Chris Paul passed Jerry West on the all-time assists leaderboard and Jamal Crawford is now top-10 in all-time made three-pointers. Dirk Nowitzki passed Oscar Robertson on the all-time field goals made list on Robertson's birthday. The Cavaliers snapped a four-game losing streak and the Sixers remain winless, falling to 0-14 after missing all eight three-point attempts against the Blazers, ending a streak of 209 straight games with at least one made three-pointer.

HOSPITAL WARD

Gary Neal suffered a left shoulder contusion and did not return to the game, scoring eight points (2-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT) in 14 minutes off the bench. Brian Roberts picked up the slack with 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-5 3Pt), two assists, one rebound and one steal in 27 minutes. I couldn't find additional news on Neal, but Kyrie Irving suffered a similar injury two seasons ago and missed three weeks. Roberts gains relevance because coach Steve Clifford benched Lance Stephenson the final 17 minutes of the second half. Coach then added the following sentiment postgame:

"Tonight against a defense like that, the ball can't stick. When Brian Roberts is out there with Kemba or Gary, that would be our best offensive team."

- Steve Clifford

Stephenson finished with three points (1-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six assists, and three rebounds in 28 minutes. With Neal's status in doubt, P.J. Hairston (ankle) and Michael, Kidd-Gilchrist (foot) sidelined, and the Hornets in the midst of five games in seven nights, you assume Stephenson would garner more playing time. Would I be shocked if Clifford starts Roberts over Stephenson? Probably not after that statement he made, especially considering the Hornets are a bottom-5 offensive team. Stay tuned and pray Stephenson records a triple-double soon, permitting you to explore trading him for a more stable force.

CARMELOOOOOOOOO ANNNNNNNNNNNNTHONYYYYYYYYY exited the game prior to halftime with back spasms. Chandler Parsons played through back spasms the first month of last season, ultimately sitting two games and receiving acupuncture treatment. However, his shooting dropped off mightily in the second half, converting 42 percent from the field and 32 percent from deep post-All-Star break. Parsons played 74 games last season.

Anthony is traveling with the team for their game Wednesday in Dallas, but it's unclear the severity of the spasms or when he'll return. He's also dealing with an unrelated left knee issue, one he's played through since the second game of the season. Coach Derek Fisher said the team will know more in the next two days on how to proceed with Anthony, who was the only Knick to score double figures last night in 18 minutes of action. Fisher started Shane Larkin in the second half and opted to use Travis Wear and Pablo Prigioni over J.R. Smith, so that tells you where the Knicks stand at the moment. Luckily for them, they own their first round draft pick this year. If Anthony misses weeks instead of days, Tim Hardaway becomes a speculative add for points and threes only. Jose Calderon shouldn't remain on many waiver wires much longer.

If you're floundering in the standings or lapping the field and looking to make a big splash, I think you could offer a lowball trade for Anthony based on this injury news. It's a calculated risk that could pay off if he's treated properly and rests sufficient time. If I could snare Anthony from a worried owner for someone like Marcin Gortat or Greg Monroe, I'd gamble with those dice.

M.I.A.

• Charlotte
  • P.J. Hairston (ankle)
  • Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (foot)
• Chicago
  • Taj Gibson (ankle)
  • Kirk Hinrich (chest)
• Cleveland
  • Mike Miller (DNP-CD)
• Houston
  • Terrence Jones (leg)
  • Patrick Beverley (hamstring)
  • Dwight Howard (knee)
• Indiana
  • George Hill (knee)
  • David West (ankle)
  • Roy Hibbert (ankle)
• Los Angeles
  • Matt Barnes (calf)
• Orlando
  • Tobias Harris (calf)
  • Kyle O'Quinn (ankle)
• Toronto
  • Tyler Hansbrough (shoulder)

ROTATION NOTES

Nerlens Noel shifted to a bench role after he and Tony Wroten missed shootaround with an illness. Brandon Davies started and fouled out in 14 minutes trying to contain LaMarcus Aldridge. Noel performed valiantly under the circumstances, contributing 12 points (6-7 FG), five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in 33 minutes. I don't think he'll come off the bench much longer.

Tobias Harris (calf) did not play against the Cavaliers after missing the previous game and will be reevaluated today. Maurice Harkless started over Willie Green in an attempt to stymie LeBron James. Mission unaccomplished. Harkless stayed in the game after picking up two fouls in the first five minutes, registering three fouls by the end of the quarter. James scored 16 of his 29 points (9-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 9-11 FT) in the first quarter, matching the Magic's opening frame output. Orlando plays one game every other day for the rest of the month, forced to play six of their next seven on the road. Harris was a gametime decision but didn't feel ready to go last night, admitting "I tried to give it a shot and see. I would play on a little bit of pain, but I don't think it would be right to go out there with the way that it's feeling.''

Reggie Bullock started for Matt Barnes (calf) and played 19 minutes, ceding time to Jamal Crawford. Spencer Hawes played just nine minutes, fewest of any Clipper reserve and his season-low. Coach Doc Rivers intimated Barnes could miss the Clippers' next game, boding well for J.J. Redick.

Patrick Beverley (hamstring) sat and coach Kevin McHale didn't sound optimistic on his timeline, assuming his point guard would miss more games this time around compared to the four games he sat earlier this season. Isaiah Canaan started and supplied seven points (2-8 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three assists, and one steal in 26 minutes. The offense will continue to run through James Harden, especially with Dwight Howard (knee) and Terrence Jones (leg) shelved.

James Johnson returned rather quickly from a severe ankle sprain, missing three games in the process. He climbed into standard league relevancy prior to the injury, so keep tabs on him. Johnson played just four minutes last night against the fast-paced Suns.

Pau Gasol started after missing three games with a calf problem and Derrick Rose played 25 minutes following a four-game hamstring induced hiatus. Gasol was his normal, dominate self and Rose added 18 points, five assists, and three three-pointers. The Bulls play tonight in Denver, so I'm not sure if either suits up. Nikola Mirotic and Aaron Brooks led the reserves with 10 points and two three-pointers each, playing 28 and 23 minutes respectively. Taj Gibson (ankle) and Kirk Hinrich (chest) were absent and could miss additional time, extending the fantasy relevance for Mirotic and Brooks.

Raymond Felton finished serving his four-game suspension but found himself on the inactive list. He's still working through ankle problems and stuck behind Jameer Nelson, Devin Harris, and J.J. Barea on the depth chart.

Ian Mahinmi started for the injured Roy Hibbert (ankle), and Rodney Stuckey started over Chris Copeland. C.J. Miles scored six points (2-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT) in 17 minutes after missing the past four games with a calf injury. Hibbert doesn't have a timetable for his return, and Copeland has been terrible the last two weeks. Mahinmi finished with 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-6 FT), seven rebounds, and one block in 28 minutes. The main offensive beneficiary, aside from Luis Scola (14 points, 11 rebounds), was Donald Sloan with 29 points (10-14 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-9 FT), five assists, two rebounds, and one steal in 38 minutes. Stuckey also recorded five assists, making him fantasy relevant for as long as he can stay healthy.

Goran Dragic played 21 minutes because coach Jeff Hornacek claimed he was struggling. Miles Plumlee picked up three fouls in his first three minutes and played five minutes total. Alex Len saw just 20 minutes off the bench as Hornacek continues to give Markieff Morris ample center minutes. Neither Plumlee nor Len has played more than 23 minutes in the past four games, but it looks like Len is ready to be stashed in leagues in the event he emerges from the fray. He'll be hampered by foul trouble and injuries so don't get too attached.

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

James Harden feasted on the Knicks, scoring a season-high 36 points and nailing seven three points, to go along with six rebounds, six assists, and three steals in 40 minutes. He scored 12 points in the final five minutes and recorded his fifth 30-point game, tied for the most with LeBron James.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH

Blake Griffin came correct with 22 points (10-23 FG, 2-3 FT), 16 rebounds, and nine assists in 38 minutes. Instead of dying by the midrange jumper, Griffin unsuccessfully attacked the basket with a variety of hook shots and acrobatic missed layups.

Kyle Lowry was all over the court last night, forcing a jump ball late to seal the victory over the Suns. In 38 minutes, he provided 14 points (6-16 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight assists, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Chris Paul trudges along with a 6.79 AST/TO ratio after last night's 22 points (10-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt), season-high 15 assists, five rebounds, one block, and one turnover performance in 38 minutes. He has 102 more assists than turnovers, averaging a career-low 1.5 turnovers per game while shooting a career-high 51.7 percent from the field.

Marvin Williams attempted his first free throws of the season in his 15th game and more than 360 minutes played. Cody Zeller has played more minutes than Marvin Williams the past two contests, significantly outproducing him in the box score. He scored a career-high 17 points (5-7 FG, 7-8 FT) last night, but Williams will continue to split minutes with him because of his ability to hit three-pointers, akin to his role on the Jazz last season.

Nicolas Batum unleashed his inner devil with six points, six assists, and six rebounds. No clarification if 'Batum' translates to 'Satan' in English, but I'll keep searching.

Nikola Vucevic leads the NBA with 12 double-doubles in 16 games after last night's 18 points (8-15 FG, 2-2 FT) and 13 rebounds in 30 minutes against the Cavaliers' frontline. Victor Oladipo was the only other Magic to score in double figures, playing his best game of the season (22 points, 9 rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block, one three). Sadly, Evan Fournier's season-long double-digit scoring streak ended with just eight points (2-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT) in 31 minutes.

Jonas Valanciunas scored 15 of his career-high 27 points (10-11 FG, 7-8 FT) in the first quarter, thanks in part to Alex Len's need to bite on every pump fake. He was limited to four minutes in the final quarter, which is actually a step up after being benched in five fourth quarters already this season. Regardless, coach Dwane Casey went with Patrick Patterson in crunch time, as is the norm. Valanciunas now leads the Eastern Conference in field goal percentage (59.4 percent) after last night's effort.

Brendan Haywood blocked three shots in six minutes during the Cavaliers'106-74 win over the Magic.

Brandan Wright increased his season field goal shooting to 80 percent following last night's 6-of-6 dunk fest, supplemented by four rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes. He's now scored in double-digits eight consecutive games.

Henry Sims scored a season-high 22 points (8-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT). Tony Wroten chipped in 20 points (7-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 6-9 FT), nine assists, three steals, two rebounds, and one block in 38 minutes. Michael Carter-Williams scored 24 points on 24 shots, adding seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 33 minutes for good measure.

Carter-Williams started 0-of-5 from the field in the first five minutes, and then promptly asked out of the game due to fatigue. Wroten's eyes lit up at the sight of Carter-Williams on the bench, giving us a throwback game after a few subpar performances. Interestingly enough, he leads the NBA with 9.5 attempts per game in the restricted area, followed by DeMarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard, and Anthony Davis. In 453 minutes this season, Wroten has only attempted three mid-range shots. Believe it or not, Wroten is one of the best at attacking the rim and will always shoot the ball with his left hand, no matter the level of difficulty. It's his only move. I know it's coming every time, but I've yet to see anyone stop him from getting to the rim successfully. Wroten is the only person who can stop Wroten, occasionally shanking a layup.

Gordon Hayward missed the game winning three-pointer in his worst game of the season, thanks to Jimmy Butler's stifling defense. In 36 minutes, Hayward shot 2-of-11 from the field for six points, but did add four rebounds, three steals, one assist, and one block. Derrick Favors grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds to go along with 21 points (10-17 FG, 1-2 FT) and Trey Burke added 18 points and 1o assists in 37 minutes. It's the first time in his career shooting better than 50 percent in back-to-back games, so cherish it.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. James Harden, G, HOU: 36 points (11-22 FG, 7-12 3Pt, 7-7 FT)
2. LaMarcus Aldridge, F, POR: 33 points (13-20 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 6-7 FT)
3. LeBron James, F, CLE: 29 points (9-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 9-11 FT)
4. Donald Sloan, G, IND: 29 points (10-14 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-9 FT)

Rebounds

1. Blake Griffin, F, LAC: 16 rebounds (5 offensive)
2. Derrick Favors, C, UTA: 15 rebounds (4 offensive)
3. Nikola Vucevic, C, ORL: 13 rebounds (6 offensive)

Assists

1. Chris Paul, G, LAC: 15 assists (1 turnover)
2. LeBron James, F, CLE: 11 assists (1 turnover)
3. Trey Burke, G, UTA: 10 assists (2 turnovers)

Steals

1. Jimmy Butler, G, CHI: 4 steals
2. Ten players tied with 3 steals
3. Eleven players tied with 2 steals

Blocks

1. Robin Lopez, C, POR: 4 blocks
2. Amar'e Stoudemire, F, NYK: 3 blocks
3. Brendan Haywood, C, CLE: 3 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. James Harden, G, HOU: 7-12 3Pt
2. Jamal Crawford, G, LAC: 5-8 3Pt
3. Isaiah Thomas, G, PHX: 4-6 3Pt
4. J.J. Redick, G, LAC: 4-9 3Pt

Minutes

1. Jimmy Butler, G, CHI: 44 minutes
2. Trevor Ariza, F, HOU: 42 minutes
3. Kemba Walker, G, CHA: 41 minutes