There were only three NBA games last night, but they were good ones. Before we get to the fantasy recaps and a preview of tonight’s nine-game slate, you are invited to join our Friday Freeroll at FanDuel. There’s $250 in cash prizes, $50 to the winner, and no entry fee. Try your handicapping skill at picking a 9-man team within a $60,000 salary cap. In addition to cash, earn valuable bragging rights against Chris Sheridan, Jeff Nichols and me.
There will be another freeroll for Sheridan Hoops readers on Saturday in a winner-take-all format, and there are other great contests every day, from $1 and $2 leagues right up to high-roller levels. Instead of burying my daily league picks at the end of the Spin each morning, we’ve launched a new feature, my FanDuel Diary. Check out my lineup, and learn about a $200,000 tournament ($10 entry fee) that you can qualify for tonight.
November 15 Games
BOS @ BRK: When Rajon Rondo was a late scratch with his sprained ankle, and Leandro Barbosa was announced as the starting PG, I thought it would benefit Jason Terry, and there was talk of Jeff Green playing a larger role. Instead, Barbosa scored 17 points in 30+ minutes, Green did very little in his 25:03 and Jet had a disappointing 10 points, though he added 6 AST and 4 REB. Courtney Lee (13 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL) had the biggest boost to his numbers in 33:28 off the bench, but the Celtics’ second-half comeback fell short.
Deron Williams had 24 points and 8 assists, Brook Lopez had another strong game (24 PTS, 6 REB, 4 BLK) and Joe Johnson (19 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL) make up for some earlier misses with clutch baskets down the stretch. Kris Humphries (10 PTS, 13 REB) added a double-double as the Nets, without Gerald Wallace (ankle) for the seventh game, won their fourth straight.
NYK @ SAS: The Knicks are 6-0 thanks to some unlikely heroes. On a night when Carmelo Anthony was held to 9 points on 3-12 shooting, Raymond Felton scored 25 (with seven assists) and Jason Kidd (14 PTS) hit some big shots during the fourth-quarter comeback. J.R. Smith stayed hot (17 PTS, 5 REB) and Tyson Chandler (13 PTS, 11 REB) was strong; even Rasheed Wallace had 10 key points in less than 15 minutes.
Tony Parker (19 PTS, 12 AST) and Tim Duncan (14 PTS, 14 REB, 3 BLK) did all they could in the losing cause; the Spurs just came up short. Kawhi Leonard added 16, with nine boards, Stephen Jackson had a double-double off the bench (10 PTS, 11 REB) but the team that is usually so poised blew a 12-point lead in the final seven minutes with some costly missed shots and turnovers.