We anticipate weeks for players like Nikola Jokic and Noah Clowney largely based on their respective teams’ matchups. Use these insights on NBA lineups and opponent weaknesses to lock in your roster and rise in fantasy basketball rankings.
days with less than six games
These are the dates to target players for streaming options for the following teams:
Thursday, December 4 – BOS on WAS, GSW on PHI, UTA on BKN, LAL on TOR, MIN on NOP
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Teams with more than three games this week
Be sure to activate players from the following teams and target the weekly pickup:
Hawks (4), Nets (4), Celtics (4), Hornets (4), Bulls (4), Cavaliers (4), Mavericks (4), Nuggets (4), Pistons (4), Warriors (4), Rockets (4), Clippers (4), Lakers (4), Heat (4), Bucks (4), Knicks (4), Magic (4), 76ers (4), Trail Blazers (4), Raptors (4), Jazz (4), Wizards (4)
Teams playing less than three games this week
Consider looking for streaming options if your roster includes players from these teams:
Surya (2), Raja (2)
Top target teams based on friendly matches
Brooklyn Nets
Matchup: vs Hornets, vs Bulls, vs Jazz, vs Pelicans
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The Nets may be struggling, but they have an opportunity to take advantage of a favorable week on the schedule, as all four of their opponents are among the top seven teams in most points per game. They start things off against the Hornets, who are giving up the league’s seventh-most points per game, including the fifth-most by an opposing point guard, providing rookie Igor Demin a chance to build on recent momentum.
Next, the Nets face the Bulls, who give up the league’s fourth-most points, fifth-most rebounds and third-most offensive rebounds per game, providing a great opportunity for frontcourt players including De’Ron Sharp to increase their stats. On Thursday, the Nets will face the Jazz, who are giving up the league’s second-most points per game, followed by a encounter with the Pelicans, who are giving up the league’s fifth-most points per game. Noah Clowney is a likely candidate to continue his strong play and make the most of the week, while Tyrese Martin, Danny Wolf and Ziaire Williams are also players worth watching.
denver nuggets
matchup: vs. Mavericks, at Pacers, at Hawks, at Hornets
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The Nuggets began Week 7 against the Mavericks giving up the league’s third-most rebounds, including the fifth-most offensive rebounds per game. Ahead are meetings with two more teams that are struggling on the glass, as the Pacers are giving up the most free throws per game as well as the league’s fourth-most rebounds, while the Hawks are giving up the sixth-most offensive boards per game.
All three matchups are extremely favorable for Nikola Jokic, who should dominate the paint and score easy points at the foul line. Meanwhile, Peyton Watson and Cameron Johnson should similarly try to gain advantage on the glass and attack the basket while looking for fouls, especially when they need to help compensate for the absence of Aaron Gordon. Finally, the Nuggets finished things off against the Hornets, giving up the league’s second-highest field-goal percentage to opponents. Bruce Brown, who dished out 10 assists in the Nuggets’ last outing, is another player who could prosper over the four-game period.
Houston Rockets
matchup: at Jazz, vs Kings, vs Suns, at Mavericks
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The Rockets have had a strong start to the season and have a remarkable opportunity to advance further, as they face four very winnable games. First, their meeting with the Jazz, who are giving up the league’s most 3-pointers per game, provides an ideal opportunity for Kevin Durant to help set the tone with his perimeter scoring and for Reed Shepard to stay hot, as he is hitting 45.5% from deep on the season.
Next, the Rockets will take on the Kings, who are giving up the sixth-most rebounds per game in the league, which should allow Steven Adams and Clint Capela to stand out as difference-makers. Ahead are two matchups against teams that are having trouble taking care of the ball, as the Suns are giving up the league’s sixth-most turnovers per game, while the Mavericks are giving up the fourth-most turnovers along with the sixth-most free throws per game. The Rockets’ defense is likely to smother both opponents, an area where Josh Okogie, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun can put up numbers.
Miami Heat
matchup: vs. Clippers, at Mavericks, at Magic, vs. Kings
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The Heat’s leading scorers, Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, are ready for a prime opportunity to continue their impressive play, as Week 7 begins against the Clippers, who are giving up the league’s fourth-highest 3-point shooting percentage and fourth-most 3-pointers per game. Next, the Heat duel with the Mavs, who are giving up the league’s third-most points in the paint per game, a clear window for Bam Adebayo and Klay’l Ware to take control, while Andrew Wiggins can also add pressure by attacking the basket.
Moving forward, there will be a meeting with the Magic, who are struggling to stop opposing guards, where Davion Mitchell and Drew Smith should step up to get the most of the matchup. The Heat conclude the week against the Kings, who are giving up the league’s third-highest field-goal percentage, which is an ideal opportunity for guys like Pelle Larsson and Jaime Jaquez to make a statement.
new York Knicks
matchup:At Celtics, vs Hornets, vs Jazz, vs Magic
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After Sunday’s win over the Raptors, the Knicks are poised to clinch the second seed in the East, especially as they look forward to four favorable matchups in Week 7. They start against the Celtics, who are giving up the league’s seventh-most free throws and third-most offensive rebounds per game, where Karl-Anthony Towns should take advantage early, while Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart can help solidify dominance in the paint.
Next, the Knicks meet the Hornets, who are giving up the league’s highest 3-point shooting percentage, followed by a matchup with the Jazz, who are giving up the league’s fifth-highest field-goal percentage, including the sixth-highest 3-point shooting percentage. These two games provide a foundation for Jalen Brunson to continue his long-range shooting, while Miles McBride, Mikal Bridges and Jordan Clarkson are perfectly suited to double down on their long-range abilities. They close out the week against the Magic, who allow the league’s 10th-most points in the paint and the sixth-most free throws per game to opposing centers, which means another chance for the Knicks’ frontcourt to steal the spotlight.
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