Jan. 23, 2010

Week 14 Fantasy Basketball Planner

By Sergio Gonzalez | Fantasy Writer
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Week 14 (Jan. 25-31)

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

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics (LAC, @ORL, @ATL, LAL): The Celtics will have Kevin Garnett back from his knee injury, but after missing 10 games due to the injury there could understandably be some rust to shake off. Monitor him over the weekend, but he should be ready to plug back into lineups. Rasheed Wallace's recent Fantasy boost takes a hit with K.G.'s return. The Celtics don't have great matchups in Week 14 with no games against teams that allow 100 points per game. Kendrick Perkins and Ray Allen are good but not great starts this week.
New Jersey Nets (LAC, WAS, PHI): The Nets continue to get good play out of Brook Lopez and Yi Jianlian. Amid trade rumors, Devin Harris is not putting up the high-end numbers he was drafted for, but still numbers worthy of a No. 2 guard in just about every format. Chris Douglas-Roberts has faded and is no longer worth activating, but Kris Humphries is putting together some good numbers in rebounding with decent low-end scoring. He's a sleeper for deep leagues, but mainly just average-based leagues this week with the three-game slate limiting his appeal in cumulative leagues. Courtney Lee has appeal in deeper average-based leagues as well.
New York Knicks (MIN, TOR, @WAS, @MIN): The Knicks have excellent matchups in Week 14 with two games against a Timberwolves team that allows the third most points in the NBA at 106.4 per game. The Raptors allow the fifth most at 105.1 per game and the Wizards allow 102.4 per game. That's a possible 105.1 points per game the Knicks could be looking at this week. David Lee is a no brainer. Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Al Harrington are outstanding starts. Nate Robinson has some sleeper appeal as a low-end starter this week coming off a couple of strong games in Week 13. Avoid Chris Duhon despite the fact that he continues to start at the point guard position. He is not getting enough touches to contribute. In deep, deep leagues Jared Jeffries is an interesting sleeper this week as he continues to see around 35 minutes per game. He remains steady in rebounding, but could see a small boost in his scoring as well this week.
Philadelphia 76ers (IND, @MIL, LAL, @NJ): Samuel Dalembert continues to play way above the level Fantasy owners have come to expect from him. Continue to ride this hot streak while it lasts. The Sixers have a pair of very favorable matchups against the Pacers and Nets and should get into the triple digits for those games. Allen Iverson's knee did not keep him out of any games in Week 13, but he did not look great against Portland with just nine points, no assists and four rebounds in 35 minutes. He is not 100 percent, but can still be viewed as a No. 3 or 4 guard for this four-game scoring period. Lou Williams has been reduced to more of a No. 4 guard for most formats with the presence of AI. Up front, Dalembert is forcing erratic production out of the three-headed monster of Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights. Brand is the only player who can be trusted at this point, but even he is only putting up numbers worthy of a No. 3 forward.
Toronto Raptors (MIA, @NY, IND): The production of Jarrett Jack is fading as Jose Calderon's health allows him to take on a bigger role. Calderon is still coming off the bench and playing only around 25 minutes per game, but he has managed 14 points and six assists over his last five contests and is once again worth starting in most formats. We advise staying away from Jack. Hedo Turkoglu's production remains pretty average and with a three-game week that includes a couple of games against good defensive teams (yes, the Knicks play defense now), it is not a bad idea to consider alternatives.

Central Division

Chicago Bulls (@SA, @OKC, @NO): John Salmons went into the weekend dealing with a flu bug. Monitor that, but he should be a safe play for Week 14. He was re-introduced into the starting lineup earlier in the week when, ironically, Kirk Hinrich was out with the flu. Hinrich was back in the starting lineup when Salmons missed Wednesday's game against the Clippers, but even if Salmons continues to come off the bench he should see starter's minutes. However, keep in mind that the Bulls have two poor matchups in a three-game week. Keep that in mind if you own Salmons, Hinrich or Tyrus Thomas in any cumulative-scoring league.
Cleveland Cavaliers (@MIA, MIN, @IND, LAC): The Cavaliers lost starting point guard Mo Williams for the next 4-6 weeks. That moved Delonte West back into the starting lineup with Daniel Gibson coming back into the rotation. West hurt a finger in his shooting hand in his first start of the season and was ruled out for Saturday's game with Gibson stepping into the starting lineup. Both have some appeal as players to pick up off the waiver wire for the next month or so, but are shaky plays for Week 14. Shaquille O'Neal could be fired up to head back to Miami, but he will have some tough matchups this week against Jermaine O'Neal, Al Jefferson and the Marcus Camby/Chris Kaman duo.
Detroit Pistons (MEM, MIA, ORL): Ben Gordon (groin) missed seven games going into the weekend, but was considered a game-time decision for Friday night's game against Indiana. He should be back for Week 14. Use the weekend to determine his viability for Week 14. Tayshaun Prince (knee) remains day-to-day and is not a player we recommend activating for Week 14 even if he does return. Leave him reserved until he proves both healthy and productive again. Will Bynum (ankles) and Chris Wilcox (back) are also day-to-day and players to avoid for Week 14. Ben Wallace continues to have appeal in deeper leagues for his rebounding, blocks and steals.
Indiana Pacers (@PHI, LAL, CLE, @TOR): Roy Hibbert got a lot of hopes up last week when he put up numbers alongside Troy Murphy for the first time this season, but those hopes have faded after a couple of poor games this week. Don't count on him having big games opposite Samuel Dalembert, Andrew Bynum and the trio of Shaq, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao. Dahntay Jones has been coming on strong for the past week and could be an interesting sleeper in deeper leagues with a four-game slate that includes games against teams that allow opponents to run in the Sixers and Raptors. Mike Dunleavy, Jr. could also benefit.
Milwaukee Bucks (@DAL, PHI, MIA): Outside of the Philly game, the Bucks have two poor matchups in a three-game scoring period. The Michael Redd injury has turned Carlos Delfino into a Fantasy stud. Only Delfino, Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings should be considered starters this week in cumulative leagues. Luke Ridnour has not gotten quite the boost he got the first time Redd was out, but remains a viable No. 4 guard option. He should only be used in average-based play this week. Avoid Ersan Ilyasova and Hakim Warrick.

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks (@HOU, @SA, BOS, @ORL): Joe Johnson (foot) and Josh Smith (thigh) are dealing with minor injuries, but neither player is expected to miss any time. They remain must starts in Fantasy. Al Horford and Jamal Crawford are also good plays, but expect some low scoring games against the Spurs, Celtics and Magic. Don't even think about starting Mike Bibby or Marvin Williams.
Charlotte Bobcats (@DEN, @PHO, @GS, @SAC): This is one of the more favorable four-game slates you might see all season. The Bobcats will play three of the four worst defensive teams in the NBA and their "worst" matchup of the week comes against a Denver team that allows 102 points per game. Expect the third-lowest scoring team in the NBA to see some inflated box scores all week and that is great news for owners of Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson, but they are already starting in most leagues. Raymond Felton is one of our favorite start candidates this week as he should enjoy one of his most productive weeks and Boris Diaw is a solid sleeper option this week. Ronald Murray is a decent stopgap off the waiver wire in deeper leagues. Tyson Chandler (back) could return soon, but should be avoided. Nazr Mohammed has some sleeper appeal in deep, deep leagues due to the matchups. His numbers would take a hit when Chandler returns, however, and that makes him risky. D.J. Augustin remains a disappointing Fantasy option and should remain reserved.
Miami Heat (CLE, @TOR, @DET, @MIL): The Heat have one good matchup in a four game week. They should score in triple digits against a Raptors team that allows the fifth most points in the NBA at 105.1 per game. The Cavaliers, Pistons and Bucks all allow under 100 points per game, however. Start Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley as usual. Jermaine O'Neal remains a good No. 2 center option and Udonis Haslem could be used in deeper cumulative leagues due to the four-game slate and the minutes he will continue to see. Rafer Alston and Mario Chalmers continue to split the point guard job with minimal results. Avoid them both.
Orlando Magic (@MEM, BOS, ATL, @DET): Vince Carter is back from his shoulder injury, but not really. He averaged just 6.7 points, 2.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds and still looks to be as limited as he was before he was shut down for three games. Stay away from him until he proves healthy again. Matt Barnes continues to enjoy a boost in production while Carter struggles and is a strong play in most formats in the meantime. Jameer Nelson is another player who does not appear to be fully recovered from his knee injury and Fantasy owners should not be counting on him as anything more than a No. 4 guard at this stage.
Washington Wizards (LAL, @NJ, NY): Randy Foye continues to do his best Gilbert Arenas impersonation on the floor, averaging 18.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2.2 rebounds with over a steal per game over his last five contests. He remains a good play in all formats even with the three-game slate. Trade rumors continue to swirl around the team's two remaining stars in Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, but while Fantasy owners should be aware that a trade could happen at any point, you have no choice really but to keep them active. Brendan Haywood remains a solid No. 2 Fantasy center. Mike Miller is not a strong candidate to activate this week.

Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks (MIL, @PHO, POR): Josh Howard was dealing with the flu bug going into the weekend, the latest ailment to affect the beleaguered former Fantasy stud. He should be fine for Week 14, but his production has been very pedestrian in recent games anyway. View him as a No. 3 or 4 option for now and consider his appeal lowest in cumulative formats this week with the three-game scoring period. Shawn Marion has stepped up his production in his place in recent games, but remains a No. 3 option at best.
Houston Rockets (ATL, DEN, POR, PHO): Carl Landry's production has hit a wall in January, but he is still averaging 14.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game -- still useful in many formats. Matchups against the Nuggets and Suns should help him to get going again. Otherwise, start or sit your Rockets as you normally would.
Memphis Grizzlies (ORL, @DET, @SA, NO): The Grizzlies have three very tough defensive matchups against the Magic, Pistons and Spurs before getting a break against the Hornets in what could be a high-scoring game. That break does not apply to Mike Conley Jr., however, as he will be matched up against Chris Paul. He's a player to avoid where possible this week. Start Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo.
New Orleans Hornets (@POR, @GS, CHI, @MEM): The Hornets have a pair of very favorable matchups against the Warriors and Grizzlies, two teams that should let them get up and down the court. Peja Stojakovic has some sleeper appeal in deeper leagues for that reason. The Devin Brown ship has sailed for now.
San Antonio Spurs (CHI, ATL, MEM, DEN): The Spurs are getting good production out of Manu Ginobili again and with good matchups this week against bad defensive teams in the Grizzlies and Nuggets, we expect a good week out of him. There are no back-to-back games this week for the Spurs, so there is no need to worry about Tim Duncan sitting out any games. DeJuan Blair should continue to put up high-end rebound numbers next to Duncan and his scoring could see a boost against the Grizzlies and Nuggets.

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets (CHA, @HOU, @OKC, @SA): Kenyon Martin continues to put up strong numbers, averaging 14.6 points and 11.8 rebounds in January. As long as he remains healthy, he should be a good play. How is he only active in 46 percent of CBSSports.com leagues? Let's get that number up, quickly. With three tough defensive matchups this week, J.R. Smith's appeal is very limited.
Minnesota Timberwolves (@NY, @CLE, LAC, NY): Jonny Flynn had a pair of very strong games in Week 13 against the Sixers and Thunder and looks like a very good play going into Week 14. Corey Brewer is also on a hot streak, averaging 18.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists over his last five games with good numbers in three-point shooting, steals and blocks. He's a well-rounded contributor and just about a must-start while he remains this productive. It may or may not last, but make the most of it while it does.
Portland Trail Blazers (NO, UTA, @HOU, @DAL): The Trail Blazers will be without Brandon Roy (hamstring) until the Jan. 29 game against Houston at the earliest, but it seems very possible he could miss three games and Fantasy owners in weekly formats can't rely on him for Week 14. In his absence, Jerryd Bayless will see a significant boost and is a real strong sleeper candidate this week. Bayless had 18 points at Philadelphia this week and the Blazers face weak defensive teams in the Jazz and Rockets this week. Steve Blake should see a boost in minutes as well, but remains a low-end play. Andre Miller is just about a must-start again and Martell Webster could also be leaned on more offensively this week with Roy out.
Oklahoma City Thunder (CHI, DEN, GS): Jeff Green seems to be over his recent slump. He is averaging 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds over his last five games and is ready to re-join Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the team's only real Fantasy options. James Harden is knocking at the door, but he is still a ways away from being a reliable option and certainly should not be starting in cumulative leagues with three games this week, though his matchups are appealing for deeper average-based leagues if a stopgap is needed.
Utah Jazz (PHO, @POR, SAC): Mehmet Okur has only been seeing around 25 minutes per game over the team's last five games and his production has remained average at best. Fantasy owners should only be counting on him as a No. 2 center at this point, but he does have two favorable matchups against the Suns and Kings this week in two games that should be high scoring. Paul Millsap could see a couple of double-digit performances this week and is a viable stopgap option in deeper leagues, especially in average-based formats. Andrei Kirilenko is coming off a 26-point, 8-rebound effort against the Spurs, but is still very spotty. See if he can back that performance up over the weekend before making a decision on him for Week 14.

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors (@SAC, NO, CHA, @OKC): The Warriors continue to deal with injuries up and down the roster. Vladimir Radmanovic (Achilles'), Ronny Turiaf (ankle) and C.J. Watson (hand) are day-to-day heading into Week 14. None are recommended options. Andris Biedrins is finally back in a groove following his lengthy absence due to injury and is a strong play at center going into Week 14. Corey Maggette and Monta Ellis are must starts. Stephen Curry and Andris Biedrins are strong starts.
Los Angeles Clippers (@BOS, @NJ, @MIN, @CLE): Eric Gordon (toe) is day-to-day entering the weekend, but could miss a couple more games. Fantasy owners will have to monitor his progress over the weekend leading up to Week 14. Have healthy alternatives prepared. The Clippers have a couple of favorable matchups in Week 14 against the Nets and Timberwolves. We expect both games to be high scoring and Rasual Butler could be an interesting sleeper in deep leagues as a one-week stopgap if a replacement option is needed.
Los Angeles Lakers (@WAS, @IND, @PHI, @BOS): Kobe Bryant is not 100 percent, we all know that. But even at less than 100 percent, he has the ability to drop 30-plus points any night and is avearging 19.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds over his last five games. Is anybody really going to sit him? Probably not. As for Lamar Odom, as much as we thought his production would drop when Pau Gasol came back, it has not happened. We'll lay off him for now. Start him in any league.
Phoenix Suns (@UTA, CHA, DAL, @HOU): Robin Lopez is the Fantasy darling of the moment and for good reason. At the thinnest position in Fantasy hoops, he's come out of nowhere to provide No. 1-caliber numbers. He's gotten better with each game over the past week. Channing Frye is an afterthought and Lopez has gone from a nobody to a must-start in the matter of a week. Make the most of it while it lasts. Jason Richardson went off on the Nets after he was moved to the bench and dropped 26 points with seven rebounds. Keep the opponent in mind, but Richardson should again be trusted as at least a No. 3 guard option.
Sacramento Kings (GS, @UTA, CHA): Jason Thompson's production has been very choppy over the last couple of weeks and he has become more of a No. 4 option in most standard formats with Omri Casspi cutting into his production. Casspi has bounced back after limited production early after the return of Kevin Martin from his wrist injury. Fantasy owners can count on him as a No. 3 option in most formats again.

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).