Court Vision is your comprehensive breakdown of the weekly schedule. This past week the schedule might have saved you a little. If you're in a weekly league there's a very good chance that you decided to sit Tony Parker, with the Spurs playing just twice. After Parker went down in game two, you really only technically got 1.2 games out of him. Thus is the importance of paying attention to the schedule. It can help you make those tough decisions a little bit easier. It's one thing to lose a player toward the end of the week during a four-game stint. But the schedule warned you this week to sit Tony Parker.
For those of you who did start Parker, consider this the schedule makers, or Tony himself, trying to teach you a valuable fantasy basketball lesson. I hate to break it to you, but you're responsible for Parker's injury. Send him a card or something, it's the least you can do. But make sure you set your lineup before you leave the house. Remember your priorities.
Schedule Breakdown
Below are the teams listed by the number of games they play. You'll find the home/away games listed as '(home, away)'.
Four-game teams: Mavericks (1,3), Warriors (1,3), Rockets (1,3), Clippers (3,1), Timberwolves (2,2), Hornets (1,3), Thunder (1,3), 76ers (2,2), Suns (2,2), Blazers (0,4), Raptors (1,3), Jazz (0,4)
Three-game teams: Hawks (1,2), Celtics (2,1), Bobcats (2,1), Bulls (2,1), Cavaliers (1,2), Nuggets (1,2), Pistons (2,1), Lakers (2,1), Grizzlies (2,1), Heat (3,0), Nets (1,2), Magic (2,1), Spurs (3,0)
Two-game teams: Pacers (2,0), Bucks (2,0), Kings (2,0), Wizards (1,1)
Favorable Schedules
The Oklahoma City Thunder have a nice four-game schedule this week -- @SAC, @LAC, @SAS, LAC. To start, the Kings have allowed 114.5 points per game at home (two games), which is 11.7 more point per game than they've allowed in their four road games. The Clippers are right in the middle of the pack in terms of team defense, but they've allowed the second most offensive rebounds this season and their defensive performances seem to fluctuate. They've allowed 109 points or more in three games and 93 points or fewer in at three contests. I might roll the dice with Nenad Krstic this week, but I'm dangerous like that.
Golden State catches a break this week with their four-game schedule - MIN, @IND, @NYK, @MIL. We never know which Warrior to start, but it might be worth it to take a flier on any number of them. The New York and Indiana matchups could be a fantasy goldmine for Monta Ellis and company. Milwaukee actually has the second best defensive efficient rating, behind only the Boston Celtics. However, the only team they've played in the top half of the league in team offense was the Philadelphia 76ers.Philadelphia starts their four-game week with a home game against the Suns and then a road game in New Jersey. The 76ers hit 50-percent of their threes against the Nets last week, and it's worth mentioning that New Jersey is the only team not named Golden State who is allowing 10-plus steals per game.
The Knicks have three home games this week against the Jazz, Hawks and Warriors. Each team has allowed at least 104.2 points per game on the road, while the Knicks to their credit are averaging 106 points per game in the Garden. I for one can't wait until the Knicks and Warriors get together on Friday night. I'm thinking we'll see 250 points scored in that one.
Unfavorable Schedules
The Utah Jazz play four times on the road this week. Sure they open the week in New York, but they end it in Boston, Philadelphia and Cleveland. The Celtics and Cavs are giving up just 87 points per game in their first four home games, while the 76ers defense is 95 per game in their first three at the Wachovia Center. I've already put Paul Millsap on my bench for this week. Things aren't starting to look for Millsap.
Indiana plays two home games this week -- Warriors and Celtics -- and I'm sitting anyone not names Danny Granger. Troy Murphy is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Warriors. I'm not taking the chance. If he doesn't play until Saturday you're looking at a one-game week against the Celtics. Nope.
The Bucks play twice this week, at home against the Nuggets and Warriors. Again, that Warriors game looks nice on the schedule, but is there really any reason to play anyone other than Andrew Bogut. Two centers are tough to get in the lineup, which gives Bogut an edge, but unless you have no other option, I would think about sitting Brandon Jennings too.
The Kings also play just two games this week -- home against the Thunder and Rockets. Tyreke Evans would get the start from me this week, and I would consider possibly starting Jason Thompson, though I would look at the schedule and see what other options I have.
The Wizards are the final two-game team this week -- at Miami, home to Detroit. Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler? I suppose I have to start them. Brendan Haywood has played well of late, but I'd sit him this week if I'm working with another center who plays four times.
