Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is our weekly look at the best and worst matchups from around the NBA and how they might affect lineup decisions for your Fantasy Basketball team. We are not in the business of stating the obvious, so you won't be reading here why you need to start LeBron James or why you need to sit Brian Scalabrine. We want to give you some help with some of the tough lineup decisions.
With Carlos Boozer out for at least the next week, someone will have to step up for the Jazz in the frontcourt. Our candidate is third-year big man Paul Millsap.
The Jazz have moved Millsap into the starting lineup in place of Boozer for a four-game week that includes some favorable matchups against four teams that average allowing more than 100 points per game. That is why Millsap, active in just 32 percent of CBSSports.com leagues this week, is our Start of the Week for the upcoming scoring period.
Millsap has been productive in spurts this season even while playing a reduced role off the bench. He has scored in double figures seven times in November and is averaging 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in a limited role. His numbers should only increase as a starter.
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| Russell Westbrook could start to see more time in the coming weeks. (Getty Images) |
In leagues where Millsap is eligible as a center, his value is that much higher this week as a No. 2 Fantasy center. Whether it is an average-based league or a cumulative scoring league, his situation bodes well for a useful week for anyone looking for a starter in a pinch.
Guards
Start 'Em
Delonte West, Cavaliers (Nov. 25 @ NY; Nov. 26 vs. OKC; Nov. 28 vs. GS; Nov. 29 @ MIL): You won't see many more favorable matchups than the ones the Cavaliers will face this week. They have four games and will play the two worst defensive teams in the NBA (Golden State and New York) and a Thunder team that is in flux and is allowing the seventh most points in the league. West is averaging 14.5 points over his last four games as the team gives him more looks in the offense as an outside shooting presence. This is a good week to start him in average-based or cumulative leagues.
Ownership: 46 percent Starting: 22 percent
Russell Westbrook, Thunder (Nov. 25 vs. PHO; Nov. 26 @ CLE; Nov. 28 vs. MIN; Nov. 29 @ MEM): The Thunder made a coaching change because they began the season 1-12 and have to start building for the future. That future will revolve around young studs Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Westbrook. Expect him to be featured more and more as the season goes on. He had nine points and 11 assists in his first game since the coaching change and is facing a four-game week.
Ownership: 69 percent Starting: 33 percent
Sleeper Alert: Daequan Cook, Heat (Nov. 24 vs. HOU; Nov. 26 @ POR; Nov. 28 @ PHO; Nov. 29 @ LAC): The Heat have been involving him in the offense more often of late and he has scored in double figures in three of his last four games. He did score just two points in his last game against Indiana Saturday, but was limited due to foul trouble. He had attempted 10 or more shots in his previous six games. He could be a decent last-minute replacement option for a four-game week.
Ownership: 23 percent Starting: 10 percent
Sit 'Em
Randy Foye, Timberwolves (Nov. 25 vs. PHO; Nov. 28 @ OKC; Nov. 29 vs. DEN): He has begun to turn things around after yet another slow start, but is coming off a 2-for-12 shooting performance in which he finished with just four points. The Timberwolves have just three games this week and Foye has been a matchup starter so far in Fantasy. He'll go up against Steve Nash and Chauncey Billups this week, so this is not one the weeks where he'll face favorable matchups.
Ownership: 86 percent Starting: 40 percent
Marquis Daniels, Pacers (Nov. 25 @ DAL; Nov. 26 @ HOU; Nov. 28 vs. CHA; Nov. 29 @ ORL): No, it does not look like Mike Dunleavy will be back this week. However, Daniels will face four very difficult defensive teams that usually hold their opponents under 100 points per game. In average-based leagues, this could be a bit of a down week for him relative to his good start.
Ownership: 76 percent Starting: 45 percent
Bust Alert: Ben Gordon, Bulls (Nov. 24 @ UTA; Nov. 26 @ SA; Nov. 30 @ PHI): The Bulls play three games, all on the road due to their yearly extended road trip while the circus in Chicago. All three teams are solid defensively and Gordon is in a bit of a funk, scoring under 15 points in his last two games. He is shooting 1-for-10 from beyond the arc in that span and Fantasy owners in cumulative scoring leagues should at least consider reserving him for a comparable four-gamer.
Ownership: 99 percent Starting: 83 percent
Forwards
Start 'Em
Thaddeus Young, 76ers (Nov. 24 @ CHA; Nov. 26 vs. ORL; Nov. 28 @ BOS; Nov. 30 vs. CHI): Young is on an offensive upswing with two 20-plus point games in his last four contests and a 20.0 point average over that span. He has been getting 10-plus shots per game and is becoming a vital part of the team's offense. Right now is as good a time as any to start him in any format.
Ownership: 89 percent Starting: 65 percent
Luis Scola, Rockets (Nov. 24 @ MIA; Nov. 26 vs. IND; Nov. 29 vs. SA; Nov. 30 @ DEN): Shane Battier may not be back for another week or so, meaning that this could be Scola's last week before Battier comes into the mix to steal some minutes in the front court. He is averaging 13.2 points and 6.4 rebounds over his last five games and he has a full four-game slate in Week 5. Use him in cumulative formats.
Ownership: 68 percent Starting: 32 percent
Sleeper Alert: Jason Thompson, Kings (Nov. 24 @ POR; Nov. 26 vs. NJ; Nov. 28 @ UTA; Nov. 29 vs. DAL): He is getting on another role after hitting his first slump as a rookie. His last game against Portland was a 19-point, 12-rebound effort and he will face favorable defensive matchups this week against Yi Jianlian and Dirk Nowitzki, neither player known for defense.
Ownership: 60 percent Starting: 34 percent
Sit 'Em
Wilson Chandler, Knicks (Nov. 25 vs. CLE; Nov. 26 @ DET; Nov. 29 vs. GS): He is averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds so far this season and has been one of the pleasant surprises of the young season, but the trade that brought Al Harrington over from Golden State this week could cramp his style a bit. He should remain a starter, but give the Knicks a week to figure it out.
Ownership: 83 percent Starting: 42 percent
Drew Gooden, Bulls (Nov. 24 @ UTA; Nov. 26 @ SA; Nov. 30 @ PHI): He is averaging 10.0 points and 9.2 rebounds over his last five games and should be around 10-and-10 most of the season. He faces some tough defensive teams this week and has just three games. Sit him in cumulative leagues.
Ownership: 85 percent Starting: 45 percent
Bust Alert: Al Thornton, Clippers (Nov. 24 vs. NO; Nov. 26 vs. DEN; Nov. 29 vs. MIA): The trade that brought Zach Randolph to the Clippers has added another scorer to an already crowded front court. It may take a chunk out of Thornton's 16.4 points per game. If possible, think about using this three-game week as an observation period to see how the new situation shakes out. The matchups are pretty tough against two teams that allow under 100 points per game and a Denver team that has begun to play defense ever since the arrival of Chauncey Billups.
Ownership: 92 percent Starting: 51 percent
Centers
Start 'Em
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cavaliers (Nov. 25 @ NY; Nov. 26 vs. OKC, Nov. 28 vs. GS; Nov. 29 @ MIL): We've already explained the very favorable matchups the Cavs have this week with Delonte West, but consider that Big Z is playing some consistent basketball this season. He has not been held under 10 points all season and is averaging 15.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in November. If you are not planning on starting him this week, then when will you?
Ownership: 97 percent Starting: 70 percent
Shaquille O'Neal, Suns (Nov. 25 @ OKC; Nov. 26 @ MIN Nov. 28 @ MIA; Nov. 30 vs. NJ): The Big Diesel is looking as spry and motivated as he has been since winning the NBA championship with the Heat a few years ago. He is going to be extra motivated for the Nov. 28 game at Miami and he has always owned the Nets throughout his career (he had 18 points against them earlier this season). There will always be the threat of him getting a short-notice "planned day off" this season, but the risk is easier to absorb during a four-game week. He is averaging 16.8 points and 8.4 rebounds over his last five games and had a season-high 17 boards in his last game against Portland.
Ownership: 96 percent Starting: 59 percent
Sleeper Alert: Marc Gasol, Grizzlies (Nov. 24 vs. SA; Nov. 26 @ UTA; Nov. 28 @ SA; Nov. 29 vs. OKC): The Grizzlies play a full-four game week, making Gasol an option as a No. 2 center in cumulative scoring leagues. Gasol has scored in double figures in six straight games and is averaging 14.5 points over those games and 6.9 rebounds in the month of November. Spread that over four games and it makes for a solid start.
Ownership: 88 percent Starting: 42 percent
Sit 'Em
Tyson Chandler, Hornets (Nov. 24 @ LAC; Nov. 27 @ DEN; Nov. 28 @ POR): Last week, we designated Chandler as our Sit of the Week, and hopefully you listened. He began the week with a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) against the Kings, but he managed just eight points and 11 rebounds in the following two games. The fact we are featuring him as a sit for a second consecutive week should not have his Fantasy owners thinking about cutting him. He's still likely going to average a double-double over the course of the season, but he does not seem to be 100 percent healthy at the moment and a three-game week gives you an excuse in cumulative scoring leagues to let him prove himself on the floor before you let him back in your active lineup.
Ownership: 97 percent Starting: 55 percent
Marcus Camby, Clippers (Nov. 24 vs. NO; Nov. 26 vs. DEN; Nov. 29 vs. MIA): Not only do the Clippers have just three games this week, but Marcus Camby has some extra company in an already crowded front court. The Zach Randolph trade will move him to a reserve role behind Chris Kaman and he will likely find his playing time reduced to around 20-25 minutes per game. Give him a week to see where he fits in.
Ownership: 98 percent Starting: 70 percent
Bust Alert: Nene, Nuggets (Nov. 26 @ LAC; Nov. 27 vs. NO; Nov. 29 @ MIN; Nov. 30 vs. HOU): He has been playing great, coming off of 10 straight double-digit performances and is averaging 14.6 points and 7.4 rebounds in November. He has been a very pleasant surprise, but this may not be the best week to use him. He will be matched up against good defensive centers all week (Chris Kaman/Marcus Camby, Tyson Chandler, Yao Ming). This warning is not to say not to start him as your No. 2 center, but if it's a toss-up you may want to consider his matchups.
Ownership: 96 percent Starting: 79 percent
Do you have a lineup question for our staff? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyHoops@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Start /Sit in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state.
