Welcome to The High Score Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who to add off the waiver wire and get in your lineup for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball. You can also read my 9-cat and standard points leagues pickups story for advice in those formats.
So press play and shuffle through the latest fantasy basketball info.
Fantasy basketball pickups and advice.
🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: High Score
Jabari Smith Jr. – FC, Houston Rockets (46% rostered)
Smith isn’t a classic waiver add in shallow leagues, but he’s still available in far too many High Score formats. Over his last five games, he’s averaging 32 fantasy points in High Score with a 42-point outing in his last contest.
The Rockets play two of their four games against fantasy-friendly teams in the Pelicans and Kings, leaving multiple chances to start Smith in an abridged week. He should be well over 50% rostered.
[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. It’s not too late to create or join a league]
Cedric Coward – G/FC, Memphis Grizzlies (33% rostered)
The rookie from Washington State has been inconsistent recently; however, there have been a couple of boom performances over the past two weeks that could surge again in Week 9. He’s had two double-digit rebounding efforts with at least five assists in his last three games.
With the Clippers and Wolves on tap for Monday and Wednesday (five-game slates), you can start him with the chance at another 40-point fantasy performance. Coward dropped 50 fantasy points on the Clippers just two weeks ago, plus he has dual eligibility.
Anthony Black- G, Orlando Magic (28% rostered)
Franz Wagner’s latest injury extended Black’s run as a player to roster in High Score. He’s been an invaluable piece of Orlando’s recent success, and it’s translated into substantial fantasy numbers. Over the past 30 days, Black ranks 76th overall in High Score, averaging 35.6 fantasy points per game thanks to his multi-category output of 16-5-4 and 1.5 steals per game.
Orlando plays two games on the biggest slates this week, so he may not fit into your lineup now, but he’s a hold across all formats.
[High Score is a new way to play Fantasy Basketball on Yahoo with simple rosters and scoring. It’s not too late to create or join a league]
Jordan Walsh – G/FC, Boston Celtics (25% rostered)
Walsh remains severely underrated in High Score and fantasy in general. He’s averaged 32 fantasy points per game over the last two weeks and has evolved into an efficient scoring option for the Celtics while leaning into his strengths as a defender and decent rebounder.
While Walsh faces challenging opponents in Detroit, Miami and Toronto in Week 9, the Miami game falls on a small five-game slate where he can get run in a fast-paced game. He’s established himself as a viable starter for a Boston team that continues to surprise in what was assumed to be a gap year.
Noah Clowney – FC, Brooklyn Nets (31% rostered)
Clowney’s long-term outlook continues to surge after he’s been a reliable 30+ point fantasy asset over the past month, averaging 17.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 stocks per game. Brooklyn plays two games this week, and the only real chance to start him will be ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Raptors.
If he hits 30+ minutes, he has 40+ point upside. Also, given the state of the organization and his contract, the Nets need to see what they have in their 21-year-old big, who is putting up career numbers in his third campaign.
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