Basketball Daily Dose: Dose: Don't Touch Jimmy
The Raptors rolled out their B-team as Dwane Casey channeled his inner Gregg Popovich and still almost beat the Spurs, but San Antonio’s next era of superstars prevented that from happening. Elsewhere, Jimmy Butler had the game of his life in a critical Bulls loss; and you should be riding the Willie Cauley-Stein Wave after things got too trill on Saturday night.
Blake Griffin will make his long-awaited return on Sunday, Brandon Knight and Deron Williams are shutdown candidates—as is Jose Calderon, meaning Jerian Grant should be a popular pickup—and Danilo Gallinari’s season has officially concluded, though it was over long before Gallo confirmed the news. Additionally, don’t be surprised if the Knicks play it cautious with Kristaps Porzingis, which would give contract-year Derrick Williams some real incentive to perform for fantasy owners as well as his own wallet.
Indiana @ Philadelphia: Pacers 109, Sixers 99
Studs: Carl Landry, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Canaan; Paul George, C.J. Miles
Duds: George Hill, Monta Ellis; Ish Smith
What You Need to Know: Grant was supposed to have a 25-minute limit, but he blew by it and posted his second straight solid game with 20 points, nine boards, three dimes, three triples and a block (five TO, 6-of-17 FG). He should have already been rostered in standard formats, so make sure he’s not somehow still available. He would have had a big night even with a healthy Hollis Thompson (illness) available, so that’s not a concern. Unbelievably, Landry—in 2016—is averaging 16.3 points and 6.3 rebounds on 58.7% shooting over his last four games after dropping 19&6 with two treys in the defeat. He’ll continue to hold value as a low-end big for points, boards and FG%, but he doesn’t bring anything else. Canaan (24 points, five 3PM) would be a more appealing long-ball specialist without the efficiency issues and if the Sixers played more than three games next week. For the third straight game, Smith had more shots attempted (13) than points scored (12) without a single steal. That’s not getting it done.
I would let someone else chase C.J. Miles after his unexpected outburst (25 points, 5-of-9 3PT FG, 21.5 minutes) vs. a porous Philly defense. Coming off the bench actually helped Myles Turner—who had been horrific over his previous four games—but he’s nowhere near the must-own player he was earlier this year. Hill (8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists) and Ellis (11.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals) have gone cold over their last three games, so fantasy GMs need to evaluate their options carefully entering a do-or-die week.
Detroit @ Chicago: Pistons 94, Bulls 90
Studs: Pau Gasol, Jimmy Butler; Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris
Duds: Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis, Mike Dunleavy
What You Need to Know: This was a devastating defeat for Chicago’s playoff chances, and what makes it far worse for Chicago is that Butler actually served the Pistons an enormous platter with his first career triple-double: 28 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals and two blocks. The good news for fantasy teams is that the Bulls have no choice but to ride Jimmy until they’re eliminated from the playoff picture, and he looks a lot better over his last couple of games with averages of 23.5 points, 12.5 boards, 9.0 dimes, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. Gasol’s poor shooting is (unfortunately) nothing new, but he stuffs the stat sheet everywhere (16 points, 14 boards, three dimes, four blocks, two 3PM) and is an obvious must-play even at less than far less than 100% with an ailing Taj Gibson (DNP, rib), an ineffective Portis and an inconsistent Mirotic, who managed six points on seven shots after back-to-back 28-point outings and is harder to predict than the day-to-day forecast. I feel your pain, meteorologists. Derrick Rose (elbow) didn’t play, and I’d be surprised if he was ready for Sunday considering he said he’s playing with one hand. Personally, I’d move on without regret, and there should be better pickups than E’Twaun Moore at this stage of the game.
Andre Drummond is now 3-of-20 from the foul line over his last two games, and it’s forced him to sit in favor of Aron Baynes during crunch time in both. If the Pistons make the playoffs, that will be an unavoidable flaming red elephant in the room. With yet another very solid across-the-board outing, Morris is hot at the right time, averaging 20.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, a block and 2.8 3-pointers on 55.2% from the field over his last five, including back-to-back games without a turnover. Harris (21 points, seven boards, four dimes, two steals, one block) has simply been a different player since arriving in Detroit, and he should be drafted as a top-50 asset next season.
Toronto @ San Antonio: Spurs 102, Raptors 95
Studs: Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge
Duds: Luis Scola, Tony Parker, Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, Patty Mills
What You Need to Know: On a night the Raptors rested both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, Toronto was surprisingly in it until the end despite enormous lines from both Leonard (33 points, six boards, seven dimes, three steals, one block, two triples, 10-of-17 FG, 11-of-11 FT) and Aldridge (21 points, 15 rebounds, one steal, 12-of-18 FG, 7-of-7 FT). Something to consider: San Antonio’s upcoming four-game week includes a back-to-back set, meaning Gregg Popovich is a stone cold lock to have some additional rest in the cards for his entire starting five.
On the second night of a back-to-back in a tough matchup, Jonas Valanciunas’ 16 points, six boards and two blocks on 8-of-11 shouldn’t be overlooked. In his last five games, JV is making his presence felt, averaging 13.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks on 56% shooting. With 17 points on 6-of-10 from the floor, Norman Powell just keeps on truckin’ with averages of 14.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, a steal, 0.7 blocks and 2.3 3-pointrs, and the Raptors have four games on the schedule next week. Cory Joseph had 16 points and seven dimes in Lowry’s place, but he’s not worth a pickup, while Patrick Patterson, who bounced back with 12 points, seven boards, two steals and two triples is a potential streaming option next week for those in need of a 3-point shooting big man. Luis Scola (no points, 11 minutes (is being put in shrink wrap until the playoffs begin.
