In fantasy leagues with weekly changes one of the best ways to rack up stats is to squeeze extra games out of your roster. While superstars should be started every week, scheduling will factor in when deciding whom to round out your roster with. This is an in-depth look at the schedule for each week, identifying teams with extra games and favorable matchups to help you take advantage.
Two Games: Golden State, Indiana, Milwaukee, Utah
Three Games: Atlanta, Cleveland, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis, Miami, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, Toronto, Washington
Four Games: Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland
There’s not much to be gained from scheduling this week, as 22 of the league’s 30 teams have 3 games each. Let’s start by taking a look at teams playing 2 or 4 games, though:
Two Games
Golden State Warriors: Though they play only two games during the opening week, they’re both against teams that figure to push the tempo this season: Phoenix and Houston. This plays into Golden State’s freewheeling offensive style, and despite only playing two games their entire starting lineup (PG Stephen Curry, SG Monta Ellis, SF Stephen Jackson, PF Corey Maggette, and C Andris Biedrins) is worth of fantasy consideration this week. Biedrins makes for a nice 2nd center, and Curry could really rack up the assists with all the other scorers on this team. Much was made of Monta Ellis saying at the start of the preseason that he and Curry couldn’t play together, but it seems they’ll start off doing just that. The two Anthony’s off the bench (SG Anthony Morrow and PF Anthony Randolph) also could be worthy of starting spots; Morrow if you’re short on three point shooting, and Randolph if you’re a risk taker. I, like nearly everyone else, am high on Randolph and think he will contribute in most categories.
Indiana Pacers: SF Danny Granger is a must start every week, but beyond that it gets murky. PG TJ Ford now has the starting point guard spot to himself with Jarrett Jack in Toronto, and could be started in most leagues as well, especially if you’re light on steals and assists. C Troy Murphy has value too, but I wouldn’t look at anyone else in a short week until they establish themselves.
Milwaukee Bucks: Volume scorer SG Michael Redd and floppy-haired C Andrew Bogut are the only two Bucks that should find themselves in fantasy lineups this week as a few roles are still up in the air, and neither of them figure to be especially strong plays at that. If you happen to find yourself watching the Bucks, there are a couple spots to keep an eye on: if either PG Brandon Jennings or PG Luke Ridnour can distinguish himself from the other they’ll have some value, as will the winner of the minutes at the forward spots. Whether that’s SF Joe Alexander, SF Hakim Warrick, or SF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is anyone’s guess, and each would bring something slightly different. Unless you’re in deep league or faced with a tough injury, it’s not of much consequence.
Utah Jazz: With only two games, only PG Deron Williams is a must-start, with C Mehmet Okur, PF Paul Millsap, and PF Carlos Boozer ranking as very good options as well. If you’re short on blocks SF Andrei Kirilenko makes for a good play, and SG Ronnie Brewer could be used if you’re short on steals as well.