Dwight Howard and the Magic play five this week.

The NBA season is a few week in, and team identities are starting to form. There are not many surprises to be found around the league. The Knicks still stink, Boston has reinvented itself (we saw that one coming), and San Antonio is still the team to beat. But who would have thought Chicago would have such a slow start? Kirk Hinrich is struggling, and the Bulls need him if they plan on making a push for the playoffs. The Wizards have also come slow out of the game, but the recent play of Caron Butler has helped them win their last few games. This week offers some exciting match-ups, with Boston visiting Orlando promising to be a good game. With some quality teams on their schedule, it should be interesting to see if the perfect record of the Celtics remains intact for another week.

Five Games: Golden State and Orlando

Golden State has been easy to score on with opponents averaging nearly 120 points per game. Take players who will be facing them as they are struggling without Stephen Jackson. The Celtics and the Wizards should have huge nights against this defense. Orlando, on the other hand, has started the season off with a hot hand. Hedo Turkoglu is reaping the benefits from opponents focusing on Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis.  Jameer Nelson has also recently had a hot hand, with 24 points and 10 assists against the Knicks.

Four Games: Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, New Orleans, Sacramento, Toronto, and Washington

Keep an eye on Emeka Okafor. With a few monster performances, including a night where he put up 25 points while collecting 23 rebounds, he could be coming into his own as a top fantasy player. His match-ups against the Trailblazers and the Wizards are both favorable. And while the Nuggets have gold in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, not many outside of Denver know Linas Kleiza, who has the ability to come off the bench and adds to the scoring. Meanwhile, East will meet West as the Lakers will travel to Boston to meet up for a classic rivalry game. However, the cards seem stacked in favor of the Celtics for this one. But with Lamar Odom donning the purple and gold after resting for the first part of the season, the Lakers could make a game out of it.

Three Games: Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indiana, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, L.A. Clippers, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and San Antonio

The 76ers have a tough week ahead but could end it on a positive note by hosting the struggling Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The Cavaliers may have something in Devin Brown. He came off the bench and scored 20 points while adding 11 rebounds to his stats. If he continues to get playing time he is a solid player to have on the roster. And even though Dwyane Wade has returned to the Heat lineup, he cannot be expected to carry the load just yet. If Miami expects to win more games, Jason Williams will need to step up and take some of the burden from Wade. Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee’s 7-foot shooting forward, seems to be ahead of the curve, learning the pace of the NBA at a surprising rate. In fact, he is one of a handful of rookie players who is making an immediate fantasy impact, getting both points and rebounds. His stats will only improve as the season progresses.

Two Games: Seattle, and Utah

The Supersonics are in rebuilding mode, and Kevin Durant is the face of the future. However, they will not make an impact this season. Some of their players, on the other hand, can help a fantasy roster. Chris Wilcox is a solid fantasy player with over 15 points per game and just over eight rebounds. Damien Wilkins is also contributing, but look for Wilkins to get fewer minutes as the Sonics seem set on easing rookie Jeff Green into the lineup. Green should eventually work his way higher than Wilkins in the depth chart. On the other hand, Utah wants Paul Millsap to play more minutes as well, but it is understandably difficult for Millsap to get the time when he is playing behind the team’s best player, Carlos Boozer. Millsap will have his good nights, but do not look for him to be consistent as his minutes are never guaranteed.

Best Games

Monday, November 18th, 2007
Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic

Both the Orlando and Boston are off to fantastic starts to their respective seasons. By now, everyone knows how well the trio in Boston is clicking, but Orlando has quietly been getting the job done with a trio of their own: Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu. This will be an interesting match with two great teams and lots of talent at both ends of the court. I smell an upset and Boston’s first loss.

Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers

For pure shootouts, not many games will match the intensity that this one promises. The Nuggets have two guys who can score at will in Iverson and Anthony. On the other hand, the Clippers are more than capable of answering as they can also score in droves. Corey Maggette is dangerous around the basket, and if Chris Kamen heats up, he is one of the best centers in the league, pulling nearly as many boards per game (14) as he puts up points (just over 18). Denver can respond with Marcus Camby, but the oft injured center is not as quick as Kamen, and usually does not generate as much scoring either. L.A. has the sure hand of cagey veteran Sam Cassell who can score when called upon. He could be the difference maker in a high scoring affair.

Top Players This Week

Point Guards
Baron Davis
Gilbert Arenas
Jason Terry

Shooting Guards
Paul Pierce
Ray Allen
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Martin
Allen Iverson

Power Forwards
Al Harrington
Antawn Jamison
Kevin Garnett
Dirk Nowitzki
Chris Bosh

Shooting Forwards
Rashard Lewis
Hedo Turkoglu
Caron Butler
Ron Artest
Josh Howard
Carmelo Anthony

Centers
Andris Biedrins
Dwight Howard
Brad Miller
Marcus Camby

Sleepers
Linas Kleiza
Matt Barnes
Mickael Pietrus
Keith Bogans
Eddie House
Andrew Bynum
Brandon Bass