NBA Fantasy Waiver Pickups & Schedule (Week 22): Injury Pivots, Top Streaming Options, More

We've hit the semi-finals of the NBA fantasy basketball schedule, and at this point in the season, every little decision could have huge implications.

Joe Dellera and Dan Titus break down how they are viewing the top players to watch and note how to benefit on worthwhile player prop angles fantasy trends and scheduling quirks for this week's fantasy basketball slate.

Read below to see where they are finding small edges this week.

Fantasy Basketball Schedule — Week 22

Schedule Notes

• Four Games: BKN, CHA, CHI, DAL, DET, GSW, HOU, MIA, MIN, NOP, NYK, PHI, POR, UTA, WAS
• Three Games: ATL, BOS, CLE, DEN, IND, LAL, MEM, MIL, OKC, ORL, PHX, TOR
• Two Games:   LAC, SAC, SAS

Number of Games Played Each Day

Monday: Nine games
Tuesday: Four games
Wednesday: 11 games
Thursday: Five games
Friday: Seven games
Saturday: Eight games
Sunday: Seven games

You’ll likely have to make start/sit decisions on the larger game slates (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday) but with only four games on Tuesday, five games on Thursday, these are prime opportunities to collect more stats so take advantage of the schedule.

Fantasy Friendly Teams in Week 22

• Trail Blazers (@DET, SAS, HOU, HOU)
• Wizards (@HOU, @MIL, @DET, GSW)
• Mavericks (MIN, HOU, @MIN, UTA)
• Pelicans (@CHA, CHI, SAS, LAL)
• Pistons (POR, ATL, WAS, NYK)

Waiver Adds

• Guards: Alex Caruso, Brandon Williams, Kris Dunn, Ayo Dosunmu, Jose Alvarado, Bones Hyland, Markelle Fultz, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, Javonte Green, Josh Christopher, Tomas Satoransky, Gary Payton II (wait on injury update), Landry Shamet
• Forwards: Trendon Watford, Bruce Brown, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Darius Bazley, Torrey Craig, Trey Lyles, Cory Kispert, Jonathan Kuminga, Naji Marshall, Jeff Green, JaMychal Green, Taurean Prince, Justise Winslow, Chuma Okeke, Moritz Wagner
• Centers: Drew Eubanks, Marvin Bagley, Jaxson Hayes, DeMarcus Cousins, Brook Lopez) Jalen Smith, Chris Boucher, Wily Hernangomez

Favorable Streaming Opportunities

• The Bulls play four games this week and start Week 22 with a back-to-back set on Monday and Tuesday. The Bulls also avoid Wednesday’s 11-game slate and play on Thursday and Saturday to complete the week.
• Prioritize picking up Alex Caruso or Ayo Dosunmu (if available). Keep all Bulls rostered because they open Week 23 (the fantasy championship) with a Monday/Tuesday back-to-back set as well.
• The Pelicans play four games this week and avoid the Wednesday 11-game slate
• The Nuggets and the Bucks play three games, BUT, two of their three games are on Tuesday and Thursday

Unfavorable Streaming Opportunities

• The Pacers, Grizzlies, Spurs and Kings do not play until Wednesday, which is the massive 11-game slate. Any fringe player from these teams (i.e. Jalen Smith, Oshae Brissett, Chris Duarte, Goga Bitadze, Devin Vassell, Lonnie Walker, De’Anthony Melton, Brandon Clarke, Justin Holiday) can be dropped for a waiver pickup for Monday or Tuesday.
• The Clippers play just two games. Since their two games fall on Tuesday and Friday, fantasy managers should consider dropping any fringe Clippers (Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, Amir Coffey, Isaiah Hartenstein) because they won’t play again until Friday.

Check out our free NBA odds page, which automatically surfaces the best line for every game. 

Player Injuries to Watch

Domantas Sabonis left Sunday’s contest against the Phoenix Suns with a knee injury and will get an MRI on Monday.

Fantasy Impact: Trey Lyles and Chimeze Metu and Damian Jones will all likely see an uptick in minutes should Sabonis miss time.

De’Aaron Fox (hand) missed Sunday’s contest against the Phoenix Suns.
Fantasy Impact: Rookie Davion Mitchell poured in a career-high 28 points with nine assists. If Fox were to miss any additional time in Week 22, Mitchell would be a must roster despite their unfavorable schedule.

Devonte’ Graham (hip) missed Sunday’s contest against the Hawks.
Fantasy Impact: The Pelicans play a Sunday-Monday back-to-back set so this could be precautionary, but Graham is likely going to be on the injury report for Monday’s game against the Hornets as well. Jose Alvarado delivered 15 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3PT) with four rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 24 minutes.

Cam Payne (illness) did not play on Sunday.
Fantasy Impact: Elfrid Payton got the start over Aaron Holiday but they both split time with 18 and 23 minutes respectively.

Joel Embiid (back, mouth) is a game-time decision versus the Heat.
Fantasy Impact: The Sixers play their second night of a back-to-back and with Sixers head coach Doc Rivers already hinting at resting his players, Embiid is a prime candidate to miss this matchup.

Jerami Grant (knee) has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Trail Blazers.

Karl-Anthony Towns (arm) is questionable to play on Monday versus the Mavericks.

Jimmy Butler (ankle) is questionable to play on Monday versus the Sixers.

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