SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
four-game teams: BOS, DAL, DEN, GSW, HOU, LAL, MEM, NJN, NOR, POR, SAS
three-game teams: CHA, CHI, CLE, DET, IND, MIA, MIN, OKC, ORL, SC, TOR, UTA, WAS
two-game teams: ATL, LAC, MIL, NYK, PHI
one-game teams: PHO
INJURY UPDATES
• Rafer Alston – use another option, if possible. Alston is expected back sometime during the week, but nothing specific is certain.
• Carmelo Anthony – bench Melo for the week. He’s out for at least two of the Nuggets’ four games this week and missing a third seems very likely. Figure on Linas Kleiza joining the starting lineup and Renaldo Balkman also getting extra run.
• Carlos Boozer – Boozer’s knee has stopped improving and he’s now set to see a specialist in Los Angeles after Christmas. Fantasy owners should keep him benched and brace for the worst, which would be surgery. Paul Millsap’s awesomeness will continue in perpetuity while he’s in the starting lineup.
• Elton Brand – At this point, it seems that Brand simply missing a month is the best that his fantasy owners can ask for.
• Mike Dunleavy – Dunleavy practiced for 10 minutes on Monday… and there was much rejoicing.
• Drew Gooden – he’s out for a week to 10 days because of a right ankle sprain. Andres Nocioni will see more playing time while Gooden and Tyrus Thomas (concussion) are sidelined, with Aaron Gray and Joakim Noah also seeing expanded roles. Thomas is day-to-day.
• Danny Granger, Troy Murphy, Marquis Daniels – all three players missed each of the past two games after being hospitalized for treatment for flu-like symptoms. The trio could be back in the lineup when the Pacers are back home on Tuesday, but be on the lookout for updates leading up to the game.
• Stephen Jackson – keep him benched this week. He’s aiming for a Friday return, but that would leave him with only two games on the week, one of which would be against the Celtics’ defense.
• Chris Kaman – Kaman isn’t going to return this week, and the Clippers only play twice anyway.
• Corey Maggette – his status remains up in the air, so it’s safe to keep him benched for at least another week.
• Kevin Martin – stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Martin remains sidelined indefinitely.
• Mike Miller – Miller is day-to-day with an ankle sprain and, given the T-Wolves’ three-game week, it makes sense to explore any and all other options.
• Peja Stojakovic – Peja has missed the past two games because of back soreness but has yet to be ruled out for the Hornets’ next game (Tuesday). Given the limitations of Peja’s fantasy impact at this point, feel free to downgrade him despite the Hornets’ four-game week.
• Beno Udrih – Udrih is probable for Monday night, so employ him as you normally would in a three-game week.
• Deron Williams – Williams didn’t practice Monday because of right calf and knee issues, but at this point he’s not expected to miss any of the Jazz’s three games this week.
PICKUPS/PLUG-INS
• Derek Fisher (LAL – PG) – Fish’s minutes and production have been climbing in recent weeks. Over the past eight games, he’s averaged 14.1 points on 51 percent shooting, 1.9 threes, 3.9 assists, and 1.8 steals in 31 minutes, while making 26 of 28 free throws (93 percent). Jordan Farmar’s knee injury should mean Fisher plays plenty moving forward, and the Lakers are looking at a solid four-game slate in Week 9 (@MEM, @NOR, BOS, GSW).
• Matt Bonner (SA – PF,C) – Bonner keeps getting it done and it’s hard to find a more favorable schedule in Week 9 (SAC, MIN, @PHO, MEM). His averages over the past 11 games include 11.8 points on 57 percent shooting, 2.1 threes, 6.3 boards, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 27 minutes.
• Marco Belinelli (GS – PG,SG) – Injuries have created an opportunity for Belinelli, and this time he’s taking full advantage. Over the past seven games he’s averaged 16.7 points on 51 percent shooting, 2.1 threes, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 31 minutes. He’s likely to be in Don Nelson’s good graces for at least another week, with Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette continuing to deal with injuries – all bets are off once the Warriors can get healthy, but he makes good sense for fantasy owners for at least for Week 9 (@ORL, @MIA, BOS, @LAL).
• Mike James (Was – PG) – James has made his way into the Wizards’ starting five and has put together three straight productive games, averaging 16.3 points, 2.3 threes, 5.7 boards, 3 assists, and 1.7 steals in 36 minutes. There isn’t exceptional upside here and his long-term prospects are minimized by Gilbert Arenas’ eventual return, but for now he makes sense for fantasy owners needing help at guard.
• And while the Sixers play only twice in Week 9, Louis Williams (PG,SG) and Marreese Speights (PF,C) are two players to target in the wake of Elton Brand’s injury. Williams has averaged 21 points on 48 percent shooting, 1.2 threes, 2.4 assists, and 1 steal in 28 minutes over the past five games, while Speights has averaged 13.7 points on 59 percent shooting, 4.7 boards, 0.7 steals, and 2 blocks in 22 minutes over the past three games.
elsewhere on the web: The Week Ahead (RotoWorld), Week 9 Planner (CBS Sports), Fantasy Basketball SOS: Dec. 22-28 (Rotowire), and Basketball Monster ease rankings