LAC @ PHO: The only undefeated coach in the NBA is Lindsey Hunter, whose Suns made it two straight, thanks to Goran Dragic (24 PTS, 8 AST, 5 REB) and an improved defensive effort. Marcin Gortat (15 PTS, 8 REB) and Luis Scola (14 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST) also played well in this back-to-back. With Chris Paul (bruised kneecap) sidelined, Eric Bledsoe (15 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL) filled in capably for the Clippers, but and Blake Griffin (12 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK) tweaked an ankle and was not as explosive as we’ve come to expect. Jamal Crawford (21 PTS) and Lamar Odom (11 REB, 4 AST) led the bench brigade, as usual. For Phoenix, the one player whose value has regressed since the coaching change is Jared Dudley, who scored just three points in 25 minutes.
January 25 Game Previews
MIN @ WAS: Returning from a serious injury is different for every player. Ricky Rubio is shooting a putrid 24.6% through 14 games and has yet to put up a 2-digit number in any category. John Wall has completely turned around the Wizards in seven games off the bench, averaging 14 PTS and 7 AST in 25 minutes while making his teammates better. The injury-riddled Wolves are in trouble tonight; Emeka Okafor will be the best C on the floor. Bradley Beal has been playing with a sore wrist; his numbers will really take off when it heals and Wall rejoins the starting five.
BOS @ ATL: If Al Horford (hamstring) is able to play, the Hawks look good tonight. If he can’t go, Zaza Pachulia (Achilles) is doubtful, so Ivan Johnson might get another start. Josh Smith put the team on his shoulders Wednesday (30 PTS, 13 REB, 8 AST, 3 BLK) after a couple of lackluster weeks and a 1-game “conduct detrimental” suspension; let’s hope he continues to try. That was a very tough home defeat for Boston on Thursday and it won’t be easy to display the same intensity 24 hours later.
DET @ MIA: Remember when Dwyane Wade got a 1-game suspension for ‘kicking’ and the Heat lost in Detroit? So does he. Wade and that LeBron James fellow will be too much for the Pistons to slow down. Miami had too much rest last week and came out flat before rallying to beat Toronto in overtime on Wednesday; they should be in top form now against a 4-15 road team without much firepower.
MIL @ CLE: It looks like the three new Cavaliers won’t dress. Josh Selby is a fantasy non-factor, and Wayne Ellington plays the one position (SG) where Cleveland has depth. Marreese Speights is the man to own; a steal in a 16-team league or deeper, he could even be an asset in 12-team formats if you need a 25-minute big man for PTS and REB. They could use him tonight, as Larry Sanders will be a handful for Tyler Zeller. We’ll see if Ersan Ilyasova can be consistent after two big games, and you already know about Kyrie Irving and Brandon Jennings — the pace could be furious.
BRK @ MEM: Mid-season coaching changes have paid off for a few teams east of Los Angeles, none more than the Nets, who are a stellar 12-2 under P.J. Carlesimo. However, playing in Memphis is never easy, and points will be at a premium. Marc Gasol can neutralize Brook Lopez and Mike Conley can slow down Deron Williams. The biggest winner of the Speights trade is Darrell Arthur, whose minutes will rise as the primary backup to both Gasol and Zach Randolph.