Week 23 Fantasy Basketball Planner

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

Fantasy Week 23 (March 30-April 5)

Teams with five games: Utah

Teams with four games: Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Golden State, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sacramento

Teams with three games: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, Toronto, Washington

Teams with two games: Boston, Chicago

*All stats heading into play Monday

Atlanta Hawks
Schedule: @PHI, @BOS, ORL
Injury Report: Marvin Williams (back/out for regular season).
Slam Dunk: Joe Johnson, Josh Smith
Tough Call: Start Mike Bibby and Ronald Murray in any type of league, even with the three games. Al Horford is struggling lately, but is still as good a No. 2 center as you'll find right now. Maurice Evans should only be used in an extreme pinch in leagues of 12-plus teams. Sit Zaza Pachulia.
One Week Boom: Mike Bibby, Ronald Murray

Boston Celtics
Schedule: CHA, ATL
Injury Report: Kevin Garnett (neck/Doubtful for April 1 vs. CHA); Leon Powe (knee/out until early April); Garnett is not likely to play Monday or Wednesday, according to coach Doc Rivers. Powe is coming up on the second week of his 2-3 week timetable, but is not yet practicing with the team and is unlikely to return this week.
Slam Dunk: None.
Tough Call: It's pretty obvious at this point, but sit Kevin Garnett in all formats. He may not play at all in Week 23. Start Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo in any average-based league, but only if you don't have any suitable alternatives in cumulative formats due to the two-game week. Start Kendrick Perkins in average-based leagues as a No. 2 center with Garnett down, but not in cumulative leagues. Leon Powe is not ready to be activated in Fantasy. Sit Glen Davis outside of deeper average-based leagues, but he is a bit of a risk even in those leagues. Sit Eddie House.
One Week Bust: Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo

Charlotte Bobcats
Schedule: LAL, @BOS, MIA, @DET
Injury Report: None.
Slam Dunk: Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton
Tough Call: Start Boris Diaw in any type of league this week. Raja Bell can be used as a No. 4 guard in leagues of 12-plus teams. D.J. Augustin is on a roll and is an interesting sleeper for cumulative formats and deeper average-based leagues this week. Sit Vladimir Radmanovic even with the four-game slate.
One Week Boom: Boris Diaw

Chicago Bulls
Schedule: @IND, NJ
Injury Report: Luol Deng (leg/out indefinitely); Deng is not likely to return for the remainder of the season.
Slam Dunk: None.
Tough Call: Start Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon and John Salmons as normal in average-based leagues, but only in really deep cumulative formats due to the two-game slate. The Bulls play just two games, but both are very favorable scoring matchups. Start Brad Miller, Tyrus Thomas and even Joakim Noah in any average-based format (Noah provided that two centers are required), but avoid Kirk Hinrich.
One Week Bust: Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, John Salmons

Cleveland Cavaliers
Schedule: DET, @WAS, @ORL, SA
Injury Report: Ben Wallace (leg/out until early April); Wallace is not yet practicing with the team and is still likely at least a few games away from returning.
Slam Dunk: LeBron James, Mo Williams
Tough Call: Start Zydrunas Ilgauskas in any league with the four-game slate. Use Anderson Varejao in any cumulative league that requires two centers with the four-game slate. Delonte West is in a bit of a slide and is not recommended even with the four games. Joe Smith had one solid game this past week, but that was fluky and he remains low-end even for a waiver wire option. Avoid Daniel Gibson.
One Week Boom: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Dallas Mavericks
Schedule: @MIN, MIA, @MEM, PHO
Injury Report: Josh Howard (ankle/day to day); Howard has not played since March 5 and while he is day to day, there is no concrete timetable for a return.
Slam Dunk: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry
Tough Call: Avoid using Howard. He could return at any time during the week, but could just as easily miss all four games. When he does return, he may be limited. Avoid Erick Dampier outside of emergency situations. Brandon Bass, Jose Juan Barea, Antoine Wright and James Singleton should be and stay on waivers.
One Week Bust: Josh Howard

Denver Nuggets
Schedule: NY, UTA, LAC, @MIN
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups
Tough Call: Start Nene despite his recent struggles. The Nuggets have favorable matchups all week in a four-game slate. J.R. Smith is a start in any league as well and should have a solid scoring week against the opponents he will be facing. Kenyon Martin is playing full games again and is worth taking a chance on as a No. 4 forward in leagues of 12-plus teams. Chris Andersen is a solid waiver wire addition this week considering his recent production. Linas Kleiza has some sleeper value in deeper cumulative leagues, but should be avoided in average-based play because he is too erratic. Avoid Renaldo Balkman and Anthony Carter.
One Week Boom: Nene, J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, Linas Kleiza

Detroit Pistons
Schedule: @CLE, @NJ, @PHI, CHA
Injury Report: Rasheed Wallace (calf/day to day); Wallace is expected to give it a go for Tuesday's game in Cleveland, but remains day to day.
Slam Dunk: Tayshaun Prince, Antonio McDyess
Tough Call: Be cautious with Wallace. He has better than a 50-50 chance of being available for Tuesday's game, but is still no guarantee. When he does return, he may be limited since he has not played in over two weeks. View him as a low-end No. 2 center. Allen Iverson is back, but is coming off the bench and looked rusty Sunday against Philadelphia. He is a No. 4 option right now in standard leagues. Start Rodney Stuckey and Richard Hamilton in any format. Hamilton appears to be beyond his groin injury. Will Bynum has been solid amid the injuries, but is a risky play with Iverson and Hamilton back. Avoid Arron Afflalo and Jason Maxiell.
One Week Bust: Rasheed Wallace, Allen Iverson

Golden State Warriors
Schedule: MEM, SAC, NO, @SAC
Injury Report: Stephen Jackson (toe/out for the season); Corey Maggette (head/day to day); Andris Biedrins (ankle/out until least April); Maggette has been out since Tuesday's game and has missed the last two games, but is considered day to day. Andris Biedrins does not appear to be near a return yet.
Slam Dunk: Monta Ellis
Tough Call: Be careful with Corey Maggette. The way Don Nelson is running the ship right now, it would not be a surprise to see Maggette miss another couple of games or perhaps the remainder of the season. With Maggette banged up and Jackson out for the season, Anthony Morrow has become the man of the hour. He is a recommended addition off waivers for this four-game scoring period that includes three very favorable matchups. Kelenna Azubuike should also benefit and is a start for most any format. We know Jamal Crawford scored 30 points in his return from his odd four-game absence, but those who have been burned by his soap-opera relationship with Nellie know there is no guarantee he will play all four games this week. View him as no more than a No. 3 guard this week, potential aside. Ronny Turiaf has not been productive enough lately (outside of blocks) to recommend. Anthony Randolph is a solid sleeper off the waiver wire in cumulative formats. Sit Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli.
One Week Boom: Anthony Morow, Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph

Houston Rockets
Schedule: @PHO, @LAL, POR
Injury Report: Tracy McGrady (knee/out for the season); Carl Landry (leg/out until at least early April); Landry is still recovering from a flesh wound he received when he was shot in mid-March.
Slam Dunk: Yao Ming, Ron Artest
Tough Call: Start Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks in average-based formats, but only in larger cumulative formats as No. 4 options due to the three-game slate. Sit Kyle Lowry, Shane Battier and Von Wafer.
One Week Bust: Aaron Brooks

Indiana Pacers
Schedule: CHI, SA, @OKC
Injury Report: Troy Murphy (knee/day to day); Marquis Daniels (wrist/day to day); Mike Dunleavy (knee/out for the season); Murphy has missed the last three games and is questionable for Tuesday's game against Chicago. Marquis Daniels has missed the last four games and is also questionable for Tuesday.
Slam Dunk: Danny Granger
Tough Calls: With a three-game scoring period and no certainty that he will play Tuesday, Murphy is a big risk in cumulative leagues. Start him at your own risk. Daniels should sit in most leagues. His absence has created a situation for Brandon Rush to succeed and we recommend him as a waiver wire option in average-based leagues this week as a stopgap. T.J. Ford has been moved to the bench behind Jarrett Jack, who has moved over from shooting guard to point guard. That has allowed Rush to move into shooting guard with Granger at the three. Jack remains a solid play in average-based leagues and larger cumulative formats, but Ford is now a risky play. Jeff Foster is not a recommended play in most leagues, but can be a cheap source for boards and blocks in larger leagues.
One Week Boom: Brandon Rush

Los Angeles Clippers
Schedule: NO, @DEN, @LAL
Injury Report: Baron Davis (stomach virus/day to day); Mike Taylor (knee/day to day); Marcus Camby (ankle/out until at least early April); Davis says that he is dealing with an ulcer, but should play on Wednesday and is a semi-safe play. Taylor underwent X-rays after knocking knees with Yao Ming Saturday. Camby could return for the final week of the season, but is unlikely to play in Week 23.
Slam Dunk: Zach Randolph
Tough Call: Davis sounds like a strong possibility for Tuesday's game against New Orleans. He's a gamble, yes, but we say start him unless you are stacked with alternatives. Start Eric Gordon in standard formats. Al Thornton should start in leagues of 12-plus teams as a No. 3 or 4 option. With Camby out, Chris Kaman becomes a strong No. 2 center option. Mike Taylor is a risky play despite his strong recent play while Davis was out. Don't buy into the mirage. Sit Steve Novak and DeAndre Jordan.
One Week Boom: Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman

Los Angeles Lakers
Schedule: @OKC, @MIL, HOU, LAC
Injury Report: Andrew Bynum (knee/out until mid-April).
Slam Dunk: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom
Tough Call: Trevor Ariza's up-and-down season continues. Last week was up, but this past week was down. Sit him outside of the deepest of leagues. Avoid Derek Fisher.
One Week Bust: Trevor Ariza

Memphis Grizzlies
Schedule: @GS, WAS, DAL, @MIL
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Rudy Gay
Tough Call: Start O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley in Week 23 with favorable matchups against Golden State and Washington. Hakim Warrick has some sleeper appeal in larger leagues due to the matchups. Sit Darrell Arthur and Darko Milicic.
One Week Boom: O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Hakim Warrick

Miami Heat
Schedule: ORL, @DAL, @CHA, @WAS
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Dwyane Wade, Jermaine O'Neal
Tough Call: Start Udonis Haslem in any format where he is eligible at center or as a No. 3 or 4 forward option this week. Michael Beasley in leagues of 12-plus teams as a No. 4 option. Mario Chalmers should only be used in an extreme pinch. Avoid Jamario Moon and Daequan Cook.
One Week Boom: Udonis Haslem

Milwaukee Bucks
Schedule: @NJ, LAL, @PHI, MEM
Injury Report: Andrew Bogut (back/out until at least early April); Michael Redd (knee/out for the season); Bogut may miss the remainder of the season, but either way is unlikely to play in Week 23.
Slam Dunk: Charlie Villanueva, Richard Jefferson
Tough Call: Start Ramon Sessions as a No. 3 or 4 guard. Sit slumping Luke Ridnour, who has been dealing with back spasms. Avoid erratic Charlie Bell and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
One Week Boom: Ramon Sessions

Minnesota Timberwolves
Schedule: DAL, @UTA, DEN
Injury Report: Al Jefferson (knee/out for the season); Craig Smith (calf/day to day); Randy Foye (hip/day to day); Smith missed Sunday's game against New Jersey and the extent of the injury has not been announced by the team. He is currently considered questionable for Tuesday's game against Dallas. Foye is also day to day with a hip injury and is questionable for Tuesday.
Slam Dunk: Kevin Love
Tough Call: Foye and Smith should be viewed as injury risks. At this point of the season any day to day player on a team with no playoff aspirations is at risk of being shut down. Kevin Ollie and Sebastian Telfair would benefit from Foye's absence and Ryan Gomes would benefit from a prolonged absence from Smith. Mike Miller broke out of his doldrums Sunday against New Jersey and looks like a decent play in larger formats again, though he has been very erratic. Rodney Carney is a decent sleeper option for deeper leagues, though he offers just some double-digit scoring and three-point shooting.
One Week Boom: Rodney Carney

New Jersey Nets
Schedule: MIL, DET, @CHI, PHI
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Vince Carter, Devin Harris, Brook Lopez
Tough Call: Jarvis Hayes left the team Sunday to be with his wife after she gave birth to the couple's child. Before he left, though, he had scored 18 or more points in three of his previous four games. He is a solid addition off the waiver wire as a sleeper. With Devin Harris back, Keyon Dooling should be reserved again. Continue to sit Yi Jianlian.
One Week Boom: Jarvis Hayes

New Orleans Hornets
Schedule: @SAC, @LAC, @GS, UTA
Injury Report: Tyson Chandler (ankle/out indefinitely); Peja Stojakovic (back/day to day); Neither player has a definite timetable for a return and both players are questionable to appear at any point in Week 23.
Slam Dunk: Chris Paul, David West
Tough Call: Avoid both Chandler and Peja as they offer no guarantees. Rasual Butler is a decent sleeper this week thanks to very strong matchups against the Kings, Clippers and Warriors. James Posey should be avoided, however. Hilton Armstrong should benefit from the absence of Chandler, but is no more than a last-minute replacement option. The same goes for Julian Wright at forward.
One Week Bust: Peja Stojakovic

New York Knicks
Schedule: @UTA, @DEN, TOR, @TOR
Injury Report: Quentin Richardson (ankle/day to day); Richardson is dealing with an ankle sprain and is considered questionable for Monday's game in Utah.
Slam Dunk: David Lee, Al Harrington
Tough Call: Start Nate Robinson and Wilson Chandler in any format for this four-game slate. Chris Duhon and Larry Hughes are decent, but not great, options as stopgap measures. Avoid Richardson and Chris Wilcox.
One Week Boom: Nate Robinson, Wilson Chandler

Oklahoma City Thunder
Schedule: @SA, POR, IND
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook
Tough Call: Start Jeff Green in any average-based format and cumulative league of 12-plus teams. Start Nick Collison in larger average-based leagues where he is eligible at center as a No. 2 option. Avoid Thabo Sefolosha and Nenad Krstic.
One Week Boom: Jeff Green

Orlando Magic
Schedule: @MIA, TOR, CLE, @ATL
Injury Report: Jameer Nelson (shoulder/out for the season).
Slam Dunk: Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu
Tough Call: Start Rafer Alston as a No. 3 or 4 guard in standard leagues. Mickael Pietrus is a reach in any situation. Courtney Lee is an interesting sleeper option off the waiver wire. He is enjoying a solid offensive run. Reserve J.J. Redick and Anthony Johnson.
One Week Boom: Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston

Philadelphia 76ers
Schedule: ATL, MIL, DET, @NJ
Injury Report: Samuel Dalembert (leg/day to day); Dalembert left Sunday's game and there is still no indication as to the extent of the injury. He is questionable for Tuesday against Atlanta.
Slam Dunk: Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller
Tough Call: Start Thaddeus Young in any league this week. He is on an offensive surge. Avoid Lou Williams outside of the deepest of leagues. Sit Marreese Speights and Samuel Dalembert.
One Week Boom: Thaddeus Young

Phoenix Suns
Schedule: HOU, SAC, @DAL
Injury Report: Amar'e Stoudemire (eye/out for the season); Leandro Barbosa (knee/out until early April); Barbosa is expected back for Wednesday's game against Houston.
Slam Dunk: Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Richardson
Tough Call: Start Grant Hill in any average-based format or in larger cumulative formats of 12-plus teams as a No. 4 option. Matt Barnes has been too erratic and is a recommended sit in the three-game scoring period. Barbosa could be limited upon his return and is no lock. Use him in larger average-based formats if no healthy alternatives are available. Avoid him in cumulative formats if possible due to the three-game slate and the uncertainty surrounding his health.
One Week Boom: Grant Hill

Portland Trail Blazers
Schedule: UTA, @OKC, @HOU
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge
Tough Call: Despite a clunker in his most recent game, a low-scoring affair, Steve Blake has played well enough over the last two weeks that he is a useful low-end starter in most average-based formats this week. Use him in larger cumulative formats as a No. 4 guard as well if four-game options run short. Travis Outlaw should be avoided in cumulative formats, but can be a a decent low-end stopgap play in average-based leagues. Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla make for emergency stopgaps only. Rudy Fernandez is not recommended outside of the deepest of leagues.
One Week Boom: Steve Blake

Sacramento Kings
Schedule: NO, @GS, @PHO, GS
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Kevin Martin
Tough Call: Considering the excellent matchups against Golden State and Phoenix, Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson are must-starts. Beno Udrih, Francisco Garcia and Andres Nocioni also make quality plays. All of them can be used in average-based or cumulative formats. Rashad McCants makes for a decent last-minute sleeper option. The Kings could be scoring around 110 points per game in Week 23.
One Week Boom: Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Beno Udrih, Francisco Garcia, Andres Nocioni

San Antonio Spurs
Schedule: OKC, @IND, @CLE
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Tony Parker, Tim Duncan
Tough Call: Manu Ginobili makes for a solid play in average-based leagues this week, but is more of a No. 3 or 4 guard in cumulative leagues. With Ginobili back, avoid Roger Mason Jr. and Michael Finley. Avoid Matt Bonner and Drew Gooden.
One Week Boom: Manu Ginobili

Toronto Raptors
Schedule: @ORL, @NY, NY
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon
Tough Call: Shawn Marion and Andrea Bargnani are must-starts this week with two matchups against the Fantasy-friendly Knicks, especially in average-based play. Anthony Parker can be used in a pinch in leagues of 12-plus teams this week as well due to the favorable matchups.
One Week Boom: Shawn Marion, Andrea Bargnani

Utah Jazz
Schedule: NY, @POR, @DEN, MIN, @NO
Injury Report: None.
Slam Dunk: Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer
Tough Call: The Jazz are the only team in the league this week to play five games. That makes players like Paul Millsap and Ronnie Brewer excellent plays in cumulative formats and in most average-based leagues as well with solid matchups against New York, Denver and Minnesota. Kyle Korver makes for a decent waiver wire addition in a pinch for larger cumulative leagues only. Slumping Andrei Kirilenko does as well, but to a lesser extent. The accumulation of stats should be decent even if the averages are not.
One Week Boom: Ronnie Brewer

Washington Wizards
Schedule: @MEM, CLE, MIA
Injury Report: Gilbert Arenas (knee/probable for April 1 at Memphis); Darius Songaila (neck/day to day); Mike James (pinkie/out for the season); Arenas is finally back and looks to be stronger than anticipated despite being out over a year. He should be available for all three games in Week 23 after resting Sunday. Songaila has missed the team's last two games. He is questionable for Wednesday in Memphis.
Slam Dunk: Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler
Tough Call: Andray Blatche is averaging 14.2 points and 7.2 rebounds over his last five games. Use him in any average-based league this week or in larger cumulative formats. Arenas is a tricky play in any cumulative league as he could wind up resting one of the three games as he did this past Sunday. He is better saved for cumulative formats where possible despite a strong game in his return. Nick Young is also better saved for larger average-based formats. Arenas' presence could cut into his shot attempts down the stretch. Sit Dominic McGuire, JaVale McGee and Darius Songaila.
One Week Bust: Gilbert Arenas

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