Week 22 Start/Sit: Lineup decisions

Knowing, or in some cases guessing, who to start will be a key factor for many as the end of the season approaches. For those still alive in their fantasy leagues, let’s see if we can give you a leg up on your opponent this week. Week 22 sees two teams with five games, namely Phoenix and Washington. From there, the split is even, with 14 teams playing three times and 14 teams playing four times.

Sitting players who only go once or twice have their advantages, but Fantasy managers still have to make smart decisions about who to play, regardless of the number of games. Being aware of back-to-back sets is also a key factor, especially with so many teams now sitting out players due to injury management.

Five games: PHO, WAS

Four games: ATL, BKN, BOS, DEN, GSW, HOU, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIN, NOP, ORL, POR, SAS

Three games: CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DET, IND, MIA, MIL, NYK, OKC, PHI, SAC, TOR, UTA

Two games: N/A

Here are four potential starters and four potential seats for Week 22 of the NBA season. Just keep in mind that this is based on games played during the week. If you play in a rotisserie league, the number of games played each week may not matter in your format.

Guards

Consider getting started: Javon Small, MEM

Opponents: @CHI, DEN, BOS, @CHA

Although the rotation in Memphis has been difficult to define, it appears Small is relatively safe. He has played in 12 of the Grizzlies’ 13 games over the past month, quietly ranking in the top 40 in nine league standard categories. During that span, he averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 three-pointers in 25.8 minutes per game. While there will likely be fluctuations in his playing time, Small has been productive even when limited. With four games remaining, managers should definitely consider him as a starting option this week.

Consider sitting down: Andrew Nembhard, IND

Opponents: @NYK, POR, SAS

Nembhard sat out during Sunday’s loss to the Bucks, a trend that certainly doesn’t bode well for his long-term fantasy value. He has now missed five of the last 13 games, while his per-game production has been serviceable at best. In nine appearances over the past month, Nembhard is outside the top 170, averaging 15.2 points, 6.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 three-pointers. All things considered, leaving it on your bench is probably the safest option.

Consider sitting down: Max Christie, DAL

Opponents: @NOP, ATL, LAC

Although she is locked in as a starter, Christie’s recent production reflects a bench scoring option. In eight games over the past two weeks, he’s averaged just 8.9 points and 2.0 three-pointers in 27.6 minutes per game, leaving him well outside the top 250 during that span. Unless you desperately want to have three, Christie is definitely someone to consider not just as a bench, but as a full-on hobby.

Attackers

Consider getting started: Bilal Coulibaly, WAS

Opponents: GSW, DET, DET, OKC, @NYK

Another player who seems relatively safe, despite the constant reshuffling of the rotation, Coulibaly has now played and started 15 consecutive games. After dealing with multiple injuries early in the season, Washington may have just decided to send him out there regardless of the situation given that he’s already missed time. Coulibaly’s offensive production often poses a problem in terms of consistency. However, his recent production has been more than adequate, averaging 17.0 points in each of the last three games, adding 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 three-pointers and 2.0 steals and blocks combined. Assuming you can handle a possible impact on your on-field success percentage, Coulibaly is an interesting starting candidate, especially with five potential games.

Consider getting started: Danny Wolf, BKN

Opponents: POR, OKC, NYK, @SAC

Wolf hasn’t completely broken out yet, but has managed to carve out a consistent 28-minute-a-night role. With others around him missing games sporadically, Wolf has found himself thrust into a larger role, having started in three of the last four games. During that time, he averaged 12.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers and 0.8 blocks. His potential remains somewhat limited, making him a risky play this week. However, with four games on the schedule, he should be able to do enough to secure a starting spot down the line.

Consider sitting down: Pascal Siakam, IND

Opponents: @NYK, POR, SAS

This one is a bit simpler, even though Siakam’s upside potential is so high. The simple fact is that he has now missed seven of the last 10 games with wrist and knee injuries. Although he was deemed questionable before each of the last three games, it is unclear if he will return to the field soon. Indiana also starts the week with a back-to-back game, meaning that even if Siakam is cleared to return, the chances of him playing all three games next week are very low. To save yourself the associated frustrations, moving it to your bench seems wise.

Centers

Consider getting started: Oso Ighodaro, SPO

Opponents: @BOS, @MIN, @SAS, MIL, TOR

This could be the toughest decision for a player expected to start this week. On the surface, Ighodaro should be a no-brainer, with very little competition for minutes and five games over the next seven days. However, despite making six consecutive starts, Ighodaro has struggled to produce. During that span, he averaged just 7.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals and blocks combined. These aren’t league standard numbers, that’s for sure. However, the five-game week is very enticing, putting him in a situation where quantity may trump quality. Considering this is its floor, it certainly has room to increase its production, making it a risk worth taking.

Consider sitting down: Jalen Smith, CHI

Opponents: MEM, TOR, CLE

Smith has played in three games since returning from a calf injury, although he missed Chicago’s last game against the Clippers, which was on the second night of a back-to-back. Although he appears to have forced his way back into the starting lineup, the fact is the Bulls are only playing three games this week, including two back-to-back nights. So with potentially only two games in the next seven days, it makes sense to move Smith to your bench instead of someone who might play three or four times.