Wow, was Kevin Durant in a zone. KD had 51 points, a new career high, plus 8 REB, 5 3PTM, 3 AST, 4 STL and great shooting percentages. Russell Westbrook scored 40 (yes, that’s 91 for two guys!) with nine assists, and Serge Ibaka notched a triple-double the hard way: 14 PTS, 15 REB and 11 BLK. Somehow, the Nuggets took the game to overtime before losing. Arron Afflalo led Denver with 27 and Andre Miller chipped in 21 & 10 off the bench.
Lin-credible
In front of a star-studded crowd and a national TV audience, Jeremy Lin wrote another chapter in his own unique legend. On the floor for more than 45 minutes, he scored 28 points, dropped 14 dimes and added five steals. J.R. Smith looked terrific in his first game back from China. He’s not a must-add in a shallow league, unless you need threes, but for those of us who picked him up last week, so far so good.
Phoenix beat the Lakers, as Marcin Gortat (21 & 15) battled up front and Jared Dudley scored 25, with Steve Nash handing out 14 assists. Having two starters (Derek Fisher and Metta World Peace) combine for just two points hurts L.A. both in fantasy and on the hardwood.
Nothing major to report on the fantasy aspects of the Heat’s win over Orlando. Jason Richardson was a late scratch, so J.J. Redick started and played well, but it’s a one-time thing, not a trend.
No Kevin Garnett, no luck for Boston. Chris Wilcox started and Jermaine O’Neal had his best 27 minutes in some time, but Rajon Rondo had a quiet game and the Celtics bench is thin, so the Pistons prevailed.
Two Charlotte starters (teenager Bismack Biyombo and an uninspired Boris Diaw) went scoreless as the ‘Cats were blown out by 35 in Indiana. Both coaches emptied their benches, so don’t be misled by some of the stat lines. There’s word that George Hill is almost ready to return from a chip fracture in his ankle. The Pacers will use him to back up both guard spots and he’s worth owning in many formats.
Yesterday, I suggested that if Isaiah Thomas started, you might want to pick him up. Today might be too late, as the little PG scored 23 PTS, handed out 11 AST and played 42 minutes. It wasn’t quite enough, as the Kings fell by one to the Cavaliers. Semih Erden started at C for Cleveland, but Tristan Thompson was much more effective in his 30 minutes off the bench and is a better pickup if you need points and boards.
The Timberwolves are a .500 team after edging the Sixers, with Ricky Rubio leading the way. Luke Ridnour starts at SG, with J.J. Barea coming off the bench, as Minnesota’s rotation is becoming more consistent. One disappointment in a pretty good season for Philly has been Evan Turner. I thought he might have taken over this year from Jodie Meeks as a starter, but the sophomore has shot just 37.8% in February and his minutes are dwindling, not increasing.
Milwaukee was the only road team to win out of ten Sunday games, as Ersan Ilyasova justified my faith with a monster line of 25 REB and 29 points before fouling out. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, one game after a DNP-CD, was useful off the bench. The losing Nets got Brook Lopez back (9 points in 21:38) but he will not play today. Anthony Morrow got hot off the bench; while I might cut him in a 12-team league, his intermittent big games are useful in deeper leagues.
The box score from Houston shows Patrick Patterson starting at C (27:26) and Sam Dalembert (17:52) coming off the bench. It was a disciplinary move that may not be permanent. Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola played so well, it didn’t matter that the Jazz had a size advantage.
Monday, Monday
Atlanta visits Chicago at 4:00 Eastern to kick off a nine-game slate; be sure to set your lineups early enough. Derrick Rose is “questionable” — watch for last-minute updates.
The Nets are at the Knicks. If the game was in New Jersey, Jeremy Lin could simply walk there, across the Hudson. Carmelo Anthony is expected to start, and there could be a Baron Davis sighting, in a limited role off the bench.
The weary Celtics go to Dallas, where the Mavs will also be tired after playing in New York yesterday. Fatigue is a huge factor in this shortened NBA season, making it harder for fantasy owners to predict who might play well.
San Antonio is in Utah. Manu Ginobili sounds somewhat optimistic about his strained oblique, but we’re waiting for an official medical report.
The Nuggets host the T-Wolves, and I like Timofey Mozgov as a spot play in very deep leagues. He’s played 15, then 20 minutes since returning from an ankle injury, and has the size to deal with Nikola Pekovic, who regular readers just knew I would mention.
It’s the last game of an 8-day road trip for the Wizards, in Phoenix. After an emotional win vs. the Lakers last night, the Suns must bounce back quickly. I kind of like JaVale McGee and Jordan Crawford as spot plays.
The Hornets travel to OKC as decided underdogs, but New Orleans is quietly playing very well, winning three in a row and being the only team to defeat the Knicks since you-know-who came on the scene. Greivis Vasquez and Gustavo Ayon may not be household names, but they are worth putting into your lineups.
Both late games will be fun. The Clippers visit Golden State and both backcourts are full of talent. It’s up front where the Warriors are in trouble.
Portland is at the Lakers. Assuming Nicolas Batum will be guarding Kobe Bryant, maybe Wesley Matthews will be asked to score off the bench.
Later This Week
With no NBA games this coming weekend, the Spin will take a look at various other aspects of fantasy hoops, starting Friday. We’ll discuss trading, streaming, keeper leagues, unusual formats and more. I’m on Twitter if you have any questions.
It’s a terrible situation in Charlotte and Diaw appears to have given up. Ayon is more consistent, at least until Jason Smith and/or Carl Landry return.
Thanks for the Thomas rec. Also have added Ayon for today.
Time for Diaw to go, right? I already let him go but as I’m streaming, it’s always possible for him to be re-added.