Some supplemental waiver wire suggestions, for players with weekend claim deadlines:
- I was hesitant to recommend Timofey Mozgov in Tuesday's column -- which I wrote the day after he torched the Detroit Pistons for 23-and-14. My fears were confirmed to some degree when Mozgov was a no-show against the Mavs on Wednesday. But the rookie had another nice game tonight against the Sixers: nine points, seven boards and two blocks in 22 minutes. And Ronny Turiaf left the game with what the MSG network reported as a sprained ankle, which could move Mozgov further up the depth chart for a couple of weeks depending on severity.
- Shawne Williams got the start for New York tonight, as Mike D'Antoni wanted to use a bigger defender on Elton Brand. Didn't work. Williams played just 12 minutes, scored six points and missed a last-second attempt that would have tied the game. Brand scored 33. (Brand kills the Knicks -- worth noting, as these two teams play again on Sunday.)
- Tyler Hansbrough has scored in double-figures in all three games since Frank Vogel took over the Pacers. A revelation -- maybe changing the lineup every 35 minutes isn't the best way to develop players.
- Carlos Delfino and Ersan Ilyasova ve been putting up very nice numbers for a banged-up Bucks team.
- Trevor Ariza's ankle injury could create an opportunity for Marcus Thornton to re-claim a more prominent role in the Hornets' offense. Rookie Quincy Pondexter could also get a look. The Hornets are also playing without Emeka Okafor. Jason Smith is starting in Okafor's place for now, but splitting time more or less evenly with David Andersen -- I still think Andersen has the most upside of the potential Okafor replacements.
- Reggie Evans is due back very soon - and was averaging 12 boards per game before he got hurt.