The Philadelphia 76ers hired Jerry Colangelo. #lickface

HOSPITAL WARD

Unscathed.

M.I.A.

• Boston
  • Marcus Smart (knee)
  • R.J. Hunter (hip)
  • David Lee (heel)
• Charlotte
  • Al Jefferson (calf)
• Chicago
  • Mike Dunleavy (back)
  • Aaron Brooks (DNP-CD)
• Dallas
  • Devin Harris (ribs)
  • J.J. Barea (ankle)
• Detroit
  • Brandon Jennings (Achilles)
  • Jodie Meeks (back)
• LA Lakers
  • Nick Young (DNP-CD)
• Miami
  • Luol Deng (hamstring)
  • Amar'e Stoudemire (rest)
• Milwaukee
  • Jerryd Bayless (ankle)
  • Greivis Vasquez (ankle)
  • Tyler Ennis (shoulder)
• Minnesota
  • Nikola Pekovic (ankle)
• New Orleans
  • Quincy Pondexter (knee)
  • Kendrick Perkins (pectorals)
• Philadelphia
  • Kendall Marshall (knee)
  • Carl Landry (wrist)
  • Christian Wood (DNP-CD)
• Phoenix
  • Tyson Chandler (hamstring)
  • Ronnie Price (DNP-CD)
• San Antonio
  • Kawhi Leonard (gastroenteritis)
  • Tim Duncan (rest)
  • Manu Ginobili (rest)
• Toronto
  • Jonas Valanciunas (hand)
  • Lucas Nogueira (ankle)
• Washington
  • Marcin Gortat (personal)
  • Nene Hilarie (calf)
  • Drew Gooden (calf)
  • Alan Anderson (ankle)

ROTATION NOTES

Kawhi Leonard (illness) and Tim Duncan (rest) gave way to Kyle Anderson and Matt Bonner in the starting lineup. Manu Ginobili (rest) was also given the night off. The Spurs defeated the Sixers 119-68. Anderson played a team-high 30 minutes, and Boban Marjanovic scored a career-high 18 points (8-10 FG, 2-2 FT) in 17 minutes. LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 26 points (11-15 FG, 4-4 FT) in 22 minutes.

Tony Parker didn't play the second half after the Spurs built a 36-point halftime lead. Patty Mills started the third quarter in Parker's stead. Parker finished the game with 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 FT), six assists, and four rebounds in 17 minutes. He's fifth in the NBA in field goal percentage. The Spurs play the Lakers on Friday. Additional resting chicanery is anticipated.

Jahlil Okafor came off the bench after missing the previous two games due to a team-imposed suspension. He then replaced T.J. McConnell at the start of the third quarter. McConnell's days are numbered with the imminent return of Kendall Marshall (knee), and the upgrade will accelerate the improvement of Okafor and Nerlens Noel offensively. Okafor finished the game with 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting in 29 minutes and only grabbed four rebounds. Noel grabbed a team-high six rebounds in 24 minutes. Okafor came off the bench because he was dealing with an upper respiratory issue, and he may slot back into the starting lineup for Thursday's game, potentially replacing Noel.

Hassan Whiteside was limited to 23 minutes and didn't play in the fourth quarter because the Wizards don't have a center. Technically Ryan Hollins is starting at center, but he plays less than 15 minutes a night. It's the fourth straight game Whiteside played less than 30 minutes, something that was forewarned during the offseason.

Chandler Parsons played 25 minutes off the bench, one night after resting the front end of a back-to-back. It was his idea to come off the bench until the restrictions are lifted, but there was a murmur that Parsons would start last night. That didn't happen, and the Mavericks play five games before engaging in another back-to-back set.

Coach Byron Scott made changes to the starting lineup. He replaced D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle with Lou Williams and Larry Nance, Jr. It's a lineup he'd like to use the next 8-10 games - through Christmas. The maneuver, according to Scott, presents Russell and Randle more minutes with Kobe Bryant on the bench. The youngsters played 20 minutes each, and Randle recorded his fifth double-double in six games (15 points and 11 rebounds). Separating the neophytes from Bryant limited Williams to 11 shots in 31 minutes, and his only contributions were 15 points, three three-pointers, and three rebounds. Williams attempts seven fewer shots per 100 possessions when he shares the court with Bryant, and last night was a prime example. I'm expecting a fatigue-related injury soon for Bryant, and that can expand playing time for everyone else. Bryant made 50 percent of his shots last night for the first time all season and only attempted a season-low four three-pointers. Perhaps removing the kids from the lineup provides Bryant better spacing and closer shots to the hoop.

Terrence Ross drew the start with DeMarre Carroll (knee) out indefinitely. Carroll is dealing with a knee contusion, but he only missed three games earlier this season with plantar fasciitis. Coach Casey made it sound as though this injury is the one that will force him to miss a ton of games because it was exacerbated by playing through the other ailments. Ross acquitted himself well with 22 points (8-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, and two steals in 39 minutes. However, the Raptors were playing the Lakers, and all performance against the Lakers are irrelevant. Ross is a watch-list guy now, but I doubt it progresses further than that. James Johnson will also enter the rotation, but he and coach Casey do not see eye to eye. One good game from Johnson doesn't guarantee minutes in upcoming games, so Ross is the safer bet if you need to choose between the two.

Markieff Morris played seven minutes off the bench one night after receiving a DNP-CD. He's been the subject of trade rumors, and December 15th is a key date to remember: players who signed a deal this summer are eligible to be traded then. Jon Leuer played 30 minutes as the starting power forward and registered 12 points (6-14 FG, 0-4 3Pt), eight rebounds, two steals, and one block. He's intriguing in that he's preferred over Morris and getting over 30 minutes a night now. However, that intrigue will wash away if Morris is traded for another power forward who will supplant Leuer or split minutes with him. The frontcourt of Leuer and Mirza Teletovic is quickly becoming a thing, but you have to remember Tyson Chandler (hamstring) has been out the last six games. Teletovic doesn't offer much outside of three-pointers, making Leuer the choice in fantasy circles.

Chris Paul and J.J. Redick made their way back into the starting lineup after multiple games off for various injuries. Redick was limited to 22 minutes, but he played crucial fourth-quarter minutes when the Wolves intentionally fouled to prolong the game. He made 1-of-9 field goals and 11-11 free-throws. Paul registered five assists to five turnovers and played 32 minutes. Paul was dealing with sore ribs, but he felt well enough during shootaround to play. He shot 5-of-14 from the field and only attempted one shot inside the paint. Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford returned to their standard bench roles.

FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT

Pau Gasol: 22 points (7-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists, three blocks, two steals, 25 minutes

Gasol was limited in the loss because of the Suns' smaller lineups. In his time, he torched Alex Len and hit every stat in the box score. Gasol is playing a career-low 29.1 minutes per game and shooting a career-low 44 percent from the field. Even with those hindrances, he's ranked 24th on a per game basis in nine-category leagues because he's averaging a double-double and blocking a career-high 2.2 shots per game.

ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT

Kristaps Porzingis: 28 points (13-18 FG, 2-4 3Pt), two rebounds, two blocks, one assist, one steal, 35 minutes

Porzingis has been featured here for the third straight Box Score Breakdown. My only gripe is the heavy minutes he's playing early in the season. Porzingis scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to help bring the Knicks back, and he had a shot to bring the game to within one point in the closing seconds. Alas, Carmelo Anthony committed an offensive foul and Porzingis missed the shot.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH

Nicolas Batum: 13 points (4-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight assists, seven rebounds, two steals, 34 minutes

Batum is a much more aggressive player in Charlotte. He's attempting a career-high 13.1 shots per game with a career-high 23.3 percent usage rate. He's also shooting 40 percent on three-pointers, one season removed from playing through a wrist injury in his shooting hand. Batum's offensive autonomy has led him to become one of six players averaging at least 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists this season. The shooting mark may slightly regress to the NBA average, but he's getting great looks of dribble-handoffs, averaging a league-high 1.24 points per possession on such plays.

Dwyane Wade: 26 points (12-15 FG, 2-2 FT), nine assists, seven rebounds, one steal, 32 minutes

The time to trade Wade for a parallel return is now. The Heat have played one back-to-back set all season. They're scheduled for 16 back-to-backs the rest of the year. They've played 19 games this season, second fewest in the league, and a league-high 14 home games to this point. Wade's body typically breaks down through the course of a season, but he's playing a career-low 29.8 minutes per game. Once the games on consecutive nights populate the schedule, Wade is likely to suffer an injury or rest as a precaution.

Carmelo Anthony: 17 points (6-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-5 FT), eight assists, six rebounds, five turnovers, 38 minutes

Anthony dished out a season-high eight assists. He's averaging a career-low 34.1 minutes per game and shooting a career-low 40.6 percent from the field. Anthony underwent knee surgery in February and bruised the same knee in the previous game. If he continues to play through the pain, his efficiency will continue to drop. It also doesn't help that he doesn't get calls at the rim because he doesn't exaggerate the contact.

Jose Calderon: 14 points (5-7 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, one steal, 35 minutes

I profiled Calderon in Sunday's Category Strategy article for his ability to scrounge middling assists in the triangle offense. He's averaging a career-low and team-high 3.8 assists in 27.3 minutes. His efficiency has rebounded after shooting a career-low 41.5 percent last season while dealing with calf and Achilles injuries, both largely affecting his jump shot. Calderon is also aided by better complementary players this season who are capable of making shots off his passes. He's worth a roster spot in standard fantasy leagues now. I just think the Knicks will trade him as soon as possible.

Kyle Lowry: 27 points (9-19 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, 38 minutes

Lowry is ranked 4th in nine-category fantasy leagues. He's been great this season. Nonetheless, he failed to record a steal for the first time all season and still leads the NBA with 2.6 steals per game. Lowry's made the second most three-pointers in the NBA, and the offseason weight loss will go a long way in preventing injuries that sabotaged his production last season. It also helps that Cory Joseph is running the point for stretches and taking the pressure off Lowry, allowing him to be a spot-up shooter and avoid chasing point guards all game.

Damian Lillard: 23 points (8-19 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven assists, five rebounds, 38 minutes

Lillard has not shot better than 50 percent since before he had his right thumbnail ripped off early in mid-November. He's shooting 39 percent from the field and 33 percent on three-pointers with a detached thumbnail, but at least he's averaging a career-high 7.0 assists per game and a career-high 31 percent usage rate. The offensive workload increase has escalated his turnovers to a career-high 3.5, but the rest of his numbers are comparable with his career numbers.

Ricky Rubio: 16 points (4-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 8-8 FT), seven assists, five rebounds, four steals, six turnovers, 29 minutes

Rubio has made 4-of-25 three-pointers this season. He's shooting 53.5 percent in the first quarter and just 24 percent the rest of the game. Coach Mitchell is limiting him to 30 minutes a night, and athletic trainer Arnie Kander is being extra cautious with Rubio this season, forcing him to sit as a precaution when applicable. It's going to be a bumpy ride all season with Rubio. You can try to trade him now, but his niche in fantasy is so specific, you'll have to do some convincing if owners fixate on his nine-category rank.

Blake Griffin: 16 points (7-17 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, five rebounds, one steal, 37 minutes

Griffin began the season making at least 50 percent of his shots in nine of his first 12 games. Over the last nine games, Griffin is shooting 48 percent from the field, which is worse than any of his previous seasons. The counting stats are excellent, but his regression in efficiency is impacting his standing in fantasy leagues. If you can look beyond the accuracy problems, Griffin is one of two players averaging at least eight rebounds and five assists per game.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Cody Zeller compiled a season-high 20 points (5-9 FG, 10-13 FT), six rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in 28 minutes. He's been filling in for Al Jefferson (calf) as the starting center, and this was the second straight noteworthy performance. Zeller intrigues as a short-term rotisserie option, but the Hornets' next two opponents are the Heat and Grizzlies. Coach Clifford has already proven he'll lean on Frank Kaminsky or Spencer Hawes in the appropriate matchup, reducing the likelihood Zeller can maintain 30 minutes per night until Jefferson fully heals.

Andre Drummond accrued his fifth foul five minutes into the second half, rendering him useless the rest of the game. He played 24 minutes and missed out on a double-double for the first time in six games with nine points (4-7 FG, 1-4 FT), nine rebounds, three steals, and one assist. Panic mode: deactivated.

Bradley Beal played over 33 minutes for the ninth straight game and is averaging 38.3 minutes per game in that time. I'm worried about a fatigue-related injury coming soon. His past indicates he'll incur a leg injury that will transform into a stress reaction, costing him at least two weeks of games. I would throw Beal on the trade block and use the allure of his potential to obtain someone who's been healthier in his career.

Otto Porter pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds, one game after he corralled 11 boards. He's been playing a ton of minutes as the Wizards' center since Marcin Gortat (personal) and Nene Hilario (calf) have been out of the lineup. Jared Dudley has also claimed center minutes over the past week. He's knocked Kris Humphries out of the main rotation. Gortat's projected return for Wednesday's game against the Rockets will reduce the need for Porter and Dudley to play center, in turn decreased their rebound totals.

Dirk Nowitzki compiled 25 points (9-18 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, and two assists in 33 minutes. I kid you not, the Mavericks ran a 1-4 pick-and-roll nearly every time on offense, and the Knicks switched every time, affording Nowitzki a juicy matchup against Jose Calderon or Langston Galloway. With that defensive scheme, there was no way to contest or defend Nowitzki. His shooting splits this season are 50/44/89 in 30 minutes a night. Coach Carlisle predicted he'd limit Nowitzki to 26 minutes a night, and that may take shape when Chandler Parsons gets cleared of all restrictions.

Raymond Felton played over 33 minutes for the fourth straight game. He's averaging 9.7 points, 4.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 33.9 minutes per game over the last seven contests, ignited by injuries to J.J. Barea (ankle) and Devin Harris (ribs), as well as Parsons' playing limitation excluding him from both ends of a back-to-back. Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner have posted similar numbers this season to Felton's last four games. If those guys are owned in your league, then Felton becomes a viable option for however long Barea and Harris are injured. He finished last night with 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt), five rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 34 minutes.

Lance Thomas has played at least 22 minutes in five straight games for the Knicks. In those contests, he's averaging as many rebounds (1.8) as three-pointers, assists, steals, and blocks combined. He's getting the minutes, but he's not producing beneficial fantasy stats.

Bismack Biyombo scored a career-high 15 points (4-8 FG, 7-11 FT), grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked two shots in 29 minutes. He lost minutes to Lucas Nogueira (ankle) the last two games, but if the swelling goes down in his ankle by Wednesday, a timeshare is likely to reoccur. Coach Casey hinted Nogueira will get more minutes, and that's going to depress Biyombo's minutes when Nogueira is healthy.

Devin Booker played a career-high 33 minutes and compiled 14 points (6-10 FG, 2-2 3Pt), five assists, three rebounds, and one steal. He's finagling himself into the rotation and played more minutes than T.J. Warren, who scored single digits for the third time in five games. Booker scored half his points in the fourth quarter, and he's not just a three-point shooter. He can take players off the dribble, and when the defense collapses, he kicks it to the open player. Because Booker played fewer minutes in the previous two games combined, I'm not going to overreact. It must also be mentioned every time that he's the youngest player in the league, a detriment to consistency in production and minutes.

Ed Davis is gobbling up offensive rebounds like a vacuum. Over the last nine games, he's averaging 10.0 rebounds, 4.6 offensive rebounds, and 10.4 points in 27 minutes per game. His minutes have sustained with Meyers Leonard back in the lineup, and it's time to add him if you haven't already. Although, his free-throw percentage makes him a stay away. Conversely, he's shooting 74.5 percent from the field over the last nine games, which has boosted his value.

DeAndre Jordan supplied a season-high 20 points (8-9 FG, 4-6 FT), 12 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals in 34 minutes. Because teams are more apt to intentionally foul him this season, Jordan is playing south of 33 minutes a night, the lowest mark since joining the starting lineup three seasons ago. He's attempting a career-high 8.1 free throws per game and shooting a career-low 38 percent from the charity stripe.

Kevin Martin was scoreless in 14 minutes. Zach LaVine took on the shooting guard burden and scored a team-high 21 points (7-16 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT) in 25 minutes. He's scored at least 12 points in 15 straight games. It's high time to discard Martin and add LaVine if that's still an option for you.

Karl-Anthony Towns hit three three-pointers and fouled out with 18 points (7-9 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 29 minutes. He's played more than 23 minutes for the third time in seven games as coach Mitchell decided to give him extended fourth-quarter minutes. Mitchell is adamant about not overworking the rookie, so prepare yourself for another week sometime later this month where Towns sits consecutive fourth quarters.

Gorgui Dieng played a season-high 30 minutes and recorded 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, and two assists. In the last seven games, he's averaging 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 27 minutes a night. That boost in minutes coincided with coach Mitchell depressing Towns' minutes. Now it appears Mitchell is amenable to playing Dieng and Towns together, reducing the need for Nemanja Bjelica in the rotation.

Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon were scoreless in a combined 32 minutes. Neither played the final 21 minutes. Jrue Holiday picked up the slack off the bench, contributing 14 points (4-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six assists, two rebounds, one steal, and one block in 22 minutes. The Pelicans play a back-to-back set this weekend, and Holiday will miss at least one of those games. The Pelicans' starters played poorly, forcing coach Gentry to bench them most of the second half.

Kelly Olynyk scored 21 points, Jared Sullinger grabbed 20 rebounds, and Isaiah Thomas torched the Pelicans for 22 points through the first three quarters. The fourth quarter was meaningless, and it's where Olynyk scored 10 of his 21 points and Sullinger added seven of his 20 rebounds. Coach Even Stevens ran a modest eight-man rotation until garbage time. His hands were tied because of the Marcus Smart (leg) and David Lee (heel) injuries.

In the last nine games without Smart, Thomas is averaging 21.6 points, 6.1 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.3 three-pointers in 32 minutes a night. Thomas was posting similar numbers in the nine games Smart played, squashing the idea of a sell-high. It sounds good in theory, but you'll have to get someone back who's producing at Thomas' currently level. Eric Bledsoe rivals Thomas' numbers, but you'd be hard-pressed to get Bledsoe in return.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Kristaps Porzingis, F, NYK: 28 points
2. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR: 27 points
3. Three players tied with 26 points

Rebound

1. Jared Sullinger, F, BOS: 20 rebounds (4 offensive)
2. Otto Porter, Jr, F, WAS: 14 rebounds (3 offensive)
3. Three players tied with 13 rebounds

Assists

1. Dwyane Wade, G, MIA: 9 assists
2. Goran Dragic, G, MIA: 9 assists
3. Carmelo Anthony, F, NYK: 8 assists
4. Nicolas Batum, F, CHA: 8 assists

Steals

1. C.J. McCollum, G, POR: 5 steals
2. Ricky Rubio, G, MIN: 4 steals
3. Chris Paul, G, LAC: 4 steals
4. Aron Baynes, C, DET: 4 steals

Blocks

1. DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC: 4 blocks
2. John Henson, C, MIL: 4 blocks
3. Eight players tied with three blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR: 5-11 3Pt
2. Isaiah Thomas, G, BOS: 4-4 3Pt
3. Jamal Crawford, G, LAC: 4-6 3Pt
4. Terrence Ross, G, TOR: 4-6 3Pt
5. Mirza Teletovic, F, PHX: 4-6 3Pt

Minutes

1. Khris Middleton, G, MIL: 41 minutes
2. Bradley Beal, G, WAS: 40 minutes
3. Terrence Ross, G, TOR: 39 minutes