The main thing that struck me watching Thursday's games, amid all the big lines, and blow outs, was imagining if Courtney Lee hit the very same type of buzzer beater when he was a member of the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The history of the NBA could be very different. Dwight Howard could've won a championship in Orlando and we'd have so many different outcomes. He didn't back then, but he did Thursday, in an improbable victory for the Grizzlies.

ADD ME! ADD ME!

The Sacramento Kings' Ben McLemore is currently in the midst of the best run of form of his short career, a far cry from the uncertain future many speculated he faced in the offseason. When the Kings drafted Nik Stauskas in the 2014 Draft, many though that they would be moving on from McLemore after just one season. But early on the season, it looks a different story. McLemore has scored in double digits in the past five games and has dropped 11 three-pointers in the past three contests. Against the Grizzlies, McLemore scored 17 points (6-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-4 FT) with four rebounds in 37 minutes and is proving himself to be a reliable scorer. Owned in six percent of ESPN leagues and 25 percent of Yahoo leagues, McLemore is likely available in 10 and 12 teams leagues, and with his current vein of form, should be considered by all owners, particularly if you are looking for a bump in points.

M.I.A.

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

• Kings
  • Derrick Williams (DNP-CD)
• Sixers
  • Alexey Shved (back)
• Mavericks
  • Raymond Felton (suspended)
• Warriors
  • David Lee (hamstring)

CASUALTY WARD

Only one injury to talk about, but it was a big one. Well, a big name at least. Derrick Rose left the game against the Raptors after injuring his left hamstring, and while he says it's nothing serious, with Rose, we all have to be a little concerned. He also said his ankle problem wasn't a big deal and he ended up missing four games with that ailment. The Bulls play again Saturday and you'd have to think the chances of him playing aren't high. If he doesn't play, Aaron Brooks is a nice add for the duration of Rose's absence.

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

If anyone thought Pau Gasol was washed up in Los Angeles, you've surely changed your tune after watching his start in Chicago. Nothing exemplified more than his performance in Toronto, scoring 27 points (12-19 FG, 3-4 FT) with 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three blocks in 35 minutes. Gasol is putting up top 20 fantasy numbers for the season, averaging 19.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 35 minutes per night and looks like the Pau from three seasons ago.

ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT

In his return from an ankle injury, Nerlens Noel turned n the best performance from the limited pool of rookies that played in Thursday's muted slate. Noel scored just five points (2-7 FG, 1-6 FT), but added seven rebounds, three steals, and one block in his 29 bench minutes. He's been arguably the most productive fantasy rookie for the season, which would make owners happy, as he was routinely the first rookie off the board in drafts.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH

Jimmy Butler's phenomenal start to the season continued Thursday, getting close to the trip-dub with 21 points (7-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, six assists, and a block in 40 minutes. His numbers are streets ahead of his averages from last season that he seems like a new player and fantasy owners have gotten a bargain so far.

Kyle Lowry is a threat for a triple-double every night and already has one this season. Against the Bulls in the nationally televised game, Lowry put up 20 points (8-19 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-3 FT) with eight rebounds and eight assists, and has shaken off the theory that his monster 2013-14 season was fueled by a singular desire for a new contract, and nothing more.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

While not scoring a bunch a points, Joakim Noah turned in a fantasy relevant line of six points (3-5 FG, 0-2 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block in 33 minutes. He is currently averaging 4.6 points per game less than last season and owners who invested a second or third round draft choice in the All-Star center would be feeling a little disappointed.

James Johnson was oh so close to grabbing the fantasy line of the night from Pau Gasol, turning in a remarkable line of 16 points (7-9 FG, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, one assist, four steals, and four blocks in just 24 minutes. Johnson's minutes have been fairly consistent and at the moment, he's only a must add in deeper leagues, but he's definitely someone to watch in standard leagues, particularly for the crazy potential steal and block numbers.

Jonas Valanciunas played just 23 minutes, not due to foul trouble, and posted eight points and eight rebounds and there appears to be some sort of issue between him and coach Dwane Casey. He's not droppable, but there should be some level of concern in the minutes the Raptors are playing their center.

DeMar DeRozan couldn't hit the water if he was shooting into the ocean off a pier Thursday, going 3-of-17 for 10 points. He did jump ahead of Andrea Bargnani on the Raptors' all-time scorers list though, but fantasy owners will just want to forget about this performance.

Darren Collison was back in the starting lineup after missing one game due to a shoulder issue and went back to work right away, scoring 20 points (6-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 6-7 FT) with two rebounds, five assist, one steal, and one block. Collison has been a surprise this season and it doesn't appear like it will slow down any time soon.

Carl Landry was eventful in 25 minutes, scoring 10 points with four rebounds, but also accumulating six fouls in his time on the court. Landry is a deep league only player at the moment, but with Jason Thompson struggling, Landry could easily see himself getting close to 30 minutes a night in the near future.

Tayshaun Prince started for the Grizzlies over Courtney Lee in an odd move, but played just 11 minutes compared with Lee's 36. There's no need to be concerned over Lee's role as he still was excellent and was likely benched due to matchups only. Lee had 16 points (6-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT) including the game-winner with time expiring, adding three assists, and three steals. Lee's efficiency is through the roof and he has to be owned in all fantasy leagues at the moment..

Marc Gasol stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points (5-13 FG, 10-11 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks and is looking more like 2012-13 Gasol rather than the version we saw last season.

Apart from the return of Michael Carter-WIlliams, the Mavericks and Sixers game is something best erased from everyone's memory. The Mavs held a 40 point lead in the second quarter, running out 53 point victors, a Dallas franchise high. MCW looked good off the bench in the area we expect him to look good in, scoring 19 points on 19 shots, adding eight rebounds, and five assists in 30 minutes. Tony Wroten started, but played just 25 minutes and was much less effective than he has been to start the season. Wroten value just took a substantial hit and I wouldn't be surprised that if in a couple of weeks, Wroten is unownable in standard leagues.

Jarrett Jack was ridiculously efficient for the Nets, hitting all 10 of his shot attempts, ending with 23 points. He added three rebounds, and three assists in 26 minutes and it's nigh on impossible Jack hits 100 percent of shots again this season. Consider this an outlier of the higher order.

Draymond Green continues to show why David Lee will likely find it difficult to regain his starting job, scoring 17 points (7-14 FG, 3-8 3Pt) with eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two blocks. Green has been the hottest waiver-wire add this season and will be a fantasy force for the remainder of the season.

Andrew Bogut was also outstanding for the Warriors, pulling down 14 rebounds to go with five assists, one steal and four blocks. He double-doubled as well, scoring 11 points, Bogut is playing the best ball he has in years, but the injury specter hangs over him always.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Pau Gasol, F, CHI, 27 points
2. Rudy Gay, F, MEM, 25 points
3. Klay Thompson, G, GSW, 25 points

Rebounds

1. Andrew Bogut, C, GSW, 14 rebounds
2. DeMarcus Cousins, C, SAC, 12 rebounds
3. Pau Gasol, F, CHI, 11 rebounds

Assists

1. Mike Conley, G, MEM, 11 assists
2. J.J. Barea, G, DAL, 11 assists
3. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR, 8 assists

Steals

1. James Johnson, F, TOR, 4 steals
2. Monta Ellis, G, DAL, 3 steals
3. Courtney Lee, G, MEM, 3 steals
4. Joakim Noah, C, CHI, 3 steals
5. Joe Johnson, G, BKN, 3 steals
6. Jae Crowder, F, DAL, 3 steals
7. Nerlens Noel, C, PHI, 3 steals

Blocks

1. Andrew Bogut, C, GSW, 4 blocks
2. James Johnson, F, TOR, 4 blocks
3. Pau Gasol, F, CHI, 3 blocks
4. DeMarcus Cousins, C, SAC, 3 blocks
5. Marreese Speights, F, GSW, 3 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Klay Thompson, G, GSW, 4-9 3Pt
2. Draymond Green, F, GSW, 3-8 3Pt
3. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR, 3-7 3Pt
4. Steph Curry, G, GSW, 3-7 3Pt
5. Vince Carter, G, MEM, 3-4 3Pt
6. Ben McLemore, G, SAC, 3-6 3Pt

Minutes

1. Jimmy Butler, G, CHI, 40 minutes
2. Rudy Gay, F, SAC, 40 minutes
3. Mike Conley, G, MEM, 39 minutes