As we throw away our old calendars for new, shiny 2015 versions, I want to wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year. May the fantasy basketball gods have mercy on your team and may we resolve not to trust Brad Stevens' rotations ever again.

TWIN POWER

Definitely the unheralded twin, Marcus Morris is starting to turn heads with his recent play. Morris started off the season as the starter at small forward, but lost his job to P.J. Tucker a month ago. Aside from a couple of no-shows, Morris has thrived in his bench role, really turning up the gas the last four games. In those four, Morris has averaged 13.8 points, 2.5 three-pointers, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 25 minutes a game, knocking down 58 percent of his shots. Now, that shooting percentage isn't a true reflection of his ability, but the numbers are all looking solid, and, importantly, as a young player, he keeps getting better. Owned in just 5 percent of ESPN leagues and 12 percent of Yahoo leagues, Morris isn't a must own, but while he's hot, is an interesting grab in 14 team leagues and could be serviceable in 12 teamers as well.

M.I.A.

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

• Kings
  • Ramon Sessions (back)
  • Jason Thompson (DNP-CD)
• Heat
  • Udonis Haslem (DNP-CD)
  • Shabazz Napier (DNP-CD)
• Pacers
  • Donald Sloan (DNP-CD)
  • Ian Mahinmi (foot)
• Knicks
  • Iman Shumpert (shoulder)
  • Amar'e Stoudemire (knee)
  • Samuel Dalembert (ankle)
• Bucks
  • Larry Sanders (illness)
  • Jerryd Bayless (knee)
  • Ersan Ilyasova (concussion)
• Cavaliers
  • LeBron James (knee)
  • Shawn Marion (ankle)
  • Kevin Love (back)
• Hornets
  • Lance Stephenson (pelvis)
  • Al Jefferson (groin)
• Rockets
  • Terrence Jones (leg)
• Pelicans
  • Eric Gordon (shoulder)
• Spurs
  • Tony Parker (hamstring)
  • Kawhi Leonard (hand)
• Thunder
  • Jeremy Lamb (DNP-CD)
  • Nick Collison (DNP-CD)

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

After missing the last six games due to an ankle sprain, Kevin Durant was back and casting his minutes restriction into the abyss. IN an overtime game, with no Russell Westbrook, Durant was back to his MVP-level form, scoring 44 points (12-23 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 12-12 FT) with 10 rebounds, seven assists, and one block in 40 minutes. The points and minutes are both season highs and all KD owners can hope for is an injury free 2015 now. If only the Thunder could get both Durant and Westbrook on the court together, then things will become interesting.

ROTATION NOTES AND QUIRKS

Not only was Jason Thompson benched in favor of Ryan Hollins, but he found himself out of the rotation entirely. Thompson had minimal value in most leagues, anyway and Hollins will find himself in exactly the same situation. Ben McLemore played just 19 minutes, but was bothered by fouls, getting four in his limited court time. Even in the limited time, Nik Stauskas played just 23 minutes and McLemore isn't in danger of seceding his job anytime soon.

It was a case of more musical chairs in Boston, as Evan Turner replaced Marcus Smart as the starting point guard. Turner was good, getting 10 points, six rebounds and 11 assists, but played just 23 minutes, while Smart got 28 minutes off the bench with 11 points with three three-pointers, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. In most leagues, owning any of the point guards is fraught with danger, as Brad Stevens seemingly changes his mind as frequently as he changes his underwear.

George Hill got 31 minutes, closer to what we can expect for the season, so C.J. Watson was reduced to just 21 minutes. That likely spells the end of Watson's standard league value. Hill scored 20 points and must be owned.

C.J. Miles played 34 minutes, while starter Rodney Stuckey got only 19 minutes. Miles was hot, so that accounted for some of the discrepancy, but not all of it. Neither guy is a must-own in 12 team leagues and you'll likely see them both on your waiver-wire at multiple times this season. Miles has now hit a three-pointer in 11 straight contests.

J.R. Smith and Andrea Bargnani both returned for the Knicks, effecting the rotation in one way or another. Neither was productive, playing just 17 and 20 minutes respectively, but Tim Hardaway was reduced to 20 minutes in a start. Bargnani took his minutes from Jason Smith and Quincy Acy, while Cole Aldrich still played 31 minutes, garnering eight points with five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. I'm bullish on Aldrich and I think he maintains value when Samuel Dalembert and Amar'e Stoudemire return, but it's unlikely he plays 31 minutes regularly. I like Aldrich as a flier in 12 team leagues.

With no LeBron James, Shawn Marion and Kevin Love, we saw a very different Cavaliers' rotation Wednesday. Brandon Haywood got the start, along with Mike Miller, Matthew Dellavedova, Tristan Thompson and Kyrie Irving and there is really nothing to get out of this situation. Thompson is a 12 team league guy, we know about the big three and that's all there is. James and Love will be back very soon, so don't get sucked into the fact that Haywood got the start.

Bismack Biyombo moved into the starting lineup to replace Al Jefferson and was just okay, scoring nine points with seven rebounds and three blocks in 26 minutes. If you need boards and blocks, Biyombo is going to be a nice source for the next four weeks with Big Al sits out. Cody Zeller and Marvin Williams didn't do anything to take advantage of the situation, with the Hornets giving Jason Maxiell 22 minutes at the four as well. Zeller has a chance to become a bigger focal point on offense, but he hasn't shown anything since being named a starter. Noah Vonleh also rejoined the team from the D-League and he played two minutes.

For the first time this year, Patty Mills played more minutes than Cory Joseph and this could be an indication that the 2013-14 rotation is rearing its head again. Joseph will continue to start in Tony Parker's absence, but it could be Mills who has the larger role, meaning that Joseph's appeal in seasonal and daily leagues diminishes. Kyle Anderson started in favor of Marco Bellineli, but that shouldn't have any impact on how you view either player.

Don't be shocked when you see Russell Westbrook played only 17 minutes. No, he wasn't injured, rather he was ejected early on. A suspension may be forthcoming, giving Reggie Jackson a significant bump, but it'll be full steam ahead for Westbrook otherwise, just look at the 20 points he scored in the 17 minutes before leaving the game for good.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

DeMarcus Cousins had a bad night shooting, going 5-for-17 from the field for just 11 points, his lowest scoring output for the season. He still chipped in with 11 boards, a steal and a block, so it wasn't all bad news, just not the dominating performance we are used to. Teammate Rudy Gay was also off, hitting 4-of-19 for nine points. That coaching change has worked wonders, hasn't it Vivek?

Jared Sullinger (20 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks) and Kelly Olynyk (15 points, four rebounds, one steal, one block) were the best big men for the Celtics and that's really the way it should stay all season. If I had to own two Boston big men, and I do, it's Olynyk and Sullinger.

It was vintage Dwyane Wade night as the veteran guard filled the box score with 20 points, two rebounds, seven assists, two steals and three blocks in 38 minutes. He is undeniably playing fantastic basketball, but you can't help but wonder when it will unravel. His value is very high, so maybe another owner will buy him staying healthy for the rest of the season and you can cash in -- I would not be buying into that though.

Roy Hibbert had just his third double-double of the month, but didn't add a block, scoring 10 points with 10 rebounds. You can't drop Hibbert and you can't trade him. At this point, you are a prisoner to his inconsistent whims.

Shane Larkin, who nabbed three steals in the pounding absorbed by the Knicks at the hands of the Clippers, is averaging 2.5 swipes in his last four games. He's also getting 25 minutes a game, playing next to Jose Calderon at times. I wouldn't get too excited by the minutes as Smith is back now, but it wouldn't be a total shock to see Derek Fisher use Larkin in preference to Pablo Prigioni or Tim Hardaway moving forward, giving his defensive abilities. He's one to remember, not to action.

Blake Griffin had his second 11 assist game for the season and is now averaging 7.1 helpers in his last eight games, channeling his inner Joakim Noah. His overall numbers are down this season, except his assists, which are now sitting at 5.0 per game for the season. If only we could remind Griffin not to shoot jumpers and attack the basket like he is the most athletic player on the floor.

Chris Paul was horrible and that is not usually a word that you associate with CP3. Paul hit only two of his 11 shots, finishing with five points and eight assists. Everyone is allowed a few stinkers and this was Paul's.

John Henson couldn't block five shots again, getting his hands to just one in 25 minutes, but the minutes were impressive. He's still not a guy for me in standard leagues, but if he ever gains Jason Kidd's trust (does anybody ever do that?), he'll be a guy to own. Giannis Antetokounmpo had himself another block party, swatting three, and now has 10 blocks in his last five games. As I detailed in Monday's Breakdown, he needs to be owned.

James Harden was incredible, and if it wasn't for Durant, would've run away with the line of the night. Harden had 36 points (12-19 FG, 8-11 3Pt, 4-4 FT) with seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block in 33 minutes. There's barely anyone you'd want more on your team than Harden.

Josh Smith continues to brutalise the game of basketball with his shooting, going 2-for-7 and 0-for-2 from the field and line respectively, tallying only five points. He did round things out nicely, though, adding four rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks in 28 minutes as the starting power forward. Donatas Motiejunas got 24 minutes behind Smith, scoring 12 points, but has deep league only fantasy relevance.

Jimmer Fredette popped his head up, scoring 14 points with two three-pointers in 24 minutes, and although he's only battling Luke Babbitt and Austin Rivers for playing time, don't expect to be adding Fredette in the coming days.

Manu Ginobili hit five three-pointers on his way to 26 points and is still incredibly productive, if you can swallow the rest days he has planned into his program. He absolutely deserves a place on a roster in all rotisserie leagues, and can be useful head-to-head contributor in a weekly changes or a capped daily changes league, where his missed games don't kill you.

Eric Bledsoe was great again, scoring 29 points with eight assists, and his play is fuelling the Goran Dragic trade and free agency rumors. Dragic also scored 21 points with two three-pointers and eight rebounds, leaving Isaiah Thomas and Gerald Green with the scraps.

Serge Ibaka continued his long-range assault, hitting another three triples . He is now averaging 2.3 three-pointers in his last eight games and it appears this part of his game is here to stay. Now is not the time to attempt a buy-low, but if he puts up a dud, it may be time to target a frustrated owner then.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Kevin Durant, F, OKC, 44 points
2. James Harden, G, OKC, 36 points
3. Eric Bledsoe, G, PHX, 29 points

Rebounds

1. Tristan Thompson, F, CLE, 13 rebounds
2. Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 12 rebounds
3. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC, 12 rebounds
4. Omer Asik, C, NOP, 12 rebounds

Assists

1. Blake Griffin, F, LAC, 11 assists
2. Evan Turner, G, BOS, 11 assists
3. Jrue Holiday, G, NOP, 9 assists

Steals

1. Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 4 steals
2. P.J. Tucker, F, PHX, 4 steals
3. Evan Turner, G, BOS, 3 steals
4. Khris Middleton, F, MIL, 3 steals
5. Trevor Ariza, F, HOU, 3 steals
6. Shane Larkin, G, NYK, 3 steals
7. Josh Smith, F, HOU, 3 steals

Blocks

1. Jared Sullinger, F, BOS, 3 blocks
2. Dwyane Wade, G, MIA, 3 blocks
3. Tim Duncan, F, SAS, 3 blocks
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, MIL, 3 blocks
5. Bismack Biyombo, C, CHA, 3 blocks
6. Hassan Whiteside, C, MIA, 3 blocks
7. Josh Smith, F, HOU, 3 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. James Harden, G, HOU, 8-11 3Pt
2. Kevin Durant, F, OKC, 6-11 3Pt
3. Manu Ginobili, G, SAS, 5-8
4. C.J. Miles, G, IND, 5-10 3Pt

Minutes

1. Goran Dragic, G, PHX, 44 minutes
2. Eric Bledsoe, G, PHX, 42 minutes
3. Reggie Jackson, G, OKC, 41 minutes