Another week, another huge injury for Fantasy Basketball owners.
The Los Angeles Clippers will have to do without PG Chris Paul (shoulder), who suffered a Grade 3 separation of his shoulder and is expected to be sidelined approximately six weeks. The good news is that CP3 will not need surgery, but it’s a lengthy injury which leaves a giant hole on Fantasy rosters. If you need a replacement, PG Darren Collisonmight get the keys to the car and could re-emerge as a must-start Fantasy option. G Jamal Crawford also should see an increase in appeal.
Cleveland Cavaliers PG Kyrie Irving (knee) missed his third consecutive game Sunday, and he is a huge question mark going into the new week. There isn’t a definitive answer from the team as to when he’ll be back, and they’re obviously treating their franchise centerpiece with kid gloves. If you’re a Fantasy owner in cumulative Fantasy leagues, reserve him. If you’re in a Rotisserie league, he is probably a safe play, as I wouldn’t expect he’ll miss another three games. PG Jarrett Jack (back) was also out Sunday due to back spasms, so G Matthew Dellavedovamade the start at the point. He bagged 11 points in 41 minutes, but he isn’t someone worth a roster spot in anything but the deepest of formats.
In other news, Oklahoma City Thunder PG Russell Westbrook (knee) is off crutches, and CBSSports.com reports that Westbrook was even able to take part in light workouts before Saturday’s contest. Since Westbrook had surgery a little over a week ago, that’s a very encouraging sign, but don’t expect him to be rushed back. If you’re a Fantasy owner of Westbrook, keep expecting him to be out until at least the All Star break. In the meantime, GReggie Jackson bagged a career-high 27 points with three 3-pointers. He is a great Fantasy option until Westbrook returns.
Teams with four games (11): Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Washington
Teams with three games (18): Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Golden State, Houston, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, New York, Oklahoma City, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, Toronto
Team with two games (1): Utah
TV TIME (national broadcasts in the upcoming week)
TUE New Orleans at Miami (7:30pm NBATV)
WED Dallas at San Antonio (7:00pm ESPN), Phoenix at Minnesota (9:30pm ESPN)
THU Miami at New York (8:00pm TNT), Oklahoma City at Denver (10:30pm TNT)
FRI Miami at Brooklyn (8:00pm ESPN), L.A. Lakers at L.A. Clippers (10:30pm ESPN)
SUN Cleveland at Sacramento (6:00pm NBATV)
* All Times Eastern (ET)
SCHEDULE ANALYSIS
The Boston Celtics have four games, and they’re all on the road. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the games are against the Denver Nuggets (101.9 ppg), Los Angeles Clippers (100.1 ppg), Golden State Warriors (98.8 ppg) and Portland Trail Blazers (102.6 ppg). If you’re an owner of SF Jeff Green, PG Avery Bradley, SG Jordan Crawford or PF Brandon Bass, you’re going to like the results this week.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have just three games on tap, but each of the games are very favorable. They will get the Philadelphia 76ers (110.6 ppg), and their league-worst scoring defense, at home, while facing the Utah Jazz (100.7 ppg) and Sacramento Kings (104.5 ppg) on the road. SG Dion Waiters and PF Tristan Thompson are especially attractive Fantasy options.
The Utah Jazz are the only team on tap for two games, and all Fantasy options should be reserved in cumulative leagues, and points-based head-to-head formats.
INJURIES
We mentioned the bigger news up top, but there are a handful of other guys dealing with nagging injuries heading into the week.
Golden State Warriors C Andrew Bogut (calf) was able to return for Sunday’s game, and he was tremendously effective. Bogut bagged 15 points with 11 rebounds and four blocked shots in 26 minutes. If you use Bogut on a regular basis, it appears safe to get him back into the active Fantasy lineup.
Miami Heat PG Mario Chalmers (Achilles’) left the game Sunday against Toronto due to tendinitis in his right Achilles’ tendon. The Heat are on tap for just three games, so it is a great idea to reserve him in all Fantasy leagues. PG Norris Cole would be a nice stopgap Fantasy option if Chalmers is forced to miss time.
Toronto Raptors F Tyler Hansbrough (ankle) missed his second straight game Sunday due to an ankle injury, and he is a big question mark heading into the new week. If you normally depend upon Hansbrough, go another way.
Miami Heat PG Dwayne Wade (knee) was able to play in Sunday’s game against Toronto, working in a back-to-back situation. Still, it is no guarantee that he plays in the next back-to-back Thursday at New York and Friday at Brooklyn, so be careful. The Heat are on tap for just three games, and D-Wade might just play in two contests. If you have healthier or more certain alternatives, use them.
CATEGORY HELP
If you need help in specific categories in Rotisserie Fantasy play, you’ve come to the right place. Check out these guys, who should be available in your league, to help out in certain areas.
POINTS
Jerryd Bayless, PG, Memphis/Boston (10.5 ppg over the past 10 games)
J.J. Barea, PG, Minnesota (10.5 ppg over the past 10 games)
Ray Allen, SG, Miami (9.9 ppg over the past nine games)
Beno Udrih, PG, New York (9.9 ppg over the past nine games)
REBOUNDS
Trevor Booker, PF, Washington (9.4 rpg over the past eight games)
Chris Kaman, C, L.A. Lakers (7.6 rpg over the past five games)
Reggie Evans, PF, Brooklyn (7.3 rpg over the past six games)
Jason Thompson, PF, Sacramento (6.4 rpg over the past 11 games)
ASSISTS
Beno Udrih, PG, New York (6.1 apg over the past nine games)
Kendall Marshall, PG, L.A. Lakers (5.0 apg over the past five games)
Shelvin Mack, PG, Atlanta (4.1 apg over the past 10 games)
Shaun Livingston, PG, Brooklyn (4.1 apg over the past 10 games)
STEALS
C.J. Watson, PG, Indiana (1.4 spg over the past nine games)
Rashard Lewis, PF, Miami (1.4 spg over the past nine games)
Beno Udrih, PG, New York (1.4 spg over the past nine games)
BLOCKED SHOTS
Chris Kaman, C, L.A. Lakers (2.0 bpg over the past five games)
Elton Brand, PF, Atlanta (1.4 bpg over the past 10 games)
Bismack Biyombo, C, Charlotte (1.4 bpg over the past 10 games)
3-POINTERS
Anthony Tolliver, PF, Charlotte (20 3-pointers over the past 10 games)
Jared Dudley, SG, L.A. Clippers (19 3-pointers over the past 11 games)
J.J. Barea, PG, Minnesota (18 3-pointers over the past 10 games)
Richard Jefferson, SF, Utah (16 3-pointers over the past 10 games)
Marcus Morris, PF, Phoenix (16 3-pointers over the past 10 games)
JUMP SHOTS
The Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly agreed to a deal which will send G Jerryd Bayless to the Celtics for G Courtney Lee. It’s a great sign for Lee, who will likely get a chance at more playing time to help the Grizzlies behind the arc. If you need a 3-point shooter, Lee could be a surprise add in Roto leagues. … Lakers GKendall Marshall looked sharp at point guard Sunday, dishing out a career-high 17 assists against Denver. The Lakers are a banged up bunch, so Marshall is likely to see plenty of minutes and fill up more stat sheets in the short term. Long term, he isn’t a great Fantasy option. For now, though, the assists, steals and triples should be flowing rather nicely. … Speaking of the Lakers, they continue to work the phones trying to swing a financially sound deal which would send PF/C Pau Gasol to the Cavs for C Andrew Bynum. For now, Bynum should be reserved in all Fantasy leagues, as he is suspended and not going to play any time soon.
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