We’re just days away from the Fantasy Basketball Playoffs (in most leagues) and in case you missed out on our pickups from last week, here’s another chance to help your team(s) with this week’s pickups. It’s been a long 20 week fantasy season and for those of you who made it to the playoffs, congratulations and good luck! Here are this week’s pickups…
J.J. Barea- PG-Timberwolves- Although injuries forced Barea to miss half of the season last year, his first with Minnesota, he is enjoying career-like numbers this season. In his last ten games, he has scored in double-digits in eight of them, and had 14 or more points in seven of those. In March alone Barea is averaging just under 13 points a game. Besides scoring, he can help you in assists and threes and even bring down around 3 boards a night. The former Maverick has been playing right around 27:30 minutes per game over his last ten so he is seeing ample floor time even with a healthy Ricky Rubio starting at the point. Barea is a Must Add in all formats and is readily available in 85% of most leagues.
#11 J.J. Barea has scored 14+ points in seven of his last 10 games and is a Must Add this week! Photo: David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images
Kosta Koufos-PF,C-Nuggets- Perhaps Koufos’ last three games are an anomaly but you just might find lightening in a bottle by grabbing him while he’s hot. Over those three games, the former 1st round pick of the Jazz has averaged 15.3 points and 12 rebounds a game- almost twice his season’s average! If you include Koufo’s 1.4 blocks a game average he becomes someone to consider in deeper leagues especially if it is a two-center one. Koufos is owned in just 30% of leagues. Keep in mind that the Nuggets play four times the week of 3/18.
Matt Barnes-SF-Clippers- A former 2nd round pick, Barnes has played on eight different teams over his ten year career, and is now on his second stint with the Clippers. The veteran has turned it on over the past four games, averaging 17.3 points a game. This season, Barnes has had his highest averages in points scored, steals, and threes. Essentially, he can offer you points and threes as well as just under 1 block and just over 1 steal per game. He is owned in around 30% of leagues.
#22 Matt Barnes, who began his career in ’04 with the Clippers, is averaging over 17 PPG over his last four. Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images
Damien Wilkens-SG,SF-76ers- There is no explanation coming out of Philadelphia as to why Wilkens got the starting nod on Sunday, March 10th, and the two games that has proceeded it. We do know that there has been several different starting shooting guards on the 76ers this season so all we can suggest is to pick him up until (and if) he goes back to his role on the bench. This was his line in that March 10th start: 16 points on 6-12 shooting, 3 blocks, and a trey. He is available in virtually every league so those of you in deeper leagues, grab him or take out a flier if he continues starting. Wilkens and the 76ers will play four times next week.
Jonas Jerebko-SF,PF-Pistons- With Jason Maxiell (ankle) and Andre Drummond (back) both nursing injuries, Jerebko makes for quite a serviceable replacement. He has scored in double-digits in five of the last six games and can get you around 5.5 rebounds per game as a starter. Jerebko should only be picked up while he’s getting the playing time and only in deeper leagues. In three starts that Jerebko made at the beginning of last season he scored 17, 20 and 22 points so he has seen flashes of relevancy. Just be mindful of Drummond and/or Maxiell’s return. The 2nd round pick of the Pistons in 2009 is available in all leagues.
FANTASY FURNACE 