Kevin Garnett did what many people in Brooklyn likely wanted to do to Dwight Howard and got ejected for his headbutt on the Houston big man. You could say that's a win-win. With only four games on due to the NCAA College Football National Championship game (congratulations Buckeyes), let's look at what went down.

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CROWDER

I know that's a terribly predictable pun, given Jae Crowder's presence in Boston, but who am I to deny it to the masses?  Crowder, who came over in the Rajon Rondo deal, had a career night Monday, scoring 22 points (9-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT) with three rebounds, three assists, four steals, and two blocks in 36 minutes. He's started the last three games since Jeff Green was pulled from the lineup due to his trade to the Grizzlies and has had consistent (for Brad Stevens) minutes, averaging 29 per game. You also can't deny the 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game he's accumulated in that time. He's been opportunistic, having a usage rate of just 16 percent and it's his defensive numbers we could really get to like in fantasy circles. I don't really think Crowder is an NBA starting-level talent, but in most leagues, especially 12 team leagues, he should be picked up while he is producing like this. Just be aware that there's a high probability that it doesn't last all that long.

M.I.A.

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

• Pelicans
  • Quincy Pondexter (traded)
• Celtics
  • Austin Rivers (traded)
  • Jameer Nelson (DNP-CD)
• Rockets
  • Terrence Jones (leg)
• Nets
  • Deron Williams (ribs)
• Raptors
  • DeMar DeRozan (groin)
• Magic
  • Evan Fournier (knee)
  • Tobias Harris (ankle)
  • Aaron Gordon (foot)
• Bulls
  • Mike Dunleavy (ankle)

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

So, yet again, I'm finding myself drawn to the best beard in basketball, outside of my own lush facial growth. James Harden once again was spectacular against the Nets with another 30 points (9-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt), 8-8 FT), three rebounds, six assists and two steals. There is a very good chance Harden finishes the season as fantasy's number one player.

ROTATION NOTES AND QUIRKS

Jrue Holiday lasted only 16 minutes with what the Pelicans are calling a right ankle inflammation. We have no timetable or if he will miss any time, but if he does miss time, expect Tyreke Evans to handle the ball most of the time, with Jimmer Fredette getting some additional run with Austin Rivers and Russ Smith in different cities following the recent trade. Dante Cunningham started over Evans again, but it has no impact on Evans' value. Cunningham has little to no value in most leagues with just four points and five rebounds in 36 minutes.

Marcus Smart came off the bench Evan Turner again, getting 30 minutes for the second time in three games and the Jeff Green deal has helped solidify Smart's role a little as well. He added six assists and a steal and has improved his three-point shooting remarkably lately, hitting 1.8 triples on 41 percent in his last four games. He should continue to see his value rise as the season goes on and if you can stash, he's a great option.

Kevin Garnett lasted just four minutes after throwing the ball at and headbutting Dwight Howard. He could very well see a suspension coming, so that means more minutes, thankfully, for Brook Lopez. Lopez had 12 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes, while Mason Plumlee had a career-high 24 points with 10 rebounds in 29 minutes. Strangely, instead of maxing out both big men's minutes, Lionel Hollins opted to give Cory Jefferson 24 minutes. I hope Lionel Hollins isn't wondering why the Nets are mired in a six game losing streak.

With Tobias Harris and Evan Fournier out again, Devyn Marble got his second start, played 31 minutes and grabbed another three steals. That's eight in his first two starts and while there is little to no long-term value for the second-round draft choice acquired in the Arron Afflalo trade, if Harris and Fournier miss again, he could be a stream option for steals.

Moe Harkless played nine minutes off the bench and the under-utilisation of this guy is one of the more baffling developments of the season. #FreeMoeHarkless.

Tony Snell got his second start of the season as well, but unlike Marble, was unproductive, scoring five points with five rebounds. Move along, nothing to see.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Eric Gordon scored 21 points in 36 minutes and looks a completely different after his shoulder injury. With his current form, averaging 13.5 points with 2.3 three-pointers on 48 percent shooting since returning, he's an asset for most 12 team rosters, but a regression to his early season malaise is more than possible. Anthony Davis had another three blocks with 34 points, really taking advantage of a poor frontcourt in Boston.

Jared Sullinger put up 27 points and 10 rebounds with a steal and a block. He looks fine after his slump and should be the most consistent Boston big man. Kelly Olynyk got Brad Stevens-ed, playing only 14 minutes, but that was largely due to his five fouls. He will have long-term value for most owners, so I wouldn't panic too much.

Donatas Motiejunas got his second straight double-double and should be owned in all 12 team leagues for now. Josh Smith is set on the bench and big minutes are coming to D-Mo. Trevor Ariza shot over 60 percent from the field for the second time in three games after waiting two months to go over 50 percent. Neither streak is likely going to occur again. The big man in the middle, Dwight Howard was not again, scoring just eight points with five rebounds. Something is bothering him and if I owned Dwight, I'd be a little worried.

Bojan Bogdanovic got his second straight start, scoring 13 points with two steals, but his upside doesn't make me get excited to add him in standard leagues. While he is starting, he should be owned in all leagues deeper than that, but that's where I draw the line. Jarrett Jack and Joe Johnson both struggled with their respective shots, hitting at under 40 percent from the field.

Brandon Jennings continued his ridiculous hot streak, scoring 34 points with 10 assists. This shooting is unsustainable (46 percent in his last eight games), but this version of Jennings is more realistic than the shadow we saw earlier on. Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond both double-doubled, while Jonas Jerebko played 26 minutes off the bench and is officially in consideration for 14 team leagues. Jerebko scored 10 points with four rebounds and while his upside is limited, his production is solid.

Both Jonas Valanciunas and Amir Johnson feasted on the Pistons, but it wasn't enough to get the victory. Valanciunas had a season-high 31 points with 12 rebounds and it's amazing what he can do when he's given minutes, isn't that right Dwane Casey? Johnson added two blocks and a steal to his low end double-double and after a quiet start, could be a guy to watch in the season's second half as a low-end standard league guy. While James Johnson starts, he's worth looking at, but with DeMar DeRozan rumored to be returning Friday, that may end abruptly.

Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic both dropped 33 points on the Bulls in the upset, taking advantage of the absence of Harris. Channing Frye played 36 minutes back in the starting lineup, but couldn't hit his shots, going 2-for-10 for five points, adding five rebounds and five assists. He's going to regain his value and if you need three-pointers from a big man, Frye is worth a look.

Derrick Rose had one of his more efficient nights, scoring 18 points (8-15 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 1-3 FT) with seven assists and two steals. Trade him now. Joakim Noah's season from hell continued, scoring just six points with seven boards and four assists and if you told someone that Noah finished fifth in MVP voting and won the Defensive Player of the Year, you'd be laughed at if they'd only seen Noah play this season.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Brandon Jennings, G, DET, 34 points
2. Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 34 points
3. Nikola Vucevic, C, ORL, 33 points
4. Victor Oladipo, G, ORL, 33 points

Rebounds

1. Pau Gasol, F, CHI, 14 rebounds
2. Andre Drummond, C, DET, 14 rebounds
3. Jonas Valanciunas, C, TOR, 12 rebounds
4. Omer Asik, C, NOP, 12 rebounds

Assists

1. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR, 12 assists
2. Brandon Jennings, G, DET, 10 assists
3. Derrick Rose, G, CHI, 7 assists
4. Elfrid Payton, G, ORL, 7 assists

Steals

1. Jae Crowder, F, BOS, 4 steals
2. Devyn Marble, G, ORL, 3 steals
3. Corey Brewer, F, HOU, 3 steals

Blocks

1. Anthony Davis, F, NOP, 3 blocks
2. Pau Gasol, F, CHI, 2 blocks
3. Jae Crowder, F, BOS, 2 blocks
4. Amir Johnson, F, TOR, 2 blocks
5. Josh Smith, F, HOU, 2 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Brandon Jennings, G, DET, 4-8 3Pt
2. James Harden, G, HOU, 4-7 3Pt
3. Victor Oladipo, G, ORL, 3-4 3Pt
4. Eric Gordon, G, NOP, 3-5 3Pt
5. Trevor Ariza, F, HOU, 3-5 3Pt
6. Jimmy Butler, G, CHI, 3-6 3Pt
7. Joe Johnson, G, BKN, 3-8 3Pt
8. Jason Terry, G, HOU, 3-7 3Pt

Minutes

1. Jimmy Butler, G, CHI, 43 minutes
2. Anthony Davis, C, NOP, 40 minutes
3. Jarrett Jack, G, BKN, 39 minutes