PHI @ UTA: The late-night results tightened up the West playoff race. The Jazz roared out to a big lead and were never seriously threatened. Randy Foye (17 PTS, 3 REB, 2 BLK) and Gordon Hayward (15 PTS, 4 AST) led a balanced attack as the Sixers looked tired and disinterested. Dorell Wright (19 PTS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 2 REB) and rookie Arnett Moultrie (14 PTS, 8 REB) did most of their best work in garbage time. With seven of their remaining 11 games at home, Utah is only one game out of eighth place. Al Jefferson (12 PTS, 9 REB in 18 minutes) and Paul Millsap (11 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK in 22:00) were barely even needed and enjoyed plenty of rest as Derrick Favors (13 PTS, 10 REB, 3 BLK) and Enes Kanter (12 PTS, 6 REB) finished up.
LAL @ GSW: It turns out that Stephen Curry (25 PTS, 10 AST, 7 REB) can roll his ankle like anyone else and it isn’t always a catastrophic injury. He was well supported by David Lee (23 PTS, 12 REB) and Klay Thompson (22 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL and 6-11 from deep) with Jarrett Jack (19 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST) sharp off the bench. The Warriors were superb in the first half and held off a Lakers rally led by Kobe Bryant (36 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST) and Steve Nash (21 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST) in a game neither team could afford to lose. Dwight Howard (11 PTS, 15 REB) didn’t exactly dominate Andrew Bogut (4 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK) and Pau Gasol (7 PTS, 8 REB in 22:36) is nowhere near 100%, so L.A. is now just one game up on Utah and 1.5 on Dallas for the final playoff berth.
Tuesday Previews
NYK @ BOS: Other teams have been decimated by injuries, so Boston isn’t alone. They survived the loss of Rajon Rondo better than expected, but Kevin Garnett (ankle) is irreplaceable. KG will miss a least a week, as Jeff Green moves into a very small starting five with no true center. Green and Brandon Bass will be backed up by Chris Wilcox — hardly an imposing frontcourt — making Paul Pierce almost a one-man offense. The Knicks can afford to give Tyson Chandler (neck) another night off, as Kenyon Martin is playing very well. Carmelo Anthony is a must-start, and J.R. Smith is always dangerous off the bench. This probably won’t be the highest-scoring game of the night.
MIN @ DET: Let’s call this a fantasy sleeper game. It means nothing in real life, so there’s no incentive for either team to play lockdown defense. Brandon Knight is back for the Pistons, hurting the value of Rodney Stuckey, and Will Bynum (hand) may not play. Greg Monroe was fantastic against the Heat on Friday and dull the following night. He and opposite number Nikola Pekovic are both worth using. In the battle of Spanish point guards, I’ll take youth and creativity (Ricky Rubio) over experience (Jose Calderon) but it will be no surprise if both are inspired. Derrick Williams isn’t the most consistent player, though his best games are very good and he’s averaging 16.7 points in March.
LAC @ DAL: If this was a playoff game, I’d give the Mavericks no chance. But it’s not, and they are supremely motivated. The Lakers’ loss last night opens the door a little wider for Dallas to catch them for eighth place. The Clippers have no such desperation, they just want to stay healthy. Chris Paul could shred the defense anyway, and Blake Griffin is due for an explosion after a couple of relatively quiet games. I might also use DeAndre Jordan and Jamal Crawford in daily leagues. Until their team is officially counted out, Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion will never quit. Look for Vince Carter to score off the bench, and don’t be surprised at anything the rejuvenated 37-year-old Mike James does; he’s averaged 10.4 PTS, 4.8 AST and 2.4 REB in 11 starts this month