What Happened on Monday?
The Magic beat the Timberwolves, though not because Dwight Howard dominated Nikola Pekovic. Pek double-doubled (16-13) and stayed out of foul trouble, D-12 settled for 11 and 7 with no blocks while playing just 28 minutes due to five fouls. The Minny wings (Wes Johnson and Martell Webster, starting for absent Luke Ridnour) were outplayed by veterans Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu.
Philly had little trouble winning by nine in Charlotte. Run to the waiver wire for Corey Maggette, who scored 22 points in 32 minutes and appears to be healthy. As expected, the Sixers’ deep bench was the difference, especially Thad Young and Lou Williams.
The Heat are rolling along, the Bucks spinning their wheels, or is it hooves? Shaun Livingston continues to start, but has played 20+ minutes just once in his last five games. Beno Udrih may be on the verge of more floor time.
Chris Kaman, back just in time from a rolled ankle, had a monster game in New Orleans — 27 points and 13 boards — to lead an upset of the Jazz. Make sure the Caveman is owned in every league. Paul Millsap had an uncharacteristically quiet night, so Derrick Favors got extra run. More importantly, Devin Harris was held to just 19 minutes, doing very little, and if he doesn’t win back his coach’s confidence, Earl Watson (28:51) may be on the verge of better things.
Dallas held off the Clippers by four, in part because Randy Foye went 0-for-7 in 25 minutes. Big Brendan Haywood was effective for the Mavs, and Kenyon Martin came off the L.A. bench for 26 minutes, scoring 10 points and blocking four shots.
The Warriors beat the Suns, behind 28 and 12 from David Lee. The GSW bench was the difference; Klay Thompson stayed in the zone (now 14 3PTM in his last five games) and it’s beginning to look like Ekpe Udoh is the C to own, not starter Andris Biedrins.
What’s Next?
My account of tonight’s Knicks-Raptors game will be of the eyewitness variety. My partner, the Best Valentine Ever, surprised me with floor-level seats for the Lin-sanity. I’d only joked about it being a romantic date.
In lieu of spot-start tips for tonight’s games, we’re going to look several days ahead. The All-Star break, no big deal in Roto or Points leagues, will make H2H leagues even crazier than usual next week. If you are ever going to stream, this is the time.
Really, it’s a tremendous advantage to own anyone with 3 GP in Week 16, when there are only 33 total games in the NBA, compared to 56 this week. If you have a roster spot (or two) to play with, do it. Remember, the wacky week counts just as much as a normal week in the final standings.
Here’s a team-by-team summary:
ATL 3 Road games vs. the Bulls and Knicks, home to the Magic. Kirk Hinrich and Willie Green are worth considering. In deeper leagues, Tracy McGrady, Vlad Radmanovic or Ivan Johnson could contribute.
BOS 2 On the road in Dallas and OKC, not the best schedule. Chris Wilcox is a decent pickup anyway, and JaJuan Johnson is getting big minutes off the bench while Jermaine O’Neal and Brandon Bass are out. Mikael Pietrus hits the odd three.
CHA 1 Home to Indiana. You really don’t want to own Bobcats anyway. Corey Maggette will eventually have value, just not in Week 16.
CHI 2 Hosting the Hawks and Bucks. With Derrick Rose trying to fix his back, C.J. Watson is a recommended pickup. Kyle Korver and Taj Gibson would be better with a third game.
CLE 2 Home games vs. the Pistons and Hornets. Assuming that Kyrie Irving is OK, the numbers of Ramon Sessions and Daniel Gibson will take a hit. Injured Anderson Varejao was having a great season, now Semih Erden, Samardo Samuels and rookie Tristan Thompson must fill in.
DAL 2 The Mavs get the Celtics and Lakers at home, no easy task. Jason Kidd is back, bumping Delonte West to a lesser role and Roddy Beaubois to irrelevance.
DEN 3 Grab Arron Afflalo in any size league, if available, then come back here. Afflalo moved over to SF last Thursday and scored 26 points, including five triples. Corey Brewer got the next start at SF and played very well. Rookie Kenneth Faried is worth considering while Nene sits. Timofey Mozgov, expected back tonight from an ankle injury, should have value in deep leagues.
DET 2 On the road in nearby Cleveland and Toronto. Ben Gordon has returned, joining Rodney Stuckey and rookie Brandon Knight in a crowded backcourt. Pass.
GSW 2 Home to the Clippers then off to Phoenix. Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis can light up a box score and David Lee is consistent. Klay Thompson might be the best add, or Ekpe Udoh if you’re desperate for a big.
HOU 2 Home to Memphis and Philly. Kevin Martin returned from Kevin McHale’s doghouse, where Sam Dalembert may now be the lone occupant. For a while, the bench was outplaying the starters. Courtney Lee and Patrick Patterson are worth considering.
IND 2 Home to the Hornets, away in Charlotte. Tyler Hansbrough is by far the most reliable bench player but A.J. Price broke out on Sunday and may be worth a look if you’re in dire need of a PG — until George Hill returns.
LAC 2 At Golden State, home to Denver. With the loss of Chauncey Billups for the season, Randy Foye is the new starting SG but sixth man Mo Williams is better to own. Kenyon Martin again got more run last night than DeAndre Jordan.
LAL 3 Portland at home, OKC and Dallas on the road. Before getting hurt, Steve Blake looked better at PG than Derek Fisher and more comfortable in Mike Brown’s system than last year’s triangle.
MEM 2 At Houston, home to the Sixers. PF Marreese Speights, filling in until Zach Randolph returns from a knee injury, is consistently inconsistent. Dante Cunningham shares those PF minutes for now.
MIA 2 Of all the 2-game teams in Week 16, the Heat has the best schedule — the Kings and Knicks, at home, fully rested. Obviously, the Big Three dominate the stat sheet, but Norris Cole, Shane Battier and Mike Miller make minor contributions and occasionally shine.
MIL 2 Facing the Magic at home and Bulls in Chicago. Brandon Jennings and Drew Gooden are steady. Ersan Ilyasova, Stephen Jackson and Mike Dunleavy often look better off the bench than the starters.
MIN 2 In Denver, then home to Utah. Nikola Pekovic has emphatically taken over the starting C job from Darko Milicic and J.J. Barea is cutting into the production of Luke Ridnour.
NJN 2 An “away” limo ride to Manhattan, then home to Orlando. Deron Williams is the only reliable Net, with Jordan Farmar and Kris Humphries decent plays. MarShon Brooks and Anthony Morrow may take turns being the hot hand.
NOH 3 Three games in three cities in three nights: OKC, IND and CLE. The injury-plagued Hornets will be exhausted. Grab Chris Kaman ASAP. Greivis Vasquez may not be owned in all leagues and will be starting at PG with Jarrett Jack hurt again.
NYK 3 Home to the Nets and Hawks, then in Miami. Jeremy Lin, Amare Stoudamire, Tyson Chandler and Landry Fields will get big minutes. The return of Carmelo Anthony is still uncertain, leaving Steve Novak with temporary value. When the Knicks are at full strength, Iman Shumpert is a better fantasy sixth man than Jared Jeffries.
OKC 3 New Orleans, Boston and the Lakers, all at home. Kendrick Perkins is worth a look in deep leagues. Daequon Cook, starting at SG while Thabo Sefolosha is out, has temporary value.
ORL 3 Road games in MIL, NJ and ATL. Dwight Howard is a monster, Ryan Anderson is having a career year, and Jason Richardson usually contributes, but everyone else is tough to recommend. Hedo Turkoglu is particularly frustrating to own, with a recent 3-for-23 stretch spanning three games.
PHI 2 At Memphis and Houston. There’s a revolving door in the middle, where Spencer Hawes can’t stay healthy, rookie Nikola Vucevic isn’t quite NBA ready, Lavoy Allen is undersized and Tony Battie is old. Last night Allen started, but Vucevic got more minutes, points and rebounds off the bench and may be the best target.
PHO 2 Home to the Wizards and Warriors. Jared Dudley and Channing Frye have been good lately, and Grant Hill contributes what he can. The bench is thin, though if you need threes, Michael Redd is worth a look.
POR 2 Visiting the Lakers, home to the Spurs. Jamal Crawford exploded for 31 on Friday. Coming off the bench, he’s been outplaying starting PG Raymond Felton and SG Wesley Matthews. All should be in your lineup, and Nic Batum can have big nights.
SAC 2 On the road in Miami and DC. Keith Smart has turned this team around, particularly DeMarcus Cousins, who looks like 20 and 10 every night. They lack a traditional PG except for backup Isaiah Thomas, currently playing through a sore hand.
SAS 3 On the road in Utah, Portland and Denver. Manu Ginobili is back! While it’s hard to predict Gregg Popovich’s rotations, he’s talked of using Manu as a sixth man. His return hurts Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard the most; Gary Neal may still be a source of 3-pointers.
TOR 1 Home to the Pistons. Andrea Bargnani remains sidelined indefinitely, and the other bigs take turns disappearing. Jerryd Bayless may return tonight but keeps rolling the same ankle. JB could have a strong second half if he can stay on the court.
UTA 2 Home to the Spurs, then in Minnesota.There had been signs of life recently from Devin Harris, until last night’s disaster. Earl Watson may be taking over. Raja Bell continues to start.
WAS 2 In Phoenix, home to the Kings. What a mess. John Wall and Nick Young will get theirs, JaVale McGee shows up when he’s in the mood and Trevor Booker will maximize his limited ability. I’m keeping an eye on Jan Vesely for the second half.