*Mike Barner*
Get 60% off of our Daily Fantasy Basketball NBA Tools
NBA Fantasy Basketball Schedule Analysis for Week 20
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 – 5 Games Each
Sacramento Kings
Teams With 4 Games Each
Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
The Kings get a scheduling oddity this week as they are the only team to play more than four games during any week this season. That will provide some interesting opportunities for some of their players, but that doesn’t mean there are enough viable Kings available on waivers in your league to fill any holes in your lineup. Consider adding the players below who are still available in the majority of leagues.
Tomas Satoransky, Washington Wizards
Satoransky makes this list for the second straight week. John Wall (knee) is still sidelined for the Wizards, leaving the starting point guard job in Satoransky’s capable hands. Satoransky has started all 10 games in February, averaging 12.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 three-pointers per contest. Not only are his counting stats great, but he also shot 59.5% from the field and was perfect from the charity stripe during that stretch. He’s still available in 63% of Yahoo! leagues, so pick him up if you still can.
Andrew Harrison, Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies didn’t trade Tyreke Evans at the deadline, but now he’s down with a rib injury. Evans didn’t play Saturday and has already been ruled out for Monday as well. Harrison will be in line for an expanded role for however long Evans is out, but he can still provide value even when Evans returns due to a four-game week. Harrison has had his best month of the season in February, averaging 15.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 three-pointers per contest. He won’t provide much defensively, but he has shot 49.5% from the field this month. Two of Harrison’s four games this week are against the Suns and the Magic, both among the worst defensive teams in the league. Still available in 81% of Yahoo! leagues, Harrison could be a wise pickup for Week 20.
Skal Labissiere, Sacramento Kings
Labissiere should really benefit from playing five games this week. He missed some time earlier this month with a shoulder injury but has logged at least 25 minutes in both games since he returned. He’s played at least 20 minutes in a game 19 times this season, averaging 11.3 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 48.8% from the field. Those numbers don’t jump off the page but can provide value in a five-game week. He’s still available in 88% of Yahoo! leagues and is someone to consider adding if you need help up front.
Teams With The Fewest Games – 2 Games Each
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are the only team with just two games in Week 20, possibly putting you in a tough spot if you have any Spurs on your roster. While they might normally be in your starting lineup, consider benching the below players as a result of their limited schedule.
Pau Gasol, San Antonio Spurs
Gasol isn’t nearly the player that he was in his prime, but is still averaging a valuable 10.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and one block per game this season. One of the main reasons for his decline in production is that he is averaging only 25 minutes per game. Gasol reportedly had this left knee wrapped after Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers and while he said it’s nothing serious, the Spurs are one of the more cautious franchises in the league. This is the week to place Gasol firmly on your bench.
Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs
Murray is playing well right now, averaging 12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks in his last six games. He’s clearly established himself as the team’s starting point guard and while he doesn’t provide hardly any three-pointers, his defensive contributions have made him a valuable commodity. However, with just two games this week, he won’t be able to produce enough points, rebounds, and assists to warrant starting.
