As a selfish NBA fan, I hate that the NBA takes Thanksgiving off. As a fantasy player, it is important to consider how that scheduling wrinkle effects the week for fantasy. It feels like half of the league has a back-to-back Friday and Saturday, which makes sense. You might get a fair amount of mileage in DFS out of simply avoiding all the teams playing for the second straight day on Saturday. Thanksgiving has also created a situation where multiple teams have three days off in the middle of week, which is something you can take advantage of on Friday.Without further ado, let’s take a look at the week ahead for all 30 NBA teams.

 

Atlanta Hawks (@SA, LAC, NY, TOR):Malcolm Delaney has been consistently inconsistent. He has scored double-digit points in three of his last six games, and each one has been followed by four points or fewer. He should see more minutes with Isaiah Taylor out one-to-two weeks, though his upside is limited by facing three teams with very good defensive point guards.

Boston Celtics (@DAL, @MIA, ORL, @IND): This week ends on a back-to-back, but that is the only thing not to like about the schedule. Boston has a solid chance to keep their winning streak going while racking up fantasy points. Miami is the only team on the slate in the bottom half of the league in points allowed per game this season.

Brooklyn Nets (@CLE, POR, @MEM): Since returning from a back injury, Trevor Booker has scored at least 12 points in all three games, and Timofey Mozgov has been virtually nonexistent. It is difficult to get excited about any team led by Booker, DeMarre Carroll, Spencer Dinwiddie and Allen Crabbe, but they should remain solid for fantasy despite two tough matchups to end the week.

Charlotte Hornets (MIN, WAS, @CLE, SA): While Cleveland and Minnesota have both allowed more than 107 points per game this season, Washington and San Antonio have allowed 104.1 or fewer. Charlotte is better equipped to handle those tough matchups now that Nicolas Batum is back. The Hornets’ have an offensive rating of 112.5 with Batum on the court and 102.8 with him off.

Chicago Bulls (@LAL, @UTA, @GS, MIA):I hate this schedule almost as much as I hate this Bulls team. All four of Chicago’s opponents rank in the top 10 in the NBA in defensive efficiency. The Bulls get a back-to-back at Los Angeles and Utah in the middle of a four-game road trip, and if they can get through the week without any teammates getting into a fistfight, that would be a moral victory.

Cleveland Cavaliers (@DET, BKN, CHA): Cleveland’s struggling defense has dominated the headlines through the first month of the season, but it is pretty remarkable how the offense continues to hum despite so many mismatched pieces. While some of that is likely a result of the injuries to Derrick Rose and Tristan Thompson, it is mostly a credit to LeBron James, who probably has to be the MVP favorite as of right now.

Dallas Mavericks (BOS, @MEM, OKC): Dennis Smith Jr. has scored 13 points total over his last two games, and while he will inevitably bounce back, it wouldn’t be out of line to bench him this week. Dallas’s opponents rank first, third, and sixth in fewest points allowed this season, and Harrison Barnes is the only Mav you can play with any amount of confidence.

Denver Nuggets (@SAC, @HOU, MEM): Denver plays at the Lakers before taking on Sacramento Monday, and Memphis should still have one of the stingiest defenses in the league even with Mike Conley out. Denver is up to sixth in offensive rating after starting out sluggishly, but they might not gain much ground this week.

Detroit Pistons (CLE, @OKC): You probably have to hold onto Andre Drummond, Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley and Reggie Jackson if you own them, but I wouldn’t feel good about it this week. Cleveland is a fantastic matchup for fantasy, but the Pistons play at Minnesota the night before. Stanley Johnson is averaging just 21.5 minutes per game since returning from his hip injury, and if he starts playing more or playing better, he could be worth a pickup in the near future.

Golden State Warriors (@OKC, CHI, NO): The home games come on a back-to-back, which is a shame because neither of those teams are scary. After Boston held the Warriors to 88 points last week, the Thunder will provide a good barometer for how unguardable Golden State’s offense truly is.

Houston Rockets (DEN, NY): Between Chris Paul’s return and a sparse schedule, Eric Gordon has gone from fantasy stud to borderline droppable in just a few days. The matchups themselves are fine, especially at home, and it certainly helps that Houston has two days off before each game.

Indiana Pacers (@ORL, TOR, BOS): Indiana faces Orlando on the second of a back-to-back and then has three days off before another back-to-back. The home game against Boston could be particularly ugly, though it will be interesting to see how Boston’s front line matches up with Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis. For those keeping score at home, those two are up to 32 minutes played together across five games.

Los Angeles Clippers (@NY, @ATL, @SAC):It doesn’t get much better than three games against teams in the bottom 10 in defensive rating. Patrick Beverley is set to return Monday against the Knicks, which should help this entire offensive, outside of Austin Rivers. The Clippers have a 109.9 offensive rating with Beverley on the floor, the highest on the team for anyone who has played more than 20 minutes. When Beverley is off the floor, the Clippers have a 103.0 offensive rating.

Los Angeles Lakers (@SAC, @HOU, MEM):I believe Luke Walton is a good NBA coach, but Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram are the only players on this team who wouldn’t be immediately better for fantasy on just about any other team. Nobody on this roster needs to be owned in all fantasy leagues, especially this week.

Memphis Grizzlies (POR, DAL, @DEN, BKN):The Grizzlies will struggle without Mike Conley, but they are better-equipped to handle his absence than in years past, with Mario Chalmers and Tyreke Evans playing all of the point guard minutes. This week’s schedule helps as well. Brooklyn and Dallas rank 24thand 28th in defensive rating, while Denver is 17th. Mario Chalmers and Dillon Brooks are both playable this week.

Miami Heat (BOS, @MIN, @CHI): Boston has an elite defense, the Bulls play at a snail’s pace and Minnesota is pretty average in both categories. Miami is a pretty average team, and barrin injury, there is no particular reason to use anyone outside of Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic.

Milwaukee Bucks (WAS, @PHO, @UTA): Don’t be scared away by this schedule. Utah is far less scary without Rudy Gobert, and while Washington’s defensive rating has been better on the road this season, I believe that has more to do with their schedule than anything else.  While Malcolm Brogdon is probably droppable despite the okay schedule, John Henson looks like she should be owned in all leagues.

Minnesota Timberwolves (@CHA, ORL, MIA, PHO):A week with three out of four games at home is usually a green light, but these are just average matchups outside of the last game against the Suns. In true Tom Thibodeau fashion, every Timberwolve starter is averaging at least 33.5 minutes per game over the last week, and none of the reserves are averaging more than 16.8.

New Orleans Pelicans (OKC, SA, @PHO, @GS):The Pelicans have not faced any of these teams yet this season, and outside of what should be an easy win in Phoenix, they all present interesting matchups. None of these teams have two defensive big men who can match up with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, though it would be must-see TV if Durant and Davis go at each other. It is nearly inconceivable that E’Twaun Moore’s hot streak will continue, but he could play enough to prevent Rajon Rondo or Jameer Nelson from having any fantasy value.

New York Knicks (LAC, TOR, @ATL, @HOU): Tim Hardaway is questionable Monday, and the entire team could struggle without a wing scorer to share the load with Kristaps Porzingis. Michael Beasley is the most obvious candidate for more minutes and shots, and while that would likely go poorly for the Knicks, he could provide value for fantasy players. There aren’t any great wing defenders on the schedule until Saturday, which certainly helps.

Oklahoma City Thunder (@NO, GS, DET, @DAL): Oklahoma City ranks 16th in offensive rating, and while that number will almost certainly go up, possibly as soon as this week. The Pelicans and Mavericks rank 26th and 27th in defensive rating, with the Pistons also outside the top 10.

Orlando Magic (IND, @MIN, @BOS, @PHI): Jonathan Isaac will miss at least one more game with an ankle injury, and even if he returns against Minnesota, he could sit out one of the weekend back-to-backs. Even with Isaac out, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier are the only players averaging more than 30 minutes per game. That limits everyone’s upside, even a relatively productive player like Nikola Vucevic.

Philadelphia 76ers (UTA, POR, ORL):For all of the preseason talk about Lonzo Ball’s passing being contagious, Ben Simmons is the rookie piloting the team that leads the NBA in passes per game. Joel Embiid is averaging 56.1 passes per game after averaging 40.6 last season. As for the schedule, it isn’t as bad as it looks. Utah has allowed at least 106 points in every game since Rudy Gobert went down, and only four teams have allowed more assists than the Magic this season. It also helps to play all three games at home with at least one day off in between.

Phoenix Suns (MIL, NO, @MIN): You would think Phoenix would have learned from the 76ers how difficult it is for young players to grow when they get really terrible point guard play. TJ Warren and Devin Booker are good enough to start for your fantasy team almost regardless of the schedule, but they are the only ones. It is nice that Phoenix gets at least one day off between each game, but that isn’t enough to make you consider starting anyone else.

Portland Trailblazers (@MEM, @PHI, @BKN, @WAS): Portland has actually scored 5.2 more points on the road than at home this season, though I doubt that will be the case after this week. Shabazz Napier has scored at least 11 points in four of his last six games, and while he isn’t playing enough to matter in most fantasy leagues, he has at least demonstrated he is a must-add in the event Damian Lillard or CJ McCollum goes down.

San Antonio Spurs (ATL, @NO, @CHA): If you didn’t know any better, you would think the Spurs try their best to provide as little fantasy value as possible by playing at the league’s slowest pace and spreading the ball around. Pau Gasol can still be useful, but this week isn’t particularly good for his skills. LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard are the only Spurs who need to be owned at this point.

Sacramento Kings (DEN, LAL, LAC): All of the people who criticized the 76ers for failing to sign older players to mentor their young prospects, or who subsequently criticized them for giving a lot of money to J.J. Redick, ought to look at Sacramento. The Kings could be better off in the long term, and perhaps even this season, with Zach Randolph, Garrett Temple, George Hill and Vince Carter playing fewer minutes. At the same time, what are the odds those players would be okay playing fewer minutes and acting as glorified coaches? Until the Kings suffer some injuries or make some trades, this team is essentially useless for fantasy, even in weeks with three home games against suspect defenses.

Toronto Raptors (@NY, @IND, @ATL): This schedule is pretty solid for three road games, as the Pacers and Hawks rank 25th and 24th in points allowed this season. While Toronto’s depth is unfortunate for fantasy players, it could be a source of value while Norman Powell and Delon Wright deal with injuries.

Utah Jazz (@PHI, CHI, MIL): Rodney Hood has scored 30 points in two of his last three games, and he is available in a lot of shallow leagues. He may never be a consistent 20+ point scorer, but it is nice to see him finally flash some upside. The 76ers are allowing 110.4 points per game, which is promising for Hood’s fantasy value.

Washington Wizards (@MIL, @CHA, POR):This schedule is a great example of why it is important to consider context. The Bucks’ defense has been pretty average for most of the season, but they are allowing the fifth-fewest points in the NBA since acquiring Eric Bledsoe. Likewise, the Hornets rank sixth in pace since Nicolas Batum returned from his elbow injury. That isn’t enough to make up for either of the other two matchups, which is bad news if you were considering playing Marcin Gortat, Markieff Morris or Kelly Oubre Jr. this week.