Who would have thought that the Detroit Pistons, yes, the Detroit Pistons, would be a fountain of fantasy goodness, with players battling each other to see who can put up the most ridiculous line of the night, and not ridiculous in a Josh Smith way? Well, that's what happened Wednesday, with some ludicrous performances to whet our fantasy appetites. Read about the mesmerizing Pistons and everything else that happened in Wednesday's Box Score Breakdown.

THAT'S DEMARRE

If you read my waiver-wire columns on the main RotoWire site (subscription required), you'll know I'm constantly baffled at how low DeMarre Carroll's ownership percentage is. Currently sitting at 66 percent on Yahoo, Carroll has been regularly turning in lines that an owner in a 10 team league would be able to use. Against the Pacers, in another Hawks win, Carroll scored 17 points (7-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT) and added four assists and four steals in his 30 minutes, below his 32 minute average on the season due to the blowout nature of the victory. A better rotisserie player than head-to-head, Carroll still has value in both formats and provides solid numbers on a regular basis, with the occasional eruption, like we saw against Indiana. If you want someone who doesn't hurt you, but also helps in steals and three-pointers in particular, Carroll is an under-utilised resource for owners everywhere.

M.I.A.

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

• Heat
  • Luol Deng (illness)
  • Hassan Whiteside (ankle)
• Knicks
  • Quincy Acy (DNP-CD)
  • Cleanthony Early (ankle)
  • Andrea Bargnani (calf)
  • Pablo Prigioni (DNP-CD)
  • Cole Aldrich (DNP-CD)
• Sixers
  • Luc Mbah a Moute (knee)
  • Tony Wroten (knee)
  • Nerlens Noel (illness)
• Jazz
  • Rodney Hood (foot)
• Cavaliers
  • Iman Shumpert (shoulder)
• Pistons
  • Jonas Jerebko (DNP-CD)
• Pacers
  • George Hill (groin)
• Timberwolves
  • Shabazz Muhammad (abdominal)
  • Kevin Martin (wrist)
  • Ricky Rubio (ankle)
• Lakers
  • Tarik Black (ankle)
  • Ryan Kelly (DNP-CD)
• Pelicans
  • Jrue Holiday (leg)
• Wizards
  • Martell Webster (DNP-CD)
• Trail Blazers
  • LaMarcus Aldridge (thumb)
  • Robin Lopez (hand)
• Nets
  • Sergey Karasev (DNP-CD)
  • Deron Williams (rib)
• Kings
  • Carl Landry (wrist)
• Rockets
  • Terrence Jones (leg)

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

Which member of the Pistons do I give it to? I know RotoWire NBA Editor Kyle McKeown is salivating watching his new look Detroit team and I must concur, this is on a different level to what we saw at the beginning of the season. You could conceivably give the line of the night to Josh Smith, for allowing everyone else to loosen up and play top quality basketball, but that sort of obtuse thinking doesn't win you fantasy titles. Andre Drummond gets the nod and usually, when talking Drummond, we have to qualify it by saying it's for head-to-head leagues only. But, not Wednesday. Drummond had 26 points (10-14 FG, 6-8 FT) with 17 rebounds, four steals and three blocks in just 30 minutes. After a disastrous start, Drummond is flying now and is a straight beast in head-to-head leagues. Hopefully, you weren't one of the people who sold low on Drummond at the beginning of the season.

ROTATION NOTES AND QUIRKS

Chris Andersen and Danny Granger started for Hassan Whiteside and Luol Deng, but it was far from exciting, with both guys playing under 20 minutes, and outside of Andersen's three blocks, not doing a lot in the box score either. Both guys have a little bit of value in daily leagues, but only tickle the fancy of deep league seasonal owners.

Both Lance Stephenson and Al Jefferson remained on the bench for Hornets, playing under 22 minutes, but that numbers, unlike Granger and Andersen, is certain to change in the coming weeks, if not days. Jefferson was still productive with 12 points and two blocks in his 19 minutes and hopefully, a big second half is in the offing for him. Out of nowhere, Cody Zeller played 32 minutes, but given what we've seen so far, that's a mirage, as is the six point, 12 rebound, six assist, and two block night he put up. Kemba Walker returned and played his usual 34 minutes, but wasn't as productive as before his enforced rest.

The Knicks played four of their starters over 30 minutes, but those starters two of those starters were Langston Galloway and Jason Smith. If they continue to start, there is some fantasy intrigue, particularly with Galloway, who contributed in nearly every category with a 11/7/4/2/1 performance. Quincy Acy, Pablo Prigioni and Cole Aldrich were all healthy scratches again, no less baffling the second time around.

The Sixers were banged up, missing Nerlens Noel and Luc Mbah a Moute, so Furkan Aldemir got his first NBA start, playing 19 minutes, grabbing five rebound and blocking three shots. Not bad, but he was outplayed by Jerami Grant, who got 25 minutes off the bench and blocked a whopping eight shots to go with his four points. Congratulations if you played Grant on Wednesday.

Enes Kanter went off, scoring 24 points with 17 rebounds in 33 minutes. Compare that with 20 foul-plagued for Rudy Gobert and it illustrates the concern there is with Gobert for the remainder of the season. Gobert is the flavor of the month, and was still productive with seven rebounds and one block, but the hate for Kanter is too damn high. While Utah continues to like Kanter in the starting lineup, these nights will continue to occur. Gobert is by no means droppable, but it's something owners need to be cautious with in terms of trade discussions. Derrick Favors and Trey Burke both played below their usual allotment, underperforming as a result, but we can rest easy that this is a one-off and not a trend.

Timofey Mozgov got himself a big load of minutes, playing 40 as the center, double-doubling with 16 points, 11 rebounds and adding two blocks. He needs to be owned in all leagues, but there will be off nights. That, you can count on.

Tobias Harris returned, played 25 minutes off the bench and scored 19 points with five rebounds. It looks like the ankle injury is truly healed, which is a great thing. Channing Frye copped a hit in his minutes and offensive looks, playing 23 minutes for eight points. I'd hold one more to see how he plays again with Harris, but it didn't look good. Lord Elfrid Payton added another eight assists and three steals and while his scoring dropped, his minutes and impact were hardly effected.

Roy Hibbert was benched, playing only 20 minutes for four points, one rebound and one block. He's not droppable, but he is frustrating. You need to just ride it out.

Rajon Rondo played just 21 minutes and added nine points and just three assists. In his last three games, Rondo is averaging 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 25 minutes. It's a slump and if Rondo fits your team build, and only in that case, you should offer a buy low. Don't do it blindly though.

Nikola Pekovic returned from his length, injury-induced absence and played 23 minutes off the bench, doing very Nikola Pekovic-type things, scoring 14 points with four rebounds nothing else. He's a very narrowed focused fantasy option and hurts a number of areas, so he's not a must-add in all leagues, but if you are struggling for points and boards, I don't mind him in some 12 teamers and 14 team leagues.

Gorgui Dieng was restricted to 25 minutes with Pekovic back, but I'm not dropping him yet as he has multi-categorical versatility. Don't make a silly move just yet.

Kobe Bryant returned, Kobe Bryant got injured. Bryant hurt his shoulder on a dunk attempt and given he has been sitting with no specific injury, it's safe to say some time on the sidelines will be forthcoming with this shoulder issue. That should mean more value for Jeremy Lin and Wayne Ellington, but with Byron Scott, who knows. Speaking of Lin, he had four steals and one block off the bench, because Scott felt it imperative to rush Ronnie Price back into the starting lineup after missing a couple of games. Lin still is a worthy stash for 12 team leagues once Scott realises that Price has no business playing in the NBA.

Anthony Davis returned from his injury, played 37 minutes, destroyed the Lakers and had three steals and four blocks. As you were. The news of Jrue Holiday suffering another stress reaction in his right leg, the same leg that ended his season last season is not good. The initial timetable is two to four weeks, but I'm not that optimistic and if you are battling for a playoff spot, trading Holiday at a discount is probably prudent. Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans will get significant bump and Gordon, after his 17 point, five rebound, 10 assists night, is now a must-own in most leagues, at least while he is playing.

Greivis Vasquez got another start, but was ice-cold, shooting 1-for-8 in his 22 minutes. If you added him, I'd wait it out another game or two.

Jeff Green replaced Courtney Lee in the starting lineup, but had his worst game since joining Memphis, scoring six points in 26 minutes. I think his value holds steady despite this blip.

With no LaMarcus Aldridge, Dorell Wright got the start and played 35 minutes with 15 points and five assists. If he continues to play like this, there is real standard league, albeit short-term, value for Wright, but when Aldridge sat at the beginning of the season, it as Meyers Leonard who drew the start, so this may have been a matchup move from coach Terry Stotts. In reality, neither guy is worth an add in most standard leagues.

Alex Len was limited to 19 minutes, racking up four fouls in 19 minutes, but coach Jeff Hornacek mentioned pregame that Len was dealing with foot tendonitis, a worrying sign for the big man. There is no minutes restriction in place, but the Suns will be extra cautious with their prized big man asset.

With Mason Plumlee limited to just 11 minutes due to fouls, Brook Lopez showed his All-Star best, scoring 22 points with six rebounds and six blocks in 38 minutes. When he gets minutes, he's an elite fantasy center, but coach Lionel Hollins fails to realise this. If, for some reason, he is on your wire, don't hesitate.

Josh Smith was ejected after receiving his second technical, playing just 14 minutes, and as legend has it, teams that lose Josh Smith become world-beaters. The Warriors didn't read the script and continued to hammer the Rockets. It was a blowout and the minutes were all over the place, nothing to read into from a fantasy point of view.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Carmelo Anthony was super productive, scoring 27 points with 11 rebounds and three steals and I can't stress this enough, you need to get value for Melo while he is playing. This is three games straight for Melo and you have about three weeks left before he's done. You need to try and cash in.

Michael Carter-Williams took advantage of Tony Wroten's absence, scoring 27 points with six rebounds, seven assists and five steals and should be a productive, but inefficient option while Wroten nurses his injured knee. Henry Sims double-doubled with no Noel and Mbah a Moute.

Kyrie Irving and LeBron James combined for 44 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and nine steals and are proving to be super productive, while Kevin Love, although he double-doubled again, is not as exciting. This feels exactly like what Love is going to do this season and I wouldn't be expecting a second half break out.

I've already touched on Drummond's big game, but how about Brandon 'John Stockton' Jennings? Jennings dished a career and NBA season-high 21 assists to go with 24 points and is on the hottest streak of his career. We can keep saying he can't keep it up, but he is and I wouldn't be trying to sell high. He looks rejuvenated and is providing tons of value, especially for head-to-head fantasy managers.

All five Hawks' starters scored in double-digits, with Jeff Teague adding 11 assists and Kyle Korver hitting 50 percent of his three-point attempts again.

J.J. Barea added 10 assists off the bench in the blowout for Dallas and we shouldn't read into that, nor should we worry about Monta Ellis' 3-for-12 shooting night.

Thaddeus Young had his best night, possibly for the season, posting 14 ponts, 11 rebounds and six assists. All that was missing was some steals and he is in the best form of the season. If you don't think it continues, now is when you sell, but I'd be holding for now.

Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant need to be noted, as they both went over 30 points and contributed in all categories. They are simply the best 1-2 punch in the game in my opinion.

DeMar DeRozan is now 2-for-20 in his last two games for a total of six points. This is obviously a low point and won't continue in this vein.

Zach Randolph notched his 13th straight double-digit rebounding game, even throwing in two blocks for good measure. Before his injury, Randolph had two blocks total in his first 26 games and now has two two-block games in his last seven games, post-injury. I don't expect that production to continue, given Randolph has a vertical of about three inches.

Nicolas Batum answered is owners prayers, stepping up in Aldridge's absence, scoring 27 points with six three-pointers, adding 10 rebounds and five assists. Let's hope this wakes him from his slumber permanently, and a big second half is in the offing, but if not, at least we should see an uptick while LaMarcus sits.

Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas combined for 76 points as the Suns knocked off the Blazers and of late, the Suns' guards have been ultra consistent and productive, shaking off the early season issues that plagued them. They appear reliable for the remainder of the season at their current value.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Kevin Durant, F, OKC, 34 points
2. Eric Bledsoe, G, PHX, 33 points
3. James Harden, G, HOU, 33 points

Rebounds

1. Steven Adams, C, OKC, 20 rebounds
2. Andre Drummond, C, DET, 17 rebounds
3. Enes Kanter, C, UTA, 17 rebounds

Assists

1. Brandon Jennings, G, DET, 21 assists
2. John Wall, G, WAS, 13 assists
3. Jeff Teague, G, ATL, 11 assists

Steals

1. Michael Carter-Williams, G. PHI, 5 steals
2. Kyrie Irving, G, CLE, 5 steals
3. Andre Drummond, C, DET, 4 steals
4. LeBron James, F, CLE, 4 steals
5. Klay Thompson, G, GSW, 4 steals
6. John Wall, G, WAS, 4 steals
7. DeMarre Carroll, F, ATL, 4 steals
8. P.J. Tucker, F, PHX, 4 steals
9. Jeremy Lin, G, LAL, 4 steals

Blocks

1. Jeremi Grant, F, PHI, 8 blocks
2. Brook Lopez, C, BKN, 6 blocks
3. Andrew Bogut, C, GSW, 5 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Nicolas Batum, F, POR, 6-8 3Pt
2. Kevin Durant, F, OKC, 4-10 3Pt
3. Chandler Parsons, F, DAL, 4-6 3Pt
4. Kyle Singler, F, DET, 4-5 3Pt
5. Jason Terry, G, HOU, 4-6 3Pt

Minutes

1. Kevin Durant, F, OKC, 45 minutes
2. John Wall, G, WAS, 44 minutes
3. Russell Westbrook, G, OKC, 42 minutes
4. Rudy Gay, F, MEM, 42 minutes
5. Bradley Beal, G, WAS, 42 minutes