For the second time this season, we have 19 teams with four-game slates. The effects of this are two-fold. On the one hand, you would need a pretty good reason to start players from one of the five teams that only play twice. On the other hand, you shouldn’t automatically start all of the players with four games. If a team has a lot of tough matchups or road games or back-to-backs, it is easier to sit those players since you probably have other options (on your roster or waivers) who also have four games. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the week ahead for all 30 NBA teams.
Atlanta Hawks (BKN, @ORL, ORL, @NY): The Hawks lost both Dwayne Dedmon and John Collins to multi-week injuries last week, and somehow still managed to defeat the Nets Saturday. They host the rematch Monday and get two days off between games against the Magic. Ersan Ilyasova should be added with Dedmon and Collins out, as he scored 22 points against Cleveland Thursday before grabbing 11 assists Saturday. He should provide value even when his shot isn’t falling.
Boston Celtics (MIL, DAL, @SA, @DET): Who would have predicted two months ago that Sunday’s game at Detroit would be the most highly-anticipated of the week? These are all tough matchups, so this may be a good time to drop Marcus Morris if you have been hanging onto him.
Brooklyn Nets (@ATL, OKC, MIA): Allen Crabbe and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson returned Saturday after missing time due to injuries, and both are addable in most leagues despite a tough schedule. The Thunder have allowed the third fewest points per game in the NBA this season, while the Heat have allowed the seventh fewest.
Charlotte Hornets (ORL, GS, CHI, LAL): All four of these opponents are allowing 107.0 points per game or more this season, and while I would like it better if they didn’t play the Bulls and Lakers back-to-back, at least they are at home. Most importantly, Charlotte should get Kemba Walker back this week, perhaps against Orlando. Jeremy Lamb has been Charlotte’s most consistent scorer with Walker and Nicolas Batum out of the lineup, and it is fair to wonder if he will start getting some more minutes at the expense of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or even Malik Monk when Walker and Batum are healthy.
Chicago Bulls (CLE, @IND, @CHA, NY): This may be the last full week without Zach LaVine, who has been targeting a mid-December return. Nikola Mirotic should return this week, while Bobby Portis may have to miss more time with an arm injury. Mirotic is worth adding at least while Portis is out, but we really have no idea what the rotation will look like with Portis, Mirotic and Lauri Markkanen all available. The Bulls end the week on a back-to-back, but none of their opponents rank in the top 10 in points allowed, so the schedule is favorable overall.
Cleveland Cavaliers (@CHI, SAC, @IND, PHI): Tristan Thompson is reportedly planning to return sometime this week, and fantasy players should keep an eye on how that affects Cleveland’s lineups. Cleveland has thrived with Derrick Rose out because they have at least three shooters on the floor with LeBron at all times. Floor spacing becomes a lot trickier when Thompson and Wade play together, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Wade’s minutes decrease now that Thompson is back. Cleveland ends the week on a back-to-back, and you could easily see Wade, Thompson or even LeBron getting one of those games off.
Dallas Mavericks (DEN, @BOS, @MIL, @MIN): For all of the excitement over Dennis Smith Jr., he hasn’t scored 20 points in any of his last eight games and he has topped four assists just once since Veteran’s Day. Harrison Barnes is the only player on this roster who must be owned, and I would be fine dropping Smith or Dirk Nowitzki even with four games on the slate this week.
Denver Nuggets (@DAL, @NO, @ORL, @IND): Denver begins a six-game road trip this week, but at least they get an off day between each game. Nikola Jokic hopes to return towards the end of the week, but you pretty much have to bench him in weekly leagues. Kenneth Faried has the best chance to play 30+ minutes in the front court while Jokic is out, but it could be a mess with Trey Lyles, Mason Plumlee and Juan Hernangomez all involved as well.
Detroit Pistons (@SA, @MIL, GS, BOS):Detroit has been the surprise team in the East to this point, but they might be fortunate to go 2-2 this week. For fantasy, Detroit faces the two teams (Spurs and Celtics) who have allowed the fewest points in the NBA and another (the Warriors) who is sixth in the NBA in defensive rating. Detroit gets a game off before each game, which is the only good thing to say about the schedule.
Golden State Warriors (@NOR, @CHA, @DET): This week marks the end of a six-game road trip, and Monday’s game at New Orleans is the second of a back-to-back. It would be mildly surprising if the Warriors’ starters don’t get a day off at some point this week, which would likely make Omri Casspi and Patrick McCaw useful for fantasy.
Houston Rockets (@UTA, @POR): Eric Gordon hasn’t scored more than 13 points in a game since Chris Paul returned, and while that streak will likely end soon, Gordon should be dropped in all leagues. I would make that argument even if Houston didn’t have one of the worst possible schedules this week. The Trail Blazers and Jazz are allowing the fourth fewest points per game in the NBA, and facing them on the road is even worse.
Indiana Pacers (NY, CHI, CLE, DEN): None of these matchups are scary, and they are made even better by all being at home, with a day off in between. Bojan Bogdanovic saw his streak of eight consecutive double-digit scoring games end Friday, but he is still averaging 34.9 minutes per game over the last two weeks. This should be a good week to add Bogdanovic if he is still available. Likewise, hang onto Domantas Sabonis for at least one more week.
Los Angeles Clippers (MIN, WSH):DeAndre Jordan has historically racked up fantasy numbers with Blake Griffin out, though he no longer has a Hall-of-Fame point guard tossing lobs. Jordan’s fantasy value will likely take a hit if he is traded, and while his fantasy owners should enjoy nice production until then, they should think about trading him sooner than later. The Clippers get two days off between games this week, so you can probably expect Jordan, Lou Williams, Wesley Johnson and Austin Rivers to all see 30+ minutes in both games as a result.
Los Angeles Lakers (@PHI, @CHA):I don’t own Lonzo Ball in any fantasy leagues, and I think I would trade him if I did. He is third in rebounds and seventh in assists among point guards this season, but he is averaging just 9.0 points on 31.8 percent shooting. Overall he still needs to be owned, but it is difficult to overcome his lack of shooting even with his contributions in other areas. With both games on the road this week, no Laker is a must-start.
Memphis Grizzlies (MIN, @NY, TOR, OKC): Chandler Parsons will sit on Monday against Minnesota, and the Grizzlies desperately need him back after that. With Mike Conley still a couple of weeks away from returning, Parsons is the only player on this roster who can generate any consistent offense outside of Marc Gasol and Tyreke Evans.
Miami Heat (@SA, @BKN): I still think Kelly Olynyk should be starting with Hassan Whiteside out, but at least he has played 25+ minutes in each of the last two games. That should continue while Whiteside is out, though their might be better options available on the wire considering Miami plays just twice this week, with both games on the road.
Milwaukee Bucks (@BOS, DET, DAL, UTA): Boston continues to rank first in opponents’ points, while the Jazz are fourth, the Pistons eighth and the Mavericks 11th. This may be a good week to bench Malcolm Brogdon, though you are obviously playing Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton no matter what.
Minnesota Timberwolves (@MEM, @LAC, DAL):The only fantasy question surrounding the Timberwolves each week is whether or not to start Taj Gibson. All three opponents have allowed more than 43 rebounds per game this season, so if you have been using Gibson, you should probably continue to do so.
New Orleans Pelicans (GS, DEN, SAC, PHI):The Pelicans rank second in the NBA in assists, which is surprising considering their lack of outside shooting in the backcourt. Philadelphia is the only team on the schedule this week allowing fewer than 23.7 assists per game, so there should be plenty of assists for Rajon Rondo and friends.
New York Knicks (@IND, MEM, @CHI, ATL ):Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis are out Sunday and they could miss Monday at Indianapolis as well. Michael Beasley will almost certainly lead the Knicks in shots with either of those two out, while Enes Kanter should benefit as well. The Knicks end the week on a back-to-back as well, and it might be a good idea to simply avoid the Knicks altogether if you can.
Oklahoma City Thunder (UTA, @BKN, @MEM):This schedule is a decidedly mixed bag. Oklahoma City hosts a stingy Utah team that will lose an hour traveling for the second of a back-to-back. They then face the Nets, who have allowed the second most points in the NBA, before facing a tough Memphis team. Considering how much he has struggled of late, I might consider benching Steven Adams this week in shallow leagues.
Orlando Magic (@CHA, ATL, DEN, @ATL):In the first game with Terrence Ross out, Jonathon Simmons scored 18 points in 39 minutes against the Warriors despite going 6-18 from the field. Simmons doesn’t contribute much in other categories, but he should be a fairly consistent scorer with Ross out. Orlando starts and ends the week with the second of a back-to-back, which is bad news for a team whose depth is being tested by injuries.
Philadelphia 76ers (PHO, LAL, @CLE, @NOR): The Cavaliers and Lakers are better defensively than they looked early in the season, but this is still an exceptionally good schedule. Jerryd Bayless has averaged 9.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists with T.J. McConnell out the last two games, and he is addable this week if McConnell misses any more time.
Phoenix Suns (@PHI, @TOR, WAS, SA):Phoenix may have the most interesting schedule of the week. They finish a six-game road trip with a back-to-back ending in Canada, and they end with a home game against the stingy Spurs. That game would look scary except San Antonio will be on the second of a back-to-back and its fifth game in seven days. I still don’t love this schedule overall, but it probably isn’t as bad as it looks at first blush.
Portland Trailblazers (WSH, HOU): Al-Farouq Aminu has averaged 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in 24.0 minutes in two games since returning from an ankle sprain. He may still have fantasy value sooner than later, but at the very least he should be benched until he starts playing 30 minutes per game. Of course, it shouldn’t be difficult to bench him considering Portland only gets two games this week.
San Antonio Spurs (DET, MIA, BOS, @PHO): The Spurs start and end this week on a back-to-back, and you can probably expect Gregg Popovitch to rest some players at some point this week, especially Saturday at Phoenix. Kawhi Leonard is going through 5-on-5 scrimmages, and could return as soon as this week. LaMarcus Aldridge’s fantasy owners should look to trade him before that happens. Aldridge has been great so far this season, but his numbers aren’t much different than they were last season without Kawhi. It is possible Pop staggers their minutes more than last season, or Kawhi does a better job getting LaMarcus involved when they are on the floor together, but I see no reason to take that chance. Sell now, since we know Aldridge’s numbers aren’t getting any better.
Sacramento Kings (@CLE, @NOR, TOR): Willie Cauley-Stein left Saturday’s game with a back strain, but he will have until Wednesday to get healthy. Zach Randolph scored 22 points in 34 minutes with Cauley-Stein out, but he is a pretty poor matchup against the Cavs. Even if Cauley-Stein misses time, there might not be any fantasy value to be had on this Sacramento team.
Toronto Raptors (PHO, @MEM, @SAC): The Raptors played just twice last week, and they only have one game this week before road tilts Friday and Sunday. That home game against Phoenix Tuesday should be high scoring, but it is still difficult to trust any Raptors outside of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan even in the best matchups.
Utah Jazz (WSH, @OKC, HOU, @MIL):The Jazz are allowing 99.6 points per game since Rudy Gobert went down, and they were allowing 99.1 ppg before his injury. Their defensive rating has suffered a bit, but not as much as I expected considering they lost a defensive player of the year candidate. Alec Burks has stepped up with Rodney Hood out, averaging 22.0 points in 26.7 minutes per game over the last week. Even if Hood returns Monday, he may miss the Thunder game Tuesday. Burks will be droppable when Hood is active, but his recent play is a reminder he would be interesting if he is traded to a team in need of a wing scorer.
Washington Wizards (@UTA, @POR, @PHO, @LAC): Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tomas Satoransky are playing well with John Wall out, but you may want to wait until after this week to pick them up. The Jazz and Trail Blazers are both allowing 100.0 points per game this season; only three teams have been better. The Clippers and Suns are far more generous, but the Wizards are averaging 4.1 fewer points on the road than at home this season.