This article is part of our NBA Category Strategy series.
This is a straightforward week. All you have to do is sidestep injuries and players resting.
Eighteen teams play four games and 12 teams play three games.
POINTS
Michael Beasley (SF)
Beasley continues to impress, mainly with his scoring. He's averaging 16.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in 20 minutes per game over the past seven contests. His resurgence translated into a solid rotation role, and he was the first sub off the bench each of the last two games, pilfering most of Corey Brewer's minutes. And over the past four games, Dwight Howard is averaging 5.5 shot attempts per game, and since Beasley joined the team, Howard's usage rate dipped to 16.7 percent while Beasley is tied with James Harden with a team-high 31.5 percent usage rate. When he gets the ball, Beasley is going to shoot.
On a smaller scale, Sean Kilpatrick has scored in double figures in seven of the last eight games and is third on the Nets in points per game this month. His team plays three times, and he doesn't contribute much outside of points.
REBOUNDS
Taj Gibson (PF/C)
Gibson represents a two-week investment. The Bulls play four games this week and five next week. Unfortunately, he's playing through a tight right hamstring that limited him to seven minutes in Wednesday's game. Gibson will be evaluated on a daily basis, and the slightest tweak could result in an abrupt week. Pau Gasol (knee) is expected to return for Wednesday's game, and that will reduce
This is a straightforward week. All you have to do is sidestep injuries and players resting.
Eighteen teams play four games and 12 teams play three games.
POINTS
Michael Beasley (SF)
Beasley continues to impress, mainly with his scoring. He's averaging 16.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in 20 minutes per game over the past seven contests. His resurgence translated into a solid rotation role, and he was the first sub off the bench each of the last two games, pilfering most of Corey Brewer's minutes. And over the past four games, Dwight Howard is averaging 5.5 shot attempts per game, and since Beasley joined the team, Howard's usage rate dipped to 16.7 percent while Beasley is tied with James Harden with a team-high 31.5 percent usage rate. When he gets the ball, Beasley is going to shoot.
On a smaller scale, Sean Kilpatrick has scored in double figures in seven of the last eight games and is third on the Nets in points per game this month. His team plays three times, and he doesn't contribute much outside of points.
REBOUNDS
Taj Gibson (PF/C)
Gibson represents a two-week investment. The Bulls play four games this week and five next week. Unfortunately, he's playing through a tight right hamstring that limited him to seven minutes in Wednesday's game. Gibson will be evaluated on a daily basis, and the slightest tweak could result in an abrupt week. Pau Gasol (knee) is expected to return for Wednesday's game, and that will reduce Bobby Portis' role. Even when he comes back, Gasol isn't expected to be at 100 percent healthy, which will lead to intermittent rest because the Bulls begin a stretch of eight games in 12 days beginning this Wednesday.
Ian Mahinmi recently returned from a back injury. The Pacers play four times this week including games against the Sixers, Nets, and Pelicans, which may be without Anthony Davis (knee, shoulder). He's a safer alternative to Gibson, and if you play your cards right, you can collect three games from Gibson to start the week and two more games from Mahinmi on Saturday and Sunday should Gibson aggravate his hamstring.
ASSISTS
D.J. Augustin (PG)
Augustin is susceptible to rotation chicanery, but he's found a niche in Denver as the backup point guard. The Nuggets play four times this week, including games against the Sixers and Lakers. Over the past nine, Augustin led the Nuggets with 5.4 assists per game while playing at least 30 minutes just twice in that span. He leads the Nuggets in fourth-quarter scoring, assists, three-pointers and minutes since joining the team at the trade deadline.
If Shelvin Mack is still available, prioritize him over Augustin. He'll play two revenge games against the Hawks and close out the week with contests against the Timberwolves and Lakers.
STEALS
Josh Richardson (SG)
I don't care that the Heat play three times this week, it's time to add Richardson. Coach Erik Spoelstra typically runs an eight-man rotation where Hassan Whiteside, Justise Winslow and Richardson annihilate opposing bench units. Since the All-Star break, the Heat's bench is shooting league-highs of 50 percent from the field and 48 percent from behind the three-point line. Richardson made at least three three-pointers in five of the last six games while shooting a league-high 64.4 percent from downtown since the break. Aside from his long range accuracy, Richardson averaged 1.3 steals per game over the last 12 while registering multiple steals six times.
BLOCKS
Jerami Grant (SF/PF)
After clearing concussion protocol, Grant blocked six total shots over the last two games. He will continue to start at power forward the rest of the season with Jahlil Okafor (knee) slated for surgery. Injuries to Richaun Holmes (Achilles) and Robert Covington (concussion) gives Grant the opportunity to play upwards of 35 minutes a night until either returns.
THREE-POINTERS
Doug McDermott (SF)
If you're hard pressed for three-pointers, I suggest running back Isaiah Canaan for another week. But since I refrain from promoting the same player in consecutive weeks, let me introduce you to McDermott. The Bulls play the Kings, the Knicks twice and the Magic this week. And like Taj Gibson, McDermott benefits from a league-high nine games over the next two weeks. He lost footing in the rotation Saturday night and was held to seven points against the Jazz, causing concern when Pau Gasol (knee) ultimately returns and resumes offensive responsibility.
