Second-Half Fantasy Basketball Players to Watch-Western Conference

The NBA’s second half starts tonight, and there’s plenty of fantasy basketball sleepers to grab including Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) who here attempts a shot against Golden State Warriors guard Charles Jenkins (22) and Warriors guard Kent Bazemore (20) during the second half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA returns tonight from its All-Star break hiatus which means fantasy basketball will be back in full swing. 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 Western 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 Eastern Conference players to watch.

San Antonio Spurs-Danny Green

Green has stepped it up in scoring and three’s lately while adding some nice steal numbers as well. So far this month, he’s averaging 3.7 three-pointers made per game helping him to 15.7 points per game while averaging just under two steals and two assists per game. Green’s value is primarily his scoring and three-point shooting, but he can definitely help out if you’re looking for those categories in one of the 35% of leagues he’s available in.

Oklahoma City Thunder-Reggie Jackson

While most of the Thunder production will come from the big names, Jackson is started to see more playing time off the bench. In the last five games, he’s averaged 19.4 minutes per game while twice reaching his career-high of 12 points. He’s added an average of three assists and three rebounds per game. He won’t tear it up percentage-wise, but it’s worth noting his increased role. As the Thunder look to keep Russell Westbrook fresh, Jackson could have some nice games in the second half. He’s owned in only 0.2% of EPN leagues right now.

Feb 8 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chauncey Billups (1) during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

LA Clippers-Chauncey Billups

Billups has only played four games this season and only limited minutes. When he has been on the floor though, he’s shown he has plenty left in the tank scoring 19 and 21 points in his last two games while hitting a total of nine three-pointers. Billups is an obvious injury-risk, but he can be a huge asset when healthy and could be the missing piece for the Clips and your fantasy team if you can add him in one of the 58% of the leagues he’s available in.

Memphis Grizzlies-Tony Allen

Although he’s well-known, Allen is still only owned in 25.7% of ESPN leagues. He’s stepped up his scoring a bit since the Rudy Gay rade and has had 17 or more points in two of his last three. If you’re looking for steals, there’s probably not a better option on the wire as Allen has averaged 1.8 in the last five games and 1.6 on the season. Normally, Allen won’t hurt your averages but also won’t contribute big-time points, but if he can maintain his other stats and increase his scoring, he’ll be a huge pickup.

Denver Nuggets-Corey Brewer

The Nuggets tend to go with the hot hand and lately that’s been Brewer who has averaged over 24 minutes per game this month. He’s scored 12.4 points while adding 1.4 steals over that seven-game span. He’ll have his off-games, but he can be a bargain at times as well. He’s scored nine points or more in each of his last four games while adding five steals, six rebounds, and six assists total in those four games. Watch his minutes and see how Coach George Karl works his rotation since Brewer can contribute when he gets things going.

February 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) shoots the ball against Houston Rockets center Omer Asik (3) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Rockets defeated the Warriors 116-107. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Golden States Warriors-Andrew Bogut

The big Australian is expected to be back to full strength after the All-Star break including playing both halves of back-to-back games. He has only been able to play 22.5 minutes per game in his 10 games back but has averaged 7.7 points and 9.0 rebounds over the Warriors last five games. If Bogut can truly take the training wheels off, he should return to double-double status and pick up his blocks numbers as well.

Utah Jazz-DaMarre Carroll

Carroll is quietly starting to score some points for the Jazz as he sees his playing time increase. He’s averaged 26 minutes per game over the last five games while putting up 10.6 points and 4.2 rebounds. Carroll is only deep-league material at this point, but if Gordon Hayward remains sidelined he’s a solid option who won’t kill your percentages and is a nice cheap add in many daily formats.

Houston Rockets-Patrick Patterson

This former UK Wildcat is notoriously streaky, and has lived up to that reputation to this point in the season. This month he’s been pouring it on scoring 15.6 points per game while adding 5.3 boards. He’s scored in double-figures in 11 of his last 12 games and is one of the better pickups if you need points and boards. Right now, Patterson’s owned in just 26% of leagues, and many owners may be hesitant to pull the trigger after picking him up early only to have him go silent in the middle part of the first half.

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

Jan. 30, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Los Angeles Lakers forward Antawn Jamison (4) against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Portland Trail Blazers-Luke Babbitt

Not much fantasy value coming out of Portland except for the starting five who are universally owned. Babbitt gets the most minutes off the bench  and has been good for a three-pointer or two and some rebounds. If injury requires him to play more minutes, he may have some value or if you just need an end of the bench player who gets some minutes and rebounds. The real fantasy worth in Portland is in the starting lineup.

LA Lakers-Antawn Jamison

With the emergence of Earl Clark as a fantasy option and everyday starter for the Lakers, Jamison has been relegated to coming off the bench. Until Pau Gasol comes back though, he makes a solid option and is available right now in 84% of leagues. He scored 36 points in his last two games following his 19-point, 10-rebound game against Phoenix by scoring 17 in the first-half finale against the Clippers. If he sees his minutes increase back to the high-20’s on a regular basis he’ll be a nice scoring and rebounding option until Gasol returns.

Dallas Mavericks-Vince Carter

Carter is still available in over 55% of leagues and has emerged as one of the best sixth-men in the Western Conference. He may not be winning dunk contests anymore (that was Terence Ross in a VC jersey), but Carter did finish the first-half with 26 points and six three-pointers with five rebounds and a pair of steals. Over the past five games he’s played he’s averaged 16 points, a steal, and almost two assists per game. Carter is one of the better scoring options available on most waiver wires.

Feb 8, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Derrick Williams (7) goes up for a dunk in the second half against the New York Knicks at Target Center. The Knicks won 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves-Derrick Williams

The Wolves have seemed intent on keeping Williams on the bench with very limited minutes. When he has played, Williams has put up numbers and has two double-doubles in his last five games. In Minnesota’s last game he scored 24 points while pulling in a career-high 16 rebounds. In his last five games, Williams has averaged 16 points and nine boards. He doesn’t put up numbers in many other categories, but his points and rebounds will make a nice addition if he can carve out playing time in Coach Rick Adelman’s rotation. He’s only owned in 2.3% of leagues, but could be a good pickup for the stretch run if he gets more minutes.

New Orleans Hornets-Robin Lopez

If you ned a big-man who is getting minutes, Lopez is a nice option averaging over 30 minutes a game in the last five games. He struggled in the first-half finale but had a monster 23-point, 10-rebound game a week ago. He’s averaged 15 points, 6.8 rebounds, and over a block and a half a game in his last five.

Sacramento Kings-Jason Thompson

Thompson is constantly in the shadow of DeMarcus Cousins, but he’s been playing very well in his last five games. He’s scored in double figures for his last five games averaging 17.6 points and 7.8 rebounds. If Cousins is traded, Thompson will be more of the focus in the Kings offense, but he’s shown he can contribute fantasy-worthy numbers despite being available in over 67% of leagues.

Phoenix Suns-Michael Beasley

Beasley is feast or famine and can crush your percentages when he’s famine. He does take plenty of shots coming off the bench for Phoenix and averages 15.6 points per game over his last 10 games while adding 5.7 boards. He’s risky, but if you need a boost in scoring he’s available in 60% of leagues.