Dose: A New D. Rose Injury
Derrick Rose played and then got hurt again, the Sixers got destroyed in K.J. McDaniels’ first start and the return of Michael Carter-Williams, and Zach Randolph turned it around in the second half in a thrilling Memphis win. You can always follow me on Twitter by clicking here.
Bulls 100, Raptors 93
Derrick Rose actually started on Thursday and had 20 points in 30 minutes. However, he also suffered a hamstring injury after an awkward fall and is once again day-to-day. Rose’s latest injury doesn’t appear to be serious, but he’s been catching heat for saying he is resting now while looking to life after basketball. He said after the game it was more cramp than injury, but don’t be surprised if he takes a couple days off with this one. It’s going to be a long year for his owners, but at least he played tonight. Aaron Brooks will benefit any time Rose misses a game and I can sum up Rose’s fantasy value this season with one word - HEADACHE.
Pau Gasol was dominant again with 27 points, 11 boards, a steal and three blocks. He’s one of the fantasy steals of the year thus far. Jimmy Butler got it done with 21 points, nine boards, six dimes, a block and a 3-pointer in 40 minutes. He’s been playing at a very high level while showing no signs of letting off the gas, and is another draft-day steal. Joakim Noah made it through Thursday’s game with six points, eight boards, six assists, three steals and a block. He’s always an injury risk, but will usually produce when he’s in the lineup.
For the Raptors, James Johnson went off for 16 points, five rebounds, four steals and four blocks in 24 minutes. This one came out of nowhere and he should simply be put on your watch list at this point. Luckily, his big game didn’t really hurt anyone in the starting lineup. DeMar DeRozan hit just 3-of-17 shots for 10 points, but it was just an off night. Kyle Lowry was stud-like last night, going for 20 points, eight boards, eight assists and three 3-pointers in the loss. He’s starting to earn his money. Amir Johnson had 14 points, five boards, a steal and a block, and might be ready to get it going again, while Terrence Ross had 12 points, a steal, a block and two 3-pointers in the loss. Ross is due for a big game soon.
Grizzlies 111, Kings 110
Tayshaun Prince made a surprising start over Courtney Lee, but was very Prince-like. He had two points in 11 minutes, and the only question here is ‘Why?’ Lee came off the bench, scored 16 points with three steals and a 3-pointer, and then hit the game-winning shot on an impressive reverse layup off an alley-oop inbounds pass. Don’t sleep on Lee. Tony Allen didn’t even score last night, despite 24 minutes, and he’s about as hit-or-miss as they come right now. I got home from family trivia night and sat down at FanDuel Central to see that Randolph had amassed zero fantasy points by halftime. My first instinct told me that he was a late scratch, but my instincts were wrong. Z-Bo just sucked in the first half. He salvaged a line with 17 points and eight boards in 34 minutes, but could have done so much more. Mike Conley was a beast with 22 points, 11 dimes, a steal and a 3-pointer, and Marc Gasol added 20 points, seven boards, two steals and two blocks in the crazy win. Vince Carter, who I liked coming into the season, had a season-high 11 points, but should be left on waivers in most leagues.
The Kings got 22 points, 12 boards, two steals and three blocks in 31 minutes from DeMarcus Cousins, who finally picked up his first technical foul of the season. Rudy Gay led the Kings with 25 points, seven boards, a steal, a block and a 3-pointer, and Ben McLemore stayed hot with 17 points and three 3-pointers in 37 minutes. Pick him up. And Darren Collison returned from his shoulder injury and had 20 points, five assists, a steal, a block and two 3-pointers in the tough loss. Collison has played very well for the Kings this season and should be in your lineup when healthy.
Mavericks 123, Sixers 70
Dirk Nowitzki scored 21, Monta Ellis scored 17 and Chandler Parsons had 14 in what will likely be the Mavs’ easiest win of the season. Brandan Wright was the big fantasy winner, as he had 14 points, five rebounds and two blocks in just 16 minutes. Jameer Nelson played through his hamstring injury, but missed all six of his shots and had two points. Devin Harris, who played just 12 minutes tonight, still looks like the point guard to own in Dallas, but it’s going to get ugly once Raymond Felton returns and serves his four-game gun suspension. There was nothing to learn from this game for the Mavericks, as it was more like a scrimmage against a bad college team.
Michael Carter-Williams came off the bench and made his season debut, finishing with19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a 3-pointer. However, he hit just 6-of-19 shots and committed six turnovers. If you discount turnovers and shooting percentage, MCW looks like a great fantasy play going forward. Nerlens Noel returned from his ankle injury and had five points, seven rebounds, three steals and a block in 29 minutes. Assuming he didn’t suffer a setback, it’s time to get him back in your lineup. Henry Sims played just 16 minutes and didn’t do much last night. If he’s not getting minutes, he’s not worth putting into your lineup. Dump him for Chris Kaman, if you can. K.J. McDaniels was a surprise starter for the Sixers, but was disappointing with eight points, a steal, a block and two 3-pointers. I’m still not convinced he can really score, but if he sticks in the starting lineup, I’m going to pick him up. Tony Wroten played 25 minutes, but the good news ends there. He cooled off with just 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two 3-pointers in MCW’s return. I still say you should hang onto Wroten until we find out what his role will be now that MCW is back. The minutes were there, but he just never got it going. For those of you scoring at home, the Sixers are now 0-8 with no relief in sight.
Warriors 107, Nets 99
The score really doesn’t indicate how the Warriors dominated this game, but the Nets were able to hang around. Stephen Curry had an off night with 17 points, five assists and three 3-pointers in 32 minutes. Yes, his line was fine, but he was on the bench, in foul trouble, for much of this one. Klay Thompson stayed hot with 25 points, two steals and four 3-pointers, but hit just 8-of-22 shots, and has to be in the early MVP chatter this year. All five Dubs starters hit double figures, as Draymond Green had 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, a steal, two blocks and a 3-pointer on 7-of-14 shooting, Harrison Barnes scored 12 early points, and Andrew Bogut went off for 11 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal and four blocks. Green is must-own material, with or without David Lee, and had the line of the night, Barnes was due for a big night, but disappeared in the second half, and Bogut possibly had the best line he’ll post all season. Lee will miss the rest of the week with his hamstring injury, and has almost assuredly lost his starting job to Green. Andre Iguodala actually looked good on a couple possessions, but had just five points in 32 minutes. He hit just 2-of-8 shots and missed two of his three free throws, as usual. According to me, you can drop him.
For the Nets, Jarrett Jack went off against his former team and I totally slept on him in FanDuel last night. He had a season-high 23 points and hit all 10 of his shots, adding three boards, three dimes and three turnovers in the loss. If there was one time you should have had Jack active this season (assuming his teammates are healthy), it was tonight. Brook Lopez and Deron Williams each scored 18 points, Joe Johnson scored 12, and Mason Plumlee came off the bench for 13 points, eight boards and a block. Kevin Garnett played in a back-to-back situation, but lasted just 13 minutes for four points and four boards. And if you were hoping for something from Bojan Bogdanovic (nine points) or Mirza Teletovic (zero points), it didn’t happen. Both players are worth a look in all leagues, but are going to be up and down on most weeks. As for Plumlee, as long as Bro-Lo is healthy, Plumlee will be hit or miss.
Injury Report
David West will miss a couple more games for the Pacers with a sprained ankle and C.J. Miles is expected to return from his concussion on Friday, not that it means anything if he can’t make a shot. When West returns it could mean trouble for Chris Copeland, but the Pacers may use the ‘baby steps’ approach with West. Don’t drop Copeland (or Solomon Hill) until we see how this turns out. Maybe Miles will start hitting shots now that he’s close to being healthy, but I’m not holding my breath.
Victor Oladipo (facial fracture) is not expected to play for the Magic on Friday. That should mean more goodies for Evan Fournier, who has been on fire. If you own Fournier, don’t cut him just because Oladipo is set to return. Elfrid Payton has played poorly enough that it’s possible they decide to bench him and, reluctantly, put Dipo at PG and Fournier at SG. Stay tuned.
Dion Waiters is expected to return from a back injury on Friday and it will be interesting to see what kind of impact he’ll have on the Cavs’ chemistry. My guess is it won’t be a positive one.
Marvin Williams is doubtful for the Hornets on Friday with a knee injury and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could be the beneficiary with extra minutes.
Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani are both out for the Knicks on Friday. Calderon is still about 10 days away and Bargnani doesn’t have a target date.
Khris Middleton is iffy for the Bucks on Friday with a knee injury, but he shouldn’t be in your lineup either way. If he’s out, we could finally see a decent stat line out of Ersan Ilyasova.
Ronnie Price has been suspended for one game for a flagrant foul against Austin Rivers on Wednesday. He’ll be out for the Lakers on Friday, meaning Jeremy Lin should see a few more minutes than usual.
Marco Belinelli (groin) and Tiago Splitter (calf) have been ruled out for the Spurs on Friday, not that you care.
