EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast co-host Frankie Sachs steps in for Javier Gancedo this week to offer some tips for your fantasy teams
Fantasy tips, Round 14: Timing is everything
Fantasy Challenge
3 Mins read
Timing is everything in the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge. If you can predict when a player is about to take off… Or when a superstar is about to have a clunker, it can make the difference between being a fantasy hero and a fantasy zero. This week, I have selected five players who seem poised to put up nice numbers in Round 14, each for different reasons. If they fit into your team, consider yourself lucky!
Sam Dekker, Joventut Badalona (13.0 credits)
An All-EuroCup selection two seasons ago, Sam Dekker has yet to put together a monster effort since joining Joventut midseason. At least not in the EuroCup. Over his last three games in the Spanish League, he has averaged 21.7 points with 5 three-pointers and 6.7 rebounds per game. That translates to an average PIR of 26. With Joventut battling to reach the postseason, this could be Dekker’s time to shine.
Xavier Castaneda, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (11.4 credits)
Well rested and facing a team he torched for 23 points earlier this season, Castaneda is a player to consider seriously. There is little downside; Castaneda has scored in double figures in every game this season, is averaging a PIR of 14.2 and his worst PIR was 6 back in early October. With a pretty safe floor and a high ceiling for the matchup against Lietkabelis, Castaneda may be a player to target.
Nick Johnson, Trel Sopot (10.6 credits)
Trefl has made a few roster changes recently and Johnson has become the team’s playmaker. In that role, he has seen his assists rise in each game he has played, peaking at 10 last week. Johnson has averaged 9.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.5 steals for a PIR of 17.0 over his last two games while not shooting well. If his shots fall in the up-tempo contest against Wolves this week, it could be a monster game.
Vassilis Toliopoulos, Aris Midea Thessaloniki (10.4 credits)
Toliopoulos returned from injury last week and struggled a bit, but that’s why now is the time to buy him! As recently as Round 10, he was worth 11.1 credits. Between the few games he sat out and last week’s 1 PIR performance, his price has dropped. Toliopoulos already went for 10 points and 5 assists (and a PIR of 13) on Saturday against Turkish Airlines EuroLeague power Olympiacos Piraeus in the Greek League and could be due for a nice performance at Cedevita on Wednesday.
Davide Moretti, Umana Reyer Venice (7.2 credits)
Reyer heads to Hamburg to face the team that has allowed the most points in the competition thus far and that could make it the right time to bet on a player with a hot hand. Moretti set season-highs last week with 15 points on 4-of-6 three-point shooting in the win over Valencia Basket and he is averaging a PIR of 11.3 over his last three games. For just 7.2 credits, Moretti could net a handsome return.