November 21 Games
SAS @ BOS: All of a sudden the deepest team in the league is shorthanded. Kawhi Leonard (quad) was replaced by Stephen Jackson, who is now out at least a month with a broken finger. Manu Ginobili isn’t the most durable player, so Danny Green becomes very important. Coach Gregg Popovich called his team “soft” after they lost a heartbreaker at home on Monday; now they begin a six-game road trip against a rugged opponent. It should be great for hoops fans, less so for fantasy owners, as I’m anticipating tight D from both teams. Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett tend to get up for games like this, but Paul Pierce (ankle) isn’t 100% yet.
LAC @ OKC: Great matchups here — Chris Paul vs. Russell Westbrook is always a classic, and Blake Griffin vs. Serge Ibaka will be a high-flying battle. L.A. is really hurting at SF, with Caron Butler (shoulder) out and Matt Barnes (finger) less than 100%, which is not the best news against Kevin Durant. The Clippers are an impressive 3-0 on the road against very good teams, but KD is coming off the first of many triple-doubles and sixth man Kevin Martin is heating up, so I like the Thunder tonight.
TOR @ CHA: The Raptors came out fast last night in Philadelphia in the first and third quarters, but weakened in the fourth, getting outscored 33-18. They will be tired, and it remains to be seen how Lowry bounces back from his surprise return, so it’s another winnable game for the Bobcats, who have been on quite a roll. Kemba Walker is averaging 20 points during the last five games, and Byron Mullens is contributing in PTS, REB and 3PTM, though his 39.3% shooting isn’t great for a PF-C.
PHI @ CLE: There is no way to make up for the absence of Kyrie Irving. I’m guessing that Donald Sloan starts at PG, Jannero Pargo comes off the bench and Daniel Gibson will handle the ball more than usual. Philly had to dig deep for a home victory last night, but should have enough left in the tank to beat the Cavaliers without their most important player. I’m going to avoid everyone on both teams in my daily leagues, as this could be ugly.
DET @ ORL: This game ‘features’ two of the weakest teams in the league, but there’s a chance to mine some fantasy gold. Although Detroit is 1-6 on the road, Greg Monroe could dominate Nikola Vucevic and both Magic guards have been battling illnesses since leading them to an upset win in Detroit. We’re still holding on to Rodney Stuckey, a pretty good sixth man who could regain the starting job from Kyle Singler if the rookie cools off.
NOH @ IND: Without their two best players, Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis, the Hornets are an underdog every night. When the Unibrow (ankle) is able to play, they become more respectable. Indiana has been a huge disappointment this season, unable to replace Danny Granger and averaging less than 90 points per game. Tonight is a great chance to improve their numbers. Frustrated owners of Roy Hibbert are hoping he can put two good games together after a very slow start; David West is on a roll that should continue and George Hill is due to make a few shots.
MIL @ MIA: The Heat are perfect at home, Dwyane Wade (foot) will be back and LeBron James is feeling better. The Bucks just lost to Charlotte; they are leading the Central Division mostly because everyone else has been worse. It should be no contest. In Wade’s absence, Shane Battier was red-hot — he’s hit 10 3-pointers on 15 attempts the last two games.