Only one team plays twice this week.  Every other team gets three or four games. Of far more importance are the back-to-back games. At this point, the only teams that are actually playing their veterans in back-to-backs are the ones still fighting for a playoff spot in the west. Otherwise, a lot of players will get at least one game off this week. That is important to keep in mind when evaluating the schedules.

 

Atlanta Hawks (@MIN, PHI, ORL): who would have thought the most interesting game for Atlanta this week would be the tankathon with the Magic. I can't wait to see how both trends find a way to lose this game.

Boston Celtics (@PHO, @UTA, TOR): The Celtics finally get Jaylen Brown back this week, which is great news for fantasy players. Jayson Tatum is droppable with Brown back, but they should both get the ball plenty until Kyrie Irving returns.

Brooklyn Nets (@ORL, @MIA, DET): All we heard all season was how the Nets didn't have any incentive to lose this season, but that hasn't stopped them from losing twice as many games as they have won. They should win a couple of times this week,  and rack up some fantasy points in the process.

Charlotte Hornets (NY, CLE, @WAS, PHI): I don’t usually put much stock into the Summer League, but I will keep a close eye on whether or not Malik Monk goes to the Summer League, and if he does anything there beyond jack up long 2-pointers. It is probably too soon to give up on Monk, but at some point he has to show signs his talent can translate to winning basketball.

Chicago Bulls (@HOU, @MIA, @ORL): The Bulls should lose all three games this week, which means they will definitely win at least once. Their matchup at Orlando had a chance to be particularly high scoring.

Cleveland Cavaliers (@MIA, @CHA. NO): Even when they are short-handed, there is no telling which Cavs role players will step up on any given night. It is even more difficult when everyone is healthy.

Dallas Mavericks (@SAC, @LAL, MIN): The Laker matchup isn't great, but the others are.

Denver Nuggets (@PHI, @TOR, @OKC, MIL): Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said the best-case scenario would be for Gary Harris to return Monday against the 76ers or Tuesday against the Raptors. That is cold comfort for fantasy players who have had to navigate through the fantasy playoffs without him. Wilson Chandler remains a viable option while Harris is out.

Detroit Pistons (LAL, WAS, @NY K): Reggie Jackson is back. He should be a good fit with Blake Griffin, as Griffin can assume most of the playmaking duties while Jackson focuses on scoring. Jackson might be undervalued in fantasy drafts next season.

Golden State Warriors (IND, MIL, @SAC): Should we consider Stephen Curry injury prone heading into fantasy drafts next season? I don't know that his knee injury was connected to his ankle injury, but I will have an awfully tough time projecting Curry for more than 70 games next season.

Houston Rockets (CHI, PHO, @SA): I’m not sure the matchups matter much for the Rockets at this point, but they have two good ones this week, with rest between each game. Even the game at San Antonio isn’t that scary.  

Indiana Pacers (@GS, @SAC, @LAC): Indiana is playing at the slowest Pace since January 1st. With three road games, I wouldn't be in a hurry to play guys like Darren Collison.

Los Angeles Clippers (MIL, @PHO, @POR): The first two games are against poor defensive teams, but they are also back-to-back. This might actually be a good week for Austin Rivers.

Los Angeles Lakers (@DET, DAL, MIL, SAC): Is free agency going to affect any player’s fantasy value more than Julius Randle? He has been great since the Lakers traded Larry Nance Jr. away, and he might be even better if Brook Lopez wasn’t playing 30+ minutes per game. That being said, Randle’s assists have dropped precipitously, which is a shame for one of the best-passing big men in the NBA.

Memphis Grizzlies (@MIN, POR, @UTA, POR): The Grizzlies are just depressing following their 61-point loss to the Hornets. That being said, JaMychal Green is quietly averaging a double-double over the last month.

Miami Heat (CLE, CHI, BKN): With as well as Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo have played with Hassan Whiteside out, you have to wonder if the Heat will trade Whiteside or Olynyk in the offseason. I’m not sure either player would be as good in another uniform, but I would trust Olynyk less outside of Miami. Whiteside’s rebounding and shot blocking would likely play anywhere.

Milwaukee Bucks (@LAC, @GS, @LAL): The Bucks may have three road games, including a back-to-back, but at least they don't have to travel a whole lot.

Minnesota Timberwolves (MEM, ATL, @DAL, UTA): Minnesota really needs to win their first three games this week if they want to ensure they make the playoffs. None of those teams are good defensively, and Minnesota gets a day off before each. This should be a good week to play the Timberwolves’s fringe fantasy players. 

New Orleans Pelicans (POR, @CLE, OKC):  It was nearly inconceivable at the start of the season that Portland would be the only poor matchup for the Pelicans this week. If Nikola Mirotic and Rajon Rondo remain out, Chieck Diallo and E’Twaun Moore are solid fantasy options.

New York Knicks (@CHA, @PHI, DET): The Knicks get some rest between each game. Now they just need to figure out what they are doing with their back court. Unfortunately, you can’t trust any Knicks guards for fantasy right now.

Oklahoma City Thunder (@SA, DEN, @NO): The Thunder’s first two games are back-to-back, and it is probably a good thing they face San Antonio first before taking on the defensively challenged Nuggets. I would rather own Corey Brewer than Carmelo Anthony for fantasy, which tells you all you need to know about the state of the Thunder right now.  

Orlando Magic (BKN, PHI, @ATL): Orlando gets two good matchups for fantasy, and I am interested to see if they can manage to lose both games. D.J. Augustin should be a must-start for as long as Jonathon Simmons is out.

Philadelphia 76ers (DEN, NY, @ATL): This is about as good as a three-game schedule can get. That being said, are you really going to trust J.J. Redick or Robert Covington to take advantage.

Phoenix Suns (BOS, LAC, @HOU, @GS): Devin Booker has a chance to return this week, but Abby fantasy players who are still alive probably can't afford to play him. Josh Jackson remains playable until Booker returns.

Portland Trailblazers (@NOR, @MEM, LAC, MEM): Portland’s road games are back-to-back, but they get a day off before each home game. Jusuf Nurkic is averaging 16.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game over the last two weeks.

San Antonio Spurs (@WAS, OKC, HOU): The Spurs went into play Sunday only three games up on the Nuggets, and they will probably be lucky if they don't lose ground this week. The Spurs could struggle to score points this week.

Sacramento Kings (DAL, IND, GS, @LAL): The Kings host the Warriors and then play at the Lakers back-to-back, but that stretch doesn’t look nearly as scary as it did a month ago. If you are an underdog this week, it may be a good time to take a chance on De’Aaron Fox.  

Toronto Raptors (DEN, @BOS): Toronto has a day off before hosting Denver as the last game of their three-game homestand. They then have three days off before they play at Boston.   

Utah Jazz (BOS, MEM, @MIN): This looks like a tough schedule, but all three of these teams are dealing with significant injuries. At this point, if any Jazz players have gotten you this far, you have to stick with them.

Washington Wizards (SA, @DET, CHA, @CHI): The Wizards have a day off between each game this week, but it is not clear they will need it. The Pistons and Hornets are not scary matchups.