After a busy Monday to start the week, the NBA schedule for Tuesday night will be much lighter with only five games on the slate. That will mean lesser room for error when it comes to building the optimal roster in NBA fantasy leagues, so it’s important to do your research when it comes to finding the perfect mix between superstar talent and strong value options. Here is some important NBA fantasy advice to consider for Tuesday’s action.
Weak Defense To Target: New York Knicks
The Knicks have lost five straight and nine of their last 10 games overall. That skid won’t last forever, but it has cost head coach Derek Fisher his job. New York will be in tough again with the streaking Boston Celtics in town on Tuesday night. Boston has won four straight as well as nine of its last 10, and they should be able to take advantage of the Knicks’ leaky defensive play of late. New York has allowed an average of 101.1 points per game this season, but they have conceded 101 points or more in five of their last seven losses. Isaiah Thomas has been an absolute fantasy stud for the Celtics and is a strong pick to build around. Thomas has averaged 20.3 points, 7.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 three-point shots and 1.3 steals per game over the last week of action and should have another strong statistical performance against New York on Tuesday night.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are another team that has heated up of late with six straight wins and Hayward’s play is a big reason for their current streak. Hayward has averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 three-point shots per game over the last week of action. As a team, they’re mostly relying on defense to get the job done as they’ve scored 98 points or less (twice in the 80’s) in their last three games. However, Hayward has been playing really well, possibly because he feels like he’s been snubbed from the 2016 All-Star Game. He’s now scored 20 points or more in seven of his last 10 games. He should be a lock for another strong fantasy performance when the Jazz visit the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.
Injuries, Rest Create Opportunities For… Jerryd Bayless, Tyler Zeller
The Milwaukee Bucks welcomed back Jerryd Bayless by giving him just over 27 minutes per game over the last seven days and he has rewarded their faith in him with some strong fantasy numbers. Bayless has averaged 12.3 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 three-point shots and 2.7 rebounds per game over the last week of action and should deliver as a strong value option when the Bucks host the Celtics on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Tyler Zeller will be another intriguing option on the other side of the basketball on a relatively quiet night in the NBA. Zeller has averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game over the last week of action and his relatively low price point will make him that much more valuable in Daily Fantasy Leagues. He’s emerged as a serviceable member in the Hornets frontcourt.
Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: HOU @ GS
The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets rank first and fifth respectively in points per game this season and that should lead to plenty of fireworks when they meet in what should be the highest scoring game of the night on Tuesday. Stephen Curry and James Harden are the obvious fantasy studs, but they are also two of the most expensive options on the board. Golden State’s Draymond Green has been a monster in fantasy over the last week and is a strong alternative to Curry. Green has averaged 10.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.5 blocks per game and should be able to absolutely torch the Houston defense. Meanwhile, Corey Brewer hasn’t been nearly as dominant as Green, but he is still a strong alternative to Harden in his own right. Brewer has averaged 14.0 points, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 three-point shots per game over the past seven days and is a decent value option who should produce in the highest scoring game of the night.
