Elton Brand played 33 minutes in the Mavs/Thunder OT thriller Friday night and scored 10 points with 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, and he has now double-doubled in back to back games. You’ve been Branded! EB is starting to get comfortable with his new sixth man role, and Friday’s game was his fourth in a row scoring in double-digits, including a sweet season high 20 point game last Sunday. Sir Elton is averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 block over the past seven days, and he is playing well enough right now to warrant a pick up in most standard leagues. Dallas needs all the help they can get and let’s face it, so does your fantasy team. Ol’ grey Brand, he ain’t what he used to be, but he can still be helpful. He’s owned in just over half of Yahoo fantasy leagues, but that number is rising quick. I know, he may have burned you in the past, but it’s a brand new day, and hopefully a brand new Elton.
Here’s what else happened Friday night in fantasy basketball:
Kyle Lowry – 11 pts, 5 reb, 11 ast (3-11 fgm), 2 3pm. Played 36 minutes (i.e. 16 more minutes than Jose Calderon, who played well, 13 pts, 4 ast) despite the poor shooting. We’ve been telling you to BUY Lowry low (or by Low-ry) for weeks now. For those of you who have done so, you suffered through this poor shooting performance last night, but 11 assists, pretty gooood, amirite!? For those who have not bought low, now’s your chance!
Bradley Beal – 23 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast, 1 blk, 4 3pm. The Wiz grab the huge upset win in Denver! And the crowd goes wiiilld! B-Rad, you are the most magical of all the Wizards. Dark horse ROY, anyone? Anyone?? Expelliarmus!
John Wall – 14 pts, 12 ast, 4 reb, 2 blk. Might be too late to buy low, but Wall’s still not starting yet, so now might be the last chance you get. Wall can be a bonafide fantasy stud when healthy, just hope the other owner doesn’t know that.
Emeka Okafor – 10 pts, 7 reb, 3 stl, 2 blk. Averaging 10.7 points and 9.1 rebounds over the past two weeks. Seriously, I won’t tell anyone if you pick him up.
Ty Lawson – 29 pts, 6 ast, 2 stl, 4 3pm. The Wizards fought the Lawson, and well, the Wizards won. But nice game Ty Law, and I’m not referring to the ex-Patriot All-Pro corner back.
Jarrett Jack – 20 pts, 2 reb, 10 ast, started and played 43 minutes. Jarrett should be owned everyone while Stephen Curry is sidelined. He’s still just under 60% owned in Yahoo leagues, and if you don’t pick him up soon, well, you don’t know Jack about fantasy basketball.
Tim Duncan – 24 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast, 3 blk. Old reliable.
Tiago Splitter – 19 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast. Tiago is averaging 12.3 points and 8.0 rebounds over the past two weeks and as long as he’s seeing the minutes, he’s worth keeping an eye on. (Seems like all of Friday’s BUYS have started the weekend with a bang. – ed.)
Marreese Speights – 10 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl. Started for Zach Randolph, but unfortunately, with Z-Bo set to return soon, Mo doesn’t have much value outside the deepest of leagues.
Marc Gasol – 18 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast, 3 blk. Buenisimo! Como esta tu hermano? No bien? Que lastima…
Tony Allen – 14 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 3 blk in 37 minutes. Tony is a great “real life” player, but unfortunately that doesn’t translate to fantasy as well. However, TA’s averaging 1.8 steals over the past two weeks (if you’re into that sort of thing).
DeMarcus Cousins – 22 pts, 12 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk. DMC was the only one on his team to score in double digits. If this was your team, you’d probably have an attitude problem, too.
Devin Harris – 17 pts, 3 ast, 3 3pm. Now has 34 points over the past two games. Welcome to Devin’s Heaven. Where everyone’s an all star! Lou Williams left Friday’s game with an injury, which could mean more consistent time for Devin. He’s a hot schmotato right now and available in over 75% of Yahoo leagues.
Reggie Evans – 2 pts, 20 rebs. Twenty rebounds! TWO-OH! Why can’t I pick him up again?
Andray Blatche – 11 pts, 8 reb in 16 minutes. Played just 16 minutes and still managed to throw his fantasy owners a bone. Thanks ‘Dray.
Omer Asik – 22 pts, 12 reb, 3 blk. Omergerhd! He made 6-7 free throws!
Carlos Delfino – 17 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl. Carlos of the Fino is one of the hottest schmotatos in the league right now. He’s averaging 12.6 pts, 2.3 ast, 2.6 reb, 1.4 stl and almost 3 3pm per games over the past two weeks. Chances are he’s available in your league and that’s just del-fine-o.
James Harden – 17 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl, 4 blk. The Bearded One is a top 5 fantasy player right now. Before the season started, he was still coming off the bench. Funny how things change.
Nikola Vucevic – 11 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 3 blk. Don’t you wish you picked him up a month ago?
Kemba Walker – 25 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl. Kembadabing! “And the Bobcats win a thriller!” said nobody.
Ed Davis – 18 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk. Oh hello there double-double+5, always nice to see you here. Amir Johnson had a nice little game himself with 9 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl. But this night–this was was Ed Davis’ night.
Jrue Holiday – 33 pts, 14 ast, 3 stl in 46 minutes. In the immortal words of Frank the Tank, “You my boy, Jrue!”
Jared Sullinger – 7 pts, 15 reb, 1 stl. I told you to BUY him and he’s been pretty underwhelming since. So I was happy to see him beast 15 boards on Friday. He fouled out again, womp womp, and there are going to be some rough patches with the rookie, but the upside is definitely there.
Vince Carter – 29 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk. I’ve been waiting 3+ years to type the word “Vinsanity!” again.
Kevin Durant – 52 pts, 9 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl. You think you’re soooo good at basketball, don’t you, KD? Well you know something? Thunderstruck was terrible and you can’t act. So take that! Ha! Also, can I have your autograph?
Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap, as fantasy basketball continues next week, all week long!
