If you’re looking for fantasy basketball salvation this Easter weekend, Andre Drummond may be the closest your team gets playoff savior. He’s the missing link, drop everything and go pick him up! After missing two months with a back injury, rookie Andre Drummond returned to the court last night to start at center and scored 17 points (80 FG%) with 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Drums has massive rebounding upside that we didn’t even see last night. In 13 January games before the injury, Dre averaged 8.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Translation: dude is an absolute beast on the boards. You can ask Greg Monroe (11 pts, 13 reb), Andre’s words-with-friend and personal mentor. With Drums figuring to be a huge part of the future of the Pistons, it’s hard to imagine they won’t give him every opportunity to play in the few games there is left. Drummond’s free throw percentage is rough, but the defensive stats are there and his upside alone makes him a great add in all leagues, especially for those in need of rebounds and blocks. With the waiver wire scraps getting thinner by the day, Andre Drummond could definitely warrant a spot on your fantasy playoff roster.
Here’s what else happened in fantasy basketball Friday night:
John Wall – 35 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl. The more I keep saying that I’m going to own Wall next year, the more hype he continues to get and the less likely I am to actually have a chance to draft him. It’s a slippery slope this fantasy business.
Moe Harkless – 18 pts, 9 reb. I told you to BUY Moe last week. It’s good advice, no one trusts me more than me.
Tobias Harris – 30 pts, 2 3pm, 11 reb, 3 stl, 3 blk. His name is TOBY! He’s averaging 19.7 pts, 9.7 rebs and 3.3 asts over the past week and has been one of the biggest fantasy adds of the year. Good for you for picking him up!
Beno Udrih – 10 pts, 4 reb, 9 ast (2-8 fgm). Not the prettiest fantasy line but if you’re scraping for assists, Beno’s getting plenty of burn. Burned beanos normally not very good, but Udrih’s probably the best option available if you need dimes. (Besides Old James on the corner, of course. He’s got the best stuff in town.)
Damien Wilkins – 7 pts, 3 reb, 6 ast, 2 blk, 1 stl. Another assists option, Wilkins is usually a better scorer than he was Friday and might provide more points upside than Udrih might. He’s averaging 14.3 pts over the past two weeks. Give him a look.
Shaun Livingston – 10 pts, 6 ast, 3 reb (5-15 fgm) See Udrih, Beno and Wilkins, Damien. Livingston is probably my least favorite option of the three, but he remains an option, and until Kyrie Irving decides to return, he is Cleveland’s starting point guard. Sorry Cavs fans.
Tyler Zeller – 14 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk. Hey Cavs fans, double-double for T-Zells! Give it up! He also had this nice little one handed slam-a-jam. That’s something, right? Right!?
Mike Scott – 19 pts, 3 reb. Michael Scott came up huge for the Hawks–and that’s what she said!
Anthony Tolliver – 15 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 4 3pm in 28 minutes. Shelvin Mack added 12 pts, 9 ast in 27 minutes off the bench. Mack daddy, indeed. Both Hawks had intriguing nights but I’d hold off on picking them up until we see more a bit more consistency from either of them.
Shavlik Randolph – 9 pts, 13 reb, 2 blk in 22 minutes. Shavvy was saavy on the boards last night, with 7 offensive rebounds! Hello, KG 2.0! No? Could he be the Celtics answer down low? No? OK, probably not, but he’s definitely one to watch.
Jason Terry – 24 pts, 5 3pm. Wouldn’t be surprised if he slid into the Celtics starting lineup if he gets crazy hot like he’s known to do.
Jeff Green – 27 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 3 3pm. No one is happier KG is out than Jeff “Let Me Start Already” Green. Except maybe you. You picked him up after I told you to BUY him and he’s carrying you through the playoffs. Yes, you are happier than Jeff Green. Kevin Garnett owners? Not happy.
Paul Pierce – 20 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast, 3 3pm, 2 stl, 1 blk. Triple-double. And over course he pulled out the ol’ Murtaugh voice, “I’m getting too old for this!”
Jonas Valanciunas – 14 pts, 13 reb, 2 ast, 4 blk. His name is Jonaaaas…thanks for what you’ve shown us. This is how I feel: he’s going to be awesome next year, and I’m going to draft him.
Gerald Henderson – 35 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 2 3pm, 2 stl. Easily my favorite Charlotte Bobcat now after Adam Morrison.
Marc Gasol – 21 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 1 blk in 39 minutes. I’m convinced Marc returned from his injury so quickly just to shove it in Pau’s face. “Struggling to return from your injury, bro? It ain’t no thang, look at me, I was out indefinitely a week ago and now I’m playing 39 minutes a night. No big whoop. Y you mad, bro? Suck it up. Be a man, big bro. ” I guess they don’t call him La Tanketa for nothing.
Nikola Pekovic – 22 pts, 15 and the T’Wolves took out the Thunder. Wait. What? That happened?
Tim Duncan – 34 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk. Old reliable wills his Spurs past the ClippShow with the game winning shot. Naturally.
JR Smith – 37 pts, 2 reb, 2 3pm in 37 minutes. It was the first time since 1990 that a player scored 30+ points off the bench in 3 straight games. And that is why Smith doesn’t start, folks. So he can break records like this one.
Reggie Evans – 15 pts, 16 reb. I know there’s only one “Reggie” in New York. But Brooklyn’s gotta make an exception for this guy–he’s been insane! Maybe Reggie-E? I know, that is a terrible name. I apologize. How about BK Reggie? Regardless, Reg is averaging 9.5 points and 17.8(!) rebounds over the past 2 weeks. EEEEEEEE! See what I mean? Owned in just a third of leagues, go grab Reggie-EEEE while you still can.
Mo Williams – 28 pts, 5 ast, 5 reb, 2 3pm. Mo is averaging 10.9 pts, 6.9 asts over the past two weeks. Not much you were expecting when you drafted him, but still better than he was a month ago. I’ll take it!
Brian Roberts – 13 pts, 1 reb, 5 ast. Aren’t you supposed to be on the Orioles? Hurry back to Baltimore, the season starts Monday!
Lebron James – 36 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 7 3pm. Bron was playing with the fury Friday night because apparently the whole league is against him all of a sudden. They must just hate to see him shine. Who knew? At one point LBJ hit 6 threes in a row, he even Vined the final one @DannyAinge. So much for the Heat’s 27-game losing streak starting Friday night. Maybe Sunday–let’s make it happen Spurs!
Good luck in your playoffs!
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!
