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Monday's Game Recaps

Carter's Throwback Jersey

Vince Carter exploded for a season-high 48 points and six 3-pointers on 19-of-27 shooting last night to lead the Magic to a comeback win over the Hornets. Carter's explosion caused Twitter to light up and the guy has now scored at least 20 points in three straight games and had 17 points and 10 boards in the game before the 20-point streak started. He's averaging 26.5 points over his last four games, has hit 12-of-20 3-pointers and 38-of-72 shots from the field. The game before the hot streak started saw him go 1-of-8 for two points and he averaged less than nine points for the entire month of January. Yes, it looked like he might be done, but he was apparently just saving himself for February.

Rashard Lewis has survived the Carter surge, scoring in double figures in 13 straight games. Granted, the numbers over his last four haven't been huge, but despite Carter's 48 last night, Lewis added 18 points, four boards and three 3-pointers. These guys are not ideal teammates in Orlando, but it looks like they're at least close to making it work.

Dwight Howard had another ho-hum night with 25 points, 12 boards and four blocks, while Jameer Nelson handed out 10 assists. The only problem with Nelson's line was his 2-of-8 shooting for four points, but at least he managed a season high in dimes. The Magic have three games this week to lead the league, and it's possible that between Carter and Howard, you've already wrapped up a win (or loss) in head-to-head leagues.

Peja's Throwback Jersey

Peja Stojakovic also turned back the clock last night, scoring 29 points to go along with nine boards, five assists and five more 3-pointers. Over his last five games he's averaging 19 points, four boards, a steal and three 3-pointers, and is also shooting it lights out from both the line and field. I'm not sure any player on the Hornets actually took a step backwards when Chris Paul went down, but Peja, Marcus Thornton (who is out, which has helped Peja some) and Darren Collison have all pretty much been lights-out since CP3 shut it down.

Thornton remains day-to-day with his back injury, but it doesn't sound like it will keep him out much longer. Maybe the one game left before the break, but then he should be back and good to go. Collison went nuts again last night, and owners who saw his line at the break thought it was going to be a monster. Instead, he cooled off in the second half to finish with 27 points, nine assists, four steals and a 3-pointer on 12-of-22 shooting. I believe he had 18 points and eight dimes in the first half, but it's tough to be mad at him after another great stat line. David West had a nice night and James Posey was quietly effective, as usual, but it was not Emeka Okafor's night. Okafor failed to score and grabbed just two rebounds in nine minutes last night. While it's easy to blame last night's disaster on Dwight Howard, Okafor seems to put up an awful stat line about once every two weeks. He averaged 12 points and 10 boards in January, but had a 2 & 2 game against the Spurs and failed to reach double figures in scoring seven times. In other words, as much as you want to cut him right now, know that he'll bounce back in his next one.

Jet

Jason Terry blew up for a season-high 36 points last night and threw in six rebounds, nine assists, three steals and six 3-pointers in a win over – drum roll please – the Warriors. It's a cliché, broken record and dead horse, but if you need to break out of a slump or have a big game, just put the GSW on your schedule. And if you're playing against Terry head-to-head this week, my condolences. Drew Gooden had 24 & 10 without Erick Dampier (sore knee) around and Josh Howard, who has basically stunk all year, blew up for 25 points. This is why you start your guys against the Warriors, every time. Jason Kidd double-doubled and Dirk Nowitzki struggled with foul trouble, but the Mavs held on for the win in an entertaining game.

There's Always To-Morrow

Anthony Morrow got hot last night and blew up for 33 points on 12-of-20 shooting. He also hit five 3-pointers and grabbed 11 boards for what was possibly the best game of his career. This one line makes him an auto-pickup in all leagues, but it's entirely possible he scores five his next time out. He played very well as a starter earlier in the year, and while he may never be consistent while playing for Don Nelson, he's going to score and rack up 3-pointers. He was featured in this week's Waiver Wired, but it's too early to say it was the right call. However, I think it's obvious at this point that he should be owned in all leagues despite the inconsistency that's coming.

Perhaps the bigger news from this game was that Monta Ellis hurt his left knee and is awaiting an MRI. This is kind of scary news, but at least he didn't go down in a heap and get carted off the court. That doesn't mean he's in the clear, but there's at least hope that he just suffered a sprain or hyperextension. Ellis had 27 points, five boards, five assists, four steals and two more threes last night.

Corey Maggette is now out through the break with an injured ring finger and could miss even more time. I got some angry messages via email and Twitter about Maggette, as we've been ripping on him and calling him a sell-high player for several weeks now. I really don't care if he had some good games since his 3-of-22 night (when he still managed to score 19 points?). He's still Corey Maggette, he is still the ultimate injury/shutdown risk, and it's possible he never really bounces back from this with the arrival of Morrow and the playoffs an impossibility. I wouldn't just cut him, but I hope you listened to my gut and sent him packing a couple weeks ago.

Anthony Tolliver has double-doubled in two straight games again, going for 14 points, 11 boards and two blocks. I really like the kid and if you're holding onto Anthony Randolph for some reason, it would make sense to drop him for Tolliver.

Stephen Curry, who has reached must-start status, had 25 points, nine dimes and another 3-pointer last night. And for whatever reason, it sure seems like Nellie hates Andris Biedrins. But all you can do is keep running him out there.

Keep reading for info on Kobe, Bynum and several other injury notes from Monday.
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