Over the flu and with no apparent ill effects from sore ribs, Kevin Love torched the Blazers for 42 points on 15-27 shooting, including 5-8 from downtown, as the T-Wolves won on the road. Ricky Rubio had only six points but chipped in a dozen assists. With Wesley Johnson in foul trouble, Martell Webster was terrific in 34 minutes off the bench. Nicolas Batum had 29 and Gerald Wallace 23 for Portland, but recently demoted Raymond Felton shot a brutal 1-9 in 30 minutes.
Saturday Night
UTA @ DAL: 40 points is a loud statement that Dirk Nowitzki is over his back pain. Lamar Odom, who didn’t play in the D-League after all, looked pretty focused in 18 minutes (9 PTS, 5 REB, 3 BLK) and one night after stinking out the joint on my Freeroll team, Jason Terry scored 22. It was a bad night at the office for the Jazz, particularly Gordon Heyward, who played only 15:36, while Alec Burks got 28:36 off the bench.
OKC @ ATL: Josh Smith continues to shine; his 30 points and 12 boards led the Hawks to a surprise win even with Joe Johnson sidelined. Zaza Pachulia contributed 10 PTS and 14 REB. Kevin Durant (35) and Russell Westbrook (25) led the Thunder as usual; the supporting cast didn’t do enough.
MIL @ ORL: As expected, Drew Gooden couldn’t handle Dwight Howard. Magic reserves J.J. Redick and Chris Duhon combined for six 3-pointers. Shaun Livingston got a DNP-CD and rookie Tobias Harris was a surprise starter for the Bucks. Still only 19, the forward has a fantasy-friendly game. Wait right here while I see if he’s available…
CLE @ WAS: Andray Blatche came off the bench behind Trevor Booker and while he missed all three shots, had 9 REB, 5 AST and a BLK in 21 minutes. Nick Young and Rashard Lewis sat out with sore knees, so Jordan Crawford was the go-to guy — after that 31-point night, he won’t be a bargain any more. Ryan Hollins (15 PTS, 7 REB, 31 min.) is the new starting C for the Cavs and Semih Erden got a DNP-CD; Alonzo Gee (11 PTS, 5 REB) replaced Omri Casspi in another lineup switch that may last for a while.
IND @ NOH: The starters got their numbers in three quarters as the Pacers were up by 25; the bench got theirs in garbage time. When Carl Landry comes back, he’ll get some of the minutes that now go to Gustavo Ayon. For the Hornets, Trevor Ariza was ill and Al-Farouq Aminu had a rough night filling in.
DET @ MEM: All five starters on both teams scored in double figures, even Marreese Speights, the target of his coach’s wrath 24 hours earlier. The difference was the Grizzlies’ bench, as O.J. Mayo scored 17 and Quincy Pondexter added 12 in a surprising 28 minutes. The Pistons were overwhelmed in the fourth quarter.
Sunday
NYK @ BOS: Lots of national TV action today — I’m going to need beer. Remember how the Heat smothered Jeremy Lin? How Deron Williams scored 38 against him? Rajon Rondo will be up for this one.
MIA @ LAL: The masked Kobe Bryant against Dwayne Wade, who caused the injury. LeBron James is on a tear, averaging 36.5 PTS and 10.5 REB in two March games, with 2.5 STL, 6.0 AST and not a single turnover. We don’t know if Chris Bosh (personal leave) will play.
GSW @ TOR: Assuming that Stephen Curry is out, someone like Klay Thompson or Nate Robinson could step up for the Warriors. For Toronto, Leandro Barbosa and Linas Kleiza don’t start, but they get a lot of floor time in the second and fourth quarters. Jerryd Bayless seemed more confident last game as he gets back to full speed from an ankle injury.
NJN @ CHA: This one will be overlooked, though it could decide some H2H leagues. There isn’t much news about Bismack Biyombo. If he doesn’t play (and perhaps if he does) Brook Lopez will have a field day.
LAC @ HOU: It might be another tough night for the Rockets in the paint. We’re monitoring a struggle for minutes between DeAndre Jordan and Kenyon Martin, which has recently trended toward K-Mart.
CHI @ PHI: On paper, it’s a defensive battle between the league’s stingiest teams. Not that you should bench Derrick Rose or anything, just don’t expect any padded stat lines.
SAC @ PHO: The Suns are playing well enough that they won despite a 2-18 “shooting” night by Channing Frye. The Kings are much better in fantasy than on the hardwood. I’d get several guys from this game into daily lineups.
DEN @ SAS: I really like Kenneth Faried and expect him to stay in the rotation even when the Nuggets are at full strength. Nene practiced yesterday and is expected to play today; Danilo Gallinari is aiming for tomorrow’s game. For the Spurs, Manu Ginobili is a game-time decision. Who knows what Gregg Popovich will do with his many SG-SF options? Or his big men.
Trade Targets
Here’s a quick once around the league as the trade deadline looms in many fantasy leagues.
We’re also keeping you up-to-date on remaining schedules. The first four numbers after each team are their games in the last four weeks of the regular season in most head-to-head leagues. The next four numbers correspond to H2H playoffs, during the end of the NBA season.
ATL 4-4-5-4-3-3-4-2 In deep leagues, consider Zaza Pachulia or Kirk Hinrich as possible throw-ins. Not the best playoff schedule; be warned.
BOS 4-4-4-4-4-5-3-2 Try to get Brandon Bass or Chris Wilcox, who figure to play a lot the rest of the way.
CHA 4-4-3-4-4-5-4-3 Bismack Biyombo and Kemba Walker are great targets in keeper leagues.
CHI 4-4-3-4-3-3-4-2 C.J. Watson or Richard Hamilton are throw-in candidates. Again, just 12 games in H2H playoffs.
CLE 4-3-4-4-4-5-4-3 That great closing schedule makes Antawn Jamison worth owning down the stretch. Buy low on Tristan Thompson as a keeper.
DAL 5-3-4-3-4-4-4-1 In keeper leagues, especially dynasty formats, Roddy Beaubois might still be a bargain.
DEN 4-3-4-4-3-4-4-2 You probably can’t get Ty Lawson or Danilo Gallinari but Kenneth Faried is worth pursuing.
DET 3-4-3-4-4-4-4-2 I really like Brandon Knight next year and would give up a veteran for him in keepers.
GSW 4-4-5-4-4-4-5-2 Klay Thompson is interesting for the future. Maybe you can pry Stephen Curry from a nervous owner.
HOU 4-4-3-4-3-4-5-1 Patrick Patterson is more of a secondary target. In one league where I need DREB but not OREB, Luis Scola would be perfect.
IND 4-4-4-5-4-4-4-2 You probably can’t get Roy Hibbert or Paul George. In certain formats, I’d go after Tyler Hansbrough.
LAC 4-5-4-4-4-4-4-2 If you think Kenyon Martin will stay healthy, he’s worth a lowball offer. Mo Williams could help many teams the rest of the way.
LAL 4-4-4-4-4-4-4-1 It’s possible that Pau Gasol will be traded in real life; where he goes could impact his fantasy value. Stay tuned.
MEM 3-3-4-3-5-5-4-2 Try to get Zach Randolph, though anyone who has held him this long won’t be giving him away. 16 big games in the H2H playoff weeks.
MIA 3-4-3-4-4-4-5-2 Going for it this year? Mario Chalmers or Udonis Haslem might be decent targets. In keeper leagues, consider Norris Cole.
MIL 4-3-4-4-4-4-3-3 If you’re rebuilding in a keeper league, offer the owner of Andrew Bogut two or three players. Maybe get Tobias Harris thrown in.
MIN 4-4-4-4-3-4-4-1 Nikola Pekovic is a good addition down the stretch. Derrick Williams could break out next year, if not this month.
NJN 4-4-4-4-4-3-3-2 I’m not really going after any Nets. Deron Williams could be even better if he ends up on a contender, but he won’t come cheap.
NOR 4-4-3-5-3-4-4-2 Jarrett Jack and Marco Bellinelli are going to play, and they won’t be overpriced.
NYK 4-4-4-4-3-4-4-2 Is Jeremy Lin overrated or underrated? Ddepends on the size of your league, and your needs. If he has a bad game today, make a lowball offer.
OKC 4-4-4-3-4-4-4-2 If you could getJames Harden in a keeper league, that’s ideal. Likewise, Serge Ibaka should continue to improve.
ORL 4-4-3-4-3-4-4-2 The Ryan Anderson owner isn’t selling. Nor is the Dwight Howard owner. Not sure who else you would want.
PHI 4-3-4-3-4-3-4-3 I’d be willing to pay retail for Thaddeus Young and think Nikola Vucevic will improve next year.
PHO 3-5-4-3-4-4-4-2 You could try buying low on Markieff Morris in a deep keeper league. Marcin Gortat is likely to be this good for a few years.
POR 4-4-4-4-4-4-3-2 All-in for this year? Trade a prospect for Jamal Crawford. Nicolas Batum is the man you want for the future.
SAC 4-4-3-4-5-4-3-2 DeMarcus Cousins will keep getting better, and Isaiah Thomas may still be a bargain. DMC is by far the better keeper.
SAS 2-4-4-3-4-4-5-3 Very few games the next four weeks, then Spurs become valuable in the H2H playoffs. Manu Ginobili might be available for less than his true value.
TOR 4-4-4-4-4-4-3-2 Buy low on Jerryd Bayless while you can. Andrea Bargnani is a great target if his owner needs immediate help and you can be patient.
UTA 4-5-4-4-4-4-3-2 Short-term, maybe Devin Harris or Josh Howard; down the road Alec Burks and Enes Kanter.
WAS 3-5-4-4-4-4-3-3 Jordan Crawford is on fire right now and Jan Vesely might be a late bloomer in keeper formats.
Tomorrow, my Draft Street adventure begins. If you want to play along, they offer free games; I’m going to try some $2 and $5 pools. Until then, see you on Twitter.