Fantasy Basketball Weekly Planner: 3/14/03

Weekly guide to setting Fantasy Basketball lineups.

The Fantasy Basketball Weekly Planner is the essential guide to setting your lineup for the upcoming week. Every Friday, we provide you with top matchups, the latest news and give you the scoop on injured players.

Projections are for March 17-23 games.

Tipping off: A total of 18 teams will play a four-game schedule, while 10 play three times. Minnesota is the only team with a two-game schedule, and Houston the only team that will play all of its games on the road. Dallas is the only team that will play all of its games at home.

TEAMS   TO   WATCH

The Indiana Pacers' freefall continues. They have lost six consecutive games and are 4-12 since the All-Star break. They remain a team in disarray battling injuries and inconsistency. Brad Miller has the most serious injury, a sore left foot that might cause him to miss a few games. Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal are also injured but will play through it, while guard Jamaal Tinsley is dealing with a family illness. Ron Artest is fine physically, but his mental health is beginning to become a problem. He has picked up two flagrant fouls in the past week, and these penalties have resulted in separate one-game suspensions. Artest's next flagrant will result in a two-game suspension. Fantasy owners in leagues that base scoring on totals rather than averages should consider using other alternatives. Artest is a good all-around player, but his physical play is making him a Fantasy liability. With all of the Pacers' current struggles, O'Neal is the only reliable option from this squad. Al Harrington has been productive recently, averaging 21.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in his past three games, but he also has a habit of being inconsistent. He will be useful in larger leagues, but don't rely on him very much in smaller leagues. ... The Memphis Grizzlies are playing perhaps their basketball. They have won five in a row behind solid play from Stromile Swift and Pau Gasol. Both players should be useful options in Fantasy leagues if they can maintain their current level of play. Jason Williams is also playing well and should be a reliable third Fantasy guard. ... The San Antonio Spurs have the best record in the NBA since 2003 began, and it's not by accident. Tim Duncan continues to play at a high level and is arguably one of best players in Fantasy Basketball. Guards Stephen Jackson and Tony Parker have elevated their games. Parker is averaging 16.7 points and 5.5 assists since the All-Star break and should be a good third option at guard. Jackson continues to play well as a starter and should be a good fourth option at guard. David Robinson remains injured, but Malik Rose has done a good job filling in for the injured center. Rose scored a season-high 34 points on March 11 and contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds a day later. Rose should a productive fourth option at forward while Robinson is sidelined. Reserves Manu Ginobili and Speedy Claxton have also been productive and should be useful reserves in large leagues.

F I V E   T E A M S   W I T H   F A V O R A B L E   M A T C H U P S
The following five teams have the best matchups for the upcoming week. That doesn't necessarily mean they will post the best Fantasy stats, but if you're looking for a one-week start or are trying to make a difficult decision between two players to use, lean toward players from these teams:
Team	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN
Chicago Bulls (CHI)	--	ATL	--	--	--	NY	@DET
It is always good news when this Bulls team plays most of its games at home. Chicago has just three wins on the road.
Dallas Mavericks (DAL)	--	CLE	--	SA	--	PHO	--
Dallas is 27-6 at home.
Golden State Warriors (GS)	--	@SAC	SEA	--	HOU	--	WAS
The Warriors have won their past five home games.
Indiana Pacers(IND)	POR	--	BOS	--	MEM	--	@ATL
Playing three of four games at home should help the Pacers get back on the winning track.
Miami Heat (MIA)	--	PHI	@ORL	--	TOR	--	ORL
The Heat's only road game will be against in-state rival Orlando.

F I V E   T E A M S   W I T H   P O O R   M A T C H U P S
The following five teams have the worst matchups for the upcoming week. That doesn't necessarily mean you should reserve every player from these teams, but try to avoid less-heralded performers from these squads if you have an alternative on your roster:
Team	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN
Atlanta Hawks (ATL)	--	@CHI	@TOR	--	@PHI	IND	--
Atlanta is 2-4 in its past six road games.
Boston Celtics (BOS)	--	NJ	@IND	--	@LAL	@DEN	--
Boston is only 15-17 on the road.
Houston Rockets (HOU)	--	@SEA	@POR	--	@GS	@SAC	--
Houston has lost three of its past four road games.
Los Angeles Lakers (LAL)	@LAC	--	--	@SAC	BOS	--	@SA
Road matchups against Sacramento and San Antonio will be tough for a team that has lost its past two away from home.
Washington Wizards (WAS)	--	DET	--	--	@PHO	--	@GS
Washington is 9-20 on the road.

T H E   S C O O P   O N   I N J U R E D   P L A Y E R S
It's tough to make a final decision on players who are battling injuries and are listed as day to day. Here's our look at which banged-up stars should remain in your lineup during the upcoming week:
Go ahead, start 'em	Play it safe, sit 'em
Brad Miller (foot): He has missed two of the past three games because of a sore foot. Avoid using him until he can play consistently and be productive. Mike Miller (back): No timetable has been set for his return. Keep him reserved until he can play consistently.	Vlade Divac (bronchitis): His illness shouldn't keep him out of action in the upcoming week. Scottie Pippen (knee): He should be back in action as soon as March 14.

J U M P   S H O T S

Wizards guard Tyronn Lue is expected to return to game action on March 14 and might rejoin the starting lineup. Lue shouldn't receive much attention in Fantasy leagues. Larry Hughes should still remain productive, but coming off the bench will likely decrease his value slightly. ... Baron Davis seems to be better than ever now that he is back in action. He lost 15 pounds during his rehabilitation. As a result, he is quicker and hasn't reported any problems with his back or surgically repaired knee. Look for him to be a reliable second or third Fantasy option at guard in the remaining weeks. However, teammates Jamal Mashburn and David Wesley might decrease their production now that he is back. Both seem to be fatigued after having to contribute so much while Davis was sidelined. Mashburn is averaging 13.5 points and 2.5 assists since Davis' return. Wesley is averaging 9.0 points and 2.5 assists in those same two games. ... The absence of Chucky Atkins seems to have served as motivation for Pistons guard Chauncey Billups. Billups is averaging 27.8 points and 4.4 assists in the past five games with Atkins on the sidelines. Billups should be a reliable starting option, but don't expect him to maintain his current scoring pace.