Week 13 of the fantasy basketball season features international travel as the Pacers and Spurs will play two games in Paris. Both teams’ schedules leave them out of the running in terms of fantasy streaming value, as these are the only games Indiana and San Antonio will play. On Monday there are some matinees on the occasion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the program, which has become an annual tradition for the NBA. Tuesday (five games), Friday (three) and Sunday (one) are the streaming days for Week 13, while Saturday has a solid 14-game slate.
Games played in week 13
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, ORL, PHI, PHO, SAC, TOR, UTA, WHAT
2 games: IND, SAS
Week 13 storylines
– Avoid Indiana and San Antonio at the start of Week 13
Not only do the Pacers and Spurs only play twice in Week 13, their first game isn’t until Thursday. Indiana and San Antonio travel to Paris where they will play two games (Thursday and Saturday) before returning to the states. Even worse for fantasy managers who may be looking for value, these are two of the busiest days on the Week 13 calendar. Nine games will be played on Thursday and 14 on Saturday. Aside from these teams’ established fantasy stars, there’s little reason to consider streaming anyone unless there’s a serious injury.
– Seven teams play on Wednesdays/Thursdays in a row, another five play on Fridays/Saturdays
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the days to keep an eye on if players have to sit out due to injury management. The Clippers are among seven teams scheduled to play back-to-back on Wednesday/Thursday as they host the Celtics and Wizards. With Kawhi Leonard’s minutes still being managed, he is a prime candidate to sit out the second game. The Celtics are another team to keep an eye on as they will be visiting the Lakers one night after playing 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 both meetings in Southern California.
As for teams scheduled to play back-to-back games Friday/Saturday, New Orleans and Philadelphia are drawing attention due to their injury issues throughout the season. While Joel Embiid (foot) likely won’t be available in Week 13, Zion Williamson could be limited to a three-game week (instead of four) due to injury concerns. Charlotte, Cleveland and Memphis also must play back-to-back Friday/Saturday games, 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 team fantasy managers should consider heading into Week 13, it’s Portland. The Trail Blazers play three of their four Week 13 games in the final four days, starting with a road game against Orlando (Thursday) and Charlotte (Friday). Injuries and rest breaks have eliminated the deadlock at the center position, Donovan Clingan (ankle) is out, but Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams are also struggling with health problems. The wing rotation is also notable, as Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija have missed time recently. Scoot Henderson and Toumani Camara are two players worth considering for Week 13, especially if Portland continues to be as shorthanded as it has been recently.
– There is only one game on the last day of week 13
Another important note about Portland’s Week 13 schedule is that their final game, Sunday at home against Oklahoma City, is the only matchup that day. Portland’s low-scoring players mentioned above (Henderson and Camara) are worth targeting, and Oklahoma City also has a few players worth a roll of the dice. Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins will all be in Sunday’s game among managers who may need a boost and need to complete a transaction (or more) before the end of the week.
– How many games will Miami get from Jimmy Butler?
Butler returned from his seven-game suspension on 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 activity appearing to pick up again after halftime. The Heat play three games in Week 13; Will Butler play without problems? Or will something happen? His availability impacts the entire rotation; When Butler starts, Duncan Robinson also starts due to space constraints, and Haywood Highsmith’s value decreases despite being a starter. Given Miami’s current situation, fantasy managers who added Nikola Jovic or Jaime Jaquez Jr. during Butler’s suspension should hold on to them until there is clarity on the future of this roster. Until Butler is traded, this will be a major subplot in fantasy basketball.
Easy game days
Tuesday: 5 games
NYK vs BKN
POR vs. MIA
ORL vs. TOR
PHI vs. DEN
WHAT vs. LAL
Friday: 3 games
POR vs CHA
CLE vs PHI
NOR vs. MEM
Sunday: 1 game
OKC vs POR
Week 13, back to back
Sunday (Week 12) – Monday: No
Monday-Tuesday: NYK
Tuesday-Wednesday: BKN
Wednesday-Thursday: BOS, DAL, GSW, LAC, MIL, OKC, SAC
Thursday-Friday: POR
Friday-Saturday: CHA, CLE, MEM, NOR, PHI
Saturday-Sunday: No
Sunday-Monday (Week 14): No