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NBA look ahead: The Fantasy Five

NBA look ahead: The Fantasy Five

This column will concentrate on borderline fantasy options who should get strong consideration to start/bench during the upcoming week based on schedules.

Greg Monroe: Since the Pistons released Josh Smith, Monroe has averaged 15.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals while seeing an increase in Usage Rate. Detroit has gone 7-1 over this span, and over the last week, Monroe has been the No. 11 ranked fantasy player. The Pistons play four games next week (three of which come against teams that rank in the bottom half in Defensive Efficiency), and Monroe is suddenly a must start on a team that’s flourished since the Smith departure.

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Jarrett Jack: He’s averaged 15.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.2 spg and 0.5 bpg while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor and 97.0 percent from the line over 10 starts this season, and that’s before he posted a 14-5-10 line Friday. Deron Williams is out indefinitely with a cartilage fracture to his rib, so Jack’s role in the starting five remains secure, and the Nets play an NBA-high four games next week. Jack is currently owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues, which is a number that should rise rapidly.

DeMarre Carroll: He’s owned in a modest 65 percent of Yahoo leagues despite being the No. 81 ranked fantasy player this season. He’s getting 31:50 mpg for a Hawks team that not only leads the Eastern Conference by 3.0 games but also has the best record against West teams this season. Carroll has struggled over the past week from the free throw line, but that seems like a fluke, and he currently owns career highs in ppg (11.4), rpg (5.9) and 3pt (1.5) while committing just 1.0 tpg. The Hawks play four games in Week 12, so Carroll is worthy of starting. Meanwhile, teammate Kyle Korver is threatening to become the first player in NBA history to finish with a 50-50-90 shooting line (minimum 7.0 FGA).

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Despite doing things like this, the Greek Freak was benched at the start of the second half in Wednesday’s game and saw just 28:44 minutes Friday (although to be fair, that was the most by any Bucks player). Jason Kidd remains infuriating and unpredictable with his usage despite it being obvious he should be looking toward the future above all. Antetokounmpo is owned in 80 percent of Yahoo leagues and clearly has a bright future in the league, but Kidd keeps messing with his playing time and more importantly, Milwaukee plays just one game in Week 12, so he should be on your bench.

Carmelo Anthony: He’s been the No. 44 ranked fantasy player after being drafted in the first round in nearly all leagues. But that’s actually not the bad news while playing for a Knicks team that has the third lowest PACE in the NBA. Anthony is currently dealing with a knee injury, and while he’s targeting a return January 15, that’s the only game New York plays next week, so he belongs on fantasy benches. Moreover, it’s becoming almost certain Anthony shuts it down after the All-Star break (and this would likely happen sooner if not for the All-Star game happening in NYC this season), so if you can get something like 50-60 cents on the dollar for him in a trade right now, do it.

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