Fantasy Basketball Week 9 Schedule Preview
Fantasy Basketball Week 9 Schedule Preview
Fantasy basketball managers need to know the schedule to maximize their games played in head-to-head leagues. Here is the in-depth analysis.
Fantasy basketball managers need to know the schedule to maximize their games played in head-to-head leagues. Here is the in-depth analysis.
Fantasy managers are getting into the thick of the regular season. The holidays are fast approaching. That means more time with family and friends, but do not forget to set your lineups. I see matchups lost every year because managers forget.
Today, we examine the NBA schedule to help you maximize your games played in head-to-head leagues. To take a look for yourself, check out our Advanced Schedule Grid.
Weekly lock leagues
Tips for the week: 11 teams (Hornets, Mavericks, Pistons, Clippers, Grizzlies, Bucks, Thunder, Suns, Blazers, Raptors, and Wizards) that play four games. The Golden State Warriors are the only squad with just two games. The remaining 18 teams play three times.
Avoid starting any Warrior in Week 9. Finding options that maximize your games played is a key to success in this matchup.
Here is a look at the top ten streaming options that play four times and are owned 50 percent or fewer of Yahoo Leagues.
- Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies, SG/SF (31%): Brooks is averaging 14.5 points, 1.8 threes, and 1.2 steals per game this season. That production makes him a player that should be owned in standard leagues.
- Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors, SG/SF (40%): Powell is having a breakout season. He averages 14.1 points, 1.8 threes, and one steal per in 28.4 minutes each game. The Raptors need his offensive punch with Fred VanVleet out. Expect Powell to continue producing.
- Tim Hardaway Jr, Dallas Mavericks, SG/SF (34%): THJ is averaging 13.3 points and 2.5 3-pointers made per game. Luka Doncic sprained his ankle on Saturday. If he is forced to miss some time that means more offensive workload for THJ.
- Ish Smith, Washington Wizards, PG (24%): Smith is starting has the role to himself with Isaiah Thomas and Jordan McRae both out. That means significant minutes and production on a nightly basis. Add him for the points, assists, and steals numbers.
- Jae Crowder, Memphis Grizzlies, SF/PF (33%): Crowder missed Saturday’s game with an injury, so keep an eye on his status. The forward is producing well across the board this season including 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 3-pointers made, and over a steal per game. Add him if he’s healthy.
- Nerlens Noel, Oklahoma City Thunder, C (39%): Noel plays limited minutes but remains an elite steals and blocks producer. He is averaging 1.0 steal and 1.5 blocks per game in his 18.5 minutes of action.
- Donte DiVincenzo, Milwaukee Bucks, SG (9%): The Bucks guard is line for more playing time because of the Eric Bledsoe injury. He is averaging 1.5 steals per game in 21.2 minutes. DiVincenzo should give fantasy managers a boost in threes and rebounds this week.
- Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets, PF/C (50%): Zeller is not a sexy add, but his contributions in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage provide a boost to your team. He could be in line for a few more minutes with PJ Washington out as well.
- Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers, C (28%): Zubac is averaging 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game on the season on sturdy percentages. He plays limited minutes, but that should not stop fantasy managers from starting him if they need help in those two categories.
- Kent Bazemore, Portland Trail Blazers, SG/SF (28%): Bazemore is playing more after the Rodney Hood injury. Expect him to produce well in steals, blocks, and threes this week.
Daily roster changes
First, a word on the schedule itself: There is only one day (Friday) with double-digit games on. It will be difficult to stream on Wednesday and Saturday as well. Both days have nine games on the docket. Let us eliminate those and take a look at how managers can maximize their games with a single pickup.
Team with the best schedule: The Clippers and Bucks share the top honors for Week 9. Both teams play four times with three on light schedule days.
Back-to-backs
Monday-Tuesday
Phoenix Suns
Mikal Bridges (40%): Elite steals streamer.
Tuesday-Thursday pseudo
LA Clippers
Ivica Zubac (28%): Rebounds and blocks target.
Landry Shamet (10%): 3-pointers made streamer.
Moe Harkless (5%): Steals and blocks add.
Atlanta Hawks
Kevin Huerter (42%): Huerter can produce a sneaky across the board line when playing 30-plus minutes.
De’Andre Hunter (32%): Points and threes streamer.
Brooklyn Nets
Garrett Temple (22%): Temple is a threes and steals add that produces enough rebounds and assists to give managers a boost.
Los Angeles Lakers
Dwight Howard (41%): Rebounds and blocks target.
JaVale McGee (36%): Blocks and rebounds add.
Rajon Rondo (25%): Assists and steals streamer.
Utah Jazz
No recommended adds.
Thursday-Sunday pseudo
Milwaukee Bucks
George Hill (13%): Hill is a threes and assists target.
Donte DiVincenzo (9%): Threes, points, and steals add.
LA Clippers
Listed under Tuesday-Thursday pseudo.
Los Angeles Lakers
Listed under Tuesday-Thursday pseudo.
Looking ahead to Week 10
Unfortunately, the Christmas holiday ruins the fun here. There are 11 games on Monday of Week 10 and every team is off on Christmas eve. That means managers should use all their pickups to maximize their games in Week 9.
Final thoughts
That wraps up our fantasy schedule preview this week. Good luck to all the managers out there. Happy Holidays as well.
Looking for additional advice? Tune in to The Fantasy Basketball Podcast. It's our all-encompassing podcast feed that should give basketball fans in any and every fantasy league a massive advantage.
Fantasy managers are getting into the thick of the regular season. The holidays are fast approaching. That means more time with family and friends, but do not forget to set your lineups. I see matchups lost every year because managers forget.
Today, we examine the NBA schedule to help you maximize your games played in head-to-head leagues. To take a look for yourself, check out our Advanced Schedule Grid.
Weekly lock leagues
Tips for the week: 11 teams (Hornets, Mavericks, Pistons, Clippers, Grizzlies, Bucks, Thunder, Suns, Blazers, Raptors, and Wizards) that play four games. The Golden State Warriors are the only squad with just two games. The remaining 18 teams play three times.
Avoid starting any Warrior in Week 9. Finding options that maximize your games played is a key to success in this matchup.
Here is a look at the top ten streaming options that play four times and are owned 50 percent or fewer of Yahoo Leagues.
- Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies, SG/SF (31%): Brooks is averaging 14.5 points, 1.8 threes, and 1.2 steals per game this season. That production makes him a player that should be owned in standard leagues.
- Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors, SG/SF (40%): Powell is having a breakout season. He averages 14.1 points, 1.8 threes, and one steal per in 28.4 minutes each game. The Raptors need his offensive punch with Fred VanVleet out. Expect Powell to continue producing.
- Tim Hardaway Jr, Dallas Mavericks, SG/SF (34%): THJ is averaging 13.3 points and 2.5 3-pointers made per game. Luka Doncic sprained his ankle on Saturday. If he is forced to miss some time that means more offensive workload for THJ.
- Ish Smith, Washington Wizards, PG (24%): Smith is starting has the role to himself with Isaiah Thomas and Jordan McRae both out. That means significant minutes and production on a nightly basis. Add him for the points, assists, and steals numbers.
- Jae Crowder, Memphis Grizzlies, SF/PF (33%): Crowder missed Saturday’s game with an injury, so keep an eye on his status. The forward is producing well across the board this season including 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 3-pointers made, and over a steal per game. Add him if he’s healthy.
- Nerlens Noel, Oklahoma City Thunder, C (39%): Noel plays limited minutes but remains an elite steals and blocks producer. He is averaging 1.0 steal and 1.5 blocks per game in his 18.5 minutes of action.
- Donte DiVincenzo, Milwaukee Bucks, SG (9%): The Bucks guard is line for more playing time because of the Eric Bledsoe injury. He is averaging 1.5 steals per game in 21.2 minutes. DiVincenzo should give fantasy managers a boost in threes and rebounds this week.
- Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets, PF/C (50%): Zeller is not a sexy add, but his contributions in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage provide a boost to your team. He could be in line for a few more minutes with PJ Washington out as well.
- Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers, C (28%): Zubac is averaging 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game on the season on sturdy percentages. He plays limited minutes, but that should not stop fantasy managers from starting him if they need help in those two categories.
- Kent Bazemore, Portland Trail Blazers, SG/SF (28%): Bazemore is playing more after the Rodney Hood injury. Expect him to produce well in steals, blocks, and threes this week.
Daily roster changes
First, a word on the schedule itself: There is only one day (Friday) with double-digit games on. It will be difficult to stream on Wednesday and Saturday as well. Both days have nine games on the docket. Let us eliminate those and take a look at how managers can maximize their games with a single pickup.
Team with the best schedule: The Clippers and Bucks share the top honors for Week 9. Both teams play four times with three on light schedule days.
Back-to-backs
Monday-Tuesday
Phoenix Suns
Mikal Bridges (40%): Elite steals streamer.
Tuesday-Thursday pseudo
LA Clippers
Ivica Zubac (28%): Rebounds and blocks target.
Landry Shamet (10%): 3-pointers made streamer.
Moe Harkless (5%): Steals and blocks add.
Atlanta Hawks
Kevin Huerter (42%): Huerter can produce a sneaky across the board line when playing 30-plus minutes.
De’Andre Hunter (32%): Points and threes streamer.
Brooklyn Nets
Garrett Temple (22%): Temple is a threes and steals add that produces enough rebounds and assists to give managers a boost.
Los Angeles Lakers
Dwight Howard (41%): Rebounds and blocks target.
JaVale McGee (36%): Blocks and rebounds add.
Rajon Rondo (25%): Assists and steals streamer.
Utah Jazz
No recommended adds.
Thursday-Sunday pseudo
Milwaukee Bucks
George Hill (13%): Hill is a threes and assists target.
Donte DiVincenzo (9%): Threes, points, and steals add.
LA Clippers
Listed under Tuesday-Thursday pseudo.
Los Angeles Lakers
Listed under Tuesday-Thursday pseudo.
Looking ahead to Week 10
Unfortunately, the Christmas holiday ruins the fun here. There are 11 games on Monday of Week 10 and every team is off on Christmas eve. That means managers should use all their pickups to maximize their games in Week 9.
Final thoughts
That wraps up our fantasy schedule preview this week. Good luck to all the managers out there. Happy Holidays as well.
Looking for additional advice? Tune in to The Fantasy Basketball Podcast. It's our all-encompassing podcast feed that should give basketball fans in any and every fantasy league a massive advantage.