POR @ DET: Even with LaMarcus Aldridge (back) returning after missing one game and putting up a typically great line (32 PTS, 10 REB, 3 STL, 3 BLK) the tired Blazers lost their second game in 24 hours. Brandon Knight (26) got the better of Damian Lillard (12 PTS on 4-of-18 shooting) and rookie Kyle Singler (16 PTS, 10 REB) had his first career double-double. In 15 minutes, Charlie Villanueva scored 10 points, and Rodney Stuckey added 11 off the bench. Nicolas Batum is in a mini-slump; he keeps getting peripheral stats but is 15-for-42 from the floor in his last four, averaging just 10 points. Buy low!
DEN @ UTA: The Jazz are hard to beat in Salt Lake City and Al Jefferson (28) was the difference in a close contest. Jamaal Tinsley (15 PTS, 6 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK) did very well in another start at PG for injured Mo Williams, and Derrick Favors was strong off the bench (19 PTS, 7 REB) but Paul Millsap (5 PTS, 5 REB) was nearly invisible, to the growing dismay of his fantasy owners. Andre Igoudala picked up a pair of technical fouls and was ejected, finishing with just 10 points. Ty Lawson (16 PTS, 9 AST) and Kenneth Faried (21 PTS, 9 REB) could have used another scorer in crunch time.
CLE @ MEM: The Cavaliers have shown remarkable tenacity without Kyrie Irving (hand) and were leading by six midway through the fourth quarter. Anderson Varejao had 22 rebounds and 15 points to put them in that position, until the hibernating Grizzlies woke up with a 16-4 run to win a game that looked ugly from all angles. Mike Conley (flu) didn’t play and Jerryd Bayless (9 PTS, 6 AST) wasn’t great as his replacement. Zach Randolph (19 PTS, 8 REB) didn’t even get his routine double-double, for the first time all season.
CHA @ OKC: I called Kemba Walker “vastly improved” before predicting he would be no match for Russell Westbrook. Little did I expect a scoreless night from Walker (0-for-6) or just 20 minutes on the floor. Nor did the Thunder need WB, who played less than 22 minutes in a ridiculous blowout. Rookie Jeffery Taylor (10) was the Bobcats’ best player; they trailed 64-24 at halftime, then both teams emptied their benches and went through the motions, so the final margin was ‘only’ 45 points. Charlotte shot 29% on the night and made us all wonder how they ever beat the Pacers, Mavs and Bucks.
MIL @ CHI: Although Brandon Jennings (ankle sprain) wasn’t great (6 PTS in 26:07), he did play. The entire starting five scored just 37 points for Milwaukee, yet they still won! Getting 56 points off the bench, and having Ersan Ilyasova (18 PTS, 6 REB in 21:44) finally show up was the difference. Carlos Boozer (19 PTS, 11 REB) had a nice night and Richard Hamilton exploded for 30 points, but the Bulls’ reserves were quiet as the team blew a 27-point lead. Bucks’ rookie John Henson (11 PTS in 14:41) was a surprise starter at SF, suggesting he might be in line for a regular rotation spot.
November 26 Games
DAL @ PHI: In their last two games, the 76ers narrowly lost to Oklahoma City in overtime, then bounced back the following day to defeat Phoenix on 33 points and 13 assists from emerging star Jrue Holiday. The absence of Dirk Nowitzki (knee) isn’t the only problem for Dallas. They are just 1-4 on the road, where they play eight of their next ten, and got absolutely trounced at home by the Lakers on Saturday. Elton Brand might be motivated against the team that put him on amnesty waivers, but he’s been horrible all season. I’ll use Holiday, Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner in my daily leagues and hope for the best.