Fantasy Basketball Weekly Planner: NBA Week 17

Streaming and waivers are going to be extra important this week, but only if you know which teams play the most and have the best matchups. Here is a look at all 30 teams and their Week 17 matchups.

Three-Game Weeks

Boston Celtics

The Celtics are one of only two teams that have three games this week, so if your league is only using the first four days of this week as your fantasy week, it might be wise to stream some C’s this week. With Avery Bradley out for at least one more game and we still haven’t heard any new news about Jae Crowder either, so while owning these guys are tough right now, there are Celtics on waivers that could really bolster your weeks. With games against the Mavericks, Sixers and Bulls, Boston is easily the best fantasy team to target in this shortened week.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers also get to play three games this week, but their schedule is a bit tougher. They are already coming into this week with three losses in a row and two of those losses are against the Cavs and Wizards, two teams they play this week. They also get to open their week at home against the Spurs, so they might be looking at three more losses. However, Monta Ellis is playing better off the bench and with Thad Young looking like he might still miss a game this week, there are nice targets on waivers for the Pacers in this three-game week.

Notable Two-Game Weeks

Golden State Warriors

For a brief period last week and this weekend, the Warriors were leading the league in offensive and defensive efficiency. They could easily accomplish that feat this season, which would be extremely impressive, but as we saw last season, if you can’t complete your season hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, none of the regular season accomplishments mean anything. With two games this week against the Kings and Nuggets, I’d be surprised if Golden State didn’t average 120 points in these two games.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Right next to the Warriors in notable two-game weeks is the Cavs here in Week 17. They won’t have Kevin Love at least on Tuesday and maybe Wednesday as well, but that just makes Lebron James and Kyrie Irving more appealing if you happen to own either. Furthermore, guys like Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson also have great streaming ability this week against the Pacers and Timberwolves. 

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are one of a few lucky teams able to play both of their games at home this week. They also just pulled off a nice trade bringing in Mason Plumlee. This could ultimately help his fantasy value too. He should start at power forward next to Nikola Jokic and the two of them will be and excellent high-low combination for Denver. Plus, he still gets to play with some excellent shooters once Denver is back to full health. However, if you’re a Kenneth Faried owner, you might as well cut bait on him now with this trade and his injury. However, the Nuggets overall fantasy outlook this week is good and it might have gotten better for the season with Plumlee.

Memphis Grizzlies

On the road this season the Grizzlies’ defense has not been as good, but they are averaging close to three more points per game on the road this season as well, so a matchup in Brooklyn to start their week is just what the doctor ordered. Plus, they get a home matchup against the Pelicans, a team they have played into overtime in both of their prior meetings. Who says we can’t ask for another overtime game between Memphis and Anthony Davis this season? Let’s go Grizzlies this week!

 Los Angeles Lakers

The only issue with the Lakers this week is their two games are being played on consecutive nights on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, they get a home game against the Kings to start the week after a long Grammy road trip and they don’t have far to go on Wednesday night when they play in Phoenix. Both look primed for excellent fantasy value for the Lakers’ young players. Considering they have scored at least 120 points in three of their last sic games, they should be poised for more of that against two bad defenses.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans also get a game against the Suns to start their week, but then they have to travel into the Grind House on Beale Street to play the Grizzlies on Wednesday. With Wednesday being the biggest day of your fantasy week, it might be wise to bench your Pelicans in daily roster lock leagues on Wednesday. You’re not sitting down Anthony Davis or Jrue Holiday, but any others are better left on the bench against Memphis.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves are also on the hook for a back to back in Week 17, as they play on Tuesday and against on Wednesday. However, the matchups aren’t that bad for fantasy purposes against the Cavaliers and then in Denver against the Nuggets. The Cavs should get out and run against this Wolves defense allowing 111.1 points per 100 possessions, leading to a faster paced game. Plus, the Nuggets rank last in defensive efficiency and the addition of Mason Plumlee likely won’t help that too much. Look for a nice week from your Wolves’ young studs.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Coming off their loss to the Warriors, the Thunder get a chance to get a couple of wins, but their first game in Washington is going to be a tough one to do that. However, for our purposes, the Wizards don’t play stifling defense and they don’t slow down in pace enough to hurt the Thunder here. Plus, after that they get a game against the Knicks, who are always fun to beat up on in fantasy. Look for a strong two-game week from OKC.

Washington Wizards

After Washington gets done with the Thunder, they are traveling to Indianapolis to play the Paces on Wednesday. Both are pace-up games for Washington and both are against teams that can play defense, but choose not to most of the time. You’ve probably heard by now that Washington is finally living up to their potential as their New Year’s resolution and their offense is clicking lately. They did have two recent overtime games inflating their recent stats, but over their last 10 games the Wizards are averaging 115 points per game.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are another team that might be selling at the trade deadline and that could affect their fantasy status going forward. However, nothing is imminent by any means, so for now with a fine week ahead of them, you can’t help but like the Suns. They play two home games, and they get a night off in between. Plus, the matchups are Grade-A against the Pelicans and Lakers, two teams the Suns are averaging 113 points per game against this season. Roster up all your Suns!

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat finally ran out of steam after their long winning streak, but they were in the midst of a long road trip and their third game in four nights in their loss to the Sixers. Now they are recharged for a matchup at home against the Magic, followed by a great potential fantasy matchup in Houston against the Rockets on Wednesday. During their winning streak ad including their most recent loss, the Heat are averaging close to 110 points per game since January 17, so with two prime matchups this week, roster your Heat players.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings also have a back to back this week but it’s against two great fantasy matchups. The problem is after playing the Lakers on Tuesday, they have to go into Golden State the next night. They will likely be huge double-digit underdogs in the odds from Vegas, but that shouldn’t stop DeMarcus Cousins from getting some big minutes and usage. Other than Boogie and Darren Collison, it’s hard to trust many other Kings right now. But, Ben McLemore has played very well in three straight games, averaging 16.7 points, 1.7 steals and an effective field goal percentage of 69.4%. He is worth a speculative add this week if you have the roster space and are in need of three-pointers.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz are almost healthy and they have been playing some of the best basketball in Salt Lake City in decades. It must be exciting to be a Utah fan this season, because even though they don’t get the national recognition for being good, here at Fantasy Alarm, we like to shout out our fantasy stud teams. The Jazz should continue romping this week, especially after two losses against Dallas and Boston. Utah plays the Clippers and Blazers at home this week, so look for some nice stat lines from Utah in Week 17.

Charlotte Hornets

Any time you get to play the Sixers without Joel Embiid, it’s a good thing, so the Hornets’ fantasy week is already looking way up on Monday. They close against a Raptors team allowing 106 points per game in their last eight, so they should stay up in the fantasy leaders on this short week. Even though they are 1-9 in their last 10 games, the Hornets have the ability to get back on the winning track heading into the All Star break.

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are in the midst of a road trip heading into the break and they will play Portland and the Clippers. They should be favored in both, which should also lead to some nice implied totals against weaker defenses. The Hawks’ defense is starting to play better again, but it’s their offense that’s concerning. However, they played the Nuggets and Kings well on offense in the two leading up to this week, so hopefully they can continue that for their fantasy owners.

The Rest

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are in Indiana on Monday off of their loss to the Knicks on Sunday. There has been no word on whether they will rest anyone on the second end of a back to back, but there is always a chance of that with Gregg Popovich. They also play the Magic in their rodeo road trip that stretches nearly a month because of the All Star Break. However, after losing Sunday, they might be pushed through these two games to try and lock up some wins before the break.

Milwaukee Bucks

The loss of Jabari Parker is going to really hurt the Bucks’ chances of making one of those final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, but it will also turn Giannis Antetokounmpo into one of the top fantasy assets in the league over the rest of the season. On top of that, if you were lucky enough to pick up Khris Middleton, once he is back to full speed he will be asked to become the Bucks’ second option offensively. This week will be tough to start against the Pistons, but they get a fine matchup in Brooklyn to close out the week. Much like the upcoming month of March, it’s in like a lion and out like a lamb for the Bucks this two-game week.

Orlando Magic

The Magic seem to be throwing up the white flag right now. They are putting Serge Ibaka’s expiring contract up for grabs and they seem like they might be interested in trading some other guys too. They have been one of, if not the most inconsistent offenses in the league this season, so if it isn’t Evan Fournier, you might want to bench your other Magic players this week. Ibaka could get traded and be short a game in an already short week. Against the Heat and Spurs, it’s a bad week overall for the Magic.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are still in the 7^th seed in the Eastern Conference, but it looks like the final two playoff spots in the East and the 8^th seed in the West are going to be on par with a participation trophy this season. We could have three playoff teams with below-.500 records this year and the Bulls might be one of them. They are good enough when-healthy to be one of the top four or five teams in the East, but they also have the ability to play poorly and only put up 89 points against the Wolves. This week they play two home games against the Celtics and Raptors, but it’s hard to trust the Bulls right now, especially in Week 17

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons are trying to make a move for that final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference right now. They are 5-2 in their last seven games and they are getting it done on both ends. They are allowing just 101.8 points per game during that stretch and averaging 114 points per game in their last five wins. This week they open against the Bucks in Milwaukee, before playing Dallas at home on Wednesday. Neither are horrible matchups, but they aren’t that good either. However, it’s hard to lay off the Pistons while they seem to be gaining momentum.

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas starts against Boston at home this week, which should be good for some fantasy goodness. They follow that up with that game against Detroit though, who has turned into one of the better defensive teams in the league this season. There is a chance that game turns into a 92-87 matchup by the end of it, so in daily lock formats you could easily bench your Mavs on Wednesday if you have some better options available.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are playing at a pace of over 103 possessions per 48 minutes when they are at home this season, but they open against the Memphis Grizzlies, so at least for one game this week, it’s best to avoid all of your Nets. It gets tricky in weekly lock formats, but it might be best to avoid the Nets in those formats too. Brook Lopez is going against one of the tougher defenses against centers in the league on Monday, so even he is a bit questionable heading into the break.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have won just four games in their last 14 tries and the All Star Break looks like it can’t come soon enough. They come into Week 17 off of two losses to teams that aren’t as good as they are and they head into this week with a matchup that might be good depending on who is healthy for the Bulls, followed by one against the Hornets at home. It’s not bad by any means, but it isn’t great either.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers don’t have a horrible week, but a look closer deems them unworthy of the notable section this week. They play in Charlotte to start, followed by in Boston on Wednesday. Neither place is an easy place to play, especially in Charlotte where they play better defense at home. Other than Nerlens Noel and Robert Covington, the other Sixers are not that safe this week.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have one of the roughest weeks of any team playing two games, as they have to travel to Utah on Monday, followed by a game against the Hawks at home on Wednesday. Both of these teams have top tier defenses this season and still without their floor general, Chris Paul, it’s hard to trust the Clippers other than Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland was probably going to lose Mason Plumlee this summer anyway, so to extract a first round picks and a young big man filled with upside in Jusuf Nurkic, it was the right move. The Blazers have the potential to have three first round picks in this year’s increasingly deep draft too, so for them to come away with a potential starting center in Nurkic too, they have done well in the Plumlee trade. The problem is ironically they too have games against the Jazz and Hawks this week, just reversed. Other than the two guards, lay off the Blazers this week.

New York Knicks

After a four-game week in Week 16, the Knicks are one of only two teams that are lucky enough to have one game before the break. However, for fantasy purposes, this does nothing for you, especially if Week 17 is a standalone week and not coupled with Week 18. If you are in that situation, benching all your Knicks, including the studs is something we recommend this week with their loan game coming in Oklahoma City.

Houston Rockets

Houston is another team with one game this week and their matchup is even worse against the Heat. They get them at home luckily, so that helps out, but if his name isn’t James Harden, we would bench your other Rockets this week if you’re playing a shortened Week 17 matchup.