Kobe Bryant and Jeremy Lin combined to score 44 points against the Warriors. In actuality, Lin was held scoreless in 22 minutes. Bryant did the heavy lifting in 31 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter with the rest of the starters. He battled illness for the second straight contest, suffering through a 1-of-14 performance in his previous game. Rookie T.J. Warren also posted a 40-point game, albeit in the D-League.

HOSPITAL WARD

Ryan Kelly played 12 minutes before aggravating his hamstring for the second time this season. He'll seek the advice of a doctor before deciding if he can join the Lakers on their upcoming three-game road trip.

Aaron Gordon left the arena Saturday night in a walking boot and reportedly fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. Kevin Durant suffered a similar prognosis during the preseason, less than stellar news for the rookie. Because he was primarily playing power forward, Tobias Harris should see sustained minutes, and Maurice Harkless could possibly get some extended run. The primary beneficiary, in my eyes, has to be Kyle O'Quinn, once he returns from an ankle injury.

M.I.A.

If you didn't play last night, you made this list.

• Denver
  • Randy Foye (knee)
• Houston
  • Isaiah Canaan (DNP-CD)
• Los Angeles
  • Wayne Ellington (personal)
• Miami
  • Dwyane Wade (hamstring)
  • Josh McRoberts (toe)
• New York
  • Iman Shumpert (hip)
• Oklahoma City
  • Perry Jones III (knee)
  • Andre Roberson (foot)

ROTATION NOTES

Giannis Antetokounmpo started in place of Ersan Ilyasova. Khris Middleton then started the second half over Jared Dudley. In total, three Bucks (Brandon Knight, Jabari Parker, and Antetokounmpo) played more than 30 minutes. John Henson chipped in with a solid three-minute cameo off the bench. Say what you will about coach Jason Kidd, the team is 5-5 and third in Defensive Rating playing Larry Sanders just 22 minutes a night. Antetokounmpo finished the game with 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-7 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and five turnovers in 32 minutes. As long as Kidd plays him at small or power forward, he'll continue to win that offensive matchup.

Quincy Acy started over Jason Smith, and Amar'e Stoudemire returned after sitting the previous game due to rest. J.R. Smith, not Tim Haraway Jr, entered the starting lineup in place of the injured Iman Shumpert. Acy provided eight points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, three steals, and three assists in his matchup against Kenneth Faried. J.R. Smith scored 28 points (10-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-8 FT), grabbed four rebounds, tallied four assists, notched two steals, and blocked a shot in 37 minutes.

Mario Chalmers started over James Ennis, who replaced Dwyane Wade the previous game. Wade is considered day-to-day and will join the team on their trip to Brooklyn. The Heat plays four games this week with no guarantee Wade suits up tonight.

Patrick Beverley returned after missing seven of the Rockets' last eight contests. Isaiah Canaan received the DNP-CD. Beverley chipped in 12 points (4-10 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-2 FG), eight rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 29 minutes. He also picked up his first technical foul of the year. In Beverley, you're getting a point guard who shoots threes, grabs rebounds, and provides above average steals. If he fits your team and is still on the wire, use him while healthy.

STAT LINE OF THE NIGHT

Stephen Curry, recipient of the Dan Forden Award as well, needed 30 minutes to secure 30 points (10-19 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 15 assists, four rebounds, and one steal against the Lakers. According to Basketball-Reference, no player has compiled 30 points and 15 assists in 30 minutes over the past 30 seasons. Not much else to add here.

ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT

Jabari Parker, currently the most owned Buck in Yahoo! leagues (88%), played more than 30 minutes for the first time since the third game of the season. He contributed 13 points (5-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 33 minutes against a deflated Miami Heat.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Steven Adams blocked a career-high six shots and Dwight Howard had his shot blocked six times before fouling out in 40 minutes. Serge Ibaka chipped in with five blocks and four missed three-pointers. Adams recorded all six blocks prior to halftime but finished the night with one point (0-2 FG, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist, and five fouls in 23 minutes.

Marreese Speights scored 24 points (8-11 FG, 8-8 FG) in 20 minutes against the Lakers. He made all but one shot inside of five feet. Look for David Lee to pilfer those minutes when he returns.

Chris Bosh shot 2-of-17 from the field and finished with 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, five blocks and one steal. He could only muster three attempts in the paint against Larry Sanders and the Bucks. Over his last three games, Bosh has shot 12-of-49 from the field, missing Dwyane Wade in two of those contests.

The Nuggets scored eight points in the second quarter and made one basket, a buzzer-beating Ty Lawson layup. Also, somewhat unexpectedly, four Nuggets (Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Kenneth Faried, and Wilson Chandler) played more than 30 minutes. I think Brian Shaw had something to prove against his former mentor, Phil Jackson.

The Rockets defeated the Thunder, 69-65, in an NBA game. Houston shot 7-of-35 from downtown and scored nine points in the third quarter. Both teams shot less than 30 percent from the field.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Kobe Bryant, G, LAL: 44 points (15-34 FG, 3-12 3Pt, 11-16 FT)
2. Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 30 points (10-19 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 5-5 FT)
3. Carmelo Anthony, F, NYK: 28 points (10-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 6-8 FT)
4. J.R. Smith, F, NYK: 28 points (10-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-8 FT)

Rebounds

1. Jordan Hill, C, LAL: 11 rebounds (6 offensive)
2. Shawne Williams, F, MIA: 11 rebounds (2 offensive)
3. Reggie Jackson, G, OKC: 11 rebounds (1 offensive)

Assists

1. Stephen  Curry, G, GSW: 15 assists (3 turnovers)
2. Ty Lawson, G, DEN: 9 assists (6 turnovers)
3. James Harden, G, HOU: 5 assists (4 turnovers)
4. Chris Bosh, C, MIA: 5 assists (2 turnovers)
5. Mario Chalmers, G, MIA: 5 assists (3 turnovers)
6. Ronnie Price, G, LAL: 5 assists (2 turnovers)

Steals

1. Luol Deng, F, MIA: 3 steals
2. Ronnie Price, G, LAL: 3 steals
3. Khris Middleton, G, MIL: 3 steals
4. Quincy Acy, F, NYK: 3 steals

Blocks

1. Steven Adams, OKC: 6 blocks
2. Serge Ibaka, F, OKC: 5 blocks
3. Chris Bosh, C, MIA: 5 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 5-9 3Pt
2. Arron Afflalo, G, DEN: 5-7 3Pt
3. Brandon Knight, G, MIL: 4-7 3Pt

Minutes

1. Ty Lawson, G, DEN: 40 minutes
2. Dwight Howard, C, HOU: 40 minutes
3. Chris Bosh, C, MIA: 39 minutes