to assume the big man won’t be rushed back. There are just three games on the Pacers’ docket this coming week, so rolling with a healthy four-game option certainly involves less uncertainty.
Centers
Start: Neemias Queta, Celtics
37% roster rate
Queta wrapped up a solid Week 19 on Sunday against the 76ers with a career-best showing, generating a 27-point, 17-rebound double-double that also included two assists, three blocks and one steal. That memorable showing was preceded by a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double against the Suns on Tuesday that included three assists and two blocks, with the pair of bookend performances offering an impressive glimpse of what the surging center can bring to the table. Even with Nikola Vučević having joined the Celtics at the deadline, Queta has kept a clear hold of the starting job and could continue thriving on Boston’s full schedule.
Start: Kyle Filipowski, Jazz
38% roster rate
Filipowski, like Bailey, is in position to benefit from Markkanen’s absence, and the big man comes into Week 20 with averages of 14.6 points (on 53.1% shooting), 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.8 steals over his current five-game starting run. Filipowski is averaging a modest 25.8 minutes per game in that span – underscoring how efficient he’s been – and he’ll likely draw another four turns with the first unit in the coming week. Filipowski has plenty of experience as a starter this season, so a week of robust production across the stat sheet is very much in the cards.
ALSO CONSIDER: Bobby Portis, Bucks (35% roster rate)
Sit: Kristaps Porziņģis, Warriors
90% roster rate
Porziņģis’ health issues continue to bedevil him irrespective of what team he suits up for, as he’s already ruled out for a fifth straight game Monday against the Clippers due to an illness. Given his very spotty track record of availability this season, Porziņģis could very well miss the remaining two games on Golden State’s schedule this coming week. Consequently, he’s a very straightforward Sit candidate this week.
