4 Games: DAL, DEN, DET, GS, HOU, LAL, MIL, PHO, POR, SAC, SA, WSH
3 Games: ATL, BOS, BKN, CHI, CLE, IND, LAC, MEM, MIA, NO, NY, OKC, ORL, PHI, TOR, UTA
2 Games: CHA, MIN

ON FIRE

Robert Covington – PF/SF – Philadelphia 76ers

The poor Sixers have very little to be excited about right now. Nerlens Noel has been a disappointment so far this season and they have yet to win a game and we are in to December. However, Robert Covington is back and playing at 100% from his injury that sidelined him for the first couple weeks of the NBA season and he has emerged as the Sixers best player again. That might be the problem and the main reason why they’re 0-18, but he has come in and helped the team each and every night. Over the last week, Covington is averaging 17.25 points, 1.0 block, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.3 three pointers and SIX steals per game. He’s been on fire of late, and he is STILL just 64.9% owened in ESPN leagues. His shooting percentages haven’t been very good, as he is just shooting 43% from the field and 75% from the free throw line, but we knew that was going to be the case from last season. He’s had at least one steal in every game since November 16th when he returned from injury.

Rajon Rondo – PG – Sacramento Kings

Rondo looks like the Rondo from his days in Boston as a member of the big three, dishing out an assist on just about every basket that was made. He is averaging 11 assists per game this season, and 14 per game over the last four. He also contributed with 11.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this week as well, making him a top-10 player in all formats this week. Rondo has really been a nice surprise for his owners this season as he has rejuvenated his career with the Kings, where he has DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay to take a lot of the pressure off of him as well, just like he had with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in Boston. Rondo is the closest thing to a sure double-double these days, and he has flirted with a triple-double a few times as well.

ICE COLD

LaMarcus Aldridge – PF – San Antonio Spurs

There’s no question that this is Kawhi Leonard’s team as far as scoring is concerned. He is the team’s leading scorer and it has really had an impact on LaMarcus Aldridge. This past week, LMA is averaging just 13 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He is shooting just 41% from the field and 75% from the free throw line, as he has really struggled to find his rhythm so far in San Antonio. Aldridge was the top dog, along with Damian Lillard, in Portland and he has had a tough time statistically adjusting to his new role within the Spurs system. We knew that his fantasy value would take a hit with his move to the Spurs, but he is certainly better than 13 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from the field. Look for Aldridge to find his groove here soon, however, he may never be what he was when he was in Portland.

Reggie Jackson – PG – Detroit Pistons

It’s been a week to forget for Jackson in Detroit, as he scored just 12 points per game over the last four contests, one of which came in Oklahoma City against his former team. Russell Westbrook let everyone know that he wasn’t missed around OKC, saying “who’s that?” when asked about Reggie Jackson returning to play against his former team. Jackson is shooting just 30% from the field as well, making him a prime candidate to be featured as one of this weeks players that are ice cold. Jackson will never be known to be a great shooter consistently, but 30% is terrible for any player in the NBA, much less a starting point guard for a team that is counting on him to be one of their top scoring options. He has chipped in with 6.8 assists per game over the last week, but he hasn’t been able to shoot well or score the way the Pistons are investing in him to do so.

Stream Options

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been playing well of late for the Brooklyn Nets, despite his most recent outing against the Pistons, and he is just 18.9% owned in ESPN leagues. RHJ has been able to contribute across the board, scoring, rebounding, blocking shots and stealing the basketball, but he has yet to really be able to put all of them together consistently. The Nets play just three times this week, but with RHJ being just 18.9% owned, he is more than likely out there for you to snag to contribute to your team this week. What I like most about Hollis-Jefferson is the minutes he has been playing lately, playing around 30 minutes per game in each game since November 14th.

T.J. Warren has been a nice surprise for the Suns in the last week, averaging 19.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Warren doesn’t contribute much in many categories other than scoring and rebounding, but he shot just below 60% from the field and 87% from the free throw line during this stretch as well. The Suns play four games this week, making Warren a nice option to add while he’s hot and shooting the ball well. The main thing to lean on is that Warren is playing 29.5 minutes per game over the last four games, giving him plenty of minutes to see the opportunities continue to come his way.

Jeff Green has been a completely different player for the Grizzlies since being inserted into the starting rotation. Green has started the last nine games for the Grizzlies, scoring in double digits in seven of them, and scoring 19 or more in four of them. In the last week, Green is averaging 15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 51% from the field. Green will continue to see minutes in the Grizzlies rotation as long as he continues to start. The Grizzlies have found their stride lately, winning seven of their last 10 games after getting off to a rough start.

Games of the Week

Monday – Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz

Golden State is 18-0 to start the season, destroying just about everyone that comes in their path. They take on an outstanding defensive team in Utah on Monday, making this an interesting matchup to see if the champs finally get knocked off.

Tuesday – Los Angeles Lakers at Philadelphia 76ers

Could this be the game that the Sixers finally win? The Lakers come to town on Tuesday, giving the Sixers their best chance to win a game that they will have just about all season long. If the Lakers win, the Sixers may not win a game through Christmas.

Wednesday – New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets

It hasn’t been the start that either team has hoped for to start the season, but they’re both on the way up. Anthony Davis has had an up and down season, fighting many injuries already this season, but should be good to go on Wendesday against the Rockets. James Harden has been one of the hottest players in the NBA over the last few games, so it will be intriguing to watch how dominant he can be against the Pelicans backcourt that can’t seem to stop anyone.

Thursday – San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies

This is always one of my favorite games to watch, simply because it’s a battle of two teams that play old school basketball. The Grizzlies have started to play like the Grizzlies of old, but still lost to the Spurs in San Antonio just nine days ago. Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge headline a game with stars, talent and fantasy implications.

Friday – Cleveland Cavaliers at New Orleans Pelicans

Friday, LeBron James and Kevin Love head to the big easy to take on Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans in a matchup that features three of the best players in the NBA. Kevin Love against Anthony Davis will be a very interesting matchup to see if the outside or inside will win the battle of both of these players that can be a true stretch four player.

Saturday – Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat

While we are a full season removed from the LeBron James and Miami Heat saga, it’s likely going to be intriguing to see him return to Miami any time that he does so for the foreseeable future. King James returns to Miami, need I say more?

Sunday – Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant is back and playing as well as he has all season, as the Thunder host Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins. It will be interesting to see if anyone on the Thunder down in the paint can contain Cousins, and can anyone stop Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant on the other side of things?