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.

Here it is folks, week 25 in the NBA, otherwise known as the last week before golf season for many. The playoff picture is taking shape as teams are jockeying for their final spots. This week in the NBA is a short one for all teams, as no one plays more than two games and the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Hornets have only one game each.

For this week it is imperative to consider the teams' playoff situation. Bubble teams are expected to run their best players while teams like Miami and San Antonio are more likely to rest some of their players. Guys chasing contracts for next season have this week as their final audition and they too can be looked upon for solid fantasy production.

Last week I gave you four players who were setup for success. Kobe Bryant was having a terrific week that was highlighted by a 47-point performance against Portland followed by the colossally disappointing achilles rupture he suffered against Golden State that effectively ended the Lakers' playoff aspirations. Carmelo Anthony had a ridiculous week punctuated by back-to-back doubles-doubles that propelled him to be the League’s leading scorer. Deron Williams had a poor start to the week but did manage back-to-back double-doubles. While Greivis Vasquez fell on his face and was completely irrelevant.

Here we go with eDraft’s week 25 fantasy start em’s and sit em’s. We hope you enjoyed the season and we look forward to having you back with us for all your playoff fantasy needs.

START EM’

Nikola Vucevic - Orlando Magic

Are you kidding me? That is what I have to say about Vucevic’s last week of fantasy stats. It has been awhile since we have seen such a stat line of 25.5ppg, 20.5 rpg and 5.5 apg and not many would have guessed that Vucevic would have been the one to post it. This second-year center is turning into a franchise player for the Magic and has emerged as the brightest of all involved in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. If you haven’t benefited from Vucevic’s fantasy stats yet this season, better late than never.
 

Nate Robinson - Chicago Bulls

One of the most-exciting players to watch as his passion and emotion for the game are evident on every play. Historically his fantasy numbers have never been really consistent enough to warrant much play, but this week seems like a good opportunity to run the diminutive Robinson out there. This past week has been a good one for Robinson as he averaged 23.0 ppg, 3.3 apg and 2.5 rpg. The Bulls last two games do have meaning as they could leapfrog Atlanta into the fifth spot and then get a first-round playoff matchup against Brooklyn rather than Indiana. I like Robinson this week to continue his hot play and keep the Bulls emotionally charged heading into the playoffs.

John Wall - Washington Wizards

Wall has continued his stellar play and there is no reason to think that he doesn’t have another good week in him. I’ll certainly take his averages from the past week of  25.4 ppg, 7.2 apg and 4.2 rpg. The season on a whole has been disappointing for Washington as they are headed to yet another lottery selection. The future of the franchise remains Wall with the hopes of Bradley Beal developing into a reliable shooting-guard. Despite the Wizards lack of playoff relevance; they can affect the playoff picture for both Brooklyn and Chicago as they play each on the road to finish out the season. Look for Wall to finish up strong and post some decent fantasy stats this week.
 

Kyrie Irving - Cleveland Cavaliers

Well it is yet another year for the Cavaliers where they are headed for the NBA Lottery. To their credit they have drafted fairly well as they snagged Irving, Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson so there are reasons for optimism. Of course the biggest reason for optimism remains Irving. Irving has been solid all season long, and of late he has been spectacular. Last week he averaged 24.0 ppg, 8.0 apg and 4.0 rpg. I foresee yet another solid week of production as the Cavaliers remaining games are against Miami and Charlotte.

SIT EM’

Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have two games this week; however, it has always been Gregg Popovich’s mantra that he rather rest his players than chase home-court advantage. There is an outside chance that the Spurs could claim top-spot in the West, but that would entail playing Duncan and Tony Parker pretty heavy minutes in the final games. With the recent injuries that have befallen the Spurs, Popovich won’t take a chance on losing Parker or Duncan to injury in a meaningless game. I expect Duncan to play in each of the games to keep him sharp, but I expect a reduction in minutes and ultimately a fall off in his fantasy numbers.
 

Eric Gordon - New Orleans Hornets

Gordon would have been a good play this week as Greivis Vasquez has a bum ankle and Anthony Davis has been shut down for the season. The Hornets are showcasing Gordon in hopes of being able to trade the max-contract player in the off-season. What hurts Gordon’s fantasy value is the fact that the Hornets only play one game this week as they finish off their season with a road game in Dallas. 
 

Dwight Howard - Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have struggled all season long and now with Bryant out and Steve Nash hobbled the Lakers offense will struggle. If by some miracle the Lakers qualify for the eighth spot and sneak into the playoffs it is not going to be a pretty sight for Lakers fans. Regardless, for this week the Lakers have one game and with all the issues facing this team moving forward it could be a rough one. Howard is not a shot-creator and will need Steve Blake to get him the ball in the post. The Lakers offense has been so dominated by Bryant over the years that throwing the ball into the post seems like such a foreign concept for the purple and gold. Even if Howard has a monster game and puts forth the kind of effort that compels Laker management to ink him to a max-contract; it is still only one game and there are better options out there for this week.
 

LeBron James & Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat

The Heat are on cruise control as they ready for the playoffs. They finish off the season with a game in Cleveland and a homestand with Orlando. Similarly to Duncan, I expect both James and Wade to play in these games, but they won’t log the kind of minutes that they would normally. Wade might play a bit more as he will want to get back in game shape after missing six games due to injury. The risk-reward here is too great and there is no reason for James or Wade to play a full complement of minutes here. If there is a lesson to point to, I’d like to reference Derrick Rose in Chicago...enough said.