DEN @ PHO: Make it nine straight wins for Denver, with the unlikely heroes being Kosta Koufos (22 PTS, 10 REB) and Corey Brewer (20 PTS, 3 REB, 3 STL). The Nuggets always get a bunch of dunks and layups; last night they scored 74 points in the paint against the helpless Suns. Luis Scola (9 PTS, 13 REB, 6 AST) is undersized at C, and PF Markieff Morris (4 PTS in 27 minutes) might be headed to the bench when Jermaine O’Neal (personal) returns. Marcus Morris (16 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL) and Wes Johnson (18 PTS) appear more likely to hang on to their starting jobs for a while longer.
NYK @ GSW: That was an ugly loss for the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony (14 PTS, 10 REB) went just 4-for-15 as they shot a horrendous 27% and scored just 28 points in the entire second half. J.R. Smith (9 PTS in 21 minutes) got ejected for a flagrant-2 foul and Chris Copeland (15 PTS) didn’t even appear until garbage time. For the Warriors, David Lee (21 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST) returned from his knee bruise and Stephen Curry (26 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST) hit six 3-pointers. The easy win gives them a bit of breathing room in the tight battle for the sixth through eighth playoff seeds in the West.
Tuesday Previews
WAS @ CLE: For the next few weeks, Dion Waiters will be the most important Cavalier and Shaun Livingston is worth owning in many formats. There’s no way to replace their one all-star and they won’t win many games. Tonight, against a relatively weak opponent, they might be inspired. John Wall and Trevor Ariza are playable for Washington, but Bradley Beal (ankle) has already missed three games. Tristan Thompson vs. Nene and Tyler Zeller vs. Emeka Okafor are the key matchups.
NOH @ BRK: After letting one get away from them in Philadelphia, the Nets must regroup at home. Robin Lopez will be inspired against twin brother Brook Lopez but the other Hornets don’t have much to play for. Greivis Vasquez is a must start, Anthony Davis is looking good of late and Ryan Anderson is coming off a huge game. It’s easy to overlook Eric Gordon because of all those gaps in his game log from sitting out back-to-backs, but he’s scored in double figures in eight consecutive starts.
BOS @ CHA: There’s so little hope in Charlotte. Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson have some fantasy value but the big men are awful and the bench is weak. Ben Gordon has a bit of value while Ramon Sessions (knee) is out. The Celtics should enjoy a relatively easy night and the Bobcats’ losing streak will be extended to eleven. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are must-starts, but if they get out to a big enough lead, Doc Rivers might go to his bench early.