LAC @ DET: The Clippers sailed to a tenth straight win. Their only longer streak came eons ago when they played in Buffalo and Bob McAdoo was the star. Yes, I’m old enough to have watched that team; like the current football Bills, they used to play a few home games in Toronto. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, the Pistons kept the score low. Chris Paul (14 PTS, 7 AST, 4 REB, 3 STL) had decent numbers but 15 PTS and 4 REB is a quiet night for Blake Griffin . Streamer of the Week Matt Barnes (10 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK) got 29 minutes and Jamal Crawford (15 PTS) played 30, as the L.A. bench continues to be a strength. Brandon Knight (16 PTS, 5 AST, 5 REB) and Tayshaun Prince (15 PTS, 7 REB) were solid in defeat.
CHI @ MEM: My preview of this one was on the money. Literally, if you took the Grizzlies and the under as suggested. Joakim Noah (11 PTS, 9 REB) held Marc Gasol to a 4-point night, and while Zach Randolph (10 PTS, 15 REB) double-doubled, so did Carlos Boozer (16 & 13). It was no surprise that Mike Conley (17 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL) was too much for Kirk Hinrich (knee) or Nate Robinson to contain. A game with a combined 151 points by both teams is a must-avoid in daily leagues, and no great help in traditional formats.
SAC @ PHO: Break up the Suns! Just kidding; they are on a 3-game win streak but a good NCAA team could have beaten the Kings last night. Nobody likes someone who squanders tremendous talent, and DeMarcus Cousins is a shining example of that, shooting a careless 1-for-10 while Marcin Gortat (14 PTS, 13 REB, 6 BLK) swatted away four of DMC’s shots. Jared Dudley (20) and Shannon Brown (22) led Phoenix, and maybe there’s some stability at PF, as starter Luis Scola (14 PTS, 10 AST, 6 REB) played a strong 33 minutes while Markieff Morris was scoreless in 14:57 off the bench. Jimmer Fredette (22 PTS in as many minutes) was the lone bright spot for Sacramento, which could use new owners, a new coach and a new attitude by their best — and by far most frustrating — player. Tyreke Evans (knee) sat out, and James Johnson may be edging back into the rotation. Don’t ignore Kings games in fantasy; start everyone you own against them.
December 18 Games
ATL @ WAS: Coming off a home loss to the Warriors where they simply didn’t play well, the Hawks should bounce back tonight. There’s no way Josh Smith will shoot 1-for-12 again, and the Wizards have nobody who can defend Al Horford. Washington is also without a true PG; they start combo guards Jordan Crawford and Bradley Beal in the backcourt, which makes Jeff Teague a good play this evening. Beal, the third overall pick in the draft, is averaging 14.7 PPG in December and rewarding his patient fantasy owners.
TOR @ CLE: Watch the man in the mask. Kyrie Irving was spectacular vs. the Knicks despite a facial fracture and although Jose Calderon is a matador defensively, he is great to own (and start) for at least another week until Kyle Lowry (triceps) returns. Anderson Varejao is way too experienced for Jonas Valanciunas and way too big for Amir Johnson to handle. The Cavs might even get Dion Waiters (ankle) back after an 8-game absence, but C.J. Miles has been great filling in and should remain an important role player. Toronto is 1-14 on the road with a tendency to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.