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NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 5

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Point Guard

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 5

As you prepare your lineup for your head-to-head league for Week 5, remember it’s important to take a look at the schedule to see where you can gain an edge of your opponent. Not only do you want to target picking up players on waivers who play the most games for the week, but you may also need to make a tough choice and bench one of your better players because they play too few games.  Here are the moves you want to consider for your team.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

Nine teams have the advantage of playing four games each this week. With the Warriors, Trail Blazers and Wizards among those teams, some elite fantasy players will have an even greater impact this week. If you need help though, consider checking the waiver wire for the players below.

 NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 5
Marquese Chriss, Phoenix Suns

Chriss is only averaging 21 minutes per game this season, but he has still been able to average a respectable 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers. He has seen a slight increase in playing time lately as he played at least 25 minutes in two of the last three games. In those two games, he averaged 11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers. The four games the Suns play this week come against the Rockets, Bulls and twice against the Lakers. None of these teams have elite defenses and tend to play smaller lineups, which could lead to some very valuable numbers from Chriss. He is currently available in 44% of Yahoo! leagues.

Thabo Sefolosha, Utah Jazz

The Jazz have lost one of their best players in Rudy Gobert for at least a month due to injury, paving the way for more minutes for Sefolosha. He actually started at power forward Saturday against the Nets and finished with nine points, nine rebounds, one assist, five steals and one three-pointer in 32 minutes. This week brings excellent matchups against the Timberwolves, Knicks, Nets and Magic. Sefolosha should see increased playing time throughout the week, making him a valuable pickup who is still available in 90% of Yahoo! leagues.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento Kings

Bogdanovic’s value comes in his offensive production as he is averaging 9.9 points and 0.9 three-pointers in 24 minutes per game. After starting the season coming off the bench, he has now started each of the last seven games. The Kings play the Wizards, Hawks and two games against the Trail Blazers this week, with the games against the Wizards and Hawks providing really favorable matchups. If you need some offense and three-point shooting, Bogdanovic can provide value. He is currently available in 90% of Yahoo! leagues.

 

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are the only team playing less than three games this week, dealing a blow to the value of their players. Consider benching the players below as a result.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 5
Carmelo Anthony, Oklahoma City Thunder

Anthony sat out Sunday’s game against the Mavericks with a back injury. While it is largely believed that he was sat as a precaution, it’s still worrisome considering he only has two games on the schedule this week. The matchups are not great either as the Thunder play the Bulls and the Spurs. The Bulls are terrible, so if Anthony isn’t rested for that game as well, he at least might play limited minutes once the game gets out of hand. The Spurs are one of the best defensive teams in the league, so scoring might be hard to come by in that game. If there was ever a week to put Anthony on your bench, this is it.

Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Like Anthony, Adams is also dealing with an injury and has sat out the last two games. When healthy, he’s been extremely valuable this season as he is averaging 12.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 65.2% from the field and 76.0% from the free-throw line. With his status uncertain heading into the weak and the two unfavorable matchups I already outlined, it might be a wise idea to bench him.






NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 4

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 4

One of the important aspects of playing in a head-to-head season-long NBA fantasy league is to know the ins and outs of the schedule. Unlike in rotisserie leagues, there may be times when it makes sense to bench one of your better players because they only play a limited amount of games. Let’s take a look at the Week 4 schedule and see what moves you should consider for your squad.

Teams With The Most Games – 4 Games Each
Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns

Only six teams play four games each this week, which is great news for owners who have Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Devin Booker and Hassan Whiteside. Your elite players get an added edge this week. You will also want to consider adding the players below to help gain the edge over your opponent.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 4
Mike James, Phoenix Suns

James has taken over the starting point guard position as the team looks to trade unhappy veteran Eric Bledsoe. He has been successful so far, averaging 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 three-pointers in seven starts. Although he is only shooting 37.3% from the field this season, those are significant counting stats for someone you can grab off waivers in 60% of Yahoo! leagues. Three of his four games this week come against poor defensive teams in the Nets, Magic and Timberwolves.

Tyler Johnson, Miami Heat

The Heat need Johnson to provide scoring off the bench and he has done just that this season, averaging 11.0 points and 1.2 three-pointers in 27 minutes per game. He has made at least three three-pointers in three of his last six games, so a four-game week with Johnson in your lineup could give you a big boost if you struggle in that category. Three of the four games the Heat play come against the Warriors, Suns and Pistons, three teams that tend to deploy small lineups. Still available in 65% of Yahoo! leagues, Johnson is someone you should consider adding if you need a guard.

Bojan Bogdanovic, Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are in full rebuild mode, leaving Bogdanovic to average a career-high 29 minutes per game this season. He has not disappointed as he is averaging 13.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 three-pointers per game. His performance has been even better of late as he has scored at least 15 points and hit at least two three-pointers in four of his last five games.  The Pacers get to face the Pelicans, Pistons, Bulls and Rockets this week, so Bogdanovic could be in for some big scoring numbers. He’s still available in 57% of Yahoo! leagues.

Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers

With only four teams playing two games this week, it can be a crushing blow if you have players on these squads. While you may normally start the players below, consider putting them on your bench this week and using someone else with a more favorable schedule.

NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 4

Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves

The main reason you own Wiggins is for offense as he is averaging 19.9 points and 1.6 three-pointers per game. Outside of also averaging 4.6 rebounds per game, he doesn’t provide you with much else in terms of counting stats. With only two games this week, his ability to help your team offensively will be limited. One of those games comes against a bad Suns team, so there is concern he could see limited minutes in a blowout. Proceed with caution if you have Wiggins this week.

Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte Hornets

Lamb has been excellent while filling in for the injured Nicolas Batum, averaging 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 three-pointers per game. He is also shooting a career high 48.5% from the field, so everything has come up roses for his owners so far. This might be the week to put him on your bench though as he is only playing two games, one of which comes against a Celtics team that is only allowing an NBA low 93.2 points per game.

Dwight Howard, Charlotte Hornets

Howard’s move to Charlotte has done wonders for his value as he is averaging 14.6 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. While he is playing 31 minutes a game, he’s not the defender that he once was as he is only averaging 1.3 blocks per game. His free-throw shooting also continues to be awful at 40.4%. Outside of his rebounding numbers, it’s going to be hard for him to provide enough value this week with only two games.