The Los Angeles Lakers won a regular season basketball game against another NBA team. The Golden State Warriors lost their first basketball game of the season. Tony Wroten attempted a layup with his right hand. Gordon Hayward missed a free-throw. LaMarcus Aldridge hit a three-pointer. Sunday was the night of sights rarely seen.
HOSPITAL WARD
Nicolas Batum left Sunday's game with a minute left in the fourth quarter due to an apparent right leg injury. He required the assistance of his teammates to reach the lockerroom. An MRI confirmed a right knee contusion, but his status for this week is unclear. He's played through injuries in the past, so make sure to check his status prior to Tuesday's game against the Hornets.
Terry Stotts didn't show his cards as to a possible replacement, removing the rest of the starters with the game already decided. Dorell Wright started 13 games last season when LaMarcus Aldridge didn't play. However, he received four DNP-CDs over the past five games, including last night. Steve Blake and Chris Kaman lead the Blazers in minutes per game off the bench, but I suspect coach Stotts prefers them in that role. Because Wesley Matthews can guard small forwards, C.J. McCollum is my darkhorse to start if Batum misses time and Wright continues to toil in the dog house. Both McCollum and Wright will provide three-pointers in bunches, but may not get many looks playing in the starting lineup.
Klay Thompson sat out against the Suns with a sprained right hand. Leandro Barbosa (12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 31 minutes) started in his place. Thompson said after the game, "I'll be back Tuesday (for a home game against San Antonio)." He reportedly injured the hand the previous night after a hard fall against the Rockets, a game where he shot 3-of-16 from the field. This was the first time in his career he missed a game due to injury, but with his durable track record and confession he'll play Tuesday night, I'd feel safe tossing him into my weekly lineup.
M.I.A.
If you didn't play last night, you made this list.
- Denver
- Darrell Arthur (suspension)
- Jusuf Nurkic (DNP-CD)
- Golden State
- Klay Thompson (sprained right hand)
- Los Angeles
- Ryan Kelly (hamstring)
- Miami
- Justin Hamilton (groin)
- Chris Andersen (ribs)
- Oklahoma City
- Andre Roberson (foot)
- Perry Jones III (knee)
- Anthony Morrow (knee)
- Orlando
- Kyle O'Quinn (ankle)
- Devyn Marble (rotator cuff)
- Philadelphia
- Nerlens Noel (ankle)
- Malcolm Thomas (knee)
- Portland
- Dorell Wright (DNP-CD)
- Utah
- Rodney Hood (plantar fasciitis)
ROTATION NOTES
Coach Stan Van Gundy continues to use the starting front court of Josh Smith, Greg Monroe, and Andre Drummond. Even though he wasn't in foul trouble for the second consecutive game, Drummond matched his season-high 31 minutes. With the Pistons set to face the Bulls, Wizards, Thunder, and Grizzlies this week, I wouldn't be shocked if Van Gundy rolls with the same lineup against those bigger teams. Caron Butler is throwing a monkey wrench in the works, playing at least 30 minutes in three straight games and usually entering the game for Drummond. Van Gundy played six guys at least 30 minutes tonight in a hard fought loss to the Jazz, 97-96.
The Aussies, Joe Ingles and Dante Exum, helped spell Trey Burke, whose preseason success hasn't transferred over into the regular season. I'm still carrying him on my 12-team roster, not overly concerned and lacking any must-adds on the waiver wire. Nevertheless, I've reached the point where I am considering dropping him should someone more palatable become available.
Shawne Williams played a season-low 19 minutes and Josh McRoberts played a season-high 17 minutes after picking up five fouls. The minute's scale is starting to tip in the favor of McRoberts. Miami doesn't play until Wednesday, allowing coach Erik Spoelstra more time to reflect on his McRoberts minutes cap.
Mario Chalmers bounced back from a two-point, four-assist outing to play a season-high 34 minutes off the bench against the Mavericks. Norris Cole was scoreless in 14 minutes, as was Shabazz Napier in 26 minutes. If you're going to own any of these guards, Chalmers easily gets my vote.
Dwyane Wade played all six games in Miami's three back-to-back sets over the past nine days. It's an encouraging sign, but one wonders how long he'll hold up this season. On one hand, he lost significant weight prior to this season, but on the other, he looked great during the playoffs last postseason before sputtering out in the Finals.
J.J. Hickson made his season debut after serving his five-game suspension. In 15 minutes, Hickson compiled 8 points (3-8 FG, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, and one assist. He's always been a rebounding monster with limited range. Much like Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee, and Nate Robinson, Hickson will play no more than 20 minutes for the time being, nine months removed from ACL surgery. However, coach Brain Shaw said Gallinari, Robinson, and McGee could have their restrictions loosened as early as this week. That would be great news for owners still clinging to Gallinari and unsurprising news for Wilson Chandler enthusiasts.
In other Nuggets news, Ty Lawson returned to the lineup from a one-game absence, and Darrell Arthur served his one-game suspension. Lawson played a game-high 38 minutes and provided 18 points (7-16 FG, 4-6 FT), eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals as he fights off lingering ankle blemishes for, potentially, the rest of the season. Lawson owners can use this game as a springboard in trade discussions, unloading him for a healthier option. I, however, am trying to trade my Tony Wroten for Lawson, a double-edged sword in a head-to-head format.
STAT LINE OF THE NIGHT
I honestly do not care about turnovers. It's the one category I neglect entirely when constructing my rosters. Stephen Curry earned the line of the night with 28 points (10-20 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 assists, five steals, two rebounds, and 10 turnovers in 34 minutes. Turnovers are the only reason Curry is the second rated fantasy player in Yahoo! leagues behind Anthony Davis on a per game basis. Well that and the 4.4 blocks Davis provides help a smidge.
ROOKIE OF THE NIGHT
Bojan Bogdanovic scored a career-high 22 points (9-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), supplemented by six rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 32 minutes. The 22-point mark is now the season-high among all rookies. The 25-year-old rookie hit five of his seven uncontested shots, mostly layups, and is still the starting shooting guard for the Nets after a rocky start. He's just now getting acclimated to the NBA game, admitting recently that even the basketball felt too heavy. I like his prospects moving forward, but let's recognize the Magic played terrible defense against him and Brook Lopez sitting the entire fourth quarter provided additional shot opportunities.
BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES
Gordon Hayward made his first 24 free-throws entering last night's game. After converting his first four attempts against the Pistons, Hayward missed his first free-throw of the season with 1:24 left in the game. He also scored 11 points in the final five minutes, including the go-ahead three-pointer.
After starting the season 15-of-15 from the free-throw line, Carl Landry converted 3-of-6 freebies against the Thunder. Jerryd Bayless now carries the torch at a perfect 12-of-12 to start the season.
DeMarcus Cousins had his shot blocked four times. He and Elfrid Payton lead the league at 2.3 shot attempts blocked per game. Even with all his shots getting swatted, he's shooting just under his career-high 49.6 percent from the field in just 30.4 minutes per game, limited by foul trouble.
Serge Ibaka reverted back to the familiar defensive terror who occasionally hoisted threes last night. In 35 minutes, Ibaka shot 0-of-3 from downtown and blocked four shots, including three weak side swats on DeMarcus Cousins.
Tyson Chandler grabbed 10 offensive boards, four more than the Miami Heat. He also picked up his league-leading third technical foul. Just 13 more before an automatic one-game suspension kicks in.
Andre Iguodala scored one point in 31 minutes off the bench on four missed shots and one made free throw. It's difficult to count on Iguodala night to night, but with Klay Thompson out you figured he'd be more involved in the offense. He's owned in more Yahoo! leagues than Draymond Green based on name only. Don't allow this horrible affliction to permeate throughout the fantasy landscape. Own a player because he provides value in fantasy basketball, not because he once was an All-Star whose best stats now are net rating and real plus/minus.
Isaiah Thomas led the Suns with 22 points (4-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 13-14 FT) in 27 minutes off the bench. He also led the team with seven assists, accentuated by playing next to Gerald Green in the second unit. Thomas and Green combined to score 31 of the Suns' 36 fourth quarter points in the 107-95 comeback win over the Warriors.
Miles Plumlee played at least 35 minutes for the second straight game, leaving Alex Len and his eight minutes in the dust. His box score stats weren't earth shattering (6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals) this time around, but a trend is starting to form. It doesn't mean you need to add him immediately, just keep a watchful eye on the center minutes distribution the rest of this week.
Nine Toronto Raptors recorded at least one steal. They beat down the Philadelphia 76ers, 120-88.
TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH
Kevin Garnett hasn't been able to replicate his 18-point, 14-rebound outing in 35 minutes last week against the Pistons, hovering closer to 25 minutes per game since. Enter the Orlando Magic, deploying one of the worst defensive frontcourts in the league. In 28 minutes, Garnett scored eight points (3-9 FG, 2-2 FT), grabbed eight rebounds, and recorded seven assists. He's not one to bang in the post anymore, so if his midrange jumper won't drop, we'll witness more shooting nights like last.
Rudy Gay turned in a 23 point (9-19 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebound, six assist, and two steal effort against the Thunder in 38 minutes. He was dealing with an illness pregame, making his statistical output that much more impressive. On the season, Gay has recorded at least one steal in every game, and he's shooting right around his career average of 45 percent.
DAN FORDEN AWARD *
This award could easily be retitled "Wing Shooting Open Three-Pointers Against the Philadelphia 76ers Acknowledgement." Terrence Ross stepped on the court with six points in his pocket before tip-off, finishing the game with 17 points (6-11 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and one assist in 29 minutes. The rebounds, steals, and blocks were all season-highs, and this was the first game he shot over 50 percent.
NIGHTLY LEADERS
Points
- Luol Deng, F, MIA: 30 points (13-19 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 0-2 FT)
- Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 28 points (10-20 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT)
- LaMarcus Aldridge, F, POR: 28 points (12-26 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT)
Rebounds
- Andre Drummond, C, DET: 18 rebounds(7 offensive)
- Timofey Mozgov, C, DEN: 16 rebounds (4 offensive)
- Tyson Chandler, C, DAL: 15 rebounds (10 offensive)
Assists
- Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 10 assists (10 turnovers)
- Dwyane Wade, G, MIA: 10 assists (3 turnovers)
- Ty Lawson, G, DEN: 8 assists (2 turnovers)
- Ronnie Price, G, LAL: 8 assists (1 turnover)
Steals
- Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 5 steals
- DeMarcus Cousins, C, SAC: 4 steals
- Goran Dragic, C, PHO: 3 steals
- Gordon Hayward, F, UTA: 3 steals
- Hollis Thompson, F, PHI: 3 steals
- Chris Johnson, F, PHI: 3 steals
- Ronnie Price, G, LAL: 3 steal
Blocks
- Chris Kaman, C, POR: 5 blocks
- Serge Ibaka, F, OKC: 4 blocks
- Draymond Green, F, GSW: 4 blocks
- K.J. McDaniels, F, PHI: 4 blocks
Three-Pointers
- Wesley Matthews, G, POR: 5-13 3Pt
- Luol Deng, F, MIA: 4-9 3Pt
- Stephen Curry, G, GSW: 4-10 3Pt
- Terrence Ross, F, TOR: 4-7 3Pt
- Ben McLemore, G, SAC: 4-6 3Pt
- Gerald Green, F, PHO: 4-7 3Pt
- Chris Johnson, F, PHI: 4-9 3Pt
Minutes
- Reggie Jackson, G, OKC: 42 minutes
- Deron Williams, G, BRK: 41 minutes
- Gordon Hayward, F, UTA: 39 minutes