NBA Fantasy Buzz Portland’s Surge, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Hot Streak, and Key Player Picks for Week 16
As the NBA season heads into the final stretch, stability becomes a rare and valuable commodity in fantasy basketball. With rosters being shuffled for both teams aiming for a late-season push and those planning for the future, players in NBA Fantasy Salary Games are seeking reliable choices amidst the whirlwind of changes. Here’s a quick look at the key updates you need to know halfway through Week 16:
Portland’s Surprising Surge
In a shocking turn of events, the Portland Trail Blazers (22-29) have claimed the NBA’s longest active winning streak, now at five games. Despite being in 13th place, Portland has triumphed in nine of its last 10 contests, including six wins against teams in playoff contention.
The Blazers’ youth movement, with players like Deni Avdija, Anfernee Simons, and Scoot Henderson, has powered this late-season run. Each of these players has exceeded their fantasy averages over the past 10 games, with Avdija, Simons, and Henderson posting 34.1, 31.4, and 29.1 fantasy points per game (FPPG), respectively.
While the team doesn’t have a player surpassing 1500 total fantasy points (TFP), it has seven players with over 1000 TFP. Avdija leads the pack with 1438.7, followed closely by Simons with 1394.5. Meanwhile, Toumani Camara has become an unexpected contributor, registering 1209.9 TFP, earning him a spot as the 32nd-most valuable player in fantasy despite a modest salary of $7.7M.
Top Performances of the Week
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder (40-9) continues to dominate the fantasy scene. His 75.1 fantasy points in a 140-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns (25-25) on Wednesday marked his third 50-point game in seven contests. Averaging 57.7 FPPG during this red-hot stretch, SGA now boasts 15 games with 60-plus fantasy points, solidifying his place among the league’s elite.
Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham also made waves with a season-high 70.9 fantasy points in a heartbreaking 118-115 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers (41-10). Cunningham posted 38 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists, marking his fifth consecutive game with 50 or more fantasy points. His recent surge has pushed him into the top 10 in total fantasy points for the season.
Nikola Jokić’s 67.6 fantasy points in a 144-119 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans (12-39) was yet another monster outing. Just shy of a triple-double with 38 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists, the Denver Nuggets (32-19) star continues to outperform his season average of 64.9 FPPG, having exceeded that mark in seven of his last 10 games.
Transaction Tips for Fantasy Managers
Looking to bolster your fantasy team? The Houston Rockets (32-18) are your best bet this week. With three games in the next four days—against the Minnesota Timberwolves (28-23), Dallas Mavericks (26-25), and Toronto Raptors (16-35)—investing in Rockets players could yield a major fantasy boost.
Amen Thompson, priced at $10.3M, has been solid with 35+ fantasy points in eight of his last nine games. Dillon Brooks, available for $8.9M, has also been a reliable contributor, posting 22+ fantasy points in five of his past seven games.
Stay on top of your fantasy league by keeping a close eye on these rising stars and team trends—making the right moves now could make all the difference in securing victory for the remainder of the season.
