Fantasy related but good info.....
Dose: Forecast for Melo & 50
There were only eight games on Monday night, but there was more than enough news to keep us busy. Carmelo Anthony, LaMarcus Aldridge, Andre Miller and Kevin Martin all blew up, Brandon Roy is plotting a return, while guys like Dirk Nowitzki, Nene, Stephen Jackson, Michael Beasley and Chauncey Billups all had various issues last night.
I am digging the new look of Rotoworld.com, and I'm sure a couple weeks from now we won't even remember how it used to look. If you're curious as to what we were thinking, check this out.
More Melo-drama
Melo made headlines again yesterday for missing shootaround for 'personal reasons,' causing everyone to think he'd been traded. Then, just for kicks, he took over in a loss to the Rockets and finished with a career-high tying 50 points on 16-of-24 shooting, and hit 16-of-18 free throws, a couple threes and added 11 rebounds and three blocks for good measure. Look, we all know Melo isn't likely to play for the Nuggets next season and that the Knicks appear to be his final destination. But whether it happens this week, in two weeks or over the summer is anyone's guess. Just keep rolling him out there and pay attention when talks appear to become serious. But there's still a decent chance he'll finish the year in Denver.
www.miamiheat.ws
Aldridge On Career-High Binge, Andre Miller the Villain
LaMarcus Aldridge seemingly sets a new career high every few days now, and did so again last night with 42 points on 15-of-23 shooting and added eight rebounds, and two blocks in a tough win over the Bulls. There's still plenty of time for him to be added to the All-Star team the way guys are falling right and left, and he certainly deserves to be there from a numbers standpoint.
His teammate, Andre Miller, who has quickly joined LeBron James as one of the league's best villains for his treatment and comments about Blake Griffin, blew up for 27 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, four steals and a block on 7-of-11 shooting and even hit all 13 of his free throws. He probably will perform better with a chip on his shoulder, so this new role as one of Darth Vader's storm troopers should suit him.
Man Love
Kevin Love tied Kevin Garnett with his 37th straight double-double with 27 points and 17 rebounds last night, and is poised to break the T-Wolves' team record tonight at Houston – unless Chuck Hayes decides to do something about it.
Mini-Mart
Kevin Martin had 37 points, four more 3-pointers, seven assists and three steals again last night, as his big season continues. We were scared away from him by injury concerns, which proved to be a mistake this year.
Roy & Peja Back?
Brandon Roy is expected to return this weekend for the Blazers, while Peja Stojakovic started for the Mavs last night and had eight points, five rebounds and a 3-pointer on 3-of-9 shooting. I look at these guys in similar ways. They're not healthy, they're going to try to help their teams and return to form, and the odds are not in their favor to have much success. Both players are probably worth a flier if still available in your league, but I'm not expecting too much from either one of them. I don't own either player in 11 leagues.
The Wrists Aren't All Right
Eric Gordon is having a couple other specialists look at his wrist, which is probably not great news. That means it's still a problem and still not feeling better, and while surgery has been ruled out once, it's still possible he could need it. Just keep him benched for now.
Dirk Nowitzki hurt his right wrist last night but X-Rays were negative. He had just 12 points and six rebounds, and owners have to hope this doesn't linger.
Deron Williams played through his wrist injury and had a nice game with 21 points, nine dimes and solid shooting, but it was clear his wrist was in serious pain throughout the game. He's determined to keep playing through it, but it could be a nerve-wracking ride for his owners.
The Kids Are All Right
Christian Eyenga and Sam Young became hot pickups on Sunday and Monday as we were pushing them pretty hard, and both players answered the call last night. Eyenga had 15 points, four boards and a 3-pointer, while Young had a career-high 22 points along with two 3-pointers, three rebounds and two steals. And he's not even supposed to be hitting threes! Both players are worth a look in nearly every league at this point.
Injury Roundup
Chauncey Billups went down with a left knee strain last night and will have an MRI on Tuesday. While it doesn't sound all that serious (yet), Ty Lawson had 19 points, six boards and five assists, and, as usual, should be picked up in all leagues again. And even if Billups is healthy, he's still a candidate to be traded, meaning it's time to hold onto Lawson through the trade deadline.
Hedo Turkoglu says his right knee is in a lot of pain and that he might have to get it looked at. And that's not usually great news.
Nene missed last night's game with the flu, meaning Al Harrington started in his place. As usual, Harrington failed to walk through the open door and hit just 4-of-12 shots for 10 points. Nene shouldn't be out for long.
Darko Milicic left with a hip flexor last night and simply can't stay healthy. Injuries have really ruined his year and if you've had enough, set him free. Michael Beasley tweaked his left ankle injury again and it now sounds like he's prepared to take some time off. He could probably use a week to fully heal, and if Darko's also out, guys like Corey Brewer, Wesley Johnson, Martell Webster, Anthony Tolliver and Nikola Pekovic could all see a boost.
Luke Ridnour missed his fourth straight game last night due to complications surrounding the birth of his twins, but Jonny Flynn hasn't exactly put his stamp on the starting job. It's still Ridnour's whenever he returns.
Keep reading for game news and notes.
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Game News and Notes[/SIZE]
Stephen Jackson got ejected from last night's game early with a couple more technical fouls and his antics may be growing thin on management. Maybe he's trying to get himself traded, or maybe he's just going crazy. Either way, he probably needs to calm down. And if you believe Spike Lee (and why wouldn't you?), the same can be said for Kevin Garnett.
Aaron Brooks served his one-game suspension last night, but it's unclear if he's going to return to the mix anytime soon or not. There are also rumors that he's going to be traded to the Knicks. If you own Brooks, just put him on the bench for now. Kyle Lowry struggled, hitting just 1-of-9 shots, but still finished with 11 points, five assists and four steals. Lowry remains a must-own player the rest of the way.
Slump Busters
Gerald Wallace had 19 points, 16 boards, a steal and a block.
Andrei Kirilenko (ankle) returned w/ 10 points, 8 boards, 2 assists, a steal and 3 blocks.
Shawn Marion had 17 points and 10 boards for Dallas.
Jason Thompson (ankle) started and had 14 points and three blocks.
J.J. Hickson had 26 points and 12 boards, as Cavs lost 25th straight game.
Chuck Hayes double-doubled again w/ 12 points, 10 boards, a steal and block.
Rudy Fernandez scored 18 with 2 threes and 2 steals.
Channing Frye had 19 points, 5 3-pointers, 11 rebounds and a block.
Reggie Williams had 19 points and 5 rebounds, but it was fluky.
In A Funk
D.J. Augustin had just nine points and four assists in 26 minutes, while Shaun Livingston had a season-high 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting with four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. Am I mildly concerned? Yes. But Augustin should bounce back soon, so keep rolling with him. The fact Livingston is even playing NBA basketball is one of the great comeback stories of all time, but I still don't think he's ready to take over for DJA.
Kwame Brown hit just 1-of-9 shots for four points, but did add 12 rebounds and two blocks in last night's shocking win over the Celtics, and is still worth owning in most leagues.
Wesley Matthews hit just 3-of-12 shots last night for six points, but played 46 minutes. He appears to somehow still be healthy, but deferred to the big lines of teammates Aldridge and Miller.
Jose Juan Barea had nine points and seven assists last night, and things will only get worse when Roddy Beaubois makes his debut. JJB is worth a look, but is far too inconsistent to start in most leagues.
Carl Landry got just eight minutes for the Kings last night, as Thompson started, and Samuel Dalembert got enough run off the bench for nine points, 11 boards and a block. DeMarcus Cousins was big again with 25 points and 14 boards, meaning everyone but Landry, for now, can be used in fantasy. On a side note, Tyreke Evans reportedly got into it with Paul Westphal after scoring 21 points, but it doesn't sound like a big deal as of now.
Daniel Gibson hit just 1-of-5 shots last night for the Cavs and is a mess. He's sort of like a healthy Roddy B, just ruining fantasy lives and taking names while underachieving at a monumental pace. Maybe he'll get it going, but I'm no longer sure that he's a must-own, or that he's ever going to return to form this year.
C.J. Miles his just 6-for-27 in his last three games after scoring five points on 2-of-8 shooting last night. Raja Bell is probably the guy to blame, as he's averaging 17 ppg over his last three games. I'd rather have Eyenga or Young at this point.
Marcin Gortat had just eight points and nine boards last night against the Warriors, as the fantasy world still waits for him to get a starting gig. Don't cut him.
Dorell Wright was just 3-of-13, Monta Ellis was 5-of-17 and Andris Biedrins had two points and three rebounds in just 17 minutes last night. That was one poor effort from everyone involved, but I'm not giving up on Biedrins yet. He had played pretty well in his previous four games and the Suns have a way of rendering opposing centers useless.
Chauncey Billups - G - Nuggets </TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>The MRI on Chauncey Billups' left knee showed nothing abnormal and he is listed as day-to-day.</TD></TR><TR><TD>
