Crappy title aside, I've got you covered for Wednesday's action. Somehow the Jazz lost, the Warriors manhandled the Hawks, and the Pistons lost the Sixers, again.

HOSPITAL WARD

Nerlens Noel attempted to oop an ill-advised JaKarr Sampson alley (the pass was rainbowed to the top of the backboard) and landed awkwardly on his foot. He left the game and didn't return. The team reported the injury as a right foot contusion. Coach Brett Brown said Noel could've returned and that he will play Friday against the Knicks. Crisis averted.

Kyle Lowry was diagnosed with a back contusion, leaving the game midway through the third quarter after intentionally fouling Zach LaVine. He's scheduled to be reevaluated today. If he's out for a substantial period of time, Greivis Vasquez gains some value. However, he's primarily going to boost your assist totals. Vasquez has become a streaky shooter, and in his three starts earlier this month when Lowry rested, he averaged 10.7 points, 8.0 assists, 2.3 three-pointers and not much else. Lou Williams is the safer bet for bulk points if Lowry can't go Friday in Chicago.

Ian Mahinmi left the game after suffering a forehead contusion, so I'm told. He was tested for a concussion and passed protocols. Coach Frank Vogel expects Mahinmi to play Friday in Cleveland. His exit partially explains Roy Hibbert's 31 minutes played. That's atypical playing time from the starting center.

Enes Kanter turned his left ankle. Per Shams Charania of RealGM, x-rays revealed a mild left ankle sprain and Kanter's considered day-to-day. The Thunder plays a game every other day for the next week, but with this news, I don't think he'll miss more than two games. Mitch McGary gains temporary value if Kanter can't er.

Ben McLemore was limited to 19 minutes due to a lingering wrist injury he suffered a week ago in Charlotte. Prior to last night's game, McLemore received an x-ray that turned up negative. The wrist/forearm was fine in the first quarter before stiffening on him, and he's been playing through soreness for four games, explaining the recent lull. If the team decides to rest him, Nik Stauskas probably steps up in the rotation, but coach George Karl may move Omri Casspi into the starting lineup.

M.I.A

• Atlanta
  • Kyle Korver (nose)
  • Mike Scott (toe)
  • Thabo Sefolosha (calf)
• Boston
  • Isaiah Thomas (back)
  • James Young (DNP-CD)
• Chicago
  • Jimmy Butler (elbow)
  • Derrick Rose (knee)
  • Taj Gibson (ankle)
• Detroit
  • Greg Monroe (knee)
• Golden State
  • Klay Thompson (ankle)
  • David Lee (DNP-CD)
• Indiana
  • Paul George (leg)
• Los Angeles
  • Matt Barnes (hamstring)
  • Jamal Crawford (calf)
• Miami
  • James Ennis (hip)
  • Henry Walker (DNP-CD)
• Milwaukee
  • O.J. Mayo (hamstring)
  • Jared Dudley (knee)
• Minnesota
  • Nikola Pekovic (ankle)
  • Kevin Garnett (knee)
  • Justin Hamilton (illness)
  • Gary Neal (hand)
  • Robbie Hummel (hand)
• Oklahoma City
  • Kevin Durant (foot)
  • Serge Ibaka (knee)
• Orlando
  • Tobias Harris (ankle)
  • Evan Fournier (hip)
  • Willie Green (back)
  • Dewayne Dedmon (ankle)
  • Devyn Marble (eye)
• Sacramento
  • DeMarcus Cousins (ankle)
  • Darren Collison (hip)
  • Carl Landry (DNP-CD)
• San Antonio
  • Manu Ginobili (ankle)
  • Aron Baynes (ribs)
• Washington
  • Kris Humphries (groin)

ROTATION NOTES

Kevin Love played 27 minutes after resting the previous two games. The Cavaliers don't play another back-to-back set until April 11-12, their third and second to last games of the season. I believe their big three will rest any given night. They're two game ahead of the Toronto Raptors for the two seed. Kyrie Irving is second in the league in total minutes played, trailing only James Harden. LeBron James has played more minutes, regular and postseason, than anyone else in the NBA. Once the two seed is locked up, possibly beforehand, it's going to become the Matthew Dellavedova, Iman Shumpert, & Tristan Thompson Show.

Ish Smith replaced a healthy Isaiah Canaan in the starting lineup. Smith compiled 15 points, eight assists, three steals, and one block in 26 minutes. Canaan countered with nine points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal, and two three-pointers in 22 minutes. The platoon is real, regardless of who starts. Smith was routinely subbed out for JaKarr Sampson at the end of the game in an offensive/defensive switch. He's one of the fastest players in the league, allowing him to blow by Reggie Jackson almost the entire game. Some nights, the layups and floaters fall; most nights, he's detrimental to both percentage categories and inflated assist totals. The Sixers next four opponents are the Knicks, Lakers, Kings, and Nuggets. Even though Smith is splitting minutes with Canaan, the schedule provides an opportunity for you to boost your assists. Don't expect much more in 25-30 minutes per game from either guard.

JaKarr Sampson started after missing one game, displacing sharpshooter Hollis Thompson. Sampson started the previous seven games, so it's his job to lose at this point. The minutes are being spread evenly with everyone healthy, stripping away Sir Robert Covington's must-own label. He won't start against until next Tuesday or Wednesday, whichever game Jason Richardson rests.

Ricky Rubio, he of two missed games dealing with ankle soreness, returned to the starting lineup. Avert your eyes if you own him because he posted two points, eight assists, eight rebounds, and two steals in 30 minutes. His minutes will be restricted the rest of the season, and I couldn't tell you if he's going to play tonight against the Knicks. The Timberwolves have four more back-to-back sets after Thursday's game, which is bad news for Nikola Pekovic (ankle) and Kevin Garnett (knee).

Tobias Harris (ankle) and Dewayne Dedmon (ankle), both of whom suffered sprained ankles the night before, were held out the second night of a back-to-back. Harris missed 21 of the first 22 games last season with a high ankle sprain, and this seems to be a reoccurring issue. The Magic plays two games next week, so for most of you in head-to-head leagues with daily transactions, Harris is an easy drop. The Magic don't need to jeopardize his future, and perhaps other teams will be hesitant to throw wads of cash at Harris in free agency now. Maurice Harkless and Channing Frye started, and the Magic were down to 10 healthy players. Harkless unleashed a season-high 18 points, six rebounds, four steals, one assist, and two three-pointers in 36 minutes. He's been in the dog house the entire season for two different coaches, and he'll likely resume a minimized role if Harris returns. We don't know when that's going to happen, but like I mentioned earlier, the Magic play four games over the next 13 days. That's plenty of time for him to recuperate and not enough games for Harkless to be relevant for what he'll provide in totality.

Al-Farouq Aminu played 24 minutes after missing two games with a shoulder injury. He led the reserves in playing time and provided seven points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal. The steals remain his calling card. Add him if you're looking for help at the end of the week in that category because, prior to the injury, Aminu had four games of at least four steals.

DeMarcus Cousins officially sat with a right calf strain, but if you ask him, his whole body could've been listed on the injury report. Even though coach George Karl wants Cousins to play, for selfish reasons I believe, management should be trying to retain their top-10 protected draft pick, a near lock at this point. They possess the sixth worst record, eight games ahead of the tenth worst Charlotte Hornets. Ryan Hollins started but only played 14 minutes.

Rudy Gay returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sore knee. He was the only beacon of hope against the Clippers, recording 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 37 minutes. The Kings play three back-to-backs the rest of the season and it's anyone guess as to when or if Gay or Cousins rest on any given night.

Jason Thompson displaced Carl Landry (DNP-CD) and added 12 points, eight rebounds, and one steal in 34 minutes. Your best bet is to stay away because one night it could be Thompson, the next night Reggie Evans, who grabbed 11 rebounds, could step up, followed by a high scoring output by Derrick Williams. Hollins isn't the answer on a team that plays at a feverish pace.

Justin Holiday made his second start of the season, filling in for the injured/resting Klay Thompson (ankle).  He scored five points on 1-of-6 shooting and handed out five of the team's 39 assists. David Lee secured another DNP-CD. Harrison Barnes (25 points) and Andre Iguodala (21 points) were the immediate winners of Thompson's truancy, but Barnes has been erratic this season minus his three-point shot and Igoudala is a rest candidate, along with Andrew Bogut.  The Warriors play four games in five nights, making Barnes a sneaky pickup now in head-to-head leagues because you can drop him after you get two games out of him next Monday and Tuesday. Although, one of those games is against the Jazz, so stream at your own peril.

ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT

Jiminy Christmas, Marcus Smart accelerated his clock by about 10 months when he went off for a career-high 25 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks, and seven three-pointers in 37 minutes. All but two of his attempts were three-pointers, finishing 7-of-12 from the great beyond. The Celtics played in Smart's old stomping grounds, the city where he spent two seasons with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. It's possible he found himself, but I'll retort that Smart is a career 31 percent three-point shooter as a starter after this game and Sixer Isaiah Canaan hit eight three-pointers against the Thunder two weeks ago. The Thunder has given up 9.5 threes per game since the All-Star break, fourth highest mark in the NBA. It's best if you don't trick yourself into thinking this type of line will be a regular occurrence. We have three months of data implying otherwise.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH

Reggie Jackson didn't record a steal, turned the ball over five times, and shot 4-of-17 from the field. And, of course, he scrimped by with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in 32 minutes, scoring his final basket with 18 seconds remaining in a loss to the 76ers. Clearly, his last game was an aberration, and this time, without Greg Monroe (knee), Jackson's teammates weren't as prolific from the field. The Pistons are 2-11 since acquiring Jackson, and he's just looking to throw up big numbers in order to get paid this summer.

Elfrid Payton excited people with his first career triple-double. I, however, was much more pleased with his fourth three-pointer in as many games and the two clutch free-throws he converted with a minute remaining in regulation to bring the Magic within a point. In 41 minutes, necessary due to injuries, Payton totaled 15 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, and two steals. He shot 60 percent from the field, 50 percent from downtown, and 100 percent from the charity stripe. That efficiency is the most important takeaway from his night.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

It's a mess in Brooklyn. Markel Brown recorded three steals and was the only Nets' starter to play in the fourth quarter. For some unknown reason, Thaddeus Young, after scoring nine points in the first nine minutes, played a total of 16 minutes and finished with nine points. Bojan Bogdanovic played a team-high 36 minutes. Brook Lopez is finally grabbing rebounds at a tolerable rate, snagging a career-high 8.9 rebounds post-All-Star break in just 27.8 minutes.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is on fire, which for him indicates back-to-back games with at least 20 points. He scored a team-high 20 points as one of only two Pistons to reach double figures and added a career-high eight rebounds. The number of shot attempts is similar without Greg Monroe (knee) the past two games, but the offense features better spacing, more ball movement, and drive-and-kicks. Caldwell-Pope isn't just settling for long jumpers, a trend which will likely continue until Monroe returns.

Thomas Robinson continues to accumulate gross stats in limited minutes. However, there's a pecking order in Philadelphia, and Robinson sits at the bottom of the totem pole, just above Henry Sims. Coach Brett Brown rewards minutes to defensive minded players and those that are well conditioned. Luc Mbah a Moute won't lose minutes because he's a hell of a defender who makes Nerlens Noel's job much easier. Jerami Grant is starting to find a groove and Robert Covington is now coming off the bench. While Robinson generates inflated stat lines, he doesn't check enough of coach Brown's boxes to warrant unlimited minutes. So please stop complaining about Robinson's playing time. The Sixers are still committed to instilling a culture that he must abide by.

The Miami Heat brought the goodies. Goran Dragic compiled his second double-double in the new uniform, scoring 20 points with 11 assists in 39 minutes. Hassan Whiteside accounted for 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks. Luol Deng scored 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, and Dwyane Wade led the team with 32 points, six assists, four rebounds, and one steal in 32 minutes. The Heat only has two back-to-back sets the rest of the season (beginning of Week 22 and end of Week 23), and Wade believes he's near peak health. I can imagine him resting the final two games of the season against the Magic and Sixers, but the Heat need to clinch a playoff spot first.

Kevin Martin scored 37 points in 44 minutes. Do you remember what happened last time he scored 37 points? Martin was forced to miss two months after undergoing surgery on his shooting wrist. I'm not inferring history will repeat itself, but it does make you wonder. Anyway, Flip Saunders wasn't with the team due to a personal matter, deferring to Sam Mitchell for at least one game. That's likely the reason you saw Martin's minutes spike from the 30-33 range all the way to 44 minutes. Justin Hamilton (illness), the hottest pickup west of the Mississippi, did not participate and his availability to Thursday's game is a mystery to me. Down to eight healthy players, interim coach Mitchell played Chase Budinger a season-high 36 minutes off the bench, more so due to necessity. Budinger added 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one block, and one three-pointer. He's an interesting flier option tonight against the Knicks, especially if the Wolves are stuck with Mitchell as the coach and can only field eight healthy players.

Jonas Valanciunas played 24 minutes, devoid of injury or foul trouble. In that time, he recorded 15 points, 15 rebounds, one block, and one assist. He didn't play in the second quarter. DeMar DeRozan played a team-high 39 minutes, and everyone else on the teams was sub-30. Valanciunas has now posted two straight double-doubles while playing fewer than 26 minutes both times. That's just the way the world works, and there's nothing you or I can do about it.

Nikola Mirotic is a second-half scoring fiend, averaging 7.9 points in the fourth quarter post-All-Star break. Last night, he scored 20 of his game-high 25 points in the second half to go along with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 31 minutes. I hate being wrong, buy I can't see how coach Tom Thibodeau stops playing him when Taj Gibson (ankle) returns. Clearly, Gibson's defense demands playing time, and Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah are must starts. Mathematically, if coach Thibodeau doesn't use Mirotic at small forward, he'd have 96 minutes to split between the four big men. Noah's capped at 32 minutes and Gasol is around 34 minutes lately, affording 30 minutes between Gibson and Mirotic. The Bulls only have two back-to-back sets the rest of the season, they're vying for the two or three seed, and coach Thibodeau is their coach for about two more months. As much as I want to endorse holding Mirotic, history and playing time isn't on his side, combined with the Bulls porous head-to-head playoff schedule. I'm all for waiting to see how the situation plays out because a setback or injury isn't off the table.

Mike Dunleavy scored 21 points and hit five three-pointers in 39 minutes. He does that once a month, so his quota is filled. Don't expect a repeat performance anytime soon.

The Spurs responded after their overtime loss to the Knicks. Boris Diaw played 31 minutes, most since January 10th, and logged 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, and one steal. Danny Green scored 20 points, grabbed eight rebounds, added four assists, accumulated two steals, and hit two three-pointers in a team-high 39 minutes, most since December 19th. The rest of the team did what you'd expect in the absence of Manu Ginobili (ankle) and Aron Baynes (ribs). Diaw was a solid matchup against the Bucks, limiting Tiago Splitter to 19 minutes. The center position in San Antonio is avoidable for me and most people, but their game against the Celtics on Friday makes me want to double-down on Diaw in a daily league, especially if coach Popovich gives a few of his players the night off. Otherwise, the long-term appeal is minimal.

I'm done trying to discern what's going on in Boston. I've been done for a while, but now it's official. Tyler Zeller came in scoring a combined 44 points the last two games and was set for much more when he finished the first half with 12 points. However, he was limited to five minutes in the second half, failing to score in that time. Instead, Kelly Olynyk had the best performance of the frontcourt players, tallying 20 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks, and three three-pointers in only 23 minutes. Brandon Bass chipped in 20 points as well, supplemented by four assists and three rebounds in 30 minutes. Olynyk could overtake Zeller's starting gig, but I'm not sure he'll earn more than 28 minutes a night. Most people aren't in a position to wait for Olynyk to regain his preinjury form, and although this is a step in the right direction, his ownable stretch a week ago was followed up with a two-point performance and a one-point outing.

In other Celtics news, Evan Turner registered eight points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and a season-high five steals before fouling out in 30 minutes. His value is primarily tied to the first three stats, so even though he recorded a bunch of steals in the box score, the video has every single one thrown directly to him from the opposing team, mainly Russell Westbrook passes.

In your daily Russell Westbrook update, he supplied 25 of his 36 points in the second half and finished with 10 assists, five rebounds, five steals, one three-pointer, and seven turnovers. He made his living at the line, knocking in 19-of-22 freebies. Steven Adams continued to provide double-doubles without Kevin Durant (foot) and Serge Ibaka (knee), playing 37 minutes with 14 points and 13 rebounds. He's a delight to own if you're not concerned about free-throw percentage. Otherwise, be prepared for a sizable hit in that category. Anthony Morrow peeked his head out of the shadows, scoring 20 points with four three-pointers in 28 minutes, necessitated by all the injuries. He's hit a three-pointer in 15 straight games including at least three threes in the last five games. Durant is nearing a return, forcing me not to potentially waste an add on Morrow in leagues with limited moves.

Hedo Turkoglu scored a season-high 19 points and hit five three-pointers in 33 minutes. The Clippers are still searching for an actual small forward, and Jordan Hamilton (ankle) will likely re-sign with the team once he's healthy. I chalk this performance up to the opponent, a haphazard Kings team with the worst defense since the All-Start break. Aside from 19 points, Turkoglu contributed two rebounds and two assists. Moral of the story: give an NBA shooter a wide open shot, he'll eat for a day; give the same shooter unlimited attempts, he'll eat for a lifetime.

Blake Griffin blocked two shots for the first time since December 29th, J.J. Redick hit seven three-pointers, and Chris Paul ended the night with 30 points and 11 assists in 39 minutes. All the Clippers starters played at least 33 minutes, which is easy when you have no bench.

Al Horford shot 4-of-18, Jeff Teague was limited to two assists and six turnovers, Dennis Schroder finished 1-of-12 from the field, and Austin Daye made his Hawks' debut. That's a good summation of their 19-point loss to the Warriors.

John Wall decided to score 24 points, grab nine rebounds, and dish out six assists against the best defense since the All-Star break. He hit a ton of mid-range jumpers and made all of his shots at the rim. His last five games have encompassed 22.4 points, 8.8 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers on 59 percent shooting against a Western Conference gauntlet.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Kevin Martin, G, MIN: 37 points
2. Russell Westbrook, G, OKC: 36 points
3. LaMarcus Aldridge, F, POR: 34 points

Rebounds

1. Jonas Valanciunas, C, TOR: 15 rebounds
2. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC: 15 rebounds
3. Rudy Gobert, C, UTA: 14 rebounds
4. Andre Drummond, C, DET: 14 rebounds
5. Joakim Noah, PF, CHI: 14 rebounds
6. Andrew Bogut, C, GSW: 14 rebounds

Assists

1. Elfrid Payton, G, ORL: 12 assists
2. Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 12 assists
3. Chris Paul, G, LAC: 11 assists
4. Goran Dragic, G, MIA: 11 assists
5. Rajon Rondo, G, DAL: 11 assists

Steals

1. Russell Westbrook, G, OKC: 5 steals
2. Evan Turner, G, BOS: 5 steals
3. Maurice Harkless, F, ORL: 4 steals
4. Kawhi Leonard, F, SAS: 4 steals
5. Jodie Meeks, G, DET: 4 steals

Blocks

1. Hassan Whiteside, C, MIA: 6 blocks
2. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC: 4 blocks
3. Tyson Chandler, C, DAL: 4 blocks
4. Joel Anthony, C, DET: 4 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Marcus Smart, G, BOS: 7-12 3Pt
2. J.J. Redick, G, LAC: 7-12 3Pt
3. Six players tied with five three-pointers

Minutes

1. Kevin Martin, G, MIN: 44 minutes
2. Luol Deng, F, MIA: 42 minutes
3. Elfrid Payton, G, ORL: 41 minutes