Fantasy related but good info....
Smoove Move? Not So Much
I know why you read the Daily Dose and part of that reason is for web gems that you might not otherwise have seen. I linked this on Twitter last night, and while it has absolutely no fantasy relevance, it is quite simply one of the most interesting stories you'll read today – well, at least of the ones not related to Charlie Sheen. Enjoy this take on the special night the Clippers have planned for Black History Month, which was in February.
I'm Set Free
Marcus Thornton blew up for a season-high 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting with a solid all-around line as the Kings beat the Clippers in an emotional win for the Kings, whose fans are trying to keep them in Sacramento. He only hit one three, which makes the 29 points that much more impressive. I predicted recently he'd blow up for a 30-point game in the near future, and it looks like he's been set free for the Kings. Pick him up, but expect some inconsistency with the occasional monster line. Tyreke Evans is still at least two weeks away, but there are no guarantees he'll play again this season with his foot issues. Jermaine Taylor started again, but I'd much rather own Thornton.
Collateral Damage
Josh Smith left Monday's game with a sprained MCL in his right knee and didn't return. He's bummed out about the injury, but the good news is that the MRI he was going to have has been canceled and he's listed as day-to-day. Consider him questionable for Wednesday and pray that he feels a lot better when he wakes up tomorrow than he did on Monday night.
Danilo Gallinari is expected to miss seven to 10 days with a broken toe, meaning Wilson Chandler is now a starter for the Nuggets. He had 15 points last night, but should be ready to put up some huge lines. Arron Afflalo got big minutes last night, but hit just 2-of-10 shots. The minutes are going to be there as long as Gallinari is out, but once he's back, I expect Afflalo's slide to continue. J.R. Smith had 19 points last night, and is another guy who benefits from Gallo's absence. In the short term, Chandler, Afflalo and Smith are all worth using on a daily basis.
Antawn Jamison will miss five to seven weeks with a broken finger on his left hand, essentially ending his season. Samardo Samuels looks like the new starting power forward for the Cavaliers, which is kind of hard to believe. Dropping Jamison for the unknown Samuels makes sense, but Samuels is raw and there are probably better pickups on your league's wire. Semih Erden should also figure to get more run for the Cavs going forward, but is dealing with a shoulder injury that might need offseason surgery.
Tony Parker will miss two to four weeks with a calf injury, meaning George Hill should start at point guard, maybe for as long as the next month for the Spurs. He's played very well when given starters minutes in the past and is an automatic pickup in all leagues at this time. Gary Neal is expected back from his concussion tonight as well, and is also worth an add in many leagues, while Manu Ginobili should see a boost in numbers without Parker around. Had we known Neal was going to play tonight before weekly lineup deadlines were set, I would have had him in there for four games this week.
Andrew Bogut left Monday's practice due to soreness in his ribcage and will miss tonight's game for the Bucks with the injury. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Jon Brockman and Larry Sanders will help fill the hole if he's out, but none are must-owns in fantasy. Ersan Ilyasova would be a nice grab if healthy, but he's out again with a concussion.
Kirk Hinrich surprisingly missed Monday's Hawks loss due to his lingering calf injury, meaning Jeff Teague saw 34 minutes. It was not surprising to see him struggle though, as he hit just 1-of-6 shots for seven points, six rebounds and two assists. If Hinrich misses more time, expect Joe Johnson to end up playing more minutes at point guard, as Teague simply isn't ready.
www.miamiheat.ws
Many Happy Returns
Jason Thompson played through a sprained ankle on Monday and had 12 points and four rebounds in 23 minutes. If you benched him because of the injury, you didn't miss much last night. And if you've been wanting to pick him up, it looks like he's healthy, and should play better than this on most nights.
Andray Blatche returned from his hip injury and had 15 points and 11 boards last night. Get him back in your lineup.
Gerald Wallace is expected to replace Nicolas Batum in the starting five for the Blazers, if not Tuesday, in the very near future. This will obviously hurt Batum's minutes and value, but how much remains to be seen.
Anthony Morrow started for the Nets over Sasha Vujacic and had 22 points and five 3-pointers in an OT loss to the Suns. He wasn't a strong play off the bench, but if he's recaptured the starting job from Vujacic, he should be picked up in many leagues. He's hit at least three 3-pointers in each of his last four games. Dropping Vujacic for Morrow is the way to go.
Deron Williams had 13 points and a season-high 18 assists as he continues to play through a wrist injury. He could stop playing at any time, but owners just have to keep running him out there and hope he keeps the injury under control.
Brook Lopez had 28 points and 10 boards in the OT loss for his fourth double-double of the year. Maybe he's going to be better with Deron in the house the rest of the way. Congratulations, big fella. We're all so proud of you for collecting your fourth double-double.
Luis Scola's knee should be OK for the Rockets and he expects to play tonight against the Blazers.
Elton Brand will play for the Sixers despite his dislocated finger, so keep him in your lineup.
Mo Williams made his Clippers debut on Monday, scoring 16 points with five assists on 7-of-18 shooting. He fired up a lot of shots for this being his debut, and also played after rolling an ankle during the game. He's going to ruin Eric Bledsoe's value, but is worth a pickup if you need a point guard, and can also be thrown into starting lineups.
Eric Gordon is now talking about playing on Wednesday, so while Randy Foye's been wonderful, and had another nice game on Monday, the end is not only near, but here. Yes, I do think he could still hold some value as the team's sixth man, but the nights of 20-something points and a bunch of goodies should come to an abrupt halt.
LaMarcus Aldridge is expected to play through his knee injury tonight, so keep him in your lineup.
Tyrus Thomas is still about two weeks away from returning from a knee injury, but might be worth a look for Charlotte. Again, not a must-own player, but he could help fantasy owners out in the playoffs.
Buyout Bonanza in Miami
Update:: Troy Murphy told ESPN's Marc Stein today he's going to Boston.
Troy Murphy is heading to Boston, while Mike Bibby will likely sign with the Heat. This is big news for the Celtics, who will use Murphy to play some center given the fact that Nenad Krstic is their only healthy option right now. As for Bibby, I can't see him being any more valuable to the Heat than Mario Chalmers, at least in regards to fantasy numbers, so I'm not rushing to pick him up. Just keep an eye on him. Think Eric Snow. For those of you new to fantasy hoops, he was a solid NBA starting point guard, but rarely put up decent fantasy numbers.
Corey Brewer, Kelenna Azubuike and Rasual Butler will also get buyouts, but none of them are worth grabbing at this point.
Monday's Game News Fantasy Fallout
Nenad Krstic played 30 minutes in another start at center last night and had 11 points and five boards. He's the only healthy center in Boston and if Murphy goes to the Heat as expected, it could be that way for a while. Glen Davis struggled last night, but still feels like a decent guy to own for the size-challenged Celtics, and is probably a better fantasy option than Krstic.
Raymond Felton had 16 points, five boards and seven assists last night in 30 minutes, and while I think Ty Lawson will continue to start at point guard for Denver, I'd be surprised if Felton doesn't average more minutes and put up better numbers. I'd rather own Felton at this point.
Vince Carter hit just 2-of-10 shots for five points last night and Jared Dudley is outplaying him off the bench. Dudley is not a must-own player, but if you've been wanting to cut Carter, it might finally be time. He's been fairly useless since being traded to the Suns.
Motown Madness on Tuesday
The most interesting game of the night is the Pistons at Philly, when we'll learn if Tayshaun Prince, Tracy McGrady and Richard Hamilton are ready to get back in action for Detroit. I really have no feel for what's going to happen here, but the starting lineup should tell us plenty. Will Bynum left the team for personal reasons, but is expected to play tonight. Tayshaun could play despite a back injury, and Hamilton reportedly had a meeting with John Kuester to clear the air. That doesn't mean Rip will play, but he could be climbing out of the doghouse. Tracy McGrady might still be in it, which would help Rodney Stuckey and Bynum, while Greg Monroe, Ben Gordon and Austin Daye should continue to get nice run down the stretch. Monroe has become a must-start player, while Gordon and Daye can be used depending on options. We'll obviously know more after tonight's game
