Dose: Metta World Violence - 04/23/2012
BY Steve Alexander Trying to recap an entire weekend of surprise DNPs and injuries would be nearly impossible to do here, so let’s just take a look at some of the weekend’s big stories. The Playoffs are close to being set and now that several teams are out, and others no longer have position to play for, figuring out who is going to play and who is not just became even tougher. Here’s what we know. Metta World Violence The talk around the water cooler on Monday will mostly surround Metta World Peace, who probably couldn’t have picked a more inappropriate name for himself. His elbow to the head of James Harden (concussion, likely done for regular season) was simply an act of violence and the only question remaining is how many games the artist formerly known as Artest will be suspended for. I think the least he’ll get is three games, and he could get a lot more given his track record over the years. David Stern hasn’t forgotten about the Malice in the Palace, and could throw the book at MWP. And because they only have one regular-season game remaining, a five-game suspension could knock him out of most of the first round. The Lakers held on to beat the Thunder in overtime behind the brilliant play of Kobe Bryant, but the loss of MWP is going to leave a mark. Hopefully Harden will be ready for the playoffs, but it’s not a given. And on a side note, Kevin Durant passed KobE for the scoring lead, but it’s very, very close. The Real Melo Stood Up Carmelo Anthony went off again for 39 points on Sunday as the Knicks downed the Hawks, while Amare Stoudemire chipped in with 22 points and 12 boards. I have no idea where this Carmelo was during most of the season, but he’s averaging 30 points, seven boards, four assists, a steal and two 3-pointers in April. My Melo team was knocked out in the first round of the playoffS while Melo was still on strike, but if you made it through Round 1, he might have carried you to and through the Finals. And those of you who picked up Amare for the final few games are also being rewarded. Congratulations. Playoff Matchups East As of Sunday night, the matchups look like this: No. 1 Bulls vs. No. 8 76ers – The Bulls are the likely No. 1 seed, unless they lose both of their games and the Heat win both of theirs. The two are tied for the season series at 2-2, and the tie breaker could come down to winning percentage vs. playoff teams in the East, and I don’t have the skills or time to figure that one out. But as long as the Bulls win at Indy or beat the Cavs at home, they’re No. 1. As for the Sixers, they’re only a ½ game behind the Knicks, and three full games up on the Bucks. They are nearly a lock for the playoffs, but could creep into the No. 7 seed if they win two of their last three games, and the Knicks fail. And what this means is that your Sixers and Knicks look like strong plays until the end of the season, while the Bulls could give their guys some rest once they clinch. The Sixers finish up at New Jersey, Milwaukee and Detroit. No. 2 Heat vs. No. 7 Knicks – This is the matchup everyone, including the NBA league office, wants to see. The Sixers could screw it up by going on a tear and passing the Knicks, as they finish up with a cupcake schedule, but all three games are on the road. The Heat still have a small chance of tying the Bulls, but I just don’t see it happening. The Knicks are going to keep playing their studs, while the Heat are unpredictable. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers have all missed games recently, and could miss more this week. The Heat finish with games at Boston and Washington, and I’d be surprised to see any of the big guns against the Wizards, while Wade sounds unlikely for both of them at this point. No. 3 Pacers vs. No. 6 Magic – While this series isn’t guaranteed, it is very likely to happen, as both teams have at least a two-game separation for their spots. The Pacers finish with the Pistons and Bulls at home, while the Magic get Charlotte in Orlando and finish up at Memphis. Players on both teams could be shaky for their final game of the season, but my guess is they’ll continue to play their guys until the end. No. 4 Celtics vs. No. 5 Hawks – This is another series everyone will want to see, as they’ve met in the playoffs several times in the last few years. Remember Zaza Pachulia’s head-butt on Kevin Garnett? They don’t like each other and vs. the Celtics in the playoffs is the loudest I’ve ever heard Philips Arena. The Hawks get the Clippers and Mavericks at home, while the Magic play Charlotte in Orlando and finish up at Memphis. The two could end up switching places with the Hawks just one game back, but the Celtics are in the driver’s seat for homecourt advantage in the series. And the fact they’re just a game apart should mean that both of them are playing the guys who give them the best chance to win their final couple games. The Celtics own the season series 2-1, which would help them win the tiebreaker if needed. West No. 1 Spurs vs. No. 8 Jazz – The Spurs are 1.5 games up on the Thunder and should be able to hang onto the No. 1 seed, while the Jazz sit one game up on the Suns for the final spot in the West. The Spurs have three games left, playing Portland at home and then finishing up on the road at Phoenix and Golden State. The Jazz have two games left against the Suns and Portland at home, and their game against Phoenix on Tuesday night is a must-win. I trust the Jazz to play their studs down the stretch, but we haven’t been able to trust Gregg Popovich all year. No. 2 Thunder vs. No. 7 Mavericks – It’s looking doubtful that the Thunder will catch the Spurs for the No. 1 seed, but the Mavs could actually be caught by the Jazz, or could catch and pass the Nuggets for the No. 6 seed if the dominos fall correctly. After losing James Harden thanks to the MWP elbow on Sunday, you have to wonder if the Thunder will take it easy and coast against the Kings and Nuggets at home, while the Mavs only have one game left, at Atlanta on Thursday. No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Nuggets – The Lakers are barely holding off the Clippers and it’s possible the Clippers could steal this spot if they win out. The Lakers have just one game remaining at Sacramento on Thursday. The Nuggets aren’t going to catch Memphis, but could fall behind the Mavericks if they can’t handle the Thunder and Timberwolves on the road. Kobe wants to win the scoring title and should be big in that final game without MWP around, but if their seed is all locked up by Thursday afternoon, all of the Lakers studs will become a question mark. The good news is they’ll have all of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to rest, which should mean they all play in the finale. No. 4 Clippers vs. No. 5 Grizzlies – The Clips are going to try to win out in order to catch the Lakers, while the Grizz are only one game back of the Clips, meaning they still have hopes of overtaking them and getting homecourt in the series. The Clips finish up at Atlanta and New York, which probably doesn’t work in their favor, while the Grizzlies get the Cavs and Dwight-less Magic in Memphis. This story is not over and studs on these teams should continue to play. And if the Charlotte Bobcats lose their final three games they’ll finish with the worst winning percentage in league history. Michael Jordan’s boys have won just seven times this season. Fantasy Notes Jordan Hill had 14 points and 15 rebounds Sunday, but keep in mind he only has one game left for the Lakers. The Hawks started Josh Smith at center on Sunday, which moved Marvin Williams back into the starting five. Williams went nuts with 29 points and 11 rebounds, and Ivan Johnson didn’t do much off the bench. If you own Ivan and want to drop him for Marvin for the final two games, it probably makes sense. If the league doesn’t rescind the technical foul DeMarcus Cousins picked up on Sunday, he’ll be suspended for Tuesday’s game, as it was the magic number 13. Kevin Love (concussion) and Kyle Lowry (groin/hernia) are done for the season, and Luke Ridnour (ankle) isn’t expected to play again for the Wolves. With Nate Robinson mysteriously shutting it down, Charles Jenkins looks like a must-own player for the Warriors. JaVale McGee had 17 points, eight boards and three blocks in 24 minutes on Sunday, as Al Harrington got a rest. I don’t trust McGee, but he was great in this one. Jameer Nelson suffered a calf injury on Sunday but he doesn't think it's serious. If he's out, Chris Duhon will be worth a look. Remaining Games 3 – CHA, CLE, MIL, PHI, SAN, WAS 2 – ATL, BOS, CHI, DEN, DET, GSW, IND, LAC, MEM, MIA, NJN, NOH, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHO, POR, TOR, UTA 1 – DAL, HOU, LAL, MIN For all the injury and DNP news, reading all the Rotoworld blurbs from the weekend will be key, while the Rotoworld Injury Report is also must-read at this point. Good luck! |
