SAS @ TOR: The 3-11 Raptors lost again, in double OT. If Andrea Bargnani hadn’t shot a miserable 2-for-19, they might have beaten the Spurs in regulation. Jonas Valanciunas had his best game yet — 22 points, 7 rebounds and three blocks — in a career-high 39 minutes. Tony Parker was great (32 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST) and Tim Duncan (26 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 3 BLK) taught the rookie some new moves. It’s of interest only in deep leagues, but PF Ed Davis was outstanding (15 PTS, 14 REB in 21:39) and C Amir Johnson keeps losing minutes as Valanciunas improves.
NOH @ DEN: Make it four straight for the Nuggets. Ty Lawson hit eight of ten shots (17 PTS, 6 AST, 2 STL) and Andre Iguodala had a game-high 23 before the benches took over in the fourth quarter. Kenneth Faried (14 PTS, 12 REB) played only 27 minutes before becoming a spectator. The Hornets — losers of seven in a row — were tired; Greivis Vasquez had just six points and as many turnovers. Ryan Anderson scored 16 and backup PG Brian Roberts 17, but they were never really in the game. Robin Lopez (14 PTS, 5 REB, 4 BLK) is averaging a career-high 11.2 points per game through 12 starts.
November 26 Games
SAS @ WAS: If you have to play back-to-back off a double-OT win, where better than Washington? I’m not sure that Parker and Duncan will play heavy minutes tonight for the Spurs, who will almost certainly hand the Wizards their twelfth consecutive loss. Nene played 29 minutes in their latest; get him back in your lineups. At PG, Shaun Livingston is the new starter with A.J. Price coming off the bench. Both are mere placeholders until John Wall (leg) is able to play, but there’s no timetable yet for his return.
NYK @ BRK: The two best teams in New York happen to be among the Eastern Conference elite, as the entire Central Division and 60% of the Southwest aren’t very good. This is the rescheduled game that Hurricane Sandy postponed, and the Nets fans will be rabid. Deron Williams will keep forcing the pace, Joe Johnson has been scoring and what Brook Lopez gives away on defense, he makes up for at the offensive end. Carmelo Anthony, born in Brooklyn, calls this “an inner-city game,” so you know he’s psyched. Start everyone you own on both teams and enjoy the show.
POR @ DET: Without their best player, Portland hung tough in a loss to the Nets yesterday. LaMarcus Aldridge was a late scratch with a stiff back; if he can’t go tonight, rookie Meyers Leonard will get another start and the Pistons will have a much better chance. Brandon Knight (21 points) played well on Sunday vs. the Knicks, but faces a tough opponent in Damian Lillard. We’ll be watching for Charlie V off the Detroit bench and picking him up in deeper leagues if he seems motivated.