As we head into the 10th week of NBA basketball and the New Year, we have a tasty week ahead for fantasy hoops heads. Pretty much every team with four games this week have great matchups and after most of the teams had time off for the holiday, we could be in for some huge fantasy weeks.

The Best of the Best

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz are the only team with five games this week and after a nice three-game week last time out, the Jazz should be set to bring their fantasy owners a big week. Plus, George Hill is out again with a concussion, so there is no telling when he’ll be back. If someone dropped Shelvin Mack after Hill came back last week, snag him off waivers, because he and the rest of the Jazz are in for a big road trip. They open in Brooklyn, followed by games against the Celtics, Raptors, Wolves and Grizzlies. The finale for their week isn’t very appealing considering it is their third game in four nights, but the other four should be full of fantasy appeal.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are banged up again, but that also means there is room for waiver wire value and some role players to step up. Tyler Johnson, James Johnson, Wayne Ellington and Josh Richardson will continue to be must adds/holds while Goran Dragic is out and with their week upcoming, these four wings are going to have some big stat lines. Miami is also on the road all week, but their four games against the Suns, Kings, Lakers and banged up Clippers should have Heat owners seeing dollar signs this week.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Not only do the Cavaliers have a juicy four-game week ahead, but they are slightly banged up in the backcourt, which could also open up some value in this backcourt. Kyrie Irving could be back soon, but if he misses time, Jordan McRae might be worth a pick up. He dropped 20 points on 8-for-12 from the floor over the weekend when Irving missed and if there is more of that this week, McRae could get another opportunity against the Pelicans, Bulls, Nets and Suns. Either way, start your Cavaliers this week.

Houston Rockets

Are the Houston Rockets a championship contender? They may be and with nights like James Harden had on Saturday. Coming off his monster triple-double, Harden and company have another nice week ahead of them.  They play the Wizards, Thunder, Magic and Raptors this week and they are coming in red-hot. Houston has won four straight games and they are averaging nearly 131 points per game during that stretch. As long as they don’t have any blowouts this week, Houston’s core fantasy assets are in for big weeks.

Milwaukee Bucks

If you’re not familiar with the name Malcolm Brogdon, you might want to educate yourself very quickly. The Bucks’ rookie second rounder became the first rookie guard to have a triple-double this season and with Matthew Dellavedova injured, we may have a Wally Pipp situation on our hands. If Brogdon is still available in your league, you need to grab him. In games where he has at least 28 minutes this season, Brogdon is averaging 12.6 points, 7.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. His triple-double did a lot to pad those numbers, but his per-36 numbers this season are still impressive. With his defense and 44.1% three-point shooting this season, Brogdon may stick as the Bucks starting guard.

Orlando Magic

Orlando looked like they were figuring out this defense thing earlier in the season, but now they have allowed 100 points or more in 13 of their last 14 games and they are 6-8 during that same stretch. They could figure it out, but for fantasy purposes we don’t mind their defense. With games against the Knicks, Hawks, Rockets and Lakers, the Orlando offense might be in for a bigger week. Serge Ibaka has been playing like an All Star lately and if they can get Evan Fournier back soon, this team still has a chance to turn things around. Look for that to potentially start this week, but they need to fix things on defense before they can start climbing the standings.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings don’t necessarily have the best week on paper, but they are meeting some of these teams at the right time. They have games against the two most banged up teams, the Heat and Clippers this week, while they also get to play big pace-up games against the Nuggets and Warriors to start and end their week. Rudy Gay’s return is still unknown, so guys like Matt Barnes, Anthony Tolliver and Garrett Temple are still worth an add/hold in deeper leagues.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors had only two games last week, so if you’re stacked with Warriors, Week 11 looks a lot kinder to your fantasy outlooks. Golden State has three of their four games at home this week where they are averaging almost 121 points per game and other than a matchup with the Grizzlies, the other three are quite appetizing. What is also nice is unlike most of the other four game weeks, the Warriors don’t have a back to back to deal with in Week 11. They are already two games into a five game home stand, so these next three games could be explosions in offense from the best team in the league.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are one of those teams that could easily make a run towards the playoffs, or just fade away into the lottery once again. However, while their overall outlook is fuzzy, their Week 11 outlook is very good. They start their week with a back-to-back set against the Warriors and Kings, followed by games against the Spurs and Thunder. While the Spurs game is pretty tough, the other three teams either rank in the top 10 in pace or the bottom 10 in defensive efficiency. Either way, the Nuggets are primed for good things.

Memphis Grizzlies

Despite dealing with another injury to Mike Conley, the Grizzlies continue to roll. David Fizdale has almost locked up coach of the year already and with a record of 22-14 despite missing half their team at one point, it’s nearly unimaginable how Memphis has done it. Their defense is tied for best in the league right now, allowing 103.4 points per 100 possessions and other than a game against the Jazz to close the week, Memphis is looking like one of the better teams to target in fantasy for the week.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets and coach Kenny Atkinson deserves some credit this season for at the very least playing tough every night. They could have easily ended up like some of the Sixers teams of years past and only win 10 games all year. Even though Jeremy Lin is down again, the Nets fantasy outlook this week is nice. Other than their game to start the week against Utah, Brooklyn faces the Pacers, Cavaliers and Sixers this week, all three of which aren’t too big of a dip in pace.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Don’t look now, but the Thunder have won five of their last six games and are starting to climb the standings of the Western Conference once again. Victor Oladipo is back too, so things are really looking up for this team and it starts once again in Week 11. While three of their four games this week are on the road, they play two pace-up games against Denver and Houston, while their other two against the Bucks and Hornets are definitely winnable games. They are also coming in averaging 108.3 points per game over their last six, so expect them to continue that this week.

Other Four Game Weeks

Charlotte Hornets

The biggest issue for the Hornets is not their lack of games, but their lack of games against poor defensive, or pace-up teams. Charlotte has three games this week against teams that rank in the top eight of the league in defensive efficiency, while their fourth game is against the Bulls, who rank 11th. The other biggest issue is three of the four are on the road, where the Hornets are only 8-8 this season.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers’ house of cards is starting to collapse as they have lost six straight games without their stars in most of them. Unless they can get Chris Paul back soon, they might be in a world of trouble trying to regain ground in the West. When healthy, the Clippers are one of the best teams in the league, but in their losing streak they have allowed 110.5 points per game and have scored less than 90 points twice in that stretch. Paul is doubtful Monday, but at least they start their week against the Suns, who they could end the losing streak against.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have lost seven of their last eight games but for fantasy purposes they continue to perform well. There are several young Lakers that are posting great fantasy lines despite not winning games and that should continue this week. While they do have a game against the Grizzlies this week, their other three are against the Blazers, Heat and Magic. With their pace of play, LA is going to continue putting up big scoring games against most opponents. They are averaging only 103.5 points in their last nine games, but those are mostly due to two games of scoring 90 points or less.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are catching a slight break this week with their first two games coming against two really banged up teams in the Clippers and Heat, but things don’t get easier after that. They play the Cavaliers in a game that might be over by halftime, plus a game against the slow-paced Mavericks too. The good news is that if you’re an Eric Bledsoe owner, he just came off a huge December, averaging 21.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 15 games.

New York Knicks

Knicks beat write Ian Begley noted earlier on Monday that while the Knicks have dropped seven of their last nine games, there is hope for a turnaround in early 2017. Begley notes that their first seven games this month are against teams that are at or below .500 and here in Week 11 it could be a nice time for a resolution to stop losing to bad teams. The Knicks play the Bucks twice this week, while playing games against the Magic and Pacers as well. All four are winnable, but we need to see peak Knicks and not the underachieving Knicks for that to happen.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors had a big fantasy week in Week 10, but their Week 11 schedule does not start kindly. They open against the Spurs and Jazz, before playing a back to back to finish their week against the Bulls and Rockets. While the latter half of their week is fine for fantasy value, the front half if going to be tough. Utah and San Antonio are only allowing about 104 points per 100 possessions this season and after dropping two of their last three games, the Raptors will have a hard time getting wins or fantasy value to open Week 11.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards have clawed their way back to .500 after a nice December that saw them go 10-5. Even though this team is far from deep that is great for fantasy. The five starters are all playing big minutes and with John Wall playing like a lock for the All Star team, Washington’s fans and fantasy owners alike should at least be optimistic. They play the Rockets, Mavericks, Wolves and Bucks this week in what should be an above average week for fantasy goodness. However, with Bradley Beal banged up, it remains to be seen what their lineups will look like all week.

Notable Three Game Weeks

Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard is still banged up, but the Blazers have a three-game week ahead of them that looks primed for fantasy goodness. They open against the Warriors in Oakland before heading home to play the Lakers and Pistons. Portland gets two big pace-up games and considering they don’t play until Wednesday, Lillard might have a chance to get in a few games this week if he is feeling better. However, until he is out, guys like Allen Crabbe and Evan Turner are still very much in play.

Philadelphia 76ers

A three-game week for the Sixers is on deck with no back to backs, so the Process should have no problem getting in three games this season. On top of that, they get to play the Wolves at home, followed by high pace games against the Celtics and Nets. Plus, all three of their opponents are averaging allowing an effective field goal percentage of 51.7%, so the Sixers could get some big performances this week.

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas needs a week like they have in Week 11. They have three games, all at home and all three of them are winnable games. Plus, for fantasy purposes, they all three are up in pace. That’s not hard for a team playing with a pace of just 91.2 possessions per game, but against the Wizards, Suns and Hawks this week, all three teams are in the top half of the league in pace. With Dirk Nowitzki starting to get ramped back up, the Mavs’ offense might start to improve, which will only help expand their fantasy value and consistency.

Indiana Pacers

Any week where you get to play both teams from the Big Apple, it’s a good week. The Pacers have to get by the Pistons in Detroit on Tuesday, but then they head home to welcome in New York and Brooklyn. The Pacers are starting to find a rhythm over their last two games, but they will need to continue to through this week if they want to climb in a clustered Eastern Conference. They do have a nice run of 11 straight games against teams that are .500 or worse, so the time is now for Indiana in both fantasy and real life.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans are a really intriguing team for fantasy. They play at the league’s seventh fastest pace at 97.8 possessions per game and with their tea getting healthier, they have won four straight games heading into Week 11. It’s going to be a long way until they get back into the playoff hunt, but with Tyreke Evans getting better with every game back, this team has a nice three-headed monster in fantasy. Evans, Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday are probably their only true fantasy assets, but with games against the Cavaliers, Hawks and Celtics, the Pelicans could find their way into another win or two this week. 

Boston Celtics

The Celtics may get starting to emerge as the third best, or maybe even the second best team in the Eastern Conference. They earned their 20th win on Friday last week and after three days off they will hook up with the Jazz to start Week 11. After that though, things get better for fantasy purposes, as they stay home to welcome in the Sixers and Pelicans. Boston’s offense has been on fire lately, averaging 114.6 points per game over their last six games, but that’s easy when Isaiah Thomas is averaging over 30 points per game in December.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves don’t have a bad week ahead and with Andrew Wiggins heating up, so are the Wolves. They don’t always translate into wins, but for fantasy owners of their starters, it’s a fine week. Minnesota starts on the road in Philadelphia and Washington before they welcome in the Jazz. For at least those first two games, the Wolves’ stars should feast against two teams allowing 108.7 points per 100 possessions.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls have finally started wising up and benching Rajon Rondo, but that may not be enough for this team. The Bulls are in the midst of a really bad month and it doesn’t get any easier to start off 2017. They play a tough Charlotte team to open the week, followed by a trip to Cleveland and a game against the Raptors. After losing five of their last seven, that trend might continue this week and it might not be great for their fantasy value.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons got a much-needed win against the Heat on Sunday, but Miami was missing their three best players, so it likely was a little dampened. However, the Pistons have a few winnable games this week if they can figure things out. For fantasy purposes they have been one of the more inconsistent teams to find value, but the good news is they have a ton of difference guys that might be excellent buy-low options right now.

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are opening up a road trip this week and they start in Orlando against the Magic, followed by games against the Pelicans and Mavericks. Atlanta has played well lately and they are starting to get it done on defense once again. Dwight Howard being healthy has a lot to do with that, but over their last six games they have allowed only 97.8 points per game in regulation. However, it hasn’t hurt their pace of 97.6 possessions per game. The Hawks may be getting their groove back, which is always good for fantasy.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have no back to backs this week and after a tough overtime loss to the Hawks over the weekend, they should be ready to get back to business. Kawhi Leonard is feeling better and should get back into the groove after a few days off because of illness, but the biggest news for this team in fantasy lately has been Tony Parker. The veteran point guard was a DNP-CD for a game and since then he has scored at least 18 points in his last three games. If someone dropped him, pick him up if he is starting to get things going.