Welcome to The Week Ahead to help you figure out start/sit/streaming options for the upcoming fantasy hoops week (Dec. 30 to Jan. 5). Finally, a true return to normalcy as far as the NBA schedule is concerned. A whopping 13 teams play four games, 16 play three games and the Phoenix Suns only get two games this week.

Four-game teams and marginal players you should consider using for the extra game they’ll provide.

Boston Celtics – Payton Pritchard is a must-start this week in almost any format. Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet are also worth a look, especially if Kristaps Porzingis’ ankle is still hindering him. I do worry about Horford and Porzingis playing in back-to-backs so I’d consider both of them with a three-game week. If they play four, consider it a late Christmas gift.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Along with the obvious studs, Max Strus and Caris LeVert might be worth a roll of the dice with four games.

Denver Nuggets – Christian Braun, Peyton Watson (Aaron Gordon is hurt), Russell Westbrook and Julian Strawther are all worth a look. If Gordon is out, Watson might be a must-start, and I think Westbrook will be a super-hot pickup ahead of his four-game week.

Golden State Warriors – Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Dennis Schroder and Buddy Hield are all intriguing four-gamers this week. TJD has been getting nice run and Schroder should start figuring things out for his new team very soon. Podziemski has also been coming on a bit, while Wiggins and Kuminga look like must-plays to me.

L.A. Clippers – James Harden, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac should be ready to roll and Derrick Jones Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Kris Dunn and Amir Coffey are all worth a look with the extra game. Maybe Kawhi Leonard graces us with his presence and maybe he doesn’t. Either way, you still play the studs this week.

L.A. Lakers – Anthony Davis is currently dealing with a sprained ankle and you have to wonder if LeBron James will play in all four games with a back-to-back to deal with. Rui Hachimura looks like nearly a must-play, while Max Christie and Dalton Knecht are worth a flier with the four games. And D’Angelo Russell will also be worth a look if he’s healthy enough to play in all four.

New Orleans Pelicans – Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy, Herbert Jones and Yves Missi are all worth starting, while Brandon Boston and Javonte Green should make for decent pickups with a four-game week. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson could make an appearance this week which might throw a wrench in some of these guys, but it’s hard to see either of them playing in both of a back-to-back, if they even play at all this week.

New York Knicks – The four-game week is simply exciting if you’ve got Knicks on your roster. There may be one or two fringe guys who pop up with some value, but I bet you can find a three-game player off of waivers with more fantasy appeal.

Oklahoma City Thunder – The OKC studs should all be good to go and are probably exempt from a back-to-back day off. Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Isaiah Joe are all worth a look, while Isaiah Hartenstein should be considered a must-play. Alex Caruso might be worth a look as well, but make sure he’s healthy before locking him in.

Sacramento Kings – Keegan Murray, Keon Ellis and Trey Lyles are all worth a look with four games, while Malik Monk has reached must-start territory.

Utah Jazz – All of the Jazz guards are hurt, making Collin Sexton as must-start as they come and I don’t fully trust John Collins right now. Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski and maybe Johnny Juzang are all worth a look in deeper leagues with the nice schedule.

Washington Wizards – Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Jonas Valanciunas and Justin Champagnie all look like strong starts this week, while Carlton Carrington, Malcolm Brogdon and Kyshawn George are all worth deep-league looks.

16 three-game teams:

Don’t overthink your studs because of three games. Some three-game mid-range players are also worth a look with three games this week. Here’s a quick list of them.

Atlanta Hawks – Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, De’Andre Hunter, Zach Risacher and Larry Nance might all be worth a start.

Brooklyn Nets – Cam Thomas (if healthy), Cameron Johnson, Nic Claxton and Noah Clowney are all possibilities. I probably wouldn’t mess with Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton or Jalen Wilson in a three-game week.

Charlotte Hornets – Mark Williams is starting to look like a must-play, while you’ll want LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges in your lineups. Josh Green and Vasilije Micic should be faded, while I’d still be relatively comfortable using Cody Martin in a three-game week.

Chicago Bulls – Coby White, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are all nearly must-starts with three games. Josh Giddey (if healthy), Ayo Dosunmu (if healthy) and Patrick Williams might be worth a look, but you might be able to find a more intriguing (and healthy) player with four games on your waiver wire.

Dallas Mavericks – Luka Doncic is out for a month so Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes might be worth a shot, along with Naji Marshall. Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively are probably worth using this week, while Klay Thompson might be able to give you a couple good games.

Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham is the only must-start here, while Malik Beasley is close. Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris are the others to consider but the three games makes them borderline calls if you have a decent four-game option available.

Houston Rockets – Despite his struggles I’d probably roll with Fred VanVleet, while Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun are must-start players. Jabari Smith and Amen Thompson have also played well enough to be used this week. And if Tari Eason remains out, keep an eye on Cam Whitmore, who is coming on.

Indiana Pacers – Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard and Myles Turner are strong three-game starters but I’m not fully comfortable rolling with Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell if you have other options.

Memphis Grizzlies – They have a back-to-back so I’m a little worried about Ja Morant playing in all three games. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. should be good to go, while Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey, Santi Aldama and Jake LaRavia might be worth some starts given your other options.

Miami Heat – Will Jimmy Butler play this week? I have no idea but I don’t trust him at all with all the drama going on with Pat Riley, Butler and the Heat. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are must-starts, but I really don’t trust the rest of them.

Milwaukee Bucks – They don’t have a back-to-back, which is good news for Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. You pretty much have to start them, while Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis have all been playing well of late. I’m comfortable starting any of them in a weekly-lineup league.

Orlando Magic – Jalen Suggs and Goga Bitadze are basically must-start players, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Trsitan da Silva are also worth a look. Trevelin Queen is interesting, but I’m not sure I like him with only three games this week.

Portland Trail Blazers – Anfernee Simons, Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe are all worth a start for the week, while Deni Avdija is close to being a must-have in weekly leagues. Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson are also getting enough minutes to overcome the three-game week.

San Antonio Spurs – They have a back-to-back but even so, Victor Wembanyama has to be in all lineups, including weekly formats. Chris Paul, Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan are also basically must-starts, while Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie and Keldon Johnson are also worth a look. Harrison Barnes belongs on waivers at this point.

Toronto Raptors – I’m starting Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett in all formats, while Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji are worth consideration. We’ll have to see if Jakob Poeltl is healthy and keep a close eye on Kelly Olynyk, who is finally seeing his minutes creep up. Chris Boucher is also worth consideration, but I’m still not fully on board with starting him in a weekly league with just three games.

One two-game team:

Phoenix Suns: Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are borderline must-start players, even with two games, but I’m not messing with any other Suns this week, with the possible exception of Jusuf Nurkic. I also like Royce O’Neale in four-game weeks, but this is the opposite of that.

Schedule Breakdown

Low traffic days (5 or fewer games per slate): This week has no slates with five or fewer games, but there are three days with 6 games: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Here’s the breakdown:

6 teams with zero low traffic days: DEN, NYK, CHI, ATL, DAL, DET (Consider moving on from streamers on these teams since they’re unlikely to help much.)

15 teams with 1 low traffic day game: WAS, NOR, PHI, SAC, UTA, MIA, ORL, SAS, CHA, MEM, BKN, POR, HOU, TOR, PHO (Streamers from these teams might be good for one game, so see the above information on each of these teams for streaming options).

6 teams with 2 low traffic day games: MIN, IND, MIL, GSW, CLE, LAC

The Clippers, Bucks, Pacers and Timberwolves are especially strong for early-week adds since they play Tuesday and Thursday. Players to consider include: Derrick Jones Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Kris Dunn, Amir Coffey, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Taurean Prince, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, Mike Conley, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

3 teams with 3 low traffic day games: LAL, OKC, BOS (These teams have the best streaming schedules for the week.) Consider Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, Dalton Knecht, D’Angelo Russell, Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe, Alex Caruso, Peyton Pritchard, Al Horford, Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser.
Teams with a back-to-backs this week:

17 teams play 1 back-to-back this week: DEN, NYK, LAC, PHI, LAL, CLE, GSW, UTA, OKC, BOS, MIA, SAS, MEM, ATL, BKN, DET, TOR.

Good luck!