Fantasy Lab: Week 17

And now on to your favorite part of the Fantasy Lab each week -- or at least it should be your favorite part, but we digress -- the Lineup Fixer Sixer. Each week, we dig deep into our encyclopedia of fantasy knowledge and prognostication (it really is quite a magic book) to present you with six waiver-wire players capable of helping your team this week. They all have four-game slates, so even if they are only mediocre, at least they're cumulative totals are somewhat substantial. Here are the chosen ones for the post-All-Star Sixer:

G/F Wally Szczerbiak, Boston: Plagued by sore knees all of last season, it's his ankles that are undermining him this season. But after sitting out part of last week and playing the final game before the break, he should come back strong post-Vegas now. Considering that the Celtics have the second-easiest schedule in the league, Wally should have plenty of open looks to drain those jumpers and then attack the rack if a defender is crowding him. He should help you with the percentages, 3PM, points and not much else.

PG Chris Duhon, Chicago: While the Lab is generally loath to recommend Duhon, he has been pretty steady as of late as the first Bulls guard off the bench. Over his last five games, Duhon is averaging 11 ppg, 5 apg, 1.6 spg and 2 3PM. Those aren't anything spectacular, but the assist/trey/steal combo is kinda nice over a four-game week.

PG/SG Randy Foye, Minnesota: In case word hasn't made it your way yet, Foye is the new starting PG in Minny. Free agent bust Mike James (saw that one coming a mile away) has taken a back seat to the highly regarded rookie, whom the team already trusts in crunch time. Foye is more of a scorer than a distributor right now, but he'll pass enough to make a dent there and the defense is above-average. Make sure you own Foye before he breaks out this week with the league's easiest schedule.

F/C Kurt Thomas, Phoenix: Thomas is expected back for the Suns' first game after the break. Crazy Eyes has been out since Jan. 15 with a hyperextended left elbow. Though he might be eased back into action, that really doesn't happen in Phoenix. Conditioning might be a problem, but if Boris Diaw's back is still bothering him, Thomas will be thrown right into the fire. He's capable of posting a double-double with enough time, but the biggest thing going for him is that he's center eligible and there are plenty of worse options out there.

SF/ PF Andray Blatche, Washington: The 20-year-old got the first two starts of his young NBA career in the last two games before the break and brought energy both nights. Long and lean at 6-11, Blatche is active on the boards (12 and 10 in two of his last three games), blocks shots (four in the last game) and gets a steal or two. He's got a vast amount of untapped talent, but with a starting job until Jamison returns, he's got a chance to uncork it in the Wizards up-tempo style.

PG Steve Francis, New York: We recommended Francis last week and he burned us like we had washed our hands in bleach. But we think our prognostication skills were just a week off. Francis has now had enough time to work his knee back into game shape and will be the first guard off the bench for the Knicks. Given his All-Star talent (remember, it was only two years ago), we'd take a chance on the former Franchise before a lot of other nobodies and never-will-bes. Plus, he's shooting free throws at a league-leading 91.1 percent clip.

See you back next Monday for a Week 18 preview. Fantasy Ball Above All-Star games.