Before we all enjoy the upcoming All-Star Break, let us ensure we stay competitive in the 2-Part schedule for Week 17. Let’s start with the first half. With the uneven schedules across the league, knowing which teams play three times, which ones are stuck with two, and which are barely showing up at all can give you a real edge. Let’s break down the week ahead and highlight where you can squeeze out extra value.
Week 17A: (February 9 to February 15)
- 3 Games:
- LAL, MIL, OKC, POR, UTA
- 2 Games:
- ATL, BKN, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, MEM, MIA, MIN, NOP, NYK, ORL, PHI, PHX, SAC, SAS
- 1 Games:
- BOS, TOR, WAS
Only five teams play three games this week, making them especially valuable in weekly formats. The Jazz have the best overall schedule, lining up games against the Heat, Kings, and Trail Blazers. However, the Wednesday–Thursday back-to-back raises some red flags. Utah has every incentive to keep losing to protect its first-round pick, so players like Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George could be at risk for rest or reduced workloads. The Trail Blazers open the week with a tough stretch against the Sixers and Timberwolves before closing against the Jazz, which helps soften the blow. The Bucks arguably have the most difficult slate, facing the Magic twice along with a matchup against the Thunder. The Lakers aren’t far behind, drawing the Thunder, Spurs, and Mavericks in what shapes up to be a challenging week.
A massive 22 teams play just two games, making schedule quality especially important. Among these teams, the Heat and Kings stand out with excellent matchups since both teams face the Jazz and Pelicans. This is a great week to load up on their players wherever possible. The Timberwolves are also in a strong spot, drawing the Hawks and Trail Blazers and setting up for some big fantasy lines. On the flip side, the Clippers have a brutal schedule, playing the Rockets twice. With James Harden and Ivica Zubac no longer in Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard will be asked to shoulder a massive workload just to keep the Clippers competitive. The Hawks, Suns, and Knicks also fall into red-week territory and should be approached cautiously.
Three teams are stuck with just one game this week: the Celtics, Raptors, and Wizards. Boston at least gets a favorable matchup against the Bulls, making their top options playable despite the limited volume. The Wizards face the Cavaliers, while the Raptors draw the Pistons, which are solid matchups, but it’s still tough to justify fringe players with only one game on the schedule.
B2B Games:
- Mon-Tue: LAL
- Tue-Wed: HOU, IND, LAC, NYK, PHX, SAS
- Wed-Thu: MIL, OKC, POR, UTA
Games Spread:
- Mon: 10 Games
- Tue: 4 Games
- Wed: 14 Games
Top Streaming Options:
- Aaron Wiggins
- Cason Wallace
- Ace Bailey
- Isaiah Collier
- Marcus Smart
- AJ Green
- Scoot Henderson
- Jarace Walker
- Niederhauser
- Royce O’Neal
