NOH @ MEM: If someone guaranteed you that Greivis Vasquez would shoot 2-for-16 and commit four turnovers, you would have bet the proverbial farm on Memphis and lost. Mike Conley suffered an ankle injury in the fifth minute, and while Jerryd Bayless (14 PTS, 5 AST, 3 STL) played a solid 36:30, that left the second unit depleted and the Hornets’ reserves took full advantage. Ryan Anderson hit 7-of-13 from 3-point range in a 22-point, 5-rebound performance and backup center Jason Smith (16 PTS, 5 REB, 2 BLK) was outstanding. Although Zach Randolph (20 PTS, 13 REB) and Marc Gasol (14 PTS, 11 REB, 3 AST, 3 BLK) played well for the Grizzlies, Rudy Gay was awful, missing 14 of the 17 shots he threw up, and turning it over four times. They sure could have used Wayne Ellington and Marreese Speights, but for some teams, the balance sheet is more important than depth.
ATL @ NYK: Every time the MVP race looks like it’s down to KD and LBJ, Carmelo Anthony reminds everyone that he is amazing too. Melo hit nine 3-pointers, went 15-28 for 42 points and scored the winning bucket. Raymond Felton (12 PTS, 10 AST, 4 REB) played 38 minutes in his second game off the layoff, but Jason Kidd (sore back) lasted just 5:24, so J.R. Smith (18 PTS in 36:32) got extra burn. Tyson Chandler’s poor fantasy line (2 PTS, 3 REB, 2 BLK) has no category for courage; he played with a painful neck. Jeff Teague (27 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB, 2 STL) led the Hawks, who went ‘small’ with Josh Smith (20 PTS, 4 AST) at PF and Kyle Korver (13 PTS, 7 REB) at SF but Devin Harris (3 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST) was quiet as the starting SG and the only bench contribution was four 3-pointers from DeShawn Stevenson.
PHO @ DAL: Yesterday I stated emphatically that Elton Brand (12 PTS in 17 minutes) had taken over from Chris Kaman (6 PTS in 11 minutes) as the #1 C for Dallas, only to see Bernard James (2 PTS in 10:51) get the start and Brandan Wright (4 PTS in 11:22) also get a turn. It sounds like a Rick Carlisle motivation tool to keep Brand on his toes. Dirk Nowitzki (18 PTS, 7 REB) and Shawn Marion (18 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST) led the Mavs to a convincing win. Rodrigue Beaubois (8 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST in 24:20) has teased fantasy owners before; he’s clearly the backup PG again, with Mike James the third-stringer. Goran Dragic (18 PTS, 8 AST) led the tired Suns, and rookie Kendall Marshall (6 PTS in 14:42) joined the rotation as Sebastian Telfair got a DNP-CD.
POR @ LAC: This was no surprise, as the Blazers were fully extended at home the night before and the Clippers dug deep to take the rematch on their floor. Eric Bledsoe (10 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) was steady, Blake Griffin (23 PTS, 9 AST, 5 REB, 2 STL) was stellar and Lamar Odom had a fine night — 8 PTS, 13 REB, 6 AST — as the new leader of that deep, talented second unit. LaMarcus Aldridge (21 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST) led Portland, but their bench (as usual) was outscored 36-16 and this was all over midway through the third quarter.
January 28 Game Previews
MEM @ PHI: This should have been the irresistible force (Jrue Holiday) vs. the immovable object (Mike Conley) but the vaunted Memphis defense will not be the same with Conley (ankle) extremely doubtful and Bayless forced to play huge minutes for the second straight night. Spencer Hawes is the new starter at C for the Sixers and Nick Young is filling the spot of Jason Richardson (knee) so the bench is a bit thin for both teams. If Evan Turner continues his strong recent play, Philadelphia should prevail at home.