It’s time for the stretch run of your fantasy regular season, as most leagues are entering the final few weeks before the start of the fantasy playoff. 

If you’re on the bubble, or maybe just hanging on to a playoff spot in your league, streaming and knowing which teams to target might be the difference between being in or out of your league’s playoffs this season. 

Best Of The Best

Utah Jazz

By far one of the best teams to target this week will be the Jazz. Rodney Hood is back so if he is available go pick him up, however, overall the Jazz look nice this week. They do have a Tuesday-Wednesday back to back against the Thunder and Wolves, but other than that their week is much softer than most of the league this week. After that back to back set, the Jazz play the Nets on Friday and the Kings on Sunday, two of the worst teams in the league right now. They should have some sky-high implied totals this week. 

Golden State Warriors

It’s no surprise that the Warriors look like one of the best teams to target this week. As long as Kevin Durant’s hand injury isn’t serious, the Warriors are shaping up for a big four-game week here in Week 19. The only problem is they open with a back to back against the Sixers and Wizards on Monday-Tuesday, but as long as no one is rested for that first game, this should be a banner week for the Dubs in fantasy leagues. They finish their week against the Bulls and Knicks, so while all the games are on the road, it should be a great week to own Warriors. 

Boston Celtics

Boston snapped a small two-game losing streak over the weekend and now they have a chance to get back to competing for one of the East’s top playoff spots. After hosting the Hawks and Cavaliers to begin the week, the Celtics head out on the road for the first two games of a five-game trip. However, their first two games of that trip are against the West’s two worst teams in the Lakers and Suns, meaning it could be a huge fantasy week ahead for the C’s. Also, Avery Bradley is almost ready for a return, making him a fine add if he was dropped in shallower leagues. 

Atlanta Hawks

Three of Atlanta’s four games are at home this week and while they have struggled on offense as of late, averaging just 86.7 points per game in their last three, this could be a week where the Hawks turn it around for both themselves and their fantasy owners. After a trip to Boston on Monday, the Hawks have three games of a six-game home stand this week against the Mavericks, Cavaliers and Pacers. Indiana should be a softer matchup, as will Boston, but while the Mavs and Cavs are better on defense than their other two opponents, the Hawks have played much better at home this season, so maybe being back there will jumpstart this struggling offense. 

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are one of the best stories in basketball this season and their fantasy value has been through the roof. James Johnson is one of the best waiver adds of the season and slowly but surely this tea has fought their way back to playoff contention in the East. This week their fantasy value should be top notch as well. Three of their four games are against lottery teams this week and their only other game is against the Cavaliers. It’s hard not to like the Heat this week, especially as they are healthy and starting to put up nice offensive numbers for fantasy owners. Miami is averaging 112.4 points per game in the month of February. 

New York Knicks

The Knicks recently released Brandon Jennings in a sign that they don’t want anyone on their team that isn’t ready to start tanking. Now that the Knicks have given up on this season, they should still hold some nice fantasy value, but it might reside in the younger guys. Carmelo Anthony and the veterans will likely receive some more nights off as the Knicks tank for draft positioning, but at least for this week it seems like a god week to target Knicks players. Their two toughest games against the Warriors and Raptors are at home, while they have games against the lowly Sixers and Magic on the road this week, making them one of the better fantasy outlooks of the week. 

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are riding a three-game winning streak heading into Week 19 and they have room for more wins this week too. The health of Kyle Lowry is a bit concerning for the team and his fantasy owners, but as long as he is back sometime this week, it’s not panic time just yet. It’s tough for weekly lock format owners of Lowry this week, especially with a fine slate of action with games against the Knicks, Bucks and twice against the Wizards. Stay tuned for more on Lowry’s status for Monday and the rest of the week. 

Notable Four-Game Weeks

Oklahoma City Thunder

Other than opening their week against the Jazz, the Thunder have a lot of room for fantasy goodness this week. Victor Oladipo’s injury is concerning, but it’s also opening up more value with guys like Alex Abrines, who is an excellent waiver pickup right now. Furthermore, after their game against the Jazz, the Thunder play the Blazers, Suns and Mavs, which should all three be excellent games for your Thunder players. Now that they have acquired Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott, it gives this team some legit depth and scoring off the bench. Other than that game against Utah and a Thursday-Friday back to back, all systems are go for the Thunder in fantasy this week. 

Philadelphia 76ers

Bad news out of Philadelphia this morning that Joel Embiid is now out indefinitely and is scheduled for an MRI on his swollen knee. However, the rest of the Sixers are playing well and are excellent targets this week. Philly opens against the Warriors on Monday as a 13-point underdog, followed by games against the Heat, Knicks and Pistons. Miami, Detroit and Golden State all rank inside the top seven in defensive efficiency this season, so while the Sixers have some appeal this week, it could be better for a four-game week. 

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers seem to be making moves in buyout season and here in Week 19 they should be helping your fantasy team make some moves as well. While three of their games are on the road, two of them are against teams with a defensive rating of 109.2 or higher. After facing the Bucks and Celtics, the Cavs head into Miami and Atlanta for their final two games this week, but considering the Cavs are averaging 110 points per game against the Hawks and Heat this season, it should be an A-plus week for your Cavaliers. 

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas is still fighting the good fight to make the playoffs and that should help your fantasy teams. Their smaller lineup with Dirk Nowitzki at center seems to have helped their offense and while they have some tougher matchups this week they should still hold value for fantasy owners. The Mavs play the Heat, Hawks, Grizzlies and Thunder this week with no back to backs and three of the four games being at home. So far this season the Mavs are above .500 playing at home with a scoring average of just over 100 points. Look for a strong week from Big-D.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks also host four games this week and three of them are at home. However, other than a game against the worst defensive team in the league, the Nuggets, the rest of the Bucks opponents this week are pretty tough. They play the Cavs, Clippers and Raptors for their other three games this week, so while they should have some fantasy appeal, there might be some players with three-game weeks that could be better targets than most of the Bucks this week. 

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are firmly in playing for next season mode, but with four games and three of them at home this week, the Suns are going to be fantasy targets. They don’t open until Tuesday and they have aback to back on Thursday-Friday, but Phoenix’s commitment to playing their young guys should bring some fantasy goodness to your teams. Alan Williams looks like a nice speculative add after a couple of big games, while T.J. Warren is playing well after the departure of P.J. Tucker. Even though they have some tough games this week against the Grizzlies and Thunder, overall the Suns are a great buy in Week 19.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards started to falter at the end of last week losing two straight to the Sixers and Jazz. However, they have a chance to turn things around in Week 19 for themselves and their fantasy owners. They play the Warriors, Magic and Raptors twice this week with three of their four games being at home. Despite the hiccup late last week, the Wizards are still averaging 113 points per game in the month of February, making them strong fantasy values this week. 

Notable Three-Game Weeks

Charlotte Hornets

If any team has an elite three-game week, it’s the Charlotte Hornets. Now, if they could just start stringing together some wins. Kemba Walker has been fantastic and maybe a week like this against the Lakers, Suns and Nuggets can jumpstart the rest of the offense. For fantasy purposes, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is starting to play well on defense again, averaging 9.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals in the month of February. Of course while Cody Zeller has been out Frank Kaminsky has been money in the bank as well. Keep riding these guys this week despite having only three games. 

Detroit Pistons

Other than a home-road back to back to start their weeks, things are pretty great for the Pistons this week. They play the Blazers at home, followed by a road game against the Pelicans on Wednesday. Then they finalize Week 19 against the Sixers in Philadelphia. While the Hornets get the award for the best three game week, the Pistons’ opponents are allowing an average of 109.2 points per 100 possessions. With Detroit 7-4 in their last 11 games they have been inconsistent on offense, but if they are winning that means that are usually pretty good in fantasy too. They will at least be favored in Vegas in two out of three this week. 

Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis got back on track against the Nuggets on Sunday and they have a chance to go on a run starting in Week 19. Two of their three opponents are lottery teams this week and it’s very important for their playoff standings that they go on a run now. They have a stretch coming up where eight of nine games are against potentially playoff-bound teams. So, starting against the Suns and Mavericks this week should be great games for the main fantasy assets. They do have a back-to-back set on Friday-Saturday against the Mavs and Rockets, but other than that this week should be smooth sailing for Memphis. 

San Antonio Spurs

Speaking of teams going on runs, the Spurs have won nine of their last 11 heading into Week 19 and they are likely going to expand on that this week. The Spurs face the Pacers at home on Wednesday after nearly three full days of rest, followed by a trip to New Orleans on Friday and a home game the next night against the Wolves. The backs to back is concerning, but at this point the Spurs’ main guys seem to be safe. At 45-13 the Spurs are still in contention for the number one overall seed at just four games back. Expect them to keep their foot on the pedal for the time being. 

Chicago Bulls

Don’t look now but despite being sellers at the trade deadline, the Bulls have won four straight games and are climbing into stronger playoff positioning. Is it for real? They beat Boston, Toronto and a banged up Cleveland team in that stretch, but they also needed overtime to finish off the Suns. Regardless of their winning, other than their two main guards, some other fantasy targets have come into focus for this team. Nikola Mirotic has been amazing since Taj Gibson left town and Bobby Portis also have some appeal in deep leagues. This week they also have a wondrous week with three home games against the Nuggets, Warriors and Clippers, so load up on the Bulls this week. 

Los Angeles Lakers 

It’s hard to trust the Lakers right now with the fact that they are openly tanking. However, guys like D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle still hold must-start value on this team and this week they have three homes games against the Hornets, Celtics and Pelicans. Look for great games from those two and potentially Brandon Ingram who is coming off a nice 22-point game against the Spurs.

Orlando Magic 

Much like the Lakers, the Magic are hard to trust in fantasy other than a few guys. However, that may be changing even though they are tanking. The tried and true guys like Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier will always be there, but Terrence Ross has started to come alive for this team. In two games as a member of the Magic, Ross is 6-for-15 from beyond the arc and has scored 37 points in those two. If he is still available and you need three-pointers, he is a nice addition down the stretch, because he should continue to get shots on this team. 

Sacramento Kings

The Kings are another team with three home games, but while their first two are a great appetizer and entrée, their desert game against the Jazz really ruins what would otherwise be an elite three-game week. The Kings play the Wolves and Nets to start their week and while their fantasy value is still a fluid situation, there are a couple of observations in the post-DeMarcus Cousins Kings. Don’t drop Willie Cauley-Stein just yet. He is going to have some ups and downs, but his ups are enough to hold him right now. As for the guards, Ty Lawson can be dropped, while Ben McLemore and Buddy Hield are rising in value. Darren Collison is a hold and Tyreke Evans seems to be playing more minutes and is an add in shallower leagues. 

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have what amounts to an average week this week, but they are healthy now and that could mean good things regardless of matchup. Los Angeles has a lot of pressure on them to stay healthy and make a run here at the end of the season and into the playoffs, so it starts now in their three games against the Rockets, Bucks and Bulls. Plus, two of those three are on national television. 

The Rest

Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers open with a trip to Detroit on Tuesday, which is never easy. Then they play the Thunder and Nets at home, so it gets progressively easier as the week goes on. So far through three-games Jusuf Nurkic looks like an addition in all formats. He lost some teeth the other night but through three pretty tough opponents, he is averaging 11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals over 25.3 minutes per game. If he is still out on waivers go pick him up.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are in the midst of a tough road trip and after losing to Miami on Saturday, they will play in Houston on Monday night. Then they travel to San Antonio, followed by a trip to see the Hawks. Those are three pretty tough opponents, especially the latter two for fantasy. They will likely be underdogs in all three games and could have a couple implied totals below 100. It’s not out of the question to fade the Pacers this week if you have better alternatives. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Other than a game in Sacramento to start Week 19 and besides Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, the rest of the Wolves could be great fades this week. Minnesota plays on the road in Utah and San Antonio to finish their week and it doesn’t get much tougher than that in real life or fantasy basketball. It’s hard to fade Ricky Rubio with how well he has played in February, but in shallow weekly lock formats it’s a tough call.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets also start with a trip to Sacramento on Wednesday after nearly three days off. However, it goes downhill quickly from there. Then they travel to Utah and Portland on consecutive nights. The first and last game should be good for Brook Lopez, but I can’t think of any other trustworthy Nets right now with Jeremy Lin seemingly on a strict minutes limit.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets open with a back to back against the Bulls and Bucks this week, followed by a game back at home against the Hornets on Saturday. I hate to say it but the healthier the Nuggets are, the worse it is for fantasy value. I became so adjusted to targeting Nuggets because of all their injuries, but now almost completely healthy and this team is deep. They don’t need to play guys at 35-plus minutes anymore, so other than their core starters, it’s hard to trust many other guys for fantasy right now. 

Houston Rockets

A theme of easy first games followed by death in the next two is a theme in the “rest,” category this week. The Rockets face the Pacers at home to begin their week, followed by a trip to Los Angeles against the Clippers and a home game against the Grizzlies. The Rockets’ fantasy value is pretty safe regardless of opponent, but the Clippers are healthier, the Grizzlies are rough and the Pacers are going to be hungry for a win after losing seven of their last eight games. 

New Orleans Pelicans

The new-look Pelicans have a couple of rough ones to start their week against the Pistons and Spurs, followed by a nice cool down game against the Lakers to end their week. However, other than their big three, it’s probably a week to bench the other Pelicans unless you are in dire straits.