Kobe Bryant, wearing a mask to protect his broken nose, had 31 PTS, 7 REB and 8 AST as the Lakers trounced Minnesota. We know that Mamba is also playing with a sore wrist and maybe even a mild concussion. He’s one of the few athletes in any sport who seems impervious to pain. Kevin Love did not play, due to sore ribs and the flu, so this one was no contest. Anthony Randolph got 19 minutes and played well; he’s burned fantasy owners too many times to be a recommended pickup based on one lopsided game.
Elsewhere
ORL @ WAS: Nick Young was replaced in the starting lineup by Jordan Crawford, and JaVale McGee came off the bench behind Kevin Seraphin. The shakeup didn’t help, and 33 points from John Wall was not enough. For the Magic, it was Ryan Anderson again, with 23 PTS and 15 REB, leading seven players in double figures.
OKC@ PHI: You can only wonder how good the Sixers might be with a proven NBA center. They were almost able to beat the Thunder despite LaVoy Allen and Nikola Pekovic combining for two points and six boards.
GSW @ ATL: An amazing result, as the Warriors, without Stephen Curry, and with two starters going scoreless, won on the road. Let’s credit the often-disappointing Ekpe Udoh, who played 31 minutes off the bench with 12 PTS, 8 REB, 3 STL and 3 BLK. That’s two good games in a row (and 3 of his last 4) for the sophomore. Or, let’s blame the Hawks bench, which did very little. Josh Smith shooting 5-20 didn’t help.
CLE @ NYK: Lately, I’ve been singing the “too many weapons” song about the Knicks, and warning about Landry Fields losing minutes as a result. Last night is an example, as the bench scored 50 points – led by Steve Novak’s sharpshooting 17 – and Fields had two, in less than 20 minutes. Iman Shumpert seems recovered from a knee twinge and added 3 STL to his 12 PTS, and that’s not good news for owners of J.R. Smith, whose value may fluctuate depending on matchups and game situations.
CHA @ DET: Uh-oh. If you’ve followed my advice on Bismack Biyombo, we’re all a little concerned, as he left early with a shoulder injury and is getting an MRI. Stay tuned. Gerald Henderson had a nice line in his first start, but his return limited Kemba Walker to just 19 minutes. Rodney Stuckey made sure the Pistons wouldn’t be embarrassed again with a 29-point outburst and Greg Monroe (19 PTS, 20 REB) was unstoppable.
TOR @ NOH: Another sleeper I’ve been touting is Linas Kleiza. You’re welcome. 21 points including 5-of-7 from downtown is an indication of what he can do when healthy. Yes, he “seems” injury-prone, but looked pretty spry in a back-to-back. Leandro Barbosa also got hot off the Raptors bench, with 15, and was the go-to guy in the fourth quarter comeback. The Hornets looked tired down the stretch, and Jarrett Jack may soon replace Greivis Vasquez as the starter.
MIL @ BOS: The difference was Rajon Rondo’s triple double (15 PTS, 10 AST, 11 REB) and an off night from Brandon Jennings. My man Ersan Ilyasova had 25 & 10 in the losing cause, while a banged-up Drew Gooden added 23 & 8, but all five Celtics starters were in double figures.
DAL@ MEM: Dirk Nowitzki left early with a sore back. He promises that it’s nothing serious. Without their superstar, the Mavs were no match. Rodrigue Beaubois did have 16 off the bench and remains a decent short-term pickup, not to mention a possible keeper in dynasty leagues. The Grizzlies were led by Marc Gasol (22 & 11) and Mike Conley (20 PTS, 10 AST, 4 STL) but the “bad” Marreese Speights made an appearance and his value may soon disappear.
POR @ DEN: The Jamal Crawford experiment continues; he had 21 points and only five assists while former starter Raymond Felton played 24 minutes off the bench. Wesley Matthews, who is not 100% with a sore ankle, did get 28 minutes as the sixth man. It was mostly good news for the Nuggets. Ty Lawson is back, with a nifty 18 & 9, Timofey Mozgov played very well (14 PTS, 9 REB, 2 BLK) and temporary starter Corey Brewer had 11. Back to a bench role, Andre Miller cooled off, but he’s still one of the best backup PGs to own, especially until the trade deadline.
CHI @ SAS: Led by Derrick Rose (29) the Bulls picked up an impressive road victory. This might be the perfect time to buy low on Richard Hamilton, who is recovered from the groin injury, just being eased back into the lineup. There will be a lot better lines that two points in 15 minutes when Rip is unleashed. Gary Neal seems healthy, dropping 21 off the bench in the losing cause.
HOU@ UTA: The Rockets never really showed up, and once again Kevin Martin is in coach McHale’s roomy doghouse, playing 20 uninspired minutes. Paul Millsap was out with a sore heel, so Derrick Favors started for the Jazz. C.J. Miles exploded for 27 off the bench in the blowout.
Tonight
OKC @ ORL: If Kendrick Perkins, far more valuable in real hoops than fantasy, can keep Dwight Howard in check, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook should make the difference. A nice opener for the TNT doubleheader. Deep leaguers, if Glen Davis is available, put him on your watch list. Big Baby has been playing much better recently.
MIN @ PHO: If the Timberwolves remain Love-less, this could be a tough assignment, and even if their big man does play, the Suns are rested. You might want to use guys like Grant Hill and Jared Dudley, not just Marcin Gortat and Steve Nash.
LAC @ SAC: The Clippers begin a 6-game road swing and it will be fun to watch DeMarcus Cousins battle Blake Griffin. As you know, regular reader, I’m partial to the Kings in fantasy, especially the new-and-improved DMC and Isaiah Thomas. I don’t expect them to win tonight, just to try hard and put up some stats.
MIA @ POR: The national TV nightcap would be an even better game if the Blazers were firing on all cylinders, instead of trying to find a rotation that works. I’m expecting the rested Heat to improve their already impressive road record, but have no fantasy hunches beyond the Big Three.
In case anyone cares, I did survive for another month in our Roto Elimination league, though for a brief, scary moment around 10:00, was below the cutoff. My late-game starters came through, perhaps a little too well, as I’ll settle for third pick in the mini-draft. Had I been brave enough to bench Pau Gasol, I’d be picking first or second. Yes, I chickened out. See you here six mornings a week and around noon on Sundays; in between there’s always Twitter.
Not to be that guy, but as a Sixers fan I only wish we had Nikola Pekovic. We have Nikola Vucevic, though.