Feb. 27, 2010

Week 19 Fantasy Basketball Planner

By Sergio Gonzalez | Fantasy Writer
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Week 19 (March 1-7)

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

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics (@DET, CHA, @PHI, WAS): Paul Pierce (thumb) is out for an indefinite amount of time, but should be out through the weekend. Fantasy owners will have to have alternatives prepared in case his prognosis is not more defined by lineup deadlines Monday. In his absence, Marquis Daniels has entered the starting lineup, but he has minimal upside in Fantasy. Nate Robinson could eventually take on a bigger role if the absence stretches into more games.
New Jersey Nets (CLE, ORL, @NY): Courtney Lee is on a roll for the Nets. He has a couple of 20-point games in the last two weeks and, ironically, both have come against two of the better defensive teams in the league (Charlotte, Portland). He will get a chance to do more of that in Week 19 against tough defensive teams in the Cavaliers and Magic. With good teams trying to take away the team's only true scoring options in Brook Lopez and Devin Harris, Lee has a chance to get loose and produce. He is a nice sleeper this week.
New York Knicks (@CLE, DET, @TOR NJ): Surprise! Tracy McGrady is banged up. That did not take long, but the aging former Fantasy superstar is expected to play through the injury and Fantasy owners should understand that coming off his nearly year-long absence from the game, he is going through some natural reactions to getting pushed in what has been a significant role with the Knicks. He did post three very useful stat lines in his first four games. Treat him as a No. 3 guard with upside until he looks like he can play without any kind of restriction.
Philadelphia 76ers (ORL, @ATL, BOS, @TOR): Allen Iverson's situation remains unsettled, but resolution may be coming soon. It seems unlikely Iverson will return to the Sixers the rest of the season and that should create a situation where Lou Williams will continue to surge. He is once again putting up the numbers that made him a breakout candidate earlier in the year (prior to his jaw injury and the arrival of Iverson). Over the last five games, he is averaging an 18-5-5 line.
Toronto Raptors (@HOU, NY, PHI): Chris Bosh (ankle) seems close to returning. He could have possibly returned Friday night, but the team is looking to give him a little extra rest in order to avoid any setbacks. With back-to-back games Sunday and Monday, it is highly possible the team chooses to sit him one more game in order to not push him too hard upon his return. Expect to have him in your lineup for Week 19, but follow up on his status through lineup deadlines. In his absence, Hedo Turkoglu has taken on a bigger role and is playing his best ball of the season. While that will continue for as long as Bosh as out, and could springboard him to a solid finish the rest of the way, his numbers will undoubtedly take a hit once Bosh returns.

Central Division

Chicago Bulls (ATL, MEM, DAL): Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis) is playing through the injury, but his minutes remained limited until Friday night when he produced a double-double in 27 minutes. Noah feels he is ready for more minutes, but he had not been able to convince the coaching staff he is ready. Perhaps Friday's showing will change that. It appears Noah will be ready to activate. That is bad news for Brad Miller, who was filling in nicely at center. It is also bad news for Taj Gibson and Hakim Warrick, who saw a chance for more active roles with Noah out. They each remain viable low-end forwards, but their appeal could be taking a hit going forward.
Cleveland Cavaliers (NY, @NJ, DET, @MIL): Shaquille O'Neal (thumb) could be looking at a lengthy absence, but the extent of his injury will not be known until he undergoes an MRI Saturday or Sunday. His absence could open things up for Antawn Jamison, Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson.
Detroit Pistons (BOS, @NY, @CLE, HOU): The Pistons still are not getting consistent production out of Ben Gordon, who is averaging just 9.0 points, 1.6 assists and 1.6 rebounds over his last five games. He can't be trusted despite the occasional 20-point game here and there. Charlie Villanueva and Jonas Jerebko also aren't providing a lot of help for Fantasy owners, but Tayshaun Prince has been able to step up his production over the last couple of weeks. He is turning in very well-rounded production with good numbers across the board for category-based leagues.
Indiana Pacers (@LAL, @POR, @DEN, @PHO): The Pacers will begin the week with what should be a couple of low-scoring games against the Lakers and Trail Blazers, but they get two very Fantasy-friendly matchups to wrap up the week. The Nuggets and Suns each allow well over 100 points per game. Up-and-down Roy Hibbert is back down again, but could still be a useful play in larger leagues that require two centers with a couple of favororable matchups. T.J. Ford appears to be making up for lost time after a nightmarish first half, producing very solid stat lines in each of his last four games. With the matchups this week, he is one of our top sleepers.
Milwaukee Bucks (WAS, @WAS, CLE): The Bucks will twice face a Wizards team that allows 101.8 points per game, which should lead to a couple of high-scoring games before they face a Cavs team that ranks fourth in the NBA defensively. John Salmons makes for a nice start in average-based play and in larger Head-to-Head leagues as well. Carlos Delfino and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute should be left for fill-in situations in deeper formats.

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks (@CHA, MIN, SAC, @CHI): The Hawks have discussed the possibility of adding free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. That could happen at some point this week and, if it does, could impact the minutes distribution for players like Al Horford and Josh Smith. Both will remain high-end options, but their overall minutes could take a slight hit. Ilgauskas is by no means a safe play in Fantasy this week with the possibility existing that he chooses to sign with the Cavaliers again, which would mean a 30-day waiting period before he can play again. Matchups this week against Minnesota and Sacramento should mean high scores and good things for Jamal Crawford. Stay away from Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby where possible, however.
Charlotte Bobcats (DAL, @BOS, LAL, GS): The Bobcats are strapped for options up front with Nazr Mohammed and Tyson Chandler banged up. Both players are day-to-day entering the weekend. Theo Ratliff is getting good minutes in their absence, but the veteran is not going to be very helpful from a Fantasy standpoint. Instead, we are seeing Boris Diaw and Tyrus Thomas get the boost.
Miami Heat (GS, LAL, ATL): Dwyane Wade (calf) is holding a lot of Fantasy hopes hostage. He sounds unlikely to play this weekend, but has been able to do some work with the team and could return within the next few games. However, the uncertainty makes him too tough to start in Fantasy considering that he could just as easily miss the entire slate of games in Week 19. Monitor his status closely leading up to lineup deadlines Monday to make the most informed decision possible. In his absence, Daequan Cook and Dorell Wright have each had big games, but neither player has -- or will be -- very consistent. They make for stopgap options only in larger formats. Carlos Arroyo's arrest on Friday should open up more minutes for Mario Chalmers if Arroyo is held out or if he faces a suspension from the team or the league.
Orlando Magic (@PHI, GS, @NJ, LAL): The Magic will face some Fantasy-friendly matchups this week against the Sixers, Warriors and Nets, all teams that allow over 100 points per game. That should be good news for Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson, both players make intersting sleeper options this week.
Washington Wizards (@MIL, MIL, @BOS): This may be a low-scoring week for the Wizards, who lost newly acquired Josh Howard for the remainder of the season earlier this week. His absence will open things up for Al Thornton the rest of the way and he is a player who should be in for a solid week despite matchups against two tough defensive teams in the Bucks and Celtics.

Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks (@CHA, MIN, SAC, @CHI): Caron Butler missed his second straight game Friday night following a negative reaction to medication that he took earlier in the week. He was expected to play Friday night, but was held out at the last moment as he still felt ill. Follow his progress through the weekend, but we do expect him to be back Sunday or Monday at the latest. Erick Dampier (finger), meanwhile, is still out and is unlikely to return in Week 19, which will allow Brendan Haywood to continue his solid play for now.
Houston Rockets (TOR, SAC, @MIN, @DET): The Rockets have three very Fantasy-friendly matchups to begin the week. The Raptors, Kings and Timberwolves rank among the worst defensive teams in the league, allowing over 105 points each per game. That should lead to some high-scoring totals for the Rockets and the trickle-down effect could impact players like Trevor Ariza and Shane Battier. In deeper leagues, think of Jared Jeffries and Chase Budinger as sleepers.
Memphis Grizzlies (POR, @NO, @CHI, SA): This should be a pretty straight forward week for the Grizzlies. The big four (Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo) remain must-plays on a week-to-week basis. But Mike Conley should also be viewed as a viable low-end play in standard formats, especially in Head-to-Head leagues when he gets four games. Jamaal Tinsley (hamstring) is battling an injury that could force Conley into more minutes.
New Orleans Hornets (SA, MEM, @SA): Chris Paul's return date remains indefinite at this point and that means more elite production out of Darren Collison. It also means Peja Stojakovic and Marcus Thornton should continue to see a Fantasy boost.
San Antonio Spurs (@NO, NO, @MEM): Tony Parker battled food poisoning entering the weekend, which forced him out of action on Friday night. He should be back in the lineup soon, however, and should be a safe play for Week 19. Many Fantasy owners have given up on Richard Jefferson, but he was re-inserted into the starting lineup this past week and was able to put together a couple of solid stat lines. He won't be the same player he was with the Nets or even with the Bucks last season, but he has the ability to turn in lines like the 15 points, seven boards and two assists he contributed Friday in Houston. He could be a useful stopgap here and there.

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets (@PHO, OKC, IND, POR): Kenyon Martin's marvelous first half appears to be catching up with him. A bruised knee caused him to miss Friday night's game in Detroit and he has missed three of his last seven games with a knee injury. He missed only three games in the first half of the season while putting up high-end Fantasy numbers. Be prepared for a more limited K-Mart in the stretch run. J.R. Smith is clicking beyond the arc, shooting 14 of 26 from the land of threes in his last three games. He is also chipping in nice steals totals.
Minnesota Timberwolves (@DAL, HOU): The Timberwolves are the only team in the NBA to play just two games in Week 19, making your T'Wolves options players to consider reserving in cumulative Head-to-Head formats. As always in this situation, weigh your options carefully.
Portland Trail Blazers (@MEM, IND, @DEN): The Blazers play three games in Week 19, but the good news (especially in average-based play) is that all three matchups come against weak defensive teams. The Nuggets, Grizzlies and Pacers rank 22nd, 23rd, and 24th defensively. That should make for strong weeks for regular Fantasy starters in Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Andre Miller and Marcus Camby, but fringe options like Jerryd Bayless could also see a boost.
Oklahoma City Thunder (SAC, @DEN, @LAC, @SAC): The Thunder will have some very favorable Fantasy matchups against the Kings (twice) and the Nuggets. Both teams allow over 102 points per game. The Kings allow the fourth most points per game in the NBA. If you are in a pinch in a deeper league looking for a guard, rookie James Harden may be of help. Thabo Sefolosha, Nenad Krstic and Nick Collison could also be useful stopgaps in deeper leagues.
Utah Jazz (@LAC, @PHO, LAC): Andrei Kirilenko was able to successfully return from back spasms on Friday against the Kings and appears to be a safe start after battling with back spasms this week. Mehmet Okur is not producing at a very high level after returning from the birth of his son, but he should get going this week against the Clippers and Suns. The Suns, in particular, will allow him to get loose on the perimeter where he is one of the more active centers in the league. With Okur back, Paul Millsap is not going to be very consistent.

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors (@MIA, @ORL, @ATL, @CHA): Corey Maggette (hamstring) has been ruled out through Week 19, so players who have gotten a chance to step up in his absence will continue to get that chance. C.J. Watson is one of those players, but he missed time this week with what was thought to possibly be appendicitis, though that has been ruled out. Follow his progress through the weekend. If he is cleared to return, he could be in line for another solid week. He averaged 24.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds in his previous four games. The Warriors will find it tough to score their usual high totals this week, however, with four games against top defensive teams, so keep that in mind with your fringe Warrior options.
Los Angeles Clippers (UTA, PHO, OKC, @UTA): The Clippers will face just one favorable Fantasy matchup in a four-game week. The Jazz and Thunder allow under 100 points per game and the Clippers won't be in line for many high-scoring performances this week. Rasual Butler has stepped up his production following the team's recent trades and is averaging 15.6 points per game in his last five, but his numbers could dip a tad this week. Adjust expectations.
Los Angeles Lakers (IND, @MIA, @CHA, @ORL): Kobe Bryant is back and while he may not be playing at a "Kobe" level on a regular basis yet, he is going to be putting up high-end numbers and has to be kept active in all Fantasy leagues. Ron Artest had begun to pick up his offensive game some with Kobe sidelined, but has returned to being erratic on that end with 20 points combined over his last three games. He is back to being a low-end option, but can still be useful in category-based play for his solid peripheral contributions outside of scoring.
Phoenix Suns (DEN, @LAC, UTA, IND): Leandro Barbosa (wrist) is likely another week away from returning. It isn't a bad idea to take a flier on him off the waiver wire now in deeper leagues. If he does indeed get past this wrist injury that has bugged him all season, he could be a mid-teens scorer with decent contributions in assists and threes the rest of the way. In the meantime, Jason Richardson has played his most consistent basketball of the season and has emerged as a reliable play in all leagues again. Robin Lopez and Channing Frye are both finding ways to remain very productive Fantasy centers, but Lopez has broken away as the primary center option, posting back-to-back double-doubles this week including a career-high 30-and-10 performance against a Clippers team he will face again this week. But Frye is also finding ways to contribute as a scoring option off the bench, getting around 20 minutes per game. He can be a useful stopgap center.
Sacramento Kings (@OKC, @HOU, @DAL, OKC): Jason Thompson (back) will be out until at least mid-March and that is going to open things up for new addition Carl Landry, who is averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in his first four games with the Kings, just about what he was averaging in Houston in what has been a breakout season for him. But this may also finally create a situation where Spencer Hawes may be leaned upon to contribute on a regular basis by a coaching staff that has not had a lot of trust in him all season. Hawes had 15 points and 12 rebounds with five assists Friday in a reminder of just how productive he can be when given the playing time. Add him for sure if he's available. He is a center after all. But Fantasy owners who are in a bind for a No 2 center this week could even think about activating him.

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).