I watched Klay Thompson miss a dunk and a layup last night and then witnessed Gerald Wallace lead the fast break after picking off a pass near mid-court only to shank the uncontested layup. Marreese Speights and Draymond Green both flubbed dunk attempts as well. It was a nice reminder that athletes are human, too.
HOSPITAL WARD
Andrew Bogut caught a Kendrick Perkins elbow to the face, stayed in for a bit, then left to an orbital contusion diagnosis. Festus Ezili started in the second half. I don't know if Bogut misses time, but at least it wasn't a fracture. A CT scan was negative, so I'd consider him day-to-day. The Warriors don't play until Tuesday.
The story of the night, however, was Marreese Speights. In 25 minutes off the bench, Speights provided a season-high 28 points (11-18 FG, 6-9 FT), seven rebounds, and two assists. He later thanked Perkins in the postgame for providing the impetus for an otherworldly performance, saying:
"It's just that Perk always has something to say. He thinks he's a tough guy, but at the end of the day, his game is terrible. He always has something to say to me, every time we play against each other. It always gets me going. So shout out to Perkins for helping me get this game."
Something I thought was underreported was the apparent knee injury I saw Speights suffer late in the game. He played through it, but exited the game with just over two minutes remaining. Keep your eyes peeled in case tests reveal an injury. While adding him seems like the prudent move, David Lee could join the fold by the end of the road-trip, according to Steve Kerr. If Bogut is expected to miss more than this week, then I'd consider grabbing Speights because the Warriors play five straight games against the Eastern Conference, but you're essentially getting Andray Blatche 2.0.
Leandro Barbosa suffered a sprained right knee, but stayed in the game a few more possession before leaving. Any time missed on his end would open up minutes for Shaun Livingston.
JaVale McGee suffered a lower left leg strain. This isn't his first leg injury, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him miss time. His 11.7 minutes per game will likely go to whoever is on Brian Shaw's good side.
Chris Andersen sprained his right ankle in less than two minutes off the bench and did not return. He was playing just under 16 minutes per game, a non-factor in most fantasy leagues. Luol Deng played a season-high 38 minutes and scored 19 of his 26 points (10-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT) in the first half. I don't know that Andersen's injury accelerates John McRoberts' timetable, but guys like Udonis Haslem and Shawne Williams could receive a bump in minutes if Andersen misses extended action.
M.I.A
- Charlotte
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (foot)
- P.J. Hairston (ankle)
- Golden State
- David Lee (hamstring)
- LA Lakers
- Carlos Boozer (shoulder)
- Ryan Kelly (hamstring)
- Miami
- Dwyane Wade (hamstring)
- Norris Cole (finger)
- Oklahoma City
- Perry Jones III (knee)
- Portland
- C.J. McCollum (finger)
ROTATION NOTES
Carlos Boozer sat out with a left shoulder strain, bumping Ed Davis into the starting lineup. With no safety net, Davis fouled out in 22 minutes and finished with four points (1-3 FG, 2-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Consider it the cost of playing next to Kobe Bryant instead of coming off the bench. To add injury to insult, Davis tweaked his ankle. It didn't sound serious, and I'd still prefer to own Davis over Boozer for the rest of the season.
Tony Allen made his way back from the flu after missing the previous two games, replacing Tayshaun Prince in the starting lineup. He only played 20 minutes but did score 12 points (4-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT) in limited action. Prince was held in check with DNP-CD. Nick Calathes made his season debut after missing the first 13 games due to suspension. He played eight minutes in the blowout victory.
The Denver Nuggets' rotation really deserves its own section. Danilo Gallinari played a season-high 31 minutes off the bench. Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, and Wilson Chandler played more than 40 minutes in the 101-94 overtime win over the Lakers, and they're the only three players averaging more than 30 minutes in Denver over the past six games. Timofey Mozgov is just on the cusp at 29.2 minutes per game during the Nuggets' 5-1 stretch. You can see the rotation beginning to form, but then Kenneth Faried plays 19 minutes overall and just eight minutes in the second half. I heard murmurs of a possible ankle issue, so that's something to keep an eye on moving forward.
FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT
Marc Gasol had his way with DeAndre Jordan, compiling 30 points (13-18 FG, 4-5 FT), 12 rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in 34 minutes. It's the first time in his career with consecutive 30-point games, fourth such game of his career, and third time he's met that benchmark this season. His numbers across the board have increased from last season, with the exception of assists. Sitting at 19.9 points per game, I think it's fair to wonder if he'll revert back to his customary 14.6 points per game, his previous career-high.
ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT
Shabazz Napier played a season-high 34 minutes off the bench with Dwyane Wade (hamstring) and Norris Cole (finger) sidelined. Shannon Brown started at shooting guard but only played 17 minutes. Napier scored 14 points, hit four three-pointers, recorded three assists, and two steals with the minutes bump. It's his fifth consecutive game in double figures and during that stretch he's shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 50 percent from downtown. With Mario Chalmers running the offense, don't expect many assists alongside all those points while Wade and Cole sit.
TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH
Reggie Jackson helped himself to 22 points (10-26 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, eight assists, and one steal in 36 minutes against the Warriors. Russell Westbrook is looming around the corner, increasing your urgency to cash in on Jackson, if possible. After failing to acquire Victor Oladipo, I've targeted Eric Bledsoe and Chandler Parsons in my rotisserie league. As unlikely as those trades are to occur, I wouldn't just give Jackson away, so I'm ready to retain him if other managers are scared off. However, because I own him in a rotisserie league, Jose Calderon intrigues me for his enhanced value of high percentages and low turnovers.
Draymond Green sure wants to keep that starting gig. In 40 minutes, Green collected 10 points (3-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and one steal. He's outplaying Harrison Barnes, so I wouldn't be too concerned about a drastic reduction in minutes if and when David Lee returns. In 31.9 minutes per game, Green is one of three players, the others being Danny Green and James Johnson, to average at least one steal, one block, and one three-pointer per game this season.
BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES
It's fair to say Blake Griffin shooting woes stem from an infatuation with the mid-range jumper, converting at just under the league average. For the season, Griffin is attempting 8.3 mid-range shots per game (fifth most), nearly 46 percent of his overall attempts and just ahead of Dirk Nowitzki. As soon as he starts trading in those low-percentage shots for more efficient looks, his career-low 47.7 percent field goal mark could meet his career average of 52.1 percent. To drive home the points, Griffin finished last night's games 5-of-17 from the field, 2-of-8 from mid-range, and only attempted one shot in the fourth quarter. Perhaps we're not privy to an underlying injury, directive, or internal matter.
DeAndre Jordan was limited to 20 minutes of foul-plagued deconstruction by Marc Gasol, closing the night with two points (1-2 FG), three rebounds, and two steals in his worst game of the season. It happens to everyone, so no need to panic just yet.
Kelly Olynyk was held scoreless for the second time in the past four games. He bounced back well enough last time to squash overbearing concern, but hasn't played more than 27 minutes in any of those four contests. The Celtics don't play again until Friday, shoving the Olynyk talk to the backburner until then.
Chris Kaman carried on his effectiveness tour, scoring 16 points in 18 minutes on 6-of-13 shooting. He also corralled eight rebounds, really driving home the fact that the Celtics front court is one of the weakest in the league and one you should exploit in daily fantasy sports.
Mario Chalmers recorded his second consecutive double-double, 20 points and 10 assists, coinciding with Norris Cole's absence from the lineup. Dwyane Wade (hamstring) missed his sixth straight game and I haven't seen a possible return date, providing fantasy owners peace of mind when riding Chalmers, who managed to score 12 points in the fourth quarter on one three-pointer and nine free throws.
The Thunder and Warriors combined to miss 118 shots, allowing Anthony Morrow to tie his career-high with 12 rebounds. Steven Adams and Marreese Speights were the only players shoot better than 50 percent from the field. Klay Thompson shot 6-of-2o and Stephen Curry struggled for the second straight game, finishing 5-of-15 overall. Serge Ibaka closed out the night 5-of-17 from the field, although blocked a season-high five shots.
NIGHTLY LEADERS
Points
- Marc Gasol, C, MEM: 30 points (13-18 FG, 4-5 FT)
- Marreese Speights, F, GSW: 28 points (11-18 FG, 6-9 FT)
- Kobe Bryant, G, LAL: 27 points (10-24 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-10 FT)
Rebounds
- LaMarcus Aldridge, F, POR: 14 rebounds (3 offensive)
- Jordan Hill, C, LAL: 14 rebounds (1 offensive)
- Timofey Mozgov, C, DEN: 13 rebounds (6 offensive)
Assists
- Ty Lawson, G, DEN: 16 assists (5 turnovers)
- Mario Chalmers, G, MIA: 10 assists (3 turnovers)
- Reggie Jackson, G, OKC: 8 assists (2 turnovers)
- Rajon Rondo, G, 8 assists (2 turnovers)
Steals
- Damian Lillard, G, POR: 4 steals
- Chris Paul, G, LAC: 4 steals
- Kemba Walker, G, CHA: 3 steals
- Robert Sacre, C, LAL: 3 steals
Blocks
- Serge Ibaka, F, OKC: 5 blocks
- Andre Roberson, F, OKC: 3 blocks
- Wesley Johnson, F, LAL: 3 blocks
Three-Pointers
- Wilson Chandler, F, DEN: 5-11 3Pt
- Klay Thompson, G, GSW: 4-11 3Pt
- Shabazz Napier, G, MIA: 4-5 3Pt
Minutes
- Kobe Bryant, G, LAL: 44 minutes
- Ty Lawson, G, DEN: 43 minutes
- Wesley Johnson, G, LAL: 42 minutes
- Jordan Hill, C, LAL: 42 minutes
- Arron Afflalo, G, DEN: 42 minutes