The extended All-Star break offers an opportunity to harness your inner Miss Cleo. You see, Wednesday, February 11th is the last day general managers can view potential assets, sans one game Thursday. The NBA trade deadline expires Thursday, February 19 at 3 PM EST, hours before the first games are played post-All-Star break thanks to the prolonged hiatus. If you have a free roster spot or two, consider grabbing players you believe could see an expanded role if a trade creates the opportunity. For example, Reggie Jackson has long been rumored on the trade block. You can add him now, and if no deal transpires, utilize him for next Thursday's game on a night where only four teams play. Although, you may want to keep him through the end of Week 17 since the Thunder is one of two teams playing a maximum three games. Afterward, jettison him at your discretion. The possible stash options run the gamut from the aforementioned Jackson to the Nuggets' Gary Harris, depending on your league size. Planning ahead this week will help you retain your add/drops next week in head-to-head leagues, the most important time of the season to be fully stocked. Once the trades start coming down the pipe, you'll want the opportunity to upgrade your roster.

SIX WEEKS FROM GRIFFIN-DOR

Blake Griffin, the only power forward or center averaging more than four assists per game (5.1), requires surgery to remove a staph infection from his right elbow. I've read reports estimating he could miss anywhere from 2-6 weeks. If recovery lasts two weeks, he'll miss five games and likely return Wednesday, February 25th in Houston. A four-week hiatus places a possible return on Wednesday, March 11th (the week before default fantasy playoffs) in Oklahoma City, extending his absence to 12 games. Lastly, if he requires six weeks to heal, March 25th in New York strikes me as the most likely return date, sacrificing 20 games in the process.

With no intimate knowledge of the situation, I believe Griffin will make every effort to return before March, accelerating the recovery period. Anyone who owns him can hold for now with the All-Star break four days away. Risk takers can try to acquire him on the cheap because some managers will be freaked out by the six-week ceiling. I read that the team caught the infection early, and after the procedure Monday, we'll have a firmer timeline. If you've been rostering Carmelo Anthony, consider swapping him for the injured Griffin with the endgame in mind.

I'll digest Spencer Hawes in the Rotation Notes.

HOSPITAL WARD

Glen Davis, the recipient of an aggressive Nick Collison boxout, left Sunday's game due to back spasms. Because of his portly stature and the way Doc Rivers is handling J.J. Redick (back spasms), Davis will probably miss both games before the All-Star break. Doc Rivers hinted that the team will likely sign someone to a 10-day contract, but that some could be a guard because of lingering injuries to Redick and Austin Rivers (foot). Matt Barnes will pilfer power forward minutes in smaller lineups. Ekpe (Ep-ay) Udoh is next on the depth chart, so if your season hinged on Davis, consider adding Udoh with minimal expectations. He only played nine fourth-quarter minutes in the blowout loss

Steven Adams injured his right hand, split a pair of left-handed free throws, didn't return, and won't play tonight in Denver. Nick Collison started in the second half. Kendrick Perkins (suspension) likely gets the start and increased minutes while Adams heals, as was the case January 25th when Adams didn't play against the Cavaliers.

M.I.A.

• Atlanta
  • Thabo Sefolosha (calf)
  • Shelvin Mack (DNP-CD)
• Charlotte
  • Bismack Biyombo (knee)
  • Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (hamstring)
  • Kemba Walker (knee)
• Chicago
  • Kirk Hinrich (toe)
  • Mike Dunleavy (ankle)
• Houston
  • Dwight Howard (knee)
• Indiana
  • Ian Mahinmi (ankle)
  • Lavoy Allen (knee)
• LA Clippers
  • J.J. Redick (back)
  • Blake Griffin (elbow)
• LA Lakers
  • Jordan Hill (hip)
• Memphis
  • Vince Carter (foot)
• Minnesota
  • Ricky Rubio (ankle)
  • Shabazz Muhammad (abdomen)
  • Robbie Hummel (hand)
• Oklahoma City
  • Kendrick Perkins (suspension)
  • Anthony Morrow (shoulder)
• Orlando
  • Luke Ridnour (personal)
• Phoenix
  • Eric Bledsoe (personal)
  • Alex Len (ankle)
• Portland
  • Joel Freeland (shoulder)
• Sacramento
  • Rudy Gay (foot)
  • Darren Collison (hip)

ROTATION NOTES

Spencer Hawes started next to DeAndre Jordan. Coach Doc Rivers will decide from game-to-game who'll replace Blake Griffin (elbow), with Hawes receiving a majority of the starts. Against the Thunder, he scored all of his season-high 17 points (7-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT) in the first half, chipping in one rebound and one block in 35 minutes. With the dearth of frontcourt depth, Hawes became the hottest free agent pickup in Yahoo! leagues, totaling 25,226 adds by 1 AM EST. If you still have the option, ride him while the minutes flow, but don't feel bad if you missed out. His value could cease in as little as five games, depending on Griffin's recovery process. At some point, he'll frustrate you with a dud; just stay the course until his points, assists, threes, and blocks are no longer useful.

Jeffrey Taylor replaced Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (hamstring) in the starting lineup. Kidd-Gilchrist won't return until after the All-Star break, potentially bleeding into March. Taylor played a season-high 22 minutes in just his ninth game this season. Adding him to the rotation waters down the minutes for reserves Gary Neal and Lance Stephenson. Taylor's presence in the starting lineup doesn't make him a must-own, but he can sit on your watch list in the event he provides consistent offense.

Ricky Rubio (ankle) was given the night off. He'll probably play the second game of a back-to-back tonight. I don't know the timeline on the restriction, but with his recently signed extension, there's no reason to overexert him. Plus, he tweaked the ankle in the previous game, forcing the organization to practice restraint. Mo Williams provided 11 points and nine assists in the spot start. If he's gone by the trade deadline, Zach LaVine's workload increases. It's just difficult to trust him in standard leagues.

Tony Snell, after a career-high 19 points, snuck back into the starting lineup because Kirk Hinrich (turf toe) was unavailable. In 37 minutes, he hit 3-of-9 shots. Unable to duplicate his one-game success, most fantasy managers can continue ignoring him.

James Johnson became the second most added player in Yahoo! leagues, trailing only Spencer Hawes, when coach Dwane Casey utilized him in the starting lineup against the Spurs. I suspect it was done for matchup purposes. Johnson constrained Kawhi Leonard to 5-of-17 shooting. On offense, Johnson responded with a season-high 20 points (8-10 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), and four rebounds. If my suspicions hold true, Johnson will return to a reserve role before long. I'm not rooting for the change. The Landry Fields experiment means nothing can be put past coach Casey, especially after he yanked Johnson from the starting lineup already. If he chooses to replace Johnson with Terrence Ross, I wouldn't be shocked. Meanwhile, forget his recent offensive explosions and consider adding Johnson for his ability to accumulate steals and blocks in limited action. The Raptors don't play again until Wednesday, leaving Yahoo! league members in an uncomfortable position since there are 12 games slated for that night. Additionally, Yahoo! head-to-head leagues count this week as one matchup, so you're possibly sacrificing a short-term loss for a long-term gain if Casey doesn't shuffle the lineup again.

Eric Bledsoe tended to his pregnant wife, exalting Isaiah Thomas into the starting lineup. The former King scored 14 of his 26 points (8-17 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 7-9 FT) in the fourth quarter, a rerun where I live. Thomas averages 6.2 fourth-quarter points, eight most in the league. The Suns don't play again until Tuesday, a home game against the Rockets. I expect Bledsoe to return to the lineup, displacing Thomas until a potential deadline deal surfaces.

Rudy Gay couldn't play because of a sore left foot, one that manifested itself into a 1-of-8 display the night before. Omri Casspi started and played 20 minutes, failing to recreate the magic from previous starts. The Kings engage in a back-to-back road set beginning Tuesday. With the team trying to find a new coach after already committing to Ty Corbin for the rest of the season, the All-Star break in sight, and the team not competing for a playoff seed, I don't see the incentive for the Kings to rush Gay or Darren Collison (hip) back from injury.

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

James Harden led his team in points (45), rebounds (9), assists (8), turnovers (4), field goal attempts (25), three-point attempts (10), free throws (19) and free throws attempted (23), matching the Trail Blazers' entire roster on that last one. I'm at the point where I grow concerned if he doesn't post lines like this. Anything less than a near triple-double forces me to scour the Twitter for an injury update or confirmation Klay Thompson shut him down on the offensive end.

ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT

Mitch McGary played the part of a Russell Crowe lookalike on the bench and Maximus Decimus Meridius on the court. The stars lined up perfectly, beginning with the Kendrick Perkins suspension and concluding with the Steven Adams injury.  McGary jumped off to an auspicious start, which only required him to beat Glen Davis down court in a foot race for easy buckets. The rest of his stat accumulation occurred in the fourth quarter, ostensibly garbage time. Ergo, his 19 points (8-9 FG, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, and one steal are slightly inflated. Following a juicy matchup against the Nuggets tonight, McGary's long-term fantasy outlook belongs to head coach Scott Brooks, who gave meaningful minutes to Caron Butler and Derek Fisher last season instead of his younger players. He's a speculative add in deeper leagues, but with that rapidly approaching trade deadline, I'd look elsewhere.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH

LeBron James hasn't recorded a triple-double this season. He registered just one last season. His cold spell continued last night, falling two assists shy of that elusive milestone. With a substandard head-to-head fantasy playoff schedule and rumblings that James doesn't want to play heavy minutes, resting occasionally, start sending out feelers for players who rarely miss games with half decent end-of-season schedules (Gordon Hayward, Damian Lillard, etc.)

We have Evan Turner Part Deux brewing in Charlotte, and his name is Gerald Henderson. He added facilitator to his resume by averaging a career-high 3.4 assists since Kemba Walker's knee surgery, expedited by playing next to Brian Roberts in the backcourt. After posting a career-high nine assists the previous game, Henderson provided 13 points (2-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 9-9 FT), eight assists, and seven rebounds. When all you have to do is find to Al Jefferson on the block, assists multiply like Michael Keaton in the film Multiplicity. With Lance Stephenson's name in trade rumors, Henderson's role could expand incrementally.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Chris Paul recorded 13 assists in his first game without Blake Griffin (elbow). Prior to Sunday's game, Paul spent 108 minutes without Griffin on the court, marking the data as inconclusive. Jamal Crawford chipped in with four assists, and Matt Barnes recorded all three of his assists in the first quarter. J.J. Redick (back), in my opinion, holds the key to Paul's assist success. Routinely, last season and this, the Clippers open up the first quarter by running Redick around the court until Paul finds him for wide open shots. Roughly 38 percent of Paul's assist transpire in the first quarter, aided by a healthy Redick averaging 6.0 first-quarter points (13th most).

Russell Westbrook missed his first eight shots, closing out an epic week with 19 points (6-19 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 32 minutes. Garbage time stats went to Dion Waiters, scoring 11 of his 16 points in the 4th quarter. Reggie Jackson siphoned minutes from Anthony Morrow (shoulder) and provided 15 points and six assists in 23 minutes, courtesy of Austin Rivers' defense.

Wesley Johnson scored 12 of his 15 points in the first quarter, playing 10 minutes because Ryan Kelly incurred two fouls in the first two minutes. Jeremy Lin scored nine of his 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt) in the fourth quarter. Nine Lakers played at least 20 minutes but no more than 30. Carlos Boozer matched his season-low with 15 minutes. It was a potpourri of minutes and stats, a box of chocolates if you will.

Jordan Clarkson scored a career-high 20 points (6-14 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 8-9 FT), grabbed six rebounds, registered four assists, and nabbed three steals in 27 minutes. The thing is, he's painfully inefficient, but he's getting minutes and accumulating significant stats. If you need help in field goal percentage and threes, find another athletic guard.

Nick Young was benched in the third quarter after picking up a technical foul. He shot 3-of-10 from the field in 22 minutes after coach Scott's used him the entire fourth quarter. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Kevin Love provided enough optimism for you to sell high if someone believes his season-high 32 points (11-18 FG, 7-8 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds, and three assists are a positive second-half sign. Below is a list of recent forward performances against the Lakers, an indictment of their defensive scheme and overmatched personnel:

•  Tobias Harris (Feb. 6): season-high 34 points, seven rebounds, two three-pointers
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Feb. 4): then career-high 25 points, six rebounds, two blocks
• Carmelo Anthony (Feb. 1): 31 points, eight rebounds, two blocks
• Pau Gasol (Jan. 29): 20 points, 10 rebounds, six assists

Simply, the Lakers' frontline yield positive results. A high scoring game from Love doesn't sway my opinion of his rest of season value. Capitalize if you can, or love Love like a love song, baby.

Paul Millsap and Al Horford combined for 10 points on 4-of-21 shooting. Kyle Korver attempted six shots with Tony Allen glued to his hip. It's substandard performances like this where I'll throw out lowball trade offers to ignorant managers, hoping to pry away a fantasy stud after one bad game. While the Hawks are a bad example since I suspect they'll rest arbitrary games down the stretch, my method rests on the basis of a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately society.

I feel like the Pacers need their own section. I probably would've titled it, "Pace Makers," or something funnier.

George Hill played 27 minutes for the first time since December 31st, missing time in between due to a groin injury. The minutes are trending appropriately. C.J. Watson scored 22 points and hit five three-pointers. He leads the team in three-point shooting (41 percent), but Hill's return squelches minutes and touches.

C.J. Miles was limited to two points on five shots in 24 minutes. If you own him, you're better off viewing his averages, not his game log. He encapsulates Katy Perry's Hot and Cold to a tee.

Luis Scola registered 15 points and 14 rebounds. Remember this, especially if David West gets packaged in a trade, which I believe is on the high side of 50/50. Although, Scola runs the same risk. The Pacers are two games back of the eighth seed, tied with Detroit and Boston, following their three-game winning streak. Larry Bird won't openly concede the season, likely nixing my theory.

Brian Roberts fought off a sore right shoulder on his way to 19 points and five assists in a team-high 40 minutes. Al Jefferson added 30 points and 13 rebounds in 36 minutes. If you've been clinging to Lance Stephenson, his performance against his former team, the Pacers, likely distinguished that flame. He played 20 minutes in the loss, and since Kemba Walker's injury, Stephenson's playing fewer than 26 minutes and shooting 13.6 percent from downtown, a one-and-a-half percent drop-off from his season mark.

Nikola Pekovic scored 15 of his season-high 29 points (9-16 FG, 11-12 FT) in the fourth quarter, reducing Gorgui Dieng to 15 minutes. It's possible coach Flip Saunders rests Pekovic tonight, a wise move after playing him 33 minutes against the Pistons. My records stipulate the Timberwolves have seven back-to-back sets, including four during the default fantasy playoffs (Week 21-23). You can ride him while he's playing, but this is the perfect time to trade him for someone with less brittle ankles who won't skip back-to-backs.

Kevin Martin missed all six three-point tries and still produced 24 points. Shabazz Muhammad (abdomen) could return as soon as tonight. Harking back to the rule of thumb with the trade deadline, if you want to take a chance on Muhammad, don't wait too long.

Derrick Rose was stymied by Elfrid Payton offensively, leading to a season-high 11 assists and his lowest point total (10) since January 7th. He's only missed three games since November 24th, but his fantasy production is concentrated in points, threes, and assists. Instead of attacking the rim, Rose is attempting career-high three-pointers in a career-low minutes per game, destroying his percentages. Like coach Herman Boone once said, "find a drunk, and trade him for his."

Pau Gasol 'racks up double-doubles the way Margot Robbie snags roles in Hollywood films. He supplied 25 points (10-16 FG, 5-6 FT), 15 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 37 minutes, clinching his 12th straight and league-leading 33rd double-double. Joakim Noah traded off two-point games with Taj Gibson, the latter working through a tweaked ankle he suffered Saturday night against the Pelicans.

Josh Smith (16 points, five rebounds, four three-pointers) and Trevor Ariza (nine points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals) have each provided top-40 fantasy value over the past two weeks. I believe I covered Smith's three-point ascension last time, so let's delve into Ariza. He's shooting 43 percent from downtown in his last six games, camping out in the corners for the easier look. Four of the Rockets' past six games have come against Eastern Conference foes, accounting for an eight percent spike in his field goal and three-point accuracy. Western Conference opponents hold Ariza to 34.6 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent from downtown. Sadly, the Rockets traverse a three-game Western Conference road trip that ends on the other side of the All-Star break.

Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan, Danny Green, and Manu Ginobili combined to shoot 17-of-66. I don't have an excuse for that abhorrent display. Sunday signaled the first game in their nine-game Rodeo road trip. They spend the rest of the month on the road, ultimately returning to San Antonio on March 4th.

I watched Jonas Valanciunas play meaningful fourth-quarter minutes against the Spurs. Then I watched it two more times throughout the night on NBATV just to verify my earlier observation. He contributed eight points (3-7 FG, 2-2 FT), a season-high 16 rebounds (nine in the third quarter), four blocks, and one steal in 34 minutes. To reiterate, Valanciunas acts as a defensive liability most nights, justifiably restricting his minutes. Sure he can score, but problems arise when the opposition routinely exceeds his output by a comfortable margin. That song and dance won't end until coach Dwane Casey is forced to keep him on the court, and tonight's performance was a step in the right direction. Valanciunas grew mad when the refs didn't call fouls on his defender, intensified by that lumberjack beard he sports. Once he can control the anger, a la The Hulk, 30 minutes a night will be the norm.

Markieff Morris' tailspin persists. That's what happens when you square off against a defender of Jason Thompson's caliber. You can't sell low, that's inadvisable. But after last night's 3-of-20 showing, he's shooting 36 percent from the field and 19 percent from downtown in his last eight games. He's someone who could benefit from an extended All-Star break, so if you want to buy low, do so with the knowledge that the Suns are one of four teams scheduled for a minimum nine games during the default head-to-head fantasy playoffs (Week 21-23).

DeMarcus Cousins reached his self-imposed five technical foul vow. He also hit his first buzzer-beating game winner, so tit for tat.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. James Harden, G, HOU: 45 points (11-25 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 19-23 FT)
2. Kevin Love, F, CLE: 32 points (11-18 FG, 7-8 3Pt, 3-5 FT)
3. Al Jefferson, C, CHA: 30 points (13-22 FG, 4-5 FT)

Rebounds

1. Jonas Valanciunas, C, TOR: 16 rebounds (3 offensive)
2. Pau Gasol, C, CHI: 15 rebounds (3 offensive)
3. Zach Randolph, F, MEM: 15 rebounds (5 offensive)

Assists

1. Chris Paul, G, LAC: 13 assists (1 turnovers)
2. Derrick Rose, G, CHI: 11 assists (3 turnovers)
3. Kyrie Irving, G, CLE: 10 assists (1 turnovers)

Steals

1. Jimmy Butler, G, CHI: 6 steals
2. Trevor Ariza, F, HOU: 4 steals
3. Iman Shumpert, G, CLE: 4 steals
4. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 4 steals

Blocks

1. Jonas Valanciunas, C, TOR: 4 blocks
2. Timofey Mozgov, C, CLE: 4 blocks
3. Paul Millsap, F, ATL: 4 blocks
4. Miles Plumlee, C, PHX: 4 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Kevin Love, F, CLE: 7-8 3Pt
2. Kyrie Irving, G, CLE: 5-8 3Pt
3. C.J. Watson, G, IND: 5-8 3Pt

Minutes

1. Kevin Martin, G, MIN: 42 minutes
2. Trevor Ariza, F, HOU: 41 minutes
3. Jams Harden, G, HOU: 40 minutes
4. Jimmy Butler, G, CHI: 40 minutes
5. Thaddeus Young, F, MIN: 40 minutes
6. Brian Roberts, G, CHA: 40 minutes