Land of Shutdowns and Scrubs
Tuesday's usually a slow night in the NBA, but not with 11 games last night. There are more story lines than I can get my head around, as the scrubs are taking over and the stars are struggling for several teams. I'll get things started with some trivia from a weird night that saw the Knicks beat the Pistons and the Heat beat the Bulls.
When was the last time the Knicks and Heat won on the same night this season? Answer: Never.
Name the five Heat players in double figures last night. Answer:
Kasib Powell,
Earl Barron,
Chris Quinn,
Mark Blount and
Ricky Davis.
How bad were
Rodney Stuckey,
Rasheed Wallace,
Chauncey Billups,
Antonio McDyess and
Tayshaun Prince? Answer: A combined 14-of-56. In a fantasy disaster, the Pistons played 11 guys between 10 and 26 minutes.
Who has led the Knicks in scoring over the last two games? Answer:
Wilson Chandler.
What did
Chris Paul and
Deron Williams have in common last night while playing each other? Answer: Both were 2-of-11 from the floor for four points, but the Jazz beat the Hornets.
utahjazz.com
Who had a triple-double last night? Answer: Technically no one, but
Andrew Bogut had 15 points, 15 boards and 10 turnovers, along with four blocks.
What is
Carmelo Anthony's scoring average over his last three? Answer: 40 ppg
Injury Report Brad Miller – Out for the season with leg injury. Hello,
Spencer Hawes.
Gerald Wallace – Shutting it down with groin injury. Hello,
Matt Carroll.
Shaquille O'Neal – Should return tonight from hip injury.
Ron Artest – Having MRI on thumb. Is he the next star to shut it down?
sacramentokings.com LeBron James – Missed 2 practices, Says he'll play tonight. Cross your fingers.
Corey Maggette- Missed 2 straight with hammy and could be done.
Caron Butler – Injured in practice, questionable tonight.
Darius Songaila – Injured in practice, questionable tonight.
Sam Cassell – Out for C's, may not play until playoffs.
Dwight Howard – Injured mouth in practice, is expected to play.
Sebastian Telfair – Practicing through ankle, wants to play Friday.
David Lee – Surprise DNP with back spasms, ending some fantasy dreams.
Martell Webster – Cleared w/ irregular heartbeat, but may be done for year.
Tony Battie – Won't play this year after shoulder surgery.
Donyell Marshall – May be done with knee injury.
Welcome Back Beno Udrih – Returned from seven-game absence, scored 10.
Kevin Garnett – Scored 21, will be limited to 20 mpg until playoffs.
Paul Pierce – Playing, but will be limited to about 20 mpg.
Ray Allen – Ditto.
bostonceltics.ws Quentin Richardson – Returned from head injury. Hurts
Nate Robinson.
Ronnie Brewer – Struggled through groin injury, risky start.
Tim Thomas – Returned to hit just 2-of-10 shots.
Mickael Pietrus – Finally back from groin, worth a flier.
Antonio McDyess – 0-of-5 after day of rest.
Tuesday's Good Al Jefferson – 40 points, 10 boards. So much for hitting the wall.
Matt Carroll – 7-of-8, 2 threes, 22 points. Great play with Wallace done.
Kasib Powell – 18 points and a nice line. D-League MVP worth a flier.
Wilson Chandler – Isiah's finally playing him, but for how long.
Ramon Sessions – Big line Tuesday, play him as long as Mo Will is out.
Mike Conley – Great line, but as inconsistent as they come.
Rudy Gay – 36 points, 5 three, 2 blocks – One star didn't let his owners down.
Earl Watson – 22 points, eight assists. Should be in all lineups.
Vladimir Radmanovic – 17 points, six boards, 5 threes. Has 10 treys in last 2.
Channing Frye – 22 & 11 in start for
Joel Przybilla. Pick him up.
Brandon Roy – 23 & 12 assists and wasn't intimidated by Kobe.
James Jones – 14 points, 3 threes. Worth a shot if you need treys.
Linas Kleiza – Has scored 15-plus in three straight games.
Cuttino Mobley – Scored 25, has been up and down all year.
John Salmons – Could start the rest of the way for Artest. Pick him up.
Francisco Garcia – Returned from ankle injury to score career-high 31.
Baron Davis – Broke out of seven-game funk with huge line.
Andris Biedrins – Has gone for at least 17 points & 15 boards in last three.
Stephen Jackson – 20 points, 2 threes. Not great, but coming around.
Al Harrington – 17 points, 7 boards, 5 steals. Keep playing him, Nellie.
indianapacers.com Tuesday's Bad
My Hawks throttled by Pacers.
Mike Bibby 0-of-8, 5-of-32 in last three.
Tyson Chandler – 3 points, 9 boards in struggle against Boozer and Okur.
Charlie Villanueva – Benched after 15 minutes, but not hurt.
Rashad McCants – Played just three minutes, but is said to be healthy.
Dirk Nowitzki – 5-of-14, 11 points. Is he about to get a game or two off?
Al Thornton – Is 10-of-37 in last three but should break out again soon.
Josh Powell – Played 10 minutes for 2 points. Biggest letdown of the night.
dallasmavericks.com Final thoughts
Even though I don't own
Josh Powell, I was pretty disturbed by the fact he didn't play much last night, as
Elton Brand played center and Mobley moved to small forward. Why the Clippers wouldn't want to take as long of a look at Powell as possible is beyond me.
It was nice to see Baron and Jefferson break out of their funks. I am thinking Don Nelson and
Nate McMillan should be getting blasted for dropping Biedrins and Frye out of their rotations earlier this season.
I think Artest is done, as his daughter is sick, his thumb is in a lot of pain and the rest of his body isn't exactly right. He says he'll play at Arco, but we'll have to wait and see.
Why Isiah Thomas isn't running
Nate Robinson for 40 mpg is very annoying to me.
Should you be worried about LeBron's back? Yes. But the good news is that it sounds like he's going to play tonight. But once the Cavs secure their seed, he's going to get some rest.