Fantasy Basketball Week 22 Starting Lineup/Substitute Recommendations: Should Danny Wolf yell?
With the season nearing its end, Miami Heat jerseys knowing (or in some cases guessing) who to start will be a crucial factor for many. For those still battling it out in the Dream League, let’s see if this week can give you an edge over your opponents. Week 22 features two teams with five games each: Phoenix and Washington. Aside from that, the schedule is fairly evenly distributed: 14 teams will play three games each, and another 14 will play four.
While resting players who play only one or two games has its advantages, Dream managers still need to make informed decisions about who to field, regardless of how many games they have played. Paying attention to back-to-back games is also a key factor, especially with many teams resting players due to injury management.
While the Memphis Grizzlies’ rotation has been inconsistent, Small’s position appears relatively secure. He’s played in 12 of the Grizzlies’ 13 games over the past month, quietly contributing a top-40 ranking in the Standard Nine Statistical League.
Nembad missed Sunday’s loss to the Bucks, a trend that is certainly not a good sign for his long-term Dream League value. He has missed five of his last 13 games, and his average stats are barely passable. In the nine games he has played in the past month, Nembad has consistently ranked outside the top 170, averaging 15.2 points, 6.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 three-pointers per game. All things considered, keeping him on the bench may be the safest option.
Although Christie has secured a starting position, his recent performance has resembled that of a backup scorer. In eight games over the past two weeks, he’s averaged only 8.9 points and 2.0 three-pointers per game, playing 27.6 minutes per game, placing him well below the top 250 for that period. Unless you desperately need three-point scoring, Christie is undoubtedly a player to consider—not only should he be moved to the bench, but he should perhaps be completely abandoned.
Despite constant adjustments to the rotation, Koulibaly appears to be another relatively consistent player, Avery Bradley Jersey has started in 15 consecutive games. Considering his early-season absences due to multiple injuries, Washington may have decided to play him regardless, given the significant minutes he’s missed. Koulibaly’s offensive consistency has often been an issue. However, his recent performances have been quite impressive, averaging 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 three-pointers, and a combined 2.0 steals and blocks in his last three games. If you can accept the potential impact on his shooting percentage, Koulibaly is a worthwhile starting option, especially with a potential five-game stretch.
Smith has played three games since returning from a calf injury, but he missed the Bulls’ most recent game against the Clippers—the second game of a back-to-back. While he appears to have forced his way back into the starting lineup, the Bulls only have three games scheduled this week, two of which are back-to-backs. Therefore, considering there may only be two games in the next seven days, moving Smith to the bench and replacing him with a player who can play three or four games is a reasonable move.
