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 appearing in 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 leg work for you. We are posting a weekly NBA start em’ and sit em’ fantasy guide to assist you in maximizing your fantasy roster potential.
Last week I recommended four players for your fantasy roster; Dwight Howard, John Wall, Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague. Of these four, it was the big-man in Los Angeles who had the most impressive fantasy week. Howard averaged over 15 boards per game, 18.8 ppg and 3.5 blocks per game last week. John Wall also had a nice week as he had a 47 point outing versus Memphis and a 35 point performance against Orlando. Wall then rounded out the week by posting two double-doubles against both Oklahoma and Toronto. As for Teague and Holiday, their fantasy weeks were not up to par. They had their bright spots; however, they fell short of my fantasy expectations for the week.
This week in the NBA every team plays a minimum of three games, there are no teams playing on a short week. With such a busy week ahead on the NBA schedule there are plenty of decent fantasy options available.
There are only three weeks left in the regular season so it is imperative that you capitalize on every possible fantasy point available. If you are in a daily league then make sure you get your roster moves in so as to have a full compliment of eligible players for every day. If you are in a weekly league then it is even more important to ensure that no roster spots are wasted as an entire week of fantasy points this late in the season cannot be made up.
Here we go with eDraft’s week 23 fantasy start em’s and sit em’s. Week 23 in the NBA runs from April 1 through to the evening games on April 7.
WEEK 23 – START EM’
John Wall - Washington Wizards
When there is someone who is as hot as Wall is right now, you must have him playing every game for your fantasy squad. Wall has been unbelievable these past two weeks as he is averaging 25 ppg, 8.0 apg, 5.1 rpg and 1.4 steals per game. The Wizards have a nice four game stretch ahead with games against Chicago, Indiana, Toronto and Boston. Capitalize on Wall as he is playing out of his mind right now; I have run him the past three weeks and the dividends have been fantastic.
Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics
The 35-year-old Celtics star seems to be hitting his stride just in time for the playoffs. This was evidenced by last week’s performance where he averaged a double-double on the week and posted a triple-double against Atlanta. With Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo out of action, Pierce has stepped up and contributed to all facets of the game for the Celtics. Boston is clinging to that seventh seed right now and with four games ahead this week, each game becomes critical. Each of the next four games are very winnable for the Celtics and I’m expecting Pierce to do everything he can to ensure that they are won; look for a highly productive week of fantasy stats out of Pierce.
Jeff Green - Boston Celtics
Green is taking full advantage of the extra playing time due to roster injuries for the Celtics. In the past two weeks he has managed to nearly double his season averages. Green has put up 21.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 3.3 apg over that stretch; a far cry from his pedestrian season averages of 12.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 1.5 apg. Green is complimenting Pierce very nicely for the Celtics during this playoff push and I look for the good chemistry to continue this week for the duo.
J.R. Smith - New York Knicks
The Knicks are hot right now and so too is J.R. Smith. Over this recent Knicks win streak Smith has been a major contributor as he is averaging 25.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 2.1 apg. This coming week takes the Knicks on the road into Miami, Atlanta and Oklahoma while having only the one home game against Milwaukee. Smith’s recent success is due to the vaste improvement in his field-goal percentage. While he normally shoots a decent percentage of .425, he has been lights out of late and has raised his field-goal percentage to an astounding .545. The Knicks are going to need Smith and all his gunning-glory to get wins against both Miami and Oklahoma on the road.
Tobias Harris - Orlando Magic
In what has become a season of colossal disappointment in Orlando, a bright spot has emerged in Tobias Harris. As the season is winding down and the Magic look forward to the NBA Entry Draft; Harris has quietly been posting solid fantasy numbers. Case in point, last week he averaged 22.5 ppg and 8.8 rpg while shooting .466 from the field. This is an ugly four game stretch for the Magic as they play every game on the road and must travel in to Houston, San Antonio, Chicago and Cleveland. Ride the hot hand in Harris and hope he can keep the production going.
WEEK 23 – SIT EM’
Steve Nash - Los Angeles Lakers
The NBA season is a long grind and for 39-year-old point guards with back and hip problems it must seem like an eternity at times. As the season is winding down, so is Nash as his injuries are flaring up with more regularity. It will become a fine balance for coach Mike D’Antoni as to when to get his point guard some rest and when to use him. One thing is for certain, as the Lakers continue their push for the post-season; Kobe Bryant is going to start trusting his teammates less and less. Bryant will want to dominate the ball and keep the game in his hands. With the injury concerns and Bryant’s soon to be selfish play, I would sit Nash down for the week.
Chris Bosh - Miami Heat
Bosh has not been a top-fantasy performer this season, his scoring numbers are down and his rebounding has slipped. With LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both missing time due to injury, Bosh is playing without his running-mates. Bosh is really exposed when he must create his own shots as he has become so accustomed to Wade and James drawing defenses away which allow him easy looks at the basket. I haven’t liked Bosh all year and I especially don’t like him this week.
Jrue Holiday - Philadelphia 76ers
I have been hot and cold on Holiday all year long. He has amazing talent yet he is a frustrating fantasy player to own due to his inconsistent play at times. Last week was a prime example as he played well, except for a dismal 7 point, 1 rebound, 1 assist performance against the Utah Jazz. The 76ers embark on a three game road trip this week that takes them into Charlotte, Atlanta and Miami. Sit Holiday down for the week and see how he fares, re-evaluate come next week based upon what we see.