If you’re still in it, that means you have made it to the finals and are just one week away from completing your run for fantasy glory. Now isn’t the time to sit back and pray just because your team was good enough to make it to the finals, though. The most seasoned fantasy players know that one or two key waiver wire pickups can not only give your lineup a big-time boost but also keep impact players out of the hands of your opponent.
With that said, let’s take a look at a few fantasy basketball waiver wire targets that could put your team over the top in finals week.
Omer Asik (Owned in 56 percent of Yahoo leagues): Dwight Howard is not expected to play against the Lakers tonight and Asik is tied to Howard’s status all week. If Howard can’t go, Asik is a must-start. Asik has now started five straight games and is averaging a monstrous, out-of-this-world 16.8 rebounds per game over that stretch, posting more than 20 rebounds twice. He’s also putting up 12 points, 1.0 steal, 1.2 blocks, and shooting 58 percent from the field over those five games. Keep an eye on Howard’s status but Asik is a burning value that is available in nearly 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Gorgui Dieng (36 percent): The Timberwolves are all sorts of banged up and Dieng has now started three straight games for them. He’s posted 11.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and nearly a steal per game over those starts and certainly has the potential for a big rebound explosion on any night. If you need some big man stats to fill out your stat sheet, you don’t need to look far.
Ray McCallum (23 percent): The rookie guard has now started seven straight games and has played 42+ minutes in every single one. He’s not one for efficiency but he’s averaging 14.3 points, 7.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over that stretch and is a must-have for any team needing help in the point guard categories.
Jeff Adrien (9 percent): Adrien has now started seven straight games for the Bucks and has found his stride over his last four. He’s averaging 17.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks on 35 minutes per game over that stretch and is a burning value play for the final week of the playoffs.
Jordan Hill (40 percent): Hill has been in and out of the lineup but has now started eight straight games that he’s played in. Over his last three, he’s averaging 18 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 blocks while playing 30 minutes per game. As you can see, any team that needs to fill up on big man stats has a few options to choose from – or, you can just collect ‘em all.
Reggie Jackson (48 percent): Russell Westbrook or not, Jackson has now scored double-digits in nine straight games and has started four of those. Whether he starts or not, he’s averaging 34 minutes per game over that stretch. He’s also picked things up over his last six games, averaging 15.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 three pointers while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor. This guy can help in almost every category, grab him and ride this week out.
