So, Kobe Bryant crossed the 32,000 point plateau, and what's more, the Lakers actually got the W. Perhaps coincidentally, Nick "Swaggy P" Young made his season debut. You connect the dots. But there were seven other teams in action Tuesday, let's break down those box scores.
ADD ME! ADD ME!
With assists being such a difficult stat to procure from the waiver-wire, it's a little strange that Utah's Trey Burke is available in as many leagues as he is. Currently owned in 78 percent of ESPN leagues, and just 67 percent of Yahoo leagues, the Jazz starting point guard helped lead his team to an easy victory over the Thunder with 17 points (7-17 FG, 3-5 3Pt) with one rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and one block. In his last four games, Burke has averaged 8.3 assists per game and there is no reason he shouldn't be 100 percent owned, even considering his 33 percent field goal shooting. That won't continue, but neither will his availability. Act now.
M.I.A.
These guys all sat out Tuesday's action, for one reason or another.
- Lakers
- Xavier Henry (DNP-CD)
- Wayne Ellington (personal)
- Hawks
- DeMarre Carroll (groin)
- Knicks
- Andrea Bargnani (hamstring)
- Jose Calderon (calf)
- Quincy Acy (DNP-CD)
- Bucks
- Kendall Marshall (DNP-CD)
- Larry Sanders (bruised thigh)
- Thunder
- Perry Jones III (knee)
- Andre Roberson (foot)
- Kevin Durant (foot)
- Russell Westbrook (hand)
- Jazz
- Rodney Hood (foot)
- Pelicans
- Omer Asik (back)
- KIngs
- Ramon Sessions (DNP-CD)
- Derrick Williams (DNP-CD)
CASUALTY WARD
No actual injuries during the games of Tuesday, but Carmelo Anthony seemed to be laboring with a knee issue, which he owned up to after the game. Melo said it is something that he will just have to play through and that it isn't serious, but things can change and we need to monitor the situation. If Anthony was to miss, J.R. Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr. and rookie Cleanthony Early would receive increases in playing time and responsibility.
FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT
Anthony Davis was oh so close to back-to-back line of the nights, but instead, the honors go to Paul Millsap, who did all he could to urge his Hawks, unsuccessfully I might add, over the line against the Lakers. Millsap had 29 points (11-16 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-8 FT), four rebounds, three assists, four steals, and two blocks in 33 minutes and after a slow start, is really motoring along, giving owners second-round value so far this season.
BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES
Aside from Kobe Bryant's historical accomplishments, he had a decent fantasy game as well, scoring 28 points (10-18 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT) with four rebounds, three assists, and one steal n 37 minutes. Remarkably, this is the first time this season Bryant has shot above 44 percent from the field, going at 56 percent in the victory.
Jeremy Lin bounced back from Sunday's scoreless outing, missing just one shot on his way to 15 points and 10 assists. This is closer to the norm than Sunday's dud for Lin.
Nick Young returned to action, playing 28 minutes off the bench, and did what he does best - got buckets. Young scored 17 points (6-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT) with five rebounds and a steal, but he's not quite a must-own in all formats. If you are hurting for points though, there aren't many better option who could be available on your wire.
The Kyle Korver basketball experience seems to ave come back to earth, with Korver scoring just eight points with three assists and one block. It wasn't ever going to last, but it sure was fun.
Shelvin Mack played 20 minutes as opposed to Dennis Schröder's 17 minutes, but it still feels like Schröder will be the better deeper league option.
Iman Shumpert returned for the Knicks from his hip contusion and picked up right where he left off, scoring 21 points (9-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT) with eight rebounds, eight assists, and three steals. He's another guy who's hot start is almost unbelievable, and odds are that it won't continue. In saying that, he should be owned in all leagues for the time being.
J.R. Smith remained in the starting lineup even with Shumpert back, but struggled with his shot, hitting just 4-of-12 for nine points. Derek Fisher's rotations are getting almost as frustrating as Brian Shaw and Jason Kidd. Almost, but not quite there.
Speaking of Jason Kidd, Giannis Antetokounmpo started another game, but played just 18 minutes, which may have been due to some early foul guarding Carmelo Anthony. He still scored 13 points with six rebounds, but the extra stats weren't there. For now, Antetokounmpo is a guy who should be seriously considered in 12 team leagues.
After two healthy scratches in a row, Khris Middleton has now played 53 minutes in the last two games, actually starting Tuesday's game. He was very productive as well, scoring 13 points (4-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) with seven rebounds and three assists. Until Kidd works out what he's got, not many Bucks can be owned, including Middleton.
With Larry Sanders a late scratch due to a thigh bruise, Zaza Pachulia started and double-doubled with 14 points and 13 rebounds in 35 minutes. It's officially over for John Henson, who played just 13 minutes with Sanders out.
Jeremy Lamb continued his inconsistency, scoring a team-high 19 points (5-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 6-6 FT)with four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 36 minutes. He's a better fantasy option than Anthony Morrow, and if you're still holding Perry Jones III, you should make the switch for Lamb.
Serge Ibaka was disappointing with just six points (2-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, one steal, and one block in only 22 minutes. Consider this an off night for Serge, there's no reason to panic.
Alec Burks got his second consecutive double-digit rebounding night, scoring 20 points in the process. Will this continue? No, but Burks is a must-own player in 12 team leagues and is proving himself worthy of the extension he received earlier this season.
Enes Kanter had 16 points and 15 rebounds, but literally nothing else and shot a poor 6-of-16 from the field. It's hard to complain about 15 rebounds though, and Kanter is still on a lot of waiver-wires.
I mentioned that Anthony Davis was unlucky to miss the line of the night, scoring 28 points (11-19 FG, 6-8 FT) with nine rebounds, two steals, and three blocks in 41 minutes. At this point, what he is doing is just unfair.
Eric Gordon is undergoing a mini resurgence, scoring at least 11 points in three straight, and shooting over 53 percent in all three games. He could be worth an add if you have someone to drop, and if he drops off again, you cut bait.
DeMarcus Cousins rolled on with 24 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocks and looks like a bona fide All-Star.
Of note for the Kings, Ramon Sessions did not get into the game at all, with Ray McCallum the preferred backup, getting 21 minutes behind Darren Collison. So much for that position battle in the preseason, am I right?
NIGHTLY LEADERS
Points
- Paul Millsap, F, ATL, 29 points
- Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 28 points
- Kobe Bryant, G, LAL, 28 points
Rebounds
- DeMarcus Cousins, C, SAC, 17 rebounds
- Enes Kanter, F, UTA, 15 rebounds
- Alec Burks, G, UTA, 14 rebounds
Assists
- Darren Collison, G, SAC, 11 assists
- Jeremy Lin, G, LAL, 10 assists
- Trey Burke, G, UTA, 9 assists
- Brandon Knight, G, MIL, 9 assists
- Jrue Holiday, G, NOP, 9 assists
Steals
- Paul Millsap, F, ATL, 4 steals
- Iman Shumpert, G, NYK, 3 steals
- Joe Ingles, F, UTA, 3 steals
Blocks
- Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 3 blocks
- Paul Millsap, F, ATl, 2 blocks
- DeMarcus Cousins, C, SAC, 2 blocks
- Alec Burks, G, UTA, 2 blocks
- Steven Adams, C, OKC, 2 blocks
- Luke Babbitt, F, NOP, 2 blocks
- Samuel Dalembert, C, NYK, 2 blocks
Three-Pointers
- Ryan Anderson, F, NOP, 4-12 3Pt
- Nine players tied with 3 3Pt
Minutes
- Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 41 minutes
- Kyle Korver, F, ATL, 39 minutes
- Alec Burks, G, UTA, 38 minutes
- Carmelo Anthony, F, NYK, 38 minutes