The playoffs are coming, do you have a point guard emergency? Mo Williams consistency driving you insane? Kyrie Irving just not cutting it since his return? Steve Nash can’t stay on the floor? Tony Parker goes down! Well according to Lt. Dangle there might be a new sheriff in Orlando, all he needs is a killer ‘stache. Beno Udrih was Udraining shots from all over the floor Friday night and scored 27 points (10-17 FG) with 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and hit 3 shots from beyond the arc. Beno may have that mustache in him after all. Jameer Nelson missed his fourth straight game and Beno got the nod again. In four games starting with Nelson out, Udrih is averaging 19.5 points, 7.3 assists, 4 rebounds, 1.75 steals and 2.5 threes a game. BENOthatswhatImtalkingabout Udrih! He played 36 minutes Friday night and should continue to find plenty of time on the floor even when (if) Jameer Nelson (ever) returns. If I have a playoff point guard emergency I’m picking up Udrih, Beno-911 should provide enough points and assists to make him an asset in your fantasy playoffs.
Here’s what else happened in basketball Friday night:
Carmelo Anthony – 41 pts, 14 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk, (17-28 fgm), 3 3pm. The Knicks win their 11th in a row off the strength of Melo’s insane 18 point third quarter. The Knickerbockers had a 42 point third quarter and were hitting circus shots, but really this was Anthony’s game. SCORE ALL THE POINTS! He is on another planet right now. Melo needs to mellow out. Seriously dude, chill. Three straight 40 point games with 131 total points in than span! Calm down. You’re not Lebron. No one is saying you are, man. You don’t have to do it all by yourself. He’s averaging 33.7 pts, 7.8 reb, 2.0 3pm and shooting 49% from the floor over the past two weeks. He is winning your fantasy playoffs. What is Lebron doing again? #DNP
J.R. Smith – 30 pts, 10 reb. Sometimes you need a little help from your friends, Melo. You and JR vs. the world.
Jerryd Bayless – 14 pts, 6 ast, 4 reb. Bayless has been up and down all season. Right now he is up though, so at least his timing is good. He is averaging 9.3 pts and 6.8 assists over the past week so he could be worth an add.
Moe Harkless – Left the court limping after playing just 8 minutes. DeQuan Jones filled in with 36 minutes scoring 10 pts with 2 reb. Jones isn’t worth owning, but I wouldn’t drop Moe just yet either. Watch his status, if he’s set to miss much time be ready to make a switch.
Danilo Galinari – Out for Season. Womp womp. Tore his ACL in his left knee. Kevin Ware tweeted him post game, @galinari8888 thems the breaks, dg. Well, at least Kevin is in good spirits after the most horrifying injury I’ve seen in my life. Corey Brewer is the add here and Corey’s already been brewing up some offense as of late. “Have you tried my IPA?” asked Corey. “No, perhaps you prefer a lighter pale ale? It’s quite hoppy but it’s got a rich, malty smooth taste. Almost piney.” Wow. I didn’t know you were really a brewer, Corey, but I am impressed. I did notice you were averaging 18.5 points and 1.5 threes over the past three games, and you took full advantage of Rooster’s injury with 23 pts and 2 3pm Friday night. Corey MicroBrewer should contribute immediately in points and threes and could add some rebounds and assists, he’s a good add and should see plenty of playing time with Galinari out for the rest of the season.
Pau Gasol – 19 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast. And how fitting it would be if Pau is the one who carries the Lakers to that final playoff spot. Very fitting, I’d say. Oh, wait. Kobe will probably do that.
Kobe Bryant – 24 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast. Yeah, this guy. If he wills it, it will happen. Mamba!
Steve Blake – 6 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast in 39 minutes. With Steve Nash out, Blake makes for a decent add, but I wouldn’t count on Kobe sharing the rock enough to make him a real fantasy factor.
Greg Smith – 19 pts, 5 reb, 1 blk in 24 minutes. Started at center for Rockets. As long as he’s starting and seeing minutes, he’s a decent deep league add with 8.0 rpg over the past two weeks.
James Harden – 33 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast. As long as that beard is healthy, he’s fine. Jeremy “I’m Sorry I Don’t Have a Beard But I’ve Been Trying To Grow One All Season” Lin had 22 pts, 8 ast, 4 reb and 2 stl. The Rockets win their 4th game in a row, and I personally cannot wait to see this team in the playoffs.
Shawn Marion – 25 pts, 12 reb, 2 ast. The Matrix looked like the One Friday night and he dominated the Kings down low. The Kings couldn’t help it, I guess, he knows kung-fu.
Brendan Wright – 20 pts, 6 reb, 2 blk. Continues to see time at center for Dallas and could be the Wright add for your team if you’re looking for a big man down the stretch.
Tyreke Evans – 26 pts, 9 reb, 2 3pm. Isaiah Thomas added 29 points and that’s the story of how the Kings scored 108.
Stephen Curry – 18 pts, 15 ast, 4 stl, 3 3pm. Now that he has proven he can stay healthy, I could possibly, probably, maybe definitely will own him everywhere next year.
Goran Dragic – 32 pts, 3 ast, 2 reb, 3 3 pm. This is the kind of game we expected from Goran when we drafted him way too early back in Ocotber. Unfortunately, anyone who owns him probably stopped reading this weeks ago. #maybenextyear
Klay Thompson – 25 pts, 3 ast, 4 stl, 3 3pm. All Day Klay has been struggling lately (just 18 points over the past 3 games) so it was nice to see Klay find the Trey last night.
Anthony Davis – 24 pts, 12 reb, 3 blk. Flashes of greatness? Perhaps. Do it two more games in a row then we’ll talk about drafting you.
Nikola Pekovic – 24 pts, 8 reb. Nikola is going to get a huge pay day this summer when he hits free agency. And if he doesn’t, his family vill crush you.
Nate Robinson – 19 pts, 5 ast, 3 reb, 3 3pm. Oh Nate, the point guard fantasy owners love to hate. You Derrick Rose-delusionists are delusional. Keep waiting for your savior, in the meantime own Nate Robinson.
Mike Miller – 26 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 7 3pm. Miller Time is Now! Mike benefited the most from Lebron James and Dwayne Wade missing more time. As long as those two continue to miss time, Mike Miller should continue to produce like this. Go pick him up and live–the High Life!
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – 18 pts, 14 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk. Don’t look now but MKG has scored double digit points in five of his last seven games. Maybe, just maybe, he’s starting to put it all together. Probably not though. Next year.
Spencer Hawes – 19 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast. “Spencer Hawes Fun Fact: Hawes has never been bowling in his entire lifetime, nor does he have any desire to try it. He hates bowling.” Let’s keep it that way, Spence. (That one was for you Phila fans).
Ersan Ilyasova – 7 pts, 7 reb (2-9 fgm) The Bucks really needed a big game from Ersan so naturally he let everyone down (sound familiar?). Part of that was the human highlight show that was Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith Friday night. But Ersan struggled mightily at the start of the season, and let’s hope thats still behind him.
Tristan Thompson – 29 pts, 17 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk. How to know if your team is bad down low: Tristan Thompson sets careers highs in everything.
Brandon Bass – 14 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk. Kevin Garnett is set to return Sunday. Maybe. But the meantime, Boston has had decent production from Bass and even Shavlik Randolph (16 pts, 7 reb in 13 minutes). They could be worth a look if KG suffers any setbacks.
Jeff Green – 23 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast. Green lead the Green again with Paul Pierce and Garnett out, but he was no match for the…Cleveland Cavs? Seriously, Jeff? Come on, bro. The Celtics are falling fast, fortunately, the Bucks are falling along with them as the two teams are battling for the chance to not be the team that gets to lose to the Heat in the first round. Good luck you two!
The Knicks play the Thunder Sunday at 1:00 pm, as the NBA’s two leading scorers, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony, battle it out. I’d be impressed to see New York’s streak continue in Oklahoma City, but you bet I’ll be watching and you should, too. Check this one out!
Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below, or you can get at me on twitter @dandemanco. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy basketball continues next week, all week long!
