Wired: Top NBA Pickups Week 13

Games Played Week 13

4 Games – ATL, BOS, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAL, MIA, MIL, MIN, NOP, NYK, OKC, PHI, PHX, POR, SAS, TOR, WAS

3 Games – BRK, LAC, MEM, ORL, SAC, UTA

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Point Guards

Elfrid Payton Magic 53% owned in Yahoo! leagues – Payton has scored between 10 and 22 points in each of his last three games and had 22 points, 12 assists and two steals on 9-of-16 shooting in Friday’s loss to Memphis. I’ve been pimping him here for a few weeks now, and while he’s still not going to hit threes or shoot it well on most nights, he’s playing well enough to be grabbed in all leagues right now.

Marcus Smart Celtics 39% - Smart is getting about 29 minutes a game these days and while he’s not scoring much, he is averaging 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 3-pointers on 41 percent shooting. And as the Celtics fall farther out of the playoff hunt, Smart should continue to see an expanded role.

Mo Williams Wolves 45% - It’s almost too late to get much out of Williams and he had that monster 52-point game last Tuesday and then 26 points on Friday. Ricky Rubio could play next week, at which point Mo-Will will take a big hit, but until that happens, he should be in your lineup.

Jarrett Jack Nets 52% - Jack has been fairly disappointing since taking over for Deron Williams’ and his broken rib, but finally broke out Friday with 26 points, six boards, seven assists, two steals, a block and a 3-pointer on 12-of-18 shooting. This is the game I thought we would have seen a lot sooner, and as long as Williams is out, Jack remains a must-start player.

Patty Mills Spurs 11% - Mills has quietly racked up double-digit scoring in four of his last five games and had 18 points, four rebounds and three 3-pointers in 22 minutes on Friday. Gregg Popovich loves him some Patty and he’s playing well enough to be picked up in most leagues right now.

Brian Roberts Hornets 0% - Roberts is starting for Kemba Walker on Saturday, as Walker is dealing with a cyst in his knee. Gary Neal will also see a boost here, but we just don’t know how long Walker will be out. If the injury isn’t serious, and it’s probably not, Roberts is nothing more than a plug-and-play on nights when Kemba is out. And if Walker’s knee becomes a real problem, Roberts and Neal will be worth a close look.

Shooting Guards

Dion Waiters Thunder 43% - Waiters has scored 21, 16 and 15 points in each of his last three games and is averaging 29 minutes since joining the Thunder. He’s also been racking up steals and hitting threes, and it seems that he should be owned in more than 43 percent of leagues.

Eric Gordon Pelicans 60% - Gordon has scored in double figures in five straight games and is averaging 15.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, a steal and 2.6 3-pointers during that stretch. His next injury is just around the corner, but when healthy and starting for the Pels, he’s worth starting on your fantasy team.

Matt Barnes 39% - Barnes had 17 points, eight boards and three 3-pointers on Friday against the Cavs and is averaging 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 3-pointers over his last five. It took some time, but he’s finally living up to some of the hype.

C.J. Miles Pacers 29% - Miles has trouble staying healthy but has scored between 13 and 22 points in three of his last five games. He’s hit or miss from night to night, but as long as he’s healthy and getting 27 minutes a game, some big scoring nights should be coming.

Wayne Ellington Lakers 1% - With all the talk that Kobe Bryant will likely be shut down at some point, someone other than Nick Young is going to have to step up, and my guess is it will be Ellington. He’s been starting when Kobe’s been sitting and he can score, rebound and hit 3-pointers. If you want to grab him in a deep league as a preemptive strike, feel free.

Small Forwards

Khris Middleton Bucks 37% - Middleton isn’t a dynamic scorer, but he is starting and has scored in double figures in five straight games. He’s averaging 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.6 3-pointers over that stretch, and should be owned in more leagues.

K.J. McDaniels 24% & Robert Covington 58% Sixers – Both players could be starting for the rest of the season and KJM is averaging 9.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 3-pointers over his last five games. As we’ve been saying all season, he should get better with time. Covington is averaging 15.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.3 3-pointers over his last four games and looks like a must-own player to me.

Harrison Barnes Warriors 47% - Barnes is up and down like he’s on a pogo stick, but when he’s on, he’s really on. Even with a pair of pretty bad games over his last five, Barnes is averaging 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 3-pointers. Andre Iguodala was out on Friday and Barnes played 40 minutes in a start. If he continues to start over Iguodala, and he could, his numbers should become more consistent.

Tony Allen Grizzlies 19% - Allen is running hot right now, scoring in double figures in three straight games and averaging 11.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.8 blocks over his last five. His assists are lacking and the arrival of Jeff Green is a bit of a concern, but as long as Allen is starting and getting 30 minutes a night, he should continue to produce.

Ersan Ilyasova Bucks 41% - He’s awful and trying to get over a concussion. I don’t own him anywhere, but he still has the potential to wake up at any time and could become relevant at some point. The biggest mystery is why he’s already owned in so many leagues.

Power Forwards

Amir Johnson Raptors 63% - Johnson is playing better and is averaging 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks over his last five games. If you need a big man, or own Tristan Thompson, getting Johnson might be worth a look.

Nikola Mirotic Bulls 24% - Taj Gibson is the obvious own in lieu of the Joakim Noah injury, but he should already be owned in your league. Mirotic could also be ready to get hot and should be a nice source of threes, rebounds, some points and some blocks. He’s not a must-own player, but as long as Noah’s out, he’s worth a look and is also an intriguing tournament play in daily leagues. I’m guessing he has a breakout game sooner than later.

Travis Wear Knicks 1% - Wear has scored in double figures in three of his last five games and is averaging 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 1.4 3-pointers during that stretch. And once Melo goes bye-bye for good, Wear could be the guy who attempts to fill his shoes. Then again, it could be Cleanthony Early, Quincy Acy or Jason Smith. Good luck figuring that one out, Phil and Derek.

Bojan Bogdanovic Nets 3% - He’s starting for the Nets and has scored in double digits in four straight games, averaging 11.2 points and 3.4 rebounds over his last five. He hasn’t been hitting threes and doesn’t block shots, but could continue to play well if he keeps getting 27 minutes a night for the Nets.

Jae Crowder Celtics 8% - Crowder has had a couple nice lines for the Celtics lately, but also had just two points and three rebounds in 21 minutes on Friday. However, he started in that game and could get hot at any time, so if nothing else, he’s worth putting on your radar in case he gets it going.

Centers

Hassan Whiteside Heat 49% - Whiteside finally disappeared on Friday against the Kings with just four points and one rebound in 15 minutes, but also had a steal and two blocks. Even when you include that dud, he’s averaging 12.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks over his last five games. And if Brook Lopez isn’t going to the Heat, Whiteside should keep on rolling. He’s still somehow available in one out of every two leagues.

Alex Len Suns 32% - Len has racked up 10 or more boards in four straight games, has blocked a shot in six straight games (with five of them in two straight) and is averaging 9.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 2.4 blocks over his last five. Simply put, he’s a must-own center.

Zaza Pachulia Bucks 16% - Larry Sanders’ career is on the ropes after another drug suspension and John Henson just isn’t playing all that well. Meanwhile, Pachulia is starting and averaging 8.8 points and 9.4 rebounds over his last five games. He won’t block shots, but if you need a reliable center that can score a little and rebound, Pachulia might be your man.

Marreese Speights Warriors 30% - Even with Andrew Bogut back in the mix, Speights is still hot, averaging 13.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks. He’s getting 25 minutes a game right now and should be owned going forward as the Dubs try to conserve Bogut’s health for the postseason.

Brandan Wright Suns 17% - Wright had his best game as a Sun on Friday with 11 points, three boards and a block in 20 minutes. His shooting percentage is through the roof and he should be able to get some boards and block some shots going forward. If you’re in a deep league and struggle with field goal percentage, Wright can help, but Len is the guy you really want to own here.