Golden State has plenty of shooting guards at their disposal with Klay Thompson out.
Thomspon, one half of the ridiculously productive Warriors starting backcourt alongside Stephen Curry, has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. Golden State’s record in that span? 3-0, including big wins over Atlanta and New Orleans.
Backup shooting guard Justin Holiday has been somewhat mediocre while starting for Thompson, averaging just 6.0 points per game on 7-of-17 shooting, which is sure to hit your fantasy roster hard if you’ve been looking to him to step up in Thompson’s absence.
Fortunately, The Warriors have Harrison Barnes and Leandro Barbosa. Barnes has been on fire the last three games, averaging 19.6 points per game on 67 percent field goal shooting. Barbosa has been doing his part as well, averaging 14.6 points in the last three on 59 percent shooting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO-3ynZE1OA
Andre Iguodala is getting in on the action too, posting nearly identical numbers to Barbosa’s in his last three, averaging 14.6 points per game on 60 percent shooting.
Thomspon is questionable for tonight’s game against Washington, so staying with Barnes is your best bet until he’s fully healthy, although Barbosa and Iguodala are great options as well if Barnes isn’t available.
Danillo Gallinari is producing post-Brian Shaw.
Gallinari has been coming on strong as of late, especially since the Nuggest dismissed Shaw. Gallinari’s career-high 40 point outburst against Orlando on Sunday was hardly surprising to anyone who has been following him since the coaching change, although he is a bit of a risk due to sitting out games to rest. He definitely had the green light to put up threes against the Magic, making 6-of-13 attempts, accounting for half of his 12 made field goals. His shooting obviously isn’t likely to stay that hot, but even so, Gallinari has averaged 22.3 points in the last three games he’s actually appeared in, and has managed to grab 14 rebounds as well. Denver has three remaining back-to-back sets of games remaining, so keep an eye on the news wire for any signs of him sitting out to rest on the back end of any of the three. With the season winding down, and with some positive results from throwing up a high number of three-point attempts, look for Gallinari to finish the season on a high note.
Russell Westbrook and Enes Kanter are thriving in a Kevin Durant-less world.
Just like the Warriors, the Thunder are 3-0 in their last three without a significant player — only he’s likely out for the season.
We all know what Westbrook has been doing by now, and he just keeps on doing it. His 12 points, 17 assists, and 10 rebounds in a win against Miami on Sunday was his 10th triple-double of the season. Westbrook has obviously taken on the full load with Durant out, commanding the floor while looking to set up teammates when he’s not driving in for one of his unfairly acrobatic dunks or layups. His career-high-tying mark of 17 assists was the second occurrence in the past two weeks. Sure, his 40 percent field goal shooting in the month of March could stand to improve some, but it’s hard to find any faults with a player who is filling stat lines across the board like Westbrook has been doing. Since March 1st, Westbrook is averaging 31.9 points, 11.2 assists, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game.
Enes Kanter’s arrival to Oklahoma City has been a win-win all around. His production has picked up since leaving the Jazz, and he has transitioned seamlessly in to OKC’s offensive schemes. He developed an instant connection with Westbrook that has benefited them both greatly in terms of numbers. Even with the return of Steven Adams from injury, and with rookie Mitch McGary posting some solid numbers, Kanter’s production has never waned, and head coach Scott Brooks has been playing Kanter alongside a number of other Thunder big men, which will continue through the rest of the regular season with Serge Ibaka out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Cca6W3Rx0
Kanter’s 27 point, 12 rebound performance against Orlando on Sunday gives him five 20+ point 10+ rebound games since joining the Thunder, and nine total double-doubles, bringing his averages to 16.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game since joining the team.
