TOR @ DET: If Andre Drummond (17 PTS, 4 REB, 2 SLT, 2 BLK in 19 minutes) is available in your league, grab him. The teenager is back, and he’s starting. Greg Monroe (11 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK) was listed at PF and if you still own Jason Maxiell, cut him. Amir Johnson (20 PTS, 8 REB, 2 BLK) was terrific for a guy with a bad wheel and Jonas Valanciunas (14 PTS, 13 REB, 4 BLK) keeps improving. Rudy Gay (21 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST) looked a bit stiff in his 26 minutes, but has yet to be shut down.
MIA @ NOH: One of these nights, the King will rest. LeBron James (36 PTS, 6 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL) hit seven 3-pointers as the Heat began a new win streak. Dwyane Wade (17 PTS, 9 AST, 4 STL) played some PG with Mario Chalmers (ankle) sidelined, and Norris Cole (12 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST) got extra run off the bench. Ryan Anderson (20 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST) led the Hornets, as Brian Roberts (13 PTS, 5 AST) started at PG for injured Greivis Vasquez (ankle).
HOU @ MEM: The Grizzlies did a fabulous job defending James Harden (7 PTS, 4 AST, 2 STL in 27 minutes) and had six players in double figures. Zach Randolph (21 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST) played much better and Marc Gasol (21 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST) does not seem to be bothered by the abdominal tear that had some of us very worried. Mike Conley (15 PTS, 10 AST, 4 STL) was efficient as usual.
LAC @ SAS: Let’s just pause the season for a moment and put Tim Duncan (34 PTS, 11 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK) into the Hall of Fame without delay. The point guard battle lived up to expectations, though Chris Paul (14 PTS, 12 AST, 5 REB) couldn’t stop Tony Parker (24 PTS, 8 AST, 3 REB), whose ankle must be feeling better. The Clippers led this excellent game by a point with seven seconds left before the Big Fundamental hit the winning jumper and a free throw, then CP3 missed a chance to tie it.
BRK @ DEN: No Ty Lawson (foot), no problem. Denver turned to rookie Evan Fournier (19 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL in 20:37) and got 60 points from its talented bench to win easily. Deron Williams (19 PTS, 3 AST) led the Nets, with hard-working Reggie Evans notching another double-double (15 PTS, 16 REB) but it was 55-38 at halftime and the Nuggets have now won 18 straight at home.
UTA @ POR: That’s all she wrote for the Trail Blazers, as LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle) couldn’t answer the bell and J.J. Hickson (17 PTS, 14 REB) wasn’t feeling well. Damian Lillard (28 PTS, 5 AST, 5 REB) had a good night offensively, but allowed Mo Williams (28 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) to have his best game since November. Al Jefferson (22 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL, 2 BLK) and Paul Millsap (25 PTS, 10 REB) helped the Jazz climb into a tie for the final playoff spot.