Karl-Anthony Towns bounced back in the second half, Thomas Bryant kept it rolling, Jaren Jackson Jr. had a coming out party, Anthony Davis cleaned the glass, D’Angelo Russell and Aaron Gordon were in a giving mood, Mike Conley hurt his shoulder, the Grizzlies are fighting, Joel Embiid is good at basketball, Ben Simmons, Andrew Wiggins, Gordon Hayward and Elfrid Payton broke through and the Lakers and OKC entertained the late-night crowd on Wednesday night.
Wizards 114, Hawks 98 – Thomas Bryant kept it going with 16 points, a career-high 15 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 39 minutes, and should officially be owned everywhere at this point. Markieff Morris was out again with his neck injury, but the center job seems to be Bryant’s at this point. Tomas Satoransky came through with a 14-11-7-2 near triple-double, and is also in must-own territory, and Otto Porter Jr. returned from his knee injury and scored nine points in 14 minutes off the bench. OPJ, who’s been out for about three weeks, is worth a pickup if he’s sitting out there in your league, assuming you have someone to cut. Jeff Green scored 22 with six boards, six assists and four 3-pointers, but you have to think OPJ ruins him in the near future, right?
For the Hawks, John Collins was solid with 21 & 8 (no blocks, again) and Dewayne Dedmon was back from his two-game absence with a knee injury, finishing with just six points, nine boards, a steal and a block in 27 minutes. Alex Len went off for a season-high 24 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, and while he was the better center tonight, I don’t think you can touch him with Dedmon healthy and starting. Trae Young’s been hot, but hit just 2-of-8 shots for five points, nine assists and four turnovers in the loss. DeAndre Bembry and Kevin Huerter were effective, but not stellar in this one.[[ad:athena]]
Heat 118, Cavaliers 84 – The Heat won this game easily, but the box score wasn’t very pretty. Josh Richardson came through with 24 points, five assists and four 3-pointers, Derrick Jones Jr. had a fun 13-7-2-2-1 line with three 3-pointers, and Tyler Johnson had 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals and a 3-pointer off the bench. I wish the Heat would start Jones Jr. over James Johnson, but it’s yet to happen. Justise Winslow hit just 3-of-11 shots for 10 points and seven assists, but is still as must-own as they come. I’m also really into owning Jones Jr. and Ty Johnson, as well. Dwyane Wade sat this one out with an illness, which likely helped both Jones Jr. and Richardson. Dion Waiters (ankle surgery) played for the first time in a year and had seven points, but you’d have to be in a pretty deep league to be giving him a look.
The Cavaliers box score looks brutal. Tristan Thompson and Rodney Hood were back from their injuries, but didn’t do anything special, Larry Nance disappeared on the bench with six points in 22 minutes, but also had five boards, six assists, three steals, and a block, and Cedi Osman, Collin Sexton, Alec Burks and Jordan Clarkson were all pretty quiet. This team is a disaster and guys are going to cancel each other out at almost every position, but I still kind of like Nance, Osman and Burks out of this bunch.
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Mavericks 122, Hornets 84 – Luka Doncic had 18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three 3-pointers, and Dennis Smith Jr. came through with 18 points, seven assists, three steals and three 3-pointers. Many owners were on the verge of cutting him, or already had, so this was nice to see. DSJ’s been tough to own again this season, but still has enough upside to finish the season on a high note. The Mavs had lost nine straight road games, but DSJ and Doncic got it done tonight. If DSJ can start playing well alongside Doncic, as the Mavs are hoping, look out.
For the Hornets, Willy Hernangomez started, but lasted just 18 minutes, finishing with six points, 10 rebounds and a block. He wasn’t really in foul trouble, and I’m not ready to give up on him after this one. But it was a bit disappointing. Kemba Walker hit just 4-of-14 shots and the days of him leading the league in scoring are over, and Devonte Graham started for Jeremy Lamb (hamstring) and scored 10, while Malik Monk played just five minutes after going off for 21 points in 24 minutes on Monday. Apparently, no one is worth trusting in Lamb’s absence. If Willy didn’t do it for you and Thomas Bryant’s available, feel free to make the move, but I still think Hernangomez has a chance to do some big things over the next few weeks.
Nets 126, Pelicans 121 – D’Angelo Russell had 22 points, five boards, a career high-tying 13 assists, two steals, a block and two 3-pointers in one of his better games ever, and only committed one turnover. Jarrett Allen somehow got 31 minutes and had a double-double with two blocks (more minutes, please), and Joe Harris scored 21 with three 3-pointers. Rodions Kurucs started again, but had a quiet night, while Ed Davis, DeMarre Carroll, Shabazz Napier and Spencer Dinwiddie all had nice games off the bench. The Nets I’m interested in owning are Russell, Allen, Harris and Dinwiddie. The rest are a bit of a crapshoot, at least in my mind. Allen Crabbe’s going to miss another week, which should be good news for guys like Kurucs and Carroll.
So the Pelicans lost on the road again, and are now 17-22 on the season and 4-16 on the road. They also play seven of their next 10 games on the road, and if they don’t right the ship soon, they’re going to fall all the way out of the playoff hunt. And if that happens, the Anthony Davis shutdown watch will become real. Davis, who was back from his illness, went crazy with 34 points, a franchise-record 26 rebounds, three blocks and two 3-pointers, and all five starters were great in the loss. Julius Randle had 21 points, a steal and two blocks, Elfrid Payton got back into form with 25 points and seven assists, Jrue Holiday scored 20 and E’Twaun Moore stayed hot with 16 points and two 3-pointers. The bench did nothing, and when I say nothing, I mean scored a total of five points, and all five Pelicans’ starters are probably worth owning right now, although I don’t really trust Moore. The Nets bench outscored the Pels’ bench 55-5.
Magic 112, Bulls 84 – Aaron Gordon had 18 points, seven rebounds and a career-high nine assists, and Nikola Vucevic played through his calf injury and had 22 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, three blocks and a 3-pointer. Jonathan Isaac got another start, but was quiet, as usual. I’m a fan of holding him if you can, but if he’s killing you and you want to cut him, you should. D.J. Augustin played through and ankle injury and was quiet with 10 points and six assists. He had been playing very well, but was on a minutes limit. Jonathon Simmons was out with an ankle injury, but Jerian Grant didn’t do much of anything in his absence. Orlando’s on a six-game road trip and will play in all four times zones in the continental U.S. along the way.
The Bulls didn’t put up much of a fight, although Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine were all decent. The tank is on. Justin Holiday hit 1-of-7 shots, and Wendell Carter Jr. fell off a cliff with zero points in just 13 minutes. He’s not hurt, but was benched for “introspection,” according to coach Jim Boylen. And yes, I laughed as I typed that sentence. Carter was coming off of back-to-back double-doubles, so this was a disappointing development, while Holiday’s been playing bad enough you can probably cut him for a hot free agent. The Bulls are a complete mess and Boylen looks like he’s in over his head. Bobby Portis (ankle) is close to a return, which could mean a timeshare with Markkanen, which isn’t really great news for either player.
Pistons 101, Grizzlies 94 – The Pistons got another big game from Blake Griffin (26-8-7-2 with two 3-pointers), Andre Drummond double-doubled, Reggie Jackson had a great 16-7-5-1-2 line with four 3-pointers, and Reggie Bullock added 13 points and three 3-pointers in the win. Luke Kennard had 13 points, five boards, two assists and two 3-pointers off the bench, and Stanley Johnson returned from his quad injury for six minutes. Both Bullock and Kennard are worth a look on most night, but they’re DFS fliers to me, more than standard league adds.
For Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr. bounced back from a four-point game for 26 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two 3-pointers on 8-of-11 shooting for his second double-double of the season. The upside is there, but he’s been really inconsistent. Kyle Anderson had another solid game with 15 points, five boards and a block on 7-of-9 shooting, while vets Marc Gasol and Mike Conley were quiet. Conley hurt his left shoulder and missed all eight of his shots, failing to score a point. He’d been playing well, but Wednesday was a disaster for him, and is questionable for Friday with the shoulder problem. If he’s out, Shelvin Mack could be a solid play in that one. Garrett Temple and Omri Casspi reportedly got into a fight during a post-game meeting, and things may be crumbling in Memphis. Jackson Jr. and Anderson are worth owning at this point, as are Conley and Gasol, but it’s tough to trust them or anyone else on this team right now. Anderson has hit double figures in eight of his last nine games.
Celtics 115, Timberwolves 102 – Marcus Morris left with a sore neck and is day-to-day. Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown and Daniel Theis would all see a boost if he’s out, along with Jayson Tatum. Hayward went off last night, hitting 14-of-18 shots and four 3-pointers for a season-high 35 points and five assists. Finally! I don’t trust him, but he’s at least worth grabbing if he was dropped in your league and you have someone to drop. He should continue to play well as long as Kyrie Irving is out with his scratched corneas. Terry Rozier started and went off for 16 points, three rebounds, five assists, five steals, a block and two 3-pointers. Any time Irving’s out, Rozier’s your guy, and Hayward should get a boost. Marcus Smart strained his right shoulder and struggled, but was able to play through the injury.
For the Wolves, Karl-Anthony Towns had a terrible first half, but bounced back after the break to finish with 28 points, 12 boards, seven assists, a block and a 3-pointer. Andrew Wiggins scored a season-high 31 points, and Tyus Jones added 14 points, nine assists and four steals. Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose and Robert Covington were all out with injuries for this one, and Jones and Wiggins clearly enjoyed the extra touches. As long as Teague and Rose are out, Jones is a must-play player. Josh Okogie started with Covington out, but missed all four of his shots and was a huge disappointment. And so was Dario Saric, who hit 3-of-7 shots for seven points in 22 minutes. He just can’t get it going and Tom Thibodeau still trusts Taj Gibson a lot more than Saric. Which I don’t really understand.
Sixers 132, Suns 107 – Joel Embiid doesn’t appear to like Deandre Ayton and went off for 42 points, 18 boards, two assists, three steals, two blocks and a 3-pointer. He hit 12-of-23 shots and 17-of-19 free throws, and clearly isn’t bothered by his sore left knee. Ben Simmons hit 7-of-11 shots and 15-of-23 free throws for a season-high 29 points to go along with six dimes and a block. If he ever adds a 3-pointer to his arsenal, or starts making free throws, look out. J.J. Redick scored 27 with five triples, and Furkan Korkmaz started and had 10 points, four boards, three assists, a steal and two 3-pointers in 30 minutes. Jimmy Butler was out with a respiratory infection, which helped Korkmaz (and everyone else), so I’m not adding Korkmaz at this point. Wilson Chandler (respiratory infection) was also out, which also helped Korkmaz. The only Sixers I want to mess with these days are Embiid, Simmons and Redick. Butler’s name alone carries trade value, and I’d be looking to move him if I own him, but your chances of doing so are better when he’s actually playing.
Devin Booker had 37 points, eight assists and two 3-pointers for the Suns, and Josh Jackson finally came through off the bench with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, a steal, a block and a 3-pointer in 27 minutes. He blew up in the second half last season, and it could be ready to happen again this year. I’m holding him. T.J. Warren and Mikal Bridges both struggled, but I also like the idea of owning both of them, despite last night’s disappointments. Kelly Oubre and Richaun Holmes have been shaky, at best, and I’m fine with dropping them for hot free agents. And Ayton had 18 points, 11 rebounds and zero blocks against Embiid. His lack of blocks is disappointing, to say the least.
Thunder 107, Lakers 100 – Paul George hit 15-of-29 shots and two 3-pointers for 37 points, four boards and four steals, and Russell Westbrook somehow triple-doubled, despite hitting just 3-of-20 shots. He finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and two blocks to salvage his stat line, despite the disastrous shooting. This was a fun game to watch, but OKC won the fourth quarter 29-18, which sealed the Lakers’ fate. Jerami Grant scored 13 with seven boards, Steven Adams double-doubled, and Dennis Schroder had just 10 points in the win. Terrance Ferguson took a hard fall and left the game, but I suspect he’ll be OK, not that it matters in fantasy.
For the Lakers, Kyle Kuzma left with a sore back and never returned, so keep an eye out for news on him on Thursday. Kuzma’s absence meant big minutes for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who hit five 3-pointers and finished with 25 points, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes. He’s played well over his last three games and is worth a look, especially if Kuzma is going to miss time. Brandon Ingram was all over the place in this one and had 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists on 8-of-21 shooting, but fizzled in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. JaVale McGee went off for 15 points, eight boards and four blocks, and Josh Hart had 13 points, a career-high 15 rebounds, a steal, a block and a 3-pointer on 5-of-16 shooting. I love Hart as long as LeBron James is out with his groin injury.
