Week 13 of the fantasy basketball season features an international trip, as the Pacers and Spurs will play two games in Paris. Both teams’ schedules put them out of contention when it comes to fantasy streaming value, as those are the only games Indiana and San Antonio will play. Monday’s schedule includes a few matinees in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, which has become an annual tradition for the NBA. Tuesday (five games), Friday (three) and Sunday (one) are the broadcast days for Week 13, while Saturday offers a solid 14-game slate.
Week 13: games played
4 games: ATL, BOS, CHA, CLE, DAL, GSW, LAC, MEM, NOR, POR
3 games: BKN, CHI, DEN, DET, HOU, LAL, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYK, OKC, ENT, PHI, PHO, SAC, TOR, UTA, WAS
2 games: IND, SAS
Week 13 Scenarios
– Avoid Indiana and San Antonio to start Week 13
Not only do the Pacers and Spurs only play twice in Week 13, but their first game won’t be until Thursday. Indiana and San Antonio head to Paris, where they will play two games (Thursday and Saturday) before returning to the United States. Even worse for fantasy managers who may be looking for value is that these are two of the busiest days on the Week 13 schedule. Nine games will be played on Thursday and 14 on Saturday. Outside of the established fantasy pillars on these teams, there’s not really a need to consider streaming anyone unless there’s a serious injury.
– Seven teams play consecutively on Wednesday/Thursday, and five others have a Friday/Saturday.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the days to watch when it comes to the potential for players to sit out due to injury management. The Clippers are one of seven teams that will play back-to-back Wednesday/Thursday, as they host the Celtics and Wizards. With Kawhi Leonard’s minutes still being managed, he is a prime candidate to miss Game 2. The Celtics are another team to watch, as they will visit the Lakers one night after facing the Clippers, and the rivalry game is a nationally televised game. Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Jrue Holiday are three players whose status could be in question for either of these matchups in Southern California.
As for teams scheduled to play back-to-back Friday/Saturday, New Orleans and Philadelphia are drawing attention due to their season-long injury issues. While Joel Embiid (foot) is unlikely to be available in Week 13, Zion Williamson could be limited to a three-game week (instead of four) for injury management reasons. Charlotte, Cleveland and Memphis will also have a Friday/Saturday back-to-back to navigate, and the Hornets will be without Brandon Miller indefinitely due to a wrist injury.
– Portland has the best schedule to finish week 13
If there’s one fantasy team managers should consider targeting heading into Week 13, it’s Portland. The Trail Blazers will play three of their four Week 13 games over the final four days, starting with back-to-back road games against Orlando (Thursday) and Charlotte (Friday). Injuries and rest resolved the logjam at center, with Donovan Clingan (ankle) sidelined, but Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams also dealt with health issues. Also worth noting is the wing rotation, with Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija having missed time recently. Scoot Henderson and Toumani Camara are two players worthy of consideration for Week 13, especially if Portland remains as shorthanded as they have been recently.
– There is only one match on the last day of week 13
Another important note regarding Portland’s Week 13 schedule is that their final game, Sunday at home against Oklahoma City, is the only game on the schedule that day. Portland’s underperforming players (Henderson and Camara) will be worth targeting, and Oklahoma City also has a few players worth rolling the dice for. Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins will all be in attendance for Sunday’s game among managers who could use a boost and have a trade (or more) to burn before the end of the week.
– How many games will Miami get from Jimmy Butler?
Butler returned from his seven-game suspension Friday, but the desire to be traded hasn’t gone away. He started and played 33 minutes in Miami’s loss to the Nuggets, with the activity level appearing to improve after halftime. The Heat play three games in Week 13; Will Butler play without problems? Or is something going to happen? Its availability impacts the entire rotation; when Butler starts, so does Duncan Robinson for spacing reasons, and Haywood Highsmith’s value takes a hit despite being a starter. Given the current situation in Miami, fantasy managers who added Nikola Jovic or Jaime Jaquez Jr. during Butler’s suspension should hold on to them until the future of this roster is clear. Until Butler is traded, this will be an essential subplot in fantasy basketball.
Light play days
Tuesday: 5 games
NYK vs. BKN
POR vs. MIA
ENT versus TOR
PHI vs. DEN
WAS against LAL
Friday: 3 games
POR vs. CHA
KEY vs. PHI
NOR vs. MEM
Sunday: 1 game
OKC vs. POR
Week 13 back to back
Sunday (week 12)-Monday: None
Monday-Tuesday: New York
Tuesday-Wednesday: BKN
Wednesday-Thursday: BOS, DAL, GSW, LAC, MIL, OKC, SAC
Thursday-Friday:POR
Friday-Saturday: CHA, KEY, MEM, NOR, PHI
Saturday-Sunday: None
Sunday-Monday (week 14): None
