The Miami Heat played an up-and-down four games during Week 16. With all four contests away from FTX Arena, Miami got whipped in the first two games of the week but settled in for a dominant performance in the final two.
Along the way, Kyle Lowry returned to a nightly rotation that is fully healthy for the first time in a long while. With Lowry’s return, this meant that many fantasy-fringe players lost significant value for the week.
Bam Adebayo made the most of Lowry’s absence and shaky return to play. The big man piled on 20.5 points per game to go along with 9.8 rebounds per game and a ludicrous 3.0 steals per game.
Combined with 51.6 percent shooting, Adebayo finished sixth for the week in total value.
In only three games played, Jimmy Butler ended the week with an impressive 31st-place showing. If Butler played in all four contests, he was bound to have another top-10 week.
The All-Star made all 20 of his free throws during the week and continued his hyper-efficiency from the field—shooting 54.1 percent for the week. With a stat line of 20. points, seven rebounds, 6.3 assists, and .7 steals per game, it is no wonder Butler was named to the All-Star team.
Tyler Herro turned in a solid four-game stretch and finished the week with the 38th-best value. While none of Herro’s numbers jumped off the box score, he was consistent all week, which is what matters as we draw closer to the fantasy playoffs.
No other Heat player finished inside the top-100 for Week 16. With a fully healthy rotation of players on a winning team, it may be difficult to find value in streamable players like Caleb Martin, Max Strus, or P.J. Tucker.
Barring injury, they can be dropped in nearly all fantasy formats. With Lowry back in the mix, the Heat’s Big Four should continue chugging along for fantasy managers.
Although Week 17 is another measly three-game week, Adebayo, Butler, Herro, and Lowry should provide plenty of value for the week, starting with another dominant showing in Washington on Monday. Make sure that they are starting in every fantasy lineup.
Although managers may have struggled while Adebayo, Butler, and Lowry were missing time, this is the light at the end of the tunnel. If you were able to trade for one of them while they were sidelined, congratulations!
You may have just won your league.