IND @ MIL: It’s a complete mystery why Indiana was so lethargic last night. Playing a team that was physically and emotionally drained by a triple-OT loss the night before, they were content with a dull, slow-paced halfcourt game. They will need a 180-degree change in style this evening to avoid a blowout loss. Monta Ellis should have a field day against Lance Stephenson and while I’m no fan of the Bucks’ starting big men or their coach, Larry Sanders has become a consistent force off the bench.
NOH @ HOU: Anthony Davis showed no ill effects from his mild concussion, and a scuffle with Byron Mullens inspired the rookie to a dominating 23-point, 11-rebound, 5-block night last Friday. I don’t think the Hornets can win, but I’m using the Unibrow in all my daily lineups. Houston has lost four of its last five, and James Harden is due for a scoring explosion; he’s been hounded by some great defenders lately. Omer Asik has been a revelation as the starting C, averaging 13 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and a block.
MEM @ OKC: Two of the league’s best teams square off, though the Grizzlies don’t seem to get their due from most pundits. They’re 5-1, just thumped the Miami Heat decisively and will be dedicating this game to former assistant GM Kenny Williamson, who passed away this week. Zach Randolph gets a double-double every night, Mike Conley is a steals machine and patient facilitator, while Rudy Gay does whatever is required. The Thunder will need to be at their best in this playoff preview. Russell Westbrook certainly didn’t look like a man with a sore shoulder the other night and Serge Ibaka is getting the extra minutes his fantasy owners have begged for the last couple of years.
WAS @ DAL: As completely inept as they looked in Charlotte last night, the Wizards have no chance. Darren Collison will own A.J. Price, rookie Bradley Beal will be chasing O.J. Mayo around and although both clubs are hurting badly in the frontcourt, Chris Kaman and Brandan Wright match up well with the Washington big men. Rookie Jae Crowder has not been the answer at SF for Dallas, so until Shawn Marion (knee) returns, we might see more of Dahntay Jones and Vince Carter off the bench.
CHI @ PHO: This could be a good night to own Goran Dragic. With Kirk Hinrich (hip) either out or hobbled, little Nate Robinson becomes the Bulls’ PG. The battle at C between Marcin Gortat and Joakim Noah will be fun to watch. Where I really give the Bulls an edge is at SF, where the consistent Luol Deng faces the erratic, unpredictable Michael Beasley. Whichever team wins, there are a few strong fantasy plays in this game. Shannon Brown has been scoring in bunches off the Phoenix bench and could be dangerous again.
MIA @ LAC: The game of the night, with the Heat road trip continuing against a Clippers team that’s won three in a row. There will be superstars everywhere you look. Friends and Olympic teammates LeBron James and Chris Paul always seem to get up for games against each other. Chris Bosh has been very good this year, but DeAndre Jordan is the type of C he has trouble defending. Sixth men Ray Allen and Jamal Crawford are important contributors. It may come down to who (if anyone) can guard Dwyane Wade.
ATL @ GSW: Latest word is that Andrew Bogut (ankle) may be out until January, so David Lee is going to play a lot of center and Carl Landry will get big minutes at PF, even if he doesn’t start. The Hawks won their last game despite Josh Smith and Louis Williams being under the weather with a flu bug. If they are both feeling better, Atlanta is too good, and too deep, for the young Warriors.
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