What's on the Schedule: Week 16

Fantasy Writer

April 9, 2012 8:03 AM ET

Championship Week has finally arrived for the majority of Fantasy leagues and if you have been one of the lucky ones to make it this far, a congratulations is in order. However, there is still some work to be done as making it to the final round is only half the battle.

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There are 60 games on tap for Fantasy Week 16 (April 9-15), making the next seven days one of the busiest scoring periods of the season. Four teams are slated to play five times over the next seven days, but there are only 29 sets of back-to-backs as the schedule continues to balance itself out over the final month of the season.

One of the five teams slated to play five games this week is the Boston Celtics, which is the team we have chosen to feature this week.

Boston is one of the few teams that has yet to play a back-to-back-to-back set this season, but that will come to end during Week 16. The Celtics will take the court five times over this period with four of those contests coming on the road. Paul Pierce and Co. will be challenged right out of the gate as they face the Heat and Hawks to open the week on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. After a day off, the Celtics will partake in their first triple set of the year, starting Friday night at Toronto. Boston will then take on the Nets on Saturday night in New Jersey before closing things out against the Bobcats on Sunday.

Playing five games over a seven-day stretch is never an easy task, especially when three of those games will be played on three consecutive days in three different cities. However, if one was forced to play a triple set, the Raptors, Nets and Bobcats would be three teams that would definitely be on the list of clubs to face. New Jersey and Charlotte both rank near the bottom of the pack in points allowed and opposition field-goal percentage and Boston had little problem putting up points against the Raptors during their earlier meetings this season.

Look for depth and fatigue to play a factor this week with so many games crammed into such a small window, which may force coach Doc Rivers to utilize his bench early and often in some of these matchups. That should result in some of Boston's mid-and lower-end options seeing some extra minutes this week. In addition to must-starts Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Pierce, owners should make sure to get Ray Allen and Brandon Bass active in the majority of formats. Even Avery Bradley and Greg Stiemsma deserve some consideration in deeper formats.

Atlantic: Philadelphia 76ers (@NJ, @TOR, NJ): The 76ers are one of three teams slated to play three times during Week 16, but will only face two different clubs over the next seven days. Philadelphia will take on the Nets in New Jersey on Tuesday night before traveling up to Canada to face the Raptors on Wednesday. After a day off, the 76ers will be back home playing host to the Nets on Friday night, which will be the second time coach Doug Collins' squad will face New Jersey during the scoring period. While most of Philadelphia's Fantasy options have been really struggling of late, this looks to be a great week for some of them to get back on track. The Nets have been dreadful on defense this season and are allowing an average of 98.6 points per game while letting their opponents shoot a league-worst 48 percent from the field. The Raptors are not nearly as bad statistically, but have had plenty of their own defensive issues of late thanks in part to the make-shift lineup they have been throwing on the floor over the past few weeks. Despite their recent struggles, Fantasy owners can view Elton Brand, Lou Williams, Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young as quality starts in the majority of formats this week along with must-start options Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday.

Atlantic Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Celtics		@MIA	ATL		@TOR	@NJ	@CHA
Knicks		@CHI	@MIL		WAS		MIA
Nets		PHI			@PHI	BOS
76ers		@NJ	@TOR		NJ
Raptors	@IND		PHI		BOS		@ATL

Central: Cleveland Cavaliers (CHA, IND, @IND, @WAS, ORL): The Cavaliers have fallen on hard times over the past few weeks as they have been really hit hard by injuries. However, Cleveland won't have much time to sit around feeling sorry for itself as it is one of four teams slated to play five times during Week 16. The Cavaliers open the period with a pair of home games against the Bobcats and Pacers on Tuesday and Wednesday night respectively, before embarking on a back-to-back-to-back set starting Friday at Indiana. Cleveland will then face the Wizards in Washington on Saturday night before closing out the week at home against the Magic. Despite all the injuries and losses that have mounted in recent weeks for the Cavaliers, there are still some Fantasy options on the roster worth starting this week. Obviously Kyrie Irving should remain active -- if he is healthy enough to play -- but Tristan Thompson, Alonzo Gee and Antawn Jamison have all been producing for the Cavaliers in recent weeks. Fantasy owners can consider the three after mentioned players all viable options worthy of starting in most formats this week.

Central Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Bulls		NY		MIA			@DET
Cavaliers		CHA	IND		@IND	@WAS	ORL
Pistons	@ORL	@CHA			MIL		CHI
Pacers	TOR		@CLE		CLE	@MIL
Bucks	OKC		NY		@DET	IND

Southeast: Charlotte Bobcats (WAS, @CLE, DET, @MIA, BOS): The Bobcats seem destined for another last-place finish this season, but still have to play out the remaining 12 games on their schedule. Five of those contests will be played during Week 16 as Charlotte is one of four teams slated to play five times over the next seven days. The Bobcats will open the period against the Wizards on Monday night before heading up to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers on Tuesday. After a day off, Charlotte will embark on its second back-to-back set of the scoring period against the Pistons on Thursday and Heat on Friday before closing out the week at home against the Celtics on Sunday. While the losses have continued to pile up for the Bobcats in recent weeks, there are some very usable Fantasy options owners should consider using this period. Rookie Kemba Walker has played well since being handed over the starting reigns from coach Paul Silas, and so has center Bryon Mullens. However, Mullens and Walker are the only two options we would recommend rolling with this week as injuries and lineup changes have made the rest of the Bobcats risky options at this point in the season.

Southeast Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Hawks			@BOS		@ORL		TOR
Bobcats	WAS	@CLE		DET	@MIA		BOS
Heat		BOS		@CHI	CHA		@NY
Magic	DET	@WAS			ATL		@CLE
Wizards	@CHA	ORL			@NY	CLE

Northwest: Denver Nuggets (GS, MIN, @LAL, HOU): The Nuggets are slated to play four times during Week 16 with three of those contests coming at home. Denver will open up with a pair of home games against the Warriors on Monday and Timberwolves on Wednesday, respectively before heading out to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday night. The Nuggets will host the Rockets on Sunday, closing out what looks to be a very favorable schedule for Denver. Both the Warriors and Timberwolves are ranked in the bottom of the league in points allowed this season, while the Rockets are not too far behind as they are allowing nearly 98 points per game. The Lakers are actually considered one of the better defensive teams, but Los Angeles has shown some cracks in its armor of late and have surrendered more than 100 points in four of its last five contests. That should bode well for a Nuggets' squad who should get a boost with Danilo Gallinari expected to return to the lineup this week. In addition to must-start Ty Lawson, owners should make sure to get Gallo active if he is healthy enough to return to the lineup. Andre Miller, Arron Afflalo and Al Harrington can also be considered viable options in most formats this week, as well as JaVale McGee. However, Wilson Chandler's questionable health and the return of Gallinari make Chandler an extremely risky play this scoring period.

Northwest Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Nuggets	GS		MIN		@LAL		HOU
Timberwolves	PHO		@DEN	LAC		OKC
Thunder	@MIL		LAC		SAC	@MIN
Trail Blazers	HOU		GS		DAL		@SAC
Jazz	SA		@HOU		@NO	@MEM

Southwest: Memphis Grizzlies (LAC, PHO, @SA, UTA, @NO): The Grizzlies played five times during the last scoring period and now will take the floor five more times during Week 16. Memphis will open the period at home against the Clippers on Monday before hosting the Suns on Wednesday. The Grizzlies will then be in San Antonio on Thursday before closing out the week against the Jazz on Friday and the Hornets on Sunday night in New Orleans. That will conclude a grueling stretch of 10 games over 14 days for the Grizzlies, so depth and fatigue will once again play a factor this week. Coach Lionel Hollins will look to his bench early and often in some of these matchups, making some of Memphis' mid-and low-end options a bit more valuable this week. Despite some tough matchups on the docket, Fantasy owners should make sure to get O.J. Mayo and Tony Allen -- if healthy – active this week in addition to must-starts Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Even Marreese Speights deserves some consideration in deeper formats.

Southwest Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Mavericks		SAC		@GS	@POR		@LAL
Rockets	@POR		UTA		PHO		@DEN
Grizzlies	LAC		PHO		@SA	UTA	@NO
Hornets	LAL		SAC		UTA		MEM
Spurs	@UTA		LAL	MEM		PHO

Pacific: Los Angeles Lakers (@NO, @SA, DEN, DAL): The Lakers are slated to play four times during Week 16 with two of those contests coming at home. However, Los Angeles will begin the week on the road, starting Monday night in New Orleans. The Lakers will then be in San Antonio to face the Spurs the Wednesday before returning home to face the Nuggets and Mavericks on Friday and Sunday, respectively. While the Lakers look to have some difficult matchups on tap over the next seven days, things could get even tougher if Kobe Bryant is unable to suit up. Bryant is dealing with tenosynovitis of the left shin, which can be considered a very severe shin bruise in layman's terms. Fantasy owners should keep in mind that Kobe has only missed one game since the conclusion of the 2009-10 season, so for him to take himself out of the lineup last weekend should tell you all you need to know about how painful his injury is. The Lakers are saying the only way for the 33-year-old's injury to improve is for Bryant to rest, so there is a very good chance he sits a few games this week, making him a huge injury risk for the upcoming period. While we recommend keeping a close eye on his status moving forward, Bryant clearly won't be at 100 percent even if he is able to get back on the court over the next few days. For that reason, owners should consider Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Ramon Sessions as the only options that look like sure bets for the Lakers this week.

Pacific Division schedule
	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Warriors	@DEN		@POR	DAL		@LAC
Clippers	@MEM		@OKC	@MIN		GS
Lakers	@NO		@SA		DEN		DAL
Suns	@MIN		@MEM		@HOU	@SA
Kings		@DAL	@NO		@OKC		POR

Gray to remain in Toronto
Aaron Gray, C, TOR
5/23/2013

News: TSN.ca reported last week that Raptors forward Linas Kleiza and center Aaron Gray picked up their player options for the 2013-14 season. Kleiza's option will pay him $4.6 million, while Gray will make $2.6 million, in the final years of both of their deals.

Analysis: Gray averaged just 2.8 points per game over the course of 42 games, and he saw his role dramatically reduced as the team leaned on younger options. He will likely assume a similar role for Toronto this season, and should be ignored in most Fantasy formats on Draft Day.

Kleiza picks up option
Linas Kleiza, SF, TOR
5/23/2013

Analysis: Kleiza did not play after Dec. 28, thanks in part to lingering issues with his surgically-repaired knee. He averaged just 7.4 points on 33.3 percent shooting in the 20 games he appeared in, and is unlikely to be worth targeting in any Fantasy formats on Draft Day.

Landry torn on opt-out decision
Carl Landry, PF, GS
5/23/2013

News: Warriors forward Carl Landry would like to return to Golden State, but he has an opt-out clause for next season's $4 million contract. He has yet to choose whether to do so, and he told the Contra Costa Times Wednesday that it is the hardest decision he has faced in his career. “The Warriors are home whether I opt in or out," he said. "Hopefully, I can spend the rest of my career here because this is a very special place. Everything here is what you want: the city, the fans, the front office, the coach, the teammates. You can’t ask for anything more.”

Analysis: Landry would probably be underpaid at $4 million next season, so he would likely be turning down millions of dollars to remain on what is essentially a one-year deal. Landry averaged 10.8 point and 6.0 rebounds per game for the Warriors in just 23.2 minutes per game, and he could get a much bigger role on another roster. We will keep an eye on his free agency as it moves forward, but Landry is likely to be more of a late-round Fantasy option on Draft Day no matter where he ends up.

Villanueva picks up fifth-year option
Charlie Villanueva, PF, DET
5/23/2013

News: Predictably, Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva picked up his option for the 2013-14 season, a deal that will pay him $8.5 million. Villanueva is entering the final year of a five-year, $37.7 million contract.

Analysis: Villanueva appeared in 69 games this season, averaging a career-low 6.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. With the Pistons continuing to rebuild, it is unlikely that he sees a larger role than that this season, so Fantasy owners should ignore him in most Fantasy formats on Draft Day.

Varejao doing better
Anderson Varejao, C, CLE
5/23/2013

News: Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao has been taken off blood thinners, a sign that he has recovered from the blood clot issue that ended his season. According to The Plain Dealer, Varejao is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Analysis: Varejao was in the midst of the best season of his career, before quad surgery and the ensuing developments with a blood clot. He averaged 14.1 points and 14.4 rebounds per game prior to the injury, both of which are by far career highs. Varejao has emerged as a very solid Fantasy option over the last few years, however he has also missed 149 games over the last three seasons. He is a major injury risk heading into the season, but he should still be gone by the middle rounds in most Fantasy leagues on Draft Day.

Prigioni wants to stay in NBA
Pablo Prigioni, PG, NY
5/23/2013

News: Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni becomes a free agent after his rookie season, and he reportedly wants to stay in the NBA rather than return to the Spanish League. It might just depend on what his wife says, according to the New York Post. Prigioni is set to become a free agent July 1, and is expected to look for a one-year contract worth around $2 million.

Analysis: Prigioni ended up moving into the starting lineup for the Knicks, but he did not have much of an impact this season. He averaged 3.5 points and 3.0 assists per game in 16.2 minutes. After showing what he can do, he might be able to get a bigger role next season, but he should probably still be ignored until the very end of most Fantasy formats.

Beal waiting to be cleared
Bradley Beal, SG, WAS
5/23/2013

News: Wizards guard Bradley Beal has yet to be cleared for basketball activities, nearly two months after being shut down due to an ankle and right leg injury. According to the Washington Post, Beal is still a week or so away from getting back on the court. “It’s always frustration,” Beal said Thursday. “But at the same time, I have to stay positive, make sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. Making sure I’m able to take care of myself and just stay on top of it. Basically just being patient and when I get out there, I’ll get out there.” Beal is lifting weights, riding a bike and swimming, but it mostly limited to free throws on the court for now. He is expected to be ready to go by the time the team opens training camp.

Analysis: Beal became just the seventh player to make the all-rookie first team as a teenager, a pretty good indication of the kind of upside he has when healthy. He missed 26 games due to a variety of ailments, mostly related to his ankles. He finished the season averaging 13.9 points per game on 41.0 percent shooting, however he improved dramatically as the season went on. Beal shot 47.1 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three-point range after the All-Star break, with 16.5 points per game. If that is any sign of what Beal can do when healthy, Fantasy owners should be very excited to see him in his second season. Plan on targeting Beal in the middle rounds on Draft Day, with plenty of upside.

Stoudemire might not start next year
Amar'e Stoudemire, PF, NY
5/23/2013

News: According to his agent, Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire was not happy with how the season ended, as he was barely able to contribute in the team's six-game loss to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. “You know Amar’e, he’s going to work as hard as he can during the offseason,” Happy Walters, Stoudemire’s agent, told the New York Daily News. “It was a tough year, but Amar’e is already looking forward to next season. He’ll be ready.” Knicks coach Mike Woodson would not comment on whether he thinks Stoudemire will return to the starting lineup next season, after the Knicks enjoyed great success with Carmelo Anthony at power forward. Stoudemire came off the bench in all 29 of his regular season games this season, after doing so just 17 times in his previous 10 seasons.

Analysis: Despite eventually needing two knee surgeries, Stoudemire was actually quite productive for the Knicks, when he played. He averaged 14.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in just 23.5 minutes, while shooting 57.7 percent from the field, his best mark since 2007-08. Stoudemire may be best suited coming off the bench on the Knicks' current roster, but that probably limits how much playing time he can get on a nightly basis. Given injury concerns and questions about his role on the Knicks, Stoudemire is a risky Fantasy option heading into next season. He should be left for the middle rounds at the earliest on Draft Day.

Smith dealt with knee injury in postseason
J.R. Smith, SG, NY
5/23/2013

News: Knicks guard J.R. Smith endured plenty of criticism for his play in the postseason, but now we might have an explanation. According to the New York Post Thursday, Smith spent much of the postseason playing with fluid built up in his left knee. “[Smith’s] been playing hurt,” a source said. “He probably should’ve sat out a couple of games. It’s what Melo had. That’s why he wasn’t driving the ball like he was. That’s why his jump shot wasn’t right, not having the lift.’’ Smith's knee started swelling up in March, but it became a bigger deal in the playoffs, when he shot just 33.1 percent from the field in 11 games.

Analysis: Smith likely cost himself a ton of money as an impending free agent thanks to his poor performance in the postseason, though that might actually help him end up staying with the Knicks long term. The Knicks can only offer Smith around $5 million this offseason due to their salary cap issues, but he might fall into their price range now. Smith's postseason struggles were especially disappointing after the best regular season of his career, as he scored a career-high 18.1 points per game. Assuming Smith returns to the Knicks, he should be able to put up comparable numbers next season, so plan to target him in the middle rounds on Draft Day.

Sullinger expects to be 100 percent by training camp
Jared Sullinger, PF, BOS
5/23/2013

News: Celtics forward Jared Sullinger had a promising rookie season cut short by back surgery, but he expects to be fully healed by the time the team begins prepping for his sophomore season. He told the Boston Herald he is not rushing through recovery from his February surgery, to avoid any potential setbacks. "Everyone says (the word) back with a question mark, but you might as well put an X through that," he said. "I had surgery, I’m taking my time so there won’t be any recurring injuries." Sullinger detailed his rehabilitation process as well, noting he expects to be healed by the start of training camp. "It’s a 10-week process," he said. "Every two weeks we bump it up 10 percent. September, October I’ll be 100 percent to go. I met with the doctor about 10 weeks ago and he said it’s a full go."

Analysis: Sullinger averaged just 6.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in 45 games before the injury, but that was in just 19.8 minutes per game. The team's first-round pick from last season is expected to be a big part of their plans moving forward, but the team's roster is up in the air with a number of veterans possibly on the way out this offseason. If Sullinger proves healthy and snags a role that gives him 30-plus minutes, he could emerge as a useful Fantasy option in his second season. However, with the injury risk hanging over him, Fantasy owners should avoid looking his way until the later rounds on Draft Day.

More Updates

1	LaMarcus Aldridge, POR, PF
2	David Lee, GS, C
3	Al Horford, ATL, C
4	Dwight Howard, LAL, C
5	Marc Gasol, MEM, C
6	Al Jefferson, UTA, C
7	Greg Monroe, DET, C
8	DeMarcus Cousins, SAC, C
9	Joakim Noah, CHI, C
10	Nikola Vucevic, ORL, C
All Rankings

1	LeBron James, MIA, SF
2	Kevin Durant, OKC, SF
3	Kobe Bryant, LAL, SG
4	David Lee, GS, C
5	Blake Griffin, LAC, PF
6	Carmelo Anthony, NY, SF
7	LaMarcus Aldridge, POR, PF
8	Josh Smith, ATL, SF
9	Paul George, IND, SF
10	Greg Monroe, DET, C
All Rankings

1	Russell Westbrook, OKC, PG
2	Kobe Bryant, LAL, SG
3	James Harden, HOU, SG
4	Stephen Curry, GS, PG
5	Monta Ellis, MIL, PG
6	Jrue Holiday, PHI, PG
7	Chris Paul, LAC, PG
8	Deron Williams, BKN, PG
9	Damian Lillard, POR, PG
10	Kemba Walker, CHA, PG
All Rankings