By Raphielle Johnson
Comparatively talking, Week 13 is a return to “regular” within the NBA, because the absence of an abroad journey means all 30 groups will play between two and 4 video games. The week begins with observing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with Monday’s schedule consisting of 11 video games with a number of matinees.
Whereas there’s an intriguing return to think about, so is the fantasy affect of two elite level guards and a league MVP being sidelined. Let’s stay up for the Week 13 schedule and important storylines that can affect how managers put their lineups collectively.
Week 13 Video games Performed
4 Video games: ATL, BOS, BKN, HOU, IND, LAL, MIA, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHI, SAS, TOR, UTA, WAS
3 Video games: CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, DET, GSW, MEM, MIN, NOR, PHO, POR
2 Video games: LAC, MIL, SAC
Notable Week 13 Storylines
— What number of video games will managers get out of Luka Doncic?
The Mavericks level guard has missed his group’s final two video games with a sprained ankle, and Dallas is among the many groups that can play three video games throughout Week 13. His absence resulted in Tim Hardaway Jr. shifting into the beginning lineup, whereas Kyrie Irving has been excellent operating the present himself. Rostered in 57% of Yahoo leagues, Hardaway matched his season excessive with 32 factors in Thursday’s win over the Knicks, wherein Irving dropped 44 factors and 10 assists. In accordance with Basketball Monster, the latter is ranked first in 9-cat per-game worth over the previous week, whereas the previous gives Eighth-round worth. Dallas performs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of Week 13. Will he be out there for Monday’s recreation towards the Pelicans? Or are street matchups with the Lakers (Wednesday) and Warriors (Friday) extra life like?
— Joel Embiid and his potential timeline for return
The reigning MVP has missed Philadelphia’s final three video games with a sore knee. Earlier than Friday’s win over the Kings, 76ers coach Nick Nurse mentioned that Embiid stays day-to-day and hopes to have him again for Monday’s recreation towards the Rockets. Philadelphia performs 4 video games throughout Week 13, however their schedule is bizarre in that they’re going to play two back-to-backs. So, even when Embiid have been to return on Monday, what occurs with Tuesday’s recreation towards Denver (which is nationally televised)? The 76ers end the week with a street back-to-back towards the Magic (Friday) and Hornets (Saturday). So, even when Embiid is given a clear invoice of well being to start Week 13, managers who’ve Paul Reed rostered could need to maintain onto him simply to be protected.
— Bucks, Clippers, and Kings solely play two video games
Three groups might be restricted to 2 video games throughout Week 13, with the Clippers and Kings being lively throughout Tuesday’s three-game slate. That will defend the worth of a deep-league choice like Norman Powell, who’s rostered in 40% of Yahoo leagues. As for the Kings, there are no nice choices, particularly with the underwhelming Kevin Huerter having sprained his left ankle throughout Friday’s loss to Philadelphia. Chris Duarte would transfer into the beginning lineup if Purple Velvet misses time, however he hasn’t provided a lot worth when provided that accountability. Milwaukee’s video games are on Wednesday and Saturday, two of Week 13’s busy days, so fantasy managers ought to be capable to discover stable streaming choices elsewhere.
— Nets face a four-game week after Paris journey
Brooklyn and Cleveland are again within the States after dealing with off in Paris on Thursday. Whereas the Cavaliers start their Week 13 slate with two dwelling video games earlier than closing in Atlanta on Saturday, the Nets play one at dwelling earlier than heading west for 3. Monday’s matchup with the Warmth might be adopted by one recreation in Portland and two in Los Angeles (Lakers, then Clippers). The purpose guard place and the way these minutes are divided up are issues to observe with Brooklyn. Spencer Dinwiddie, benched for the ultimate 8:50 and additional time of their January 7 loss to Portland, solely performed 16 minutes in Paris. Dennis Smith Jr., who’s rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues, logged 23 off the bench. Whereas Dinwiddie stays the higher-ranked participant in season-long worth, Smith has been far superior over the previous two weeks.
— Draymond Inexperienced is predicted to make his return
The Warriors ahead has not appeared in a recreation since December 12, when he was suspended indefinitely after hanging Jusuf Nurkic within the head. Having rejoined his teammates earlier than Week 12, Inexperienced has been ramping up his conditioning, and he could possibly be again in motion both Monday (at Memphis) or Wednesday (at Utah). The Warriors play three video games throughout Week 13 with out a back-to-back, so a return on Monday may imply a three-game week for Inexperienced. His return will undoubtedly affect Jonathan Kuminga. Dario Saric, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Kevon Looney is also affected if the Warriors use lineups that function Inexperienced on the middle place.
— It is nonetheless “T.J. McConnell Time” in Indiana
Doncic is not the one high-level level guard sidelined as a result of damage. Tyrese Haliburton has been out since straining his hamstring throughout a January 8 win over the Celtics. Within the aftermath of the damage, it was reported that he can be re-evaluated in two weeks. Consequently, Andrew Nembhard has moved into the start line guard position, however he is not the participant many fantasy managers focused. T.J. McConnell was, and he is supplied high 50 per-game worth in 9-cat codecs over the previous week. Nembhard is ranked outdoors the highest 150, however at 14% rostered in Yahoo leagues, he’ll be a lot simpler to search out on waiver wires than McConnell (55%). The excellent news for fantasy managers, particularly those that have McConnell rostered, is that the Pacers play 4 video games throughout Week 13.
Gentle Recreation Days
Tuesday: 3 Video games
DEN vs. PHI
SAC vs. PHO
OKC vs. LAC
Week 13 Again-to-backs
Sunday (Week 12)-Monday: IND, MIA
Monday-Tuesday: OKC, PHI
Tuesday-Wednesday: None
Wednesday-Thursday: MIN, NYK, TOR, UTA
Thursday-Friday: IND
Friday-Saturday: ATL, CHA, PHI, SAS
Saturday-Sunday: HOU, WAS
Sunday-Monday (Week 14): BOS, ORL, PHO
