If you’ve been keeping up with me since I took over the basketball reigns here for Razzball Nation, you know I’ve had two guys I’ve been all about. Tobias Harris and Jonas Valanciunas. Yes the luminescent Lithuanian (LL). Not Latvian! Easy mistake… OK, so I’m not one to talk, I’m paler than an Icelander living in Seattle. But it sounded cool when I made it up.
At the ripe young age of 20, Valanciunas is owning the post, and is doing a Tyler Hansbrough impression of what Psycho-T did in college, just throwing up shizz and getting to the line. LL (see, this is much better than typing his name correctly every time) has been scoring double-digits a night, but hit his career-high yesterday with 24 in 41 minutes. The crazy thing is, he took only 7 shots! Went 16-18 at the free throw line for a splendid line of 24-10-1-1-2. I know pounding Nene and the rest of the Wiz bigs down low isn’t exactly a huge accomplishment, but I’m gonna be all over him for next year. And if for some reason he’s available in your league, nab him for your championship run.
Here’s what else went down across the NBA last night:
John Wall – Another double-digit performance at the free throw line as well going 10-10 but shot 5-17 from the floor. The Wizards absolutely collapsed in this game, scoring 28 2nd-half points after leading at the break.
Bradley Beal – Injured for the remainder of the season, meaning more run for Martell Webster and Trevor Ariza, neither of which did anything. Ariza got 34 minutes though, so that’s encouraging if you’re still stuck with him in a deeper league…
Rudy Gay – 2-8 for only 6 points in 26 minutes. DeMar DeRozan was doing most of the scoring when my boy LL was off the free throw line.
Kemba Walker – The Bobcats won a game?! I wouldn’t have believed it… 17-5-10-5-1 last night in the W. Good to see Kemba diming.
Damien Wilkins – Led the Sixers with 20 Pts. Also chipped in 9 Rebs 1 Ast and 1 Stl. I said it a few weeks ago, if you just need a tad of scoring, Wilkins is a good streamer.
Carmelo Anthony – Follows 50 two nights ago with 40 last night. That’s 90 in two games! Look at that math. Went from hitting 7 3’s to only 1 last night. Dude can score from everywhere. If only I had that skill in college….
Kyle Korver – Took all of the 3-point magic with 6 last night against the Knicks. Scored double-digits for the first time in 8 games. He won’t ever be more than a streamer to me because of the simple principle of ThrAGNOFF!
Reggie Evans – Another crazy game on the glass with 18 boards last night. But only 8 Pts and 2 Stls as his other stats and 2-6 from the free throw line…
MarShon Brooks – Started in the place of injured Joe Johnson and also had a career-high with 27 Pts to go with 4 Rebs 7 Asts and 1 Blk. Shot 12-16. MarsHot on the floor.
Kyrie Irving – Second game back after his extended injury time and struggled going 5-16 for 16 Pts with 2 Rebs 6 Asts 1 Stl and 1 Blk. Definitely needs to be owned if for some reason he’s out there, but don’t bank on the huge game he had when he first returned.
Jonas Jerebko – Yea because the NBA needs another JJ… Sheesh. Quietly scored 15+ in 3 of the last 4 with 19 last night. Will give you a tad of scoring if you’re deep and need a streamer.
Jeff Green – Another huge game going 13-19 FG (3-4 3PTM) 34 Pts 6 Rebs 1 Ast 1 Stl and 4 Blks. Most points he’s scored since that huge outburst against the streaking Heat. It was (shocker!) another game without Kevin Garnett, but Green’s gonna be a beast next year.
Nikola Pekovic – Imagine standing on the foothills of Ireland (I think?) and shouting Niiii-Kooooo-Llllaaa! 27-8 with 11-14 FG and 5-7 FT %s. Montenegro Magician.
Ersan Ilyasova – Not to be outshined in this game as an international big, Ilyasova went 29-12 on 12-21 with 3 3’s. Once he got locked in the rotation again, he was huge. If that gives him a little draft day discount next year, I’m in.
Evan Fournier – 18 points surprised me because I watched this game and it didn’t seem like that much, but virtually all of it was in mop up duty. Moving on.
Chandler Parsons – After missing a game of food poisoning, the Kings tried to give him some questionable sushi in pregame. It didn’t work. 29-5-4 with 3 3’s and a block. He’s been a great value all year.
James Harden – Also returned to the fray after missing two games and neared a triple-double going 21-7-9 with 2 Blks. Shot only 7-19 and only 2-8 from downtown, but other than that looked sharp.
Eric Maynor – 10 assists off the bench. A surprising 31 minutes as well. That’s 18 dimes in his last 2 games for $1.80. Need a deep league assists streamer? Could be Maynor.
Eric Bledsoe – Mmmmm remember that run he had when CP went down? Eschewed that run last night with and 8-14 FG (1-3 3PTM) 17 Pt 2 Reb 7 Ast 2 Stl and 1 Blk line in 22 minutes last night. If he starts somewhere next year, it’ll be interesting.
Klay Thompson – Single digits in 3 straight now shooting only 4-11 for 8 points and no 3’s last night. #SlumpCity
Next Game: Got a good one with Spurs at Thunder tonight. I’ve been in baseball mode so my live game tweeting has gone down, but if you have anyone you want me to keep an eye on let me know. Finish the playoffs strong Razzball Nation!
