Fantasy Basketball: Leandro Barbosa Heating Up in NBA Action

Toronto Raptors guard Leandro Barbosa is a streaky player. When he gets hot, he can fill it up.

Right now, he’s sizzling.

He’s averaging 11.8 points per game on the year, but he’s upped the ante to 16.8 PPG over his past five games. Along with the scoring binge, he’s averaging 1.2 three-pointers, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.2 blocks and 0.8 steals.

Barbosa is shooting 46.6 percent from the floor during his hot streak, 37.5 percent from downtown and 76.9 percent from the line.

Barbosa qualifies at the point guard and shooting guard position, which gives you some added positional flexibility. He’s owned in 10.0 percent of Yahoo! leagues and 2.3 percent of ESPN leagues.

As long as he continues to stay healthy and see 25-plus minutes per game, he should provide some decent scoring. In the nine games he played 20-plus minutes, he has averaged 15.1 PPG and one three-pointer per game. For his career, he averages 1.5 three-pointers per game.

The Raptors play three games on the road this coming week against the Hawks, the Celtics and the Clippers, as well as one at home against the Trail Blazers. His scoring average is nearly identical at home (11.8) and on the road (11.9).

Don’t expect a scoring spree like the one Kobe is in the midst of, but as long as he continues to play 20-plus minutes, he’ll give you a decent bump in points and three-pointers.

As always, make sure you have somebody that you can drop (and not miss) before picking him up.

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