JALEN DUREN

By Gabe Allen, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsWith only two and a half weeks remaining in the NBA regular season, fantasy leagues are in their final stages. At no other point in the campaign is there such little competition for player pickups on the waiver wire. WIDELY ROSTEREDJalen Duren, Detroit Pistons (40% rostered)Duren missed Tuesday’s matchup versus Atlanta after suffering a head injury during Sunday’s game against Miami. Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks (10% rostered)Hardy has poured in at least 20 points in five of the last six games. Hardy loses his appeal if both Mavericks’ stars are at full strength for next week’s three-game slate.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (99 percent rostered)This might seem wild, with James having yet another special season. He has been a top fantasy option, averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 2.1 three-pointers per game while shooting 50.1 percent from the field. The reason to drop James — other than if you have an IL spot to stash him — is that he is likely facing a lengthy absence because of a foot injury. Even for those in a rotisserie league that comes down to the final day of the regular season, James might not appear in enough games down the stretch to provide significant contributions. Even when Duren is healthy again, the presence of Wiseman doesn’t make him as appealing in fantasy anymore.

By Nick Whalen, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsWith the NBA set to emerge from the All-Star break on Thursday, the league is officially entering the stretch run. While the 2022 NBA rookie class hasn’t necessarily produced any first-year fantasy stars, several players have emerged as useful options. Efficiency-wise, Banchero tailed off a bit before the break, shooting just 38.5 percent from the field and a ghastly 23.9 percent from three over his last 20 games. With that said, fantasy managers can’t complain about his 41.5 percent shooting on 6.0 three-point attempts per game. That's exactly what happened before the break, as Williams made four straight starts and saw 30-plus minutes in three of those.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 20 of his 29 points in the first quarter, returning to the lineup after a five-game absence to lead the Milwaukee Bucks in a 150-130 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Alec Burks scored a season-high 32 points, Saddiq Bey added 28 and the Detroit Pistons overcame the ejection of two players after a scuffle to beat the Orlando Magic 121-101 and snap a six-game losing streak.

Playoff pictures, both in real life and fantasy leagues, are beginning to take shape. However, his career-high 15.5 points per game and ability to sink threes (1.5 3PG) and free throws (82.6% FT) make him a decent option in most leagues. If you’re already rostering Morant, and Jones is available on the waiver wire, what are you waiting for? His minutes have been on the rise of late, having earned 40-plus minutes twice during the team’s current five-game winning streak. Recent recommendations: Malik Monk, Caleb Martin, Kyle Anderson, Reggie Jackson, Markelle Fultz, Jalen McDaniels, Moritz Wagner, Deni Avdija

Week 9 of the fantasy basketball season is upon us, and, like every Monday, I'll break down several players who are less than 50% of Yahoo fantasy basketball leagues. But before we get to this week's waiver pickups, here are the games played by each team in Week 9. He's swiped four steals in each of the last two games, rebounds well and doesn't turnover the ball much. But over the past two contests, when playing over 30 minutes, Goodwin is averaging 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Andrew Nembhard - PG/SG - Indiana Pacers (37% rostered)I'd still hold Nembhard because he's averaging 30+ minutes for the Pacers in the past 10 games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 12 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks matched a franchise record with their seventh straight win to open the season, beating the Detroit Pistons 116-91.

Jrue Holiday sank a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 45.3 seconds left and finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Milwaukee Bucks edged the Detroit Pistons 110-108 on Monday night to stay unbeaten.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 24 points in his debut with Detroit, helping the Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 113-109 on Wednesday night.

By Gabe Allen, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsThe exhibitions are over and the NBA regular season has finally arrived. Without further ado, here are 15 saucy predictions for the 2022-23 fantasy basketball season. [Still time to get in on the fun this fantasy hoops season: Create or join a league now!] He averaged career highs of 9.3 boards in 29.0 minutes per game — or 11.6 boards per 36 minutes — last season. Without Dejounte Murray, who brought down 8.3 boards per game last season, Poeltl will feast on the glass and grab about 15 rebounds per night.

By Gabe Allen, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsWhat constitutes a sleeper in fantasy basketball? Here are my favorite sleepers heading into the 2022-23 NBA season. Washington, Charlotte Hornets (ADP-100.9)Apart from field-goal percentage (47.0% FG), Washington regressed in every regard during his third season. Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers (ADP-116.6)Like Tre Jones, Jackson made a significant per-36 minutes impact in a modest role last season. Jackson averaged 8.3 points (56.3% FG), 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.7 steals in just 15.0 minutes per game as a 20-year-old rookie.

Drew Timme scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half, and top overall seed Gonzaga rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat No. 9 seed Memphis 82-78 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Boise State trailed by 19 at the half but, taking advantage of a cold snap by the Tigers, narrowed the gap to 42-35 with 9:45 left. Kigab hit a 3-pointer and a short jumper to get Boise State within 49-43 with 5:55 remaining, but Williams answered again with a 3-pointer for the Tigers. It was a disappointing finish to a dream season for longtime coach Leon Rice, whose Boise State teams had been dumped from the NCAA Tournament in First Four games their past two trips. The Broncos beat San Diego State to win the Mountain West tourney title and their 27 wins set the school record for a single season. Boise State, which ranked 17th in the nation for defensive efficiency, had not trailed by more than seven points at halftime before Thursday.

Boise State trailed by 19 at the half but, taking advantage of a cold snap by the Tigers, narrowed the gap to 42-35 with 9:45 left. The Tigers had scored just four second-half points before Williams' dunk with 9:18 left got them going again. Kigab hit a 3-pointer and a short jumper to get Boise State within 49-43 with 5:55 remaining, but Williams answered again with a 3-pointer for the Tigers. It was a disappointing finish to a dream season for longtime coach Leon Rice, whose Boise State teams had been dumped from the NCAA Tournament in First Four games their past two trips. Boise State, which ranked 17th in the nation for defensive efficiency, had not trailed by more than seven points at halftime before Thursday.

DeAndre Williams had 14 points and Memphis held off a second-half Boise State rally for a 64-53 victory Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

DeAndre Williams had 20 points and six assists, Jalen Duren added 14 points and Memphis finally played to its potential, beating No. 6 Alabama 92-78 to snap a four-game skid.