Basketball Daily Dose: Dose: Warriors Going for 73
The NBA in April is pretty crazy with teams either resting their studs, fighting for playoff seeding or tanking for a lottery pick, so I highly recommend that you end your fantasy playoffs a couple weeks sooner next season to avoid the madness. With that said, let’s take a look at what happened around the NBA on a busy nine-game Sunday for those of you still competing for a championship. If you need fantasy advice, click here to follow me on Twitter!
Wizards 113, Hornets 98
John Wall (knee) missed his third game in a row, so Ramon Sessions stepped up again with 15 points and 11 assists to lead the Wizards. Wall has already admitted that he probably won’t play again this season, so Sessions should have two more starts coming his way and is worth starting in all formats. Bradley Beal left the game after eight minutes with a sore pelvis which is the same injury that forced him to miss three games earlier in March, so his season could be over with Washington out of the playoffs. Beal is as injury prone as they come, but some team will take a risk this summer by throwing him a max deal. Marcus Thornton started the second half and had 16 points with four assists and two treys, but he’s just too streaky and the Wizards may want to give Kelly Oubre some run. The shut-down risk too high for Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris, but this is last week of the season we’re talking about. By the way, coach Randy Wittman has to be fired, right?
The Hornets looked fatigued on Sunday, but Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams all posted respectable lines. Frank Kaminsky came out of nowhere with 18 points and 11 boards, but it’s too little, too late for the rookie. Imagine this Charlotte team if they drafted Myles Turner or Devin Booker… Anyways, coach Steve Clifford said he won’t rest his starters next week, so Batum, Walker and Williams are safe to play.
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Rockets 130, Lakers 110
James Harden led the Rockets with 40 points, Trevor Ariza had 19 points and a full line, while Patrick Beverley added 19 points, six assists and three treys. The Rockets still trail the Jazz by one game for the No. 8 seed, so they won’t be resting any studs this week. Houston has two winnable games against the Wolves and Kings, while the Jazz plays the Mavericks and Lakers.
Kobe Bryant was phenomenal with 35 points in 27 minutes, and as one of his biggest fans it’s starting to sink in that he only has two games left of his NBA career. D’Angelo Russell (eight points, four assists, two treys) and Julius Randle (11 points, seven boards, four assists) were both underwhelming, but Jordan Clarkson erupted for 21 points, eight boards, four assists and three steals. When the Lakers realize that they have no shot at signing Kevin Durant this summer, they’re going to throw a ton of money at Clarkson. The Lakers have also secured the 2nd worst record in the NBA, so they will have a 55.8 percent chance to keep their top-3 protected pick this summer.
Clippers 98, Mavericks 91
Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, J.J. Redick and Blake Griffin all returned to action, but with the No. 4 seed locked up, don’t be surprised if they get another DNP on Tuesday vs. Memphis or Wednesday vs. Phoenix. The biggest takeaway from this game is that Griffin looked awesome, finishing with 17 points, 11 boards, seven assists and two steals in 33 minutes, and he’s finding his rhythm just in time for the postseason. Jamal Crawford stayed hot with 22 points and four treys, but he’s another guy that could be rested this week. Cole Aldrich returned to the bench and had four points and eight boards in 10 minutes, but he will be one of my favorite targets in DFS if Jordan sits again. In his last start, Aldrich had 21 points, 18 boards, five steals and a block.
Deron Williams made a surprise return for the Mavs, and that was huge because J.J. Barea (groin) wasn’t able to play. D-Will had 15 points a few assists, and he may have no choice but to play on Monday vs. the Jazz in what is basically a must-win game — the Mavs are just one game ahead of Utah and play them and the Spurs this week. Dirk Nowitzki is poised for a big week, but Wesley Matthews has been too cold in trust in most formats. Justin Anderson has been a bright spot for Dallas and was coming off a double-double, but he fell flat with just three points and six boards. Raymond Felton was excellent with 21 points and five assists, but I’m not trusting him if Williams and Barea both play Monday.
Bucks 109, 76ers 108
The Bucks are tanking, so they decided to give Greg Monroe the night off to rest. John Henson had 18 points, 10 boards and two blocks, so give him a long look in DFS if Monroe sits again Monday. Khris Middleton returned from a three-game absence and went off for 36 points, nine assists and four steals in what was arguably the line of the night, but the Bucks could be shady and rest him on Monday as well. Giannis Antetokounmpo (14 points, nine boards, seven assists) and Jabari Parker (15 points, six boards, two treys) were solid, but you have to wonder if it’s their turn to get a DNP. By the way, Antetokounmpo’s improvement since the All-Star break has been incredible and I won’t hesitate to grab him in the first round of drafts next season.
The 76ers nearly stole a win in overtime, but it looks like they will finish the season with a 10-72 record with games coming up against the Raptors and Bulls this week. Carl Landry (back) could miss more time, So Nerlens Noel (18 points, 13 boards, three steals) and Jerami Grant (21 points, three blocks) should be solid plays in DFS this week. Robert Covington (19 points, eight boards, three steals, five treys) and Ish Smith (22 points, eight assists and nine boards) are also solid options.
