In the event you read this early enough, the first game on Saturday starts at 1 P.M. on the East Coast when the Sixers host the Nuggets. You have been informed.

HOSPITAL WARD

Jerryd Bayless started after coach Kidd benched him the previous game. In the third quarter, he sprained his left ankle, and it looked bad. He walked off the court, but he is doubtful to play tonight against the Knicks. If it's classified as a high ankle sprain, expect him to miss close to two weeks. Otherwise, he'll be day-to-day until the swelling subsides. Bayless finished the game with nine points (4-9 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), five assists, and three rebounds in 26 minutes.

Michael Carter-Williams is the obvious beneficiary, especially with Tyler Ennis (shoulder) and Greivis Vasquez (ankle) injured. He finished the game with six points (3-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt), seven rebounds, and five assists in 27 minutes. Coach Kidd went without a point guard for stretches in the fourth quarter last night, pitting O.J. Mayo against Reggie Jackson. In fact, Carter-Williams wouldn't have played the final three minutes if Mayo didn't foul out. He's already lost the starting point guard gig once, and outside the game against the Nuggets, he's not getting enough minutes or producing on a competent level. Adding Carter-Williams prior to Saturday's game is advisable because of the dearth of point guards and their matchup against the Knicks, against whom Carter-Williams scored a season-high 20 points. However, Carter-Williams, if he's available, is someone I would categorize as a streamer.

M.I.A.

• Atlanta
  • Tiago Splitter (hip)
• Brooklyn
  • Andrea Bargnani (hamstring)
• Cleveland
  • Kyrie Irving (knee)
  • Iman Shumpert (wrist)
• Dallas
  • J.J. Barea (leg)
• Detroit
  • Brandon Jennings (Achilles)
  • Jodie Meeks (back)
• Houston
  • Dwight Howard (rest)
  • Donatas Motiejunas (back)
• LA Lakers
  • Nick Young (DNP-CD)
• Milwaukee
  • Tyler Ennis (shoulder)
  • Greivis Vasquez (ankle)
• New Orleans
  • Quincy Pondexter (knee)
  • Kendrick Perkins (quadriceps)
• Phoenix
  • Tyson Chandler (hamstring)
• Washington
  • Marcin Gortat (personal)
  • Nene Hilario (calf)
  • Kris Humphries (ankle)
  • Drew Gooden (calf)
  • Alan Anderson (ankle)

ROTATION NOTES

The Wizards were without Marcin Gortat (personal), who'll miss at least one more game, Kris Humphries (ankle), Nene Hilario (calf), and Drew Gooden (calf). As such, Ryan Hollins, who signed with the team on Monday, was thrust into the starting lineup. He played 13 minutes, and the remaining center minutes were divvied up among DeJuan Blair, Jared Dudley, and Otto Porter. Hollins would likely have seen more playing time, but the Wizards' opponent, the Suns, are down to one healthy center, Alex Len, and played him 15 minutes. Coach Wittman deployed many four-guard lineups to match the Suns, a strategy that could backfire on Sunday against the Mavericks.

Markieff Morris came off the bench after missing the previous game with a left knee contusion. Jon Leuer started the second straight game over Morris and scored all 13 of his points in the first half. Coach Hornacek didn't use Leuer or Alex Len the final 16 minutes, instead utilizing Morris at center and surrounding him with guards. Tyson Chandler (hamstring) is on the verge of returning, per coach Hornacek, but even before the injury, Hornacek constantly downsized. With the Grizzlies on deck, I think Morris re-enters the starting lineup soon. Leuer will still possess scoring value because he's ahead of Mirza Teletovic in the rotation.

Rookie Rashad Vaughn snuck into the second-half starting lineup for the Bucks, displacing O.J. Mayo. The maneuver didn't last long, and Vaughn only played 11 minutes last night. Mayo fouled out in 34 minutes and provided 13 points (5-13 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, four assists, and one steal. He may come off the bench in the next game as the backup point guard, but starter-level minutes are in play. Both he and Michael Carter-Williams are shooting sub-35 percent from the field over the last six games, making it difficult to count on them in rotisserie leagues.

With Dwight Howard resting the first game of a back-to-back, Terrence Jones slid into the starting lineup and Clint Capela moved over to center.

Howard was previously cleared to play on consecutive nights, but this was the second back-to-back set this week, forcing coach Bickerstaff to re-evaluate Howard's availability. The Rockets are scheduled for another two more back-to-backs in a single week starting Tuesday.

Jones added 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, and five turnovers in 32 minutes. Capela pulled down nine rebounds in the first half and concluded with two points (0-5 FG, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal in 28 minutes. Capela's flaws are becoming more prevalent: he's too thin to guard in the low post, and his offensive range doesn't extend beyond the rim. Coach Bickerstaff isn't married to any lineup, and should Capela retain his starter title, he can be a matchup liability when Howard returns. Jones, one the other hand, can operate outside the paint and hide on defense with Patrick Beverley and Trevor Ariza shoring up the perimeter. Donatas Motiejunas is on the mend, and that's going to further cloud frontcourt minutes. In short, no one is safe because Ariza can slot up to power forward when Bickerstaff needs more shooting.

Chander Parsons, after resting the previous game, played a season-high 27 minutes off the bench. It was his idea to switch to a reserve role. Raymond Felton remained in the starting lineup, and the move allowed Parsons to play in the fourth quarter for just the third time this season, including crucial minutes down the stretch. Parsons will likely sit Sunday or Monday, extending Felton's fantasy shelf life. In six games without Parsons, Felton is playing 33.2 minutes per game in one of the best offensive systems in the league. When Chandler plays, Felton garners 23.5 minutes per game and attempts three fewer shots per game. He doesn't offer immense upside or sexy production, but he can be selectively useful, especially now with J.J. Barea (leg) out of the lineup.

Jrue Holiday came off the bench and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, according to coach Gentry. His minutes are capped at 25, and he's not allowed to play on consecutive nights until January. With strict limitations, Gentry wants Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon to get comfortable playing together for those nights when Holiday doesn't. The Pelicans play 12 games the rest of the month, two of which occur on the second night of a back-to-back.

Holiday and Evans did not play together until the fourth quarter and overtime, each splitting the point guard minutes. For the third straight game, Evans nearly triple-doubled with 14 points (5-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 assists, and seven rebounds in a season-high 35 minutes. Holiday boasted a solid performance and furnished 13 points (5-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 25 minutes. The two guards have coexisted in the past, but it's Evans who's better at breaking down a defense. Staggering their playing time and eventually giving Holiday, Evans, and Gordon all 32 minutes a night could be the end game once the restrictions are lifted.

Matthew Dellavedova replaced Mo Williams in the starting lineup. I am never one to overreact, but it's clearly time to trade or drop Williams. He played 23 minutes last night, but this move implies coach Blatt is prepping his rotation for when Kyrie Irving (knee) returns. Williams could have four more games of usefulness, but the Cavaliers' schedule is filled with off days between now and Christmas. Dellavedova played 42 minutes, including the entire overtime period. Williams may find more luck tonight, the second night of a back-to-back. Regardless, his playing time and fantasy value are descending.

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

LeBron James: 37 points (13-29 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 10-11 FT), eight assists, seven rebounds, one steal, one block, 45 minutes

James went scoreless in overtime but unquestionably dominated the fourth quarter by scoring 21 of the Cavaliers' final 24 points in regulation. Over the last nine games, James has improved his free-throw accuracy to 84 percent, but his jumper is still broken with him shooting 32 percent outside the restricted area during that stretch. Reinforcements are on the way, and that will hopefully lessen James' burden, minutes, and games played. He's averaging 37.7 minutes per game, which is more than last season, and the Cavaliers are 13-6, second in the Eastern Conference.

ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT

Kristaps Porzingis: 19 points (7-13 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two blocks, one assist, 26 minutes

Porzingis scored 10 points and pulled down five rebounds in the first quarter, helping the Knicks jump out to a 42-21 lead. He's the reason Robin Lopez, who's averaging 6.1 rebounds in 24.7 minutes per game, has become obsolete in standard fantasy leagues. He is morphing into the Knicks best player. He is shooting 48.9 percent from the field over the past seven games while making half his threes. He's second to Hassan Whiteside in blocks over the last 10 games, a disparity of 49 to 29. He's flipping awesome. He's like the Dread Pirate Roberts: there will be no survivors. Porzingis is basketball. Basketball is Porzingis.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH

Bradley Beal: 34 points (12-23 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, 38 minutes

His season-high 34 points are more than he scored in the previous two games combined, and it's his fourth straight game with six assists.

We're hitting critical mass with Beal's health. He's played at least 33 minutes in the last seven games, averaging 37.7 minutes per game in that span. Last night, Beal incurred a minor left knee injury in the final 30 seconds and stayed in the game. Given Beal's history with stress reactions, mainly caused by playing extended minutes over two-week periods, it's time to throw him on the trade block and see what offers transpire.

John Wall: 17 points (5-13 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine assists, five rebounds, two steals, seven turnovers, 37 minutes

After last night's carelessness, Wall's now averaging 4.5 turnovers per game, negatively influencing his nine-category fantasy rank. By ignoring turnovers, Wall climbs into the top-20 in value. He really needs to start taking better care of the ball, though.

Al Horford: 16 points (6-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, 33 minutes

I'll take this time to acknowledge the Hawks get four days off before their next game. There's nothing good or bad to say about Horford. He and Paul Millsap are consistency personified.

James Harden: 25 points (10-23 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-5 FT), nine assists, eight rebounds, two blocks, one steal, 36 minutes

Harden is shooting 29 percent on three-pointers and 21 percent on wide-open three-pointers. And even though he's engaged in a prolonged slump, Harden has made more free throws (199) than anyone in the league has attempted (166).

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

The Knicks annihilated the Nets early in the first quarter and ultimately won by 17 after some garbage-time chicanery. In the fourth quarter, Joe Johnson was ejected and assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 for elbowing Jose Calderon, who reached 10 assists in a Knicks uniform for the second time. Even though the Knicks were comfortably ahead the entire game, both coaches played their starters well into the fourth. 25-year-old rookie Willie Reed made his season debut for the Nets and scored eight points (3-4 FG, 2-4 FT) in 11 minutes, and Thomas Robinson scored all 10 of his points in the final quarter.

Arron Afflalo scored 18 points (7-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT) in 29 minutes, which is great if you play in a four-category league. His 20.6 points over the past three games are inflated because of one game without Carmelo Anthony, and Afflalo has only recorded two steals and one block in 12 games this season. His overreliance on jumpers has resulted in 1.0 free-throw per game, diminishing any contribution Afflalo may have provided in that category. On the surface, his stats are comparable to Kevin Martin, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and T.J. Warren. All are fringe-worthy fantasy options.

Giannis Antetokounmpo regressed after a scorching start to the season. Coach Kidd has scaled down his minutes and reintroduced Jabari Parker into the rotation. The offense no longer hinges on Antetokounmpo's ability to attack the basket. Khris Middleton fixed his shot, Jerryd Bayless has imposed his will, Greivis Vasquez (ankle) has missed the last four games, which has removed a competent playmaker from the rotation, and the Bucks are losing games comfortably, limiting the starters' workload. The table below informs us on the differential between the first 11 games and last eight games of his season. The demarcation line is Antetokounmpo's career-high 33-point game against the Cavaliers.

In a battle of former teammates, Greg Monroe accumulated 14 points (7-15 FG), 13 rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and one assist in 33 minutes, and Andre Drummond recorded 17 points (7-18 FG, 3-10 FT), 23 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and one assist in 35 minutes. Both had similar games in their first meeting this season, and they play each other two more times following the All-Star break.

Marcus Morris played 39 minutes and registered 23 points (7-14 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 8-9 FT), four rebounds, three assists, and one steal. He's playing 37.0 minutes per game, fourth most in the league. Morris doesn't possess stellar tertiary stats, but by virtue of his playing time, Morris has cemented his value in standard leagues. The Pistons are scheduled for five games in seven nights beginning on Sunday, and I think that stretch could be a pitfall. Coach Van Gundy is running his starters, sans Ersan Ilyasova, into the ground. The Pistons' bench averages a league-low 15.1 minutes per game, and noncontact injuries increase when fatigue sets in. Morris has actually been quite durable throughout his career, missing six games the last three seasons, but he's never been tasked with extensive minutes. We're a quarter through the NBA season, and Morris has already played 36 percent of last season's minutes.

D'Angelo Russell rendered his first career double-double, generating 16 points (6-16 FG, 4-7 3Pt), a team-high 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and seven turnovers in 36 minutes. Nick Young was relegated to a DNP-CD for the second straight game, opening up valuable rotation minutes. Russell has played in five straight fourth quarters and at least 26 minutes in nine straight games. He doesn't have the necessary teammates, offensive autonomy, or trust of his coach to run the offense and pile up assists. Nevertheless, the minutes are trending up, and even though I wouldn't willingly own him now, I know Kobe Bryant is injury-prone. Russell is someone I'll likely want to own in about two weeks and confidently start in about two months.

Kent Bazemore continued his shenanigans, recording 15 points (5-10 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT) and four steals in 25 minutes off the bench. He did play fewer minutes than Thabo Sefolosha for the fourth straight game and the Hawks were facing the Lakers, Bazemore's former team, so I stand by my earlier proclamation dismissing his must-own status. He is getting the most playing time among the reserves, but this was his best game in that role. Not playing with the starters chopped down on his open looks and gimme assists. Check out the pertinent stats based on his role below.

Patrick Beverley played well enough and depressed his foul trouble, limiting Ty Lawson to an uneventful 20 minutes. Beverley hit four three-pointers and scored a season-high 14 points in 28 minutes, and he's entered standard league consideration. Since joining the starting lineup five games ago, he's shooting 53 percent of his three-pointers and averaging 9.2 points, 2.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 30 minutes per game. The Rockets are 4-1 in his starts, and the only thing holding him back recently has been an ankle injury and early foul trouble.

J.R. Smith scored 15 points in the first quarter on five three-pointers, but he closed out the loss with three more points on 1-of-5 shooting and two of those attempts came in overtime. That is the essence of Smith. He added four rebounds to the cause.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. LeBron James, F, CLE: 37 points
2. Bradley Beal, G, WAS: 34 points
3. Anthony Davis, F, NOP: 31 points

Rebounds

1. Andre Drummond, C, DET: 23 rebounds (4 offensive)
2. Greg Monroe, C, MIL: 13 rebounds (2 offensive)
3. P.J. Tucker, F, PHX: 13 rebounds (4 offensive)

Assists

1. Tyreke Evans, G, NOP: 10 assists
2. Jose Calderon, G, NYK: 10 assists
3. James Harden, G, HOU: 9 assists
4. John Wall, G, WAS: 9 assists

Steals

1. Anthony Davis, F, NOP: 4 steals
2. Trevor Ariza, F, HOU: 4 steals
3. Kent Bazemore, F, ATL: 4 steals

Blocks

1. Kyle Korver, G, ATL: 3 blocks
2. Robin Lopez, C, NYK: 3 blocks
3. John Henson, C, MIL: 3 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. J.R. Smith, G, CLE: 6-13 3Pt
2. Bradley Beal, G, WAS: 5-8 3Pt
3. Carmelo Anthony, F, NYK: 5-8 3Pt

Minutes

1. Anthony Davis, F, NOP: 46 minutes
2. LeBron James, F, CLE: 45 minutes
3. Matthew Dellavedova, G, CLE: 42 minutes