It's Super Bowl Sunday and while most of us have our eyes on the big game, there are two NBA contests today and lineups need to be set for the upcoming short week leading into All-Star Weekend.
I was born and raised in Indianapolis, and was a Colts season-ticket holder until we moved south in 2004. I'm a homer, no doubt, but I just can't see the Saints stopping Peyton Manning today. My official prediction is Colts 38, Saints 24. We'll see.
Smaller To Average-Sized Leagues
These players may or may not be available in smaller to average-sized leagues consisting of 10-12 teams with rosters somewhere around 12-15 players. That should cover a majority of the fantasy hoops leagues in existence. If your league is any smaller than that, the waiver options are endless and it's just too difficult to try to figure out whether you should pick up Kevin Garnett, Luol Deng or Jamal Crawford.
Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Delfino, Darren Collison and Randy Foye may all still be available in some leagues, but shouldn't be. Make sure they're not sitting on waivers in your league, and if they are, pick them up.
T.J. Ford PG Pacers - Ford is suddenly back in the rotation in Indy and had 20 points on Saturday. Earl Watson was out with a personal issue, but will return on Tuesday, while A.J. Price suffered a concussion on Saturday. He's also expected to be available on Tuesday, but it sure feels like Ford has earned his backup job back, and could even possibly be given the starter's job. Either way, my guess is that Price is now the odd man out in Indy's forever changing rotation, and I think Ford should be picked up in all leagues right now. Just don't expect any miracles.
John Salmons/Tyrus Thomas Bulls - These two underachieving Bulls continue to bounce from fantasy team to fantasy team, as they simply cannot put together any consistency this season. Salmons has had some solid games to go along with some terrible ones, while Thomas is coming off a one-game suspension. I still think both players are worth owning, but I wouldn't put them into starting lineups until they get hot. And it's a real possibility that won't happen anytime soon. They still look like good guys to stash on the bench until something changes.
Courtney Lee G/F Nets - Chris Douglas-Roberts suffered from back spasms on Friday and is quickly falling out of the rotation. He's also a candidate to be moved in a deadline trade. Lee has taken advantage of extra opportunities lately, averaging 11 points, three boards, nearly two blocks and more than a 3-pointer per game over his last five and should be primed for a big second half. I think he should be owned in nearly all leagues, as he could quickly heat up after the break.
Donte' Greene G/F Kings - Greene blew up for a season-high 31 points on Sunday to go along with seven boards, a three and two blocks. Jason Thompson is set to return from a personal leave, but Greene appears to have earned more minutes. I think he's a sneaky play with two games in this short week, and could get more run in the second half. His ability to block and hit threes is the key here, but it's impossible to tell how much Paul Westphal is going to play him going forward.
Jonas Jerebko F Pistons - Jerebko is back in the starting five for the Pistons and hit all nine of his shots on Saturday to finish with 20 points, seven boards and two 3-pointers, but had scored a total of just 10 points previous two games. He looks locked into the starting lineup at power forward and while he's not a must-own player, he's certainly worth a look.
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Normal-to-Deeper Leagues
These players may generally be available in 12 to 14-team leagues.
Ryan Hollins C Wolves - Hollins has been starting at center for the Timberwolves, averaging 12 points, three boards and a block over his last five. He scored between 15 and 19 points in three straight, but scored just four points on Saturday, and six before the double-digit streak started. He doesn't get many rebounds, but might be able to help owners in deeper leagues who need a starting center.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute F Bucks - I really don't trust the Prince too much while starting for Scott Skiles, but he scored a season-high 18 points to go along with 11 boards on Saturday, and had 16 points, six boards, two steals and two blocks in his previous game. He's obviously heating up and while I have no idea how long it will last, he's probably worth a shot right now.
Kyle Lowry G Rockets - Update: Lowry is now injured and out for a couple weeks. Lowry is back from a sprained ankle and has averaged 10 points, three boards and three assists in his last three games. He's averaging nearly nine points and five assists on the season, and could help owners who struggle each week in assists now that he's healthy again.
Anthony Morrow G/F Warriors - Morrow's been out with a knee injury but returned for Saturday's loss. He scored just five points in 16 minutes, but is capable of going on a 3-point and scoring barrage on a moment's notice. Don't plan on putting him in your lineup right now, but consider grabbing him in case Don Nelson decides to make him a focal part of the offense again in the near future.
James Posey G/F Hornets - Posey has played very well recently, averaging nine points, 10 boards and four assists in his last three games. Marcus Thornton has missed two of those games and could be out until the break with a back injury. Posey looks locked in as the team's sixth man now, and has also six treys in his last three.
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Extremely Deep Leagues
Shannon Brown G Lakers - Known mostly for dunking, Brown has hit double digits in three straight games, averaging about 10 points, three boards, three assists and a 3-pointer per game over his last five. He'd look a lot better if Kobe Bryant or Derek Fisher were to go down for a stretch, but has passed Jordan Farmar on the depth chart. Again, he looks like a solid pickup in deeper leagues.
J.J. Hickson/Leon Powe F Cavaliers - Hickson continues to start for the Cavs and has scored in double figures in three straight games, going for 10 & 5, 12 & 5 and 15 & 8 points and boards over that stretch. Powe is due back from knee surgery after the break, which could hurt the numbers of Hickson and Anderson Varejao, and is also worth a look in the deepest of leagues.
Joey Dorsey F Rockets - Dorsey has played 18 and 19 minutes in his last two games and appears to be primed for more minutes going forward. Again, not a guy you want to own in most leagues, but for deep ones with a limited waiver wire, Dorsey could surprise people if he continues to get minutes. He had four points and seven boards in Saturday's game, and added seven points, 12 boards, a steal and a block in the previous game.
Rodrigue Beaubois G Mavericks - Roddy had 17 points and four threes on Friday night, but had scored just a total of 14 points in his previous four games. He's passed Juan Jose Barea on the depth chart and is at least worth a watchful eye going forward.
JaVale McGee C Wizards - McGee isn't doing much for the Wizards, but is clearly available on trading block. If he were to land some place like Minnesota, he could make a quick fantasy impact and even start. He's not a must-own player by any means, but he might be worth stashing in a deep league until we see what happens at the trade deadline. Additionally, he would likely start for the Wizards if they were to move Brendan Haywood.
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Steve "Dr. A" Alexander is the senior editor for the NBA and PGA Tour for Rotoworld.com. The 2009-10 NBA season marks his eighth year of covering fantasy hoops for Rotoworld.com, and he was a Top 3 finalist for NBA Fantasy Writer of the Year in 2008-09. Follow him on Twitter at docktora. |
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