Dose: Rose Rolls Over Cavs
There was only one game on Thursday night as we have officially reached the All-Star break. The Cavs got run over by the Bulls, and it’s becoming quite clear the Hawks are going to have their work cut out for them in the playoffs. They’re going to have to go through one, if not both of these teams, and anything can happen in a seven-game series.
The Bulls won 113-98 behind Derrick Rose’s 30 points and seven assists, while Pau Gasol chipped in with 18 points, 10 rebounds, six dimes, a steal, a block and a 3-pointer. Jimmy Butler sat this one out with a shoulder injury and pulled out of this weekend’s Skills Challenge, but hopes to play some limited minutes in the All-Star Game. Tony Snell filled in nicely for him with 22 points, three steals and four 3-pointers, and is worth keeping an eye on down the stretch, if the Bulls continue to have injury problems.
The Cavs got 31 points, five boards, four assists and two 3-pointers from LeBron James, but he hit just 2-of-9 from downtown and committed eight turnovers. Timofey Mozgov double-doubled with 13 points, 11 boards and a block, Tristan Thompson started for Kevin Love (eye) and had 19 points and eight boards, and Kyrie Irving added 17 points, six boards, seven assists, a steal, a block and a 3-pointer.
Editor's Note: With the NBA on hiatus until Thursday, this is a good weekend to dive into the NCAA. Rotoworld's partner FanDuel is hosting a one-day $30,000 Fantasy College Basketball league for Saturday's early NCAA games. It's only $2 to join and first prize is $3,000. Starts at 12pm ET on Saturday. Here's the FanDuel link.
All-Star Weekend
Here’s the schedule for the weekend if you just can’t get enough NBA action.
Degree Shooting Stars – Saturday, 8:30 p.m. on TNT
Team Bosh: Chris Bosh, Dominique Wilkins, Swin Cash
Team Curry: Stephen Curry, Dell Curry, Sue Bird
Team Millsap: Paul Millsap (replaces Anthony Davis), Scottie Pippen, Elena Delle Donne
Team Westbrook: Russell Westbrook, Penny Hardaway, Tamika Catchings
I’m going with Team Bosh and my guy, Dominique Wilkins, although I think that Team Curry is probably the one to beat.
Taco Bell Skills Challenge – Saturday, 2nd event
Patrick Beverley
Dennis Schroder
Elfrid Payton
Trey Burke
Jeff Teague
Kyle Lowry
Brandon Knight
Isaiah Thomas
Kyle Lowry is my pick to win, but I think Isaiah Thomas will give him everything he can handle.
Foot Locker Three-Point Contest – Saturday, 3rd event
Marco Belinelli
Stephen Curry
James Harden
Kyrie Irving
Kyle Korver
Wesley Matthews
J.J. Redick
Klay Thompson
This looks like one of the most competitive fields ever, and while the Splash Brothers are going to be tough to beat, this event looks like it was custom made for Kyle Korver.
Sprite Slam Dunk – Saturday, 4th event
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Zach LaVine
Victor Oladipo
Mason Plumlee
Zach LaVine is everyone’s favorite sleeper pick, but if I were in Vegas I’d put my money on the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
D-League All-Star Game - Sunday, 2:30 p.m. NBA TV
NBA All-Star Game – Sunday, 8:30 p.m. TNT
Eastern Team
Starters: John Wall, Kyle Lowry, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Pau Gasol
Reserves: Chris Bosh, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague, Dwyane Wade (won’t play)
Look for this to be Carmelo Anthony’s last game of the season, as he has all but said that he will shut it down for the rest of the season after Sunday’s exhibition.
Western Team
Starters: Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant (won’t play), Blake Griffin (won’t play), Anthony Davis (won’t play), Marc Gasol
Reserves: LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMarcus Cousins, Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant, James Harden (starting), Damian Lillard, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson (starting), Russell Westbrook
Coach Steve Kerr is said to be deciding between LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant as his fifth starter, but I’m thinking he should skip both of them and give the job to Boogie Cousins. But what do I know?
I’ll have some midseason awards in this week’s Waiver Wired column, which will run sometime this weekend, as the NBA doesn’t get back underway until Thursday night.
Enjoy your weekend!
