 Mike Conley The second round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs started off with some interesting openers. The Atlanta Hawks upended the Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat stood their ground against the Boston Celtics, the Memphis Grizzlies abused the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Dallas Mavericks squeaked one out against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
How’s that for a descriptive-laden run-on sentence to get you ready for an intense second round of NBA/fantasy basketball action? In seriousness, let’s get right to it. If you want to find success in any kind of playoff fantasy basketball format, keep in the know with injuries and player value (especially in salary cap games/leagues).
Read on for five guys to trust in and five guys to stay away from for this week in fantasy basketball:
StartMike Conley, PG, Memphis Grizzlies Conley has really stepped his game up during the playoffs, as he’s averaging over 15 points and 6.5 assists per game. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but Conley is consistent and reliable, so use him if you need a point guard on the cheaper side.Jeff Teague, PG, Atlanta Hawks With Kirk Hinrich down and possibly out with a bad hamstring, look for Teague to continue to start at the point and get solid grind. His value could rise with Derrick Rose’s ankle injury, as well, but you can probably bank on 10-12 points and 5-6 assists per game.
Luol Deng, SF, Chicago Bulls Quick, how is Deng doing in the playoffs? The answer is quietly awesome. When you think Chicago, you think Rose, Rose, Rose, and then maybe Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. But one look at Deng’s numbers and you need to start asking why you don’t use this guy in fantasy basketball more. The dude has topped 16 points and 6 boards in five of his last six games in the 2011 playoffs, easily showcasing his solid value and consistency. Translation: use him.
Al Horford, F/C, Atlanta Hawks Horford is quietly having a solid playoff appearance. He’s not averaging the points you want, but he deserves a mulligan after going to battle with Dwight Howard for six games. Look for him to get back on track offensively against the Chicago Bulls, and to remain a consistent double-double threat at the very least.
Marc Gasol, C, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol has been somewhat of a beast in these playoffs, but even more importantly, he’s been super consistent. While everyone’s attention is focused on stopping Zach Randolph, the “other” Gasol just keeps doing his thing. Have confidence with him in your lineups going forward.
SitDerrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls Bold statement, I know, but I’m not actually telling you to positively keep away from Rose. However, he’s going to be dealing with a bad ankle for the entire series (most likely), and if he doesn’t, it might mean missing a game or two. Rose is the league’s MVP and may go on a tear, but he’s not 100% so he is a risky play.
Kirk Hinrich, PG, Atlanta Hawks I was excited to see Hinrich vs. Rose in this series, the battle between old Bulls teammates. Unfortunately, Hinrich is ailing with a bad hamstring. Don’t expect to see him in action this week, while there’s a very good chance he misses the entire series.Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks I don’t mean to hate on Smith, mostly because he can be a stud with his versatility on any night, but he’s just not getting it done. In three of his last four games, he’s shot under 40% and has scored nine or less points. He’s just not a consistent option until he gets back into a groove.
Ron Artest, SF, Los Angeles Lakers Not that you needed more than one reason to not use Artest, he’s scored six total points in his last two games combined, and didn’t really look the same against Dallas in Game One. Artest riding two bad games doesn’t usually equate to a great third one, so stay away until he gets it going again.
Jeff Green, F, Boston Celtics Were you expecting Green to enter the playoffs and suddenly be a huge part of Boston’s offense? Nope, still hasn’t found his spot. Green hasn’t even scored 10 points in a game in these playoffs. Look elsewhere.
(April 22, 2011 - Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America) Written by Kevin Roberts exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
Make sure to check out Kevin's excellent Hoops site NBA SOUP!
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Kevin Roberts, Basketball Injuries, Sit Em Start Em, NBA Playoffs
 We nailed it on the head for the most part last week to get our fantasy basketball playoff advice rolling. Now we’re back for week two to assess which players are the best guys to roll with in online playoff games and leagues, and which we should leave out for the competition to filter through.
Check out five guys to feel comfortable using this week, along with five you should think about crossing off your list:
StartBrandon Roy, G/F, Portland Trail BlazersAfter just two total points in Portland’s first two playoff losses, Roy has put up 16 and 24 points in back-to-back wins for the Blazers. He’s taking on the role of closer and excelling right now, so there’s no reason to think Portland will take that role from him. In a very competitive series, look for Roy to keep bringing it.Jamal Crawford, G, Atlanta Hawks
Crawford may only have one game this week (Hawks are up 3-1 on Magic), but it could be a beauty. With at least 23 points in each game against the Magic in this series, Crawford has been one of the most consistent fantasy performers in these playoffs. Look for his strong play to continue.
Manu Ginobili, G/F, San Antonio Spurs
Ginobili has been back for the Spurs’ last two playoff games and has looked solid. With 20 points per game in over 30 minutes of action on the floor, Ginobili looks to be healed from his previous injury and can be relied on in fantasy.Danny Granger, G/F, Indiana Pacers
This may be close to a “duh” pick, but with the Pacers losing three out of the first four games against the Bulls, some of you may be forgetting about Granger. It feels like he’s been quiet, but he’s actually averaging 22 points per game. His next game could be his last game, but it should be worthy of fantasy use.
Pau Gasol, PF, Los Angeles Lakers
Gasol was a major sit candidate after posting two straight games just 8 points to start the series with the Hornets. However, since then he’s averaged 16.5 points per game. Gasol doesn’t like being called soft, so look for him to continue his surge as the Lakers return home for Game Five.
Sit Darren Collison, PG, Indiana Pacers
Collison kicked off the series with everyone thinking he could compete with Rose, scoring 17 points in a close Game One loss. However, since then Collison has played through injury, while scoring under nine points in three straight games. His other numbers across the board are pretty weak too, so look to avoid using him this week.
Tony Allen, SG, Memphis Grizzlies
If he can stay out of trouble, he can be a solid fantasy performer. However, his intense defense can affect his overall play in terms of fantasy numbers. He’s a good player, no doubt, but he’s not a guy you want on your team in fantasy basketball right now.
Gary Neal, SG, San Antonio Spurs
Neal was a solid utility option for most of the year, scoring a reliable 9.8 points per game. However, he hasn’t been getting the minutes during the playoffs and his production has dropped. Avoid using him in salary cap games and leagues.
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, Indiana Pacers
Hansbrough got everyone excited after starting hot with 22 points in Game One. He’s scored a combined 20 in his last three games. Chicago has been doing a better job at closing out on his jumper and have been stronger inside. Needless to say, Hansbrough won’t be getting it done for your fantasy basketball roster.
Kendrick Perkins, C, Oklahoma City Thunder
He’s a solid name, but the numbers don’t match the hype. Perkins is usually focused on defense when he’s on the court, but his minutes have been sporadic lately. Look elsewhere for your inside help this week.
The Wild Card: Orlando Magic Shooters
The Orlando Magic have been shooting poorly from the field, while Jameer Nelson has posted the only fantasy-friendly stat-line in all four contests. Jason Richardson’s shot is off and his decisions have been poor, while Hedo Turkoglu still can’t find a groove. Avoid all Orlando players not name Dwight Howard, as they’ve collectively been invisible.
(April 22, 2011 - Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America)Written by Kevin Roberts exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
Make sure to check out Kevin's excellent Hoops site NBA SOUP!
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Kevin Roberts, Basketball Injuries, Sit Em Start Em, NBA Playoffs
 The NBA Playoffs have arrived in full force, and we’re here to assist you in playing in any fantasy basketball playoff leagues.
The biggest concern when taking on the task of forming a playoff roster is trying to figure out how some player’s statuses will change from game to game. This isn’t a long haul with different matchups. Your stud players are seeing the same guys for a minimum of four games, so you have to make sure they are benefiting from their matchup. If they’re not, even the biggest of names might not be a stellar play.
There are the obvious guys that you basically have to start. Going into any matchup, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, and guys like Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul are easy calls. But we’re digging a little bit deeper than that.
Here are five players that make quality plays for the week, and five players who you may want to avoid:
StartMike Conley Jr., PG, Memphis Grizzlies As quick as Tony Parker is, it’s safe to say Conley has him beat in speed. He’s looking pretty sharp so far, and while it’s just one game, it’s not unrealistic to say Conley could have a considerable edge based off of athleticism alone. He’s not going to put up stud numbers like Chris Paul, but he’s very capable of being a consistent, solid performer.
Jrue Holiday, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Holiday has shown no fear in the playoffs, as he opened up the series against the Heat with a very solid line of 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. In fantasy language, the kid killed it. This is a safe bet to keep happening with Holiday having scrubs like Mario Chalmers and Mike Bibby guarding him.
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, Indiana Pacers
I can’t vouch for 22 points on a good Bulls defense every single night, but it was pretty obvious that Chicago wasn’t doing a good job and getting out to contest Hansbrough’s 15-18 foot jumpers. If he keeps getting open looks like that, he’ll have no problem contributing in these playoffs.
Elton Brand, PF, Philadelphia 76ers There isn’t really much that needs to be said here. Elton Brand has more skills and experience inside than any of the Heat’s bigs do (excluding Chris Bosh), so look for him to continue posting 17 and 7 lines. He’s a solid play throughout the first round.
Roy Hibbert, C, Indiana Pacers It was discussed before the playoffs began, but can we all openly admit now that Hibbert has an amazing matchup advantage against Chicago? As good as Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer are, they aren’t good enough defensively to shut down a guy who has 3-6 inches on them. Hibbert is too long and too strong to be held quiet in these playoffs, and he’ll be depended on to keep Indiana close.
SitChauncey Billups, PG, New York KnicksBillups hit a pretty big shot at one point in the 4th quarter, but was otherwise fairly invisible in this matchup. With just 10 points, four assists, and no steals, Billups (plus a knee injury) isn’t starting off the playoffs in usual fashion. Stay away until the knee is okay and he’s playing like himself again.Landry Fields, G/F, New York Knicks New York players in general will be difficult to judge, as they’re going up against a defensive-minded Celtics team that likes to keep games in the 80’s. The less points, the less likely guys like Fields are going to contribute. Stop thinking about how this guy’s game looked at the beginning of the year. He hasn’t been truly fantasy worthy ever since the Carmelo Anthony trade, and with just 19 minutes on the floor in his first playoff game, he’s an ever more unstable fantasy option.
James Harden, G/F, Oklahoma City Thunder
Harden is simply suffering from playoff-itis. He’s on a team with two very gifted scorers in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and it’s playoff time. Sure, his role during the season was solid, but now that these games really matter, his offensive role will naturally be lessened. He was 1-for-5 for just five points in his first game, and while he won’t be that lousy every night, he may be hard to rely on going forward.
DeJuan Blair, C, San Antonio Spurs
Still waiting for Blair to get crazy minutes so he can put up those double-double performances he’s capable of? Yeah, it’s not going to happen. Greg Popovich likes to keep his bigs fresh, and if you haven’t noticed based off of all season, he still doesn’t completely trust Blair. Blair has difficulty staying out of foul trouble and is an inconsistent offensive option, so look elsewhere for your sleeper center in the first round of the playoffs.
Kendrick Perkins, C, Oklahoma City Thunder
Perkins is just not a fantasy asset right now. He doesn’t get over 10 points per game, rarely does the same for rebounds, and isn’t a consistent fantasy factor. His minutes aren’t even reliable, making his role as a fantasy option fairly unpredictable. There’s a good chance the Thunder will increase his time on the floor once/if they land a more difficult series in the next round, but for now, Perkins shouldn’t be relied on to bring in any major production.
Written by Kevin Roberts exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
Make sure to check out Kevin's excellent Hoops site NBA SOUP!
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!(April 15, 2011 - Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Kevin Roberts, Basketball Injuries, Sit Em Start Em, NBA Playoffs, Mike Conley Jr., Jrue Holiday, Tyler Hansbrough, Elton Brand, Roy Hibbert, Chauncey Billups, Landry Fields, James Harden, DeJuan Blair, Kendrick Perkins
 We’re entering the final week of the 2010-11 NBA regular season, which means your season-long fantasy leagues are over or just about getting there, and the daily fantasy basketball scene is also working against the clock.
Whatever your method of madness for the final week of regular season fantasy basketball, we’re here to give you fair warning on all major players that could miss some action this week, as some playoff teams rest their key players.
Prior to Sunday night’s action, the following are the high profile players that have officially been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season:
Deron Williams, Kris Humphries, Anthony Morrow, Tyrus Thomas, Caron Butler, Udonis Haslem, Rudy Gay, Kevin Love, Darko Milicic, Andrew Bogut, David West, J.J. Redick, Louis Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, and Nick Young. The following players remain major injury risks for the final three days of the regular season, and are candidates to be shutdown:
Andrea Bargnani, F/C, Toronto Raptors
Bargnani has been battling sickness and an ankle injury for about two weeks now, and left his most recent action after playing just nine minutes with the injury. Bargnani knows his place with the team going into next year, so he’s likely done in a meaningless week that allows the Raptors to continue to see what they have in rookie big man, Ed Davis.
Jose Calderon, PG, Toronto Raptors
Calderon has been dealing with a bad hamstring for weeks, and is not a safe bet to play again this year. Even if he does, it could be limited minutes, as Jerryd Bayless continues his hot run and tries to show he deserves a prominent role next year.
Marcus Camby, C, Portland Trail Blazers
Camby has missed the past two games with a neck injury and is a decent candidate to be shutdown, in order to save him for the playoffs. There is a slight chance he could return before the regular season is up, but his minutes would likely be limited.
Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic
Regardless of his latest suspension and the theory that he should rest for the playoffs, Dwight Howard is NOT expected to get limited minutes for Orlando’s final week of the regular season. Head coach Stan Van Gundy feels resting Howard would only mess with his rythmn, as the star center has now been out of game action for four straight days.
Amar’e Stoudemire, F/C, New York Knicks
Much like with Howard, the Knicks are going to try their best to get Stoudemire on the court this week before the playoffs start. Stoudemire is dealing with an ankle injury, while he should see the court again before the playoffs, he’s still a risky play as he could see a decrease in minutes with the injury.
Kyle Lowry, PG, Houston Rockets
Lowry himself is very concerned he won’t be able to play in Houston’s final two games, so you have to be skeptical of using him this week. He’s a tremendous fantasy player right now, but with a bad ankle, he’s an extremely risky play. Goran Dragic is a hot add right now, and should be a solid play as long as Lowry stays out.
Luis Scola, PF, Houston Rockets
Scola missed Houston’s last game with an undisclosed injury, and no details on his current status are known. The injury is not expected to be serious, and Scola could still easily take the court for the Rockets’ final two games. If he doesn’t go, however, rookie Patrick Patterson could see some solid run in his place.
Danilo Gallinari, SF, Denver Nuggets
Gallinari injured his ankle on Saturday and is a reasonable candidate to miss Denver’s final week of the regular season. Gallo still intends to rehab “aggressively” in an effort to play Monday night, but his status is up in the air, likely rendering him a game-time decision. Look for J.R Smith to see extra minutes and put up solid production.
Samardo Samuels, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers
Samuels went from splash starter to average player in a matter of weeks, although it’s still arguable that he holds decent value. Regardless, he’s a strong candidate to finish out the season on the bench. Luke Harangody could stand to see some major minutes in his place.
No News is Good News?Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns
Nash returned to play on Sunday, putting up six points and nine assists in 25 minutes of action. Given Nash’s age, his recent injuries, and the fact that the Suns are out of the playoffs, he remains a strong candidate to be shutdown for the final week. However, he appears to be relatively healthy, and could still play. Keep an eye on his status if you plan on using him, although bank on the fact that he’s highly unlikely to approach 30 minutes per game in the final week. Aaron Brooks benefits the most if Nash is limited or sits out any games.
Fresh Off the WireMonta Ellis, G, Golden State Warriors
Ellis left Sunday’s game with a head injury and was taken to the hospital for observation. Ellis was already playing fairly limited minutes, so add this relatively concerning injury, and he’s a solid shutdown candidate. Stephen Curry has unlimited fantasy potential/value if Ellis misses any time.
Jason Kidd, PG, Dallas Mavericks
Kidd returned from injury on Sunday and reportedly looked fresh, scoring seven points and dishing out seven assists. The Mavericks would like to keep Kidd fresh for the playoffs, which could result in their starting point guard sitting out the final two games, or at least seeing a decrease in time on the court. Keep tabs on Kidd if you plan on using him.
Written by Kevin Roberts exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com. Make sure to check out Kevin's excellent Hoops site NBA SOUP!
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team! AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Kevin Roberts, Basketball Injuries, Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Marcus Camby, Dwight Howard, Amar’e Stoudemire, Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, Danilo Gallinari, Samardo Samuels, Steve Nash, Monta Ellis, Jason Kidd
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