Kyrie Irving, Stephen Jackson Hurt; Gallinari, Curry Hot in Road Wins

MIL @ CHA: I called this wrong, because I didn’t think the Milwaukee big men could possibly play as bad as they did. Ersan Ilyasova (4 PTS in 16 minutes) is a candidate for fantasy LVP (Least Valuable Player) and Samuel Dalembert is a chronic underachiever. Ben Gordon left early with a knee bruise, so Kemba Walker (19) and Ramon Sessions (23) took on more of the scoring load. Byron Mullens (19 PTS, 9 REB) and rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (15 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST) also played well. For the Bucks it was all Monta Ellis (31), as Brandon Jennings hit onlt five of 18 shots. Mike Dunleavy (16) played three times the minutes of nominal starter Tobias Harris, whose inconsistency is a problem.

LAC @ SAS: SF Stephen Jackson broke a finger after ten minutes and will be out at least a month. That put pressure on Danny Green, whose shot wouldn’t fall (2-for-11, 6 points) and Manu Ginobili (15 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) who missed eight shots. Tim Duncan (20 PTS, 14 REB, 2 BLK) and Blake Griffin (16 PTS, 13 REB) were strong, but nobody else stepped up for the Spurs and Chris Paul (19 PTS, 8 AST) was the difference. Matt Barnes (14 PTS, 9 REB, 3 STL) took over from Caron Butler (scoreless and -8 in 8:58 before injuring his shoulder) perhaps earning a larger role.

ORL @ ATL: I was wrong about the Hawks, who looked tired from their road trip and did just enough to win, The breakout game for Josh Smith (6 PTS in 22:20) will have to wait, and Jeff Teague (9 PTS, 7 AST) was also quieter than expected. Kyle Korver started at SF with Devin Harris at SG, a big plus for the latter’s fantasy value if it continues, though sixth man Louis Williams remains better to own. There was absolutely nothing Magic about Orlando’s effort. Rookie Moe Harkless (8 PTS, 8 REB) might deserve mo’ minutes.

DEN @ MEM: A great result for the Nuggets and their fans, as Danilo Gallinari (26 points, 5 rebounds) had his best game of the year. Kenneth Faried (13 PTS, 13 REB) made Zach Randolph earn his double double (12 PTS, 13 REB) and JaVale McGee scored 15 in less than 18 minutes off the bench. Rudy Gay (22) led the Grizzlies, who blew a 4-point lead in the final two minutes of a hard-fought game. Marc Gasol (16 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST) did the vast majority of that damage in the first three quarters.