The Miami Heat finished their three-game week with a 2-1 record in Week 12. Culminating in a demolition of the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns, the Heat had a fairly successful week of basketball.
Much like this last week, Week 13 is another three-game week for the Heat. Because of the relatively light schedule, it is significantly more difficult for players to produce elite fantasy value.
With a measly three games in Week 12, only two Heat players ranked inside the top-100 in terms of total 8-category value, per Basketball Monster.
Tyler Herro led the team in total value for the week and finished at 68th. Herro sank all 10 of his free throws, dropped 22.3 points per game, and brought incredibly high defensive numbers.
His 1.3 steals per game and 0.7 blocks per game were well above his season averages. The only other Miami Heat player in the top-100 was Kyle Lowry, who averaged a double-double over the Heat’s three road games.
On the back of 12.3 points per game and 11 assists per game, Lowry ranked 80th in total value for Week 12. He also sank 12 of his 13 free throws, which increased his value tremendously.
Miami Heat Fantasy Basketball: The Struggle To Find Value In Week 12
Two of the Miami Heat’s better fantasy guys in previous weeks came back to Earth a bit. Omer Yurtseven and Caleb Martin hovered just outside the top-100 in Week 12.
Yurtseven (101st) hauled in over 16 rebounds per game but lacked the scoring and field goal percentage that gave him increased value over the previous few weeks. He did see an increase in assists and steals, which helped make up for this lackluster and inefficient scoring.
Martin (104th) benefited from Jimmy Butler’s absence again. In contrast to Yurtseven, Martin was hyper-efficient from the field.
He shot 57.1 percent on 28 shots over the course of the week. He also sank two threes per game and chipped in 5.3 rebounds per game as well.
Overall, it was a down fantasy week for Miami. When a team only plays three games in a week, not too many of their players are going to find themselves in the top-100 value.
The Memphis Grizzlies, for example, had five games in Week 12 and saw six of their players in the top-100.
Miami Heat Fantasy Basketball: It Looks Like Another Dreaded 3-Game Week
Unfortunately, the Heat have another three-game week in Week 13. This means that it may be another struggle to find weekly fantasy value in Miami players.
Lowry, Herro, Yurtseven, and Martin should continue to provide enough value to remain must-start players, but fringy guys like Duncan Robinson and Max Strus will likely not be worth the waiver wire pick up this week.
Thankfully, Butler is expected to be back as soon as Miami’s next game. On top of this, Bam Adebayo is projected to be back towards the end of the week or by the start of the next week.
Either way, the Heat will gladly welcome back one or either of their best players and fantasy managers will welcome back a few key fantasy contributors too.
Specifically towards Adebayo and his lengthy absence, if anyone was foolish enough to drop him in your league, pick him up! He is a fantasy stud and must be on every roster moving forward as he returns to prominence and hopefully, dominance.