NBA Category Strategy: Hitting the Boards

Twelve teams play three games and the rest play four times this week. There are no fewer than six games and no more than nine games on any night.

Jason Kidd will return to the sidelines Tuesday, replacing interim coach Joe Prunty.

The Spurs and Warriors play each other Monday for the first time this season. Kawhi Leonard dominated the Warriors last season, and none of the Spurs averaged more than 28 minutes in the battles. They have an opportunity to finish January undefeated. The last team to do that sent four players to the All-Star game.

POINTS
Archie Goodwin (PG)
The top 75 scorers over the past 30 days are all owned in at least 43 percent of Yahoo leagues and 41 percent of ESPN leagues. Odds are, Devin Booker, the lowest owned in both formats scoring at least 14.0 points per game, is unavailable in your league. That's why, with Brandon Knight (groin) and Ronnie Price (toe) injured, Archie Goodwin was able to play 80 minutes in the last two games as the starting point guard and contribute 44 points. I don't know how long Knight will be sidelined, but until he returns, Goodwin will play most of the point guard minutes. Knight's been dealing with a groin strain for three weeks and aggravated the area last week. The Suns and their renowned training staff would be wise to sit Knight until he fully heals.

REBOUNDS
Alex Len (C)
In deciding between Len and Clint Capela, two players benefitting from injuries on teams playing four times this week, I sided with Len due to coach Jeff Hornacek's willingness to play Len at power forward next to Tyson Chandler, somewhat out of necessity. Dwight Howard (ankle) isn't expected to play Sunday or Monday, but if he returns sooner, Capela will hover around 25 minutes. And that's if newly acquired Josh Smith doesn't siphon Capela's minutes. Len recently rested 10 days to help repair his sprained fingers, and in the subsequent three games he tallied 32 rebounds. The uptick in production coincides with the rest and injuries to Markieff Morris (shoulder) and Jon Leuer (back). If you have the option, consider adding Capela for Sunday and Monday's games, then drop him for Len prior to Tuesday's slate which kicks off a four-game week for the Suns. And should Morris and Leuer return and Howard is forced to miss more time, retain Capela as the Rockets begin a stretch of five road games in seven nights Sunday.

ASSISTS
Norris Cole (PG)
Both games Eric Gordon (finger) missed, Cole started and played more minutes than Jrue Holiday. I don't know how long that will continue, but as you can tell by me suggesting Cole, there aren't many assist options on the waiver wire, sans Donald Sloan or Dennis Schroder, two players perpetually recommended. Rather than recycle past nominations, I'm indirectly advocating for them because they're reliable and available, much like the author of this article. Cole was the beneficiary of some questionable assists in his last two starts, both home games. Because the Pelicans play all three games at Smoothie King Center this week, I'm expecting slightly inflated assist totals on Cole's behalf. Additionally, Tyreke Evans has been dealing with knee tendinitis, a condition that may force him to unexpectedly miss a game or two. The sharp pains he complained about two weeks ago forced a soft minutes restriction on Evans, and he hasn't played more than 32 in the last six games.

STEALS
Corey Brewer (SG/SF)
Brewer drew the start in the previous game for the injured Dwight Howard (ankle), shifting Trevor Ariza to the four. Brewer has recorded at least two steals in four straight games and five of the last six. Should Howard miss additional games, a likely scenario, I don't foresee Brewer starting Monday against the Pelicans or Wednesday against the Spurs. His overall fantasy appeal is limited, but the threat of a five-steal game looms. If you're looking for more certainty and less risk in terms of steady minutes and steals variability, Allen Crabbe offers humble accommodations and one fewer game this week.

BLOCKS
Willie Cauley-Stein (C)
You expected to see Myles Turner here. However, much like Devin Booker, it's a safe assumption Turner was scooped up last week in active leagues. He's a hotter commodity than Turbo Man back in 1996. Cauley-Stein has secured a spot in the Kings' rotation and recorded seven steals and 10 blocks in the last six while playing 24.3 minutes per game, ascending past Kosta Koufos in the pecking order. Rudy Gay (heel) missing the last two games elevated Cauley-Stein's playing time, but the rookie doesn't require extensive minutes to stockpile blocks and steals. Cauley-Stein's length and athleticism allows him to switch onto guards, invade passing lanes and block shots without fouling. And more importantly, his energy and activity on the defensive end takes pressure off DeMarcus Cousins, who's on pace to win the Western Conference Player of the Month.

THREE-POINTERS
Garrett Temple (SG)
First, check Matt Barnes' availability. Then pivot to the Wizards' starting shooting guard. Temple has made a three-pointer in 12 straight games, and since joining the rotation 17 games ago, he's averaged 33.8 minutes per game and shot 40 percent on threes. The Wizards play four times this week, including one back-to-back set that will likely force Bradley Beal to rest. Beal is coming off the bench and limited to 25 minutes per night, and Otto Porter (hip) could return to the lineup Monday. Expect Temple's playing time to decrease, but he should still get enough run during the final week of January to help in the three-point category. Many of his looks have been wide open, a result of playing major minutes alongside John Wall. Kelly Olynyk has made 52 percent of his three-pointers in January, and because the Celtics/Sixers game was postponed to Sunday, you could sneak five games out of him through next Sunday if you act fast.