OKC studs back on Friday?
With nothing happening in the NBA world on Turkey Day, Friday’s Dose will simply be a preview of tonight’s full slate. In several cases, like the one involving Carmelo Anthony, there are more questions than answers, which is code for “this column is about injuries and playing time.” And Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook might play tonight!
On a side note, I went to see the band Manchester Orchestra for the first time on Wednesday. Amazing live show, great guys, a great band and a merry bunch fantasy hoops addicts. If you like some of the classic bands I sometimes yap about, you should listen to them while you read this. And you might want to think about starting with this one, or maybe this one. You can follow me on Twitter by clicking here.
Bulls @ Celtics 1 p.m. - It’s appropriate that this game kicks off early given that the Bulls are an injured mess these days, but here’s what we’re looking at. Derrick Rose is actually being listed as probable for this one, despite his hamstring injury, but nothing would surprise me with him. Not a 50-point game, nor a DNP-CD. Joakim Noah is also probable while dealing with an eye and left knee problem, and made it through a full practice on Thursday. Kirk Hinrich (chest) played in his previous game and should be a go today, which is also true for Pau Gasol (calf). Lastly, Taj Gibson has been ruled out with his lingering ankle injury, which means there should be more goodies for Gasol and Noah tonight, assuming they both play. And if you’re looking for a Bulls sleeper, it’s probably Nikola Mirotic with Gibson out again.
Things are much less exciting on Boston’s injury front, but Marcus Smart appears to be nearing a return. He was hoping to play in this game, but suffered a setback on Wednesday, which will probably leave him hoping for next week.
Warriors @ Hornets 7:00 - Leandro Barbosa’s iffy with a knee injury, David Lee’s still not ready due to his hamstring injury, and Shaun Livingston and Andrew Bogut (eye) are coming off nice games on Wednesday night. And yes, Stephen Curry is on fire and Klay Thompson is steady as a rock. Draymond Green was quiet on Wednesday but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t look better tonight.
Lance Stephenson hasn’t exactly won the trust of his coach, but Steve Clifford is right when he says Stephenson still isn’t a star. “One of the things that’s made it more difficult for him is that he came here and people proclaimed him as the next superstar. He’s not a star. He’s a guy who has talent to become a star.” Well said, coach. This is all part of the learning process and owners shouldn’t do anything crazy with Stephenson, as this will probably help to get him going. Cody Zeller has played well in three straight games, is getting 30 minutes a night and could be ready to steal Marvin Williams’ job (according to me). Marvin is starvin’ and played just 11 minutes and failed to score on Wednesday. Make the move, coach! Brian Roberts filled in for Gary Neal (shoulder) and blew up for a career-high 24 points on Wednesday, which no one saw coming. I’m not ready to throw him into a FanDuel lineup just yet, but he’s certainly got our attention now. Neal remains iffy with his contusion, so watch for updates. Kemba Walker got beat up in that one too, but played through thigh and facial injuries, so I’m guessing he’s good to go tonight.
Pelicans @ Hawks 7:30 - Coach Monty Williams wants Anthony Davis to get at least 20 shots a game. I knew I liked that guy. Davis has been dealing with an illness, so I’d be on the lookout for news just in case, but my guess is he’s good to go. Shoot away, AD. Tyreke Evans should continue to roll with Eric Gordon’s season in jeopardy, while Austin Rivers is also worth a look (over starter Darius Miller). Omer Asik was back from a back injury on Tuesday, but wasn’t very good. He should fare better against the Hawks.
Thabo Sefolosha is iffy with an illness and if he’s out, Kyle Korver should bounce back from Wednesday’s dud. Jeff Teague is rolling, Al Horford was great on Wednesday, and Paul Millsap will be looking to bounce back from his eight-point game. It will be tough against Davis, but Millsap is good enough to make it happen.
Bucks @ Pistons 7:30 - Giannis Antetokounmpo (it’s getting old typing that out) was very nice on Wednesday, but is as hit-or-miss as they come. O.J. Mayo looks like a permanent starter but had just 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting in his last one, while Larry Sanders is finally showing signs of life. He had 15 points, seven boards, a steal and five blocks on Wednesday and I’m hoping he keeps it going tonight. It’s not going to be easy against Andre Drummond, who is also coming around for Detroit. John Henson was out on Wednesday with a foot injury, not that you noticed.
Brandon Jennings has missed two straight games with a left thumb injury and is questionable tonight. D.J. Augustin started again Wednesday and had 19 points, two 3-pointers and six dimes. He’s an intriguing play if BJ is out again. Drummond had 17 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in his last one and is finally getting hot. And with Drummond coming on, Greg Monroe has cooled off a bit.
Mavericks @ Raptors 7:30 - Jameer Nelson is questionable with back spasms. If he’s out, Devin Harris would likely draw the start, but J.J. Barea is probably a better daily play. Raymond Felton could make his season debut after being available on Wednesday, but failing to get off the bench. Brandan Wright has quietly played well all season and is always a cheap, daily option at C.
Tyler Hansbrough could return from his shoulder injury on Friday, not that it matters in fantasyland. Greivis Vasquez was great on Wednesday against the Hawks, but is far from reliable. Don’t sleep on Lou Williams, who is averaging 24.3 points, 2.3 steals and 3.5 3-pointers over his last four games. James Johnson is back from his ankle injury and might become relevant again soon, while Jonas Valanciunas will try to stay hot after Monday’s 27 & 11 game.
Clippers @ Rockets 8:00 - Matt Barnes is questionable with a calf injury, but Reggie Bullock hasn’t done much while starting in his place. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford are all must-starts right now, while J.J. Redick should be active if Barnes is out again. DeAndre Jordan is in a funk, double-doubling one night and then going for two or four points the next. He had just four in his last one, and with Dwight Howard likely out tonight, my guess is Jordan will bounce back for a big game after a dud against Drummond.
Howard (knee) and Patrick Beverley (hamstring) don’t appear likely to play tonight, so look for Tarik Black and Isaiah Canaan to start again. Canaan’s worth a daily play after blowing up for a career-high 24 points and a full stat line on Wednesday. Black’s not really worth using anywhere, but Donatas Motiejunas is on fire, scoring a career-high 21 points with six boards, three steals and a 3-pointer on Wednesday. D-Mo is filling in nicely for Terrence Jones and has been rolling for a week. And, of course, James Harden should be locked into all lineups, along with Trevor Ariza. And no, I don’t know when Jones (leg) will play again.
Knicks @ Thunder 8:00 - Carmelo Anthony is doubtful with his back spasms and I’d be truly shocked if he plays tonight, or on Sunday. He says he’s getting close, but I just don’t see it. Jose Calderon hit seven 3-pointers on Wednesday, J.R. Smith started and had 15 points, and Samuel Dalembert somehow double-doubled in that one. Iman Shumpert has been getting minutes, but hasn’t been playing well. Maybe he’ll get it turned around tonight.
The big questions for the Thunder are Kevin Durant (foot) and Russell Westbrook (hand). Both players could be back tonight, so watch for updates. If I owned the Thunder, I’d wait until the doctors cleared Durant, and then make him sit for 10 more days or so. If he comes back too early and breaks his foot again, his season would likely be over. When they do return, Jeremy Lamb, Lance Thomas and Reggie Jackson will all take a hit, but just hang onto Jackson regardless of what happens. Serge Ibaka is suddenly playing very well, so keep rolling with him.
Magic @ Pacers 8:00 - Tobias Harris is back from his calf injury and double-doubled Wednesday, and should feast against the Pacers. Evan Fournier is playing through a quad injury and scored 10 on Wednesday, while Channing Frye scored in single digits for the fourth straight time in that one. He’s due for a breakout game. Victor Oladipo hit just 4-of-17 shots against the Warriors, but is feeling good and should be ready to go tonight.
Roy Hibbert is questionable tonight with his sprained ankle and David West is hoping to make his season debut after dealing with a severely sprained ankle. Watch for updates on both players. Donald Sloan had his worst and best games of the season in his last two, and should bounce back tonight, while Ian Mahinmi and Lavoy Allen will become afterthoughts if Hibbert can play. And once West is back, Luis Scola is also going to cool off. In case you missed it, Chris Copeland has already cooled off and is struggling a bit off the bench.
Kings @ Spurs 8:30 - It sounds like DeMarcus Cousins should be good to go tonight despite a leg injury, but he’ll likely get his toughest test of the season against the Spurs. Then again, the guy also looks matchup proof. Darren Collison (quad) and Rudy Gay (Achilles) are both iffy tonight, so watch for updates. With or without Gay, Omri Casspi has played well enough to be given a look for salary-cap relief in dailies. If Collison is out, Ramon Sessions would make another start, but had just eight points, three assists and five TOs in Wednesday’s start.
Cory Joseph is iffy with an ankle injury that kept him out on Wednesday, while Manu Ginobili will look to stay hot after his 28-point explosion in that one. Nope, I don’t trust him. Danny Green cooled off Wednesday, but is still a nice, cheap daily option right now and should bounce back, while Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are rolling. We’ll have to see if Gregg Popovich will let them all play tonight, so it’s always a good idea to check in with the Rotoworld news feed prior to 7 p.m. Popovich may not be at the game due to a minor medical issue, which is probably good news if you own any of these guys.
Suns @ Nuggets 9:00 - Isaiah Thomas was out Wednesday with a bruised ankle, leaving him iffy for tonight. Eric Bledsoe played very well despite a hip injury and Goran Dragic was also money on Wednesday. That’s what happens when Thomas is out. Markieff Morris went off on the Nuggets on Wednesday and gets another crack at them tonight. He’s in most of my lineups, as the Nuggets consistently give it up to opposing bigs. Gerald Green had 24 points in that one and is probably worth another shot against the same team tonight. Much like the Phoenix PGs, the center position is a mess with Miles Plumlee and Alex Len canceling each other out from night to night, but I’d rather own Len.
Ty Lawson is rolling and Kenneth Faried actually got 29 minutes on Wednesday, but didn’t do much with them. Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov are coming in hot, and along with Arron Afflalo, should be in lineups tonight. I’m still fine with benching Faried until he gets this figured out. Danilo Gallinari had been playing better, but failed to score in nine minutes before leaving with a sore left knee. And that’s just more good news for Chandler. Gallinari’s owners have to hope that his surgically repaired knee is just sore, and nothing else.
Grizzlies @ Blazers 10:00 - Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley are your must-starts, while Courtney Lee is worth consideration in most leagues. The Grizzlies’ injury report is finally clean.
Damian Lillard is dealing with a sore knee and foot, but should be OK, and is a must-start along with LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez. Chris Kaman remains relevant off the bench, despite his limited minutes.
Timberwolves @ Lakers 10:30 - Mo Williams has been sick all week and missed Wednesday’s game, but I bet he’s back tonight. Corey Brewer had 19 points and a full stat line on Wednesday and is worth picking up given Kevin Martin’s wrist surgery. Nikola Pekovic won’t be back and Gorgui Dieng is worth a look despite Wednesday’s dud. Thaddeus Young is back from bereavement leave, but wasn’t effective on Wednesday. He should fare much better tonight. The Lakers give it up to opposing guards, so Williams (if playing) and Brewer look like decent options.
Nick Young, Ed Davis and Wes Johnson were all quiet on Wednesday, while Kobe Bryant hit just 5-of-15 shots, as usual. Jeremy Lin has quietly been playing well despite a sore back, and Carlos Boozer is back in the starting lineup for the Lakers, which should help Thadd Young. The bottom line is I just don’t trust Young, Davis or Johnson right now.
Enjoy the return of the NBA tonight!
