Fantasy Studs
Al Jefferson, Charlotte Hornets: While the Hornets backcourt continues to underwhelm, Big Al looks to be regaining his double-double form. Jefferson scored 21 points on 9-19 shooting, making 3-3 free throws, while adding 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. He helped limit All-Star LeMarcus Aldridge to just 3-18 shooting, but the Blazers backcourt carried them over Charlotte. The Hornets are falling fast in the East, and even a resurgence from Jefferson doesn’t seem to be enough right now.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron has been on a tear after the Cavs recent struggles, and again put up a big night in a dominant victory. James flirted with a triple-double, notching 29 points on 7-14 shooting, making 14-17 free throws and 1-5 3’s, to go with 10 boards, 8 assists, and 3 steals. The Cavs got a good performance out of their top 7 players, and may finally be clicking after a lackluster stretch of games dropped them below .500.
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors: Curry is on fire right now, and buried the Magic early as the Warriors coasted to another victory. Steph scored 28 points on 9-13 shooting, making 6-8 3-pointers and 4-5 free throws, while adding 8 assists and 5 rebounds in just under 24 minutes of action. Curry has firmly cemented himself in the MVP discussion, and is in the running for a top spot on the fantasy all-star team.
Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets: D-Will turned back the clock against the Sixers, putting up a near triple-double in a vintage performance. Williams scored 17 points on 4-10 shooting, making 2-5 3’s and all 7 free throws. He added 10 assists, 8 boards, 2 steals, and a block, and routinely got the better of the Sixers young back court. While games like these haven’t been seen from D-Will as much in Brooklyn, it’s nice to see he still has it in him.
Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks: Chandler had a less than mutual departure from New York, and made sure to remind his former team of just how dominant a player he is. Chandler scored 17 points on 7-12 shooting, including 3-5 from the line, while adding a ridiculous 25 rebounds, 2 blocks, a steal, and an assist. The Knicks are surly missing their former defensive player of the year during their 4-12 start, while Chandler looks rejuvenated with the team he won a title with just 4 years ago.
Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks got their offense rolling to the tune of 112 points, but it still wasn’t enough to top their streaking Raptors. Teague did his part, scoring 24 points on 7-14 shooting, making 2-3 from deep and all 8 free throws, while adding 12 assists, 3 rebounds, and a steal. He did have 5 turnovers, but has routinely been the Hawks best player and a nice mid round option that has been outperforming at the point guard position.
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons: Back-to-back big games from Drummond has fantasy owners drooling in anticipation, and it looks like the pairing of DJ Augustin at point guard has given way to Drummond’s resurgence. Drummond double-doubled with 17 points on 6-11 shooting, making 5-9 free throws, while adding 13 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. This is more like it, and what owners expected when they took a chance a selected the big man early on draft day. If he can keep it up, the only thing holding him down will be his poor free throw percentages.
Demarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings: Cousins had a field day against Dwight Howard-less Rockets, putting up a massive stat line in the defeat. Cousins scored 29 points on 9-18 shooting, going 11-13 from the free throw line, while adding 17 boards, 6 assists, and 3 blocks. The 7 turnovers clouded the overall product, but to see 3 blocks from a player more known for taking charges must be satisfying to owners who largely look past his defensive shortcomings.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs: It seems like whenever Leonard plays over 35 minutes a game, he puts up big fantasy numbers. Kawhi finished with 21 points in 36 minutes of action, going 8-12 from the field, including 2-2 from 3 and 3-6 from the line, while adding 13 rebounds, an assist, and a steal. The efficiency in probably a big reason why Leonard received more playing time, and his game matches the gritty style of the opposing Pacers. Leonard is rarely the fantasy all-star owners were hoping for when using a high pick on him, but he usually effects a number of areas in the box score with occasional flashes like this one.
Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns: While Gerald Green provided the heroics off the bench to get the victory, Bledsoe had a strong game and a better stat line. Bledsoe finished with 21 points on 6-10 shooting, making 2-3 from deep and 7-8 from the line, adding 10 assists, 3 steals, and a rebound. His playmaking has stood out over the season, and he’s always a threat to go off for a triple-double.
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies: Gasol efficiently stuffed the stat sheet as the Grizzlies rolled to another big victory. Gasol scored 19 points on 5-10 shooting, making 9-10 free throws, to go with 11 boards, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. The former defensive player of the year has come on strong offensively, showing one of the most well rounded games of any big man. While Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins put up flashier numbers, Gasol’s a steady presence on a Grizzlies team with Championship aspirations.
Fantasy Duds
John Wall, Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal re-entered the starting lineup, and with it came one of Wall’s worst scoring games of the season. Wall made just 2-6 shots for 6 points, making 2-3 from deep, to go with 7 assists and 4 rebounds. He had 5 turnovers as the Wizards got blown out by the Cavaliers, as Kyrie Irving got the best of him in their head-to-head matchup. With Wall returning to his role as a facilitator, his scoring numbers will notably dip, but he remains a top fantasy point guard.
Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers: MCW had a rough shooting game against the Nets, and while he did provide some other statistics, he was awful scoring the ball before fouling out of the game. Carter-Williams scored 4 points on 1-9 shooting, with his only make coming on his only 3-point attempt, along with 1-2 shooting from the charity stripe. He added 8 assists, 6 boards, and a blocked shot, but was largely ineffective while sharing playmaking duties with Tony Wroten. It will be interesting to see how long these two can play together, as both are similarly sloppy with the ball to fully be trusted to run the team’s offense.
Monta Ellis, Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks backcourt had a rough outing against the Knicks, and were bailed out by strong showings by their starting big men. Ellis scored just 8 points on 3-13 shooting, missing all 3 3-pointers while making both free throws. He added 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, and a block, but also had a team high 3 turnovers. Ellis has been a stud over the last week or so for the Mavericks, so he was due for an off night.
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks: While most of the Hawks got it going offensively, Millsap had a surprisingly quiet game against the Raps. Millsap finished with 8 points on 3-9 shooting, making 2-4 free throws and missing all 3 3-pointers, while notching 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. Al Horford was a bigger presence down low tonight, but the Hawks will need both their bigs to produce nightly if they want to make any noise in the wide open Eastern Conference.
Thaddeus Young, Minnesota Timberwolves: Young had a rough return to the lineup in a battle between the league’s top 2 draft picks. Young scored just 3 points on 1-10 shooting, including 1-4 from the line, to go with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. While all eyes were on Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, both played relatively modest in a Bucks blowout victory. The Wolves will need Young now more than ever as they’ve been ravished with injuries.
Surprising Sleepers
Brian Roberts, Charlotte Hornets: With Gary Neal joining a bevy of injured Hornets wings, Roberts is the latest bench player to earn big minutes in Charlotte. Roberts scored a career high 24 points on 10-17 shooting, making 3-4 from deep and 1-4 free throws, while adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Lance Stephenson again found himself riding the bench in the 4th quarter, leading to 32 minutes of playing time for the Hornets backup point guard.
Rasual Butler, Washington Wizards: Butler made the cut over a bunch of talented youngsters, and the veteran proved his worth, even in a losing effort. Butler finished with 23 points on 9-15 shooting, including 3-5 from 3 and 2-2 from the line. He added a rebound, an assist, a steal, and a blocked shot, and could prove to be another veteran presence down the line as the Wizards look to blend youth an experience for a deep playoff push.
KJ McDaniels, Philadelphia 76ers: McDaniel’s has been showing off 1st round potential as a member of the Sixers bench, and it’s a wonder he slipped past every team in the draft. McDaniels scored 18 points on 7-15 shooting, making 2-5 3’s and both free throws, while adding 6 rebounds, an assist, and a blocked shot. McDaniels is 2nd amongst rookies in blocks despite standing 6’6, and has been a much better scorer than anticipated. He is getting more run than he would on other teams playing for the hapless Sixers, but it’s still surprising to see how effective he’s been to start his career.
DJ Augustin, Detroit Pistons: Augustin’s addition to the starting lineup has seemingly brought out the best in his teammates, even if it hasn’t yet translated to wins. Augustin himself had a nice game, going for 19 points on 7-14 shooting, including 3-3 from the line and 2-8 from deep, to go with 6 assists and 3 rebounds. While it remains to be seen how long Brandon Jennings will be out, Augustin is clearly a favourite of Stan Van Gundy’s, and will get solid playing time with or without the Pistons starter in the lineup.
Donatas Motiejunas & Isaiah Canaan, Houston Rockets: While injuries continue to hit the Rockets lineup, the reserves have done a fine job stepping in and keeping Houston near the top of the West. Motiejunas got 37 minutes of playing time, scoring 21 points on 10-15 shooting, including 1-2 from deep, to go with 6 board, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Canaan, starting for Patrick Beverly, finished with 24 points on 9-16 shooting, making 6-10 treys, to go with 6 boards, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Depth was the main issue after striking out in free agency over the summer, but the Rockets are showing that they young talent they’ve collected over the years is ready to produce when called upon.
Jeremy Lamb, Oklahoma City Thunder: Lamb’s been regulated to the bench, but could be a more efficient scorer when asked to lead the Thunder’s 2nd unit. Lamb scored 21 points on 7-8 shooting, making 4-5 from the line while knocking down all 3 3-point attempts. He added 4 boards, 3 steals, 2 assists, and a block before fouling out. Lamb has underwhelmed whenever he’s been asked to take on a larger role, but could carve out a nice career as a scorer off the bench.
What do you think? Anyone not on a list that should have been? Comment below!
THE BASELINE JUMPER 