If you look at the NBA in the same fashion as the NFL then there are 25 weeks of NBA action. By breaking down each week and analyzing team schedules you can load your roster with players playing more games and sit those who are playing fewer games.
If all this sounds like a lot of work then you need not worry; because we have done the legwork for you. We are posting a weekly NBA start em’ and sit em’ fantasy guide to assist you in maximizing your fantasy roster potential.
Week 13 in the NBA officially runs from January 22 through to the evening games on January 28. The schedule is a fairly normal one as all but two teams play either three or four games this week. The two anomalies are the Miami Heat and the Utah Jazz who each play only two games during the week.
Focusing on the teams that have four games we see that New York Knicks have a favorable schedule that gives them four home games. The Knicks play four teams who are all under .500 on the season and if there was ever a time to turn around the franchises fortunes this would be the week.
It’s not very often that I will recommend Carmelo Anthony as a fantasy option; however, this is as good a week as any. Despite the Knicks failures this far this season, Anthony has been producing at his normal clip. January has actually been a good month so far as Anthony has raised his averages to 25.5 ppg, 9.9 rpg and 3.5 apg.
It’s a gamble running anyone else off this roster out there as each is considerably injury prone and wildly inconsistent. Anthony does look like a good and reliable option for the week however and I expect a good slash line for the week given the comforts of Madison Square Garden.
Another team that is looking to capitalize on home-court advantage for four consecutive games this week is the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs will welcome in Chicago, Milwaukee, Phoenix and New Orleans during the week. Given that this will mark the first game against the Bulls since the trade, I’m anticipating a highly motivated Luol Deng to come out firing.
Since the trade that brought Deng to Cleveland his fantasy numbers have been down a bit; however, the last five games seem to mark a return to his old form. Deng’s slash line over the last five games is an impressive 20.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.6 and 1.4 steals per game. I’m liking the motivation that his departure from Chi-town spawned. Look for Deng to exact some revenge on his old club and then keep the momentum going throughout the week.
If the Cavaliers are going to fancy themselves as a playoff team then they will need to turn around their 15-26 season in a hurry. A four game homestand is just what the doctor ordered and if they have any shot at securing a playoff bid they will need to hold their homecourt advantage during the week.
A huge part of any success for the franchise will come from Kyrie Irving. Irving has struggled a bit of late and those struggles have seen his season averages fall slightly. I’m counting on Irving to regain his form and have a big week. If he can perform up to his season averages of 21.6 ppg, 6.1 apg and 2.9 rpg then four games of Irving will stuff your fantasy roster nicely.
Finally, I’m looking at the hot-hand this week and I see that Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge is as hot as they come. Portland has four games this week as they host Denver, Minnesota and Memphis and travel to take on the Golden State Warriors.
I like the matchups here for Aldridge and he will come through with a solid performance on the week. If the last five games are any indication of what is to come I’ll gladly sign up for the 27.2 ppg, 15.2 rpg and 2.8 apg that he is offering. This slash line is reminiscent of that of Kevin Love; however, Love and the Minnesota Timberwolves only have three games this week. Pick up Aldridge here and enjoy the extra game of stat-stuffing fantasy numbers.