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10 Players Who Will Break Out in Second Half of the Fantasy Basketball Season

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10 Fantasy Players Who Will Break Out In Second Half

Portland Trail Blazers v Denver Nuggets
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The fantasy basketball season is at the halfway point, but there is still plenty of ball left to be played. Here are 10 players that will break out in the second half of the fantasy season.

10. J.R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers

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10. J.R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers

JRSmith
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Smith needed a fresh start very badly, and he got exactly that with the trade to Cleveland. He only saw 18 minutes in his debut, but it is only a matter of time until he starts seeing more minutes. He averaged 18.5 points in his previous two games, so expect this scorer to wake up in the second half.

9. G Dante Exum, Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz v Oklahoma City Thunder
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9. G Dante Exum, Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz v Oklahoma City Thunder
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Utah desperately needs relabel play out of their backcourt. Exum appears to be waking up, as the rookie has scored double-digit points in two of the past four contests. Exum could very well emerge as a 10-point contributor in the second half of the season.

8. C Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets

Los Angeles Clippers v Charlotte Hornets
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8. C Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets

Los Angeles Clippers v Charlotte Hornets
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The Z-Man has looked much better this winter, as he has averaged 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game this month. The seven-footer will put up big numbers in the second half of the season.

7. G Jameer Nelson, Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks v San Antonio Spurs
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7. G Jameer Nelson, Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks v San Antonio Spurs
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Nelson has averaged an impressive 6.6 assists per game with Dallas, but he has only played 20 minutes per game due to a bum ankle. He is the only true point guard on the roster, and he will lily see heavy minutes down the stretch for the Mavs. Look for Nelson to develop into a decent PG3 for fantasy owners down the stretch.

7. G Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics

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7. G Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics

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Smart hasn't done much this season besides his 23-point outburst against the Wizards last month. He is averaging a meager 5.9 points on the year, but it is only a matter of time until he is moved into the starting lineup. The former Oklahoma State standout is a natural scorer, and once he gets the starting nod, he will quickly become a fantasy star.

6. G Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic

Boston Celtics v Orlando Magic
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6. G Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic

Boston Celtics v Orlando Magic
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Payton has played in over 30 minutes in all three games this month. As a result, he has averaged an outstanding 11.5 points, 8.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals per contest. Now that Jameer Nelson is out of the picture, look for Payton to start filling out the box score more consistently.

4. C Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves

Milwaukee Bucks v Minnesota Timberwolves
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4. C Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves

Milwaukee Bucks v Minnesota Timberwolves
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Dieng has posted a stellar 15.7 points, 9.3 rebounds ad 2.3 blocks per game this month. He has taken on a much larger role on the team and will continue to start at center with Larry Sanders on the pine. Dieng is ready to become a true C2 in the second half of the fantasy season.

3. F Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers

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3. F Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers

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Noel is finally getting more minutes in Philadelphia, and as a result, he has started to produce. He has amassed double-digit rebounds in four of the past nine games. The former first round pick will see big minutes in the second half, which only means more points/rebounds for fantasy owners.

2. F Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves

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Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

2. F Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves

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Wiggins is averaging a respectable 13.9 points per game this season, but he has been on fire this winter. He has averaged a staggering 21.5 points over the past seven games. The rookie is set to explode over the second half of the NBA season.

1. F Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets

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1. F Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets

KennethFaried
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Faried has been outstanding at times this season, but his 11.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game suggest he has been rather inconsistent. Over the past eight games, though, he has averaged 14.3 points and 14.1 rebounds. Expect more of the same from the Manimal during the second half of the season.

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