It appears Kyle Lowry’s summer weight loss paid off.
The Raptors’ point guard has dominated opponents to begin 2015-16 with averages of 20.1 points, 2.7 3-pointers, 4.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.7 steals in 35.4 minutes. He’s shooting a career-best 40.8 percent from 3-point land and 89.6 percent from the free throw line. After being selected on average with the 26th pick, he ranks fifth in Yahoo! fantasy ahead of James Harden, Anthony Davis, LeBron James and other superstars.
In the Raptors’ win over the Lakers on Friday, Lowry scored 19 first-half points on 5-for-6 from 3-point range to help Toronto open a big halftime lead. After the game, DeMar DeRozan talked about how the Raptors utilize Lowry.
“Once Kyle gets hot like that, it’s tough to guard him,” DeRozan said. “We looked for him a lot. Once he gets rolling like that, we all know we’re going to ride the wave as much as possible and try to make everything easy for him.”
It’s clear Lowry is back in control of the Raptors’ offense after a disappointing stretch of play to end 2014-15. If he can continue at this high level, the Raptors (and Lowry’s fantasy owners) will be in great shape come playoff time.
Stat Line Of The Week
Paul George
Nov. 24 vs. Washington – 40 points (14-19 FG, 7-8 3P, 5-6 FT), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals in 37 minutes
Weekend Pickups
Thabo Sefolosha, Hawks (5 percent owned)
The veteran forward has seen his role increase since Kent Bazemore (ankle) went down with an injury last Saturday. In the four games since Bazemore was sidelined, Sefolosha is averaging 9.8 points on 51.6 percent shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 26.7 minutes. As long as Bazemore remains out, Sefolosha is a good option for defensive stats this weekend as the Hawks face the Grizzlies on Friday and the Spurs on Saturday.
Bismack Biyombo, Raptors (13 percent owned)
Biyombo has taken over the starting center job in Toronto after Jonas Valanciunas (hand) went down on Friday. In his first start against the Clippers on Sunday, Biyombo tallied six points on 3-for-5 shooting and 14 rebounds in 31 minutes. Rebounds and the occasional block are all you can expect from Biyombo. But with consistent minutes likely, he’s a good target if you need boards this weekend as the Raptors matchup with the Wizards on Saturday and the Suns on Sunday.
Nene, Wizards (6 percent owned)
The veteran center is on fire over his last two games with averages of 14.5 points on 92.3 percent shooting, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 22.5 minutes. He’s only missed one shot over this span (12-for-13 overall) and it’s not likely he stays this hot. But the shots have been there for him over the last few weeks and the rebounds and assists have been consistent all season (5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game). He’s worth a look this weekend as the Wizards take on the Celtics on Friday and the Raptors on Saturday.
—
Be sure to follow @NBAFantasy and @HartzellNBA on Twitter for analysis, tips and advice throughout the 2015-16 NBA season!
