Week 24 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 24

6-day Week (April 7-12)

Teams with four games: Memphis, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, San Antonio, Toronto,

Teams with three games: Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Golden State, Houston, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Miami, Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, Utah

Teams with two games: Denver, Milwaukee, Washington

9-day Scoring Period (7-15)

Teams with six games: Memphis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, San Antonio, Toronto

Teams with five games: Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Golden State, Houston, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Phoenix, Utah

Teams with four games: Denver, Milwaukee, Washington

Atlanta Hawks
6-day Schedule: @TOR, @MIL, IND
9-day Schedule: @TOR, @MIL, IND, MIA, @MEM
Injury Report: Marvin Williams (leg/unlikely to return until playoffs).
Slam Dunk: Joe Johnson, Josh Smith
Tough Call: Start Al Horford, who appears to be getting back on track. Treat Mike Bibby as a No. 3 guard. Ronald Murray can start as a No. 4 guard in Head-to-Head with favorable scoring matchups. Sit Zaza Pachulia and Maurice Evans everywhere.
One Week Boom: Al Horford

Boston Celtics
6-day Schedule: NJ, MIA, @CLE
9-day Schedule: NJ, MIA, @CLE, @PHI, WAS
Injury Report: Kevin Garnett (knee/could return for final three games). Leon Powe (knee/out indefinitely).
Slam Dunk: Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo
Tough Call: Sit Kevin Garnett. There is no guarantee he will return and will likely be limited when and if he does. Kendrick Perkins is a decent sleeper as a No. 2 center while KG is out. Glen Davis also has some low-end sleeper appeal in deep, deep leagues at forward as a result of KG's absence. Avoid Mikki Moore and sit Leon Powe everywhere.
One Week Boom: Kendrick Perkins

Charlotte Bobcats
6-day Schedule: PHI, @OKC, @CHI
9-day Schedule: @NJ, @ORL
Injury Report: Raja Bell (calf/day to day).
Slam Dunk: Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton
Tough Call: At this stage in the season, day to day might as well be out for the season. Avoid Bell. D.J. Augustin is a solid play off the waiver wire in standard leagues with Bell out. Start Boris Diaw as a solid No. 3 forward in any format. Avoid spotty Vladimir Radmanovic.
One Week Boom: D.J. Augustin

Chicago Bulls
6-day Schedule: NY, PHI, CHA
9-day Schedule: NY, PHI, CHA, @DET, TOR
Injury Report: Luol Deng (leg/out indefinitely).
Slam Dunk: Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon
Tough Call: If day to day is bad at this stage of the season, out indefinitely is even worse. Stay far away from Deng, despite the fact a return has not been ruled out. John Salmons is tricky because a Deng return could hurt his value a bit, but we really doubt Deng will have much of an impact. Start Salmons anywhere. Brad Miller is looking like a trustworthy No. 2 center again and can even be used as a No. 1 in very large leagues in a pinch. Joakim Noah continues to be spotty, but can be used as a No. 2 center in deeper leagues (also in a pinch). Treat Tyrus Thomas a no more than a No. 3 forward, but we recommend viewing him as more of a fourth option this week with some tough matchups against Philly, Charlotte and Detroit. Do not start Kirk Hinrich or Tim Thomas anywhere.
One Week Bust: Tyrus Thomas

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-day Schedule: WAS, @PHI, BOS
9-day Schedule: WAS, @PHI, BOS, @IND, PHI
Injury Report: Anderson Varejao (wrist/day to day); Ben Wallace (leg/out indefinitely).
Slam Dunk: LeBron James, Mo Williams
Tough Call: Varejao's injury does not seem too serious, but he is not the type of player worth an injury risk. Sit him. Ben Wallace is hoping to return prior to the playoffs, but is not worth taking any type of gamble on either. Treat Zydrunas Ilgauskas as you have for most of the season -- as a No. 2 center. View up-and-down Delonte West as a decent fourth guard option.
One Week Boom: Delonte West

Dallas Mavericks
6-day Schedule: UTA, NO, @NO
9-day Schedule: UTA, NO, @NO, MIN, HOU
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry
Tough Call: Josh Howard is not 100 percent and could miss a game on short notice, but is still worth using as a third forward in any league. Start him. Avoid the rest of the Mavs this week due to some tough matchups against New Orleans (twice) and Houston.
One Week Bust: Brandon Bass

Denver Nuggets
6-day Schedule: OKC, @LAL
9-day Schedule: OKC, @LAL, SAC, @POR
Injury Report: Kenyon Martin (ribs/day to day).
Slam Dunk: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups
Tough Call: K-Mart is unsure when he will be back and will be resting for a playoff run. Sit him everywhere. Chris Andersen and Renaldo Balkman have played well in his absences this season, but are still very low-end plays. Avoid them where possible. With a reduced schedule, avoid J.R. Smith and Nene in cumulative formats, though they face very favorable matchups for average-based play. Linas Kleiza has some sleeper appeal in deeper average-based leagues, but sit him in any cumulative format.
One Week Bust: J.R. Smith, Nene

Detroit Pistons
6-day Schedule: @NY, NJ, @IND
9-day Schedule: @NY, NJ, @IND, CHI, @MIA
Injury Report: Allen Iverson (back/out for the season).
Slam Dunk: Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince
Tough Call: We love Will Bynum as a waiver-wire sleeper with Iverson out of the picture. Sunday's performance against Charlotte was spectacular (32 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds), but we do warn that it came with Richard Hamilton out for much of the game following an ejection. Still, four of his five remaining matchups come against teams that allow 100-plus points per game and all three of his matchups in the 6-day schedule fall under that category. In need of a fill-in No. 4 guard off waivers with some upside? He's your guy. Start Rodney Stuckey and Antonio McDyess based on the matchups.
One Week Boom: Will Bynum, Rodney Stuckey, Antonio McDyess

Golden State Warriors
6-day Schedule: MIN, HOU, @UTA
9-day Schedule: MIN, HOU, @UTA, SA, @PHO
Injury Report: Monta Ellis (ankle/day to day); Andris Biedrins (ankle/day to day); Corey Maggette (concussion/day to day); Brandan Wright (shoulder/day to day); Stephen Jackson (toe/out for the season).
Slam Dunk: None.
Tough Call: The Jamal Crawford/Don Nelson situation seems to have settled down and he once again seems like a must-start, but nobody ever knows when Nellie will strike again. His production lately (26-5-5 over his last five games) makes it so that you have to take that chance. It seems unlikely that Nelson can sit Crawford with all of the injuries the team is dealing with. All of the banged up Warriors are very risky plays in weekly formats as the team has absolutely nothing left to play for and Nelson wants to see what he has with his younger players. We don't recommend playing any of them, but if you do, start them at your own risk.
One Week Boom: Jamal Crawford

Houston Rockets
6-day Schedule: ORL, @SAC, @GS
9-day Schedule: ORL, @SAC, @GS, NO, @DAL
Injury Report: Tracy McGrady (knee/out for the season); Carl Landry (leg/out indefinitely).
Slam Dunk: Yao Ming, Ron Artest
Tough Call: With matchups against Fantasy-friendly Sacramento and Golden State, start Luis Scola in any league. Aaron Brooks is a solid play as a No. 4 guard. Von Wafer has some sleeper appeal in deeper leagues, but we would stay away from Shane Battier where possible.
One Week Boom: Luis Scola

Indiana Pacers
6-day Schedule: TOR, @ATL, DET
9-day Schedule: TOR, @ATL, DET, CLE, MIL
Injury Report: Marquis Daniels (wrist/day to day); Mike Dunleavy (knee/out for the season).
Slam Dunk: Danny Granger, Troy Murphy
Tough Calls: There seems to be enough to go around for Jarrett Jack and T.J. Ford. Start them both in any format as No. 3 options at guard. Daniels looks less likely to return with each game and should be avoided. Brandon Rush is a great addition off the waiver wire in his absence and is a recommended start (19-5-1 over last five games). Jeff Foster and Roy Hibbert are not recommended starters, though Foster has some measure of appeal in deeper category-based leagues for help in rebounds.
One Week Boom: Brandon Rush

Los Angeles Clippers
6-day Schedule: MIN, SAC, POR
9-day Schedule: MIN, SAC, POR, @UTA, OKC
Injury Report: Marcus Camby (ankle/day to day); Chris Kaman (flu/day to day).
Slam Dunk: Zach Randolph
Tough Call: Baron Davis isn't the B. Diddy Fantasy owners are used to, but he's a must-start with this favorable schedule down the stretch. Kaman should be back for a full week and is a much safer play than Camby, who could shut it down for the year any day now. Start Kaman as a slight risk, but the schedule helps. Eric Gordon should start in any league. Al Thornton does not appear to be 100 percent recovered from his foot injury and should be treated as no more than a No. 4 option at forward.
One Week Boom: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon

Los Angeles Lakers
6-day Schedule: @SAC, DEN, @POR
9-day Schedule: @SAC, DEN, @POR, MEM, UTA
Injury Report: Andrew Bynum (foot/out until mid-April); Derek Fisher (foot/day to day).
Slam Dunk: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom
Tough Call: The Lakers say Bynum could be activated prior to the start of the playoffs, but he is not a recommended play in Fantasy. He will likely return in a very limited role and will just be looking to get some work in before the playoffs. His Fantasy season was lost long ago. Fisher and the Lakers face favorable matchups, but Fisher should be avoided as a low-end contributor who is dealing with a foot problem. Trevor Ariza should not be trusted at this critical stage despite the matchups due to his erratic production.
One Week Bust: Andrew Bynum

Memphis Grizzlies
6-day Schedule: POR, @ORL, PHO, @LAL
9-day Schedule: POR, @ORL, PHO, @LAL, @PHO, ATL
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo
Tough Call: With the favorable schedule and full-slate, Marc Gasol can start in any cumulative format and is a solid play in average leagues as well. Start Mike Conley in any league. Hakim Warrick is a decent sleeper prospect for cumulative leagues.
One Week Boom: Marc Gasol, Mike Conley

Miami Heat
6-day Schedule: NO, @BOS, NY
9-day Schedule: NO, @BOS, NY, @ATL, DET
Injury Report: Udonis Haslem (hand/could miss remainder of regular season).
Slam Dunk: Dwyane Wade
Tough Call: Sit Haslem in all leagues, obviously. His absence could mean a boost on the boards for Jermaine O'Neal, who should start as a No. 3 or 4 forward or a No. 2 center in any league. Treat Michael Beasley as a No. 3 or 4 forward, as he has been for most of his rookie season. Treat Mario Chalmers as a No. 4 guard in cumulative play, but his matchups (aside from the New York game) are not favorable the rest of the week. Jamario Moon and Daequan Cook are sleepers for deep cumulative leagues with Haslem's absence creating more minutes.
One Week Bust: Mario Chalmers

Milwaukee Bucks
6-day Schedule: ATL, OKC
9-day Schedule: ATL, OKC, ORL, @IND
Injury Report: Andrew Bogut (back/out for the season); Michael Redd (knee/out for the season).
Slam Dunk: Richard Jefferson
Tough Call: Charlie Villanueva is more of an option for average-based play for this final scoring period due to a shorter schedule for the Bucks compared to the rest of the league. Treat Villanueva as no more than a No. 4 guard option in cumulative leagues. Ramon Sessions is on a roll (14.6 points, 10.6 assists over last five), however, and is still a decent play even with the unfavorable schedule. Charlie Bell has some sleeper appeal for deeper leagues.
One Week Bust: Charlie Villanueva

Minnesota Timberwolves
6-day Schedule: @LAC, @GS, PHO
9-day Schedule: @LAC, @GS, PHO, @DAL, SAC
Injury Report: Randy Foye (hip/day to day); Kevin Love (flu/day to day); Craig Smith (calf/day to day); Al Jefferson (knee/out for the season).
Slam Dunk: None.
Tough Call: Love is only dealing with a flu bug and should still start in any format this week considering his excellent matchups. Foye and Smith could easily miss another game or two and Fantasy owners should avoid starting them if any alternatives are available. They offer no guarantees. Sebastian Telfair, Mike Miller and Ryan Gomes are excellent sleepers this week due to the matchups and the fact the T'Wolves are a bit banged up. Rodney Carney has been flying under the radar, but makes a solid No. 3 option right now with the matchups ahead.
One Week Boom: Sebastian Telfair, Mike Miller, Ryan Gomes, Rodney Carney

New Jersey Nets
6-day Schedule: @BOS, @DET, ORL
9-day Schedule: @BOS, @DET, ORL, CHA, @NY
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Vince Carter, Devin Harris, Brook Lopez
Tough Call: With the Nets facing very poor matchups until the very final game of the season, fringe options like Keyon Dooling, Bobby Simmons, Jarvis Hayes and Chris Douglas-Roberts are risky. Play them only in deeper cumulative leagues.
One Week Bust: Keyon Dooling

New Orleans Hornets
6-day Schedule: @MIA, PHO, @DAL, DAL
9-day Schedule: @MIA, PHO, @DAL, DAL, @HOU, @SA
Injury Report: Tyson Chandler (ankle/out indefinitely); James Posey (elbow/out until at least April 10).
Slam Dunk: Chris Paul, David West
Tough Call: At this point, there is no good reason to take a gamble on either Chandler or Posey in any weekly format. However, having four games in a 6-day week and six in a 9-day week makes options like Rasual Butler and Peja Stojakovic strong plays even coming off an injury for Peja. Hilton Armstrong has some sleeper value in larger cumulative formats, but is only someone to be used in an emergency.
One Week Boom: Rasual Butler, Peja Stojakovic

New York Knicks
6-day Schedule: @CHI, DET, @ORL, @MIA
9-day Schedule: @CHI, DET, @ORL, @MIA, NJ
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: David Lee, Al Harrington
Tough Call: Despite some erratic play of late, start Nate Robinson in any cumulative league this week and in larger average-based leagues as well. The same goes for Wilson Chandler. Chris Duhon is worth activating as a No. 4 guard in deeper cumulative formats. Avoid the rest of the spotty Knickerbockers.
One Week Boom: Nate Robinson, Wilson Chandler

Oklahoma City Thunder
6-day Schedule: SA, @DEN, CHA, @MIL
9-day Schedule: SA, @DEN, CHA, @MIL, @POR, @LAC
Injury Report: No significannt injuries.
Slam Dunk: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green
Tough Call: The Thunder have a very favorable schedule for cumulative leagues, but not very many options to turn to outside of their big three. Think about using Nick Collison in leagues where he is eligible at center as a No. 2 option, but only if you are in need of a replacement.
One Week Boom: Nick Collison

Orlando Magic
6-day Schedule: @HOU, MEM, NY, @NJ
9-day Schedule: @HOU, MEM, NY, @NJ, @MIL, CHA
Injury Report: Jameer Nelson (knee/day to day).
Slam Dunk: Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu
Tough Call: With the Magic being one of the teams with six games remaining (four games in a 6-day schedule), Rafer Alston makes a quality play in any cumulative format. Use him in larger average-based leagues as well with goot matchups against Memphis, New York and New Jersey. Courtney Lee has some low-end sleeper appeal for deeper cumulative formats.
One Week Boom: Rafer Alston

Philadelphia 76ers
6-day Schedule: @CHA, @CHI, CLE, @TOR
9-day Schedule: @CHA, @CHI, CLE, @TOR, BOS, @CLE
Injury Report: Thaddeus Young (foot/out for regular season); Elton Brand (shoulder/out for the season).
Slam Dunk: Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller
Tough Call: With Young out, Samuel Dalembert and Marreese Speights have some sleeper appeal in deeper cumulative leagues, though neither is recommended in average-based play outside of an emergency situation. Lou Williams is a solid play in deeper leagues as a No. 4 option if needed.
One Week Boom: Samuel Dalembert, Marreese Speights

Phoenix Suns
6-day Schedule: @NO, @MEM, @MIN
9-day Schedule: @NO, @MEM, @MIN, MEM, GS
Injury Report: Jason Richardson (thigh/day to day); Amar'e Stoudemire (eye/out for the season).
Slam Dunk: Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal
Tough Call: Richardson left Sunday's game with a thigh injury and is considered questionable for Wednesday's game in New Orleans. Start him with some caution. He has not scored 20 points in a game in his last six contests. Grant Hill is finishing the season on a high note and deserves to start in any format right now. Start Leandro Barbosa as a third guard option. View Matt Barnes as more of a No. 5 option.
One Week Boom: Grant Hill, Leandro Barbosa

Portland Trail Blazers
6-day Schedule: @MEM, @SA, LAL, @LAC
9-day Schedule: @MEM, @SA, LAL, @LAC, OKC, DEN
Injury Report: LaMarcus Aldridge (wrist/day to day).
Slam Dunk: Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge
Tough Call: Aldridge fell on his wrist Sunday, but is expected to be fine. Start him without hesitating. Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw are solid sleepers in cumulative formats and in larger average-based leagues due to favorable matchups this week. Greg Oden remains too erratic to trust at this critical stage of the season. Joel Przybilla and Rudy Fernandez should only start in larger Rotisserie formats for help in blocks and boards (Przybilla) or threes (Fernandez).
One Week Boom: Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw

Sacramento Kings
6-day Schedule: LAL, HOU, @LAC, SA
9-day Schedule: LAL, HOU, @LAC, SA, @DEN, @MIN
Injury Report: Kevin Martin (ankle/day to day); Spencer Hawes (eye/day to day).
Slam Dunk: None.
Tough Call: Martin was dealing with a sore knee and does not appear to be in great danger of missing extended time, but the Kings have nothing left to play for and he could easily be shut down with even a minor injury. Play him at your own risk. Hawes was poked in the eye Sunday and considering what happened to Amar'e Stoudemire earlier this season, that may or may not be a a big deal. Fantasy owners will also have to start him at their own risk. Start Jason Thompson as a No. 2 or 3 forward in any format. Start Francisco Garcia or Andres Nocioni as a No. 3 option in cumulative leagues with the heavy slate. Beno Udrih is averaging a 12-7-6 line over his last five games and is also a strong start.
One Week Boom: Jason Thompson

San Antonio Spurs
6-day Schedule: @OKC, POR, UTA, @SAC
9-day Schedule: @OKC, POR, UTA, @SAC, @GS, NO
Injury Report: Tim Duncan (knee/day to day); Manu Ginobili (ankle/out for the season).
Slam Dunk: Tony Parker
Tough Call: Duncan is dealing with soreness and the general wear and tear that comes with playing at this point of the season. Ginobili was ruled out for the season Monday when it was discovered that his ankle injury had deteriorated. Duncan is not expected to miss time, but it is something to be aware of when setting lineups. Avoid using Drew Gooden, Michael Finley or Matt Bonner unless you absolutely have to.
One Week Boom: Tony Parker, Roger Mason Jr.

Toronto Raptors
6-day Schedule: ATL, @IND, WAS, PHI
9-day Schedule: ATL, @IND, WAS, PHI, @WAS, @CHI
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, Shawn Marion
Tough Call: Anthony Parker is the only fringe Raptor worth considering, and he is a decent sleeper in larger cumulative formats and deeper average-based leagues due to favorable matchups against Indiana and Washington (twice).
One Week Boom: Anthony Parker

Utah Jazz
6-day Schedule: @DAL, @SA, GS
9-day Schedule: @DAL, @SA, GS, LAC, @LAL
Injury Report: No significant injuries.
Slam Dunk: Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer
Tough Call: Paul Millsap is averaging just 10 points and six rebounds over his last five games and should only be used in the largest of leagues with Carlos Boozer healthy. Andrei Kirilenko is finally playing well again and with C.J. Miles a little banged up, he has some appeal off waivers if he is available. Start him as a No. 4 forward option. Start Ronnie Brewer or Kyle Korver, but only in deeper leagues as a No. 4 option as well if needed.
One Week Boom: Andrei Kirilenko

Washington Wizards
6-day Schedule: @CLE, @TOR
9-day Schedule: @CLE, @TOR, TOR, @BOS
Injury Report: Gilbert Arenas (knee/day to day); Nick Young (knee/day to day).
Slam Dunk: Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler
Tough Call: Arenas is a danger to be shut down at any time and could miss a game on short notice. In a two-game week (6-game schedules), that's asking for trouble. Start him at your own peril. Young's injury does not appear to be serious, but he remains a very spotty contributor and is not a recommended play in most leagues. Avoid fringe Wizards options in cumulative formats this week with the reduced schedule.
One Week Bust: Gilbert Arenas

Do you have a lineup question for our staff? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyHoops@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Hoops Planner in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state.