The NBA's unpredictable schedule has led to a challenging Week 13, with teams facing different numbers of games this week. Fourteen teams will play four games, while 13 teams will participate in three, leaving only the Utah Jazz with just two games. This uneven distribution forces fantasy managers to make strategic choices about which players to start. Players like Lonzo Ball, with recent strong performances post-injury, are seen as viable starters, while others like Keyonte George and Keon Ellis may be better left on the bench due to limited opportunities or injuries.

Forwards like Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic have stepped up in the absence of Jimmy Butler for the Miami Heat, showcasing impressive stats that make them notable picks. Conversely, Jalen Johnson's shoulder injury clouds his availability, presenting a dilemma for managers weighing the risks versus rewards of starting him. In the center position, Donovan Clingan is being called upon amid Portland's injury woes, while Zach Edey's fluctuating minutes in Memphis raise concerns about his reliability this week.