I had a feeling that Richard Hamilton was due. Though still limited to 20 minutes, Rip scored 20 points, had 5 assists and 4 rebounds to make up for the absence of Derrick Rose (ankle) as he and Luol Deng (19 PTS, 10 REB) led the Bulls to a tough win. Carmelo Anthony had 29 for the Knicks, with Tyson Chandler (10 PTS, 15 REB, 3 BLK) playing well, but the point guard spot remains a problem. Baron Davis (8 PTS, 6 AST, 4 TO) is not 100%, battling knee and back soreness, yet they have no better option. J.R. Smith (14) is getting heavy minutes off the bench.
Elsewhere on Tuesday
CHA @ CLE: Hmm, so much for Byron Mullens as a key to winning H2H playoffs. After six good games as the starting PF, he went scoreless on just three shots. D.J. Augustin (knee) was back, with 16 points and 11 assists as the starting PG; Kemba Walker had 20 in 24 minutes off the bench. It didn’t matter, as red-hot Lester Hudson had his third terrific game in a row — 25 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST — to lead the Cavs. Anthony Parker, back from a bruised sternum, added 19 including four 3-pointers.
BOS @ MIA: All five Celtics starters scored in double figures, led by Paul Pierce (27) with Rajon Rondo adding 15 assists to his 18 points. Kevin Garnett (24 PTS, 9 REB, 2 BLK) went 11-14 and shut down Miami’s bigs. LeBron James (36 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST) did all he could and Dwyane Wade scored 20 in his return from a sore ankle, but it was not enough.
ORL @ WAS: No Dwight Howard (back) and Ryan Anderson shooting 2-10 was a recipe for disaster as the Magic lost a winnable game. Glen Davis (12 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL) was outplayed by young Kevin Seraphin (24 PTS, 13 REB, 4 BLK) who inspired the Wizards to an upset. Jordan Crawford added 21 and James Singleton — not to be confused with rookie starter Chris Singleton — had 12 points and 8 boards off the bench.
PHI @ NJN: It’s about time. The Sixers had three bench players score 19 or more to end a four-game losing streak. One of those reserves was Spencer Hawes, demoted from the starting five, with 19 PTS, 8 REB and 3 BLK while playing more minutes than new starter Nikola Vucevic. The other lineup switch (Jodie Meeks starting and Evan Turner to the bench) didn’t benefit either player. Kris Humphries led the Nets with 20 & 10, but Deron Williams (14 PTS, 5 AST, 5 TO) will have better nights.
SAC @ DAL: This was nearly a one-man show for Sacramento, as DeMarcus Cousins (25 PTS, 18 REB, 6 STL, 3 AST, 2 BLK) was in beast mode. Marcus Thornton (16) was back, bumping Jimmer Fredette (13) to the bench. Dallas got a team effort, with six men in double figures and Jason Kidd (7 PTS, 7 AST, 6 REB, 2 BLK) back from a groin injury to facilitate. Vince Carter (7) came off the bench behind Delonte West (13) and Rodrigue Beaubois (15) stayed in the rotation.
Wednesday Night Fever
PHI @ TOR: After winning last night in New Jersey, the Sixers face a Toronto team that may be without Andrea Bargnani (calf) the rest of the way. It looks like Amir Johnson will stay in the starting lineup for the Raptors, as James Johnson has fallen out of favor with the coach. Ed Davis should also enjoy increased run; he had a double-double in just 17 minutes on Monday.
IND @ CLE: The Cavs hosted Charlotte last night and got back on the winning track. This will be a much tougher test. Darren Collison (groin) is doubtful, leaving George Hill as the starting PG for Indiana. Danny Granger is averaging a cool 23.8 points in six April games and won’t be easy to contain. Roy Hibbert is banged up (ankle) which may open up some extra minutes for Tyler Hansbrough and Louis Amundson.
ATL @ BOS: After playing a superb game in Miami last night, the Celtics must regroup in 24 hours against a better-rested opponent. The Hawks haven’t played since Saturday, which is like a vacation in this compressed season, so Josh Smith should be energized. Jeff Teague will need to play well if Atlanta is going to win, but the bench — especially Marvin Williams and Ivan Johnson — is another asset.
LAC @ OKC: Here’s a possible playoff preview between two exciting teams full of stars. Chris Paul vs. Russell Westbrook is a fabulous matchup, while Blake Griffin and Serge Ibaka can both play far above the rim. The main difference is Kevin Durant, who has had 32 and 36 the last two times he faced the Clippers. James Harden is more productive than any of the L.A. bench players.
NYK @ MIL: The Knicks lost in Chicago last night and don’t have far to travel, but they face another difficult matchup against a team desperate to pass them in the playoff race. Drew Gooden (back) is far from 100% so Ersan Ilyasova is the main Bucks rebounder. Carlos Delfino has been quiet in two games after missing six with a sore groin; they need more from him. It may come down to the guard play: even if Iman Shumpert can cover Monta Ellis, who is going to stop Brandon Jennings?
UTA @ HOU: Winners of four straight on the road, the Rockets return home against a team hot on their heels for a West playoff spot. Kyle Lowry is back after missing a month with an illness, but Goran Dragic will continue to see big minutes, as they can play together. Courtney Lee, who has filled in quite well for injured Kevin Martin at SG, might take a slight hit in floor time. The Jazz need Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap to have big nights if they are going to win.
SAC @ NOH: The second road game in 24 hours for the Kings, who are 5-24 away from home. Apart from “Boogie” Cousins, they are hard to recommend. The big question for New Orleans concerns Eric Gordon, whose knee is just fine, though he’s a game-time decision with a sore back. Greivis Vasquez is a strong play, Chris Kaman puts up consistent numbers and Carl Landry has been very good off the bench.
PHO @ MEM: The Suns had no trouble winning in Minnesota on Monday but this will be different. Memphis is on a roll (winning 8 of 10) and plays well at home. Zach Randolph is improving (three straight double-doubles) and defensive stalwart Tony Allen might be back from missing three games with a bad cut on his mouth. Phoenix is 16-7 since the All-Star break to climb back into the playoff hunt. Should be a good game.
LAL @ SAS: Kobe Bryant is out again with a very sore shin. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are well-rested, having stayed home while their teammates lost in Utah. I like the Spurs to win, but expect big numbers from Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.
MIN @ DEN: Minnesota was enjoying a terrific season until Ricky Rubio went down. Now they are tired, except for the amazing Kevin Love, and hurting — Luke Ridnour is also out and Nikola Pekovic is playing on painful ankles — so Denver should have a fairly easy night. Danilo Gallinari is back and the Manimal, Kenneth Faried, deserves some Rookie of the Year consideration. Ty Lawson will also be hard for J.J. Barea to stop.
GSW @ POR: If LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) is seriously hurt, Portland is in big trouble. J.J. Hickson could have a monster night if LMA can’t go. Nicolas Batum (quad) is also doubtful; they are calling his injury day-to-day but some reports make it sound like he’s a shutdown candidate. The Warriors were awful in Denver on Monday but I expect David Lee to bounce back.
The Spin is here every day before 8:00 EDT except for Sunday, when we post by noon. Follow me on Twitter in between.
DraftStreet Serenade
| Sure Things | Over $14,000 |
| K. Love | $20,723 |
| K. Durant | $18,973 |
| A. Bynum | $16,941 |
| B. Jennings | $14,597 |
| Bargains | Under $9,000 |
| T. Young | $8,807 |
| A. Parker | $8,173 |
| Ja. Crawford | $7,911 |
| Ge. Hill | $7,648 |
| Hunches | $9,000 to $14,000 |
| D. Granger | $12,818 |
| C. Kaman | $13,213 |
| K. Faried | $11,716 |
| G. Vasquez | $11,591 |
Playing multiple teams in the same league is the theme here in Week 6. Last night I joined two different $2 GPP Salary Cap leagues with three teams in each. Only one lineup featured both LeBron James and DeMarcus Cousins, but that one finished fourth out of 220 entries, good for a $40 prize.
It was a “saver” team, as I’d used less-expensive centers Tyson Chandler and Joakim Noah everywhere else. Had I not played multiple entries (the limit is three) I would have lost money for the night, and been down $24 for the week. Instead, we’re up $16 heading into tonight’s 11-game slate. For the first time, I’m entering three teams in the $5 Salary Cap league. The prize pool is $1,000, with $250 to the winner. If even one of my lineups finishes 18th or better among 220 entries, I’ll break even.
I’m also in the $2 GPP league three times; $140 of the $600 Guaranteed Prize Pool goes to the winner. There are several other great choices near the top of the salary range and plenty of talent in the middle. One potential “Bargain” I didn’t include on the chart is the Blazers’ Luke Babbitt, who costs just $4,190 toward the $100,000 cap, but could see extra minutes if Batum and Aldridge can’t play.
With tickets to a ballgame this afternoon (Blue Jays vs. Red Sox) it’s doubtful that I’ll try any Snake-Draft leagues, though I do enjoy them more when there’s a busy NBA schedule.
If you still haven’t tried Draft Street, it’s free to join and you can get started by playing in free leagues.