Fantasy basketball playoffs are a different beast. Every dime, every rebound, every block feels amplified. Eric Moody’s recent look at NBA trends for the fantasy postseason highlights some names we’ve been tracking all year, and a few who are really hitting their stride when it counts.
Look, Luka Doncic’s brilliance isn’t news. But his recent run is something else. Over his last five games, Doncic is averaging 33.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. That includes a monstrous 37-point, 11-rebound, 9-assist effort against the Warriors on March 13th. He’s carrying the Mavericks, plain and simple. Dallas went 3-2 in that stretch, with Doncic logging over 40 minutes in three of those contests. His usage rate has been astronomical, often hovering around 38-40% in key games. If you drafted Doncic, you're probably sailing through your bracket.
Then there’s Josh Giddey. The kid out of Australia just keeps piling up triple-doubles. He became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double on December 26, 2021, against the Pelicans, with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Now, he's got four of them this season, including a 15-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist game against the Knicks on February 14th. That kind of all-around production, especially from a guard, is gold in fantasy. The Thunder are bad, but Giddey’s numbers aren't. He’s averaging 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists for the season, but those numbers jump to 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists since the All-Star break. He’s doing it all for a team that desperately needs someone to initiate offense.
Beyond the obvious stars, Moody's piece reminds us to keep an eye on players benefiting from increased roles or hot streaks. Real talk: De'Anthony Melton is one of those guys. He's been quietly productive for Memphis, especially with Ja Morant sidelined briefly. Melton notched 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Rockets on March 13th. His steal numbers are always solid, averaging 1.4 steals per game for the season. Another player stepping up is Darius Garland for the Cavaliers. With Jarrett Allen out, Garland's assist numbers have been even higher, dishing out 13 assists against the Clippers on March 11th. He's averaging 8.6 assists per game this year, a huge leap from his 6.1 assists last season.
Here’s the thing: while everyone focuses on the big names, the fantasy playoffs are often won by those who find the waiver wire gems or capitalize on players in expanded roles. I’m telling you, the biggest surprise contributor down the stretch won’t be a household name. It’ll be someone like Isaiah Hartenstein, who quietly averages 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals in just 17.5 minutes per game for the Clippers. His efficiency makes him a sneaky add in deeper leagues.
My bold prediction? Josh Giddey will finish the season with more triple-doubles than any other guard in the league not named Luka Doncic or Russell Westbrook.