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

Projections are for Dec. 24-30 games.

Teams with four games: (3): Boston, Miami, Phoenix

Teams with three games (22): Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Golden State, Indiana, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, Seattle, Utah, Washington

Teams with two games (5): Atlanta, Houston, L.A. Clippers, New York, Phoenix, Toronto

On tap: The week ahead features 10 nationally televised games: Miami at Cleveland, Phoenix at L.A. Lakers and Seattle at Portland on Tuesday; Miami at Philadelphia and Minnesota at Golden State on Wednesday; Cleveland at Dallas and Boston at Seattle on Thursday; New Orleans at Charlotte on Friday; Miami at Washington on Saturday; Boston at L.A. Lakers on Sunday.

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Chicago Bulls C Ben Wallace has bone spurs on the top of his foot and has been out since last Tuesday night. He had an MRI Wednesday that showed no fractures, but he could be forced to miss more time. If at all possible, reserve him for Fantasy Week 9. Aaron Gray is a decent short-term option, but very short term. ... Nuggets F Kenyon Martin is back on the list of injuries, but this time it shouldn't be too serious. He left Thursday's game with a hamstring injury and is considered day to day. If he doesn't return in time for Sunday's game at Sacramento, then you'll want to consider a healthier alternative if you have one available, but he should play at some point during the team's three-game week. ... Denver C Marcus Camby did not play Friday after suffering a hard fall in Thursday's game. He injured his back, but is also considered day to day. If he doesn't play Sunday, he becomes a concern for Week 9, but we think he'll play. ... Houston G Tracy McGrady (knee) said that he hopes to return by Saturday's game vs. Chicago, meaning he should definitely be back for next week. The problem is, the Rockets are slated for just two games. Depending on the type of league you are in, you may want to at least consider reserving T-Mac this week to evaluate his health. ... Los Angeles Clippers G Sam Cassell (calf) has missed more than 10 games now with the injury and there is no immediate timetable for his return. Reserve him again. ... Milwaukee F Desmond Mason will miss 4-6 weeks with a thumb injury, leaving Charlie Bell and Bobby Simmons to benefit. Charlie Villanueva may also benefit indirectly, but he's dealing with an ankle problem. ... The Timberwolves are dealing with a case of the flu bug, affecting guards Rashad McCants and Marko Jaric. With Minnesota slated for a favorable three-game schedule this week (see below) they should still be considered in larger leagues as at least low-end starters this week. ... New Jersey G Antoine Wright suffered a pretty nasty ankle injury Thursday night in Miami and was on crutches after the game. Don't start him in any format for Week 9. ... New Orleans Hornets F Peja Stojakovic (groin) has been able to practice, but the team has yet to clear him for game action. That should come soon, though. New Orleans is slated for three games in Week 9 and Peja is worth the gamble in larger leagues. ... Knicks G Stephon Marbury continues to deal with personal issues as he grieves the loss of his father. We told you to reserve him last week and, if you listened, it paid off because he left the team again in the middle of the week. Reserve him again in Week 9. ... Phoenix G Raja Bell tweaked his ankle Wednesday, but should be back by Saturday night or Christmas Day at the latest. ... San Antonio G Tony Parker (ankle) is expected to return Saturday vs. the Clippers. If he does, he's obviously a safe start. If he doesn't he should still be able to return at some point during the team's three-game week. ... Toronto G T.J. Ford (head) is still not apparently close to a return. ... Utah C Mehmet Okur (shoulder) has acknowledged some progress, but has yet to practice and is not setting a date for his return yet. For that reason, it's best to reserve him in Week 9.

F I V E   T E A M S   W I T H   F A V O R A B L E   M A T C H U P S
The following five teams have the best matchups for the upcoming week. That doesn't necessarily mean they will post the best Fantasy stats, but if you're looking for a one-week start or are trying to make a difficult decision between two players to use, lean toward players from these teams:
Team 12/24 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/28 12/29 12/30
Boston Celtics (BOS) -- -- @SAC @SEA -- @UTA @LAL
The Celtics are one of just three teams this week with four games and a West Coast trip will pit them up against four teams that allow an average of 102.0 ppg. The Sonics are second-to-last in terms of team defense this season, allowing 105.7 ppg. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins should get in on the fun this week with plenty of scoring to go around. The C's are in for some high scoring.
Denver Nuggets (DEN) -- -- MIL -- @GS -- GS
Two games against Golden State. Enough said. The Warriors give up the most points in the NBA (107.5 ppg) and Denver is averaging scoring 106.1 ppg. The flood gates will be open this week. Oh, and Milwaukee allows 100.0 ppg, too. When in doubt, start your Nuggets this week.
Detroit Pistons (DET) -- -- @NJ -- IND @IND --
The Pistons get a similar favorable double-matchup this week against the Pacers. Indiana is 27th in the league in terms of scoring defense (104.8) ppg. Detroit should be able to score in double figures in both those games and that means Jason Maxiell and Antonio McDyess should produce.
Golden State Warriors (GS) -- -- MIN -- DEN -- DEN
The Nuggets aren't the only team that will benefit from the home-and-away series this week. Denver allows 102.8 ppg and the Warriors average scoring 108.8. It should be high-scoring on both ends and the Warriors are ripe with scoring options up-and-down the roster. Minnesota allows 101.7 ppg.
Minnesota Timberwolves (MIN) -- -- @GS -- @POR @SEA --
The Timberwolves will get to face the two worst defenses in the NBA in the same week. The Warriors, as mentioned above, allow 107.0 ppg while the Sonics allow 107.0 ppg. The lowly T'Wolves may not win a game this week, but they'll score some points.
F I V E   T E A M S   W I T H   P O O R   M A T C H U P S
The following five teams have the worst matchups for the upcoming week. That doesn't necessarily mean you should reserve every player from these teams, but try to avoid less-heralded performers from these squads if you have an alternative on your roster:
Team 12/24 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/28 12/29 12/30
Atlanta Hawks (ATL) -- -- IND -- -- @DAL --
The Hawks are one of five teams this week with just two games and that makes them tough to start in leagues that use cumulative scoring systems. Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and even Marvin Williams should be fine to a certain extent, depending on your other options.
Charlotte Bobcats (CHA) -- -- WAS -- NO @ORL --
None of their three opponents this week allow 100 ppg and the Hornets are fourth in the NBA in terms of scoring defense, allowing just 94.2 ppg. Nazr Mohammed is off to a great start, but he'll have a tough time against Tyson Chandler and Dwight Howard this week.
Cleveland Cavaliers (CLE) -- MIA -- @DAL -- @NO --
The Cavs have a similar schedule to that of the Bobcats. They play the Hornets -- and on the road -- and also won't face a team this week that allows 100 ppg. Combine that with the way Anderson Varejao is eating up valuable minutes and Drew Gooden becomes a tough sell for the first time.
New York Knicks (NY) -- -- @ORL -- -- -- CHI
They are one of the two-game teams this week and those two games will come against teams that allow under 100 ppg. The Bulls allow just 95.9 ppg and are a top-10 defensive team. These days, starting anyone on the Knicks not named Zach Randolph or Jamal Crawford is a gamble.
Toronto Raptors (TOR) -- -- -- -- @SA @HOU --
The Raptors have perhaps the worst matchups of any team this week. They have just two games and they come against two teams that rank in the top-five defensively. Both teams allow under 95 ppg. There likely won't be much scoring to go around and Chris Bosh will have a tough time in the paint.

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