Before we recap last night’s games and preview a busy Wednesday, don’t forget to check out my FanDuel Diary for details on two great contests. One is just for our readers, with a $10 entry fee and only 167 spots — the top 16 teams will share $1,500 cash. Another costs just $2, but if you finish anywhere in the top 100, you win a $10 entry into a fabulous tournament on Friday. For more details on daily leagues and these big events, or to see which nine players I’m using, click here.
November 20 Games
BRK @ LAL: Led by Kobe Bryant with 25 points and Dwight Howard (23 PTS, 15 REB, 4 BLK) the Lakers were all-out to edge the Nets. Pau Gasol added 17 points, 11 boards and 7 assists, while Metta World Peace hit four 3-pointers to finish with 17. Point guards Darius Morris (3) and Chris Duhon (4) split the minutes, but when Steve Nash (leg) returns, the new Showtime will really begin.
Brooklyn lost for the first time in six games, despite a 22-point, 10-assist night for Deron Williams and 23 from Brook Lopez, who has been consistent all season. Gerald Wallace had an interesting line; only seven points but 5 REB, 5 STL and 3 BLK, suggesting he’s getting stronger on that ankle. Neither bench produced a standout, as both coaches let their big guns fire away.
TOR @ PHI: Nobody expected Kyle Lowry (foot) to return, and he wasn’t quite as brilliant as he can be (15 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST in 30 minutes off the bench) but his presence made the other Raptors better. Jose Calderon (13 PTS, 12 AST) started for perhaps the last time, but will play some SG in addition to backup PG duties, so don’t cut him. Jrue Holiday had another strong game, with 19 PTS, 12 AST, 8 REB and 3 STL to lead the Sixers’ comeback win. Jason Richardson had 21 despite leaving with a head injury; he was able to return later. Nick Young was fantastic off the bench — 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, many from difficult angles and distances. Swaggy seems to have made Dorell Wright irrelevant.
NYK @ NOH: Behind 29 points from Carmelo Anthony, the 8-1 Knicks cruised to an easy win. Raymond Felton had 15, with six helpers, but the starters all played less than 30 minutes as garbage time arrived quite early. The Hornets have lost four in a row, and Anthony Davis (ankle) was a late scratch, moving Ryan Anderson (15 PTS, 8 REB) into the starting five. Al-Farouq Aminu was scoreless in 24:28 and has really cooled off from that hot start. Backup PG Brian Roberts took advantage of 21 minutes to score 13 points and was part of a three-guard lineup that went on a brief run in the second quarter.