Highlight Performances:
Kyle Korver, CHI– If your looking for an example of a pure shooter, then Korver is your guy. He has been debatably one of the best shooters in the game for quite awhile now. Although his numbers and minutes have diminished this season, with Richard Hamilton out again with a groin injury, Korver stepped up big time, scoring 18 points on 5-7 shooting from 3 point range. With Ronnie Brewer struggling, Korver could find his way into some serious playing time if Hamilton misses any more time. He is a player of interest, as 5-7 bombs are attainable on any given night.
Anderson Varejao, CLE– In terms of real life basketball, the Brazilian giant had a solid night on most standards. But in fantasy, Varejao put up a fantastic line: 13 Points, 12 rebounds (5 offensive), 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, and only one turnover. Just an all-around great fantasy day. Owners who snatched Varejao in the late rounds of their draft seem to have made a great pick, as not only is he posting the rebound and scoring numbers that we would have hoped, he is producing more with great stats to accompany it. The future seems bright.
Performances to Forget:
Paul Pierce, BOS– Pierce struggled mightily friday night, connecting on only 3 of 17 shots for 10 points. Luckily for his owners, he salvaged a bad shooting night with 7 rebounds and a handful of assists, but it certainly was a night to forget. Pierce is a pro, however, and should bounce back next game. No worries here.
Gerald Wallace, POR– I was all over Wallace last night after his impressive game vs. the Lakers in which he scored 31 points. So what does he do for an encore? 1 point on 0-6 shooting in a blowout lost to the Suns. Wallace is shaping out to be a wildly inconsistent player, capable of posting fantastic numbers or awful numbers on any given night. In the end, the numbers will be there, but he is quite a frustrating player to own.
Players to Watch:
Marco Belinelli, NO– I am listing Marco here more on a count of potential then actual probability. With Eric Gordon out 2-3 weeks with a sore knee, Belinelli steps in as the new starting shooting guard, and will presumably see a heavy dose of playing time. However, he was given the same opportunity when Gordon was first out and failed to do anything with it, so I’m not sure how he is going to perform after hearing this news. He’s certainly worth a pickup in leagues where he is still available, and the potential is there for 15 points a game and many long range buckets.
Anthony Morrow, NJ– Morrow is yet another example of a pure shooter that may have opportunity headed his way. Following the news that Marshon Brooks sprained his ankle, Morrow stepped in to hit 6-10 threes scoring 24 points. If Brooks is out, Morrow could see some serious playing time, and he is an absolute terror from long range. Owners in need of some bombs should grab Morrow immediately.
Injuries:
Richard Hamilton, CHI– Groin, Day-to-day
Ben Gordon, DET– Personal, Day-to-day
Andris Biedrins, GS– Ankle, Game-time descision
Kyle Lowry, HOU– Foot, Game-time descision
Hamed Haddadi, MEM– Personal, Day-to-day
Mehmet Okur, NJ– Back, Day-to-day
Marshon Brooks, NJ– Sprained Ankle, Day-to-day
Eric Gordon, NO– Knee, 2-3 Weeks
Iman Shumpert, NYK– Knee, Day-to-day
Carmelo Anthony, NYK– Back, Expected to play Saturday