Second-Half Fantasy Basketball Players to Watch-Eastern Conference

The best pickup of the season from the waiver wire  could be Milwaukee Bucks center Samuel Dalembert depending on his playing time and situation for the second half. Find out who else can make a difference for your fantasy team right here. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

It’s back to work for the NBA tonight which means Fantasy basketball goodness all around as the NBA resumes its regular season with nine games tonight, 11 tomorrow, and 12 on Friday. If you’re looking to improve your fantasy hoops team for the stretch run or playing daily leagues on DraftStreet, FanThrowdown, or other daily sites, these are players to watch as the second half starts.

In this post, we’ll focus on the Easter Conference. The order of the players isn’t in order they should be claimed, but based on the current standings of the team. CLICK HERE for the Western Conference players to watch.

Miami Heat-Udonis Haslem

The Heat don’t really have much fantasy value outside of the big three. Haslem though has contributed when given minutes like his nine-point, 13-rebound game when Bosh was out two weeks ago. Haslem won’t hurt your percentages at all and does get rebounds. Unless Chris Bosh is out for an extended time period though, Haslem is only useful in ultra-deep leagues or as a final-roster spot bargain in daily leagues.

New York Knicks-Steve Novak

While his value is only in certain categories, Novak is a consistent three-point threat. Novak has hit multiple three’s in four of his last six games including a high of five three-pointers against Sacramento earlier this month. His value is fairly limited, but he’s got a decent chance of hitting three’s in any game if you need a boost in that category.

Indiana Pacers-Lance Stephenson

Stephenson is one of the more interesting names on this list. He’s played tons of minutes all year but just recently starting contributing at fantasy-relevant levels in several categories. Stephenson has dropped 11.4 points to go with 4.0 rebounds and 33 assists in his seven games this month. He’s always going to get minutes, at least until the return of Danny Granger, and could slide into a bigger scoring role off the bench.

Feb 11, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans (30) reacts to defeating the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Brooklyn defeats Indiana 89-84 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Brooklyn Nets-Reggie Evans

Evans is a specialist, but a useful one if you’re looking for rebounds. He’s averaged 9.2 boards on the year but  has picked it up as of late averaging 13.0 over his last five including a massive 22 rebounds last Monday against Indiana. Evans is only a 50% free throw shooter, so you’ll need to make sure you can take the hit in that category. For many teams though, it’s worth that liability to get the asset of his rebounds. He’s currently available in 95% of leagues, but can help you control the boards if he keeps getting big-time minutes.

Chicago Bulls-Jimmy Butler

After an impressive run in the starting lineup, Butler has been banished to the bench. Over his last ten games, he’s averaged 11.3 points, 1.3 steals, and 4.7 rebounds. He’s owned in only 6% of leagues and his value is closely tied to his role which is still to be determined on a constantly shifting Bulls squad. If he comes off the bench, his value is limited, but if he sees more minutes he can be a multi-category contributor.

Atlanta Hawks-Zaza Pachulia

Like many NBA followers, I doubt this team stays constituted the way it currently is after the coming trade deadline. Whether the Hawks move Josh Smith or not, Pachulia will likely overtake Anthony Tolliver and get more playing time as he recovers from his Achilles injury. He’s shown some signs of fantasy production in limited minutes playing an average of just 16.7 minutes but getting an average of 7.3 points and 2.3 rebounds. When he’s healthy and getting playing time, Pachulia can give you about ten points and ten boards a night. He’s most likely not going to set the fantasy world ablaze but can be a solid contributor if you need big-man numbers in one of the 99.7% of leagues he’s available in.

Feb 13, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green (8) gets fouled by Chicago Bulls center forward Taj Gibson (22) as he tries to dunk the ball during the first quarter at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics-Jeff Green

Green has been playing better as of late but is still owned in under 30% of ESPN leagues. He’s averaged 14.4 points in his seven games this month while adding almost two blocks and two assists to his four boards per game. His main value is in blocks and points and he has at least eight points in his last 11 games with 14 or more in five of his last seven.

Milwaukee Bucks-Samuel Dalembert

Dalembert is a solid source of points, boards, and blocks when he gets playing time. He had been virtually non-existent in fantasy leagues before the last five games when he exploded on the scene. He’s still unowned in 45% of ESPN leagues despite despite averaging 16.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 1.4 steals over his last five. His playing time will be worth watching as he and Larry Sanders share time at Center in Milwaukee, and he’s also the topic of trade rumors heading toward the deadline. Depending on where he goes and how much he plays, Dalembert may continue this pace or blend back into the shadows. Make sure you’re watching the big man if you’re in the market for a center.

Keep Reading for seven more players to watch from the non-playoff teams in the Eastern Conference

Feb 09, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Nick Young (1) shoots a jump shot under pressure from Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson (9) during the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Bobcats 87-76. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia 76ers-Nick Young

Since being reinserted into the Sixers lineup, Young has paid off scoring points in bunches. He’s a shooter, so there will be nights where he’s off and will hurt your percentages. On the other hand though, he can pile up points and three’s when his shot is dropping. He’s had double-digit scoring in nine of his last 11 games including four games of 20 or more. He’s averaged 15.3 over his six games this month with 1.3 steals, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He’s knocked down six three’s in his last two games and has proven to be a streaky shooter throughout his career, so if you need points and three’s he’s a nice pickup with a high ceiling. He’s worth the pickup in the 73% of leagues he’s available in if you can afford the occasional hit in FG%.

Feb 13, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors point guard John Lucas (5) puts up a shot over New York Knicks power forward Amar

Toronto Raptors-John Lucas

So far this month, Lucas is averaging 10.3 points coming off the bench for Kyle Lowry who is averaging just 9.9 points per game. Lucas doesn’t normally provide much more besides scoring and three-pointers in his current role as backup point guard, but that could change if Lowry struggles with injury in the second half like he did in the first half. Right now, Lucas is only owned in 0.1% of leagues.

Detroit Pistons-Kyle Singler

Early on in the season, Singler was a popular pickup, but then he struggled through the middle part of the first half. Recently, the Duke alum has been back to pouring it on scoring double-digits in seven of his eight games this month including a career-high 20 on February 1. In his eight games this month, he’s averaged 12.4 points, just under a three-pointer, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Singler has been playing big minutes which should allow him to continue to produce decent numbers going forward for Detroit.

Cleveland Cavaliers-Marreese Speights

Speights has been a huge pickup for the Cavs giving them a boost when their young bigs need a break. He’s still owned in less than 15% of ESPN leagues, but he’s been Cleveland’s third-leading scorer this month averaging 13.0 points and 6.9 rebounds. Points and boards are hard to come by, but Speights brings solid production while shooting a tidy 77% from the free throw line and 43% from the field.

Feb 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Team Chuck guard Bradley Beal (3) of the Washington Wizards dunks the ball against Team Shaq during the 1st half of the rising stars game at the 2013 NBA All-Star weekend at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards-Bradley Beal

Beal is one of the best pickups for the second half since Washington is going to give him plenty of playing time next to John Wall the rest of the season. Beal has only played three games since returning from his wrist injury, but he’s already made an impact scoring a career-high 28 points in his second game back. Beal has averaged 1.5 three-pointers, 13.2 points, and 2.5 assists in his 44 games this season playing 31 minutes per game. He should be able to keep scoring and pouring in three’s for the Wiz in the second half.

Orlando Magic-Andrew Nicholson

Along with Beal, Nicholson is a rookie who could be in for a big second half if his team gives him big minutes. Nicholson has started six of Orlando’s seven games this month and reached double digits in scoring in five of those games. He’s averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a block per game over that span.  While Glen Davis is out, look for Nicholson to keep getting the minutes, and I think he’ll make them payoff and have a nice next few weeks. Nicholson is owned in just 0.6 percent of ESPN leagues, so in most formats you can still watch and wait to see how he plays to start the second half.

Charlotte Bobcats-Gerald Henderson

The Bobcats aren’t known for their fantasy production, but Byron Mullens, Kemba Walker, and even Ramon Sessions have been usable this season. It looks like they’re being joined by Gerald Henderson as well who has stepped things up averaging 15 points and over four boards, a steal, and two and a half assists in his last five games. He’s not hitting his shots with a high percentage yet but is still contributing. He should be a decent source of scoring and some decent peripherals as long as he keeps playing 30+ minutes a game.