Matchups for Monday, Nov. 19
All times are Eastern Time.
Key: Opp. PPG = Points per game allowed to opponents. Opp. FGP = Field goal percentage allowed to opponents. RPG Diff. = The difference between a team's rebounds per game and its opponents' rebounds per game.
Injury Report
Out:
Darrell Armstrong, PG, Nets (thigh)
Vince Carter, SG, Nets (ankle)
Luke Ridnour, PG, SuperSonics (quadriceps)
Day-to-day:
Primoz Brezec, C, Bobcats (nose)
Darko Milicic, PF/C, Grizzlies (thumb)
Chris Paul, PG, Hornets (ankle)
Robert Swift, C, SuperSonics (knee)
Kurt Thomas, PF/C, SuperSonics (hamstring)
Start 'Em, Sit 'Em
Emeka Okafor could have a big rebounding night for Charlotte against Portland. He's the reason the Bobcats have out-rebounded their opponents so far, and the Trail Blazers haven't rebounded well at all this year. … The matchup between Okafor and LaMarcus Aldridge will be a good one; Aldridge will try to pull Okafor away from the basket, and if Aldridge can make some outside shots, Portland's guards should be able to get to the rim against the rest of the Bobcats. I think both big men should have nice games for their respective teams. … In the Orlando-New Orleans game, expect big nights out of the Magic's Hedo Turkoglu and the Hornets' David West. I don't see either of them being able to defend the other at all, and Dwight Howard and Tyson Chandler should be too busy blocking one another out to help much. … You probably can safely start Peja Stojakovic, as well; Rashard Lewis isn't exactly known for his defensive prowess. … I normally would sit Jameer Nelson against Chris Paul, but Paul is day-to-day with an ankle issue, and it's unclear how effective he'll be. … Seattle-Memphis has all the makings of an up-and-down game with a ton of points scored, so if you have guys on either team, you'll want to start them. … I don't see how New Jersey is going to deal with Utah's size on the front line, and as a result, I'm expecting big games out of Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko. … The matchup between Deron Williams and Jason Kidd should be a great one; I'd obviously start both of them against anyone in the league.
Waiver-Wire Pickups
My money is on Matt Carroll in the contest to see who will be the fifth relevant fantasy player for Charlotte. Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson, Emeka Okafor and Raymond Felton all are viable options, but over the next few weeks, I expect Carroll, who is a great shooter, to distinguish himself as a key player for his team. If you need 3-pointers, he's not a bad guy to stash on your bench. … Memphis' Kyle Lowry has been playing more minutes than Damon Stoudamire, and if that trend continues, he could be an extremely valuable fantasy player. Matching up against Chris Paul on Friday night, Lowry had eight assists in 31 minutes. … A lot of people might pick up Juan Carlos Navarro after he put up 28 points and hit eight 3's Friday night, but I'm still waiting to see more; he's not going to go 8-of-9 from long range every night. … This week could be one of your last chances to pick up Nets rookie big man Sean Williams. He had another three blocks in 17 minutes Friday night as the Nets were blown out by the Magic. Eventually, New Jersey is going to have to play him more if it wants to contend, since he's its best front-line defender and he's a big plus on offense over Jason Collins.
Seth Landman is a fantasy basketball analyst for ESPN.com