OKC @ BRK: In their palatial new home, the Nets are 7-1, but the Thunder is a great team anywhere and this will be exciting. Russell Westbrook vs. Deron Williams is always worth watching, and Kevin Durant is a human highlight film. The biggest advantage for the visitors is up front. While Andray Blatche has been solid in two starts for injured Brook Lopez (foot), he must deal with Kendrick Perkins tonight, and Serge Ibaka can be a handful for Kris Humphries at both ends of the floor. From a fantasy perspective, you just start the usual suspects and don’t expect much from the subs. As a basketball fan, open a beer and enjoy the show.
PHO @ MEM: The Grizzlies will be angry after blowing a lead in San Antonio, and the Suns are just going through the motions. Give me Marc Gasol over the apathetic Marcin Gortat all night long, and Zach Randolph should have a field day against the PF timeshare of Markieff Morris and Luis Scola. At PG, Goran Dragic is pretty good, but Mike Conley is better. Then we get to SF, where Rudy Gay is multi-talented a model of consistency and Michael Beasley is an underachieving head case, his own worst enemy. Memphis won’t need Tony Allen if he wants to rest that sore groin one more day. For Phoenix, it’s no surprise that Jermaine O’Neal (quad) is hurt, but he had been playing well and leaves them shorthanded up front.
IND @ CHI: The Pacers desperately need to get Paul George back on track. Since that 37-point explosion, his scoring has charted an alarming path: 15, 12, 4 and zero. Hitless in seven attempts over 29 minutes against the Warriors, George may be hiding an injury, or feeling the pressure of trying to replace Danny Granger. It won’t be easy tonight against Luol Deng and the tenacious Bulls. Joakim Noah is having a much better year than Roy Hibbert, giving Chicago another advantage. Only David West and George Hill are keeping Indiana alive in the mediocre Central Division. Richard Hamilton will be out for a while with a torn plantar fascia, so Marco Bellinelli and Jimmy Butler will both see an uptick in minutes and fantasy value.
LAL @ HOU: Both teams love to run and shoot. The star-studded Lakers may not have enough depth to go 48 minutes with the relatively anonymous Rockets. As a proud owner of Patrick Patterson in every league, I’m not surprised (though definitely pleased) that he’s averaging 23 PPG the last three, and you actually have to like him against the struggling Pau Gasol. In the middle, Dwight Howard has the reputation, muscles, dazzling smile and bank account, but Omer Asik won’t back down. Kobe Bryant is a certain Hall-of-Famer, but James Harden is no slouch. The difference-maker could be Jeremy Lin, as L.A. is still without a point guard, waiting for Steve Nash’s leg to heal. Antawn Jamison has been the main man off the bench for Mike D’Antoni, but Houston’s second unit improves with Carlos Delfino back. It should be high-scoring and fun to watch; play everyone you own.
The Spin is here by 9:00 EST, every day. Follow us on Twitter — @SheridanFantasy — for updates and roster advice from Jeff Nichols, whose weekend columns are essential reading.
Even if Foye’s shot would’ve went in it was too late. There were only 0.7 seconds on the clock and he didn’t get it off fast enough. Still a great game.
kent ill wait for the diary and check back occasionally
please update me when you make your picks for tonight and nice analysis of last night 🙂