Week 19 Fantasy Basketball Start 'Em & Sit 'Em (Feb. 28 - Mar. 6): Steven Adams Is Getting Big In Memphis
As we kick off Week 19 of the NBA regular season, players traded before the deadline such as Dennis Schroder and Steven Adams are off to great starts on their respective new teams. While you should start these two guys this week, make sure to keep Mitchell Robinson and Alec Burks on your bench as the Knicks are one of the most unpredictable teams in the league rotation-wise. They are seemingly tanking their season at the moment or they are cursed, but this means that everyone on that roster except Evan Fournier, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett can be benched in Week 19. Let's get into the best starts and sits of the week.
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Teams Playing 5 Games in Week 19: Toronto Raptors
Teams Playing 4 Games in Week 19: Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings
Teams Playing 3 Games in Week 19: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards
Teams Playing 2 Games in Week 19: Portland Trail Blazers
Not sure who to start this week? Use our fantasy basketball Start / Sit Tool!
Guards To Start In Week 19
PG Dennis Schroder, Houston Rockets
Dennis Schroder has been off to an encouraging start in his first few games as a Rocket. He produced near triple-doubles in two of his first four games for Houston. Schroeder has also played at least 28 minutes in all his games as a Rocket. Since Houston plays four games in Week 19, starting Schroder makes sense. The shifty point guard probably was not too happy about getting traded to one of the worst teams in the NBA but he's making the most of his situation on the stat sheet. He had some great moments in Boston but simply couldn’t fit in their rotation. Now he’s in a situation where he is one of the best players on the, explaining why he’s played so much so quickly after being traded.
Guards To Sit In Week 19
PG Kevin Porter Jr., Houston Rockets
Kevin Porter Jr. hasn’t had an efficient season. Moreover, he’s been in and out of the rotation for various reasons as of late. He’s only played in two of Houston’s last five games, and in those two contests, KPJ scored never tallied more than eight points. Both nights, he only converted two field goals despite taking at least nine shots. He’s just playing garbage basketball and I’d avoid starting him this week, especially taking into consideration that he’s been in and out of the rotation. With Eric Gordon back in the lineup alongside the newly acquired Denis Schroeder, KPJ’s inefficiency could be enough for the Rockets to keep him on the bench more in Week 19 and for the rest of the season.
Wings To Start in Week 19
SG/SF Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets
Eric Gordon is back in the Rockets' rotation after missing significant time due to injury. In his first two games back, he played 30 and 31 minutes respectively, showing that he will not be facing a minutes restriction. The former Mr. Indiana Basketball is shooting a career-high 47.9 percent from this field this season. Houston plays four games this week, and he will be playing big minutes alongside Schroeder in the Rockets' backcourt.
Wings To Sit in Week 19
SG Alec Burks, New York Knicks
Alec Burks is shooting approximately 38% from the field this season and has been underwhelming, especially now that Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose are both sidelined (potentially for the rest of the season). D-Rose just found out that he will undergo a second minor procedure on his ankle, truly meaning that Burks will be leading the Knicks' backcourt for the rest of the season. Still, he should be benched in Week 19. The Knicks play three games this week and have simply been abysmal. Even though Burks played 94 minutes over the Knicks’ last three games, he only scored a total of 21 points. Now that the Knicks have even less to play for than they did in January but have every reason to tank, who knows if Burks will continue to see as many minutes on the hardwood. New York could decide to give more playing time to youngsters like Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, and Cam Reddish.
Bigs To Start in Week 19
C Steven Adams, Memphis Grizzlies
The New Orleans Pelicans traded Steven Adams to the Memphis Grizzlies, as things were simply not working there for him and Jonas Valunciunas’ starting role limited Adams’ ability to contribute to the team’s frontcourt more broadly. He’s off to a fantastic start in Memphis, a team that before him was limited at the big man position. Adams has played at least 27 minutes in his first four games for the Grizzlies and has recorded a minimum of 11 rebounds in each of these games. He's also a beast when it comes to setting screens for sharpshooters.
On Saturday night, he had a dominant performance against the Chicago Bulls, recording a 12-point and 21-rebound double-double. Adams’ start in Memphis has been very encouraging and has likely boosted his confidence after having dealt with an unfavorable playing situation in New Orleans. I think Adams continues playing big minutes and perhaps scores more than he did in his first few starts in Memphis. The rebounds and blocks are definitely going to keep coming. Start him with confidence.
Bigs To Sit In Week 19
C Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks
The Knicks now have no chance to make the postseason barring a 10-game winning streak. This explains why Mitchell Robinson has seen a downtick in minutes as of late. The Knicks have less of a reason to send out their starters and are better off tanking to get the highest possible first-round pick. He's also dealt with a complicated off-the-court situation concerning his father, who went missing for about two weeks.
Fortunately, Robinson's father was found safe, but this forced the Knicks' big man to fly down to Louisianna and deal with this family emergency. While this situation coincided with the All-Star break and he didn't miss any games due to the strange situation, this family distraction could naturally impact his confidence. He hasn't scored more than 10 points or produced 10 rebounds in any of his previous three outings. At this point in the season, I'd stay away from the Knicks' lineup altogether except Evan Fournier, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett.
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