Week 6 Fantasy Basketball Planner

The Fantasy Basketball Weekly Planner is the essential guide to setting your lineup for the upcoming week. Every week, we provide you with top matchups, the latest news and give you the scoop on injured players.

Fantasy Week 6 (Dec. 1-7)

Teams with four games: Boston, Charlotte, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Minnesota, New York, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Utah, Washington

Teams with three games: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Indiana, Golden State, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, New Jersey, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Toronto

Teams with two games: Houston, New Orleans, Sacramento

*All stats heading into play Saturday

Atlanta Hawks
Schedule: Dec. 3 vs. MEM; Dec. 5 vs. NY; Dec. 6 @ ATL
Injury Report: Josh Smith (ankle/out until at least Dec. 3); Speedy Claxton (hamstring/out indefinitely); Smith is back to practicing without limitations and hopes to return for Wednesday's game against Memphis. He should be available for all three of Atlanta's games this week. Claxton is not on the Fantasy radar.
Slam Dunk: Joe Johnson
Tough Call: The Hawks have a three-game week and Smith has been out since Nov. 7. He could be a little rusty and may not be playing more than 20-25 minutes in his first few games back. Start him in leagues of 12-plus teams, but give him a week to recover in smaller formats. Mike Bibby and Al Horford are quality starts in any average league considering the Fantasy-friendly matchups against Memphis and New York. They should start in larger cumulative formats as well. Marvin Williams is a bit riskier in cumulative leagues with the return of Smith looming and the three-game scoring period. Ronald Murray should sit in most leagues. Say bye-bye to Zaza Pachulia in all formats.
One Week Bust: Marvin Williams

Boston Celtics
Schedule: Dec. 1 vs. ORL; Dec. 3 vs. IND; Dec. 5 vs. POR; Dec. 7 @ IND
Injury Report: None
Slam Dunk: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen
Tough Call: Rajon Rondo is on an offensive upswing of late and should be a nice start in cumulative formats as a No. 3 or 4 guard due to the four-game schedule. Kendrick Perkins has some appeal in leagues of 12-plus teams in cumulative formats, but should sit in most average-based leagues.
One Week Boom: Rajon Rondo

Charlotte Bobcats
Schedule: Dec. 1 vs. MIN; Dec. 3 vs. OKC; Dec. 5 @MIL; Dec. 6 vs. CLE
Injury Report: None
Slam Dunk: Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson, Raymond Felton
Tough Call: D.J. Augustin managed to stay productive even with Richardson back and Felton having a good game on Friday night. The Bobcats scored 115 points in the game and could have some 100-plus performances this week against Minnesota and Oklahoma City. He's a good start as a No. 3 or 4 guard. Adam Morrison goes back to being a very spotty option and should not be trusted in most formats.
One Week Boom: D.J. Augustin

Chicago Bulls
Schedule: Dec. 2 vs. PHI; Dec. 3 @MIL; Dec. 6 vs. WAS
Injury Report: Kirk Hinrich (thumb/out until at least February); Michael Ruffin (ankle/out indefinitely); Neither player is close to making a Fantasy impact.
Slam Dunk: Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, Drew Gooden
Tough Call: The Bulls have just three games this week. Luol Deng has managed just 12 points in two games since returning from his groin injury. He has yet to play 30 minutes in a game and could need a few more games to get back to full strength. Sit him if at all possible. Larry Hughes has added forward eligibility in CBSSports.com leagues that allow multiple positions, but the three game week makes him appealing only in average-based leagues this week as No. 4 option.
One Week Bust: Luol Deng

Cleveland Cavaliers
Schedule: Dec. 3 vs. NY; Dec. 5 vs. IND; Dec. 6 @CHA
Injury Report: None
Slam Dunk: LeBron James, Mo Williams, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Tough Call: Delonte West continues to be around 13-15 points per game with a handful of rebounds and assists. His appeal is only that of a No. 4 guard in cumulative leagues this week due to the three-game week, but consider that the matchups against the Knicks and Pacers are very favorable. In average-based leagues, this is a solid week to play him. Anderson Varejao, Ben Wallace and Daniel Gibson should be avoided in most leagues.
One Week Boom: Delonte West

Dallas Mavericks
Schedule: Dec. 2 vs. LAC; Dec. 4 vs. PHO; Dec. vs. ATL
Injury Report: Josh Howard (ankle/day-to-day); Jerry Stackhouse (heel/out indefinitely); Howard has been "day-to-day" for over a week now, but Fantasy owners will want to see him play a game hopefully this weekend to determine if he is ready to be activated. Stackhouse likely will not play for the Mavs again.
Slam Dunk: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry
Tough Call: Howard should be treated with a wait-and-see approach. If he plays Saturday night in Sacramento, activate him. If not, his three-game slate and five-game hiatus make him too risky to play in most formats. He could be limited upon his return. There is no use for Dampier this week.
One Week Bust: Josh Howard

Denver Nuggets
Schedule: Dec. 2 vs. TOR; Dec. 4 vs. SA; Dec. 6 @SAC
Injury Report: Steven Hunter (knee/may miss rest of season); No Fantasy relevance.
Slam Dunk: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups
Tough Call: The Nuggets have just three games this week, making Nene a tough start in cumulative formats even as a No. 2 center. The matchups against Toronto and Sacramento are favorable this week, meaning he should still be considered a favorable No. 2 center in average-based leagues. J.R. Smith continues to be a huge tease. His 32 points in Thursday's nationally televised game against the Hornets makes him worth considering in larger formats, but it is hard to see him getting 21 shots on a regular basis. In cumulative scoring leagues, give him this three-game week to prove he can be consistent before activating him. Kenyon Martin should be considered a solid No. 3 forward in average-based leagues, but is a No. 4 this week in cumulative formats.
One Week Bust: J.R. Smith

Detroit Pistons
Schedule: Dec. 2 @SA; Dec. 5 vs. PHI; Dec. 7 @ NY
Injury Report: None
Slam Dunk: Allen Iverson
Tough Call: Rasheed Wallace has 20 points and 10 rebounds combined over his last two games. Matchups against San Antonio and Philadelphia are not particularly appealing and he recently had just 12 points and five boards against the Knicks. He can be reserved in cumulative leagues and even larger average-based leagues until he heats up again. Prince is averaging 12-4-3 over his last four games and seems to be back to his reduced, but steady production. If those types of numbers suit your needs this week, have at it. Rodney Stuckey is going to play 20-25 mintues and be around 10 points with some decent assists.
One Week Bust: Rasheed Wallace

Golden State Warriors
Schedule: Dec. 1 vs. MIA; Dec. 5 @ HOU; Dec. 6 @SA
Injury Report: Monta Ellis (ankle/out until at least late-December); Ellis is still at least another two scoring periods away from being activated.
Slam Dunk: Stephen Jackson, Andris Biedrins, Jamal Crawford
Tough Call: The Warriors have three games this week and all three are against teams that rank in the top half in terms of scoring defense. The Rockets and Spurs rank second in third in the NBA, both allowing under 93 points per game. The Warriors will have a tougher time than usual scoring points and that means Corey Maggette could be in for more games like his 11-point outing from Friday at Cleveland. He could be reserved in leagues of 10 teams with cumulative scoring this week. Kelenna Azubuike should be reserved in most formats.
One Week Bust: Corey Maggette

Houston Rockets
Schedule: Dec. 3 vs. LAC; Dec. 5 vs. GS
Injury Report: Tracy McGrady (quadriceps/day-to-day); Steve Francis (knee/out indefinitely); T-Mac was considered a game-time decision for Saturday. He is very likely to miss a game on short notice while this knee injury continues to linger and that makes him a must-sit in all cumulative scoring leagues.
Slam Dunk: None
Tough Call: The Rockets are a tricky team this week. In average-based leagues, the matchups against two teams that do not play a lot of defense makes their usual studs, minus McGrady due to injury, must starts. In cumulative-based leagues, even Yao Ming and Ron Artest should be reserved. Luis Scola should start in average-based leagues, but not in cumulative formats. Aaron Brooks has been getting under 20 minutes per game lately and should be reserved.
One Week Bust: Yao Ming

Indiana Pacers
Schedule: Dec. 2 vs. LAL; Dec. 3 @BOS; Dec. 5 @CLE; Dec. 7 vs. BOS
Injury Report: Mike Dunleavy (knee/out indefinitely); Dunleavy is not even practicing fully yet and seems to be nowhere near a return.
Slam Dunk: Danny Granger, T.J. Ford, Troy Murphy
Tough Calls: Marquis Daniels could start as a No. 3 or 4 guard this week considering the full schedule, but beware in average-based leagues that all four games are against tough defensive opponents. This is not a week to take a chance on Rasho Nesterovic, Jeff Foster or Jarrett Jack.
One Week Boom: Marquis Daniels

Los Angeles Clippers
Schedule: Dec. 2 @DAL; Dec. 3 @HOU; Dec. 5 @MEM; Dec. 6 @MIN
Injury Report: Chris Kaman (foot/day-to-day); Ricky Davis (knee/day-to-day); Kaman has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, a very painful foot injury that can linger -- especially for big men. He will be a risky play for the upcoming scoring period. Davis hopes to return at some point this week, but with Eric Gordon playing so well, it's hard to see him as a useful option.
Slam Dunk: Baron Davis
Tough Call: Zach Randolph was a bit rusty in his first game with the Clippers, but he had not played in a few games while the trade with the Knicks was sorted out. Expect him to be a lot more useful in a four-game scoring period. With Kaman possibly out and the four game schedule, consider Marcus Camby a good start in any format for at least a little while longer. Al Thornton may lose some value when Randolph gets situated, but should be a safe play this week.
One Week Boom: Marcus Camby

Los Angeles Lakers
Schedule: Dec. 2 @IND; Dec. 3 @PHI; Dec. 5 @WAS; Dec. 7 vs. MIL
Injury Report: None
Slam Dunk: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum
Tough Call: Odom has played well recently and despite scoring just two points in his last game against Dallas is averaging 11.0 points and 6.4 rebounds over his last five contests. With the four-game week, he could be useful in larger cumulative scoring leagues. Trevor Ariza has similar appeal. Derek Fisher is coming off a 19-point outing, but remains too erratic to trust in most formats.
One Week Boom: Lamar Odom

Memphis Grizzlies
Schedule: Dec. 3 @ATL; Dec. 5 vs. LAC; Dec. 6 @NO
Injury Report: Quinton Ross (foot/day-to-day); No Fantasy relevance.
Slam Dunk: Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo
Tough Call: Marc Gasol should be around 10 points and seven rebounds or so for all three games. The matchups at Atlanta and New Orleans are not favorable ones for the Grizzlies, so Gasol should be reserved in most leagues this week. Mike Conley continues to post underwhelming numbers and this is not a week to hope he breaks out. There is some talk that he could be traded soon. Don't even think about Hakim Warrick or Darrell Arthur.
One Week Bust: Marc Gasol

Miami Heat
Schedule: Dec. 1 @GS; Dec. 3 @UTA; Dec. 6 vs. OKC
Injury Report: Dorrell Wright (knee/out until at least late December); James Jones (wrist/out until at least January)
Slam Dunk: Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley
Tough Call: The Heat have a pair of very favorable matchups at Golden State and against Oklahoma City. That makes Udonis Haslem a useful option in most average-based leagues and even larger cumulative leagues considering the amount of three-game teams this week. Haslem has extra appeal this week in leagues where he is eligible at center. Daequan Cook and Mario Chalmers should be reserved this week.
One Week Boom: Udonis Haslem

Milwaukee Bucks
Schedule: Dec. 3 vs. CHI; Dec. 5 vs. CHA; Dec. 7 @LAL
Injury Report: Michael Redd (ankle/day-to-day); Andrew Bogut (knee/day-to-day); Charlie Villanueva (hamstring/day-to-day); Redd is expected back as soon as Saturday night and should give Fantasy owners an idea of where he is at physically and if he will be a good start for the upcoming week. Bogut's return could come as early as Wednesday, but he still has to be considered a risky play unless the team declares he will be ready for that game before lineups are due. Villanueva had been very productive prior to tweaking a hamstring on Friday, but has to be considered a risky play if he does not return this weekend.
Slam Dunk: Richard Jefferson
Tough Call: The clock could be close to midnight for Sessions. With Redd coming back, his shot attempts stand to decline and his minutes will too. Fantasy owners will have to hope that his excellent play while Redd was away will buy him around 10 shots per game. It is not a bad idea to reserve him this week and let him prove useful even with Redd back. Charlie Bell will return to the bench and should be reserved. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is not a recommended option.
One Week Bust: Ramon Sessions

Minnesota Timberwolves
Schedule: Dec. 1 @CHA; Dec. 3 @ORL; Dec. 5 @NJ; Dec. 6 vs. LAC
Injury Report: None
Slam Dunk: Al Jefferson
Tough Call: Mike Miller has seen under 10 shots in eight of his last nine games and has been under 10 points in three of his last four contests. He had 17 shots and 18 points in his last game against the Thunder, though, and could enjoy similar success against the Nets and Clippers this week. He's a good start. Randy Foye is a solid start in any format. Ryan Gomes can be viewed as a stopgap in deeper cumulative formats this week.
One Week Boom: Mike Miller

New Jersey Nets
Schedule: Dec. 2 vs. WAS; Dec. 5 vs. MIN; Dec. 6 @PHI
Injury Report: Vince Carter (hamstring/day-to-day); Josh Boone (ankle/day-to-day); Carter is expected back Saturday and should be a safe play for the upcoming scoring period. Boone has been slow to heal and has seen rookie Brook Lopez play well in his place. Sit him this week.
Slam Dunk: Vince Carter, Devin Harris
Tough Call: Lopez is averaging 16.0 points and 9.4 rebounds over his last five contests heading into Saturday's game. He certainly should start this week in most average-based formats and can even be viewed as a No. 2 center in larger cumulative formats considering the amount of three-game teams. Yi Jianlian continues to be erratic and should sit in most standard leagues, but could be started in deeper average-based formats. Just hope for one big game.
One Week Boom: Brook Lopez

New Orleans Hornets
Schedule: Dec. 3 vs. PHO; Dec. 6 vs. MEM
Injury Report: Morris Peterson (knee/day-to-day); He could return for Wednesday's game against Phoenix, but is not a recommended start in Fantasy.
Slam Dunk: None
Tough Call: Even Chris Paul is no lock to start in all leagues this week. In average-based leagues, it's a no brainer. In smaller cumulative scoring leagues, he may be reserved. However, make sure the player you sub in for him can guarantee you more than 40 points and 20 assists with all the other things Paul can offer in just two games. Both games are favorable matchups, especially if Steve Nash can't play Wednesday due to injury. David West, Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic should start in average-based leagues, but not in cumulative formats.
One Week Bust: David West

New York Knicks
Schedule: Dec. 2 vs. POR; Dec. 3 @CLE; Dec. 5 @ATL; Dec. 7 vs. DET
Injury Report: Cuttino Mobley (heart/day-to-day); Nate Robinson (groin/day-to-day); Danilo Gallinari (back/out indefinitely); Eddy Curry (knee/out indefinitely); Jared Jeffries (leg/day-to-day); Mobley is not going to be allowed to start until the team gets him to sign a waiver clearing the Knicks of any liability over his heart condition. That could happen soon, but Fantasy owners should leave him reserved until further notice. Robinson's injury could linger into Monday and Tuesday and perhaps deeper in the week, reserve him this week and let him prove healthy. Jeffries could return this week and may start, but is not yet a recommended Fantasy option. He is just a player to monitor.
Slam Dunk: None
Tough Call: The most active Knicks player following the trades of Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph is Wilson Chandler (62 percent of leagues). He is averaging nearly 17 points and seven rebounds over his last five contests and should be used in most cumulative leagues considering the four-game scoring period. The matchups are a bit rough this week, but Chandler can be viewed as a low-end starter in average-based leagues. Al Harrington had 25 points and seven rebounds in his last game and seems to be the go-to-guy already. He took 24 shots on Wednesday at Detroit. Start him in any format this week. Chris Duhon is playing his best overall basketball of the season and is living up to his preseason billing as a sleeper. Start him in any league this week. David Lee is nearing center eligibility since the trade and has played extremely well with four straight double-doubles. Get him active in all formats. Tim Thomas has been productive in his two games with the Knicks and can be used as a low-end stopgap option for deeper formats -- especially cumulative leagues.
One Week Boom: Al Harrington

Oklahoma City Thunder
Schedule: Dec. 3 @CHA; Dec. 5 @ORL; Dec. 6 @MIA
Injury Report: Robert Swift (back/day-to-day); D.J. White (jaw/out until February)
Slam Dunk: Kevin Durant
Tough Call: Jeff Green should start in most average-based leagues, but in cumulative leagues he may be reserved in smaller leagues due to the three-game schedule and tough matchups. Westbrook may not be starting for the Thunder yet, but he's playing well enough to use in larger Fantasy leagues. Like Green, start him in average-based leagues and larger cumulative formats. Sit your other Thunder players this week.
One Week Boom: Russell Westbrook

Orlando Magic
Schedule: Dec. 1 @BOS; Dec. 3 vs. MIN; Dec. 5 vs. OKC
Injury Report: Jameer Nelson (hip/day-to-day); Mickael Pietrus (thumb/out until at least mid-December); Keith Bogans (thumb/out until at least late December; Mike Wilks (knee/out for the season); Nelson is hoping to return early next week, but is no guarantee to play Wednesday. That makes him too risky to play in most formats. Pietrus and Bogans are out for at least the next few weeks.
Slam Dunk: Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu
Tough Call: With Pietrus and Bogans both out, expect J.J. Redick and Courtney Lee to battle it out for a bigger role. Redick is expected to start for now. Neither player is recommended this week in Fantasy, but both should be monitored and perhaps stashed in larger formats. Anthony Johnson is a poor start this week considering Nelson's looming return.
One Week Boom: Hedo Turkoglu

Philadelphia 76ers
Schedule: Dec. 2 @CHI; Dec. 3 vs. LAL; Dec. 5 @DET; Dec. 6 vs. NJ
Injury Report: Jason Smith (knee/could miss entire season); No Fantasy relevance.
Slam Dunk: Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller
Tough Call: Samuel Dalembert has been struggling of late and tough matchups against the Bulls, Lakers and Pistons make him a tough sell for average-based formats. He can be started in larger cumulative-scoring periods as a No. 2 center, but is not producing at that level at the moment. Thaddeus Young is averaging just 10.4 points and 4.0 rebounds over his last five games and is not a recommended option outside of deeper cumulative leagues.
One Week Bust: Thaddeus Young

Phoenix Suns
Schedule: Dec. 3 @NO; Dec. 4 @DAL; Dec. 6 vs. UTA
Injury Report: Steve Nash (thigh/day-to-day); Alando Tucker (knee/day-to-day); Nash is expected to return Sunday after taking a game off to rest his injured thigh. He should be a safe play for the upcoming scoring period. Tucker is not a recommended Fantasy option.
Slam Dunk: Amar'e Stoudemire, Steve Nash
Tough Call: Shaquille O'Neal is still producing double doubles and seems to be as healthy and motivated as he has been in a few years. Considering the amount of three-game teams this week, Shaq should remain active in most Fantasy leagues. Save your other Suns for a more promising week.
One Week Boom: Shaquille O'Neal

Portland Trail Blazers
Schedule: Dec. 2 @NY; Dec. 3 @WAS; Dec. 5 @BOS; Dec. 7 @TOR
Injury Report: Martell Webster (foot/day-to-day); Raef LaFrentz (shoulder/out indefinitely); No Fantasy relevance.
Slam Dunk: Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge
Tough Call: Greg Oden continues to put up underwhelming numbers, but he could be in for one of his better weeks so far with good matchups at New York, Washington and Toronto. Get him active as a No. 2 center in cumulative leagues. Rudy Fernandez should be active in larger formats. Steve Blake is playing his best basketball of the season, but there is some talk of possibly trading Travis Outlaw for Mike Conley. It is just talk, but is also something to keep in mind when setting lineups this week for Outlaw and Blake owners.
One Week Boom: Greg Oden

Sacramento Kings
Schedule: Dec. 2 vs. UTA; Dec. 6 vs. DEN
Injury Report: Kevin Martin (ankle/day-to-day); Martin is close to a return, but Fantasy owners will want to monitor his status over the weekend before making a decision on him.
Slam Dunk: None
Tough Call: With the Kings being one of the two-game teams this week, there is no Kings player that is recommended option in cumulative formats this week. In average-based leagues, the matchups are not great this week either. Denver has been playing great defense since Chauncey Billups joined the team and Utah ranks 11th in the league in terms of scoring defense. This is not a great week for the Kings in any format.
One Week Bust: John Salmons

San Antonio Spurs
Schedule: Dec. 2 vs. DET; Dec. 4 @DEN; Dec. 6 vs. GS
Injury Report: None
Slam Dunk: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker
Tough Call: With the big three finally together for the first time this season, it's time to start putting away the stopgap options that have been so good to Fantasy owners in their absence. Bye-bye, George Hill. Bye-bye, Roger Mason Jr.
One Week Boom: Manu Ginobili

Toronto Raptors
Schedule: Dec. 2 @DEN; Dec. 5 @UTA; Dec. 7 vs. POR
Injury Report: Jermaine O'Neal (ankle/day-to-day); Nathan Jawai (heart/out indefinitely); O'Neal could return Sunday, but is no guarantee to be back for the team's next couple of games. Leave him reserved in all leagues this week if there is no guarantee he will play. Jawai is not a Fantasy option.
Slam Dunk: Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon
Tough Call: Bargnani is averaging 17.2 points and 6.8 rebounds over his last five games and should be active in most formats, especially where he is eligible at center. Keep the rest of the Raptors inactive in Fantasy leagues for now.
One Week Boom: Andrea Bargnani

Utah Jazz
Schedule: Dec. 2 @SAC; Dec. 3 vs. MIA; Dec. 5 vs. TOR; Dec. 6 @PHO
Injury Report: Deron Williams (ankle/day-to-day); Carlos Boozer (quadriceps/day-to-day); Brevin Knight (finger/day-to-day); Jarron Collins (elbow/day-to-day); Williams has returned to the lineup, but says that he is still not ready to play in back-to-back games. The Jazz play two back-to-back sets this week. Keep that in mind when setting lineups. Boozer says he plans to return this week, but there is still no determined date for his return and he has to be considered a big injury risk. Knight and Collins have no Fantasy value.
Slam Dunk: Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur
Tough Call: The Jazz have a very favorable four-game slate in the upcoming scoring period, but there is still too much uncertainty on the roster due to the injuries for Fantasy owners to take full advantage of it. Start Williams in most leagues and Boozer at your own risk. Brewer has some low-end appeal as a stopgap for deeper formats. Paul Millsap retains some low-end appeal as a No. 2 center in larger formats.
One Week Boom: Ronnie Brewer

Washington Wizards
Schedule: Dec. 2 @NJ; Dec. 3 vs. POR; Dec. 5 vs. LAL; Dec. 6 @CHI
Injury Report: Gilbert Arenas (knee/out until January); Brendan Haywood (wrist/could miss rest of season); Neither player is close to making a Fantasy appearance.
Slam Dunk: Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison
Tough Call: JaVale McGee continues to have some appeal as a No. 2 center in larger formats, but it is very low-end. He is averaging just 7.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in his last five games. Andray Blatche had the big 25-point, 12-rebound game against Golden State, but returned to his erratic ways the next two games and is not a recommended option. Nick Young should be considered only as a last resort due to the four games. He is averaging just 8.6 points over his last five games.
One Week Boom: Caron Butler

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