The NBA is fantastic and there are so many things to talk about each and every week. Whether you are a Fantasy Basketball fanatic or just a fan here is ten things about the NBA that I want you to know about as we head into week 19 of the NBA season!
Best Games to Watch in Week 19
Thursday February 22: Washington Wizards at the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Wizards are minus John Wall and travel to Cleveland to take on the brand new Cavaliers.
Friday February 23: Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets. Two of the top teams in the West square off in what should be a high scoring Friday night affair!
Saturday February 24: Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State. The top two teams in technical fouls face off in what has turned into a nasty little rivalry.
Sunday February 25: Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets. Two teams fighting for the final seed in the East on a Sunday afternoon. What could be better than that?
You are a Happy Fantasy Basketball General Manager If
If you have players on your roster from the Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards as they have three games this week.
Waiver Wire Pickup of the Week for Week 19
Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard J.J. Redick has three games this week (@Chicago, Orlando and @Washington) and over the past five games 16.4 points per game and just over three triples a night playing just under 30 minutes a game. Redick is also good for a couple of rebounds and assists with the occasional steal plus he shoots 44 percent from the floor and 94 percent from the line. Redick is widely available and should have a terrific week for whoever picks him up.
You are a Unhappy Fantasy Basketball General Manager If
If you have players on your roster from the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors as each of these teams have only one game this week.
Tweet of the Week
I’m more of a bratwurst and sausage guy but this fella has my respect as he allegedly ate every one of these hot dogs at the NBA All Star Game. That must have cost him a pretty penny and while I am fairly certain SB Nation didn’t pay the bill he gets the Tweet of the Week!!
I ate the hot dogs at Staples Center. https://t.co/30SpgsIsOn
— Hector Diaz (@iamHectorDiaz) February 19, 2018
Dunk of the Week
There wasn’t much in the way of spectacular dunks in Week 18; maybe they were saving themselves for the Slam Dunk Competition. So here are the highlights from the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Competition!
Widely Available Three Point Field Goal Leaders
This is the time of the season when we look to fill voids in our lineups and try and put ourselves in the best position to win our league. Besides J.J. Redick here are three widely available three point shooters that might help you fill the three point void in your lineup this week.
Utah Jazz SF/PF Joe Ingles is a streaky shooter but streakiness aside he is second in the NBA in three point field 
goal percentage (45 percent) and over the past five games averaged 3.4 of them per game. Ingles has two games this week (Portland, Dallas) against teams that allow opponents to shoot 36.9 and 36.8 percent from behind the arc. Ingles is also a good source for rebounds, assists, steals and shooting percentages.
Detroit Pistons shooting guard Reggie Bullock is another streaky shooter who is third in the NBA among all qualified players in three point field goal percentage (45 percent) and over his past five games is averaging 2.6 triples per game. Bullock has two games this week (Boston, @Charlotte) against teams allowing opponents to shoot 34.2 and 37.2 percent respectively from behind the three point line. Bullock will also contribute in rebounds and shooting percentages.
Sacramento Kings shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic is starting to heat up thanks to a recent uptick in minutes thanks to the Kings decision to play the young guys more. Bogdanovic is currently 29th amongst qualified players knocking down 40 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Over the past five games Bogdanovic is averaging 3.4 triples and with two games this week (Oklahoma City, Los Angeles Lakers) against teams allowing opponents to shoot 36.1 and 34.8 percent respectively from behind the three point line. Bogdanovic will also contribute in steals, assists, rebounds and solid shooting percentages.
Widely Available Streaming Options for Week 19
Thursday February 22: Sacramento Kings shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic has a good opportunity on Thursday against an OKC Thunder defense in the bottom five over their past five games against shooting guards.
Friday February 23: Detroit Pistons small forward Reggie Bullock is in a nice spot against a Boston Celtics defense in the bottom five over their past five games against small forwards.
Saturday February 24: New York Knicks small forward Courtney Lee is also in a nice spot against the Celtics on Saturday.
Sunday February 25: New Orleans Pelicans point guard Rajon Rondo has a good opportunity Sunday against a Milwaukee Bucks defense in the bottom ten against point guards over their past five games.
Heading into the Home Stretch in Your Fantasy Basketball League
There is just a few more weeks until the Fantasy Basketball playoffs begin. Are you ready? You MUST do all that you can to make the league playoffs and here’s a little checklist to help you get it done!
- Re-read your league rules and double check your league trade deadline.
- If you are in a league with position limits pay careful attention to how many games you have left.
- If you are not safely in the playoffs and you have a player like Kevin Love on your roster and don’t have an injured reserve spot than you need to drop that player.
- No matter where you are in the league standings please continue to update your rosters every Monday in weekly leagues and every day in daily leagues. There is nothing worse than a General Manager that quits before the regular season ends.
That’s all I can think of right now but if there is something I have left out please use the comments section and help us out!!
Was the National Anthem Really That Bad?
Former Black Eyed Peas lead singer and current solo artist Fergie was selected to sing the National Anthem at the NBA All Star Game……..and she is catching a TON of flak for her particular rendition. I guess the question I have is
Was it really that bad?
Here it is please have a listen
I’m not a music critic but it certainly was different. I can honestly say that I have heard worse renditions as Fergie’s…..like this one from Roseanne Barr
Enjoy the NBA this week!!
Follow Phil @Flashtennis31 and The Phil Naessens Show.
