In this article we will analyze the weekly schedule in order to plan for ideal roster management. With NBA Cup Quarterfinals and Semifinals on the docket, it is a critical time to consider roster management, as number of teams are limited to just one game.
Days with fewer than six games
These are dates to target players for streaming options from the following teams:
Monday, December 8th: SAC at IND, PHX at MIN, SAS at NOP
Tuesday, December 9th - NBA Cup Quarterfinals: MIA at ORL, NYK at TOR
Wednesday, December 10th - NBA Cup Quarterfinals: PHX at OKC, SAS at LAL
Thursday, December 11th: BOS at MIL, LAC at HOU, POR at NOP, DEN at SAC
Saturday, December 13th - NBA Cup Semifinals: TBD (either MIA or ORL, and NYK or TOR from the East, and either PHX or OKC, and SAS or LAL from the West)
Teams with more than two games this week
Make sure to activate players and target weekly pickups from the following teams:
Timberwolves, Pelicans, Kings, Pacers
Teams with fewer than two games this week
Consider looking for streaming options if your roster includes players from these teams:
Celtics, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Rockets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Jazz
Top teams to target based on favorable matchups
Here, we will analyze the schedules of the only four teams that have more than two games on their slate for the next seven days, regardless of matchup difficulty.
Timberwolves 
- vs. Suns, at Warriors, vs. Kings
The Timberwolves' frontcourt
In this article we will analyze the weekly schedule in order to plan for ideal roster management. With NBA Cup Quarterfinals and Semifinals on the docket, it is a critical time to consider roster management, as number of teams are limited to just one game.
Days with fewer than six games
These are dates to target players for streaming options from the following teams:
Monday, December 8th: SAC at IND, PHX at MIN, SAS at NOP
Tuesday, December 9th - NBA Cup Quarterfinals: MIA at ORL, NYK at TOR
Wednesday, December 10th - NBA Cup Quarterfinals: PHX at OKC, SAS at LAL
Thursday, December 11th: BOS at MIL, LAC at HOU, POR at NOP, DEN at SAC
Saturday, December 13th - NBA Cup Semifinals: TBD (either MIA or ORL, and NYK or TOR from the East, and either PHX or OKC, and SAS or LAL from the West)
Teams with more than two games this week
Make sure to activate players and target weekly pickups from the following teams:
Timberwolves, Pelicans, Kings, Pacers
Teams with fewer than two games this week
Consider looking for streaming options if your roster includes players from these teams:
Celtics, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Rockets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Jazz
Top teams to target based on favorable matchups
Here, we will analyze the schedules of the only four teams that have more than two games on their slate for the next seven days, regardless of matchup difficulty.
Timberwolves - vs. Suns, at Warriors, vs. Kings
The Timberwolves' frontcourt is set up to thrive through the week, as each of their three opponents have shown particular weakness in the paint. They begin with a matchup against the Suns, who are likely to put up the most resistance among the group but are still giving up the league's fourth-highest field-goal percentage to opposing centers, along with the league's fifth-most turnovers per game. Next, a meeting with the Warriors, who give up the league's seventh-most rebounds, third-most offensive rebounds and fourth-most turnovers per game. The Warriors also concede the second-most steals per game to opposing small forwards, and fifth-most rebounds per game to opposing centers, which provides an ideal environment for Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert to excel in their roles. The Timberwolves close the week against the Kings, who are giving up the league's highest field-goal percentage, most points in the paint, and fifth-most rebounds per game. They will also remain without Domantas Sabonis, which adds more to the advantage up front.
Kings 
- at Pacers, vs. Nuggets, at Timberwolves
The Kings continue to deal with injury trouble and turbulent times amidst a rough start to the season. They could have difficulty changing their luck over the next week, as two of their three opponents are relatively solid on the defensive end. The Pacers, who are giving up the league's seventh-most points and most free throws per game, stand as their first opponent and best shot at snagging an elusive win within the three-game stretch. The Pacers also give up the league's most points per game and second-highest field-goal percentage to opposing shooting guards, which means Zach LaVine will have a great chance to shine again, after his 42-point effort on Saturday. Next, the Kings clash with the Nuggets, who provide a very strong challenge but are also giving up the league's most points, fifth-most three-pointers and second-most free throws per game to opposing small forwards, which means DeMar DeRozan and possibly Nique Clifford could have a chance to step up as difference makers. The Kings close the week against the Timberwolves, who are giving up the league's fifth-most free throws per game, including the second-most to opposing centers, an area where Maxime Raynaud may have a chance to take advantage, especially as he has seen an increased role in the absence of Domantas Sabonis. The Timberwolves also give up the league's fourth-most points per game to opposing small forwards.
Pelicans 
- vs. Spurs, vs. Trail Blazers, at Bulls
The Pelicans sit at the bottom of the West and will need to seek out every edge they can get in order to make the most of their next three matchups. They kick things off with a meeting against the Spurs, who are 7-3 in their last 10 games but are giving up the league's fourth-highest three-point shooting percentage, along with the most points and fourth-most free throws per game to opposing point guards, which should provide room for both Trey Murphy, and Jeremiah Fears to step up and shine. Up next, the Pelicans encounter the Trail Blazers, who are giving up the league's second-most turnovers and sixth-most points per game. The Blazers are also giving up the fifth-most points per game to opposing point guards, and the most steals and second-most free throws per game to opposing shooting guards, which is another great opportunity for the aforementioned two to stand out, while Saddiq Bey and Jose Alvarado could also find a chance pad their stats. Lastly, the Pelicans take on the Bulls, who are giving up the league's fourth-most points per game, along with third-most rebounds per game to opposing centers, making for an ideal opportunity for Derik Queen and Yves Missi to emerge as influential factors.
Pacers 
- vs. Kings, at 76ers, vs. Wizards
The Pacers face quite a favorable week, beginning with a matchup against the Kings, who are giving up the league's fifth-most points per game, including the second-highest field-goal percentage to opposing point guards, and the fourth-most points per game to opposing shooting guards, which provides a great landscape for Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin to make their marks. Moving on, the Pacers meet with the 76ers, who are playing well but are also giving up the league's eighth-highest field-goal percentage and the seventh-most free throws per game to opposing shooting guards, and the eighth-most rebounds and fourth-most blocks per game to opposing power forwards, which signifies a key opportunity for Pascal Siakam and Jarace Walker to emerge as notable factors. To wrap the week, the Pacers take on the Wizards, who give up league's most points, sixth-highest field-goal percentage, most offensive rebounds, and most turnovers per game. This final outing is a fantastic chance for the squad to rally together against a struggling defense and squeeze out a win to brighten a largely disappointing start to the season.
