Basketball Daily Dose: Dose: Rest for the Wicked
It was a night of rest for several big dogs, including Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, John Wall and LeBron James. Here’s who showed up to play and what happened on an eight-game Wednesday night. Follow me on Twitter!
Pacers 123, Cavaliers 109 – The Pacers got a gift as they fight for their playoff lives, as LeBron James got the night off for the Cavs. Paul George led the way with 29 points, while Ian Mahinmi, George Hill and Monta Ellis all played well for the starters in the Pacers’ win. C.J. Miles racked up 21 points and six 3-pointers off the bench, and should officially be owned in most leagues the rest of the way, while Solomon Hill added 15 points, five boards and three 3-pointers. He’s not a must-own player, but it does sound like Frank Vogel is considering putting him into the starting lineup, so just keep an eye on him. He also started the second half for the Pacers last night. Myles Turner, who is dealing with a finger injury, came off the bench and played just five minutes after getting 31 minutes in his previous game, but is no longer trustworthy, regardless of his minutes. The Pacers now sit a ½ game ahead of the Pistons in the No. 7 seed and should be a lock to at least make the playoffs.
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With LeBron resting, Kyrie Irving came back and had 26 points and six dimes, and Kevin Love added 23 points, five boards and three 3-pointers in just 19 minutes. J.R. Smith cooled off with just 10 points in 24 minutes, Iman Shumpert scored just four points in a start for James, and Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson both scored 10 points off the bench. The Cavs are a near lock for the No. 1 seed in the East, so more rest could be coming for the studs.
Pistons 108, Magic 104 – Reggie Jackson scored 24, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope bounced back with 18 points, Andre Drummond had 13 points, 16 boards and four blocks, Tobias Harris scored 13 and Marcus Morris stayed cold with nine points on 3-of-11 shooting. Morris should break out of his funk soon. Reggie Bullock had 13 off the bench in 27 minutes, but it was a fluke. The Pistons are just a win away from clinching a playoff berth.
Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo played well in the starting lineup for the Magic, but Aaron Gordon and Dewayne Dedmon both struggled. Nikola Vucevic came off the bench again but had 15 points, 13 boards, two steals and a block, limiting Dedmon to just five minutes. Andrew Nicholson had 14 points, six boards and two 3-pointers in 20 minutes and is worth a look in most leagues, having scored in double figures in five straight games.
Wizards 121, Nets 103 – John Wall sat this one out with a knee injury and the Wizards are on the brink of playoff elimination with another loss. Ramon Sessions started and came through with 18 points, 13 assists and two 3-pointers, and is worth picking up in case Wall is shut down. Bradley Beal scored 25 with three 3-pointers, Marcin Gortat double-doubled, Otto Porter Jr. added 15 points and six boards, and Markieff Morris had nine points and seven boards on 4-of-13 shooting. Garrett Temple played 29 minutes off the pine for 10 points, six boards, six assists, three steals and two 3-pointers, and will also benefit if Wall is done. The Wizards have to win out to make the playoffs and get the Pistons on Friday. Sessions looks like a must-start DFS player when Wall is out.
Thomas Robinson stayed red-hot for the Nets, racking up 23 points and 10 rebounds, and has become a must-own, must-start player over the last 10 days. Wayne Ellington started and had 14 points and four 3-pointers, but I don’t trust him, while starters Bojan Bogdanovic (2-of-12, 4 points) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (7 points) both struggled. Shane Larkin scored just nine points, but also had seven rebounds and eight assists in the loss. Sean Kilpatrick had 15 points off the bench, Markel Brown scored 13 and Chris McCullough had 10 points and five steals. All three bench players are worth keeping an eye on, but none are must-owns.
Celtics 104, Pelicans 97 – Boston got 32 points, eight dimes and three 3-pointers from Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder scored 14 with two blocks and two 3-pointers, and Avery Bradley scored 13 with three steals. Jared Sullinger and Amir Johnson were both quiet in the win. Marcus Smart had 11 points and a nice line in 33 minutes off the bench and is worth a look right now in most leagues, especially if Evan Turner sits again on Friday with his eye injury. Smart took a laceration above his eye last night, but sounds like he’s OK. The Celtics are now tied with the Hawks for the No. 3 seed in the East, and both teams are just a ½ game up on the Heat, and one game upon the Hornets. In other words, Boston should to continue to fight until the end for seeding, which is great news for Thomas and company.
The Pelicans got 19 points, seven boards and two 3-pointers from Toney Douglas, and Alexis Ajinca was solid with 10 points and eight rebounds. Starter James Ennis had 13 points and a couple threes, but also had five turnovers before fouling out, while Dante Cunningham and Omer Asik were nearly invisible in the starting unit. Luke Babbitt came off the bench for 16 points, eight boards, four assists and two 3-pointers, Tim Frazier had 18 points, five boards, six assists, two steals and a 3-pointer, and Jordan Hamilton added 14 points, six boards and a 3-pointer off the bench. All three Pelicans’ bench players are worth a close look right now, while Frazier and Babbitt qualify as must-own, must-start players in most leagues. Frazier tweaked an ankle last night, but sounds like he’ll play on Friday.
