Taxi » effery nets the highest rank here against an exploitable secondary

MIAMI -- Hassan Whiteside likes when teams challenge him inside.The reigning NBA blocks leader piled up seven to go with 12 points and 17 rebounds and the Miami Heat beat the Milwaukee Bucks 96-73 on Thursday night to end a six-game losing streak.Theres two different types of coaches and teams, Whiteside said. Theres coaches that say, `Hassan Whiteside is down there, dont attack him. And then there are coaches that say, `Hassan Whiteside is down there, lets attack him, God bless those teams. Long live those teams. I need more of those teams.Dion Waiters led Miami with 23 points, and Josh Richardson added 18. The losing streak was the Heats longest since 2008.Its just another game, we cant get too happy about one win, Richardson said. Were glad we won, but weve got to move on to the next game.Point guard Goran Dragic returned for the Heat after missing three games with a sprained left ankle. He had 16 points in 35 minutes.Rusty a little bit, Dragic said. I didnt feel quite fast enough. The first half I struggled a little bit and then I finally got my legs under me a little bit and in the second half I felt great.Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tony Snell each had 14 points for Milwaukee. The Bucks shot 32.9 percent (28 of 85) from the field and have lost four of five.As a team we struggled on the defensive end, Bucks head coach Jason Kidd said. We couldnt guard the ball. We couldnt grab rebounds when we had to. We gave them second opportunities. On the offensive end, we just lost our patience.Richardson hit a corner 3, Whiteside blocked a layup attempt by Antetokounmpo, and Dragic hit a 3 in a flurry of big plays to give Miami an 80-69 lead with 7 minutes left.That was a big sequence for us, Richardson said. Hassan, when he gets blocks like that it energizes everybody and were running I think were a dangerous team.The Heat held on the rest of the way, with a 3 by Waiters making it 88-73 with 3:31 left.Miami outscored Milwaukee 29-11 in the fourth quarter.The Bucks entered the game leading the NBA in points in the paint, averaging 49.8 a game after leading the league a year ago, but were held to 34 and just 10 in the second half.They cover so much ground in particular G.A. and (Jabari) Parker, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. They really have a way of cutting and attacking, and catching and going into the paint. You have to have guys who are willing to compete, be physical, and do it with technique and discipline. And then when you get beat it helps to have a great eraser back there (with Whiteside).Milwaukee jumped out to a 20-6 lead, which included three impressive dunks by Parker, including taking one around-the-back on a dribble to avoid Richardson, and holding the Heat to 3-for-18 shooting.Miami quickly bounced back as Tyler Johnsons 3 gave the Heat a 30-27 lead and the teams were knotted at 48 at the break.Josh Richardson hit a pair of 3-pointers for the Heat during a 13-4 run in the third quarter to give Miami a 65-54 lead.Miami led 67-62 to start the fourth quarter.Our best basketball was in the second half, Spoelstra said.BUCKS STARS STRUGGLEAntetokounmpo and Parker, who entered the game averaging over 41 points, combined to score 25 on 10-of-35 shooting (28.6 percent).(Whiteside) did a good job of contesting shots, but I go to the basket, and I didnt get nothing the whole game, Parker said. I didnt get no calls.McGRUDER, COACHES RECEIVE RINGSMiamis Rodney McGruder and assistant coaches Dan Craig and Octavio de la Grana received their NBA D-League championship rings for winning the title last season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miamis affiliate.Thats the same rock we got, thats awesome, Spoelstra said in reference to the Heats three championship rings. We all felt that we were a part of it.McGruder, a Kansas State product who went undrafted in 2013, made his NBA debut this season and recently earned his first start.UP NEXTMilwaukee will host Golden State on Saturday. The Bucks handed the Warriors one of their nine regular-season losses last year ending their 24-game winning streak to start the season.Miami begins a four-game, seven-day trip Saturday at Washington. Wholesale Red Wings Jerseys . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Cheap Adidas Red Wings Jerseys . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. http://www.cheapredwingsjerseys.com/ . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Cheap Red Wings Jerseys .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Authentic . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. This page will be updated with new questions and answers up until just after noon ET, so refresh often to see if your question was answered. The most recent answers will appear first.Sometimes, rankings and columns just arent enough to help you decide which player should go in your lineup. If youre still not sure about that final spot before Sundays games kick off, send us a question on Twitter using the hashtag #startsitESPN, and you just might get yours answered below.Each week, ESPN Fantasy analysts KC Joyner and Jim McCormick will provide advice for players just like you stuck with tough choices to make.The fantasy playoffs are upon us, so making the correct lineup decisions becomes that much more important. Lets get started on answering your fantasy football questions.@ESPNFantasy @espn Big Ben or Carr? #StartSitESPN- Zachary cort (@Ztrain84) December 18, 2016This question would normally be an issue of upside, but given that these two accounted for a total of six fantasy points between them last week, its more a matter of who can return to form. Roethlisberger has what should be the more favorable matchup against Cincinnati, as the Bengals rank 24th in yards per attempt allowed on vertical passes (11.8 on aerials thrown 11 or more yards downfield). That makes him the safer pick than Carr under most circumstances, but the weather in Cincinnati is going to be much worse than the weather in San Diego, so Carr would be the percentage option here. -- KC#StartSitESPN Walker or Reed?- Nic (@theMELATONINman) December 18, 2016This boils down to risk management. Reed is battling a shoulder injury and was limited in practice all week long, but he has a matchup against a Panthers defense that ranks last in the league in points allowed to opposing tight ends and has allowed double-digit points to opposing tight ends in three straight games. Walker isnt on the injury report, but he faces a Kansas City defense that has allowed double-digit points to opposing tight ends only once this year, and that was in Week 3. Since Reed did participate in one-on-one drills on Friday and has an extra day of rest, the suggestion would be to play for upside and start him, with the caveat of picking up Vernon Davis as insurance, if he is available. -- KCNeed help in semifinals of playoff.!!!!Should I start Tom Brady against the Broncos or start Philip Rivers against the raiders?#STARTSITESPN- Scott Ellis (@ScottEllis1016) December 18, 2016Bill Belichick has a long history of tailoring his offenses game plan around attacking the defenses weakness while avoiding the defenses strength. For this week, that will mean rushing the ball early and often against a Denver defense that has allowed 100 or more yards versus opponents running backs in five of its last seven games. The Raiders pass defense is much improved over its early season performance, but the Oakland-San Diego matchup is very likely to turn into a pass-heavy shootout, so Rivers would be the go-to option here. -- KC@ESPNFantasy @espn Dez or ty Hilton as flex #StartSitESPN- Jesus Arroyo Jr (@sonicg35) December 18, 2016This is a matter of upside versus percentage. Bryant would seem to offer upside, given that Tampa Bays pass defense has struggled a lot this year, but the Buccaneers have allowed 18 or fewer points to opponents wide receivers in four of the last five weeks after allowing 28 or more in six of its first eight games. There is also the matter of Bryants back injury that has limited him in practice all week and has listed him as questionable. Hilton has a tougher matchup against the Vikings, but Minnesotas pass defense has taken a step backward of late and he doesnt have the injury risk, so the suggestion would be to start Hilton. -- KC@ESPNFantasy Tyrell Williams or Taylor Gabriel? #StartSitESPN- J. Ryan (@USMCRaiderz) December 18, 2016Both of them rate very high this week in my matchup points grading system that ranks matchups on a 0-100 scale, with 100 being the most favorable (Gabriel 83, Williams 75). That gives them both significant upside potential. Williams would normally have the edge in target volume, but Julio Jones is listed as out due to injury, so Gabriel should close the gap in that area. Given this latter element and the slight edge in matchup grade, Gabriel would be the selection here. -- KCAP or Lamar Miller #StartSitESPN- Andrea (@acholla527) December 18, 2016Miller was limited in practice this week, but he has no injury designation headed into the matchup against the Jaguars. That makes it an almost certainty that he gets the bulk of the carry workload, as he has all year by posting a double-digit carry total in 12 games. It is possible Peterson will match that, but it also very possible that he will be rotated into the lineup more slowly to work off the injury rust. That means Miller is the percentage selection, unless there is a need to play for the home run that could occur if Peterson returns to his former elite form. -- KCFarrow, Ingram or Gore? Who should sit? #StartSitESPN- Joe (@stangtrain05) December 18, 2016Ingram has posted a single-digit carry total in three of his last four games and was limited in multiple practices this week because of toe and knee injuries. He also has a brutal road matchup against a very tough Cardinals defense. Farrow and Gore have much more favorable situations and dont have the injury risk, so Ingram would be the bench option here. -- KC@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN Michael Thomas or Kenneth Farrow as my flex? Non ppr & worried about Patrick Peterson!- Gavin Bush (@gdbush) December 18, 2016Peterson is a legitimate concern, as is Thomas inconsistency that has led to him posting six or fewer points in four of the last six games prior to last weeks injury-induced goose egg. Farrows only competition for workload will be third-down back Ronnie Hillman, so Farrow could be in line to rack up another game with 20 touches. Add in the Raiders-Chargers contest having all the looks of a shootout and Farrow would be the pick here. -- KC#StartSitESPN start Stafford or Winston?- Davin Pang (@dpang24) December 18, 2016Stafford has a banged-up finger and will be playing in the rain and wind in New York. He will also be facing a Giants pass defense that has allowed more than 12 points to an opposing fantasy quarterback only one time since Week 6. Winston doesnt have the injury or weather risks and faces a Cowboys pass defense that has allowed 400 or more passing yards in two of its last five games. Add those up and Winston is the preferred option. -- KC#StartSitESPN. DST Cardinals, Pack, or Giants?- Mark Penson (@mapso) December 18, 2016As noted above, the Giants powerful pass defense will be facing an injured quarterback and will have the benefit of rain and wind. That gives it plenty of upside and fewer risk factors than the Cardinals have against a powerful Saints passing game or the Packers have, given their subpar pass defense. Go with Big Blue in this one. -- KCCan I wait on Jordan Reed or put in Rishard Matthews instead? (.5 ppr) #StartSitESPN- Ryan (@slyther3) December 18, 2016From Week 5 to Week 13, Matthews ranked eighth in fantasy points per game among wideouts in ESPN standard scoring over this eight-game sample. Marcus Mariota enjoyed a robust passer rating of 138.5, targeting Matthews over this eight-game sample, and this weeks matchup offers much more upside, as the Chiefs have ceded the most yards to wideouts this season and nearly 90 percent more than Denvers stingy rate (Broncos shut down Matthews last week). With Reed facing some uncertainty in routes and targets with the shoulder ailment, Matthews gets the nod. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Frank Gore or Kenneth Farrow- Eric Tolowitzki (@Etolo10) December 18, 2016I prefer Farrow, as the Raiders are soft to the run, while the Viking are stingy. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy PPR Crowder or D. Thomas? Help! #StartSitESPN- Adam Kolling (@KollingAdam) December 18, 2016Thomas has the second-highest team target share in the league over the past month, so his PPR credibility is quite high. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN Brady or Cousins?!?! Havent sat Brady all year...- Mike Melisky (@isatingum) December 18, 2016Rare case where I sit Brady is for Cousins in this great setup at home. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Vikings D or Packers D!? #StartSitESPN- Justin Lopez (@Slayin_MuleDeer) December 118, 2016I prefer the Vikings and the fact that their pass rush is second only to the Broncos in pressures per dropback.dddddddddddd -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Gabriel, Watkins, t.williams, Inman, Crowder or Rishard Matthews? Need 3. Thanks- Marcus Ciraolo (@CciraoloKilty) December 18, 2016Crowder, Watkins and Williams. Good options. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Miller or farrow standard. Also have Zeke who I am playing. #StartSitESPN- maribeth dura (@durafam6) December 18, 2016Im going with Miller, as the Texans are second only to the Cowboys in 100-yard rushing games and the volume is more impressive for Miller. -- J.M.Flex Watkins or Alshon Jeffery? #StartSitESPN- Javier Davila (@Javi96Inspired) December 18, 2016With a proven rapport with Tyrod Taylor, Watkins gets the nod. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Ebron or Ryan griffin tight end who will have a better day? Thank you- Michael zavada (@michael_zavada) December 18, 2016I prefer Griffin with Fiedorowicz sidelined. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN tyreek hill or Watkins?- Andrew Schulz (@PSM_Schulz) December 18, 2016Lots of Sammy talk today -- sticking with Watkins and his superior setup. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Kapernick or Carr? #StartSitESPN- Cody Tolbert (@c_tolbert1) December 18, 2016Its Carr for me, as Kaepernicks floor is dangerously low, even with the rushing ability. -- J.M.Should I start Stefon diggs or tyrell Williams standard league (not ppr)? #StartSitESPN @ESPNFantasy- will (@Koolguywill21) December 18, 2016I prefer Diggs, given the Colts are 32nd in pass coverage on Pro Football Focus and his target share remains valuable. -- J.M.Ryan Mathews, Sterling Sheppard, or Kelvin Benjamin in the flex? #StartSitESPN- TylerWilson17 (@TylerWilson171) December 18, 2016Benjamin has the best path to yardage and red zone usage. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Frank Gore or Tevin Coleman?- Frank Gainer (@frannypat) December 18, 2016Id assume the usage risk of Coleman here, as his upside against the worst rushing defense in the league is sizable. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN One of these 3 at TE in PPR: Delanie Walker, Ertz or Rudolph?- Matt Breen (@thebrizzle16) December 18, 2016Ertz gets the nod in PPR, as hes second in the NFL in targets since Week 11 and should again see a volume-driven role. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Eifert or Olsen?- Austin Peterson (@petey6191988) December 18, 2016Eifert earns the nod for his superior red zone and scoring pattern. -- J.M.Stafford or newton in standard scoring league?! #StartSitESPN- Ty Girch (@TGirch) December 18, 2016Going with Cam, given that the Giants have ceded the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Gabriel or Theilen at WR?- John Mulhern (@tornado973) December 18, 2016Gabriel has five receiving touchdowns in his past six games after netting just one over his first 34 career games. With Jones sidelined, Gabriel becomes a high-end streamer, and I prefer him over Thielen. -- J.M.Start Jordan Reed or Ladarius Green? #StartSitESPN- Jayme Butts (@JaymeButts) December 18, 2016Going with Reed, as the Panthers have ceded 10 touchdowns, second most in the league, and the Redskins have the second-highest implied team total of the slate, per the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. I do like Green, since the Bengals have allowed the most yards to tight ends, but Reeds ceiling as a touchdown weapon is truly unique. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN Kaep or Brady- ???? (@Kwelsh83) December 18, 2016Brady has averaged nearly 48 attempts his past five games against Denver, per Mike Clay. This level of volume can drive a solid yardage outing, plus Kaepernick is the only qualifying quarterback with a completion rate below 50 percent in the second half. Thus, hes a risk outside of his rushing upside. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN should I start Kirk Cousins or Matt Ryan?- Adam (@adamfor3) December 18, 2016Great options, as both are home favorites with great point totals in their favor. That said, I have Cousins as my No. 1 QB this week and Ryan at No. 2, so its a legitimate dilemma. But I favor Cousins, given that he leads the NFL in passing since Week 9. The Redskins robust rate of 2.97 points per drive at home is second best in the league and 57.1 percent higher than the league average per-drive production pattern. -- J.M.Should I start #JoeFlacco against the #PhiladelphiaEagles or #AlexSmith against the #TennesseeTitans #StartSitESPN ??please help!- RMJ Films (@RMJFilms) December 18, 2016Its a tough slate for quarterbacks, so understandably, were flooded with questions about that position. With the Eagles secondary proving porous, Flacco is in a better spot to produce, and he drops back a good deal more per game than Smith. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Kelvin Benjamin or Hogan from the Pats?! Help! #StartSitESPN- J.D. Rivera (@jdrivera_) December 18, 2016Going with Benjamin, as the Broncos are amazingly stingy to receivers, allowing 38 percent fewer yards to the position than league average. -- J.M.Edelman or D Jax #StartSitESPN- Keith Kamann (@K_kamann2k) December 18, 2016Edelmans volume-driven role fuels a respectable outcome pattern -- he leads the league with 54 targets since Week 11 -- especially as he can avoid Denvers best coverage from the slot. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy crowder or Watkins? #StartSitESPN- Kyle_j_b (@kyle_j_b) December 18, 2016Truly tough one here, but going with Crowder, given his sizable target share of that elite home Washington offense. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Carr or Dalton? #StartSitESPN- Adam Love (@AyeJay_Love) December 18, 2016I have Carr a good 10 spots ahead of Dalton, given the rich point total in San Diego today and his superior cast of receiving weapons. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Tevin Coleman or Dontrelle Inman at the flex? #StartSitESPN- Zak Hawkins (@TheRealZHawk) December 18, 2016I prefer Coleman, as the absence of Julio Jones target share allows for a nice stake of this Falcons team with a robust point total hovering around 33 points today. Which is to say, there is a lot to go around with Atlanta. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN gore or Peterson-Standard- Dylan Topolski (@Dylan_Topolski) December 18, 2016Im trusting Gores steady workload and claim to goal-to-go work. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Crabtree, Watkins, or Hill?- Peytonius of Sparta (@GatorFan_4Life) December 18, 2016Going with Crabtree, as he should shine with Amari Cooper likely drawing coverage from Casey Hayward. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy #StartSitESPN standard league, Thielen, Jeffery, or Snead?- Ben (@slobberingdog1) December 18, 2016Jeffery nets the highest rank here against an exploitable secondary and likely due a sizable target share. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Trophy in sight. Gates or Rudolph ppr league.- Brad Catten (@badcat64) December 18, 2016Rudolph has a great 20 percent target share and faces a Colts secondary ranked 32nd in pass coverage on Pro Football Focus. -- J.M.Should I start ty Montgomery in the cold or Emanuel sanders against a tough patriots defense? #StartSitESPN- Zack Ware (@RZW91) December 18, 2016Sanders has a rewarding 31 percent share of the Broncos offense over the past month and is in a strong spot to produce via volume today. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN https://t.co/6HMAHH3pbi- Arthur Strauss (@astrauss1) December 18, 2016Going with Murray, based on his rare touchdown role in goal-to-go scenarios and his return as a feature back over the past six weeks. -- J.M.@ESPNFantasy Bryant, Farrow, or Watkins at flex #startsitespn- Jill Dukeshier (@Jdukeshier) December 18, 2016Prefer Dez of this trio, even as hes struggled, because his touchdown ability and share of targets is coveted. -- J.M.#StartSitESPN Doug Martin, Jennings, Theilin or JJ Nelson for my flex. PPR- sstew22 (@sstew22) December 18, 2016I prefer Martin for his workload and goal-to-go role. -- J.M.Crowell, farrow or Peterson? Choose one #StartSitESPN- Corey Dempsey (@cordemps) December 18, 2016I have Farrow the highest of this group, given his potential for a heavy early-down workload. Peterson is intriguing, but some real risk in his profile for touches. -- J.M.Luck or Rodgers? #StartSitESPN- kaitlyn (@keightypi) December 18, 2016Rodgers has thrown 17 passing touchdowns to one interception over the past five games against the Bears and at least three touchdowns in four of the past five this season. -- J.M. ' ' '