Happy MLK Day! - 01/18/2010
BY Steve Alexander Monday is here, meaning it's MLK Day - the greatest day of the year for fantasy hoops freaks. Games start at 1 p.m. and end around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, giving us all we can handle. Matt Stroup will be updating his Roundball Stew column all day long, while I'll be Tweeting and posting news blurbs for about 14 straight hours. It's going to be fun.
Most teams play four times this week, while the Jazz play just twice. And the Hawks, Celtics, Cavs, Nuggets, Rockets, Grizzlies, Knicks and Spurs have three games.
Here's today's schedule, with all the tidbits you need to know for each game, and then we'll wrap things up with the Monday Morning Injury Report.
1 P.M. Games
Portland @ Washington - The Blazers are praying that Brandon Roy will be able to play thro! ugh a hamstring injury, but he wasn't great in Sunday's practice and will be a game-time decision. He's Dennis Scott's first-half MVP, but is a very risky play for Monday, and possibly the week. That means Martell Webster's run should continue, making him nearly a must-start for the week. Rudy Fernandez is back from his back surgery and had 10 points in his last one. Consider him in deeper leagues, but don't expect him to produce too consistently. If Roy can't go today look for struggling Jerryd Bayless to get another start.
The Wizards have been starting DeShawn Stevenson at shooting guard in place of Nick Young, and continue to get big lines out of Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Randy Foye and Brendan Haywood. All four remain must-starts in fantasy leagues, while Stevenson may still not be a better play than Young or Earl Boykins off the bench. We haven't gotten an update on Mike Miller in quite awhile! , but he could return at some point this week, which will likely crush what little value Stevenson had.
Detroit @ New York - The Pistons have somehow won three straight after losing 13 in a row. Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey are hot, while Jonas Jerebko has been playing well since moving into the starting lineup for injured Tayshaun Prince. Ben Gordon is still iffy with a groin injury, whi! le we could see the return of Will Bynum, who has been out with a pair of ankle injuries, this week. I am not a fan of starting Prince, Gordon or Bynum this week, but we'll hopefully have more information out of Detroit before the game starts today. Keep an eye on our news blurbs this morning. Stuckey has also been dealing with the flu and a knee injury, but continues to play through it. Wallace had 13 points, 21 boards, five assists and two blocks on Friday, but owners should be looking for games more like six points, 10 boards, a block and a steal this week.
David Lee has missed two straight double-doubles by one assist in each game and is playing as well as any player in the league right now. Chris Duhon is mired in a terrible (like, really awful) slump a! gain, Al Harrington is up and down like a yo-yo, Nate Robinson can't get consistent love from Mike D'Antoni, and Wilson Chandler is currently struggling. Danilo Gallinari is hot, having scored 26 & 27 points in two straight (with 8 threes) after scoring 11, 0 and 12 in his previous three games. Go ahead and roll with Lee and Gallinari, but consider every other player on your roster before rolling the dice on the rest of the Knicks (three games).
2 P.M. Games
Oklahoma City @ Atlanta - The Thunder are in the ATL as Kevin Durant c ontinues his assault on the scoring race. He's now at 29.1 ppg, trailing only Carmelo Anthony (30.0) and LeBron James (29.6). While it may not be a lock, I think he's going to win the scoring title and could even take over the lead with big numbers this week. The Thunder are pretty healthy, with James Harden being the only iffy guy for owners to make a decision on this week. He's inconsistent, but is capable of ripping off a big week at any time.
The Hawks only play three games this week and are as healthy as any team in the league. Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Horford remain must-starts, while Jamal Crawford, Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams can also be used in many leagues.
Sacramento @ Charlotte - The Kings are still getting big numbers out of Tyreke Evans and Kevin Martin is finally back. Both are must-starts in fantasy leagues, while Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes are also intriguing. Omri Casspi is still starting, but has been struggling, while Beno Udrih's value has taken a serious hit with a return to the bench.
The Bobcats, who have won four straight games and seven in a row at home, are enjoying a sudden revival by Boris Diaw, along with incredible play from Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace. Those are your three must-starts in Charlotte, while Raymond Felton, who has quieted quickly with the emergence of Diaw, is still a decent point guard option. Tyson Chandler is still out with a foot injury, but Nazr Mohammed hasn't exactly torn it up in his absence. Derrick Brown, who had scored 14 points in seven January games, blew up on Saturday, scoring 18 to go along with two steals. It was probably a fluke, but at least keep an eye on him today. Flip Murray is also worth a look off the Bobcats' bench. The Bobcats are now 19-19 and thinking playoffs, as they'd be the No. 7 seed in the East if the pos! tseason started today. But it's a good thing they play in the East, as only four teams in the West (Clips, Kings, Warriors, Wolves) don't have 19 wins. Wow.
3 P.M. Game
Milwaukee @ Houston - The Bucks continue to be a bit of a fantasy mess this season. Brandon Jennings is probably still a must-start with Michael Redd out, while Andrew Bogut has overcome his back injury for a very solid season. Carlos Delfino blew up for 28 points in his last game, but his minutes are very inconsistent. If he gets 30-plus, he plays well, but comes without a minutes guarantee from night to night. Luke Ridnour, Hakim Warrick and Ersan Ilyasova are worth using in many leagues, while guys like Charlie Bell and Delfino can be thrown into lineups by desperate owners. The biggest problem with the Bucks is that Scott Skiles seems to be going with the hot hand from night to night, so a slow start by any of these guys could spell disaster for that game. Joe Alexander could return Monday from a hamstring injury that's kept him out for most of the season, but he's only worth a look in 20-team leagues.
The healthy Rockets get consistent production from Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola, while Trevor Ariza, Carl Landry, Shane Battier, Kyle Lowry, David Andersen and Chase Budinger are all worth consideration, depending on the size of your league. Ariza should be a must-start player, but his constant stream of 5-of-14 shooting lines has become a bad joke. Thin! k I'm kidding? He's shot 5-of-14 in three of his last six games, and hit 7-of-19, 7-of-16 and 4-of-8 in the other three. C'mon, man. The Rockets play three games this week, meaning Ariza is not an automatic play in weekly leagues. And if you want to see your field goal shooting improve, try benching him for a week.
3:30 P.M. Games
New Jersey @ L.A. Clippers - The Nets seem to really like Kris Humphries, who has gone for 17 & 8 and 9 & 8 (points/boards) in his last two games. Brook Lopez, Devin Harris and Yi Jianlian are must-starts, but inco! nsistency from Chris Douglas-Roberts and Courtney Lee make them shaky plays in many leagues. They're still capable of posting huge lines, but it's anyone's guess as to when they're coming.
The Clippers are hoping to get Chris Kaman back for Monday's game after missing about a week with a back injury. DeAndre Jordan has played well in his absence, but will return to obscurity once Kaman is healthy. Kaman sounds like a game-time decision for Monday, so keep an eye out for updates in our player blurbs. Al Thornton is also iffy with a sprained ankle, while Baron Davis is dealing with a stiff back. Davis, Eric Gordon and Marcus Camby are still must-starts, as is Kaman when healthy. Rasual Butler is usually a safer play than Thornton, and blew up for 33 points and four threes on Saturday. I knew he had it in him, but he's been far too inconsistent to rely upon.
Philadelphia @ Minnesota - The Sixers may or may not have Allen Iverson available for today's game due to the flu, but my guess is he'll play. Andre Iguodala is still feeling the effects of a sprained ankle, but is playing through it, while Samuel Dalembert will have his mind on Haiti this week. He won't miss any games, but plans on traveling to the earthquake-shaken land, which could make this a tough week for him. Lou Williams and Elton Brand have been struggling, but I like rolling the dice on them, while Thaddeus Young has been hot, and should stay that way.
The Timberwolves are healthy, but only Al Jefferson and Kevin Love are must-starts. Corey Brewer is hot and worth a look, as are Jonny Flynn and Ryan Gomes.
San Antonio @ New Orleans
DeJuan Blair is suddenly hot for the Spurs and I didn't include him in Waiver Wired because he should have been picked up in all leagues already. If he's available in yours, it's time to move on him. The good news for Tim Duncan owners? No back-to-backs this week, but they only play three times. Duncan was almost a scratch for Saturday's back-to-back! game, but Gregg Popovich reluctantly let him play. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Richard Jefferson were all pretty terrible in that one, but should bounce back this week. Antonio McDyess was out with a neck injury, but has no fantasy value. Roger Mason Jr. scored 17 on Saturday and continues to be worth a look due to his 3-point prowess.
Chris Paul, David West and Emeka Okafor are must-start players, while Peja Stojakovic has been playing a little better lately. Devin Brown's value has bottomed out, but you should keep an eye on Marcus Thornton, who has gotten hot, scoring between 10 and 15 points in his last five games. If you are looking for someone to grab for the week and need threes, he might be the way to go. I should have put him in Waiver Wired, but forgot him.
4 P.M. Game
Chicago @ Golden State - The Bulls are somehow winning de! spite the struggles of Tyrus Thomas and John Salmons. Luol Deng, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are must-starts, with Kirk Hinrich also a possibility in fantasy lineups. Hinrich is iffy for today with the flu, so keep that in mind. Thomas and Salmons are playable, but weigh your options carefully before using them.
The Warriors are a depleted mess due to injuries. Ronny Turiaf could return for! this one from a sprained ankle, but he's going to be a bit risky. Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, Andris Biedrins and Stephen Curry are must-starts, while Cartier Martin and Chris Hunter are possibilities in deeper leagues. I actually like Martin this week, as he's gotten 34 minutes in each of his last two games. And the Warriors called up Anthony Tolliver from the D-League on Sunday. The kid's been hot and could make an impact this week, especially if you're desperate for threes in a deep league. Check out his write up and the attached column in Waiver Wired. Anthony Morrow will miss a week or two with a knee injury, while C.J. Watson is out with a finger laceration.
5:30 P.M. Game
Phoenix @ Memphis - Channing Frye has really been struggling for the Suns, hitting just five of his last 25 shots and scoring seven or fewer points in his last four games. Robin Lopez is playing well and could start over Frye today, making him a sneaky play if you need blocks and boards (bloards?). Grant Hill had been playing well, but scored just three points in 18 minutes on Saturday, while Steve Nash, Jason Richardson and Amare Stoudemire all struggled against Charlotte. Nash and Amare remain must-starts, while Frye, Hill and J-Rich are startable depending on your options. Leandro Barbos! a finally broke out for 17 points in that game, but likely succeed ed because everyone else was struggling.
The Grizzlies are on fire after winning eight straight games at home and are now 21-18 on the season. Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo are must-starts in a three-game week, while Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are also pretty good options based on the way they're playing.
8 P.M. Game
Dallas @ Boston - The Mavericks are healthy but Josh Howard is struggling, along with Erick Dampier. Drew Gooden isn't really tearing it up, leaving the Mavs with a black hole at center. Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry are must-starts, while Howard can be used depending on options.
Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Ray Allen are must-starts this week, although their three-game schedule is not ideal. Paul Pierce aggravated his knee injury in practice and is now a game-time decision for this one. Kevin Garnett could play Friday against Portland, but we'll have to wait and see. I have no idea if Pierce is going to play or not, so watch for news in the blurbs and start him at your own risk. Brian Scalabrine, who has been starting in place of Garnett, is an option in very deep leagues, while Rasheed Wallace is due back from his foot injury tonight.
10:30 P.M. Game
Orlando @ L.A. Laker! s - The Magic look awful right now and no one is safe. Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson are all decent options, but I |
