I give this year a 'D,' for delightful! Sunday brought about widespread resting and blowouts galore. With RotoWire applying similar tactics by resting their starters, sixth men like myself are left playing out the string. That string includes watching the Game of Thrones marathon for the fourth straight Sunday. Much of what you'll read is a summary of yesterday's uninspiring basketball. The average margin of victory was 17.7 points. Seven of the nine victors won by at least 11 points. This may be my shortest breakdown of box scores all season.
HOSPITAL WARD
P.J. Hairston suffered a sprained right knee and will miss the final two games. Diminutive guards Troy Daniels and Brian Roberts will share Hairston's scraps.
Wesley Johnson sprained an ankle, and coach Byron Scott doesn't believe Johnson can play tonight in Sacramento. The x-rays were negative.
Dwight Buycks fractured his right hand and has been ruled out the final two games of the season. More like Dwight Yikes, am I right?
M.I.A.
- Atlanta
- Paul Millsap (shoulder)
- DeMarre Carroll (rest)
- Kyle Korver (rest)
- Jeff Teague (rest)
- Al Horford (rest)
- Brooklyn
- Alan Anderson (ankle)
- Charlotte
- Al Jefferson (knee)
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle)
- Cody Zeller (shoulder)
- Lance Stephenson (toe)
- Mo Williams (DNP-CD)
- Cleveland
- LeBron James (rest)
- Kyrie Irving (hip)
- Kevin Love (rest)
- J.R. Smith (rest)
- Dallas
- Chandler Parsons (knee)
- Amar'e Stoudemire (rest)
- Devin Harris (rest)
- Denver
- Jameer Nelson (hip)
- Darrell Arthur (calf)
- Indiana
- C.J. Watson (elbow)
- Los Angeles
- Carlos Boozer (DNP-CD)
- Jordan Hill (DNP-CD)
- Oklahoma City
- Kyle Singler (DNP-CD)
- Phoenix
- Brandan Wright (foot)
- Alex Len (ankle)
- Brandon Knight (ankle)
- Marcus Thornton (ankle)
- Reggie Bullock (concussion)
- Sacramento
- Reggie Evans (DNP-CD)
- San Antonio
- Tiago Splitter (calf)
- Matt Bonner (calf)
- Washington
- Garrett Temple (hamstring)
ROTATION NOTES
The Cavaliers rested Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, and Kevin Love. They proceeded to lose 117-78, matching their season-low in points. All four holdouts will play tonight against the Pistons. For how long, nobody knows. Their availability for Wednesday's season finale is unknown.
The Nets entered halftime with a two-point deficit. Coach Lionel Hollins then replaced Markel Brown with Bojan Bogdanovic in the second-half starting lineup. The move resulted in a 96-73 loss.
The Hawks rested Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, and Al Horford. They joined Paul Millsap (shoulder) on the sideline. Coach Mike Budenholzer believes he'll use the typical starting lineup, sans Millsap, tonight against the Knicks. Since they don't pose much of a threat, the crew shouldn't play more than 25 minutes. In their stead, Dennis Schroder, John Jenkins, Kent Bazemore, Mike Muscala, and Elton Brand started. It was Mike Scott who scored a team-high 19 points off the bench, followed up by a season-high 17 points from Jenkins. Muscala fell flat on his face, unable to maintain his 80+ percent efficiency, and Shelvin Mack added 14 points and a team-high six assists as a reserve.
John Wall returned to the lineup after resting two games. If you're going to gawk at his 24 points and nine assists, don't forget to squirm at the 10 turnovers he committed against the Hawks' B-team.
Boris Diaw was the listed starter, replacing Aron Baynes to match down with the Suns. Brandan Wright (foot) didn't play, so coach Jeff Hornacek moved Archie Goodwin into the starting lineup. The Suns end their season Tuesday, along with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns and Spurs are the only teams playing one game the rest of the season. Every other organization is scheduled for two games.
Rajon Rondo returned to the lineup after one game off. He compiled 11 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, one steal, and one three-pointer against the Lakers in 20 minutes. He also hit both of his free-throw tries. Most importantly, Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tyson Chandler didn't travel with the team for tonight's game in Utah. The Mavericks are locked into the seven seed, and I don't know how coach Rick Carlisle plans on running his rotation. You're probably better off avoiding the situation altogether, especially since the Jazz command the best defense post-All-Star break.
FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT
Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 54 points, more than 50 percent of the team's 104 points, on 43 shots. His additional nine rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and five three-pointers weren't enough to defeat the Pacers. The stat that caught me by surprise was the two turnovers. Also, Westbrook was hit with his league-leading 16th technical foul. If the league doesn't rescind the tech, he'll be automatically suspended for tonight's game against the Trail Blazers. Technical fouls do not carry over into the postseason, should the Thunder advance.
ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT
Noah Vonleh scored a career-high 16 points in a career-high 29 minutes. True to his word, coach Steve Clifford didn't let Vonleh get major playing time until they were eliminated from playoff contention and Al Jefferson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Cody Zeller were all out of commission with a variety of injuries. Vonleh added a career-high 12 rebounds, one steal, and one three-pointer in the blowout loss.
TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH
Giannis Antetokounmpo did a little bit of everything, carving up the Nets for 13 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes. He's still not comfortable firing away from downtown, launching 43 three-pointers all season. At least his mid-range game has improved, a shot defenses willingly yield in the postseason. He shot just 18 percent from mid-range last season on 55 attempts. This season, Antetokounmpo is above league average from that zone, knocking in 41 percent on three times as many shots.
BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES
Seven Celtics scored in double figures, led by Isaiah Thomas' 17, and nine Celtics notched at least one steal, led by Marcus Smart's four. They recorded 20 team steals. I'm not sure if you realize how rare that is. It's happened 83 times since the 1985-86 season and most recently occurred in January 2011.
John Henson continues to swat shots with impunity, recording another three blocks to remain tied with Tim Duncan for sixth most blocks per game at 2.0. He's doing so in 18.4 minutes per game and would become the eighth player since blocks were recorded to register at least two blocks per game in fewer than 19 minutes per.
Anthony Tolliver and Jodie Meeks combined for 41 points and nine three-pointers. The Pistons shot 16-of-28 from downtown.
Reggie Jackson with Greg Monroe on the court: 40 percent field goal
Reggie Jackson with Greg Monroe off the court: 45 percent field goal
Reggie Jackson shot 1-of-7 last night in Greg Monroe's third game back from a knee injury. Dynasty owners will anxiously await the front office's decision regarding unrestricted free agent Monroe. Jackson is a restricted free agent himself, but one I think the Pistons would prefer. He did drop 13 assists in less than 30 minutes against the hollowed out Hornets.
Kemba Walker shot 2-of-11. He's going to shoot less than forty percent for the third time in his four-year career. His deteriorated touch around the rim accounts for the accuracy drop off, converting less than 49 percent in the restricted area this season. Also, Al Jefferson's presence highly influences Walker's shot selection.
Kenneth Faried scored a season-high 30 points and made 12-of-14 shots against the brittle Kings' frontline. As recently as two days ago, I vented about my disdain for Faried. Sunday's game doesn't waver said disdain. His best games come against non-NBA competition. The Nuggets close the season out against the Clippers and Warriors.
To paraphrase Da Vinci's Notebook, when you're all out of hope, down at the end of your rope, and nobody is there to throw you a line, buy any and all healthy Kings for the final two games of the season. They conclude the season with a home-and-home set against the Lakers. The same Lakers that will be down to eight healthy bodies and possess a league-worst 114.1 Defensive Rating over the past 10 games. Omri Casspi (22 points, seven rebounds, seven assists), Ray McCallum (14 points, three rebounds, three assists), Ben McLemore (20 points, career-high seven assists, five rebounds, four steals), and, begrudgingly, Derrick Williams (13 points) all performed above their expected output level against the Nuggets. Transitive property stipulates they'll stat pad the final two games.
C.J. Miles hit 'em up style. He put his hands on his cash and spend it to the last dime. You know, for all the hard times. Miles matched his season-high 30 points and grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds in 36 minutes. Roy Hibbert recorded a season-best third straight double-double, clowning the Thunders' porous defense for 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 27 minutes. The Hibbity Dibbity is back, people.
Bradley Beal. Ally McBeal's cousin or misused offensive weapon? He scored 17 points on 17 shots. That's his M.O.: matching points to attempts as he toils away in the Wizards' offensive system. Statistically, he only improved his efficiency from 42 percent last season to 43 percent this season. All other categories have plateaued or regressed, including his scoring.
Jrue Holiday scored 17 points in 15 minutes. As mentioned in the previous Box Score Breakdown, I don't know if he's going to rest tonight against the Wolves. It makes sense to rest him, but I don't know if it's set in stone.
Dwight Howard played 28 minutes, most since returning from a swollen right knee. In that time, Howard racked up 19 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. Per team mandate, he'll rest tonight against the Hornets.
No Spur is averaging at least 30 minutes per game during their 11-game winning streak. During the streak, the Spurs have a league-best 93.8 Defensive Rating. Freakin' T-1000 I tell you. I feel like Jeff Goldblum's lunatic dad in Independence Day yelling at everyone on Air Force One. "Oh, don't give me unprepared! You knew about the Spurs for years! What with that player you found from Wake Forest! What was his name.. Tim Duncan! And that other guy... uh... Gregg Popovich, Gregg Popovich! You knew then! And you did nothing!"
Gerald Green scored a game-high 23 points. Symmetry was a theme in the Spurs 107-91 win over the Suns. P.J. Tucker and Marcus Morris both scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds. On the Spurs side, reserves Marco Belinelli and Cory Joseph each recorded 13 points and four rebounds.
Seven of the eight Lakers who played scored in double figures, led by Jordan Clarkson's 26 points. I mentioned earlier that the Kings conclude the season with a home-and-home against the Lakers. If you couldn't stockpile Kings' players fast enough, consider rolling with a few Lakers as consolation. The Kings have the fourth worst defense over the last 10 games, recording a 109.5 Defensive Rating. Players like Ryan Kelly (10 points, six assists), Tarik Black (10 points, career-high 19 rebounds), and Jabari Brown (18 points in team-high 42 minutes) can actually help out fantasy teams this time of year. They're not a miracle pill, more of a Rodent Of Unusual Size.
NIGHTLY LEADERS
Points
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Photo via Mark D. Smith[/caption]
Rebounds
- Andre Drummond, C, DET: 19 rebounds
- Tarik Black, C, LAL: 19 rebounds
- Noah Vonleh, F, CHA: 12 rebounds
Assists
- Reggie Jackson, G, DET: 13 assists
- Ty Lawson, G, DEN: 11 assists
- Rajon Rondo, G, DAL: 11 assists
Steals
- Evan Turner, F, BOS: 4 steals
- Marcus Smart, G, BOS: 4 steals
- Ben McLemore, G, SAC: 4 steals
Blocks
- Bernard James, C, DAL: 4 blocks
- Dwight Howard, C, HOU: 3 blocks
- John Henson, C, MIL: 3 blocks
Three-Pointers
- C.J. Miles, G, IND: 6-8 3Pt
- Russell Westbrook, G, OKC: 5-15 3Pt
- Anthony Tolliver, F, DET: 5-6 3Pt
Minutes
- Jabari Brown, G, LAL: 42 minutes
- Eric Bledsoe, G, PHX: 41 minutes
- Russell Westbrook, G, OKC: 40 minutes
- Anthony Davis, F, NOP: 40 minutes
- George Hill, G, IND: 40 minutes
- Tyreke Evans, G, NOP: 40 minutes