Most teams are still reeling from the absences of their key players who have entered the league’s health and safety protocols.
Here are some guys that fantasy owners can use for Week 12.
Troy Brown Jr. (Chicago Bulls)
Last four games: 4.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.3 SPG
Let’s start with a deep cut. Troy Brown Jr. isn’t going to register on anyone’s fantasy radar as do most Chicago Bulls players not named DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, or Nikola Vucevic. But with the Bulls struggling with guys going in and out of the lineup due to injuries, there are opportunities for several players to slurp up some extra minutes.
One of those guys has been Brown. With erstwhile starting forward Javonte Green out for 2-4 weeks and Alex Caruso still on the mend, Brown has gotten more opportunities to show he deserves some playing time. Currently coming off the bench, Brown provides a lot of stats, particularly in rebounds, assists and steals. He’ll also give you the occasional triple or two and good percentages. He’s a nice player to have if you’re in a league that has 18-20 managers.
Garrison Matthews (Houston Rockets)
Last game vs PHI: 23 points, four 3s
As chaos continues to swirl in H-Town with Kevin Porter Jr and Christian Wood getting suspended, look for guys like Garrison Matthews to step up and contribute as he did against the Sixers. You can never have enough shooters in your lineup and Matthews has provided that all season long for the Rockets. The longer the drama extends in Houston, the more opportunities there will be for Matthews.
Jalen Smith (Phoenix Suns)
Last three games stats: 16.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.7 bpg
This might not seem like the right timing to pick up Smith with Deandre Ayton nearing his return. But if there’s one thing Smith has proven, it’s that he belongs in the rotation. While Ayton was in the health and safety protocols, Smith averaged a double-double in three games.
In case you forgot, Smith was a first-round pick last season so the Suns clearly saw something in him. And even with Ayton returning, Phoenix should still find minutes for Smith so that his development this week won’t go to waste.
Maxi Kleber (Dallas Mavericks)
Last two games: 9.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 3s, 1.5 spg, 1.5 bpg
Kleber is one of those glue guys that every team loves to have, and the fully-formed version of this versatile forward is also a fantasy player’s dream. With Kristaps Porzingis in health and safety protocols, now is the best time to have Kleber in your lineup. Jason Kidd should give Kleber as many minutes as he can handle. And with Luka Doncic also back in the lineup, it should help make Kleber’s job even more fun.
