NBA Week 5 Schedule Advice: Best Fantasy Basketball Streaming Targets

Make sure not to get caught off guard by the NBA schedule in Week 5. With many teams playing four games, this is the time to activate every player from your fantasy basketball team with a full ledger.

We analyze the NBA lineups and matchups to identify the best streaming targets and NBA sleepers—like those on the Hornets, Bulls, Nuggets, Thunder, and Raptors—who are poised to have big weeks.

Conversely, teams with limited games, like the Lakers and Rockets, may warrant a temporary benching, regardless of their NBA fantasy rankings.

NBA Schedule Analysis

Days with fewer than six games

These are dates to target players for streaming options from the following teams: 

Thursday, November 20: LAC at ORL, ATL at SAS, PHI at MIL, SAC at MEM

Teams with more than three games this week

Make sure to activate players and target weekly pickups from the following teams:

Hawks (4), Hornets (4), Bulls (4), Cavaliers (4), Mavericks (4), Nuggets (4), Clippers (4), Heat (4), Pelicans (4), Thunder (4), Magic (4), 76ers (4), Trail Blazers (4), Raptors (4), 

Teams with fewer than three games this week

Consider looking for streaming options if your roster includes players from these teams:

Rockets (2), Lakers (2)

Top Teams to Target in Week 5

Hornets at Raptors, at Pacers, vs. Clippers, at Hawks 

The Hornets are just 1-5 on the road and open the week with two road games. However, they have a good chance to come away with at least one win among the two outings, beginning with their matchup against the Raptors, who are giving up the league's fifth-most free throws per game, and the league's sixth-most rebounds to opposing power forwards. Next, the Pacers are giving up the league's fourth-most points, most free-throw attempts and fifth-most points in the paint per game, providing a great opportunity for guys like Miles Bridges, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Moussa Diabate to get off to a good start to the week. The Hornets then return home for a matchup with the Clippers, who are giving up the third-most three-pointers per game, which could leave room for Kon Knueppel to keep up his impressive scoring. For their last game of the week, the Hornets take on the Hawks, who are giving up the league's third-most offensive rebounds per game, providing another ideal chance for the big men to pad their stats with put-backs, while the squad should also benefit from a few extra possessions. 

Bulls at Nuggets, at Trail Blazers, vs. Heat, vs. Wizards 

The Bulls have dropped five in a row, including a double-overtime road loss against the Jazz on Sunday, and their toughest challenge of the week will likely be their Monday-night showdown against the Nuggets. However, there will be areas to exploit, considering the Nuggets are giving up the league's fourth-highest field-goal percentage to opposing centers and fourth-most steals per game to opposing small forwards. The Bulls then wrap up a four-game road trip against the Trail Blazers, where they should find room to boost their offensive output, as the Blazers are giving up the league's fifth-highest field-goal percentage and third-most free throws per game. The week lightens up as the Bulls return home for a meeting with a shorthanded Heat team that is also giving up the league's fifth-most points per game. Finally, they clash with the Wizards, who are giving up the league's most points, sixth-most points in the paint and second-most offensive rebounds in the league. The Bulls' bigs, Nikola Vucevic, Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith, and Patrick Williams, should all pad their stats at some point through the week. Meanwhile, Coby White will likely be in and out of the lineup as he gets up to speed, which will leave a few opportunities for Tre Jones, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kevin Huerter to chip in a bit extra.

Nuggets vs. Bulls, at Pelicans, at Rockets, vs. Kings 

The Nuggets enter Week 5 on a seven-game win streak and face a great chance to keep it rolling with their first matchup, as they clash with the Bulls, who are giving up the league's third-most points in the paint per game. Next, they meet the Pelicans, who are giving up the league's eighth-most points and eighth-most points in the paint per game. Both of the first two matchups play to the Nuggets' strengths and should allow their frontcourt players Nikola Jokic, Jonas Valanciunas, Aaron Gordon, and Peyton Watson to prosper. Moving on, the Nuggets clash with the Rockets, who are giving up the league's 10th-most three-pointers per game and the league's fifth-highest field-goal percentage to opposing power forwards, which could be a game where Jamal Murray and Tim Hardaway can step up to expose the defense with their long-range shooting. The Nuggets close the week with a matchup against the Kings, who are giving up the league's second-most points and second-most points in the paint per game, once again giving the Nuggets' powerful frontcourt a chance to take control of the game. 

Thunder at Pelicans, vs. Kings, at Jazz, vs. Trail Blazers 

The Thunder are 9-1 in their last 10 games and have won five in a row. They should keep rolling through most of their Week 5 action, as they have four favorable encounters lined up, beginning with the Pelicans, who are giving up the league's third-highest field-goal percentage. Moving along, they clash with the Kings, who are giving up the league's highest field-goal percentage, which is another great chance for the Thunder's deep lineup, including guys like Ajay Mitchell, Isaiah Joe, and Jaylin Williams to pad their stats. Next, a meeting with the Jazz, who are giving up the league's second-most turnovers per game, is an ideal opportunity for Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to pad their stats with pesky defense and quick hands. Lastly, the Thunder wrap the week against the Trail Blazers, who are giving up the league's eighth-most offensive rebounds and seventh-most turnovers per game, which could be an outing where Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein can dominate from the interior. Aaron Wiggins (thigh), and Jalen Williams (wrist) could also be nearing comebacks, which would likely first affect Joe and Mitchell's minutes.

Raptors vs. Hornets, at 76ers, vs. Wizards, vs. Nets 

The Raptors are 7-1 in their last eight games and have a fantastic opportunity to keep building their momentum through Week 5. Their first game comes against the Hornets, who are giving up the league's eighth-most three-pointers per game, which should provide room for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Brandon Ingram to get the offense rolling. Next, a clash with the 76ers, who are giving up the league's most points per game to opposing shooting guards, once again favoring the Raptors' scoring wings, and the fourth-most points to opposing centers, which leaves room for Jakob Poeltl to continue to step up as an x-factor. Moving ahead, the Raptors meet with the Wizards, who are giving up the sixth-most three-pointers and most turnovers per game, followed by a matchup against the Nets, who are giving up the league's seventh-most points and most points in the paint per game. Both of the final two games should provide excellent opportunities for Scottie Barnes to pad his stats with hustle plays and strong play in the paint. Additionally, backup big men Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles, could emerge as influential factors through the week.