The big story is Golden State winning in Miami, and the Celtics won a double-OT thriller over the Mavs. Any time the Spurs lose, it’s news. We’ll get to all those great games, which I didn’t see. Instead, I was an eyewitness to the Raptors’ latest loss, and there are considerable fantasy developments from Toronto. Kyle Lowry (triceps) is expected to miss 10 days and Andrea Bargnani will be out even longer. What looked like a bruised funny bone is a torn elbow ligament. The official word is “indefinite” but Eric Koreen of the National Post is guessing at least a month and possibly two, citing an unnamed medical source.
This is horrible news for the team, already terrible and going nowhere. Fans are disappointed because now they can’t trade Bargnani, or even Jose Calderon, who had 10 points and 15 assists in 40 minutes. It’s fantastic news for Ed Davis. The new starting PF had 24 PTS, 12 REB and 3 STL, though he won’t get 45 minutes every night. Amir Johnson (suspension) was unavailable and rookie Quincy Acy was summoned back from the D-League, but arrived mid-game and saw no action. Pick up Davis where you can, ASAP.
The Nets looked tired in the first half, then poured it on. Joe Johnson (23) was wide open on several occasions, and C.J. Watson (16) hit four 3-pointers from the same spot in the corner. Andray Blatche (14 PTS, 9 REB) played well down the stretch, and Reggie Evans (9 PTS, 11 REB) was solid at both ends of the floor. It’s possible that both Blatche and Evans will return to the bench when Brook Lopez (foot) returns, because coach Avery Johnson likes them as a duo. Buy very low on Kris Humphries, whose “demotion” to the second unit may be temporary.
Other December 12 Games
GSW @ MIA: I didn’t give the Warriors a chance. They have been on the road for more than a week, and while they had won the first four games, three were against weak opposition. LeBron James scored 31, Chris Bosh (21 PTS, 13 REB, 2 BLK) was great and Stephen Curry had a rare off-night (9 PTS, 6 TO) but somehow, the Heat lost. Jarrett Jack (20 PTS, 4 AST, 4 REB) was huge off the bench, David Lee (22 PTS, 13 REB) did his usual thing and Klay Thompson (27 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST) hit five 3-pointers. Rookie Draymond Green, used more of a defensive specialist, made the game-winning bucket.
DAL @ BOS: Another near triple-double for Rajon Rondo (16 PTS, 15 AST, 9 REB, 3 STL) and a huge night for Paul Pierce (34 PTS, 6 REB, 4 STL) were barely enough to beat the stubborn Mavericks. It took two overtime periods to decide, which also inflates fantasy stats, like Rondo’s career-high 52:30 on the floor. The Dallas PG tandem of Derek Fisher (10) and Darren Collison (20) both played more than 35 minutes and were on the floor together for long stretches. Shawn Marion (groin) was surprisingly effective (16 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST, 2 BLK) after missing the last two games. O.J. Mayo (24) played 52 minutes, but committed 9 of his team’s 27 turnovers.