Dose: Blame it on 'Rio
Sunday saw monster performances from guys whose names start with 'Mar' - Mario Chalmers, Marc Gasol and Marreese Speights - along with the greatest NFL catch of all time by Odell Beckham Jr. And Speights' comments after the game might have even been better than Beckham's grab.
Games Played Week 5
4 Games: ATL, CHA, CHI, DAL, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, MIL, NYK, ORL, PHX, POR, SAC, TOR
3 Games: CLE, DEN, LAL, MEM, MIN, NOP, PHI, SAS, UTA, WAS
2 Games: BOS, BRK, MIA, OKC
Grizzlies 107, Clippers 91
Marc Gasol’s dream season continued as he hit 13-of-18 shots for 30 points, 12 boards and two blocks and at 12-2, the Grizzlies look like the league’s best team as for now. They were ridiculously balanced last night, with five players scoring between 10 and 13 points, while Mike Conley hit just 2-of-6 shots for seven points and seven assists in his worst game of the season. Conley and Randolph, just like Gasol, are normally reliable, but had a quiet night against the Clips. The Grizzlies are back at full strength after a bout with the flu and Tayshaun Prince didn’t even get into the game.
The Clips didn’t enjoy the defense played by the Grizzlies last night. Blake Griffin hit 5-of-17 shots for 12 points and DeAndre Jordan had just two points, three rebounds, zero blocks and four fouls in 20 minutes. Chris Paul was solid with a standard 22 points, five boards, five assists and a 3-pointer, and Jamal Crawford hit 5-of-13 shots and two 3-pointers for 19 points in an otherwise forgettable night for the 7-5 Clippers.
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Blazers 94, Celtics 88
LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 20 points, 14 rebounds and a block, but hit just 7-of-21 shots. Chris Kaman stayed hot off the bench with 16 points and eight boards, Nicolas Batum and Damian Lillard each scored 12 points and had nice stat lines, except for Lillard’s 4-of-14 shooting and five turnovers. Lillard said later that his knee is fine after banging it during the game. Wesley Matthews scored 10 and Steve Blake added 11 points, five assists and a 3-pointer off the bench. Kaman is worth a pickup if you need a center, even though he’s coming off the pine and getting very limited minutes.
Jared Sullinger stayed hot with 19 points, seven boards, four assists, a steal, a block and three 3-pointers on 8-of-22 shooting. Jeff Green also scored 19, while Rajon Rondo was solid with 13 points, six boards, eight assists and two steals on 6-of-9 shooting. Kelly Olynyk didn’t score, but played 27 minutes and had eight boards and two steals, as he continues to be an all-or-nothing fantasy play. Brandon Bass is coming on a bit with eight points and eight boards, but I don’t trust him with Sully and Green playing so well.
Heat 94, Hornets 93
The Heat got 26 points, eight boards, a block and two 3-pointers from Luol Deng, who hit 10-of-14 shots – finally! Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers each scored 20 points, and Chalmers has become a must-start in all formats for now, and possibly going forward. He added four boards, 10 assists, a steal and a 3-pointer on 5-of-8 shooting. Shawne Williams is dropping off and had just five points, six boards, two blocks and a 3-pointer in 25 minutes, while Shabazz Napier is worth a look after 14 points, three assists, two steals and four 3-pointers in 34 minutes off the bench. Starter Shannon Brown didn’t score, as Dwyane Wade missed his sixth straight game with his hamstring injury. Another season, but more of the same injury woes for Wade. Norris Cole missed another game with his finger injury, contributing to the success of Chalmers and Napier.
Al Jefferson had 22 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, but missed the game-winning tip against the Heat. Lance Stephenson had a fat line with 17 points, six boards, five assists, a steal and a 3-pointer, Kemba Walker had 17 points, four assists, three steals and two 3-pointers, and Cody Zeller scored 11 points off the bench. Gary Neal played 31 minutes, but was a bit disappointing with 13 points and two 3-pointers, also off the bench.
Warriors 91, Thunder 86
Andrew Bogut went down with eye injury, so Marreese Speights did what comes naturally and torched the Thunder for a career-high 28 points and seven rebounds on 11-of-18 shooting, and then dissed Kendrick Perkins after the game with a pretty classic take. “[Perkins] thinks he’s a tough guy, but at the end of the day, his game is terrible. He always has something to say to me, every time we play against each other. It always gets me going, so: ‘Shout out to Perkins’ for helping me get this game." Wow. If Bogut, who is officially questionable for Tuesday, misses time with his injury, Speights is in must-add territory with his blistering play over the last week. Stephen Curry had 15 points, six boards and six assists, and this is the fifth time in his last six games he’s scored less than 20 points, which is mildly concerning, but nothing to worry about. Draymond Green had a full stat line, Harrison Barnes failed to even score, and Klay Thompson was fun with 20 points, eight boards, seven assists and four 3-pointers, but hit just 6-of-20 shots. Leandro Barbosa has a tender knee, but says he’s fine.
The Thunder got 22 points, 11 boards and eight dimes from Reggie Jackson, 16 points, two 3-pointers and 12 rebounds from Anthony Morrow, and 16 points, eight rebounds and five blocks from Serge Ibaka. That’s where the good news ends and it appears that the return of Andre Roberson was enough to ruin Jeremy Lamb. He played just 12 minutes last night, while Roberson, despite doing very little offensively, played a whopping 33 minutes. It’s safe to drop Lamb for Morrow (or someone else).
Nuggets 101, Lakers 94
Kenneth Faried was benched (again) by Brian Shaw as J.J. Hickson saw his first action in three games. Faried had just eight points and one rebound in 19 minutes, and this has become a bad joke. I never thought I’d find myself starting guys like Gerald Green and Iman Shumpert over a healthy Faried, but that’s what I’m doing this week. I’m planting him on the bench until he’s out of Shaw’s doghouse, or Shaw is no longer his coach. And he’s too bad to trade, too good to drop, and too miserable to be in fantasy lineups. J.J. Hickson and Darrell Arthur played reasonably well, but they’re simply not trustworthy, either. Ty Lawson had his best game of the season against the Lakers with 18 points and a season-high 16 assists, and it was not hard to see it coming. The Lakers are the worst team defensively against guards and Lawson came in running hot. Timofey Mozgov had 13 points, 13 boards and a block and really turned it around this week. Danilo Gallinari was actually effective in a season-high 31 minutes and finished with 10 points, seven boards and two 3-pointers. He was in the game down the stretch and it’s also interesting to note that Wilson Chandler (19 points, eight rebounds, five 3-pointers) played alongside him for much of the night. Maybe this means Gallo is about to get hot, but then again, that’s not the first time I’ve written that this season. JaVale McGee suffered a lower leg strain and left Sunday’s game, which is more good news for Mozzy.
Kobe Bryant hit 10-of-24 shots for 27 points, but is struggling to do it all by himself. And that thumb splint that Nick Young is wearing still bothers me, especially since he made just 2-of-12 shots last night. Jeremy Lin looked good despite a back injury and had 17 points and five assists. He’s actually been pretty consistent of late. Ed Davis, who started in place of Carlos Boozer, who was out with a shoulder injury, sprained his ankle during the game. However the bigger problem was his six fouls in just over three quarters of action that led to his disqualification. He should be fine. Wes Johnson had his best game of the season with seven points, a season-high 12 rebounds, two steals and three blocks in 42 minutes, and the absence of Boozer, along with Davis’ foul-fest helped Johnson, as did the overtime period.
News & Notes
Derrick Rose went through Bulls’ practice on Sunday, but remains a game-time decision for Monday against the Jazz with a hamstring injury. Sigh. Taj Gibson won’t play on Monday due to an ankle problem that has bothered him for some time. He now just wants to get healthy, so I could see him taking the week off. I’d recommend benching him in weeklies. Pau Gasol is hoping to play tonight after missing three games with a calf injury and the fact he went through Sunday’s practice is a good sign. The Bulls will also badly need him with Gibson out. Kirk Hinrich was limited on Sunday and is doubtful tonight with a chest injury. Aaron Brooks should get plenty of run tonight, with or without Rose.
David Lee is hoping to return for the Warriors on Friday or Saturday from a hamstring injury, and while he’ll eat into Draymond Green’s numbers some, I’m not overly concerned. Don’t drop Green, as I suspect he’ll start over Lee until further notice.
Pacers C Roy Hibbert is iffy for Monday with a sprained ankle and Ian Mahinmi or Lavoy Allen would start in his place if he’s unable to go. However, Luis Scola might be the best fantasy play of the bunch if Hibbert is out. Rodney Stuckey is iffy with a left wrist injury and C.J. Miles, as usual, is questionable tonight. David West (ankle) isn’t expected back until after Thanksgiving, while George Hill (knee) is not expected back until mid-December at the earliest. Whether you continue to hang onto him is a personal decision you’ll need to make based on your roster, league standings, etc.
Dwight Howard didn’t practice for the Rockets on Sunday and is questionable tonight with his knee injury. If he’s out again, Kostas Papanikolaou and Donatas Motiejunas will be worth a look in most formats. Patrick Beverley also missed practice with his hamstring injury, but says he’s going to play. If he’s wrong, it’s time for another dose of Isaiah Canaan at point guard. Terrence Jones has regained the feeling in his toes since injuring his leg on Nov. 4, but is still out indefinitely. If you have to move on, do it.
Brandon Jennings has a thumb injury and missed Sunday’s practice for the Pistons, leaving him questionable for Tuesday against the Bucks. X-rays were negative, so it will depend on how he’s feeling tomorrow. If he’s out, D.J. Augustin would likely get the start and make for a decent daily option.
Andrea Bargnani is out indefinitely for the Knicks with another calf injury and if were you mysteriously holding him, it’s time to let go again.
Andrei Kirilenko has left the Nets for personal reasons and is expected to be waived or traded, as his NBA career winds down.
Nene is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, which is a new injury. His left foot is the won that’s bothered him in the past, and he’s questionable for the Wizards on Tuesday against the Hawks.
