CHA @ MIA: For a guy supposedly on a strict minutes limit after missing 19 games, Byron Mullens (12 PTS, 9 REB, 2 STL, 2 3PTM, 28 minutes) looks like a must-add in most fantasy leagues. It wasn’t enough to beat the Heat, as the Big Three scored 74 points, one day after dropping 81 on Toronto. LeBron James (31 PTS, 8 REB, 8 AST) hit 13 of 14 shots and Dwyane Wade (20 PTS, 12 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK) followed his shot for six offensive boards. Chris Bosh (23 PTS, 4 REB) did his damage in less than 30 minutes. Charlotte played well without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (concussion) who could return by Friday.
POR @ MIN: Too little, too late. Down by 19 entering the fourth quarter, Minnesota staged a furious comeback to barely miss sending this one to overtime. LaMarcus Aldridge (25 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK) was heroic for Portland, as he blocked a game-tying attempt in the final seconds to preserve the win. Wesley Matthews (22 PTS, 5 AST, 3 REB) returned from a sprained ankle, but Nicolas Batum (4 PTS, 3 REB, 2 BLK) committed seven turnovers and really needs to rest his sore wrist. My colleague Mitch McClure told you on Sunday to start Ricky Rubio (15 PTS, 14 REB) this week. The Wolves lost Andrei Kirilenko to a quad strain after 14 minutes, so Dante Cunningham (23 PTS, 2 REB, 3 STL) was a big factor down the stretch.
DAL @ OKC: As expected, Dirk Nowitzki (10 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST) was back, though a bit tentative. Shawn Marion (23 PTS, 3 STL, 2 BLK) was the only Dallas player to have a good stat line, as this one was over (68-44) at halftime and the reserves got plenty of run for both teams. Darren Collison (8 PTS, 4 AST) was no match for his UCLA teammate Russell Westbrook (24 PTS, 7 AST, 3 REB, 3 STL) and Kevin Durant (19 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL) played only 28 minutes. Vince Carter (illness) missed his first game of the season, so Dominique Jones (15 PTS in 14:25) made a rare appearance.
SAC @ UTA: The league leader in technical fouls, DeMarcus Cousins added two more last night to cost his team a win. Again. No player in the NBA has such a poor ratio of maturity to talent; few ever have. After DMC (10 PTS, 6 REB in 19 minutes) got tossed for stupidity, Jason Thompson (23 PTS, 10 REB) and Tyreke Evans (20 PTS, 3 AST) helped the underdog Kings force overtime. For the Jazz, Randy Foye (20 PTS, 6 AST) was sharp in the extra period and Al Jefferson double-doubled (15 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK) but it was sophomore Alec Burks (14 PTS, 4 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL) playing much of his season-high 31 minutes at PG who made the difference after Jamaal Tinsley had a terrible first half.
February 5 Game Previews
ATL @ IND: OK, the first one is out of the way. This is the middle of the only back-to-back-to-back of the NBA season, as the Pacers had to play that previously snowed-out game last night. They are a terrific 19-3 at home including the last 14 straight, while Atlanta has been struggling everywhere lately, particularly on the road. While I love Al Horford against Roy Hibbert, and Josh Smith is always worth using, the other Hawks could be in for a long night.