Week 12 - Team by Team Outlook
4 games: CHA, CHI, DEN, GSW, NJN, NYK, PHI, PHO, POR, SAC, SEA, TOR
3 games: ATL, BOS, DET, LAC, MEM, MIA, MIL, MIN, ORL, SAS, UTA, WAS
2 games: CLE, DAL, HOU, IND, LAL, NOR
5 Favorable Schedules
1. Golden St. Warriors (4 games - @Minnesota, @Indiana, @Chicago, @Milwaukee)
2. Denver Nuggets (4 games - @Charlotte, @Atlanta, Utah, Minnesota)
3. Phoenix Suns (4 games - @LA Clippers, @LA Lakers, Minnesota, New Jersey)
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (3 games - Golden State, @Phoenix, @Denver)
5. Utah Jazz (3 games - Milwaukee, @Denver, LA Clippers)
5 Poor Schedules
1. Houston Rockets (2 games - Philadelphia, San Antonio)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (2 games - @Memphis, @San Antonio)
3. San Antonio Spurs (3 games - Philadelphia, Cleveland, @Houston)
4. Boston Celtics (3 games - Washington, Portland, Philadelphia)
5. Philadelphia 76ers (4 games - @San Antonio, @Houston, @Boston, Toronto)
5 Hot Pickups
1. Boris Diaw - Superb game on Sat. and will get big minutes w/ Hill out. Is the stat stuffing Boris back?
2. Bostjan Nachbar - 8 threes and 6 steals in his last 4 games. Give him a look if you need treys.
3. Reggie Evans - Pulling down 9.7 rpg in Jan. Philly plays a lot of games coming up so he can help you out.
4. Luke Walton - He's still not doing much, but his minutes are up recently and solid production may follow.
5. Tony Allen - Has nabbed 3+ steals 5 times in his last 15 games and Boston is about to play a lot of games.
Start = 98 players, Borderline = 38 players, Bench = 50 players. Adjust your lineups accordingly!
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks (2 games)
The Mavs have won 7 in a row after a buzzer-beater by Stackhouse on Saturday.
Dirk is averaging 24.7 ppg on 52.5% FG shooting in January. Josh Howard missed Saturday's game due to personal reasons, but is expected back on Monday. However, he and Harris are borderline starts with only 2 games this week. Jason Terry got a rare start on Saturday and went for 20 points, 4 dimes, and 3 threes, but it was just the 2nd time in his last 13 games that he's played 30+ minutes. Dampier has grabbed 25 boards and blocked 6 shots in 3 games since returning from a knee injury, so consider picking him up again if you need center help. Brandon Bass threw down a nasty dunk on Maxiell the other night!
Start: Dirk
Borderline: Howard, Harris
Bench: Terry, Dampier
Denver Nuggets (4 games)
The Nugz are scoring 107.6 ppg and have a favorable schedule this week.
Iverson's shooting %'s (46.4% FG, 33.9% 3P, 82.5% FT) are still well above his career averages (42.4% FG, 31.2% 3P, 77.9% FT). Carmelo has been a monster on the glass recently and is shooting 51% from the field over his last 5 games. Camby has upped his blocks to a league-leading 3.79 per game. In case you're wondering, the last time a player blocked 4 shots per game was Dikembe Mutombo (4.49 bpg) in '95-96, his last year with the Nuggets. Chucky Atkins might miss the rest of the season, so Anthony Carter is now the MAN at PG. He's a great cheap source of steals and assists. K-Mart played a season-high 38 minutes on Friday and is a solid start this week. Nene is out indefinitely for a personal medical reason, so let's just hope that he's ok.
Start: Iverson, Anthony, Camby, Carter, K-Mart
Bench: Nene
Golden St. Warriors (4 games)
Baron Davis was challenged by Don Nelson to move the ball around more and he responded with a career-high 19 assists with just 1 turnover on Friday night, just 4 days after a 34 point, 14 assist, 0 turnover game vs. Tony Parker and the Spurs. Get this man in the All-Star game! If you exclude the 40% FG shooting, Captain Jack has been an excellent all-around performer. Monta had 27 points on 12-15 shooting on Friday and seems poised for a big week. Harrington has made 22 threes over his last 7 games, so get him in your lineup this week.
Start: Baron, Jackson, Biedrins, Ellis, Harrington
Borderline: Barnes
Houston Rockets (2 games)
The Rockets have won 5 in a row without T-Mac! Yao is averaging 24.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting in January. Battier has recorded 20 steals and 24 blocks over his last 12 games, which is why he's such a valuable (and underrated) fantasy player. RAFER MADNESS!!! Alston is averaging 17.3 points, 5.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.3 threes per game over his last 8. Props to those of you who stuck with him after his miserable start (don't rush back T-Mac). If you need threes and Luther Head is still available, give him a look.
Start: Yao
Borderline: Battier, Alston
Bench: T-Mac, Wells, Head, Scola
Los Angeles Clippers (3 games)
The Clippers have dropped 10 of their last 11 games after a heartbreaking loss on Saturday.
Kaman had shown his ability to score and rebound in his breakout '05-06 season, but him doubling his career-high in blocks per game has been extremely impressive. Tim Thomas has scored 41 points and dished out 11 assists in his last 2 games, so get him back in your lineup. Mobley has picked up his play recently: 15.2 ppg and 7 threes over his last 5 games.
Start: Kaman, Maggette, Thomas
Borderline: Mobley
Bench: Cassell, Thornton, Brand
Los Angeles Lakers (2 games)
The Lakers
have won 9 of their last 10 games and are currently 3rd in Hollinger's power rankings. Frankly, I would still be shocked if they made it to the Western Conference Finals. Kobe attempted 30+ field goals 12 times last year, but hasn't done so once this season since jacking up 32 in the season opener. Bynum has been incredible over his last 5 games: 18.8 points on 69.8% FG shooting, 12.8 boards, and 2.8 blocks (UPDATE: Bynum hurt his knee on Sunday and needs an MRI, so bench him this week and cross your fingers). Luke Walton has scored 44 points and shot 5-7 on threes over his last 4 games. Look for his minutes to increase (and consider picking him up) if he keeps it up.
Start: Kobe
Borderline: Odom
Bench: Bynum, Fisher, Walton, Farmar
Memphis Grizzlies (3 games)
Pau Gasol exploded for 43 points on 17-25 FG shooting and 9-12 FT shooting on Friday. His January numbers look great and he should be a must-start the rest of the way. Mike Miller is trying to become just the 3rd player (Steve Nash & Brent Barry) in the 3-point era to make 2 threes per game and shoot over 50% from the field in the same season. He's not doing much else, but Darko has rejected 22 shots in his last 7 games, so consider starting him if you need blocks. Conley and Navarro both have value, but it's tough to recommend either one with just 3 games this week.
Start: Gasol, Gay, Miller
Borderline: Darko
Bench: Conley, Navarro
Minnesota Timberwolves (3 games)
Al Jefferson is averaging just 19.5 ppg on 46.2% FG shooting in January.
You may want to consider trading him before things get even uglier in Minnesota. Gomes is finally playing like I thought he would, he just needed the minutes. McCants is hot, so he's a solid start this week. Telfair is getting major minutes but doing very little. Randy Foye is supposed to start scrimmaging this week, so pick him up if he's available.
Start: Jefferson, Gomes, McCants
Borderline: Telfair
Bench: Jaric, Brewer, Smith, Foye
New Orleans Hornets (2 games)
Chris Paul has been dominant and I don't think
you should trade him straight up for ANYONE right now. David West had a nasty fall last week, but only missed 1 game and returned to put up 19 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, and a block (he's a stud). When you see Tyson Chandler throw down dunks like this, you wonder how in the world he's blocking just 1.14 shots per game. Bobby Jackson still has some game! He was a perfect 7-7 on threes for 25 points and 4 assists on Friday. Still no fantasy value tho...
Start: Paul, West
Borderline: Chandler, Peja
Bench: Peterson
Phoenix Suns (4 games)
The Suns
gave up 351 total points to the Nuggets, Pacers, and Bucks last week, yet won all 3 games. Nash scored a season-high 35 points on 13-17 shooting on Saturday after missing 1 game. Marion also returned from injuries but struggled, while Amare Stoudemire continues to put up monster numbers. Is Boris Diaw finally ready to contribute? He had his best game of the year on Saturday (21 points on 10-15 FG, 11 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), which prompted Nash to say: "I'd love to see him play like that all the time." Me too Nash! You may as well start Boris before Grant Hill comes back.
Start: Nash, Marion, Stoudemire, Diaw, Barbosa, Bell
Bench: Hill, Skinner
Portland Trailblazers (4 games)
Portland
blew out the Warriors on Wednesday for their 17th win in their last 18 games. Steve Blake led the team with 24 points and 5 threes, but hurt his calf and could miss a couple of games. I suggest reserving him unless he plays on Sunday. Brandon Roy is dealing with injuries but he's a must-start of course. Webster has hit 10 threes over his last 3 games, so he's a solid start this week. Jarrett Jack could have a big week if Blake misses some time. I'm not sure if most people know how good (and valuable) James Jones has been: 11.8 points and 2.1 threes per game on 54.5% FG, 55.1% 3P, and 88.7% FT over his last 18 games.
Start: Roy, Aldridge, Webster, Jack, Outlaw, Jones
Bench: Blake
Sacramento Kings (4 games)
Kevin Martin is back!!! He scored 25 points (7-9 FG, 10-10 FT) and had 2 steals in just 29 minutes on Saturday. Congrats to all Kev-Mart owners! Brad Miller is averaging 20.2 points, 10.5 boards, 5.2 assists, and 1 block per game in January. He can't play any better, so I suggest trading him before Bibby and Artest come back. John Salmons has been HUGE and should get plenty of minutes to produce even when Bibby and Artest return. I can't say the same for Udrih and Garcia tho. Bibby is supposed to return on Wednesday, so this might be Beno's last chance to shine. Garcia has filled in admirably, but expect his minutes to plummet once the Kings are at full strength.
Start: Martin, Miller, Salmons, Garcia
Borderline: Udrih, Bibby
Bench: Artest
San Antonio Spurs (3 games)
Tim Duncan is
having a solid season, but his blocks are at a career-low 1.63 per game. His career average is 2.43 bpg, so this stat should be very concerning for Duncan owners. Ginobili had a monster game on Saturday (22 points, 5 steals, and 3 threes in 27 minutes), so hopefully his finger injury is no longer affecting him. Tony Parker's points and assists are up this season, but his FG%, FT%, and steals are down.
Start: Duncan, Ginobili, Parker
Seattle SuperSonics (4 games)
Seattle has lost 6 in a row and
they face some tough teams this week. Durant is just 2-17 on threes over his last 5 games, so it would be nice to see him drive to the hoop more often. I didn't think Kurt Thomas still had it in him, but he's averaging 11.2 boards and 1.5 blocks per game over his last 10. Collison has also been a monster on the glass with Wilcox out, so start him while he's hot. Jeff Green has been kinda quiet recently, but he's getting solid minutes and could have a decent week. The PG situation remains a mess.
Start: Durant, Thomas, Collison
Borderline: Wilcox, Green, Wally
Bench: West, Watson
Utah Jazz (3 games)
The Jazz have won 5 of their past 6 games and appear to be back on track. AK 47 returned on Saturday and racked up 16 points, 7 boards, 8 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Get him back in your lineup! Boozer is in a mini-slump, but you'd be foolish to think about benching him. Mehmet Okur is on fire: he's collected 51 points, 25 rebounds, and 7 threes in his last 2 games! Ronnie Brewer tied a career-high with 21 points on Thursday, but is a borderline start with just 3 games this week. Korver is just 5-20 on threes since joining Utah, but he'll turn it around soon.
Start: Boozer, Deron, AK47, Okur
Borderline: Brewer
Bench: Korver, Millsap
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks (3 games)
Josh Smith has dropped 30+ points twice in his last 4 games. If J-Smoov can score like that on top of everything else he does, his owners will be ecstatic. Joe Johnson had one of his best games of the season on Sunday (37 points on 13-23 FG, 9 boards, 6 dimes, 5 threes) and is a must-start of course. Marvin joined the block parade with 4 of his own on Sunday, showing that he's capable of averaging much more than his current .34 bpg. Childress is doing a little bit of everything and his %'s are spectacular (59.3% FG, 86.4% FT). The last time a player shot over 55% from the field and 85% from the line in the same season was Chris Mullin (55.3% FG, 86.4% FT) in '96-97. On Dec. 19th, Rotoworld declared Anthony Johnson "a must-have player." In the 9 games since, he's averaged a whopping 6.9 points, 5.0 assists, .67 steals, and .89 threes per game on 39.3% FG shooting. I hope you didn't listen to them...
Start: J-Smoov, J. Johnson, M. Williams
Borderline: Horford, Childress
Bench: A. Johnson
Boston Celtics (3 games)
Suddenly, the Celtics
have lost 2 of their last 3 games and have scored 100 points just once in January. Amazingly, Garnett's point and rebound numbers (19.2, 9.9) have fallen below 20 & 10 for the first time since '97-98. C'mon KG, you gotta step it up! Paul Pierce has failed to score 20 points in 4 straight games and Ray Allen is shooting just 32.2% in January. I'm sure some of you are tempted to bench Allen, but he could easily bounce back and hit 10 threes this week. Rondo missed Saturday's game with a back injury and is doubtful for Monday. Tony Allen started in his place and could be worth a pickup if you need steals: he's recorded 3+ swipes 5 times in his last 15 games.
Start: Garnett, Pierce, R. Allen
Bench: Rondo, Perkins, T. Allen
Charlotte Bobcats (4 games)
The Bobcats played without a point guard on Saturday, but still only lost by 3 to Detroit. Gerald Wallace has been a stud in January: 23.1 points, 9.3 boards, 4.7 assists, 2 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 1.6 threes per game! J-Rich is also playing extremely well, and is even shooting 47.3% FG and 82.1% FT this month (still just 43.9% FG and 70.1% FT for the season). Okafor's numbers have taken a big hit with Mohammed on board, but he's still a solid start this week. Speaking of Nazr, he's averaging 16.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1 block per game in just 25.8 minutes over his last 5. I'm going to start him this week and hope that he can duplicate those numbers. It sounds like Felton is going to miss some more time, so make sure you reserve him this week. Jeff McInnis is expected back on Monday, but hasn't done enough to warrant fantasy consideration. However, you may want to pickup and start Matt Carroll this week if you need some points and threes.
Start: Wallace, Richardson, Okafor, Nazr
Borderline: Carroll
Bench: Felton
Chicago Bulls (4 games)
You know that saying "One step forward, two steps back?" That seems appropriate for the Bulls right now. Luol Deng dropped 28 points on 10-15 FG shooting in his return from an achilles injury, so get him back in your lineup. Gordon has cooled down a bit recently, but is still a must-start. Hinrich is averaging a respectable 13.6 points and 6.8 assists per game in January. Joe Smith has been a hot pickup and you can't argue with his recent numbers, but you're crazy if you think he'll continue blocking 2 shots per game. Nocioni has nailed 12 threes in his last 4 games, so make sure you start him this week.
Start: Deng, Gordon, Hinrich, Wallace, Smith, Nocioni
Bench: Thomas
Cleveland Cavaliers (2 games)
LeBron continues to do everything but hit his free throws. He's making 69.2% of his shots from the line in January after shooting 71.4% FT in December and 71.3% FT in November. The fact that he's a consistently poor free throw shooter is very discouraging. Daniel Gibson (2.5 threes and 1.3 steals per game in January) is actually the Cavs 2nd best fantasy player right now. The January stats for Big Z (8.3 points and 8.2 boards) and Drew Gooden (9.0 points and 8.0 boards) are actually inferior to Varejao's (9.2 points and 10.0 boards). I hope you sold high on Z and Gooden. Hughes is starting to play a little better, but I still wouldn't think about starting him.
Start: LeBron
Bench: Gibson, Big Z, Gooden, Varejao, Hughes
Detroit Pistons (3 games)
Except for McDyess (15 points and 13 boards), the Pistons didn't come to play on Sunday. I expect their starters to shake it off and play well this week. It's tough to rely on Tayshaun Prince right now. One day after scoring 22 points (10-17 FG) with 7 boards, he dropped a donut (0-10 FG) with just 3 rebounds. Did you guys hear Barkley say that Rasheed could be THE best player in the league if he had the right mindset? I like Sheed, but that seems a bit extreme for me.
Start: Billups, Hamilton, Wallace
Borderline: McDyess, Prince
Indiana Pacers (2 games)
O'Neal was huge on Sunday with 27 points, 9 boards, and 6 blocks. His knee will be a concern the rest of the way, but he seems like a solid start for now. Dunleavy and Granger are both playing great, but they're borderline starts with just 2 games this week. Tinsley is back and playing ok, but I'd probably wait another week before starting him. Murphy's minutes and production have been up and down, so keep him reserved for now. Marquis Daniels has been solid (16 steals in his last 6 games), but it's hard to recommend him still.
Start: O'Neal
Borderline: Dunleavy, Granger, Tinsley
Bench: Murphy, Daniels
Miami Heat (3 games)
How ugly can it get? The Heat have lost 10 games in a row and only need to lose to the Knicks on Saturday to prove that they truly are the worst team in the East. Dwyane Wade is bruised and battered and you've got to think this season is draining him mentally and emotionally as well. Even the rock solid Udonis Haslem is starting to feel ill: his last 2 games have been sub-par as he battles the flu. Ricky Davis has failed to score double digits in 3 straight games, but you have to think he'll go on a scoring spree soon. Blount erupted for 27 points on 13-16 shooting on Friday, but I wouldn't pick him up because he doesn't rebound or block shots and Shaq is supposed to be back this week. Jay-Will is back in the starting lineup, so consider picking him up if you need a PG. Dorell Wright is also back in action, so keep an eye on him.
Start: Wade, Haslem, Davis
Borderline: Shaq, Williams
Bench: Wright
Milwaukee Bucks (3 games)
Michael Redd is back in the Bucks lineup, so get him back in yours. Mo Williams had a poor game on Saturday, but was playing superb ball before that and is a must-start. Bogut's blocks are finally falling back to earth (just 6 in his last 8 games), but he's averaging a solid 17.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in January. I ranked Charlie Bell as my #1 pickup for Week 9, and he's finally rewarding those of you who picked him up: 17 points, 3.8 assists, 1 steal, and 2.2 threes per game over his last 5. Bell had been in a major shooting slump to start the season (compounded by the home crowd booing him), but has finally turned it around. Villanueva and Yi are too inconsistent to start right now, but you may want to consider them for Week 13 when the Bucks play 5 times.
Start: Redd, Williams, Bogut
Borderline: Bell
Bench: Yi, Villanueva
New Jersey Nets (4 games)
I didn't think Kidd should shoot any worse, but he's just 34.3% from the field in January. Of course, he's also averaging a triple-double for the month. Not known for his 3-point shooting, R-Jeff has knocked down 8 treys in his last 5 games. Vince Carter has failed to score 20 points in 3 straight games, so expect him to bounce back in a big way this week. Boone is averaging 12 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game over his last 5, so he's a solid start this week. Sean Williams is averaging just 19.7 mpg in January, but still blocking plenty of shots to have value. Nachbar has made 8 threes and gotten 6 steals in his last 4 games, so consider picking him if you need a shooter.
Start: Kidd, Jefferson, Carter, Boone
Borderline: Williams, Nachbar
New York Knicks (4 games)
Amazingly, the Knicks held Detroit to just 65 points on Sunday. Crawford hit 3 threes and continues to be the Knicks best player. Randolph was big with 25 points and 8 boards and looks like a solid start this week. I'd still like to see Lee play more minutes, but he's a decent start with 4 games. Robinson is playing well and Marbury missed Sunday's game with a sore ankle, so you may want to start Nate and bench Stephon this week.
Start: Crawford, Randolph, Lee
Borderline: Robinson, Curry
Bench: Marbury
Orlando Magic (3 games)
The Magic have lost 5 of their last 6 games, but get to come home after playing 4 games in 5 nights. Dwight Howard went to the line a ridiculous 24 times on Saturday (made 17), and is now on pace to attempt 976 free throws for the season. Only Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West have gone to the line that many times! (altho Jordan, Shaq, and Barkley are right behind). Turkoglu is shooting just 38.4% FG in January, but still filling up the stat sheet in other areas (he's 36th in the league in assists per game!), so keep him active. Nelson is back in the starting lineup, but he's just a borderline start with 3 games this week. Mo Evans has replaced Bogans in the starting lineup and has contributed 39 points, 4 threes, and 4 steals in his last 3 games. I would still be hesitant to start him this week.
Start: Howard, Lewis, Turkoglu
Borderline: Nelson
Bench: Evans
Philadelphia 76ers (4 games)
Thr 76ers play 4 times this week, but keep in mind that they have a killer schedule: @San Antonio, @Houston, @Boston, Toronto. On Friday, Iggy had a monster line (25 points, 6 boards, 5 dimes, 4 steals, 2 blocks, and 2 threes) and Dalembert had a 21/20 game, but Philly still lost their 6th in a row. Andre Miller is playing well, but you've got to think that Philly is listening to offers for him right now. Lou Williams continues to put up solid stats off the bench, and is a decent start with 4 games. If you need rebounds, it wouldn't be a bad idea to start Reggie Evans this week as well. Thaddeus Young has been playing well, so keep an eye on him.
Start: Iguodala, Dalembert, Miller, Williams
Borderline: Evans
Toronto Raptors (4 games)
The Raptors have won 3 straight after a double OT win over Portland on Sunday. Chris Bosh is on FIRE with 78 points and 25 boards in his last 2 games! You know you're getting lots of dimes and excellent shooting from Jose Calderon, but he's even averaging 1.8 steals over his last 5 games, which is icing on the cake. Jamario Moon is solid again: 8.3 boards and 2.5 blocks per game over his last 4. Parker is red hot (13 threes in his last 4 games), so make sure you start him this week. Delfino had a nice game on Sunday, but wasn't getting many minutes before that so he's a risky start this week. You know how everyone who drafted AK47 last year passed on him this year because he sucked so bad? Well, that's going to be Bargnani next season.
Start: Bosh, Calderon, Moon, Parker
Borderline: Delfino
Bench: Bargnani, Ford
Washington Wizards (3 games)
The Wizards shocked Boston on Saturday and have now won 4 of their last 5 games. Caron Butler is playing fantastic and I would actually rather have him over LeBron for fantasy purposes because Butler's shooting %'s are so solid. Stevenson has been playing great, so he looks like a decent start this week. Daniels has been up and down, but I'm going to roll the dice on him. Haywood has been quiet recently, so he's a risky start. Blatche flashed his potential yet again with a 13 point, 8 rebound, 5 block performance on Friday, but just isn't getting enough minutes to rely on.
Start: Butler, Jamison, Stevenson
Borderline: Daniels, Haywood, Blatche
Bench: Arenas
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