Welcome back to another edition of Game Pick Starts. As we’ve mentioned before, Game Pick fantasy is a very unique and particular type of fantasy basketball structure. Each week, within your roster, you have to pick what game you want to count for each player on your Fantasy Basketball team. As always, you start your studs in their best matchup, particularly the teams in last place in NBA stats. You don’t win Fantasy Basketball leagues by having the best two or three players, but by being the best at playing in the margins. 

This year, the Sleeper fantasy app is only playing Game Pick style Fantasy Basketball. It adds an innovative level of research, unlike most other day-to-day Fantasy Basketball leagues. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Check out where to start some key guys this week in your Fantasy Basketball league:

Monday: Khris Middleton vs. Detroit

Albeit early in the season, Khris Middleton is clearly in the same All-Star form that he was a year ago. He’s averaging 21.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game to start the year. He’s shooting 53.4-percent overall and 49.5-percent from behind the arc. Middleton is clearly, weekly, a “must start” player.

This week against Detroit, he should be able to exploit the eighth-worst defense (in opponent points-per-game). Detroit has one of the league’s worst point differentials, and few defenders to really throw Middleton’s way. With Blake Griffin and Jerami Grant taking turns on Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Mason Plumlee gets Brook Lopez, Middleton could get a favorable matchup with Josh Jackson or Saddiq Bey, neither of whom will be able to keep up with the former Aggie.

Tuesday: Paul Millsap vs. Minnesota

Paul Millsap, much like the Denver Nuggets, is off to a slow start this year. Millsap is normally a stat-sheet-stuffing veteran presence. Currently, Millsap is averaging 12.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.

But Tuesday’s contest with Minnesota offers a great chance to get back on track. The Timberwolves have the third-worst defense in the NBA (in opponent points-per-game), and the second worse point differential in the NBA. When factoring all of that with their fast pace, they currently have the second-worst defensive rating of any NBA team. This defense is only weaker with Karl-Anthony Towns out with a long-term injury and Josh Okogie out with a short term one. When the Nuggets needed to snap back into themselves in the playoffs, Paul Millsap was the leader that pushed back on the Clippers. Look for him to make a similar statement with his play Tuesday.

Wednesday: John Collins vs. Charlotte

Wednesday has a slate of 11 games, and thus we’re pointing out a couple of players. One you can’t miss is John Collins. Collins is averaging 17 points, 6.8 rebounds, two assists, and 1.2 blocks per game this season in just 27 minutes per night.

Charlotte has a defense that is in the bottom half of the NBA in opponent scoring but is near average in point differential and in the top third of the league in pace. Thus, Collins and the Atlanta Hawk offense would be able to get what they want in a close game with a lot of possessions. Thus, Collins will probably see a stat line closer to 22.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.7 rebounds… also known as his “per-36” stats this year. And if he gets 29.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 blocks (his “per 100 possessions” stat line), then we’ll go ahead and say “you’re welcome” now.

Wednesday: Lou Williams vs Golden State

Finding places to play the perennial Sixth-Man of the Year candidate is tough. Lou Williams is able to explode for a big night against anyone, but it is tricky to figure out who it will be against. He is averaging 10.2 points and 3.2 assists per game this year, but how do you find the game he goes off for 22 points?

Simple: Find the Golden State game. The beaten and battered Warriors are playing at the league’s second-fastest pace while fielding the second-worst defensive rating. They have the league’s worst opponent points per game and worst point differential. All of that bodes well for a guy like Lou Williams, who will get a lot of minutes in a blow out win but still sees minutes with key rotational pieces. Lou Williams will get the early minutes in the game when it is still competitive and the minutes at the end of the game when the starters are out resting. He’s a must-play!

Thursday: Collin Sexton at Memphis

Collin Sexton has exploded for a great start offensively this season. Sexton is averaging 26 points, 3.7 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game this season. He’s the focal point of the Cleveland Cavaliers that have had a surprisingly strong first two weeks. While the Cavs winning can’t be relied upon this year, Sexton clearly is.

Memphis is at the bottom of the NBA in several defensive categories, including opponent points per game, point differential, and defensive rating… Which makes sense, as they are missing defensive presences in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justise Winslow. They play at a fast pace but are missing the young Ja Morant to push it. All of that adds up to a potential big day for Sexton. There will be less protection at the rim, less help along the perimeter, and no guard able to keep up with him on the break. Look for Sexton to have a big day.

Friday: Jerami Grant vs Phoenix

After signing a big contract last off-season, Jerami Grant is having a career year for the Detroit Pistons. His 23 points and 5.6 rebounds per game are both career highs, and he is shooting the ball well from inside and out. He’s quickly becoming a guy you have to start on your Fantasy Basketball team each week.

So why Phoenix? They have one of the better defenses this year, look primed to make the leap into the playoffs, and will likely throw some combination of Jae Crowder, Cameron Johnson, and Mikal Bridges at the long wing.

This is where the “Game Pick” gets tricky. Grant is a guy you need to start at some point this week, but they play the Milwaukee Bucks twice, Phoenix, and Utah. Two of those three teams feature the last three NBA Defensive Players of the Year. You’ve got to play Grant this week, and the Phoenix game looks like the best shot he has to get to the rim.

Friday: Caris LeVert vs Memphis

Caris LeVert is an important piece to the Brooklyn Nets, especially after the ACL injury to Spencer Dinwiddie. Given his important role as the third creator on the perimeter, LeVert will need to hold up in moments that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are out of the rotation. He’s currently averaging 14.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game.

As we mentioned with Collin Sexton, the Memphis Grizzlies are missing a lot of pieces that bolster their defense. Unlike Sexton, LeVert should continue to rack up stats as the game gets out of hand. He has been on the floor in closing lineups in blowouts and close games alike. Look for a stat-stuffed night out of Caris LeVert.

Saturday: Tyler Herro vs. Washington

Everyone remembers Tyler Herro’s snarl from the Orlando bubble, but his play this year has started off much smoother. After he was inserted back into the starting lineup, Herro has averaged 15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Herro hasn’t had a 37-point night like he did in Mickey’s backyard, but he has shot the ball well from inside and outside alike.

Saturday, when he plays Washington, he’ll get to see one of the league’s worst defenses from both this season and last. Washington plays at one of the highest paces in the league, and it is evident Head Coach Scott Brooks would rather outscore teams than outplay them. This game could very easily be two teams over 130 points, which likely means Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo combine for big nights opposite Bradley Beal.

Sunday: Fred VanVleet vs. Golden State

Listen, I get it. The Raptors have had a rough start to the season. Fred VanVleet has not. He’s averaging 19.2 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. His three-point-percentages have dropped, but he’s also shooting 10 three’s a night. On the whole, this is one of VanVleet’s best years statistically.

When thinking of the best he’s ever played, statistically, it’s hard to forget the 2019 NBA Finals, where he scored 22 points in the sealing Game 6 to knock off the defending champs. This Warriors defense pales in comparison to that one. As was mentioned with Lou Williams, Golden State is near the bottom of the league in almost every statistical category except pace, which they are at the top. VanVleet, Lowry, Siakam, and the whole cast of Raptors ought to have this game circled as a chance to really get Tampa Bay– er, I mean Toronto back on track.

Keep up with my writing at Belly Up Sports, more Fantasy Basketball and NBA writing on the Belly Up Fantasy page, follow me on Twitter @painsworth512 for more, and give our podcast“F” In Sports a listen wherever you listen to podcasts!