WAS @ CHA: Hard to believe, but the sad-sack Hornets are a .500 team that looks a whole lot better than the winless Wizards. Ben Gordon was ready to play, but had to leave the arena for a personal emergency, so Ramon Sessions (21 PTS) took over as the shooter off the bench. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist seems to be figuring things out; he had 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Kemba Walker added 17. For the hapless visitors, Trevor Ariza (19) was the only player to score more than eight points and the starting backcourt shot a combined 3-23 to drop the team to just under 30% for the night.
CLE @ BRK: It was the ultimate two-man game. Anderson Varejao scored a career-high 35 (on 16-21 shooting) and grabbed 18 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving scored 34, with 8 assists. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, Dion Waiters missed 13 of 16 shots, the bench did nothing and they lost. Although Brook Lopez (23 PTS, 7 REB, 4 BLK) may not be able to stop other centers, he helps his fantasy owners. Deron Williams (26 PTS, 10 AST) and Joe Johnson (25 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST) were also sharp for the Nets, who have won three straight.
POR @ SAC: The usual starting PG Isaiah Thomas was absent for personal reasons and fill-in Aaron Brooks rolled an ankle after just 7:05, so the Kings turned to Jimmer Fredette (13 PTS, 6 AST) who simply can’t contain Damian Lillard. Portland’s star rookie scored 22, with 9 helpers, to key the easy win. LaMarcus Aldridge (sore wrist) was relatively quiet with 19, but at least he played. While DeMarcus Cousins sat out the final game of his suspension, Chuck Hayes started at C for Sacramento and the offensively-challenged James Johnson (16) was their leading scorer.
November 14 Games
DET @ PHI: Still looking for their first win after eight losses, the Pistons haven’t picked an easy spot. Philadelphia has a stifling defense and Jrue Holiday, averaging 19 points and 9 assists per game in a breakout campaign (though his turnovers are a growing concern.) The Sixers now know they will be without Andrew Bynum (knee) for several more weeks, and Lavoy Allen is their weak spot, especially up against the likes of Greg Monroe, so Spencer Hawes becomes very important.
UTA @ BOS: Even if you’re healthy, it can’t be easy to play against Rajon Rondo, and Mo Williams (adductor) is far from 100%. Advantage Celtics. The Jazz prevailed in triple-overtime against Toronto thanks to a couple of unlikely 3-point shooters. Al Jefferson’s desperation heave was dumb luck, but Paul Millsap looks quite comfortable beyond the arc and is playing more SF, allowing Derrick Favors more court time. Boston has depleted its second unit scoring by moving Jason Terry and Brandon Bass into the starting five, happy news for their fantasy owners.
CHA @ MIN: Is there still room on the Bobcats bandwagon? Probably; I’m nowhere near it. As devastated as the T-Wolves are by injuries — mighty Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is questionable tonight — they are 3-0 at home and 5-2 for the season. Dante Cunningham will be a FanDuel bargain if Pek can’t go, and Andrei Kirilenko has been the team MVP, with some vintage AK-47 stat-stuffing lines. His countryman Alexey Shved is getting more comfortable every game.
That Pacers Raptors game resembled a hockey game with the referees putting away their whistles in the second half. Tyler Hansbrough, especially, noticed it and effectively ‘gooned’ it up by playing extremely physical without drawing any fouls. It was ugly to watch and near embarrassing for the league. I think it helps explain the low score.
It was not the first the time where I felt the referees decided (to use another hockey phrase) “to let the players decide the outcome”. And, one of the early statistical themes of the season is the league wide drop in the free throw rate. From a fantasy point of view, I see that a couple of high rate FT players are struggling so far this year not only getting to the line but also correspondingly shooting very low FG%. Off the top of my head – Danilo Gallinari, Rodney Stuckey, Ersan Ilyasova.
Anyone else noticing the same thing? Is this something worth exploring?
Jeff