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Jabari Smith Jr. and the Rockets have four games on the schedule in Week 19.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re treated to a conventional scoring period in Week 19 following the pair of abbreviated weeks around the All-Star break, a welcome development since we also have slightly more four-game teams than three-game clubs. As is often the case at this stage of the season, injuries are also taking their toll, opening up plenty of opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Each week, we\u2019ll aim to highlight a pair of Start candidates at each position for your fantasy rosters who may shape up as some tougher calls of the week to make, focusing on players with a start or roster rate of 50% or less in Yahoo leagues.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Likewise, we\u2019ll spotlight one Sit candidate at each position who would normally not be a consideration for a spot on your bench, often focusing on players with fewer game opportunities during the coming week.<\/p>\n
TEAMS WITH FOUR GAMES: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n
TEAMS WITH THREE GAMES: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards<\/p>\n
TEAMS WITH TWO GAMES: Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without further ado, let\u2019s examine some tougher start\/sit decisions for Week 19:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Guards<\/p>\n
Start: Max Christie, Mavericks<\/a><\/p>\n 19% roster rate<\/p>\n Christie is enjoying a breakout season that has seen him consistently deliver solid across-the-board production for an injury-ravaged Mavericks squad. The fourth-year guard logged his first appearance since the All-Star break Sunday against the Pacers and provided 16 points, four assists and two rebounds across 31 minutes. He\u2019d gone into that game with averages of 16.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 31.8 minutes over the previous 12 contests. Christie was also shooting an elite 42.6% from 3-point range going into Sunday and went 2-for-4 from downtown in the wild win over Indiana, and he\u2019s recorded at least one steal in 23 games as well. With Cooper Flagg<\/a> (foot) still out and Anthony Davis<\/a> (hand) gone for the season, Christie should continue seeing plenty of opportunity in Dallas\u2019 four-game week.<\/p>\n Start: Ryan Rollins, Bucks<\/a><\/p>\n 50% start rate<\/p>\n Rollins is enjoying a career-best campaign in his own right. Like Christie, he\u2019s particularly lighting it up from behind the arc. Even in Sunday\u2019s ugly 122-94 loss to the Raptors, Rollins co-led Milwaukee in scoring with 21 points, adding nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Rollins had gone into the defeat fresh off having recorded his second 27-point tally of the season Friday against the Pelicans, and with averages of 22.0 points (on 49.4% shooting, including 50.8% from 3-point range), 5.2 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals across 34.7 minutes in the previous nine games. Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> missed his 11th consecutive game due to his calf injury Sunday, and with the possibility his absences continue for at least part of Week 19, Rollins is especially appealing.\u00a0<\/p>\n ALSO CONSIDER: Ty Jerome, Grizzlies <\/a>(34% roster rate)<\/p>\n Sit: Devin Booker, Suns<\/a><\/p>\n 72% start rate<\/p>\n Booker will almost certainly miss both of the Suns\u2019 two games in Week 19, as the star guard is dealing with a hip injury. Booker\u2019s prospects would have already been muted considering he\u2019d only have a pair of opportunities to take the floor even if healthy, but the uncertainty regarding his health seals the case for a Sit designation.<\/p>\n Forwards<\/p>\n Start: GG Jackson, Grizzlies<\/a><\/p>\n 22% roster rate<\/p>\n Jackson has been a clear beneficiary of the trade of Jaren Jackson Jr.<\/a> to the Jazz, averaging 16.7 points (on 55.6% shooting, including 48.3% from 3-point range), 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks over the first seven games since his teammate\u2019s departure. After starting the first six of those contests, Jackson came off the bench Saturday against the Heat and erupted for 28 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block over 26 minutes. Given Memphis continues to be short-handed overall and has four games on its docket this week, Jackson\u2019s versatility could really shine irrespective of whether he\u2019s on the first unit or comes off the bench.<\/p>\n Start: Kelly Oubre Jr., 76ers<\/a><\/p>\n 34% start rate<\/p>\n Oubre\u2019s strong run of production continued in Sunday\u2019s blowout win over the Timberwolves, when he delivered 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and four steals across 35 minutes. The veteran wing went into the game with a head of steam despite some shooting struggles, clocking 15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals over 34.3 minutes in his previous nine games. Despite a recent slump from in front of the arc, Oubre was still shooting 46.3% overall for the season coming into Sunday, including a career-best 36.5% from 3-point range. Joel Embiid<\/a> will also come into Week 19 having missed five straight games with shin and knee issues, and the possibility he sits out additional contests enhances Oubre\u2019s overall outlook.\u00a0<\/p>\n ALSO CONSIDER: Toumani Camara, Trail Blazers <\/a>(36% start rate); Naji Marshall, Mavericks <\/a>(32% start rate)<\/p>\n Sit: Draymond Green, Warriors<\/a><\/p>\n 74% roster rate<\/p>\n Green was a late scratch for Sunday\u2019s win over the Nuggets due to lower-back soreness, a worrisome sign for his availability for Tuesday\u2019s contest against the Pelicans. Golden State only has three games to work with this coming week anyhow. Green\u2019s uneven production, whether or not Stephen Curry<\/a> is available, reduces the forward\u2019s appeal and viability.\u00a0<\/p>\n Centers<\/p>\n Start: Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets<\/a><\/p>\n 20% start rate\u00a0<\/p>\n Smith\u2019s start rate seems to be perpetually depressed, yet the fourth-year big man continues to impress in what may ultimately prove to be a career-best season. Smith is already boasting new high-water marks in points (15.3), assists (1.8) and blocks (1.0). He\u2019ll head into the Rockets\u2019 four-game week with averages of 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 blocks on 51.3% shooting, including 45.5% from 3-point range, in the previous 10 contests. Smith\u2019s floor-spacing skills and especially favorable matchups against the Jazz and Kings to open the Rockets\u2019 busy week provide even more incentive to roll with him in your lineup this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n Start: Maxime Raynaud, Kings<\/a><\/p>\n 12% start rate\u00a0<\/p>\n Speaking of Sacramento, Raynaud is now in unquestioned possession of the starting center role after Domantas Sabonis<\/a> was shut down for the season due to a knee injury. The rookie had already proven his mettle plenty as a starter this season due to Sabonis\u2019 frequent absences. Raynaud generated back-to-back double-doubles since play resumed after the All-Star break while averaging 16.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists over 32.5 minutes. Raynaud should continue seeing plenty of minutes during the upcoming four-game week, solidifying him as a rock-solid starting option.<\/p>\n ALSO CONSIDER: Neemias Queta, Celtics <\/a>(28% start rate)<\/p>\n