October 20 Games
SAS @ MIA: Two of the league’s best teams, just trying to stay healthy for the next ten days and be at their best when the scores count. As always, we have no way to read the mind of Gregg Popovich, no way to guess which of his many interchangeable players will start, or even appear.
For the Heat, it was great to see Dwyane Wade so lively on Thursday. Miami seems committed to a small lineup, with Chris Bosh at C and LeBron James at PF, so rebounding and defending large opponents could be their only weak spot. If they simply outrun and outscore everyone, that will be a bonanza for fantasy owners.
DAL @ ATL: We led off this column by speculating on what the loss of Dirk Nowitzki will mean. Tonight we’ll see the first real evidence of how Rick Carlisle plans to cope without his superstar, and which other Mavs step up.
The Hawks swatted away the Hornets on Thursday and will be a very good test for the Mavs. Devin Harris is getting a chance to start at SG; his fantasy value keeps climbing as a result. There have been so many different looks for Atlanta that we still have a few unanswered questions. Anthony Tolliver might be in line for the backup PF role, and there just doesn’t seem to be room for both Kyle Korver and Anthony Morrow in the rotation.
MEM @ IND: The Pacers played in Florida last night, so there could be a few regulars sitting out tonight, or on reduced minutes. For Memphis, we can expect Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen to start (all sat out the last game) but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rudy Gay and/or Mike Conley rested. The biggest surprise for me has been the play of Marreese Speights, who appears to be in great shape physically, and concentrating better.
NYK @ BOS: Really, it’s like the Atlantic Division is a preseason house league. These teams, who don’t like each other much, match up every night. The Knicks had a road game last night, and are not the youngest team in the league, so don’t expect maximum effort from the players or the coaching staff.
The most interesting battle in Boston right now is at PF, where incumbent Brandon Bass is rapidly losing ground to rookie Jared Sullinger. Bass bruised his right knee on Thursday and may not play at all this evening. Paul Pierce twisted his ankle in the same game, but it doesn’t sound serious.
CHA @ DET: You can try to decide between Kemba Walker and Ramon Sessions if you want. Gerald Henderson and Ben Gordon is another tossup. There’s only one Bobcat I really like, and only as a late-round pick. Byron Mullens has been asked to play “Stretch 4” this year and is thriving in that role. It’s hard to block a 7-footer’s 3-point shot, and he’s been given the green light to shoot them in bunches.
The Pistons were ambushed in Miami on Thursday. Maybe, like me, they expected the Heat to be playing at half-speed after the long trip to China. I’m certain we’ll see a better effort tonight. Detroit has several interesting rookies, most of whom will play sparingly, but Andre Drummond appears to have earned a rotation spot.
WAS @ MIL: This should be no contest, as the Wizards have been without John Wall and Nene for the entire preseason and have nobody capable of filling their shoes. The PG battle is irrelevant; even if you guess right about the winner, you don’t want to own him.
In Milwaukee, there’s only fine-tuning left to be done. Tobias Harris and Mike Dunleavy are in a job-share at SF. Ersan Ilyasova came off the bench behind Larry Sanders in their last game but I don’t think that’s a trend.
LAC @ UTA: The Jazz don’t have a lot of PG depth behind former Clipper Mo Williams, who has been nursing a sore groin; Jamaal Tinsley has been starting and Earl Watson is hurt. If Chris Paul plays significant minutes, he will make a huge difference. Randy Foye will be gunning off the bench against his old mates.
It’s a great battle up front when these teams meet. Utah is “too deep” — their backup PF Derrick Favors and C Enes Kanter could start for many teams — and the Clippers have this Blake Griffin fellow alongside big DeAndre Jordan.