DAL @ IND: Coming off a pair of ugly losses, the Pacers managed a much better effort with six players scoring in double figures. Roy Hibbert missed another ten shots, but 14 PTS, 8 REB and 2 BLK is progress. Sam Young (14) was hot off the bench, Gerald Green (5) not so much. This was the worst game yet for Dallas, which scored just 34 points in the second half. Shawn Marion (2 PTS) may have returned prematurely from his sprained knee and Darren Collison (10) wasn’t that inspired against his former team. O.J. Mayo had 19 in the losing cause, and I’ve run out of patience with Rodrigue Beaubois (2 points in 19:21) as a breakout candidate.
ORL@ DET: The Pistons shot 54%, scored 106 points and blew the game with horrendous fourth-quarter defense. Jameer Nelson (13 PTS, 10 AST, 2 STL) returned, Glen Davis (17 PTS, 13 REB) was solid and J.J. Redick stayed hot with 23 points as the Magic scored 39 in the final frame to snatch away the victory. Greg Monroe (23 PTS, 7 REB) was not to blame and rookie Kyle Singler (14 PTS, +17) stayed in the starting lineup, asRodney Stuckey, still slowed by a flu bug, is content to play a sixth-man role.
OKC@ NOH: It was 66-37 at halftime, with Kevin Durant (27 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL) and Kevin Martin (27 points in 26:33) doing most of the damage. Serge Ibaka added 15 and blocked three more shots. Rookie Anthony Davis (8 PTS, 11 REB, 2 BLK) was a minus-19 and PG Greivis Vasquez (7 PTS, 7 AST) a minus-22; sixth man Ryan Anderson (15 points, 3-3 from deep) was the least-bad Hornet in a blowout that was much worse than the 15-point final margin might suggest.
GSW@ MIN: The decimated Timberwolves got 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks from sophomore Derrick Williams and another big effort by Andrei Kirilenko (18 PTS, 6 REB, 4 BLK) but it wasn’t quite enough. Alexey Shved had a career-high 22 coming off the bench behind nominal starter Malcolm Lee, who was pointless in both senses of the word. Rookie Harrison Barnes (18 PTS, 9 REB) had another strong game for the Warriors, David Lee (18 PTS, 13 REB) did his thing and Stephen Curry (17 PTS, 6 AST) was effective. Good work off the bench by Jarrett Jack (13) and Carl Landry (15) helped make the difference.
HOU@ POR: Start engraving the name of Damian Lillard on the Rookie of the Year trophy. He scored 27 points, a new career high — for now — but was outdone by Nicolas Batum (35) and LaMarcus Aldridge (29 in a thrilling overtime win. Houston played great in defeat, James Harden scoring 29 and Omer Asik with yet another double-double (16 & 16) leading the way. Jeremy Lin (11 PTS, 11 AST, 6 REB, 1 STL, 2 BLK) wasn’t bad, though he can’t stop Lillard. Carlos Delfino (groin) didn’t play, so the Rockets went with a short bench and Marcus Morris (16) impressed.
ATL @ SAC: In his return from a 2-game suspension, DeMarcus Cousins had 16 rebounds and 7 assists, but scored just 9 points on 4-15 shooting. Isaiah Thomas (personal) also returned, but wasn’t very good (3 PTS in 19:09) so Aaron Brooks (13 PTS, 4 AST in 21:56) got more of the PG minutes. The Hawks won easily, with Kyle Korver hitting all five 3-point shots for a game-high 22 and Louis Williams adding 21 off the bench. Josh Smith (19 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 3 BLK) may be coming around and Al Horford (20 PTS, 10 REB) seems over the flu. Of concern to Jeff Teague owners, he got a quick hook and played less than 20 minutes, though he did score 15 points.
November 17 Games
TOR @ BOS: This is an unusual 12:30 EST matinee, so be sure to set your lineups early. At FanDuel, some leagues include this one and close early, while others (like our $200 Freeroll) leave it out and close at 7:00 using players from the other seven games. Toronto is coming off an ugly win against the listless Pacers. The final score was 74-72, the Raptors somehow hanging on despite a franchise record-low FIVE points in the fourth quarter. They are without Kyle Lowry (foot) for another week or two, making Jose Calderon a must-own, must-start player a while longer. Landry Fields (nerve surgery) is out indefinitely and Alan Anderson (torn plantar fascia) for several weeks, so there’s talk of 7-foot Andrea Bargnani playing some SF and Linas Kleiza has a big opportunity for minutes. The Celtics should win, but if Rajon Rondo (ankle) can’t go, Leandro Barbosa will get another start at PG.
Ty Corbin might be the worst coach in the league right now. Worse than Keith Smart is very ‘worse’ indeed. His rotations make no sense and clearly the team is lost….clueless about what is expected of them. Al Jefferson has become an embarrasement…..its disgusting (not too strong a word) to watch him STAND, arms at his side, as player
after player dribble drive past him for easy lay ups. WHY DOESNT CORBIN SAY SOMETHING, or bench him, or something..!? Favors should start….and just live with his errors for now. Kanter should start, and same. Kanter was good last night….he at least tries on defense and his strength is a big plus. Hayward is misused and looks frustrated. And where is Alec Burks? Why so much Foye? Foye is a guy you give five minutes to. Burks is a future starter. Its pathetic./// The problem in indiana is Vogel. Hibbert was exposed last post season and the league woke up. Body him !!! Milwaukee might be a serious contender in the east. Larry Sanders for most improved.
I watched Jazz for first time last night and could not believe how they refused to adjust to Philly’s pick and roll. Holiday got wherever and whatever he wanted. On the other end, they didn’t force-feed the post against a team outrebounded by 37 on its home floor in its last two games. It was pretty bad.