It's over. Lock it up. The Sixers signed Furkan Aldemir to a four-year, $12 million deal.
Kobe passed Michael on the all-time scoring list. He needed an additional 1,073 games, 358 shot attempts, and 911 free-throw attempts.
The Kings fired Michael Malone. Ty Corbin will coach in the interim. Much like Abed Nadir, I need help reacting to something.
Sidebar: What are the odds of Corbin winning the Coach of the Year? If it's a million to one, I might have to bust open my piggyback for the chance to lose money on those odds.
HOSPITAL WARD
Harrison Barnes required mouth stitches after receiving a Dante Cunningham elbow to the face. He returned in time to start the second half, but finished just 1-of-3 from the field in 29 minutes. Isn't that something? You finally start to trust Barnes and then he pulls the rug right out from underneath you.
Ty Lawson left after colliding with Manu Ginobili. The cut above his left eye was bandaged and he returned early in the second half.
M.I.A.
- Chicago
- Joakim Noah (ankle)
- Denver
- JaVale McGee (tibia)
- Danilo Gallinari (knee)
- Kenneth Faried (ankle)
- Randy Foye (knee)
- Golden State
- Andrew Bogut (knee)
- David Lee (hamstring)
- Miami
- Chris Bosh (calf)
- Josh McRoberts (knee)
- Minnesota
- Mo Williams (back spasms)
- Ronny Turiaf (hip)
- Nikola Pekovic (wrist/ankle)
- New Orleans
- Anthony Davis (chest)
- New York
- Iman Shumpert (shoulder)
- J.R. Smith (heel)
- Oklahoma City
- Jeremy Lamb (foot)
- Phoenix
- Goran Dragic (back)
- San Antonio
- Tony Parker (hamstring)
- Utah
- Derrick Favors (ankle)
ROTATION NOTES
Anthony Davis (chest contusion) didn't play against the Warriors. Consider it a wasted free League Pass weekend. Ryan Anderson started. Because they weren't playing the Cavaliers, Anderson was his normal, mediocre self. The true heroes were Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans, scoring a combined 64 points. The game went extended to overtime and all three mentioned Pelicans played more than 40 minutes. Davis has been cleared by doctors, so consider him day-to-day. The Pelicans don't play again until Tuesday against the Jazz.
Chris Bosh sat out the game against the Bulls with a strained calf. He said,
"It wasn't anything that happened in particular, no one play. It's a strain, and we're trying to see how my body responds. Hopefully, it'll be better tomorrow, but it's a day-by-day thing. I had some soreness there that really didn't let up, and it progressed over a day or so."
Calves are a tricky breed. Jose Calderon missed the first 13 games of the season, but Pau Gasol sat just three games with calf problems. Everyone reacts differently, so you'll trade a few missed games in December if it means minimal complications down the line. The Heat play five games over the next nine days. I can't see Bosh missing the sixth game, Christmas day against the Cavaliers and his former teammate James Jones.
Chris Andersen returned after missing nine games with a sprained right ankle. Udonis Haslem started in Bosh's absence and was held scoreless in four minutes. Josh McRobert's (knee) replacement, Justin Hamilton, scored a career-high 10 points (5-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt) in a career-high 33 minutes. His outside shot wasn't dropping. Even so, you're not considering Hamilton in most instances. Luol Deng and Dwyane Wade scored 17 apiece; nearly half the team's total output of 75 points.
Derrick Favors didn't play due to a sprained right ankle, which reportedly swelled up overnight. We still don't have a timetable. I, personally, could see him missing the rest of this six-game road trip because the Jazz are scheduled for four days off after December 22nd. Logistically, it makes sense. That said, he could feel fine tomorrow and return to the lineup Tuesday.
Rudy Gobert made his first career start. He finished with seven points (3-5 FG, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in 31 minutes. He's an interesting add in head-to-head leagues for his ability to swat shots in bunches. However, his value is tied to Favors' decision to play this week.
Carlos Boozer bested Ed Davis for the second straight game. Since the demotion, Boozer is averaging 15.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game. Davis could only muster 7.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.8 blocks in 24.2 minutes per game. The Lakers have won three games in a row, so the starting lineup probably won't change but the rotation could continue to feature less Davis and Jeremy Lin with Kobe Bryant running the point.
Goran Dragic didn't play because of a lower back sprain. Gerald Green started and led the Suns with 15 points in a team-high 26 minutes. The game was a blowout in favor of the Thunder, so you can disregard 90 percent of the box score. The Suns play tonight and Wednesday before resting for two days. Dragic's status is unknown at the current juncture.
Kevin Durant had his minutes limit lifted prior to the contest, but the Thunder throttled the Suns 112-88, restricting him to 24 minutes. Mitch McGary made his NBA debut, scoring three points and grabbing four rebounds in seven minutes.
Tim Hardaway, Jr. replaced Iman Shumpert (shoulder) in the starting lineup. J.R. Smith (heel) was slated to start before officially being ruled out after warming up. Hardaway scored 18 points but missed eight of his final 10 shots to finish 4-of-15 from the field, 1-of-8 from behind the arc, and 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. The Knicks next play Tuesday against the Mavericks, hopefully providing Smith enough recuperation time so we don't have to see Hardaway on the court for another 35 minutes. Carmelo Anthony supplied 34 points (11-24 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 8-10 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, and one block in 44 minutes during the overtime loss to the Raptors.
Tony Parker rested with a mild left hamstring strain for the fourth time in five games. As I've mentioned many times before, the Spurs are in the midst of a brutal stretch, playing eight games in 12 days. Cory Joseph started at point guard and played 32 minutes, providing 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three assists, two rebounds, and one block.
Tiago Splitter made his second start of the season, displacing Matt Bonner. He played 20 minutes and finished with 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists, and one block. The center spot is going to revolve around the matchup, with Boris Diaw staking the largest claim.
FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT
Kawhi Leonard returned to the lineup after missing the last two games with a bruised right hand. However, his night transcends the Rotation Notes section. Behold. Leonard's line:
18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks, 5 steals,4 assists, 6-14 FG, 6-6 FT
I don't know what else I could add, other than he's still recovering from conjunctivitis.
TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH
Stephen Curry needed 40 minutes to compile 34 points (11-21 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and six turnovers. He leads all players with 3.1 three-pointers per game. More exciting, he's closing in on a 50/40/90 season, currently sitting at 48.7 percent from the field, 40.6 percent from deep, and 92.5 percent from the free-throw line.
Russell Westbrook required 27 minutes to produce 28 points (7-18 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 13-13 FT), eight rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. He's recorded at least five assists and five rebounds in every game since returning from an injured hand. Even more impressive, Westbrook is averaging 25.8 points, 6.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in just 29.4 minutes per game.
BOXSCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES
Andre Iguodala scored a season-high 20 points (7-12 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT) in 38 minutes off the bench. He was averaging 6.3 points per game prior to this explosion. He hit three corner three-pointers, exploiting the lax defense exhibited by Tyreke Evans. If Iguodala provides another game like this, then you can keep him on your watch list. Realistically, these types of scoring outbursts appear few and far between.
Mike Dunleavy scored 19 of his team-high 22 points (8-11 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) in the third quarter. Chalk it up to unused karma.
Someone had to pay for Dunleavy's sins. Pau Gasol failed to score in double-figures for the first time all season and snapped a streak of eight games with a double-double. Derrick Rose scored 11 of his 14 points (6-14 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT) in the final quarter, well after the game had been decided.
Alec Burks fooled us all. After missing two games, what was rumored to be two weeks because of a left shoulder injury, he's averaged 16.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 three-pointers in his last four games after Sunday's 19-point performance. Burks is still a fringe player in most cases; you can live with or without him.
Bradley Beal was on last night, contributing a team-high 22 points (9-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 37 minutes. I'll eat crow if he can carry his hot streak over the next two games. Otherwise, you're probably seeing the best stretch of his season. Beal's longest streak of scoring at least 20 points is three games.
Shabazz Muhammad scored 28 points (12-21 FG, 4-7 FT) and grabbed nine rebounds in 27 minutes. It's his third 20-point game in his last six contests, averaging a team-high 18.5 points on 49.4 percent shooting and 29 percent usage rate during that stretch. He won't provide much outside a handful of rebounds, so don't be seduced by his high point totals. Do throw him on your watch list.
Corey Brewer continues to fill in as the pseudo-backup point guard while Mo Williams (back) sits. In 32 minutes, he added 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt,), nine assists, six rebounds, and two steals. Brewer is averaging a team-high 5.8 assists over the last six games and a league-high 3.2 steals per game. Williams was limited during Saturday's practice, not exactly inspiring confidence for an impending return.
Jonas Valanciunas played almost the entire fourth quarter before sitting out the entire overtime period for Patrick Patterson. Valanciunas grabbed at least 12 rebounds but failed to record a double-double for the fourth straight game. Patterson is becoming more appealing/relevant in standard leagues. He's averaging 12.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.4 three-pointers in his last seven games, playing more minutes than Amir Johnson at just under 30.0 per game. Terrence Ross added a season-high 22 points (8-14 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, two steals, and one assists on the evening. He's averaging 1.4 steals/blocks/assists combined since DeMar DeRozan's injury, unacceptable production for a key cog in the offense playing over 32 minutes per game.
Arron Afflalo scored a season-high 31 points (12-20 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), but only contributed an additional five rebounds and one assist. He's just not a good fantasy commodity, routinely providing empty lines.
NIGHTLY LEADERS
Points
- Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 34 points (11-21 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 6-6 FT)
- Tyreke Evans, G, NOP: 34 points (13-25 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 6-9 FT)
- Carmelo Anthony, F, NYK: 34 points (11-24 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 8-10 FT)
Rebounds
- Jonas Valanciunas, C, TOR: 13 rebounds (3 offensive)
- Draymond Green, F, GSW: 13 rebounds (2 offensive)
- Timofey Mozgov, C, DEN: 13 rebounds (5 offensive)
- Carlos Boozer, F, LAL: 13 rebounds (6 offensive)
Assists
- Kyle Lowry, G, TOR: 11 assists (9 turnovers)
- Ty Lawson, G, DEN: 10 assists (4 turnovers)
- Jrue Holiday, G, NOP: 9 assists (3 turnovers)
- Corey Brewer, F, MIN: 9 assists (3 turnovers)
Steals
- Kyle Lowry, G, TOR: 6 steals
- Jrue Holiday, G, NOP: 5 steals
- Kawhi Leonard, F, SAS: 5 steals
- John Wall, G, WAS: 5 steals
- Amar'e Stoudemire, F, NYK: 5 steals
Blocks
- Kawhi Leonard, F, SAS: 6 blocks
- Draymond Green, F, GSW: 4 blocks
- Five players tied with 3 blocks
Three-Pointers
- Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 6-10 3Pt
- Carmelo Anthony, F, NYK: 4-9 3Pt
- Aaron Afflalo, G, DEN, 4-6 3Pt
- Mike Dunleavy, F, CHI: 4-5 3Pt
Minutes
- Draymond Green, F, GSW: 48 minutes
- Jrue Holiday, G, NOP: 45 minutes
- Ryan Anderson, F, NOP: 45 minutes