Every team gets at least three games this week except for the Cavaliers and Pistons. We will have more on them below, but you probably don’t need to roster any of their fringe contributors this week. As for the other matchups, quality will matter much more than quantity with more than half of the league playing four times. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the week ahead for all 30 NBA teams.
Atlanta Hawks (MIA, IND, @OKC, DAL): John Collins returned Thursday and had 15 points and seven rebounds. The next night, he had two points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocks. He is only averaging 23 minutes per game this season, which is the only thing keeping him from must-own territory. Taurean Prince is quickly approaching that territory as well, even though one out of every five games is still a clunker. Prince has at least four assists in three of his last four games, and if that continues, he will be extremely useful.
Boston Celtics (@IND, MIA, @NY, CHI): The Knicks game is Boston’s fifth in seven days, and they get just one day off before they host the Bulls. Boston’s depth is being tested by the injuries to Marcus Morris and Daniel Theis, and things could get ugly. Aron Baynes and Semi Ojeleye could be interesting if they get more minutes, but you may want to take a wait-and-see approach, especially with a tough schedule this week.
Brooklyn Nets (SAC, WSH, @IND): I don’t actually believe Nik Stauskas is for real, but he led the Nets in points and rebounds in his Brooklyn debut. The Nets rank 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating, so they will almost certainly give Stauskas some more playing time to see if he can add a much-needed scoring punch. This week’s slate certainly doesn’t hurt.
Charlotte Hornets (NY, TOR, @MIL, MIL): All three of Charlotte’s opponents are in the bottom half of the league in points allowed, and I don’t love the back-to-back against Milwaukee to end the week. I still like Nicolas Batum, and you probably need to roster him for the assists, but the Hornets and his fantasy owners need him to average more than 6.3 points per game, as he has over his last four. Kemba Walker and Dwight Howard are the only guys on this team you have to own, especially this week.
Chicago Bulls (PHI, ORL, @CLE, @BOS): Add Nikola Mirotic at your own risk. He has always been a streaky shooter, and there is no reason to believe that has changed. Bobby Portis doesn’t need to be owned either, especially when Lauri Markkanen is healthy. David Nwaba is leading the Bulls with 30.3 minutes per game over the last week, which is the biggest reason why you shouldn’t count on this team for fantasy value. While this week may start off well for the Bulls, it almost certainly will not end well. They lose an hour facing a rested Cavs team for the third game in four nights, and then they get the stingy Celtics in Boston.
Cleveland Cavaliers (@MIL, CHI): Not only do the Cavs only play twice this week, they only get one day off before each game. They do get three days off after they host the Bulls, so you could see Cleveland’s starters get a few more minutes in that game, assuming Chicago can keep it close.
Dallas Mavericks (PHO, DET, @MIA, @ATL): It is painful watching Dirk Nowitzki try to move around the court. Yogi Ferrell has scored at least 10 points in four straight games, but that streak will end when Dennis Smith Jr. returns. This team may have the fewest fantasy relevant players in the entire NBA, but Harrison Barnes is quietly having a very solid season.
Denver Nuggets (@OKC, MIN, @POR, @GS): Don’t look now, but Trey Lyles is averaging 13.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in December. They can still give him 25 minutes per game off the bench even with Nikola Jokic back in the lineup, so keep an eye on his usage this week. That being said, none of these matchups are particularly good, so leave Lyles on Waivers for now.
Detroit Pistons (@DAL, NY): The good news for Avery Bradley owners is the two-game schedule should give him time to recover from his groin strain. Of course, you may not want to spend the roster spot on him even if he doesn’t miss any time. Reggie Jackson is averaging 8.3 points per game over the last week, and he is droppable as well.
Golden State Warriors (@LAL, MEM, LAL, DEN): The Warriors begin a seven-game home stand against the Grizzlies Wednesday.The Lakers are the only opponent on this schedule in the top 10 in defensive rating, but they make up for it by playing at the fastest pace in the league. The schedule is so good you can even consider fringe contributors like Jordan Bell, at least until Draymond Green returns.
Houston Rockets (UTA, LAL, LAC): P.J. Tucker hasn’t scored more than nine points in a game since Veteran’s Day, and at some point, some team is going to give him the Kevin Roberson treatment and dare him to beat them. Until then, this offense should keep humming. Ryan Anderson had 12 points and 10 rebounds in Luc Mbah a Moute’s first game out, and Anderson could be a solid play for the next couple of weeks.
Indiana Pacers (BOS, @ATL, BKN): The Boston matchup is made even worse by the fact Indiana plays at Brooklyn the night before. That being said, the other two matchups are great. Domantas Sabonis has played fewer than 20 minutes per game over the last week, and while he has still been fairly productive, he is droppable until his playing time increases.
Los Angeles Clippers (@SA, PHO, @HOU, @MEM):I almost feel sorry for the Clippers. They finally get Milos Teodosic back, but then they lose Danilo Gallinari and Austin Rivers. Both could return early this week, but you don’t want them anyway. They play the two slowest teams in the NBA this week in Memphis and San Antonio, as well as a Houston team that ranks first in the NBA in defensive rating since Chris Paul came back.
Los Angeles Lakers (GS, @HOU, @GS, POR): The Lakers lead the league in pace, while the Warriors and Rockets are both in the top eight. There should be points to be had this week. Am I the only person who thinks Lonzo Ball would be a terrible fit next to LeBron James? He can’t get to the rim or shoot, and while I understand why LeBron would want to play with such a willing and capable passer, I don’t think that’s what he really needs. The Lakers would probably be best served by trying to use Lonzo as the sweetener to get some team to take Luol Deng’s contract, and allow LeBron (or whatever other free agents they can land) to play next to Brandon Ingram.
Memphis Grizzlies (@GS, @PHO, LAC): Part of me wants Memphis to lose every game for the rest of the season for firing David Fizdale less than 100 games into his NBA head coaching career. I probably won’t get my wish this week, and even if I do, the Grizzlies should put up a lot of points (at least for them). That makes JaMychal Green a borderline fantasy play, though I don’t believe his ceiling is very high.
Miami Heat (@ATL, @BOS, DAL, NO): The Hawks and Pelicans are two of the seven NBA teams allowing more than 108 points per game, but the Celtics are still allowing the fewest points per game this season. This team will likely always be better in real life than for fantasy, and while James Johnson and Goran Dragic are solid players who do a bit of everything, I don’t know that you will ever feel great about playing them in fantasy.
Milwaukee Bucks (CLE, CHA, @CHA):This schedule certainly isn’t good enough to justify playing Malcolm Brogdon or John Henson. Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored at least 20 points in 18 straight games, and you can’t bench him no matter the circumstances.
Minnesota Timberwolves (POR, @DEN, @PHO): I criticize Tom Thibodeau as much as anyone for the number of minutes he plays his starters, but his bench is laughably thin, even if Thibodeau is the one buying the groceries, so to speak. If Jimmy Butler has to miss any time with his sore back, Jamal Crawford would likely see a large increase in minutes.There really isn’t anybody else.
New Orleans Pelicans (@WAS, @ORL, @MIA):E’Twaun Moore has played well this season, but I still don’t trust him outside of a GPP contest. In his last seven games, Moore has scored four, 21, 36, 14, eight, 14 and 27 points. There is no reason to expect him to get more consistent, even if he manages to maintain his current production.
New York Knicks (@CHA, BOS, @DET): I would like this schedule a bit more of the Boston and Detroit games were not back-to-back, but only a little bit. All three opponents are in the top half of the league in defensive rating. With that in mind, Courtney Lee and Kristaps Porzingis are the only Knicks worth starting this week.
Oklahoma City Thunder (DEN, UTA, ATL, @UTA): Playing Utah twice in one week is never good for fantasy, but the other matchups are good, and it helps that three games are at home. I am as sick as everyone else of the way every Thunder game is put under the microscope, but I do hope they keep this group together for the entire season. Oklahoma City’s best way forward is still to try to catch lightning in a bottle and make a playoff run, even if they are still hovering around .500 at the trade deadline. That being said, Paul George could see an increase in fantasy value if he gets traded.
Orlando Magic (@CHI, NO, @WAS): I know Gregg Popovich is immune to criticism, and rightfully so, but it is crazy the Spurs like Jonathon Simmons walk away for so little money. Simmons has scored at least 15 points in eight consecutive games, and while I don’t love the schedule this week, he needs to be 100 percent owned, especially while Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Arron Afflalo deal with injuries.
Philadelphia 76ers (@CHI, SAC, TOR, @TOR): It turns out I needn’t have worried about the 76ers only getting two games last week, since they played three overtimes against the Thunder Friday. They get two days off before a back-to-back against the Kings, and then they get a day off between meetings with the Raptors. Trevor Booker sprained his ankle Friday, but he was looking like a worth fantasy play before then. Richaun Holmes and Dario Saric could get some more run if Booker is out.
Phoenix Suns (@DAL, @LAC, MEM, MIN): I’m not sure this team will ever make sense. When Devin Booker went down, I wrote that his injury presented an opportunity for someone else to get some reps as the main playmaker, but I never thought that someone would be Troy Daniels. I think I need to see at least one more big game before I add him. Speaking of adds, Greg Monroe’s per game numbers are very good, but he has sat out four of Phoenix’s last 10 games. I cannot wait for him to get bought out so he can sign with the Celtics.
Portland Trailblazers (@MIN, SA, DEN, @LAL): Sometimes I wonder if all of the people who say C.J. McCollum is better than Damian Lillard have ever watched a Trailblazers game. If I had to choose one of them to build around I think it is Lillard, and I am not sure it is close. I also think it is time for some smart team to trade for Maurice Harkless. I still think he is pretty good, but I think his skills overlap too much with Al-Farouq Aminu.
San Antonio Spurs (LAC, @POR, @UTA, @SAC): A back-to-back in the middle of the week with the teams that rank fifth and sixth in defensive efficiency is not exactly a recipe for fantasy points. The Spurs have babied Kawhi Leonard in his first week back from his quadriceps injury, and you have to at least consider benching him this week. The good news is he has scored 25 points in 30 minutes through his first two games, so at least the production hasn’t been terrible. LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay put up solid numbers in Leonard’s first two games, but that may not continue for much longer.
Sacramento Kings (@PHI, @BKN, SA): I have no idea why it has taken so long, but George Hill is showing signs of life. Hill has scored at least 16 points in each of his last two games, and while his 2.5 assists per game are still troubling, I would look to add him in most leagues. De’Aaron Fox will miss at least one game with a bruised quad, and that will only help Hill’s fantasy value.
Toronto Raptors (@CHA, @PHI, PHI): I don’t love that Toronto’s first two games this week are back-to-back, but at least Serge Ibaka will have until Wednesday to heal his sore left knee. Jonas Valanciunas has been playing well of late, and he matches up well with Dwight Howard, but I fear Joel Embiid will play him off of the court, especially if Ibaka is back by then.
Utah Jazz (@HOU, @OKC, SA, OKC): If Derrick Favors was dropped when Rudy Gobert returned, you should go get him right now. Likewise, Rodney Hood should be owned as well. That being said, this week will probably be ugly. Utah’s opponents rank seventh, second and fourth in defensive rating.
Washington Wizards (NOR, @BKN, ORL): John Wall is finally back, and not a moment too soon. He totaled 28 points over his first two games, but his shooting will almost certainly improve sooner than later. Washington gets two days off after hosting the Pelicans, which should help Otto Porter Jr. heal from his hip bruise.