I get asked never, "Hey J.J., what's one perk of writing the Box Score Breakdown on Friday night?" Until last week, I would have said nothing. But since the Australian Open began, I get to watch tennis in the background. So I got that going for me, which is nice.

SATURDAY SCHEDULED MAYHEM

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Toronto Raptors play their fifth game in seven days Saturday.

Josh Smith and the Rockets face the Detroit Pistons while Mike Miller and the Cavs take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Mayhem I tell you, mayhem.

HOSPITAL WARD

Thabo Sefolosha lasted two minutes before straining his right calf. He was starting for the injured DeMarre Carroll (Achilles) and could miss multiple games. My arbitrary date is the All-Star break since it's less than two weeks away, buffered by an additional week of rest during an extended break. This isn't confirmed but expect an actual team report soon.

Jonas Valanciunas momentarily left the game after injuring his ankle. After a tape job, he returned and played 33 minutes. According to postgame reports, he limped out of the arena. Swelling is a high possibility, so he's questionable for tonight's game at best. Tyler Hansbrough started the only game Valanciunas missed this season because Amir Johnson was unavailable. I envision coach Dwane Casey keeping Patrick Patterson in a reserve role to maintain his rotation, using Hansbrough as the starting center.

M.I.A.

• Atlanta
  • DeMarre Carroll (Achilles)
  • Shelvin Mack (calf)
• Boston
  • Kelly Olynyk (ankle)
• Brooklyn
  • Deron Williams (ribs)
• Chicago
  • Mike Dunleavy (ankle)
• Dallas
  • Chandler Parsons (illness)
• Golden State
  • Festus Ezeli (ankle)
•  Houston
  • Dwight Howard (ankle/knee)
• Miami
  • Dwyane Wade (hamstring)
  • Luol Deng (calf)
  • Udonis Haslem (DNP-CD)
• Minnesota
  • Mo Williams (hip)
  • Ricky Rubio (ankle)
  • Shabazz Muhammad (abdomen)
  • Robbie Hummel (hand)
• New Orleans
  • Anthony Davis (groin)
  • Jrue Holiday (leg)
• Phoenix
  • Gerald Green (DNP-CD)
• Portland
  • Robin Lopez (hand)
  • Joel Freeland (shoulder)
• Sacramento
  • Reggie Evans (inactive)
• Toronto
  • James Johnson (hamstring)
• Utah
  • Rodney Hood (foot)

ROTATION NOTES

DeMarre Carroll, the forgotten Hawk, was held out of action because of a left Achilles strain. The Hawks play the Sixers tonight, a game Carroll can afford to miss. I'm not positive on the severity, but I've always associated Achilles injuries with extended absences. Thabo Sefolosha started, but as you read earlier, he incurred a calf injury. Kent Bazemore, you remember him, played a season-high 40 minutes and chipped in 12 points (5-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-3 FT), five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. He'll become an interesting short-term option is the Hawks decide to restrain Carroll and Sefolosha through the All-Star break. They play four games next week and six before the break.

Coach Bradley Stevens committed to Brandon Bass as the starting center. Bass, in kind, rewarded coach with 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-8 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block in a team-high 33 minutes. Eating up the rest of the frontcourt minutes were Jared Sullinger (30), Jae Crowder (28), Tayshaun Prince (21), Tyler Zeller (18), and Gerald Wallace (7). Since the Jeff Green trade, Coach Stevens' rotation includes nine guys playing between 20-32 minutes with Avery Bradley surfacing as the leader. I'm most concerned about Wallace playing in six straight games after missing 13 of the previous 16 games. The trade deadline is less than three weeks away (February 19th), so stashing guys like Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk (ankle) shouldn't burden you for much longer. Once Bass, Evan Turner, and Prince get traded or bought out, coach Stevens will have more minutes than he knows what to do with.

The Nets were down 66-54 at halftime. Coach Lionel Hollins decided to start Brook Lopez and Bojan Bogdanovic in the second half over Mason Plumlee and Alan Anderson. Plumlee played more than his usual allotment of minutes (36) in the overtime loss. Lopez lasted 41 minutes off the bench, yielding a season-high 35 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. It's only a matter of time before his back or foot starts acting up.

LeBron James rested one game after spraining his wrist. Against the Kings, he deposited 19 points (7-16 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven assists, four steals, three rebounds, two blocks, and six turnovers. He then kissed a girl in the stands, and I'm told he liked it.

J.J. Redick made his triumphant return to the starting lineup after missing one game due to back spasms. He shot 5-of-13 and missed all five three-pointers but added a season-high four assists. Jamal Crawford played as many minutes as Redick, 28, and added 15 points, one three-pointer, and one rebound. He's shooting 37 percent after a 47 percent November, adding slightly more fantasy value than Nick Young because of his extra assist per game. The rest of their numbers are nearly identical.

Anthony Davis didn't play after injuring his groin Wednesday against the Nuggets. The Pelicans don't play again until Monday, but like I wrote Wednesday, don't be surprised if they hold him out through the All-Star break. I can't throw a percentage on it, but the organization should focus on his long-term healthy rather than a possibility at the eight seed this postseason. Ryan Anderson started and hit five three-pointers for the first time since December 16th. He's still shooting a career-low 35 percent from downtown while adding 1.9 assists/steals/blocks combined. More than half his value is tied to three-pointers, the one stat you can find everywhere. Alexis Ajinca continued his onslaught without Davis in the lineup, producing 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-5 FT), nine rebounds, and three blocks in 24 minutes.

Chandler Parsons was sick and didn't play. Richard Jefferson started, and Charlie Villanueva stole the spotlight, scoring 11 of his 20 points (7-15 FG, 6-11 3Pt) in the fourth quarter. When Parsons returns, feel free to misremember Villanueva. Al-Farouq Aminu clocked in with 10 points (3-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, four steals, and two assists in 29 minutes in the blowout win. It's his second straight 10-point, 7-rebound, 29-minute performance. This game was decided with a 23-0 Mavs run that carried over into the fourth quarter, so coach Carlisle left the five guys out there who sealed the win. If Aminu consistently plays 29 minutes a night, then you can consider a short-term stream.

Shabazz Napier started for the hamstrung Dwyane Wade (hamstring) and scored eight points (3-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt) in 17 minutes. Norris Cole received 20 minutes off the bench but shot 1-of-10 from the field. Luol Deng's (calf) replacement, Tyler Ennis, filled the stat sheet with 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-5 3Pt) and four rebounds in 32 minutes. It's an interesting collection of youthful talent and Norris Cole. The Heat doesn't play again until Sunday afternoon, but I'm not sure if Deng will suit up. I do know that their 2015 draft pick goes to the Philadelphia 76ers unless it lands in the top 10. They have the 14th best winning percentage, clinging to the seventh seed in the East.

Andrew Bogut missed one game because of the flu, playing sparingly in his return in the Warriors loss to the Jazz.

Gerald Green was stung by the DNP-CD. Coach Jeff Hornacek responded, "I wanted Goran and Eric in there most of the time and then with Isaiah (Thomas) taking some of those minutes, we just kind of squeezed him tonight. But tomorrow night could be his night where he plays a lot of minutes and does a great job for us." Sounds like it was the way the rotation fell, especially with coach Tom Thibodeau running Aaron Brooks 32 minutes.

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

LaMarcus Aldridge stole the show but couldn't help the Blazers snap the Hawks' winning streak. In 38 minutes, he contributed 37 points (15-24 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. His 25 three-pointers this season eclipsed his career total entering this season, and he's shooting 52 percent from deep and a career-high 88 percent from the free-throw line.

ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT

Nerlens Noel scored 14 points (7-8 FG), blocked a career-high six shots, grabbed six rebounds, totaled four steals, and registered three assists in 31 minutes. That was one of his best all-around efforts to date. He benefitted from Nikola Pekovic's lax pick-and-roll defense, the equivalent of taking candy from a baby. Noel will always struggle offensively, a byproduct of his stone hands translating into a 44 percent field goal mark. Since not every team rosters a slow, 300 pound center, high-efficiency games like this should be considered an outlier. I'm comforted by the 1.7 blocks and 1.6 steals per games, numbers I was expecting from Larry Sanders. Noel is one of three centers, the other two being Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, averaging at least 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, a true blessing in head-to-head leagues.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH

Michael Carter-Williams recorded his fifth career triple-double and third of the season, tying Rajon Rondo for most. Tracking the home scorekeeper, I viewed all 10 of his assists because the disparity between home and road assists is two per game, similar to his rebounds gap. Carter-Williams tallied eight of his 10 assists in the first half, and all but two were questionable. It helps that he was facing the Timberwolves. Upcoming road contests against the Hawks and Cavaliers will test my theory, but maybe I just need to realize the Sixers are developing into a decent team. In fact, they're 10-20 since snapping their 17-game losing streak, claiming the 25th best winning percentage and ninth-best defensive rating in that span.

Jarrett Jack played all but 47 seconds in the Nets' overtime loss. He scored a career-high 35 points (13-30 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 8-8 FT), dished out 13 assists, grabbed eight rebounds, and accumulated one steal in 52 minutes. Rather than focus on the positive, let's scour the negative. Jack is shooting 21 percent from behind the three-point line, inhibiting the floor spacing. Second, Deron Williams (ribs) participated in Thursday's practice. Third, the team is dead last in defensive rating (110.6) and net rating (-11.6) since Williams last played, dropping out of the playoff picture with a record of 2-9. The Atlanta Hawks have the right to swap first-round picks with the Nets this season. Jack will have seven more games of excessive minutes if Williams returns after the All-Star break.

Chris Paul tried so hard and got so far. But in the end, it didn't even matter. His 24 points (10-20 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in 38 minutes weren't enough to defeat the Pelicans. He's turned it on over his past four games, averaging 20.8 points, 8.3 assists, and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field, a similar conversion rate to his entire month of November. I blame Matt Barnes, not Blake Griffin's new play style, for the reason Chris Paul isn't averaging at least 10 assists per game. On second thought, Paul leads the NBA in secondary assists per game (2.9), so Griffin holds some accountability.

Tyreke Evans is averaging 7.3 assists per game over the last 10 games without Jrue Holiday (leg), up from 5.3 assists per game with Holiday. For the third time in four games, Evans recorded 12 assists. I continually mention that his ankles will unintentionally land on someone's foot underneath the basket, causing him to miss a week or two. He's fearless when attacking the rim, the root of his injury history, and leads the league as 12.4 drives per game, per SportVU. It's unclear if Holiday returns this season, so you can hold Evans or cash him in for someone with a better head-to-head fantasy playoff schedule.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Nikola Pekovic recorded at least one steal, one block, and one assist for the first time in 29 games. He compensated by scoring 18 points (6-9 FG, 6-7 FT) and grabbing seven rebounds in 31 minutes. That's three of the last four contests breaking the 30-minute barrier. If you capitalized on Pekovic's return, congratulations. I don't think he'll last until the All-Star break if coach Flip Saunders continues to test his limits.

Kevin Martin isn't gun shy. For the second straight game, he attempted a team-high 18 field goals in 30 minutes off the bench, converting just five and scoring 19 points with the help of seven free throws. He also doled out a season-high and team-high five assists with the team using rookie Zach LaVine and Lorenzo Brown as primary point guards in the absence of Ricky Rubio (ankle) and Mo Williams (hip). With talk of the Wolves trying to move Mo Williams, I have to believe Martin's name is also on the block. Including this season, Martin has three years and $21 million left on his contract, tainted by a player option the final season. If it does transpire, his value likely reverts to his Oklahoma City days when he came off the bench and played 28 minutes a night.

Jerami Grant topped 20 minutes for the 11th straight game. In that time frame, he's shooting a team-high 46 percent from downtown while averaging 1.6 blocks per game, as opposed to Sir Robert Covington whose shooting 32 percent from downtown, a seven percent drop-off from his season averages. Defenses are no longer abandoning Covington on the perimeter, and since he won't stop shooting, many of his threes are of the contested variety. Back to Grant, he's just one of those young, athletic dudes who could impact your head-to-head fantasy playoffs since the Sixers plays a maximum 12 games during the default schedule (Week 21-23). He's blocked about 50 three-point attempts over the past three weeks, which feels like an exaggeration until you watch him play and realize I'm not far off.

Damian Lillard is shooting 30 percent from the field and 25 percent from distance over the past six games after Friday's 6-of-20 performance. A similar phenomenon occurred at the beginning of the season. If you missed your opportunity then, now is another chance to steal Lillard in a trade. I mentioned offering Kyrie Irving last time, but I'll also add LeBron James to the list.

It was another solid night from the Hawks' mainstays. After securing the league's best record with their 18th straight victory, it's time to start considering trading them from your fantasy team. Coach Budenholzer has already rested players, and looking ahead, the Hawks play 10 games during the standard head-to-head fantasy playoffs (Weeks 21-23). After four games against the Western Conference in Week 21, the Hawks enjoy a cupcake schedule to close out the season, with only four of their final 12 games against opponents with an above .500 winning percentage.

James Harden shot 4-of-21, missed all six layups, and was oddly bottled up by the Celtics for the second time this season, primarily by the duo of Evan Turner and Marcus Smart. I'm just reporting the facts.

Donatas Motiejunas, like so many big men before him, carved up the Celtics' interior for a career-high 26 points (11-16 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 12 rebounds, and one steal in 31 minutes. Dwight Howard (ankle/knee) is likely to miss a few weeks, slotting Motiejunas back into the primary center role. In 13 starts without Howard, Motiejunas averaged 13.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 three-pointers, contributing little else in the customary fantasy categories. Don't expect games like this unless he plays the Celtics the rest of the season, which he doesn't. Even though he's a quality rim deterrent, he's averaging 0.5 blocks per start. He'll give you a solid field goal percentage working in the lowpost. The Rockets play five games in February before the All-Star break, a decent sized window to stream Motiejunas.

Josh Smith supplied 15 points and 10 boards off the bench, blocking at least one shot for the fifth straight game. Terrence Jones blocked three shots in 20 minutes, the high end of his minutes cap. Again, a helpless Celtics' frontline contributed heavily.

Trevor Ariza converted 27 percent of his three-pointers over the last eight games, sinking to 32 percent on the season. You want a concrete reason? The last two seasons with John Wall on the court, he sank 42 percent of his shots from downtown. Without Wall, he reverted back to 30 percent on threes. Prior to his two-year stint in Washington, Ariza's career high from behind the arc was 33 percent. To further drive home the point, Rasual Butler is shooting 44 percent on three-pointers, his best mark since the 2003-04 season with the Heat.

Lou Williams scored 25 points (6-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 10-11 FT) in 29 minutes. I covered his fantasy value recently, so check the archives. Amir Johnson scored a season-high 24 points (10-11 FG, 4-4 FT) in 35 minutes. All of his shots were within eight feet of the rim against a slower Brook Lopez and overzealous Mason Plumlee. In case it's a sign of things to come, keep him on the watch list. DeMar DeRozan recorded nine assists, and Greivis Vasquez didn't register an assist for the fifth time all season.

Kyle Lowry scuffled in January, shooting 36 percent from the field and 31 percent from downtown, providing top-70 per game value the past 30 days. He's attempting fewer three-pointers since arriving in Toronto, replacing them with mid-range jumpers. In the wake of DeRozan's return, Lowry's shooting 27 percent on three-pointers. Fewer of his shots are assisted this season by a margin of 10 percent, indirectly affecting his efficiency. It's a buy low moment if you think he's going to alter his style post-All-Star game; I'd still try to obtain Damian Lillard first.

Kevin Love scored 16 of his 23 points (9-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT) in the first quarter. For the season, he's scoring 42 percent of his points in the first quarter, ranking fourth with 7.4 points in the opening stanza. He tapers off considerably in the second half when they forget about him, scoring just 2.7 points per game in the final quarter, tied for 158th in the league. Playoff schedule or no playoff schedule, if you can receive top-35 value for Love, engage.

DeMarcus Cousins reached his personal quota of five technical fouls. Only 37 games left for the Kings to remain abstinent. He shot a putrid 5-of-17 from the field thanks to Timofey Mozgov. That didn't stop Cousins from compiling 21 points, 13 rebounds, five steals, four assists, and one block in 36 minutes.

Omri Casspi scored 10 of his 15 points (5-7 FG, 5-6 FT) in fourth quarter garbage time. He did nothing but attack the basket with and against second units. You have been warned.

In grabbing a career-high 24 rebounds, Hassan Whiteside set a Miami Heat franchise record for most rebounds in a quarter and first half. He also added 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-3 FT), one steal, and one block in 28 minutes. It's going to be a bloodbath Sunday against the Celtics; Whiteside vs. Brandon Bass, choose wisely.

Rajon Rondo recorded four points, four assists, and four rebounds in 23 minutes. My, how times have changed. One month you're the focal point of the offense, citing carte blanche, and the next, you're just another piece to the puzzle. Coach Carlisle doesn't hesitate to use Devin Harris or J.J. Barea when the situation arises, limiting Rondo to 30 minutes per game in Dallas.

Dirk Nowitzki shot 4-of-16 from the field, bringing down his average over the past four games to 36 percent. They say when your heroes go, there's nothing you can do. At this point, the only plausible explanation is a nagging injury we aren't privy to. The four straight games shooting sub-42 percent is two off his longest streak suffered back in 2000 and 2003. I'm banking on the elongated All-Star break to rejuvenate his spirits. That or I'm overreacting to a shooting slump from one of the best shooters in the world.

Gordon Hayward snagged a career-high 15 rebounds, and Trevor Booker added a season-high 15 points (7-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), stealing Enes Kanter's minutes in the process. Trey Burke is averaging more points off the bench, 14.6 to 12.5, and fewer assists, 5.0 to 2.6, per game since his demotion. His seven assists last night were aided by Dante Exum leaving the game because of a Draymond Green elbow to the throat. Exum returned, settling for 24 minutes. In his last three games, he's shooting 15 percent and averaging 2.0 points, 1.3 assists, 1.3 rebounds, 0.3 steals, and 0.7 three-pointers in 25.2 minutes per game. He also had to face Marcus Smart, Chris Paul, and Stephen Curry. His next four opponents are Damian Lillard, Mike Conley (if healthy), Eric Bledsoe/Goran Dragic, and Darren Collison. Sink or swim time, baby, and so far, he looks like the Titanic.

Stephen Curry scored a team-high 32 points (10-22 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 7-9 FT) but received minimal contributions from the rest of the squad. Against the Jazz, Klay Thompson scored 12 points for the first time since he scored 12 points against the Jazz three weeks ago. Kryptonite located. These two teams square off again March 21st. The lackluster performance snapped a streak of 28 straight games with at least one three-pointer.

Derrick Rose is giving us early season Kobe Bryant, hitting 8-of-23 shots for 23 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Midseason Kobe Bryant suffered a season-ending injury. Dun-dun-duuuuuuuun.

Aaron Brooks played a season-high 32 minutes against the most obvious team, the Suns, and scored 21 points (8-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT). Pau Gasol grabbed 19 rebounds, only to shoot 5-of-14 from the field. He leads the NBA with 30 double-doubles, sitting on nine consecutive.

Markieff Morris grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds, the only positive takeaway from his line. Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe combined for 44 points, 10 assists, and four steals, each shooting 50 percent from the floor and playing 36 minutes.

TRANS-FORMERS: REVENGE OF THE TRADED

Thaddeus Young and Luc Mbah a Moute, players needed to facilitate the Kevin Love trade, combatted one another in Philadelphia. Young shot 3-of-10 in his return and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one three-pointer. Mbah a Moute scored a team-high 18 points (5-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 7-8 FT) and provided two steals. Young could be on his way out of town while Mbah a Moute is in Philadelphia to help mentor Joel Embiid.

Eric Gordon, the main haul in the Chris Paul trade, secured a season-high 28 points (10-20 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven assists, two rebounds, and one steal in the win over the Clippers. Without Jrue Holiday (leg), Gordon is averaging 5.6 assists and converting 45 percent of his three-pointers in 35.3 minutes per game. Like the Native Americans who performed the rain dance until it rained, I'll keep writing that he'll get injured until it happens (and then feel bad because I root against injuries). So enjoy the ride and remember that he played 64 games last season, most since his rookie year.

Austin Rivers recorded back-to-back games in double figures on at least 50 percent shooting in both games for the first time in his career. I know because I looked it up. That's the level of dedication you receive on the Box Score Breakdown. What can you do with that piece of information? Assuming you made it this far, don't add Rivers to your fantasy team would be my advice.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. LaMarcus Aldridge, F, POR: 37 points (15-24 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT)
2. Jarrett Jack, G, BKN: 35 points (13-30 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 8-8 FT)
3. Brook Lopez, C, BKN: 35 points (15-28 FG, 5-6 FT)

Rebounds

1. Hassan Whiteside, C, MIA: 24 rebounds (10 offensive)
2. Pau Gasol, C, CHI: 19 rebounds (6 offensive)
3. Gordon Hayward, F, UTA: 15 rebounds (5 offensive)
4. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC: 15 rebounds (7 offensive)

Assists

1. Jarrett Jack, G, BKN: 13 assists (2 turnovers)
2. Tyreke Evans, G, NOP: 12 assists (2 turnovers)
3. Damian Lillard, G, POR: 11 assists (6 turnovers)

Steals

1. DeMarcus Cousins, C, SAC: 5 steals
2. Nerlens Noel, C, PHI: 4 steals
3. LeBron James, F, CLE: 4 steals
4. J.R. Smith, G, CLE: 4 steals
5. Al-Farouq Aminu, F, DAl: 4 steals

Blocks

1. Nerlens Noel, C, PHI: 6 blocks
2. Seven tied with three blocks
3. Eight tied with two blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Charlie Villanueva, F, DAL: 6-11 3Pt
2. Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 5-11 3Pt
3. Eric Gordon, G, NOP: 5-7 3Pt
4. Ryan Anderson, F, NOP: 5-11 3Pt

Minutes

1. Jarrett Jack, G, BKN: 52 minutes
2. Joe Johnson, F, BKN: 46 minutes
3. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR: 44 minutes