6 Games: ATL, BOS, CHA, LAL, MIN, NO, POR
5 Games: BKN, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, DET, GS, HOU, IND, MEM, MIA, MIL, NY, OKC, ORL, PHX, SAC, SA, TOR, UTA, WSH
4 Games: LAC, PHI

On Fire

Kawhi Leonard has been playing like he did in the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. He was held back by multiple injuries at the beginning of the season, including an eye injury to start the year. He’s showing in his short career that he has the ability to turn it on when the games matter the most, which is good for the Spurs down the stretch. The Spurs have won seven straight games and are 9-1 in their last 10 (via NBA.com), and a large part of it seems to be due to the play of Leonard. He doesn’t always do it for you by scoring, which sometimes flies under the radar. He will contribute in every single category for you, which makes him one of the most elite players in fantasy basketball when he turns it on like he has of late.

DeMarcus Cousins has been featured as a player who is on fire in my column before, but I have to put him here again. He’s been that good. Not only did he have two straight triple-doubles last week, but in both of those triple-doubles he had 20-plus rebounds, not to mention six and four blocks in those two games, respectively (stats via NBA.com). He has been just an absolute animal for the Kings and nothing seems to be changing.

The only bugaboo for Boogie is his health. He misses the occasional game here and there, sometimes multiple games at a time, but when he IS in there, he’s arguably the best player in fantasy basketball with the numbers that he has put up over the last month. If you’re in a standard keeper league that allows trading in the offseason, I would advise trying to trade for Cousins if you have the chance. If you’re a DFS player, it’s even better for you, because you get to enjoy the dominance that it Boogie Cousins immediately. He’s worth the cost.

Ice Cold

Once again, I have a hard time finding a player that I would label as “Ice cold” that isn’t injured. I’m choosing Nicolas Batum for the player that is ice cold because of his importance to the Blazers since the injury to Wesley Matthews, and how he hasn’t been living up to that expectation, at least in my eyes.

Once Matthews went down, I saw the door fly open for Batum to become a player much like Leonard. He can score, defend, pass, rebound, and just about anything else that you ask him to do. Blocking shots is just about the only thing that you can count on that you wont get from Batum on a nightly basis. However, Batum has been everything but the next Leonard when it comes to producing all around. He has taken just 13 shots combined in the last two games with just 14 total points (stats via NBA.com). He is listed as my ice cold player because of what I believe Batum is capable of, and he simply just hasn’t had it.

Stream Options

Paul George returned to action Sunday for the first time since his gruesome leg injury over the summer. Look to see if he is a free agent in your league, as he could be the difference between winning the championship or not if he’s available to pick up.

Jordan Clarkson has been fantastic for the Lakers, which can’t be said for pretty much everyone else on that team this season. He has been rather inconsistent, scoring 27 points on April 3rd, but he had just two points April 5th against the Clippers. He’s worth adding if he’s available, and if the matchup appears to be a good one, he could be a good option in DFS leagues as well.

Evan Turner: Triple-doubles seem to be the new “in” thing to do in the NBA and Turner is on that train. He won’t always score in bunches, but he apparently will rebound and assist at elite level for a PG.

Ish Smith: I would lean more towards DFS usage for Smith or leagues where poor shooting percentage doesn’t hurt you.

Zach LaVine: LaVine will continue to be a good fill in for Ricky Rubio while he’s out with his injury.

Chase Budinger: Although Kevin Martin has now returned with his hamstring injury, Budinger has been consistent as of late, making him an intriguing option.

Tobias Harris: This time of year, people are desperate for players that are going to produce at a high level, so much so that they will drop players that don’t deserve to be dropped. Harris is one of those players that was rough to own for a stretch there, but he is rewarding the owners that hung on to him.

Injury Report:
First thing’s first: Be weary of players resting down the stretch on playoff teams!

Paul Millsap is day-to-day with a shoulder injury.

The Blazers appear to be resting their big names on Monday against the Nets.

Rudy Gay continues to sit due to a concussion.

Serge Ibaka appeared to be close to a return from knee surgery, but there is no news to suggest that he will return before the end of the regular season.

Kyle Lowry appears to be close to returning to the Raptors lineup with his back injury. The Raptors have been locked in as the four seed in the east, which might make the return for Lowry delayed a little bit more.

Gorgui Dieng will continue to sit with a concussion for the T’Wolves.

Brandon Knight tried to return from his ankle injury on March 29th but it didn’t go as planned, playing just 22 minutes and shooting 1/10 from the floor (stats via NBA.com). He will continue to sit with the ankle injury and there appears to be no timetable for his return.

Ty Lawson was a late scratch Saturday for the Nuggets game against the Clippers due to a forearm injury. He should be considered day-to-day for now.

Greg Monroe continues to sit with a knee injury for the Pistons and likely will miss the reamider of the season. You might be able to get a couple games out of him, but unless you can afford to hang on to him, I would look to pick up someone that will produce for you in the final week and a half the season.

Al Jefferson didn’t play Saturday due to an injury to his knee. Keep an eye on him and check back to see if there is any further news of the severity of the injury, although it appears to just be soreness.

Jamal Crawford is hoping to return to the Clippers lineup this week according to ESPN. Keep an eye out for more on when that day comes.