What's on the Schedule: Week 14

Fantasy Writer

March 26, 2012 11:06 AM ET

The playoffs have arrived in several leagues, making Fantasy Week 14 (March 26-April 1) the most important scoring period of the season.

There are 58 games scheduled over the next seven days as the NBA season enters its final month and things are a bit more balanced than last week. Only two teams are slated to play five games and there are 26 sets of back-to-backs. However, there are no back-to-back-to-backs scheduled this week, which hasn't happened much this year.

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The team we have chosen to highlight is the Lakers, who are slated to play four times during Week 14. Los Angeles will play three of its games at home with its lone road contest coming on Tuesday night at Golden State. The Lakers will then face the Thunder and Hornets at home on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, before wrapping up the scoring period against the Warriors on Sunday.

The Lakers have been much more efficient on the offensive side of the ball since acquiring Ramon Sessions at the trade deadline and now look to have some favorable matchups on the docket this week. Kobe Bryant and Co. have scored more than 100 points in each of their two matchups against Oklahoma City and New Orleans this year and now will face each of those teams at the Staples Center, where the Lakers are averaging nearly 98 points per contest. Los Angeles' other two matchups are against the Warriors, who are one of five teams surrendering more than 100 points per game on the season. While nothing is certain, it appears Los Angeles should be able to continue its improved scoring this week, making most of its Fantasy options viable plays for the upcoming period. Besides must-start options Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, owners should make sure to get Sessions active for the scoring period. Even Metta World Peace, Steve Blake and Matt Barnes could be worth using in deeper formats.

Pacific: Los Angeles Clippers (NO, PHO, POR, UTA): After enduring a brutal three-game road trip, the Clippers will be back home during Week 14. All four of Los Angeles' games will be played at the Staples Center, starting on Monday night against the Hornets. Steve Nash and the Suns will be in town on Wednesday before the Trail Blazers and Jazz close out the week on Friday and Saturday night, respectively. While the Clippers' recent offensive struggles have been well-documented, maybe some home cooking is what the team needed to get back on track. Chris Paul and Co. were finally able to break their 100-point drought last week against the Grizzlies and will face some suspect defenses over the next few days. Despite beating the Clippers in their lone meeting of the season, New Orleans has had its fair share of issues on defense this year. The Trail Blazers have allowed an average of 102.4 points per game over their last five contests, while the Jazz continue to rank near the bottom of the league in both points allowed (98.3) and opposition field-goal percentage (45.7). The only team that could give the Clippers some trouble is the Suns. Phoenix has held the Clippers to an average of 82.5 points in their two meetings this season. However, that shouldn't be enough to sway Fantasy owners from using the majority of Los Angeles' Fantasy options. Obviously, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul should always be active, but Nick Young, DeAndre Jordan, Caron Butler and Mo Williams -- if healthy -- can all be considered viable plays.

Pacific Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Warriors		LAL	NO		NJ		@LAL
Clippers	NO		PHO		POR	UTA
Lakers		@GS		OKC	NO	GS
Suns		SA	@LAC				NO
Kings	@HOU		SA		@UTA	NJ

Northwest: Denver Nuggets (@CHI, @TOR, @CHA, @ORL): The Nuggets are slated to play four times during Week 14, although all of their contests will be on the road. Denver will start the week in Chicago to take on the Bulls on Monday night before heading to Toronto on Wednesday night. After a day off, the Nuggets will face the Bobcats on Friday night before wrapping up the scoring period against the Magic on Sunday. While coach George Karl's squad has struggled to collect wins of late, they certainly have not had a hard time scoring points. Denver enters the scoring period as the highest-scoring road team in the league, averaging 105.6 points per game. However, the Nuggets do have some tough matchups this week, especially against the Bulls and Magic, as both teams rank in the top 10 in points allowed and opposition field-goal percentage. Still, Denver should be able to make up for that against the defensively challenged Bobcats and Raptors, so owners should feel free to roll with the majority of its Fantasy options. In addition to Ty Lawson and JaVale McGee, make sure to get Al Harrington, Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried active this week. Andre Miller and Corey Brewer should only be used in deeper formats.

Northwest Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Nuggets	@CHI		@TOR		@CLE		@ORL
T'Wolves		@MEM	@CHA		BOS		@POR
Thunder		@POR		@LAL			CHI
Trail Blazers		OKC		NO	@LAC		MIN
Jazz	@NJ		@BOS		SAC	@LAC

Southwest: Dallas Mavericks (HOU, @MIA, @ORL): The Mavericks are one of six teams slated to play just three games in Week 14. The Mavericks will open the week at home against the Rockets on Tuesday night before playing the next two games on the road. Dallas will be in Miami to take on the Heat on Thursday night and in Orlando to face the Magic on Friday. With only three games on the schedule, Fantasy owners won't have much room for error this week. One bad performance can really put most teams in a serious hole, which makes most of Dallas' Fantasy options risky plays for the upcoming scoring period. With the defensive prowess shown by Miami and Orlando this season, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry are the only two players we would recommend starting. The rest of the Mavericks' spotty production just leaves too many question marks heading into the upcoming scoring period.

Southwest Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Mavericks		HOU		@MIA	@ORL
Rockets	SAC	@DAL			MEM		IND
Hornets	@LAC		@GS	@POR		@LAL	@PHO
Grizzlies		MIN			@HOU	@MIL
Spurs		@PHO	@SAC			IND

Atlantic: New Jersey Nets (UTA, IND, @GS,@SAC): The Nets are slated to play four times during Week 14, with two of those contests coming on the road. New Jersey will be at home in the beginning of the scoring period as they host the Jazz on Monday night and the Pacers on Wednesday. After a day off, New Jersey will head out to the West Coast to take on the Warriors Friday night in Oakland before closing out the week against the Kings on Saturday night. While New Jersey ranks near the bottom of the league in points scored this season (92.7), the Nets look to have some favorable matchups on the schedule. Utah, Golden State and Sacramento all rank in the bottom tier in points allowed this season and the Warriors and Kings are two of the teams surrendering more than 100 points per game on the season. The only club that will present a defensive challenge is the Pacers, although New Jersey is averaging 94 points in its three meetings against them this season. Besides must-start options Deron Williams and Kris Humphries, make sure to get Gerald Wallace and MarShon Brooks active in the majority of formats as well. Even Anthony Morrow and Gerald Green can be considered viable plays in deeper formats this week.

Atlantic Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Celtics	@CHA		UTA		@MIN		MIA
Nets	UTA		IND		@GS	@SAC
Knicks	MIL		ORL		@ATL	CLE
76ers		CLE			@WAS	ATL
Raptors	ORL		DEN		MIA		WAS

Central: Indiana Pacers (MIA, @NJ, WAS, @SA, @HOU): The Pacers are one of two teams slated to play five times during Week 14 with three of those contests coming on the road. Indiana will welcome the Heat to town on Monday night before facing the Nets on Wednesday in New Jersey. The Pacers then host the Wizards on Thursday before heading out to Texas to take on the Spurs and Rockets on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. While the Pacers have been a bit inconsistent on offense lately, Indiana does look to have some favorable matchups on the docket. The Nets and Wizards rank near the bottom of the league in points allowed and opposition field-goal percentage, while the Spurs and Rockets are each allowing their opponents to make more than 45 percent of its shots. The only team that looks to be a concern is the Heat, which have held the Pacers to an average of 88 points per game this season. With five games crammed into a seven-game stretch, fatigue and depth will likely play a major factor this week. That means some of Indiana's mid-range and even lower-end options could see extended minutes. In addition to must-starts Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert, make sure George Hill, David West and Darren Collison are all active this week. Tyler Hansbrough, George Hill and Leandro Barbosa also deserve some run in deeper leagues.

Central Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Bulls	DEN		@ATL		DET		@OKC
Cavaliers		@PHI	DET		MIL	@NY
Pistons	@WAS		@CLE		@CHI	CHA
Pacers	MIA		@NJ	WAS		@SA	@HOU
Bucks	@NY	ATL			@CLE	MEM

Southeast: Orlando Magic (@TOR, @NY, DAL, DEN): The Magic are scheduled to play four times during Week 14, with two of those contests coming at home. Orlando will be on the road in the early part of the week, starting Monday night in Toronto. The Magic will then be in New York on Wednesday night before returning home to face the Mavericks on Friday. Dwight Howard and crew will then wrap up the week by welcoming the Nuggets to town on Sunday. While the Magic should have no problems putting up points against the defensively challenged Raptors and Nuggets, the Mavericks and Knicks could prove to be tougher. Despite Dallas' inconsistent play this season, the Mavericks still rank in the top 10 in points allowed and opposition field-goal percentage. Meanwhile, the Knicks have looked very strong under new coach Mike Woodson and are surrendering just 87 points per game since he took over. However, in lieu of some tough matchups, most of Orlando's main Fantasy options can still be considered viable plays this week. Obviously, Dwight Howard is always going to remain active, but owners should make sure to get Ryan Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson active in most formats as well. J.J. Redick and Glen Davis remain riskier plays, so leave them on the bench unless you are in a deeper league.

Southeast Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Hawks		@MIL	CHI		NY	@PHI
Bobcats	BOS		MIN		DEN	@DET
Heat	@IND			DAL	@TOR		@BOS
Magic	@TOR		@NY		@DAL
DEN
Wizards	DET			@IND	PHI		@TOR

Leonard drops 18 in Game 1
Kawhi Leonard, SF, SA
5/19/2013

News: Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) returned to the starting lineup for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Grizzlies. Leonard logged 30 minutes as he scored 18 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the field, including 4 of 5 from beyond the arc. He also chipped in with two rebounds, two steals, one assist and a blocked shot in a 105-83 victory.

Analysis: Leonard's knee problems were a "mild cause of concern" for the Spurs heading into the conference finals. Leonard averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game on the season, while shooting 49.6 percent from the field. His role will only continue to grow, so Fantasy owners have to like Leonard's development patter. He will be a big-time breakout candidate heading into next season, worth a mid-round pick on Draft Day.

Chandler scores two in elimination game
Tyson Chandler, C, NY
5/19/2013

News: Knicks center Tyson Chandler worked his way around a back issue as he returned to action in Game 6 against the Pacers Saturday night. Chandler was held to just two points on 1 of 4 shooting. He also chipped in with six rebounds in a 106-99 defeat.

Analysis: Chandler will have the entire offseason to recover from his back issue. The 7-footer averaged 10.4 points and 10.7 rebounds over 66 games -- marking the second time he has averaged a double-double. He also shot 63.8 percent from the field, but only averaged 20.1 Fantasy points per week as injuries really hampered his production down the stretch. Fantasy owners should plan on scooping him up in the earlier rounds in draft formats next fall.

Hill returns to action
George Hill, PG, IND
5/19/2013

News: Pacers point guard George Hill, who missed Game 5 with a concussion, returned to the starting lineup Game 6 against the Knicks. Hill scored 12 points on 2 for 10 shooting. He grabbed five boards and dished out four assists in a 106-99 win.

Analysis: Hill seems to be healthy enough to play and will now earn a three days of rest before the Eastern Conference Finals. Hill posted career highs in points (14.2), assists (4.7), rebounds (3.7) and steals (1.1) during his first full year as a starter and finish as the 27th highest scoring guard, in terms of Fantasy points, in all standard formats. Fantasy owners should plan on targeting him in the middle rounds of most draft formats next fall.

Ainge has no answers for Garnett
Kevin Garnett, PF, BOS
5/17/2013

News: The Boston Globe reports that Celtics forward Kevin Garnett has two years left on his contract but is considering retirement. He turns 37 Sunday. “I don’t think I have the answers that Kevin will want,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. “So I’ve got to figure there’s a lot to do [before we talk], and I think there’s a lot of questions in Kevin’s mind, as there is every year, to determine whether he’s coming back.I’m not ready to answer everything that he will want to know.”

Analysis: Garnett had another productive year, averaging 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 78.6 percent from the foul line. He will likely return if the Celtics keep Paul Pierce, but that's just speculation. Keep an eye on what happens with the Celtics, and if Garnett is back consider him a solid No. 2 Fantasy center worth a mid-round pick.

Pierce, Celtics could part ways
Paul Pierce, SF, BOS
5/17/2013

News: The Boston Globe reports the Celtics have to decide by June 30 whether to buy out Paul Pierce’s contract at $5 million. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said the sides have not had discussions, but an NBA source said Pierce’s family is already beginning to prepare for relocation from Boston, assuming the Celtics will execute the buyout or trade his expiring contract in the offseason.Pierce struggled mightily during the playoffs, and Ainge was asked whether the longtime Celtic was injured. “Paul’s always battling little things,” said Ainge. “I think Paul’s healthy, but he played so hard and carried such a heavy load. Paul had a terrific year this year, but in the playoffs, New York did a good job of taking away his strengths and taking advantage of some of our weaknesses. But I thought Paul had a terrific year.”

Analysis: This report makes it seems as though Pierce could be gone, but we'd be surprised if that happens. That said, the Celtics do need to start rebuilding at some point. Keep an eye on what happens with Pierce and where he ends up. He would remain a quality starting option in all leagues no matter where he plays, but we'd like him best if he returned to Boston.

Bulls hope Noah avoids surgery
Joakim Noah, C, CHI
5/17/2013

News: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said that the plantar fasciitis in center Joakim Noah’s right foot could require surgery, but that Noah would try rehabilitation first. “That hasn’t been determined,’’ Thibodeau said of Noah undergoing surgery. “Obviously, we’d like to avoid the surgery. He has responded a lot better. He has found something that has worked. "We want him to get completely healthy That will be the focus, getting him back to 100 percent. He needs some rest, as most of the guys do."

Analysis: We hope whatever Noah decides to do with his foot will get him back to being 100 percent for the start of next season. When healthy and active, Noah is an elite Fantasy center in the majority of leagues. He is worth drafting as early as Round 3 or 4 in most formats.

Redick likely leaving Bucks
J.J. Redick, SG, MIL
5/17/2013

News: The Racine Journal-Times reports that Bucks guard J.J. Redick could be departing this summer. Redick loved Orlando, and was very upset when he was traded. It's not likely that he would return to the Magic, considering their rebuilding condition, but he'll finally be in a position to make his own choices for his career. Redick could want to sign with a contender for less money, or an up-and-coming team for more. Redick averaged 12 points and three assists on just 40 percent shooting in Milwaukee after averaging 15 points and four assists per game with Orlando before the trade deadline.

Analysis: Keep an eye on where Redick ends up, and hopefully he lands with a team where he can get playing time and post quality stats. He is worth drafting with a late-round pick in the majority of leagues depending on where he signs.

Jack open to Warriors return
Jarrett Jack, PG, GS
5/17/2013

News: The Contra Costa Times reports that guard Jarrett Jack would like to return to the Warriors next season. Golden State was eliminated from the playoffs by San Antonio in the Western Conference semifinals. “Usually before I would do any media, I would make sure I was dressed a certain way," he said. "I brought one of my best suits. But looking down at this jersey, it’s just a sense of pride I don’t think I’ve ever felt as a professional. … Nothing in my closet is better than what I have on now.” His future with the Warriors is uncertain. Jack, who made $5 million this season, will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He played a pivotal role in the Warriors’ success as the backup point guard and the late-game ball-handler. So much so, Golden State reached out for extension talks back in January, but Jack declined before talks could get going so he could focus on the season.

Analysis: Based on his performance with the Warriors, Jack is expected to get several opportunities and lots of money on the free agent market. Whether he takes the more lucrative offer elsewhere, or whether the Warriors make a competitive offer to keep him, that will all be figured out this summer. But Jack was never more clear about for whom he wants to play: Golden State. Keep an eye on where he ends up next season. He should remain a late-round flier no matter where he signs.

Thomas open to keep playing
Kurt Thomas, C, NY
5/17/2013

News: The New York Daily News reports that Kurt Thomas is undecided about whether to regain his title as the NBA’s oldest player next season. “Honestly, I haven’t thought much about it,” the former Knick said. “I’m just concentrating on getting healthy.” Thomas is recovering from right foot surgery and is two weeks from being off crutches. The 40-year-old is a free agent after the Knicks released him last month in order to add a player to the postseason roster. “I definitely miss being around the guys,” Thomas said over the telephone from his home in Dallas. “I miss being a part of the playoffs. And I just miss being around basketball. I love the game.”

Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Thomas heading into next season, but even if he plays somewhere he would have minimal Fantasy value. Ignore him in all leagues on Draft Day.

Robinson closes postseason strong
Nate Robinson, PG, CHI
5/16/2013

News: After being held scoreless in Game 4, Bulls guard Nate Robinson bounced back in Wednesday's elimination game against the Heat. Unfortunately, despite scoring 21 points on 6 of 15 shooting, Robinson's season came to a close in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Robinson added six rebounds and five rebounds, while turning the ball over four times in 47 minutes, in a 94-91 loss. He finished the postseason averaging 16.3 points per game in 12 contests.

Analysis: Robinson had his finest regular season since 2008-09, averaging 13.1 points and 4.4 assists in just 25.4 minutes per game. Robinson has clearly grown as a player, and he enters free agency at a good time. Coming off a successful year in the Bulls' elite defense will help his value on the market as well. Robinson is unlikely to get a starting role, but an increase in minutes would not be terribly surprising coming off his postseason successes. Robinson should be worth targeting in the mid-to-late rounds on Draft Day in most Fantasy formats.

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3	Al Horford, ATL, C
4	Dwight Howard, LAL, C
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1	LeBron James, MIA, SF
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