We had Chris Bosh return and the Heat lose to the Magic. We had the Bucks win the opening tip and hit it directly out of bounds. We had the rim need replacing before the game even begin in Houston. Just another day in the NBA.

GIANNIS ADDHIMTOYOURTEAMNOW

That's probably the worst headline/pun you'll read for the rest of this year, so I humbly apologise, but if Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't owned in your league, you need to be the one who rectifies that folly. Unless you are in a six man league, and more power to you if you are, the Greek Freak should be owned in all formats. In an overtime game against the Hornets, Antetokounmpo had 16 points (7-8 FG, 2-3 FT) with eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in 35 minutes. Jason Kidd is giving Antetokounmpo regular, reliable run and he is rewarding Kidd, Bucks fans and fantasy owners with solid production. The blocks, in particular, were encouraging. With his freakish wingspan, Antetokounmpo provided us with several highlight blocks last season, but his block numbers were sluggish at the start of the year. Over his last seven games though, Antetokounmpo has averaged 1.4 swats per contest and paired with his 59 percent shooting over that time frame makes him a must-own player, in the wake of the Jabari Parker and Ersan Ilyasova injuries. Currently owned in 63 percent of ESPN leagues and 77 percent of Yahoo leagues, the second-year star is still available. Make sure he's yours.

M.I.A.

These guys all sat out Monday's action, for one reason or another.

• Bulls
  • Kirk Hinrich (hamstring)
• Pacers
  • Donald Sloan (DNP-CD)
  • Ian Mahinmi (foot)
• Bucks
  • Larry Sanders (illness)
  • Ersan Ilyasova (concussion)
• Hornets
  • Lance Stephenson (pelvis)
• Magic
  • Aaron Gordon (foot)
• Heat
  • Udonis Haslem (DNP-CD)
  • James Ennis (DNP-CD)
  • Shabazz Napier (DNP-CD)
  • Shawne Williams (DNP-CD)
• Kings
  • Ramon Sessions (back)
• Wizards
  • Martell Webster (DNP-CD)
• Rockets
  • Terrence Jones (leg)
• Jazz
  • Alec Burks (shoulder)

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

In a showing of his enormous potential, the Wizards' Bradley Beal was huge in leading his team to the road victory against the Rockets. Beal had 33 points (9-17 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 10-10 FT) with five rebounds, three assists and one steal in 37 minutes and this sort of performance is something we've been hoping for all season. Beal has been lackluster since returning from his injury, but of note is that fact that he is averaging 1.6 steals per game, up from the 1.0 he averaged last season. That change, which may be considered insignificant by some, can the difference between returning seventh round value or fourth round value, assuming the other numbers remain constant. Now, Beal, needs to up his other numbers, but if he does, we could be looking at a very versatile shooting guard, a valuable commodity in fantasy. I wouldn't be looking to sell high after a game like this as it could be something we see with more regularity.

ROTATION NOTES AND QUIRKS

Nikola Mirotic played only 11 minutes, while Taj Gibson got 22 minutes of burn. Both guys struggled to have an impact and this split, which makes total basketball sense, makes their fantasy basketball values suffer. In 10 team leagues, neither is a must-own and even in 12 team leagues, I could make the argument not to own Taj. Since returning from his ankle injury, Gibson is averaging just 10.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 20 minutes a night - not horrible, but you can likely find better on your standard league waiver-wire.

Roy Hibbert played only 16 minutes, with four fouls, while Lavoy Allen played a team-high 32 minutes, scoring six points with eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals. While there isn't a danger of Allen taking the starting job, if something happens to Hibbert, Allen is an immediate standard league add for his potential. His per-36 numbers are 11.6 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, something every team could use.

George Hill's minute limit remains in place as he played just 24 minutes. Don't be scared off, Hill is a must own.

The Jason Kidd roller coaster continued, moving Khris Middleton into the starting five in place of Kendall Marshall, but continued to go with Johnny O'Bryant starting at the four. If you can explain it, please let me know. At this stage, the fantasy value lies with Antetokounmpo, Brandon Knight and shockingly, Jared Dudley. On a hot streak, Dudley has value in most leagues.

Marvin Williams continues to get more minutes than starter Cody Zeller, and be more productive. Williams pulled down 14 rebounds with three steals, but I don't think either guy has standard league relevance.

Al Jefferson was bothered by his groin and played just 28 minutes. The odds of him sitting out are increasing with each passing game.

Channing Frye played 27 minutes to Kyle O'Quinn's 17, despite O'Quinn starting. I'm not bailing on KOQ yet, but that's three straight stinkers, with only one marred by foul difficulties. If you need to cut bait, you have my permission, but make sure you are monitoring Orlando box scores (or reading this every day!)

Chris Bosh returned, pushing Shawne Williams not only out of the starting lineup, but out of the entire rotation. His value is done, with Bosh now starting at the four next to Chris Andersen. Bosh had 20 and eight in 33 minutes and has no minutes restriction.

Deron Williams and Brook Lopez came off the bench again for the Nets, in deference to Jarrett Jack and Mason Plumlee. I still think this is a fitness based thing and that Williams and Lopez will be back starting very soon. Make sure you keep a keen eye on your waiver-wire if anyone cuts Williams or Lopez and if they do, pounce. Meanwhile, Plumlee is tearing things up, scoring another 22 points to go with four rebounds, three steals, and one block, while Lopez went for 11 and six in his 12 minutes, accumulating five fouls in the process.

Kris Humphries played just 12 minutes, with Kevin Seraphin and Drew Gooden getting minutes behind Nene as well. Humphries' fantasy usefulness has evaporated.

Josh Smith got another start at power forward, but lasted just 23 minutes, scoring three points with four rebounds and the less said about the percentages, the better. You need to give Smith some time to settle in his new environs, things should get better. In related news, Donatas Motiejunas played just 20 minutes and his run as a fantasy player is done.

Rudy Gobert played 25 minutes, while Enes Kanter played 28 and Derrick Favors played 35 minutes. Meanwhile, Trevor Booker was reduced to eight minutes. This is an ideal split for fantasy owners and for the Jazz's future and makes all three big men fantasy relevant. Gobert had 11 points, 13 rebounds and one steal and shockingly, went blockless for the first time in his last 10 games. Highly dependent on your team;s needs, but Kanter and Gobert should be owned in all 12 team leagues at the moment. Just be prepared for a reduction in minutes for Gobert, which could easily be coming in the next game.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Derrick Rose was horribly inefficient, shooting 5-for-20 to end up with 17 points, three rebounds and six assists. While his scoring has been solid, averaging 22.0 points in his last five, Rose is averaging just 2.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 0.6 steals in his 31 minutes. That's not great. The injury specter is real and the production isn't great. Find out who in your league loves big names and trade him away, before it becomes impossible.

Chris Copeland scored 17 points in just over 17 minutes. That's now two games in a row in double-digits after being a healthy scratch in the last few weeks, but I'm not buying into it.

John Henson has now blocked 10 shots in his last 40 minutes of court-time, but for some reason, KIdd doesn't value rim protection, so those 40 minutes have come in two games. Even with Sanders and Ilyasova out, Henson can't get a significant role, although if he continues to block five shots every 20 minutes, fantasy owners will gobble that up. I'm not adding in standard leagues, because there is something holding him back. It's happened two years in a row for two different coaches, so it can't all be a management issue.

Kemba Walker's crazy run continues, scoring 28 points with four assists, two steals, and four blocks. He won't get four blocks again, but he's been super hot. Let's hope Lance Stephenson doesn't ruin everything when he returns.

Elfrid Payton had four points, but added four rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, numbers which are great in a head-to-head league. In a roto league, I'd look elsewhere, but for the last seven games, Payton is averaging 3.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.6 steals, and is actually shooting 44 percent from the field. You need to pick your spots though.

Danny Granger hit six triples to end with 21 points, but I think it's safe to say that that won't happen again any time soon. He has hit a three-pointer in five games since returning from his latest injury, and played at least 18 minutes, peaking at 32 minutes against the Magic. In a 14 team league, Granger has some value, but I wouldn't be jumping on him everywhere. With Bosh back, Luol Deng cooled off and the 14 points and three rebounds is closer to what he'll produce for the season than what we saw in Bosh's absence.

DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay led the Kings again, both scoring over 20 points. You know what you are getting from these guys at this point, and you are very happy.

Mirza Teletovic emerged from his slumber, hitting three three-pointers for 11 points with seven rebounds. Given he went scoreless Saturday, it's fair to say inconsistency is a big issue for Teletovic this season, making it impossible to own him in most leagues.

Paul Pierce exploded for 21 points with three steals and one block, and while he has some games limited by his minutes, he should be owned in most leagues. Marcin Gortat is slumping, averaging just 9.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in his last seven games, but he is still blocking 2.0 shots per game. He had nine points and seven rebounds with three blocks and is a great buy-low target.

Corey Brewer's crazy start in Houston continued, with another 15 points, including two three-pointers with two steals and one block. He needs to owned while he playing like this, but as a 29.7 percent career three-point shooter, the 59 percent he is shooting now feels a little unsustainable.

DeAndre Jordan grabbed an incredible 10 rebounds in the first quarter alone. While he didn't continue on that pace and grab 40 boards, he did finish with 19 rebounds and four blocks and is just killing those stats (in a good way) this season. Offensively, it's another story as Jordan has a usage rate of just 10.9 percent. Still, that's not why you drafted him.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. James Harden, G, HOU, 33 points
2. Bradley Beal, G, WAS, 33 points
3. Kemba Walker, G, CHA, 28 points

Rebounds

1. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC, 19 rebounds
2. Marvin Williams, F, CHA, 14 rebounds
3. DeMarcus Cousins, C, SAC, 13 rebounds
4. Rudy Gobert, C, UTA, 13 rebounds

Assists

1. John Wall, G, WAS, 12 assists
2. Chris Paul, G, LAC, 8 assists
3. Darren Collison, G, SAC, 8 assists
4. Elfrid Payton, G, ORL, 8 assists

Steals

1. Chris Paul, G, LAC, 4 steals
2. Jimmy Butler, G, CHI, 4 steals
3. John Wall, G, WAS, 4 steals
4. Brandon Knight, G, MIL, 4 steals
5. Kevin Garnett, F, BKN, 4 steals
6. Elfrid Payton, G, ORL, 4 steals

Blocks

1. John Henson, F, MIL, 5 blocks
2. Kemba Walker, G, CHA, 4 blocks
3. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC, 4 blocks
4. Lavoy Allen, C, IND, 4 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Danny Granger, F, MIA, 6-7 3Pt
2. Bradley Beal, G, WAS, 5-11 3Pt
3. Gordon Hayward, F, UTA, 4-7 3Pt

Minutes

1. Kemba Walker, G, CHA, 49 minutes
2. Jimmy Butler, G, CHI, 44 minutes
3. Blake Griffin, F, LAC, 41 minutes