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 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.
Christmas time in the NBA can be a glorious time of the year. For those who incorporate NBA action into their Christmas day they are usually treated to some excellent basketball. The week in the League is a slower week as two teams have only two games while only six games have four game weeks.
Last week I recommended Kyrie Irving and Brandon Knight as starters. Truth of the matter was that neither player had a good week. These two diminutive point guards had diminutive fantasy weeks as they both struggled to even meet the season averages in their games. Sadly neither turned out to be a good play.
Let’s have a look at this week and see if we can’t do a bit better.
Week 9 in the NBA starts December 25 and goes through to the evening games on December 30.
WEEK 9 – START EM’
LeBron James – Miami Heat
Lebron and Co. have a four game week highlighted by the Christmas day matchup against Oklahoma. The Heat should be well rested going into the game as they have two full days off prior to this marquee match. After the Thunder game the Heat embark on a road trip that sees stops in Charlotte, Detroit and Milwaukee. The three latter teams are not known for their defensive prowess so I’m figuring LeBron will have a great week.
James Harden – Houston Rockets
You have to go with the hot hand when you can, especially when they have a busy four game week ahead. The last five games for Harden saw averages of 28.2 ppg, 4.6 rbg, 5.4 apg and 1.8 spg; I’ll take those numbers any week of the schedule. This week isn’t going to be easy as the Rockets play Chicago, Minnesota, San Antonio and Oklahoma City; with the first three games all on the road. Nonetheless I’m making Harden a must start for the week.
WEEK 9 – SIT EM’
Zach Randolph – Memphis Grizzlies
With only two games this week Zach Randolph is going to have to hit the pine and ride it out. Z-Bo has been a fantastic fantasy option this season; however, two games just aren’t enough to justify keeping him for the week. After this week the Grizzlies have a great stretch of four weeks in a row with four games in each week. If you play in a trade limit fantasy league look at picking up Randolph for December 31 and ride for the month of January.
Kevin Love – Minnesota Timberwolves
Two games this week coupled with an eye injury are all contributing to Kevin Love being on our sit em’ list for fantasy players. Since returning from injury a month ago, Love’s numbers are not as good as they were last year. His ppg averages are down and his field goal percentage is horrific. I don’t know if it’s a matter of being disgruntled in Minnesota, upset over his contract or maybe just sick and tired of losing; but whatever it is Love is in a funk.
Minnesota’s upcoming schedule is not conducive to scoring fantasy points. They play intermittently over the next two months; however, they do finish the season on a fantasy high note. They play six consecutive weeks each consisting of four games. If Love is still a member of the Timberwolves come March then that might be the time to stick him in your fantasy team’s power forward spot.