We’re getting to the point of the season in which you’ll have to start looking game by game rather than every few weeks to find a player who is on a production heater. Keep in mind that the teams who are essentially giving up on the season will open up their rotations and let their 9th, 10th and 11th man get more minutes down the stretch. Keep track of which players are getting benched or their minutes limited for the rest of the season.

Cheick Diallo PF/C NO-17% Ownership: Diallo doesn’t need a lot of playing time to produce and the Anthony Davis situation completely benefits him. He’s a low-block specific big man who will score from right under the basket. Diallo has been taking advantage of the extra minutes he’s been getting and he’s recorded a double-double in four of his last six games. He’s also compiled three multi-steal games in his last four and he’ll even help with blocks. Diallo should be able to play 17-20 minutes a game for the rest of the way and he’ll get even more playing time during back to back situations and he’s swatted away shots in five of his last seven games. Even if you see him get fewer than 20 minutes in a game, as long as his rebounding and blocks and/or steals stay high, view him as a volume producer.

Maurice Harkless SF POR-22% Ownership: Even though the Blazers have added more depth, Harkless has been able to keep his spot in their rotation. He’s been on a tear when it comes to his defensive stats. He’s grabbed multiple steals in each of his last five games. He’s been seeing steady minutes in the late-20’s and he’s grabbed at least four boards in his last seven games. Harkless can also hit shots from long-range. He’s able to get open a good amount from mid-range. He’s been able to hit double figures in five of his last seven games and he’ll even look for the cutter and that’s boosted his assist numbers a bit. Being that Harkless is a three-category producer over his last 10 games, he is deserving of a final spot on your bench. He’ll also get minutes at SG. He’ll move around a lot off the ball and shoot high-percentage shots off of screens.

Marcus Smart G BOS-39% Ownership: Smart’s defense will keep him heavily involved at both guard spots. He’s very aggressive on the perimeter and he fights through screens a lot. He’s a good ball-handler as well. The problem is his shooting. When he drives, he’s golden and he can get to the rim. That’s where he uses that same aggressiveness on offense that he brings to the perimeter on defense. Smart has scored in double figures in his last three games. He needs to continue attacking the paint. Smart has hit seven three-pointers total in his last two games. Even though Smart only grabs three boards per game, he’s surpassed three in five of his last six games. Smart can run the point effectively and he dishes four assists per game. The best part of Smart’s game is his ability to grab a lot of steals. He’s grabbed steals in 11 of his last 12 games.

Bam Adebayo PF/C MIA-29% Ownership: This could end up being a short-term minutes boost for Adebayo. Both Hassan Whiteside and Kelly Olynyk have been banged up and Adebayo has benefitted and he’s been starting. Whiteside is dealing with a strained Hip and he may need to be brought back slowly in the next couple of games and Adebayo could keep his minutes. He grabbed double-digit boards in two of his last three games. He plays aggressively under the basket and he’ll draw a lot of contact. He’s on a streak of three straight multi-block games. He’s also grabbed steals in two of his last four games. Surprisingly, he’s been feeding the cutter a bit and it’s resulted in assist-production in his last three games. Adebayo has scored in double figures in three of his last four games. The next two weeks will be very telling where Adebayo stands in the rotation.

Wesley Matthews SG/SF IND-35% Ownership: Matthews has been playing steadily in 30’s and he’s scored in double figures in his last six games. He’s hit multiple three’s in those games and he grabbed steals in five of those game. Matthews is a three and d player and he’s been getting a lot more love in the Pacers rotation. Victor Oladipo ’s void is very hard to fill and Matthews will provide a lot of help on the perimeter. He’ll pull down a few long rebounds. He uses his size well on the perimeter and tries to draw the second defender when he gets the ball at the elbow. Matthews won’t provide a lot of help with assists, but he’ll still give you a few. His spot in the Pacers rotation is safe and secure and he’ll continue to play heavy minutes for the rest of the season. He’s a safe add and he’ll help add to shooting percentages.

Emmanuel Mudiay PG NY-22% Ownership: Since returning to the Knicks lineup from injury, Mudiay picked up from right where he left off despite having more competition at PG from Dennis Smith Jr. He’s hit double figures in his last five games and he’s still seeing minutes in the 20’s and 30’s. Expect Mudiay to play in the mid-20’s for the rest of the season. He’s been helpful on the glass this season grabbing 3.1 boards per game and also on the dimes front dishing 3.8 assists per game. He’ll hit shots from long-range and drive the lane effectively. Grab him for the scoring boost and he’ll serve as the first guard off the bench moving forward. Mudiay has speed and he’ll become the Knicks change of pace option and he’ll use his speed to get down the court and have free lanes. He drives the lane hard and will draw contact.

JaMcyhal Green PF/C LAC-12% Ownership: Green is being utilized similarly in Los Angeles as he was in Memphis. He’ll get 20 minutes per game more often than not and he’s been lifting his scoring numbers. Teams forget that he can hit three’s and he’ll keep firing from long-range if the opposition continues to punt on defending him. Green won’t just be a bailout option. He’ll get the ball at the elbow often and time to work his way in the lane. He’s scored in double figures and grabbed at least eight boards in four of his last five games. Green has been a bit more helpful with blocks as he’s blocked a shot in four of his last six games. Look to add Green for the points and boards and view blocks as an added bonus. It’ll be hard for Green to steal minutes away from Montrezl Harrell , but, the Clippers still need all of the help they can get in their frontcourt and Green will stick in the rotation for the rest of the way.

Tyler Johnson G PHX-35% Ownership: Johnson is more of a pick up for points league players, but he’s someone that should always be watched because of his role being solidified in Phoenix. He’s been seeing consistent minutes in the 20’s and 30’s and he’s a boom or bust scorer. He’s grabbed at least three boards in four of his last six games and guards who three or more boards should be looked at for being added. Coaches reward players who produce defensive stats more minutes. How does Johnson counter the inconsistent scoring positively? He helps with dimes, steals and blocks. He’s blocked shots in three of his last five games. Johnson has a good drive and he can be acrobatic in the air, but he settles for three’s a good amount. Johnson is constantly moving on the perimeter and he’s grabbed steals in seven of his last eight games.

Mason Plumlee PF/C DEN-16% Ownership: Plumlee is back on the target list because of his multi-category production. Even w/ Nikola Jokic in front of him, Plumlee is still able to get 20-plus minutes per game. Plumlee is coming off of back to back nine-board games and he’s also scored in double figures in three of his last five games. Plumlee has no issue sacrificing his body and when he attacks the rim, he attacks with force and he has spin moves in the post. He’s blocked shots and grabbed steals in two of his last four games and he’s even recorded at least three dimes in four of his last five games. When he gets the ball, he’ll hesitate incase someone cut backdoor and is open under the rim. If he gets the ball facing the opposing big man, he’ll try to drive and draw contact. His assists will come mainly from passes when Plumlee is posting up.

WILD CARD PICK UP: Dirk Nowitzki PF/C DAL-22% Ownership: Nowitzki has been able to stay healthy in the last couple of months and he’s picked up minutes. He’s played over 20 minutes in his last four games and besides setting up at the arc, Nowitzki has been more productive since the All-Star break. He’s hit double figures in scoring and grabbed five boards in four of his last six games. He’s been drawing contact inside the arc and even though he’s a lot slower this year, he’s still been hitting spot-up jumpers. The other thing to consider is that the Mavs are decimated when it comes to their big men. His main competition for minutes will be Dorian Finney-Smith , Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell . It’s not much competition and the minutes will continue to be evenly divided for the rest of the way. It’s Dirk’s retirement tour and because of that he’ll continue to be part of the rotation.