Week 12 Fantasy Basketball Planner

Week 12 (Jan. 11-17)

Teams playing four games: Detroit, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Antonio, Utah, Washington
Teams playing three games: Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Golden State, Houston, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Minnesota, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Toronto
Teams playing two games: New Jersey, Portland

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics (ATL, @NJ, CHI): Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce are back in the mix after returning from their injuries, but Fantasy owners will have to keep an eye on Kevin Garnett (knee), who could return during Week 12. However, with no real return date set, he's still too risky to rely on. Unless the team announces that he'll return at some point before roster deadlines, we recommend avoiding him. He won't be back until the team is 100 percent certain there is no chance of a setback. Glen Davis is getting more playing time in his absence, but is far too erratic to trust in most circumstances. Rasheed Wallace sees the most direct boost.
New Jersey Nets (BOS, IND): Fantasy owners who play in cumulative formats that rely on Nets players will have to carefully weigh their options this week as the Nets are one of just two teams to play only two games in Week 12. The game against Boston should be low scoring, but the game against Indiana could easily be in the triple digits for both teams, balancing things out in average-based play. In leagues where the cumulative games don't factor, you can count Yi Jianlian among the team's must starts alongside Brook Lopez and Devin Harris.
New York Knicks (@OKC, @PHI, TOR, @DET): Al Harrington is dealing with a calf issue that could sideline him through the weekend. He is being treated as day-to-day and will have to be monitored through lineup deadlines if he doesn't return Saturday against Houston. There is a good chance you'll be able to start him, though. The Knicks play a favorable four-game week that includes a pair of good matchups against the Sixers and Raptors. Both teams allow 100-plus points per game and the Raptors give up over 105 per tilt. The Knicks have stuck with their slower paced style that has led to some success, but they managed to score in triple digits in three of their last five games going into the weekend. Nate Robinson has not been able to back up that 41-point performance in his return with even a decent game and is not a great play. Your best plays along with David Lee, who is a no-brainer, are Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari. Chris Duhon is serviceable.
Philadelphia 76ers (NO, NY, SAC): Allen Iverson is dealing with a sore knee due to arthritis, something that is not going to go away entirely all season. His owners in Fantasy leagues are likely going to have to deal with that off and on. He has been a quality play as a No. 3 guard since re-joining the Sixers and Lou Williams has been able to hold his own as a viable Fantasy starter even with the presence of A.I. The trouble for Fantasy owners remains in the front court where players like Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights have struggled with inconsistency. They will all continue to cut into each other's production as long as they all remain healthy. Right now, Brand is the only one of the three who has been consistent enough to start in most Fantasy leagues. We like the Sixers' matchups this week against New Orleans and Sacramento, which should be high scoring.
Toronto Raptors (@IND, @NY, DAL): The Raptors got Jose Calderon back this week, but they aren't ready to make him a starter just yet. That should buy Jarrett Jack some time to continue to put up good stat lines, but with Calderon looming, that could come to a sudden halt at any point. Make the most of it while you can.

Central Division

Chicago Bulls (DET, @BOS, WAS): The Bulls continue to start Kirk Hinrich at shooting guard alongside Derrick Rose with John Salmons coming off the bench. That has worked out well and Salmons has adjusted to a sixth man role where he's playing starter's minutes and scoring at a decent clip while reviving Hinrich's dormant Fantasy appeal. In the front court, Taj Gibson and Tyrus Thomas are cutting into each other's production and Thomas has fizzled out after a strong return from his arm injury.
Cleveland Cavaliers (@GS, @UTA, @LAC): A game against the Warriors should get the Cavaliers to a high-scoring start. Shaquille O'Neal and Anderson Varejao make for decent sleepers in larger leagues thanks to the matchups.
Detroit Pistons (@CHI, @WAS, NO, NY): Aside from ankle injuries to back up point guard Will Bynum, the Pistons are relatively healthy for the first time all season. Charlie Villanueva is starting to get comfortable playing with his plantar fasciitis injury and is once again worth activating in most leagues. Jonas Jerebko is slowly being phased out and is no longer worth activating in Fantasy leagues. Tayshaun Prince is not a very attractive play, though his minutes per game (around 30-35) are a good sign that he could become a viable Fantasy play in the near future.
Indiana Pacers (TOR, PHO, @NJ, NO): The Pacers have perhaps the most favorable matchups in Week 12. They will play two teams that allow over 105 points per game and all four opponents allow 100-plus points per game. Expect a very high-scoring week out of the Pacers. Danny Granger and Troy Murphy are back from their injuries, forcing another shuffling of the team's rotation. Both should be activated across the board, but their presence makes other players questionable plays going forward. Luther Head has a hot hand recently for the Pacers at shooting guard, but that role will now be split among Head and Mike Dunleavy, creating a situation where both players could see a decline. In the long term, we see Dunleavy emerging as the go-to guy at the two spot, but Head's recent hot streak could buy him a chance to contribute in the short term. Use this weekend's games to determine how that will begin to shake out. With the very favorable matchups, there could be enough room for Dunleavy and Head to be decent sleeper options for Week 12. Stay away from Dahntay Jones and Brandon Rush for now. Earl Watson should continue to start at the point and makes for a good sleeper in deep leagues this week, but his upside is not very high. T.J. Ford is not usable in most Fantasy formats right now. In the front court, Roy Hibbert could be in line for a sharp decline in production as his numbers when Troy Murphy has been healthy have been pedestrian. The matchups could lead you to keep him active for one more week, but don't expect him to put up the numbers he has been putting up this past week while Murphy was out.
Milwaukee Bucks (@PHO, @POR, @GS, @UTA): Much like the Pacers, the Bucks have very favorable matchups this week. They will play the two teams that give up the most points in the NBA in the Suns and Warriors and this could be a good chance for Michael Redd to get going. He has had a few big games since returning from his injury in mid-December, but hasn't been able to back those games up with solid performances. Don't think of him as the Michael Redd of the past few seasons, think of him as a No. 3 or 4 caliber guard who faces good matchups and has enough upside to turn in a good week. Eventually, he could return to elite Fantasy status, but right now he's more of an option to plug in based on matchups. This week, the matchups happen to be good. If you adjust your expectations, you could get a decent week out of this version of Redd. Hakim Warrick and Luke Ridnour also make for intersting sleepers in deep leagues this week if a one-week stopgap is needed thanks to the matchups. Ersan Ilyasova's recent play doesn't inspire much confidence and we suggest avoiding him despite the matchups.

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks (@BOS, WAS, PHO): The Hawks have one tough matchup against a Celtics team that allows the second fewest points in the NBA to start the week, but things should get better after that. The Wizards and Suns both allow over 103 points per game. It is a good week to start Jamal Crawford in most formats. Mike Bibby should be left for deeper leagues. Marvin Williams remains very erratic and is not a trustworthy start in most formats right now.
Charlotte Bobcats (HOU, SA, PHO): Tyson Chandler (foot) could return in Week 12, but there is still no concrete return date set and Fantasy owners should not be looking to activate him. Nazr Mohammed is not a viable play in most leagues despite starting in his absence. Raymond Felton is a good play this week with favorable matchups against Houston and Phoenix. Despite those matchups, we don't recommend going with Boris Diaw who continues to struggle.
Miami Heat (@UTA, @GS, @HOU, @OKC): The Heat acquired Rafer Alston after he was bought out by New Jersey and he could find himself as the starting point guard very soon. Monitor the news coming out of Miami leading up to lineup deadlines, but if he is indeed named the starter he could become a very good sleeper this week for deep leagues as matchups against the Warriors and Rockets should lead to high-scoring games. Jermaine O'Neal and Udonis Haslem make for good plays thanks to the matchups.
Orlando Magic (@SAC, @DEN, @POR): Jameer Nelson is starting to get going again following his knee injury and is once again worth activating in most formats. Great matchups against Sacramento and Denver should lead to high-scoring games that should allow for Matt Barnes to continue his recent hot streak. He's a good play in larger leagues, especially in average-based play where the lack of a fourth game doesn't hurt his value as much.
Washington Wizards (DET, @ATL, @CHI, SAC): The Wizards are a team in flux right now, but it looks like stability could be around the corner. With all signs pointing to Gilbert Arenas being out for the remainder of the season, coach Flip Saunders made a lineup change Friday that could be very telling of things to come. Randy Foye replaced Earl Boykins at point guard and Mike Miller returned from his calf injury to play shooting guard. Boykins and Nick Young, who started in the back court in the first game following Arenas' suspension, came off the bench. That should be the case more often than not going forward and Foye and Miller are two players who should enjoy a big boost as a result. For Week 12, consider Foye a solid No. 3 guard option and keep an eye on Miller's progress over the weekend to see where he's at physically. Eventually, he will be a consistent double-digit scorer and a great source for three-point shooting. In the back court, Antawn Jamison will take on a bigger offensive role along with Caron Butler. Brendan Haywood has taken a step back in recent games, but still makes a decent play as a No. 2 center in deeper leagues -- especially with the four-game slate.

Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks (LAL, OKC, @TOR): Erick Dampier (knee) could return over the weekend, but the lingering knee issue makes him a risky play for the upcoming week. His return, however, could also cut into the increased production that Drew Gooden has enjoyed. Shawn Marion has been held to under 10 points in three of his last five games and is a very poor play in most leagues.
Houston Rockets (@CHA, MIN, MIA): The Rockets play two tough defensive teams in the Bobcats and Heat in a three-game week. That doesn't bode well for inflated numbers and means that players like Kyle Lowry or Shane Battier to chip in useful numbers. Otherwise, Trevor Ariza, Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola remain good plays with Carl Landry still one of the more under-used players in Fantasy leagues. Get him active, people. He is averaging 18.2 points per game over his last five contests.
Memphis Grizzlies (LAC, MIN, SA): This should be a straight forward week for the Grizzlies. They have one good matchup against the Timberwolves and then play two teams that allow under 100 points per game. Start the usuals: Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo. Mike Conley should be avoided in cumulative leagues this week. His assist totals have been decent, but he was held under 10 points in four straight games going into the weekend.
New Orleans Hornets (@PHI, LAC, @DET, @IND): The Sixers and Pacers give up over 100 points per game and should lead to a solid four-game week for Hornets players like Chris Paul, David West and Emeka Okafor. But it should also lead to shooting guard Devin Brown keeping up his string of double-digit scoring going. While expecting the 30 points he scored against Utah this week on a regular basis is a stretch, he could certainly put together a decent week for a No. 4 guard if a stopgap is needed with a favorable-four game slate. Peja Stojakovic is not playing well enough to use even with the favorable matchups this week.
San Antonio Spurs (LAL, @OKC, @CHA, @MEM): Manu Ginobili is returning to a familiar role, coming off the bench for the Spurs. We've been through this in the past. As long as he continues to see around 30 minutes per game his production should remain more or less the same. This season, that has been around only around 13 points and 4 assists per game. Keith Bogans will likely see some starts along with Roger Mason Jr., but neither has much Fantasy appeal. Of the two, Mason is the most helpful in deeper leagues. DeJuan Blair is a good play this week, especially in those leagues where he has gained center eligibility. Richard Jefferson is also a decent play as a No. 3 or 4 forward in cumulative leagues thanks to the four-game slate.

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets (MIN, ORL, UTA): The Nuggets have been banged up all week, dealing with injuries to key players in Chauncey Billups (groin), Carmelo Anthony (knee) and Nene (ankle). All three players should be available for Week 12. Billups was cleared to return Friday night and Anthony, after sitting out Friday and Saturday, is expecting to play Tuesday. Nene is also expected to return this weekend. With the team getting healthier, expect players like Ty Lawson to take a big step back in production. Kenyon Martin is on an extended hot streak. J.R. Smith has been up-and-down lately and with the team getting back to full strength, he may be somebody to sit where alternatives are available -- especially in cumulative formats.
Minnesota Timberwolves (@DEN, @HOU, @MEM): The Timberwolves got a little scare when Kevin Love bumped knees in Wednesday's game against the Warriors, but it appears he will be able to play through the injury without any major issues. He remains a must-start. Despite playing only three games, the Timberwolves have very favorable matchups against three teams that play a fast-pace style and give up triple-digit scoring on a regular basis. This is a good week to start Jonny Flynn and with Ryan Gomes starting to come around following his injury, he could be a sleeper for deep leagues -- especially average-based formats. Corey Brewer is still too erratic to trust in most formats.
Portland Trail Blazers (MIL, ORL): The Blazers have just two games in Week 12, one of just two teams. Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Andre Miller are playing through some bumps and bruises, but as long as they are healthy enough to play they are good starts in most circumstances. However, weigh your options carefully in cumulative formats. Miller and coach Nate McMillan had it out in practice on Thursday, but both sides say they are past it. And with the way Miller has been playing lately, Fantasy owners in average-based leagues can rely on him as a No. 3 guard in standard-sized leagues. Martell Webster has been putting together big stat lines this past week, but much of that came with Aldridge sidelined. Don't get too attached.
Oklahoma City Thunder (NY, SA, @DAL, MIA): Kevin Durant has dealt with a sprained ankle this past week, suffered in Monday's game in Chicago, but it hasn't slowed his production. Continue to keep him active in all leagues. The Thunder play four games this week, but none are particularly attractive. The Knicks have not been allowing high scores since making an effort to stay away from their "7-seconds or less" style of play and the Spurs, Mavs and Heat rank among the best defensive teams in the league. It's not a week to try to start anybody out of their big three of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green. Green has been slumping of late and while he was able to score 20 points Wednesday against the Hornets, he is a player to watch over the weekend. If he can't back that game up with another strong performance, this could be a week to sit him -- especially in average-based play.
Utah Jazz (MIA, CLE, MIL, @DEN): Deron Williams is dealing with a lingering wrist issue. He tested it at shootaround prior to Friday night's game, but felt too much pain and the Jazz are likely to take a very cautious approach with him. Begin to line up alternatives for Week 12 in case he can't go this weekend and there isn't official word on a return by lineup deadlines on Monday. Ronnie Price will start in his place, but is not a very appealing option. Andrei Kirilenko is starting to see more run and is regaining appeal in deeper formats -- especially category-based leagues where his well-rounded stat lines are of extra help. Mehmet Okur is coming out of his early-season doldrums and while he isn't yet a must-start, he is certainly a good play as a No. 2 center. In a four-game week, he should be active in most cumulative formats.

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors (CLE, MIA, MIL): The Warriors are going with Ronny Turiaf as their starting center, but that is not leading to much production out of him. With Andris Biedrins still working his way back from a lengthy absence due to injury, he's not yet ready to take on a big role. While we think of him as a player who can return to 10 points and 10 rebounds per game, the numbers he has been around the past three years, he is not yet a player who should be active in Fantasy. Corey Maggette is, however. Along with Monta Ellis, Maggette has emerged as the only other must-start for the Warriors. With three tough defensive matchups in Week 12, Stephen Curry is a toss-up starter and we recommend avoiding the likes of C.J. Watson and Anthony Morrow.
Los Angeles Clippers (@MEM, @NO, @LAL, CLE): The Clippers have two favorable matchups in a four-game week with what should be high-scoring games against the Grizzlies and Hornets. It is a good week to take a chance on Rasual Butler in deeper leagues. He continues to be a cheap reliable source for threes and double-digit scoring in the low double figures. Al Thornton has attempted just 21 shots over his last five games and is not a recommended play right now.
Los Angeles Lakers (@SA, @DAL, LAC): The Lakers got Ron Artest back this week, but Pau Gasol's latest hamstring injury continues to linger. He could return Sunday against Milwaukee and is likely to be available for the team's three games in Week 12. That will once again make Lamar Odom a tricky play. Odom was a player we recommended avoiding going into Week 11 because the team was getting back to full strength with Artest returning and with Gasol not yet hurt. But Gasol's injury created another situation for Odom to thrive and he did just that. However, the fact remains that his numbers this season when the team has been healthy have been that of a No. 4 or 5 forward in most leagues and if Gasol does indeed return for Week 12, his numbers could take a big hit.
Phoenix Suns (MIL, @IND, @ATL, @CHA): The Suns have one good matchup in a four-game week and that will come when they face a Pacers team that allows 103.4 points per game. Their three remaining opponents each give up under 100 points per game, so they might have to make the most of that contest. Channing Frye is a good play in just about any league right now and Jason Richardson is starting to come out of a long offensive slump. Both make for good plays this week -- especially in cumulative formats. Grant Hill, however, is slumping and Leandro Barbosa hasn't been able to get going since returning from his injury. Keep them reserved for now.
Sacramento Kings (ORL, @PHI, @WAS): Kevin Martin (wrist) is close to a return. Fantasy owners, however, will likely need to sit him in all leagues for at least one more scoring period. The Kings say he will go for clearance from doctors on Tuesday, which is obviously after lineup deadlines, and considering his lengthy absence he offers too little of a guarantee in Week 12 to trust him. His pending return, however, makes players like Beno Udrih and Donte Greene players to avoid in the meantime. Omri Casspi should remain a strong start alongside Jason Thompson and Tyreke Evans.

Do you have a Fantasy hoops question for our staff? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyHoops@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Weekly Planner in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. You can also follow Sergio on Twitter (@CBSGonzalez).