Fantasy Studs
Blake Griffin & Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers dynamic duo rebounded after a shellacking against the Grizzlies, as LA easily handled the Hornets. BG flirted with a triple-double, notching 22 points on 10-23 shooting, including 2-3 from the line, to go with 16 rebounds and 9 assists. CP3 mirrored his partners output, scoring 22 points on 10-16 shooting, including 2-5 from deep, to go with 15 assists, 5 rebounds, and a blocked shot. They combined for just 3 turnovers, and Griffin far exceeded his 6-8 rebounds per game. Maybe that Memphis game was just what the Clippers needed to get their team going.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs snapped their 4 game losing streak with a big win over Orlando, and LeBron dominated the competition. James finished with 29 points on 9-17 shooting, including 9-11 from the line and 2-4 from 3. He added 11 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, and turned it over just once in 31 minutes of action. It was easily one of the Cavs most efficient games of the season, with the King setting the tone for the victory.
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers: It’s hard to tell who is more valuable to the Blazers success, dynamic point guard Damian Lillard or steady veteran LaMarcus Aldridge. LA paced the team once again to the tune of 33 points on 13-20 shooting, making his only 3 point attempt and 6-7 free throws. He added 11 rebounds and 3 assists as the Blazers pushed their win streak to 8. Aldridge remains one of the top offensive big men in the league, even without the flash his all-star teammate receives.
Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns: Bledsoe stuffed the stat sheet against the Raptors, even if it resulted in a loss. Bledsoe scored 25 points on 8-16 shooting, making 3-5 from deep and 6-8 from the line, to go with 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocked shots. He is capable of putting up these kinds of numbers nightly, and in a matchup in a likeminded diminutive point guard in Kyle Lowry, Bledsoe showed just what he’s capable of.
Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors: Valanciunas had a career game against the Suns, not so surprising considering he was able to use his size to dominate inside. Jonas finished with 27 points on 10-11 shooting, making 7-8 free throws, to go with 11 rebounds and a blocked shot. Jonas was key to the Raps victory, with the rest of the starters all shooting under 50% against the pesky Suns. This may just serve as Big Val’s coming out party, as his breakout is imminent in Toronto.
James Harden, Houston Rockets: Harden will routinely make highlights for all the wrong reasons, but there is little doubt that he is a fantasy monster. Harden torched the Knicks for 36 points on 11-22 shooting, making 7-12 3-pointers and all 7 free throws. Add in 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a block, and it’s easy to dismiss his inability to stop a fast break. Maybe he was just spotting the Knicks an extra couple of points considering the numbers he would put up by the end of it.
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: Dirk got back on track against the Pacers, even if the end result was another surprising defeat. Nowitzki finished with 22 points on 9-17 shooting, making 2-4 from deep and both his free throws, adding 11 boards, an assist, and a blocked shot. The Mavericks defense somehow allowed 111 points to the Pacers, but more surprising is how their offense has slipped as of late.
Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls: Gasol made a triumphant return to the Bulls lineup, and stuffed the stat sheet in a win against the Jazz. Gasol scored 23 points on 11-20 shooting, making 1-3 free throws, while adding 9 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. His ability to do a bit of everything has been a huge boost to the Bulls lineup, and his defensive abilities have allowed him to stay on the court far longer than anyone had anticipated. With Taj Gibson sidelined, Chicago will need Gasol to continue producing on both sides of the ball.
Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz: The Jazz frontcourt had a surprisingly efficient game against the Bulls, with Favors getting a double-double in the close defeat. Favors scored 21 points on 10-17 shooting, making 1-2 free throws, while adding 15 rebounds and a steal. Kanters and Favors actually played well together against a strong Chicago defense, which has been surprising as that has rarely been the case in the duos career.
Fantasy Duds
Lance Stephenson, Charlotte Hornets: Just when it looked like the Hornets were starting to figure things out offensively, Stephenson again fell off in yet another defeat. Lance scored just 3 points on 1-8 shooting, missing his only 3-point attempt and going 1-2 from the line. He added 6 assists and 3 rebounds, but didn’t offer any defensive stats and played just 27 minutes. Stephenson needs to start figuring things out as the Hornets continue to slide down the standings.
Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns: Dragic was the Phoenix point guard to see his production dip in favour of his teammates, earning him just 21 minutes of playing time against the Raps. Dragic finished with 6 points on 3-9 shooting, missing his only 3, while adding 4 assists and a rebound. His 4 turnovers certainly didn’t help, but the size of the Raptors may have played a bigger part, with Gerald Green and PJ Tucker seeing the majority of minutes on the wing.
Amir Johnson, Toronto Raptors: Amir’s presence is imperative to the Raptors success, but rarely does his game translate to fantasy value. Johnson put up 2 points in 25 minutes, going 1-3 from the field to go with 3 boards, 2 assists and a steal. Valanciunas had a big game down low to take away some looks for Johnson, but he rarely goes for big stats. He will continue to get the minutes in Toronto, but fantasy owners shouldn’t expect much.
Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz: While the frontcourt flourished, Hayward had a tough game against a Bulls team that clearly planned to stop the Jazz swingman. Hayward finished with 6 points on 2-11 shooting, making 1-3 from deep and his only free throw attempt. He added 4 rebound, 3 steals, a block, and an assist, but had a tough time against Jimmy Butler and the Chicago defense. As this team continues to grow, their reliance on Hayward will start to dissipate, but for now, they’ll only go as far as Hayward can carry them.
Surprising Sleepers
Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets: While Marvin Williams has been largely ineffective as the starter in Charlotte, Zeller is starting to heat up off the bench. Zeller scored 17 points on 5-7 shooting, making 7-8 from the line, while adding a rebound, an assist, a steal, and a blocked shot. He also had 5 fouls, but it’s encouraging to see him attack the paint even if he doesn’t offer much else. His low rebounds are also a product of playing next to Al Jefferson and Lance Stephenson. Don’t be surprised if Zeller gets more run, especially if the Hornets stumble further away from playoff contention.
Henry Sims, Philadelphia 76ers: Sims got the start against the Blazers and had one of his best games of the season. Sims scored 22 points on 8-14 shooting, going 6-6 from the line while missing his only 3. He added 4 rebounds, an assist, and a steal, focussing on scoring with defensive stalwart Nerlens Noel beside him. He won’t regularly get this kind of production, and the Sixers lineup is fairly fluid, but Sims can surprise every now and then with a good game like this.
Donatas Motiejunas, Houston Rockets: Dwight Howard continues to sit, and Motiejunas continues to make the most of his extra playing time. In 32 minutes, Donatas scored 13 points on 6-12 shooting, including 1-3 from 3, to go with 8 rebounds, a steal, and a block. With Terrance Jones looking like he will miss significant time with a leg injury, this audition might turn into a permanent promotion.
Donald Sloan & Luis Scola, Indiana Pacers: Sloan has started every game so far this season for the depilated Pacers, and it’s amazing that he’s still only owned in 38% of leagues considering he plays ridiculous minutes. Sloan finished with 29 points on 10-14 shooting, making 3-5 from 3 and 6-9 from the charity stripe, adding 5 assists, 2 rebounds, and a steal. Scola, holding down the starting duties until David West returns, scored 14 points on 4-11 shooting, making 5-6 free throws and 1-3 from deep. He added 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block, as both were instrumental in their team’s defeat of the Mavericks.
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