NBA Fantasy Basketball Weekly Planner: November 21

It’s another stacked week of NBA games for fantasy players and with no games on the Thanksgiving holiday, the other six days are packed with games.

There are 20 teams with four-game weeks and some of them have exceptional matchups in three, or all four of their games.

The Best of the Best

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors might not be playing up to expectations just yet, but their week for fantasy looks like hitting the jackpot. They have a home and home matchup against the Lakers as two of their games, which are sandwiched in between a road game against the Pacers and a home game against the Wolves. These teams average allowing an effective field goal percentage of 51.6%. Considering Golden State has won seven straight games, averaging over 120 points per game during that stretch, are you seeing the dollar signs yet for the Warriors core four?

Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota plays four games that are all against teams who play faster than they do this week. Considering Minnesota ranks 21st in pace that doesn’t mean much. However, three of those teams rank eighth or higher in pace and two of them, the Warriors and Suns, play paces above 100 possessions per 48 minutes, while ranking in the bottom third of the league in defensive rating.

Phoenix Suns

Phoenix is already a goldmine for fantasy production, but outside of Golden State and Minnesota, no team has a better fantasy schedule than the Suns in Week 5. Other than a road matchup against Orlando’s improving defense, their week starts with a game in Washington DC and ends with a home game against Minnesota. Both of those teams are allowing more than 109 points per 100 possessions. Considering Phoenix is playing at a pace of 102.2 possessions per 48 minutes, there aren’t many times you bench your Suns.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers might be the surprise of the season so far and while they have four games against three good teams this week, for fantasy purposes your eyes should be lighting up for the Lakers this week. They have a home and home matchup against the Warriors, sandwiched in between games against the Thunder and Hawks. They have only one road game and all of their games are against teams that play at paces of 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes or faster. Cha-ching for those Lakers guards.

Orlando Magic

Even though Orlando plays at a slow pace, they are another team that easily plays four pace-up games this week. However, they have two against the Bucks, which is neither a good or bad matchup, but they have home games against Washington and Phoenix sandwiched in between those games against Milwaukee. Orlando’s defense has started showing lately; allowing only 92.2 points per game in their last five, but with three home games and no back to backs, guys like Evan Fournier and Elfrid Payton might have extra value in the faster-paced games.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are the only team that plays all four of their games at home this week and without Paul George for at least Monday, you could be looking at some great games from your other Pacers starters this week. At home, Indiana is averaging 108 points per game, up more than four over their road averages and they improve their shooting nearly four percentage points too. With games against the Warriors and Nets, target the Pacers in Week 5.

Above Average Weeks

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have three road games this week and two of them are against top 10 defensive rated teams, but they have proven that their fantasy studs can perform in almost any matchup. It could be even better for their big men. Outside of their game against Dallas, their other three games are against teams that rank in the bottom half of the league in defensive rebounding rate. Look for multiple double-doubles from Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in Week 5.

Atlanta Hawks

Really the only thing ruining the Hawks from making the best of the best subsection is a road game against Utah this week. Other than that, games against the Pelicans, Pacers and Lakers makes Atlanta a prime target for fantasy value this week. All three of those teams currently rank in the bottom half of the league in their opponent’s effective field goal percentage.

Detroit Pistons

Detroit has been one of the more pleasant surprises this season. Their defense ranks sixth allowing only 103 points per 100 possessions and that might propel them into the playoffs. While they don’t play too fast and they might be getting back Reggie Jackson soon, their first three games are at home and it starts with a juicy one against the Rockets.

Houston Rockets

Speaking of Houston, they have a intriguing fantasy week ahead. Even though they start their week against Detroit, they follow that with games against the Raptors, Kings and Blazers. Those three average allowing nearly 110 points per 100 possessions this season. James Harden might be in line for a few more triple-doubles.

Portland Trail Blazers

For year-long fantasy purposes, the Blazers don’t have many options outside of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, but those two may be in for huge weeks. They are finishing up an East Coast road trip with games against the Knicks and Cavaliers, followed by home games against New Orleans and Houston. Considering Portland is coming into the week giving up more points per 100 possessions than any team, you can bet that they might be playing some catch up this week. Garbage time fantasy production isn’t just for football anymore.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans have a nice week ahead of them, despite starting it with a back to back. However, after their back to back set against the Hawks and Wolves, they get to play a road game against Portland before heading to Dallas. The Pelicans have won four of their last six games and with Jrue Holiday back, it’s only going to help their fantasy production in a good schedule this week.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder’s toughest game is at home against the Pistons this week. Other than that, the three on the road against the Lakers, Kings and Nuggets should all have value for one reason or another. Los Angeles and Denver are playing as fast or faster than OKC, while the Kings are allowing 113 points in their last four games. Take the over on Russell Westbrook’s triple-doubles this week.

Other Four-Game Weeks

Charlotte Hornets

While the Hornets’ week starts off rough against the Grizzlies and Spurs, it finishes with two games against the Knicks, who are allowing 110.6 points per 100 possessions this season. Plus, if you own Kemba Walker, you get to play him in Madison Square Garden once this week, which is always appealing.

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas may be the most injured team in the league and this week while Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry might have value if Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams are out for much longer their week isn’t that appealing. They start their week against the Spurs, Clippers and Cavaliers, who all three rank in the top 11 in defensive rating this season.

Denver Nuggets

Denver is another team that starts their week rough, but ends it a lot better. They open their week with a back to back against the Bulls and on the road in Utah. However, it ends with pace-up games against the Thunder and Suns, so roster up your Nuggets.

Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis is starting to play better and even though they still can’t catch a break with injury, they have won four straight games, three of which were on the road. They get a game in Philadelphia this week and two games against the Heat, so while it could be better, it could also be worse this week. Also, with Chandler Parsons out, if James Ennis is on the waiver wire, pick him up.

Miami Heat

Two games against the Grizzlies and one against the Pistons isn’t ideal for the Heat, but at least they get to also play the Sixers this week. Goran Dragic is back on the floor, it helps this team a ton. With Dragic on the court this season, the Heat’s offense is +7.1 points per 100 possessions.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers may have four home games this week, but that’s about all they have going for them. Their four games are against teams that average allowing only 103 points per 100 possessions. At least you don’t have any back to backs, so Joel Embiid might be in for a solid week. Also to note is Ersan Ilyasova has scored in double figures four straight games and is a viable waiver add.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have now won five games in a row and they head into the week with a tough start, but a nice finish to the week. After playing the Mavericks and Hornets, they finish their week on the road against Boston and Washington. However, their game against the Celtics is a matinee game the day after Thanksgiving, so the Spurs could have some Turkey Day hangover after traveling on a holiday.

Notable Three-Game Weeks

Brooklyn Nets

Among teams with only three games, Brooklyn looks like a one that is worth a hold this week. When it comes to the Nets, the return of Jeremy Ln is a looming question mark, but with games against Boston, Indiana and Sacramento, it’s hard not to start guys like Brook Lopez, Trevor Booker and Boan Bogdanovic either way.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings recently started playing smaller and shortened their rotation, which could do wonders for their win column and fantasy value. Moving Rudy Gay to power forward and starting Matt Barnes, Ty Lawson and Darren Collison all with DeMarcus Cousins is a formidable starting five. They beat the Raptors in their first game with this lineup and all five of these guys could be viable fantasy options in year-long leagues going forward, especially if Dave Joerger continues to employ an eight-man rotation.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland doesn’t start their week until Wednesday, so sorry to those who were hoping for an extra does of LeBron James and the defending champs this week. However, besides a home game against Dallas, they play Portland at home and Philadelphia on the road, so even though the quantity won’t be there, the quality will be superb.

 

The Rest

Boston Celtics

The good news for Boston is that they are healthy and they have games against the Wolves and Nets this week. The bad news is their only other game is against the Spurs and it is their only home game of the week. However, Al Horford owners were happy to see him back and productive after his absence from a concussion.

Milwaukee Bucks

Besides Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo, there isn’t much to like from the Bucks this week. They have three games and two of them are against an improving Magic defense, so I’d bench your other Bucks in weekly lock formats. 

New York Knicks

The Knicks are in a similar spot but their three game week features two against the Hornets. Charlotte currently ranks fourth with only 102.4 points allowed per 100 possessions, so if they aren’t named Carmelo Anthony or Kristaps Porzingis, it might be wise to bench them this week against Charlotte.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have only three games this week and they are all on the road. However, their trio of Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas still might have some success. They get a road game against the Rockets and one against the Bucks, but they will be a team to watch next week with four home games.

Washington Wizards

Washington is usually a nice team to target for fantasy, but this week outside of a game on Monday against the Suns, the Wizards look like they’ll lose some value playing on the road in Orlando and at home against the Spurs. If Markieff Morris is out it might help the fact that two of their three games aren’t the best, but if not it is a John Wall week or nothing for me.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago is one of two teams that have only two games this week, but at least they are both appealing. They are on the road against Denver and Philadelphia, but the big story with Chicago is their improvement on both ends of the court. Chicago is one of only three teams that rank in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating this season, making them look like a vastly improved team from the last few seasons so far.

Utah Jazz

Utah’s fantasy value this week is almost nil. You don’t know George Hill’s status, Derrick Favors is out and they only have two games. Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert are going to stay in your lineups most likely, but other than that if your rosters lock weekly, leave the rest of the Jazz out.