Saturday night's alright for... monster individual defensive performances? We had a six block and a six steal night, as well as many other big, big performances, so let's not waste any more time. Let's break down those box scores.

A LUMP OF COLE

Definitely not a sexy name, but Cole Aldrich is quietly putting together some solid performances in New York. With Amar'e Stoudemire (knee) sitting Saturday, and Sunday, Aldrich started his fourth game in the last five, scoring 18 points (8-9 FG, 2-2 FT) with seven rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in 24 minutes. He's also scored in double digits in four of those five games and with Stoudemire unsure if he will return Wednesday and Samuel Dalembert injuring his ankle (although the X-rays have come back negative), Aldrich is primed to take full advantage of the opening. He's worth a sneaky add now, because the Knicks' big men hasn't distinguished themselves at all this season and a permanent starting spot could be his for the taking.

M.I.A.

These guys all sat out Saturday's action, for one reason or another.

• Raptors
  • DeMar DeRozan (groin)
• Clippers
  • Spencer Hawes (knee)
• Magic
  • Aaron Gordon (foot)
• Hornets
  • Lance Stephenson (groin)
• Wizards
  • Martell Webster (back)
• Grizzlies
  • Zach Randolph (knee)
• Heat
  • Shabazz Napier (DNP-CD)
  • Chris Bosh (calf)
• Pacers
  • Donald Sloan (DNP-CD)
  • Ian Mahinmi (foot)
  • C.J. Miles (illness)
• Pelicans
  • Eric Gordon (shoulder)
• Bulls
  • Kirk Hinrich (hamstring)
• Bucks
  • Larry Sanders (illness)
  • Ersan Ilyasova (concussion)
• Sixers
  • Hollis Thompson (illness)
  • Luc Mbah a Moute (calf)
• Jazz
  • Alec Burks (shoulder)
• Knicks
  • Andrea Bargnani (hamstring)
  • Quincy Acy (suspension)
  • Amar'e Stoudemire (knee)
  • J.R.Smith (heel)
  • Iman Shumpert (shoulder)
• Kings
  • Ramon Sessions (back)
• Timberwolves
  • Kevin Martin (wrist)
  • Nikola Pekovic (ankle)
  • Ricky Rubio (ankle)
• Warriors
  • Andrew Bogut (knee)
  • Festus Ezeli (ankle)

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

Darren Collison was red hot Saturday, missing just one shot for the entire, overtime, game. He poured in 27 points (9-10 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT) with one rebound, 10 assists and two steals in 43 minutes and has truly established hmself as the starter in Sacramento after some preseason doubt. Collison now mas multiple steals in his past six games and multiple three-pointers in his past five, providing ridiculous value for where he was drafted.

CASUALTY WARD

Gorgui Dieng, Nerlens Noel and Samuel Dalembert all went down with ankle sprains, but Noel and Dieng were able to return to the court. Dalembert's X-rays have come back negative and it's safe to assume that all three are suffering mild injuries. Whether it costs them a game or two remains up in the air. Jeff Adrien, Henry Sims and Cole Aldrich would benefit is this trio was to miss any time.

ROTATION NOTES AND QUIRKS

Kyle O'Quinn struggled for the second consecutive game, but this time, it wasn't due to an accumulation of fouls. He played just 14 minutes for three points, one rebound and three assists as Jacques Vaughn went with a mixture of Channing Frye and Dewayne Dedmon at the four. If you added O'Quinn, I'm comfortable dropping him (I did today), but only for someone worthwhile, as I believe this is a temporary dip.

Cody Zeller played just 19 minutes, scoring a paltry three points compared with Marvin Williams, who played 27 minutes and scored nine points with eight rebounds. Both players' value in standard leagues is non-existent, while Williams has been the more productive player for deep formats.

Marcus Smart got his second consecutive start at point guard (a minor miracle), but of course, we can't have nice things, so Smart played just 14 minutes, while Jameer Nelson played 19 minutes and Evan Turner got 26 minutes. No-one shone, but Stevens' frustrating rotations are making owning Smart a painful experience. In a 10 team league, he's not a must-own, but I'd still be holding for a week or two to see how this plays out.

In the frontcourt mess in Boston, it was Tyler Zeller who missed out Saturday, playing only 12 minutes, as Boston went with Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk. If anyone tells you they know what Stevens is going to do with any of his rotations, they are lying. While Zeller has been solid, I still think Sullinger and Olynyk have the most fantasy potential for the rest of the season.

Paul Pierce only needed 19 minutes to eviscerate his former team, scoring 17 points with two assists and two steals, which allowed Rasual Butler to get 29 minutes. Pierce owners would be thrilled with that production. Pierce has been limited to just 26 minutes in his last six games, averaging 12.2 points and isn't a must own as the Wizards manage his minutes.

Kris Humphries played 24 minutes off the bench for 18 points, nine rebounds and two steals, but with a timeshare with Nene happening, he's very hard to rely upon in most leagues.

Jon Leuer got another start for Zach Randolph (knee), but played just 23 minutes, scoring five points. There is no value in any of the replacements of Randolph, with Dave Joerger playing a lot of small ball and distributing his minutes evenly.

George Hill made his first start of the season, logging 23 minutes and posting a respectable line of 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. He is a must-own player. C.J. Watson played 30 minutes off the bench, knocking down three three-pointers on his way to 17 points with nine rebounds, five assists and three steals, but don't expect that production, or playing time, to be a regular occurrence.

Roy Hibbert played just 22 minutes, blocking two shots and was likely limited due to the blowout nature of the game. Nothing to be concerned about at this stage.

Jarrett Jack and Mason Plumlee started in lieu of Deron Williams and Brook Lopez again, and once again outplayed their more heralded teammates. For now, both Jack and Plumlee are solid option sin daily and seasonal leagues, but it feels like a matter of time before they are relegated to their familiar bench roles once Williams and Lopez regain their health.

Omer Asik played just 20 minutes, scoring four points with four rebounds. Asik has yet to exceed 25 minutes in his past five contests and is averaging a horrible 4.2 points in that time frame. Asik is a guy who can dropped in most 12 team leagues, at least until his minutes increase again.

Jason Kidd played three of his starters, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Johhny O'Bryant and Kendall Marshall less than 43 minutes combined, so if anyone can figure out Kidd's rotations, much like Boston's Brad Stevens, they are not being honest. Antetokounmpo was bothered by fouls, getting four in his 19 minutes, allowing Khris Middleton to play 37 minutes and score 21 points including five three-pointers. Middleton played just 17 minutes yesterday and is not a reliable option, like so many Bucks. Zaza Pachulia double-doubled in another start for Larry Sanders, but is only valuable when Sanders sits.

Rudy Gobert went back to his usual allotment of minutes, playing only 17 off the bench, but still managed to block three shots and get two steals. He now has multiple blocks in nine straight games, but the minutes aren't going to be there for him to be a consistent fantasy option in shallow leagues.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Kyle Lowry continued his assault on fantasy stardom, tearing apart Chris Paul to score 25 points with three triples, seven assists and three steals, while his backup Greivis Vasquez also feasted, pouring in 16 points with six assists in 22 minutes. Vasquez isn't much of a standard league option, though. Jonas Valanciunas, Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson were all productive in their own way.

DeAndre Jordan grabbed a monstrous 20 rebounds, adding a block and is now averaging over 15 rebounds a game during December. J.J. Redick hit another five three-pointers for 23 points and is averaging 16.8 points and 3.1 three-pointers in his last eight games. If he is on your waiver-wire, you need to correct that.

Tobias Harris stuffed the stat sheet in the Magic's victory, scoring 21 points with two three-pointers, getting six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Harris has been one of the steals of fantasy drafts. Teammate Nikola Vucevic had his sixth 20 and 10 game for the season.

Kemba Walker poured in a season-high 42 points with five triples and seven assists, but it was all in vain, as the Magic knocked off his Hornets. Walker is averaging 24.3 points on 47 percent shooting in his last eight games, but is due for some regression.

Bradley Beal struggled with his shot, hitting just 4-of-11 for nine points, and 20 games into the season, is averaging 2.1 points per game less than his 2013-14 campaign. He has increased his steal numbers up to 1.6 from 1.0, but has yet to take a big step forward.

Mike Conley and Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 24 and 22 points respectively in Randolph's absence, wit both guys helping in multiple categories as well. Courtney Lee was disappointing, scoring 10 points with two rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes and has completely dropped off the early season pace he set. At this point, he's not worthy of a standard league roster spot.

Vintage Dwyane Wade suited up for the Heat, scoring 25 points with three rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks, excelling when asked to carry the team. One must think that this added responsibility will lead to some missed time down the track, but unless you can get a lot value back in a trade, it's hard to recommend dealing away Wade while he is playing like this.

Danny Granger also turned back the clock, scoring 18 points in 28 minutes, but unlike Wade, this has all the hallmarks of a mirage. Chris Andersen scored 13 points on just five shots.

Rodney Stuckey was questionable to play after receiving an elbow from Andre Drummond on Friday, but suited up and dominated the Nets. Stuckey had 20 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, but bear in mind, that Stuckey had failed to drop double-digit points in the previous four contests. He is a borderline 12 team league player,due to his usual inability to contribute in multiple categories.

Anthony Davis is pretty good. Just another 29 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks in his return to his hometown Chicago. Just remember, you heard it here first.

Tyreke Evans had a full line of 26 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block and continues to be a solid head-to-head option, while his percentages are a drag in rotisserie formats.

Taj Gibson double-doubled in 22 bench minutes, while Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol were able to ease off the gas a little, reducing their playing time. Gibson's minutes are a worry, but he has been productive in the reduced role, enough so that he should be owned in 12 team leagues. Jimmy Butler had a team-high 33 points and his evolution into a star continues, in both reality and the fantasy realm.

Jeff Teague had a big game in his second game back in the starter's seat, scoring 25 points with eight rebounds and seven assists. He hit all 10 of his free throws and is hitting 89 percent for the season, while also hitting 47 percent of his field goal attempts. His efficiency is elevating Teague into a top 20 fantasy player so don't be suckered into a deal that doesn't reflect his true value.

Michael Carter-Williams turned in possibly the worst shooting night of the season, going 2-for-20 from the field for eight points. We know he will murder your percentages, but this was just another level of awfulness. Just find some relief in the six assists and hope for a better line next time out. Tony Wroten played 32 minutes, scoring 20 points and Wroten's presence always seems to negatively effect MCW's value.

Derrick Favors was beastly, scoring 17 points with 15 rebounds, three steals and five blocks. You have to love the career year that Favors is currently putting together.

Carmelo Anthony poured in 36 points with 11 rebounds, and has been on a scoring tear of late. If you are worried about the health of his knee, now is a great time to deal him, as he is in the best form of the season. Don't sell low though, as it's no guarantee he misses an extended chunk of time.

DeMarcus Cousins made a quick recovery from his stomach illness, scoring a season-high 39 points with 11 rebounds and two blocks in just 32 minutes in an overtime game. Ben McLemore struggled, scoring just five points in 36 minutes, only taking four shots with Cousins and Rudy Gay dominating the ball offensively. He's going to be up and down and the nature of his play makes him a borderline play in 12 team leagues.

Zach LaVine handed out a career-high 14 assists in 31 minutes, but his form is so flighty, that he's not worth an add in most leagues, especially with the impending Ricky Rubio (ankle) return. Andrew Wiggins followed up two 20 plus scoring night, with a 10 point dud. This is, unfortunately, a pretty regular occurrence for the number one overall pick.

Draymond Green scored only four points, but destroyed the other categories, posting eight rebounds, six assists, six steals, and three blocks in 32 minutes. That makes two solid games in a row for Green with David Lee back and any fears of him losing value were overblown. Both Steph Curry and Klay Thompson hit four triples in the easy victory.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Kemba Walker, G, CHA, 42 points
2. DeMarcus Cousins, C, SAC, 39 points
3. Carmelo Anthony, F, NYK, 36 points

Rebounds

1. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC, 20 rebounds
2. Derrick Favors, C, UTA, 15 rebounds
3. Zaza Pachulia, C, MIL, 15 rebounds

Assists

1. Zach LaVine, G, MIN, 14 assists
2. Darren Collison, G, SAC, 10 assists
3. Jose Calderon, G, NYK, 9 assists

Steals

1. Draymond Green, F, GSW, 6 steals
2. Shane Larkin, G, NYK, 5 steals
3. Dwyane Wade, G, MIA, 4 steals
4. Rodney Stuckey, G, IND, 4 steals

Blocks

1. Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 6 blocks
2. Derrick Favors, C, UTA, 5 blocks
3. John Henson, C, MIL, 5 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Kemba Walker, G, CHA, 5-12 3Pt
2. J.J. Redick, G, LAC, 5-9 3Pt
3. Khris Middleton, F, MIL, 5-8 3Pt

Minutes

1. Carmelo Anthony, F, NYK, 46 minutes
2. Jose Calderon, G, NYK, 44 minutes
3. Darren Collison, G, SAC, 43 minutes
4. Rudy Gay, F, SAC, 43 minutes