December 23 Games
MIN @ NYK: We might see Amare Stoudemire (knee) back on the court today, but we won’t see Kevin Love, who suffered an eye injury on Thursday and couldn’t fly. That means Andrei Kirilenko and Nikola Pekovic will have to score if the Wolves have any chance. The Knicks will be smarting from that home loss to Chicago, so I like their chances and expect Carmelo Anthony to have a huge game.
PHI @ BRK: When the Sixers have Jrue Holiday, they are a completely different team. He makes Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young better, and Jason Richardson gets more wide-open looks. Brooklyn is like a collection of shiny parts that don’t quite fit together. Losers of eight of their last ten, the Nets will be determined to turn things around. Deron Williams and Brook Lopez are the keys, but someone must step up at PF, where Kris Humphries and Reggie Evans have taken turns as ineffective starters.
UTA @ ORL: Never the greatest road team, and tired from losing in Miami last night, Utah could be in trouble. The Magic will be without Glen Davis (shoulder) for the next month, making Gustavo Ayon a good fantasy pickup and putting rookie Andrew Nicholson in line for more minutes. Jameer Nelson could surprise, as the Jazz are thin at PG without Mo Williams (thumb). I’m also a believer in C Nikola Vucevic, who’s averaging 11.9 PTS and 11.9 REB) in December.
DAL @ SAS: The Derek Fisher era was short. It sounds like Fish, who has a sore knee, will retire. Darren Collison regains the starting PG job by default, with Dominique Jones a speculative add in deeper fantasy leagues. Chris Douglas-Roberts, the best player in the D-league, has been called up. None of this will matter against the Spurs, whose deep depth is back. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are must-starts, and Kawhi Leonard will gradually get more minutes, possibly at the expense of Gary Neal and/or Danny Green.
LAC @ PHO: There’s no reason to bet against the Clippers as they pursue a 13th consecutive win. Phoenix had to play on the road last night, so even back at home, the Suns will be tired. Blake Griffin will get whatever he wants against either Luis Scola or Markieff Morris, and Phoenix will have no answer for the terrific L.A. second unit, led by Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes, with a resurgent Lamar Odom also contributing.
POR @ SAC: For some real-world suggestions on what to do about DeMarcus Cousins, see Chris Sheridan’s trade scenarios. Here in the fantasy department, you can’t cut the suspended DMC. What you can do is project improvement for Jason Thompson. I’m not foolish enough to predict a Kings win, especially with Tyreke Evans (knee) also missing, but sometimes a shorthanded team gets inspired, and the Blazers may be fatigued.
The Spin is here by 9:00 EST, every day, recapping the previous night’s action and examining tonight’s games. Jeff Nichols returns this afternoon with a Week 9 Preview. Follow us on Twitter — @SheridanFantasy — for updates and roster advice.