SAS @ NOH: Like we said, the very presence of Eric Gordon (24 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST) makes Greivis Vasquez (14 PTS, 11 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL) that much better. Anthony Davis (17 PTS, 9 REB, 3 STL) bounced back from a dull effort and the Hornets pulled off a big upset thanks to solid team defense. Let’s give Tim Duncan (13 PTS, 5 TO) a pass for a rare off-night, and Tony Parker (16) also turned it over five times. After losing two in a row, the Spurs will be a lot more fired up when they host the Lakers on Wednesday
ORL @ POR: Pity the poor Magic, who have now played four straight excellent games with nothing to show for it. Led by J.J. Redick (29) and Arron Afflalo (24), with double-doubles from Jameer Nelson (21 PTS, 12 AST) and Nikola Vucevic (17 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST) they forced overtime but fell short in that fast-paced five minutes. All five Portland starters scored at least 16 points in this fantasy bonanza, with LaMarcus Aldridge (27 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST) and J.J. Hickson (20 PTS, 15 REB) particularly strong up front, Wesley Matthews (24) knocking down four 3-pointers and Damian Lillard (18 PTS, 10 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL) setting the tempo.
CLE @ CHI: This result was no surprise at all. Joakim Noah (11 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST, 4 BLK) and Carlos Boozer (24 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST) would have had even better numbers if garbage time hadn’t arrived so early. Taj Gibson (18 PTS, 7 REB, 2 BLK) continued the frontcourt dominance off the bench. The Bulls also slowed down Kyrie Irving (15 PTS, 6 AST) in a laughably easy victory.
DAL @ UTA: The Mavericks are currently a mess, though Dirk Nowitzki (20 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) is getting better. Surrounded by a mediocre point guard in Darren Collison and a bunch of old guys, Dirk has gone public with his unhappiness. They need a shakeup trade that brings in a distributor. The Jazz have backcourt problems of their own, but Gordon Hayward (27 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK) played his best game of the season and Al Jefferson (15 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST) was good enough. Of note in deeper leagues, Marvin Williams was invisible in 16 minutes, and Alec Burks (13 PTS, 4 REB) got 22 minutes off the bench. Monitor the situation.
MEM @ SAC: One reason DeMarcus Cousins is so frustrating to own is the immature, volatile temper that gets him suspended so often, by the league and his own team. Another is inconsistency, like his 10-point, 4-TO stinker last night. Tyreke Evans (knee) played a quiet 12:27 off the bench and the Kings gift-wrapped this one, shooting 36.8% as a team. Memphis won so easily that the starters got plenty of rest and backup SG Wayne Ellington scored 26 points in as many minutes. 32-point routs are rarely any good for fantasy owners.
Bradley Beal and Martell Webster each scored 22, Kevin Seraphin added 19 and Emeka Okafor had a 12 & 12 double-double. A.J. Price (4 PTS, 5 AST, 5 REB in 16 minutes) returned after missing a month and may soon battle Garrett Temple for minutes. It’s still a mystery how they won, as Serge Ibaka (26 PTS, 11 REB, 2 BLK) was outstanding and Kevin Durant (29 PTS, 8 AST, 7 REB, 3 STL) had a KD-type line. In the NBA, anything can happen, and it just did.