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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

*Mike Barner*


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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

It’s important to know the intricacies of the NBA schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head fantasy league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are some moves you might want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

With more than half of the teams in the league playing at least four games each this week, it’s a big help considering the rash of injuries across the league. If your roster is depleted, consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets had the slimmest of playoffs hopes to begin with but suffered a significant blow Saturday with the loss of Nicolas Batum (Achilles). He has already been ruled out for Monday and while there is no definitive timetable for his return, there is really no reason to push him back onto the floor if he’s still in pain. Lamb has played well as a starter this season, averaging 16.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 three-pointers in 14 games. He’s still available in 61% of Yahoo! leagues and could be in line for a monster week if Batum misses an extended period of time.

Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies

Brooks has been stellar offensively in March, averaging 18 points and 2.1 three-pointers in nine games while shooting 45.1% from the field and 82.1% from the charity stripe. Even with Tyreke Evans back for the last two games, Brooks scored at least 15 points and hit at least two three-pointers in both contests. He has excellent matchups this week against the Nets, Sixers, Hornets, and Lakers as all four teams are in the top eight in the league in pace of play. He won’t provide you with much in other categories, but if you need an offensive boost, he’s still available in 73% of Yahoo! leagues.

Cameron Payne, Chicago Bulls

If you could say one of the worst teams in the league has played surprisingly well this season, that team would be the Bulls. Picked to be the worst team in the league by many at the start of the season, they have managed to win 24 games already. They are in full tank mode now though and started resting veterans after the All-Star break to the point where the league got involved. This week looks even bleaker in terms of depth at guard with Kris Dunn (toe) and Zach LaVine (knee) out for at least Monday. They have a back-to-back set Friday and Saturday, so expect LaVine to sit out at least one of those two games as well. Payne played well with both players out Saturday, scoring 13 points to go along with 10 assists and three three-pointers. Still available in 88% of Yahoo! leagues, Payne might be a wise pickup if you need a point guard.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 3 Games Each
Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards

All teams in the league this week play either three or four games, so the advantage is not as drastic as it has been in past weeks. However, as injuries continue to pile up in the league, there are still some valuable players you might want to consider benching this week based on their uncertain status.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Curry (ankle) is going to miss at least Monday’s game against the Spurs before being re-evaluated Tuesday. Even if he is feeling better, it doesn’t make much sense to play him against the lowly Hawks in their next game on Friday. His best-case scenario might be playing in only one game this week against a tough Jazz defense on Sunday, making him someone you want to keep on your bench.

Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

Ingram has already been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Pacers, so he’ll only play two games this week at best. The Lakers have nothing left to play for and don’t want to take any chances with one of the key pieces of their future, so don’t expect them to rush Ingram back onto the floor. Although the last two games are juicy matchups against the Pelicans and Grizzlies, there’s too much risk involved with starting Ingram.

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

The Celtics are extremely thin at guard with Brown (concussion), Kyrie Irving (knee) and Marcus Smart (thumb) all battling injuries. Brown has missed the last four games and has not yet been cleared from the concussion protocol. The Celtics first game this week is Tuesday, so it seems like a stretch that he’ll be ready to play in that contest. He doesn’t excel in any one category, to begin with, so make sure he’s on your bench with a short week in the works.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

*Mike Barner*


Get 60% off of our Daily Fantasy Basketball NBA Tools

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

It’s important to know the intricacies of the NBA schedule to gain an advantage over your opponent in a head-to-head fantasy league as starting your best players might not always give you the best chance to win. Here are some moves you might want to consider for your team based on the week ahead.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors

It’s crunch time in the fantasy playoffs, but only eight teams can give you an edge by playing four games each this week. If you’re dealing with injuries or need a boost for your squad, consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

Terry Rozier, Boston Celtics

The Celtics don’t play four games this week, but Rozier is still someone to consider adding with three games on the schedule. Not only is Jaylen Brown (concussion) likely out for most, if not all, of this week, but Kyrie Irving (knee) also left Sunday’s game against the Pacers and did not return. From the sound of Irving after the game, he is likely going to miss some time. With the Celtics cruising towards the playoffs, it makes a lot of sense for them to take a cautious approach with their best player. Rozier should be in line for a ton of playing time this week, giving him a significant boost in value. In nine games that Rozier has logged at least 30 minutes this season, he is averaging 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.1 three-pointers. He’s still available in 61% of Yahoo! leagues and could be a difference maker when it matters the most.

Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers

Harrell is coming on strong down the stretch, averaging 17.8 points and 4.2 rebounds through five games in March. He doesn’t provide many assists or blocks, but he’s been stellar from the field, shooting 63.3% this season. That’s no fluke either as he is shooting 64.2% from the field for his career. With Danilo Gallinari (hand) out again this week, that frees up more minutes up front for the Clippers. If you need a big man in your fantasy playoffs, Harrell is still available in 68% of Yahoo! leagues.

Corey Brewer, Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have lacked depth all season and didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline, but they did manage to bring in Brewer after he was bought out by the Lakers. He’s started and played at least 28 minutes in back-to-back games, averaging 14.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers. In his four games this week, two are against bad teams in the Hawks and Kings and the other is against the Clippers, who play at the sixth-fastest pace (101.2 possessions per game) in the league. He should provide value with points, three’s and steals with the extra game this week and is still available in 97% of Yahoo! leagues. He’s likely not someone to consider in standard size leagues, but if you play in a deep league, Brewer might be someone to target on waivers.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 3 Games Each
Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

Outside of the eight teams with four games each, the rest of the league all plays three games each during Week 22. Although the difference isn’t as drastic as it has been in previous weeks, you should still consider benching the players below.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics

After playing just 16 minutes Sunday due to a sore left knee, Irving said it’s an issue he’s been dealing with for the last week and that he might need some additional rest. The Celtics don’t play again until Wednesday, but it seems likely that Irving is going to miss some time. While his uncertainty comes at an inopportune time for those in the fantasy playoffs, it might be too much of a risk to put him into your lineup this week.

Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

Ingram has made major strides in his second season in the league but has missed the last five games with a groin injury. The Lakers announced Sunday that Ingram won’t play Tuesday or Wednesday either, leaving him to play just one game this week best case scenario. Keep him anchored to your bench with the hope that he can return for Week 23.

Thaddeus Young, Indiana Pacers

Young is struggling mightily right now, averaging only 5.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists through six games in March. He’s averaging 33 minutes per game on the season overall but may be starting to lose playing time, logging just 23 minutes in back-to-backs contests. Two of his three opponents this week are the Raptors and Wizards, both teams he has not played well against this season. Young has been a productive player throughout the season, but his recent struggles make him too much of a risk.