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Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who and what to play — when it comes to music or other things in my rotation — for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.
Each week, you’ll see a compilation of the pickups you need to make and a quick look at the schedule and lineup notes (who’s in and out of rotations).
Press play and shuffle through the latest fantasy basketball info.
🏀 Week 10 wrap up:
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Jaden Ivey underwent surgery to repair a broken fibula and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. I wouldn’t hold onto him, as he’s facing a lengthy absence.
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Jabari Smith (hand) is out 4-8 weeks after fracturing his hand in shootaround. Ugh.
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Jimmy Butler has been suspended for seven games by the Miami Heat.
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Anthony Edwards set a new career-high with 53 points against the Pistons.
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CJ McCollum went off in Week 10, finishing in the top 15 in 9-cat leagues after erupting for 50 points (tying career-high) on Friday.
▶️ “m.A.A.d city” – Kendrick Lamar
🥇Top players for Week 10
🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: Waiver Pickups under 50% rostered
Ausar Thompson – SF/PF, Detroit Pistons (48% rostered)
The Thompson twins have arrived. While Ausar’s brother Amen is highly rostered, Ausar is available in over 50% of leagues. They have similar skill sets, providing fantasy managers with stocks, rebounding and a high FG%. With Jaden Ivey out indefinitely, Thompson’s minutes will rise into the 20’s, which is an excellent sign for his upside, considering he’s averaging .99 fantasy points per minute this season (equivalent to Lauri Markkanen). Another player to scoop who is more available is Malik Beasley (35%).
Yves Missi – C, New Orleans Pelicans (41% rostered)
We’re almost there, y’all. It’s just 9% more, so I don’t have to continue mentioning one of the best rookies in fantasy hoops. He’s been rolling lately, ranking 75th in 9-cat leagues over the past month. He’s blocked two or more shots in five of his last seven games, and surprisingly, he’s been adding a couple of assists to match his low-end double-double upside. He needs to be rostered in all leagues and formats.
Ryan Dunn – SF, Phoenix Suns (2% rostered)
Dunn is a player I’d prioritize streaming in Week 11, with the Suns playing five games. Even if you can’t fit him into your lineup for all of them, one transaction should generate ample counting stats. Another option is Grayson Allen (13%), but I prefer the rookie from UVA, as he’ll be joining the starting lineup on Monday and replacing Bradley Beal. Could this be an audition for a more significant move? Either way, get Dunn for now, for the 3s and stocks, and see where it goes.
Nikola Jović – PF/C, Miami Heat (12% rostered)
The Heat are moving on from Jimmy Butler, which opens up more opportunities for players like Jović. Duncan Robinson (14%) is also an option, but Jović is doing more stat padding than Robinson, who is widely known as a 3-point specialist. Jović has provided eighth-round value in 9-cat leagues over the past two weeks, primarily due to his playmaking (4.3 assists/game). If his minutes continue in the 20s-30s, he should be a serviceable asset in Week 11, with Miami playing four games.
Quentin Grimes – SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks (18% rostered)
The Mavericks will be without their two starts to open the week, elevating Grimes to a starting role beginning Monday. He’s been a worthy streaming option in 11 starts this season, posting 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.3 3s and 1.0 steals with 54/42/85 shooting splits. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Kyrie Irving’s back injury because Grimes could be worth holding the longer he’s out.
Max Christie – SG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers (19% rostered)
Since Christie entered the starting lineup almost a month ago, the Lakers have gone 8-3 and have the sixth-best defense in the NBA. It’s also translated to fantasy, as Christie’s been a fifth-round value in 9-cat leagues over the past two weeks. He’s been exceptionally efficient from the field and is playing 30 minutes a night, so with four games this week, Christie is an underrated 3&D player.
Brice Sensabaugh – SG/SF, Utah Jazz (9% rostered)
It was a helluva weekend for Sensabaugh, delivering 34- (12-18 FG, 7-11 3PT) and 27- (11-19, 5-6 3PT) point performances off the bench in consecutive outings. The Jazz won both games and the 34-point game came with Lauri Markkannen and Keyonte George present, which is even more impressive. Jazz HC Will Hardy has been very complimentary of the second-year wing as Sensabaugh is shooting 48% from the field, 43% from 3 and 92%, all numbers that should help him earn consistent minutes. It may be early, but Utah is clearly assessing its younger talent right now. I’d add him in 12+ team leagues while he’s on a heater, and with four games this week.
Scotty Pippen Jr. – PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (29% rostered)
I’m running Pippen Jr. back because he’s still too low. One of the most valuable backups in fantasy basketball should be added to all leagues again, with Ja Morant week-to-week with another shoulder injury. With Morant off the floor, Pippen Jr. is averaging 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.8 stocks and 31 fantasy points per game this season. He’s also been efficient as a starter, shooting 52% from the field and 43% from 3.
Other adds:
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Spencer Dinwiddie – PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks (18% rostered)
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Keon Ellis – SG/SF, Sacramento Kings (16% rostered)
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Toumani Camara – SF/PF, Portland Trail Blazers (16% rostered)
🗓️ Schedule Highlights:
Week 11 is a favorable week to stream from waivers, with no slate exceeding nine games.
Here’s the list of the total number of games played this week:
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Daily Schedule: Monday (9), Tuesday (7), Wednesday (8), Thursday (8), Friday (7), Saturday (7) and Sunday (9)
The Suns are the only team to play five games. Also, several teams play three games in four nights to begin the week — the Heat, Mavericks, Pistons, Raptors, Timberwolves and Trail Blazers. Target players on those teams so you can get at least a few games off of one move before you hit the middle of the week.
Here’s the rest of the team’s number of games played:
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1 team plays five games: Suns
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18 teams play four games: 76ers, Bucks, Bulls, Hornets, Heat, Jazz, Kings, Knicks, Magic, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers, Pelicans, Pistons, Raptors, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers and Wizards
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11 teams play three games: Cavaliers, Celtics, Clippers, Grizzlies, Hawks, Lakers, Rockets, Spurs, Thunder and Warriors
Week 11 Back-to-Back Breakdown :
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Monday/Tuesday: Heat, Mavericks, Suns and Timberwolves
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Tuesday/Wednesday: Nuggets, Pelicans and Wizards
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Wednesday/Thursday: Cavaliers, Pistons, Raptors and Trail Blazers
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Thursday/Friday: Magic and Warriors
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Friday/Saturday: None
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Saturday/Sunday: Hornets, Jazz and Suns
🚑 Injury news:
Latest injury reporting for all NBA teams
NBA Injury Report – Monday, January 6
▶️ “Sacrifices” – Drake feat. 2 Chainz & Young Thug
🔄 Rotation notes:
Miami Heat – Jimmy Butler’s suspension opens the door for several players. I already discussed Nikola Jović and Duncan Robinson, but if they’re scooped, Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are additional options. None are consistent enough, but playing three games in four nights to start the week might be worth it.
Phoenix Suns – They’ve lost four straight games and the Suns are changing the starting lineup, inserting Ryan Dunn in place of Bradley Beal and Mason Plumlee for Jusuf Nurkić. Let’s see how long this holds, but Nurkić is a drop. Grayson Allen should get some considerable run, too, so make sure he’s unavailable.
Houston Rockets – Amen Thompson is the new starting SF for the Rockets, with Jabari Smith Jr. fracturing his hand in a pre-game shootaround this weekend. Smith will miss 4-8 weeks with the injury, so Thompson is about to be a problem. Also, Tari Eason (leg) remains out, so Dillon Brooks enters streamable territory for deep leagues.
New Orleans Pelicans – Trey Murphy III left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and did not return. He appeared to aggravate a previous ankle injury. Jose Alvarado and Brandon Boston Jr. are two players to watch for increased minutes in a four-game week.
Brooklyn Nets – In deep leagues, Ziare Williams and Keon Johnson could be sneaky additions with D’Angelo Russell dealing with a shin contusion. Ben Simmons is being Ben, and Cam Thomas has reinjured his hammy.
Golden State Warriors – The Warriors lost Jonathan Kuminga over the weekend with an ankle sprain that will require an MRI. It’s not a great look for the Dubs, as they’re still hitting the trade market, but in the interim, expect Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody to see more touches.
▶️ “Escape Plan” – Travis Scott
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