POR @ UTA: One of the favorites for Rookie of the Year, Damian Lillard played 38 minutes, scored “only” 12 points and had an equal number (5) of AST and TO. Not his best night, so I hope he falls a couple extra spots in my draft.
All the Portland starters except J.J. Hickson (23:42) played 33 minutes or more, with Nicolas Batum (17 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL, 2 BLK) and LaMarcus Aldridge (19 PTS, 11 REB) notching double-doubles and Wesley Matthews hitting 4-6 from 3-point range en route to 24 points. While that’s all good for their fantasy owners, the big problem for the real Blazers is a shallow bench. Meyers Leonard took an elbow to the head after five minutes, so fellow rookie Joel Freeland got extra run.
The Jazz got next to nothing from Randy Foye as the starting PG (Mo Williams was rested) and relied heavily on their second unit to win the game. Both Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter had 21 points, combining for 18 REB, 3 STL and 2 BLK along the way.
LAC @ DEN: I’m surprised how easily the Clippers won, but shooting 49% as a team always helps. Blake Griffin (25 PTS, 11 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK and 5-6 on free throws) was a monster. Caron Butler (16) looked good and Jamal Crawford added 14 in less than 20 minutes. Chris Paul had a quiet double-double (10 PTS, 12 AST) without a single turnover.
The Nuggets were at full strength except for Wilson Chandler (dental work) which allowed Corey Brewer (15) to play 25 minutes. JaVale McGee, paired with second-unit PG Andre Miller, had 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocked shots in 20 minutes. Kosta Koufos (12 PTS, 10 REB) got the start at C, as Timofey Mozgov is fading into the background. Denver will score more than 94 points most nights, and there’s room to turn up the intensity.
SAC @ LAL: The Lakers wrap up the preseason 0-8, as Devin Ebanks (14 PTS) started for Kobe Bryant, whose sore right foot may or may not be good enough to go when they kick off the real season with back-to-back games. The other four starters all finished in single digits, as did the nine bench players who shuffled in and out. The only encouraging sign was 9 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists from Jordan Hill, who figures to play more than rookie Robert Sacre going forward.
A horrible mess in the real world, the Kings can be underrated in fantasy. That was their likely starting lineup, with Isaiah Thomas (20 PTS) and Tyreke Evans (14 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 4 STL) in the backcourt. Marcus Thornton will come off the bench firing, though he missed all three attempts from deep in this game and finished with just 10 points. Jason Thompson is the PF; with rookie Thomas Robinson (who got the night off) expected to gradually take over the job. James Johnson, an energy guy, will be the SF, but has more fantasy value closer to the basket and his FG% will suffer if he keeps launching threes.
October 26 Games
IND @ CHI: It’s never a good thing when your starting PG doesn’t play a minute in the preseason. George Hill (hip pointer) might be ready soon, though his timing and conditioning won’t be 100% right away. D.J. Augustin has filled in capably and it may be a timeshare for a while. The other health issue for the Pacers is the knee of Danny Granger, who will be playing his way into shape with limited minutes. The sneaky last-round pick in standard leagues is Gerald Green, who will provide scoring off the bench at both wing spots.
A sore groin may limit Kirk Hinrich tonight or keep him out entirely. It doesn’t sound too serious, but you have to be careful not to aggravate those injuries. If Captain Kirk can’t go, it’s the Nate Robinson show. Apart from the uncertain return date of Derrick Rose, everything else in Chicagoland is hunky-dory. Richard Hamilton had a good camp, Luol Deng has had no trouble that we know of with that wrist, and Carlos Boozer was unstoppable in their win over the Thunder.
HOU @ ORL: I’m passing on Jeremy Lin. He has not looked good in red so far, and his ADP is too high for me to take the risk of injury or continued poor play. Decisions like that often come back to haunt me, and he could turn it all around tonight, but there are safer PG options at the same point in drafts. I’m targeting Kevin Martin, who is a cinch to improve on a disappointing 2011-12 if he avoids injury. I’m bullish on Omer Asik and rookie Terrence Jones later in drafts.
Another lottery team with fewer fantasy bargains, the Magic will rely heavily on Jameer Nelson and Glen Davis, neither of whom is exciting to own. Nikola Vucevic will be given a chance to develop and we still don’t know how Arron Afflalo’s numbers from Denver will translate to this new environment.