So if you watched any basketball on TNT last night, you probably saw Danilo Gallinari‘s injury where his knee buckled in a non-contact situation and it doesn’t look good. Don’t want to speculate too much as he hasn’t gotten an MRI yet, but I think he’ll be out when next year starts. Of course it could be just a strain and he got lucky, but I think he’s cuttable. Sucks because I like the Nuggets and like the Italian (I’m double and triple checking players’ nationalities now!).
Another big name player, Tony Parker had to leave early as well with Big Pop “very concerned.” On a night with only three games for there to be two big injuries puts the nail in the coffin of seeing the Miami Heat’s Big 3 play big minutes together again in the regular season. LeBron James owners who were carried by his MVP-level play are cursing all things fantasy basketball as it looks he’ll sit tonight. Dwyane Wade is also likely out. If you play into the finals next week, don’t expect too much from either of these guys. It’s a sad end for many teams’ best or second best players and will bring out your depth.
Here’s what else went down last night across the NBA:
Tim Duncan – If you would have told me Duncan would be performing at an elite level in April I woulda said you cray cray. 9-19 (6-6 FT) with 24 Pts 11 Rebs 1 Ast and 3 Blks last night vs. the Thunder. The Spurs have been a cavalcade of injuries and somehow Timmay has not been one of them. Be interesting to see where he goes next year in drafts.
Kawhi Leonard – I was texting back and forth with another fantasy basketball writer and how much I’m going to love Kawhi next year. He asked where I might take him, I said maybe as high as the 6th or 7th round, but I haven’t done any rankings for 2013-2014 yet. He said I was nuts. I said probably. But with lines like what he did last night of 9-18 FG (3-4 3PTM) 24 Pts 14 Rebs 6 Asts and 1 Stl against the Thunder, I’m optimistic he takes a huge step forward next year. Was hittin’ treys, slammin’ big dunks, just everywhere. Love me some Kawhi.
Derek Fisher – Gets the daily NBA Jam “he’s on fire” award for the night (I’m gonna start doing that). 6-8 FG (5-7 3PTM) in 15 minutes for 17 points off the bench last night. Oklahoma City’s fans went crazy. But we all know he’s not even a ThrAGNOFF, was just a hot game.
Carlos Boozer – 12-22 FG 29-18. Near Goromotaro! Probably yelled every time he scored as well. That’s how we do in ‘Laska!
Nate Robinson – Turrible as usual. 4-8 FG 12 Pts and 5 Asts and 5 Fouls in 22 minutes. Sheesh, get that Napoleon complex together.
Jimmy Butler – The world’s second most famous JB (it’s a rare pair of initials…) had another solid game going 16-10-3-2-1. Near rainbow line! Like what he’s doing in the starting lineup and has played 39+ minutes in 6 straight. Does a little bit of everything.
Brook Lopez – Another big scoring night with 28. Which center leads the NBA in scoring? Ok, I gave it away. But that is a little surprising. And it doesn’t count LaMarcus Aldridge who is C eligible in a lot of leagues, he’s a 4.
Reggie Evans – 13 boards and no points. Pretty standard.
Deron Williams – 30-10 in a near Nets win. We’ll see how far his slow start will have him drop next year in drafts, but I might be a buyer.
Brandan Wright – Had a nice game that I think he could have consistently if given more minutes. Still in only 24 minutes last night went 6-13 for 16 Pts 6 Rebs 1 Stl and 1 Blk. Can’t trust him to do this nightly, but I think he could if the Mavs gave him the shot.
Andre Miller – Another solid game in Ty Lawson‘s stead, going 22-7. Where would the Nuggets be without Miller? Looks like Lawson could be out until the playoffs, so if for some reason Miller is out there, I would grab him.
Corey Brewer – I’ve been all about Brewer as a solid streamer and back end guy, and he proved me right again going 7-17 FG (2-5 3PTM 7-8 FT) 23 Pts 2 Rebs 1 Ast 2 Stls and 1 Blk. With Gallinari going down, it’s gonna be a lot of extra run for Brewer who will vie Wilson Chandler for starts in the last bit of the regular season. Grab Brewer now.
Games Tonight: Heat @ Bobcats without Wade or LeBron, so a total snoozefest. Then Hornets @ Jazz. Not much better. If you have anything you want me to keep an eye on let me know, and have a good weekend Razzball Nation! If your championship ends Sunday, bring in the title!
