For most things in life, more is better. More digits and commas in your bank account is good. When walking down a dark alley, more companions by your side is beneficial. Having more points than an opponent in any competition is usually optimal. For E’Twaun Moore of the New Orleans Pelicans, though, less has been Moore. In November, Moore was averaging 29.4 minutes per game. So far in December, he’s averaging 37.5 minutes per game. But Son! You said that less is Moore. Patience my grasshoppers. In November, Alvin Gentry had a pretty deep rotation. Nine players were playing over 15 mpg. In December, that number has dropped to seven. See? Less is Moore. Now, what happens when AD can’t play due to injury (shocker)? Three players get 40+ minutes, with another one at 39. Last night against the Houston Rockets, Moore played 42 minutes and went:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 36 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6/8 | 15/20 | 0 |
The 36 points were a career-high and he’s not going to shoot 75% from the field every night. With that said, he’s scored in double digits in seven of the last eight games and, as mentioned above, he’s been playing a ton of minutes. With teams focused on Boogie, Rondo, Holiday, and AD (when he plays), Moore is going to get a ton of open looks. Translation: LESS defensive attention equals MOORE points.
Here’s what else I saw last night:
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Damian Lillard –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 39 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5/13 | 12/28 | 10/11 |
So close to an Olde English. Does the Stocktonator guzzle OE 40s? Wouldn’t surprise me because it’s down like that. It loved Dame Dolla last night. Anyways, you know what time it is:
With Jusuf Nurkic out, Meyers Leonard got the start and played 18 minutes. It was Zach Collins that received 25 minutes of run. Very interesting.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 9 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0/2 | 4/9 | 1/2 |
I’ve actually been impressed when I’ve had the chance to see him play. He’s agile and can shoot. Collins won’t be fantasy relevant as long as Nurkic is there, but he could eventually carve out a nice little niche for himself.
Caleb Swanigan played one minute. It’s unbelievable! He did liberate one, so maybe UNICEF or the Red Cross could use his services.
With Zaza Pachulia out, Jordan Bell got the start and played 26 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 11 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5/6 | 1/2 |
Mel told you to pick him up last week. Listen to Mel. He’s smart.
The Warriors were without Steph Curry and Draymond Green. The starting unit was Shaun Livington, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Omri Casspi, and Jordan Bell. They still beat the Trail Blazers 111-104.
Serge Ibaka –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 17 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2/7 | 7/17 | 1/2 |
Just when you think you’re done with someone, they keep pulling you back in. That makes four games in a row that Ibaka has dished out one dime. The Matrix does not compute. The simulation is on the brink of destruction. Kidding aside, Ibaka has been a beast lately. Double digit points in seven of the last eight games and 14 Iblockas during that span. Still don’t understand why he doesn’t grab more boards, though.
Jonas Valanciunas –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1/1 | 8/10 | 6/6 |
Played 28 minutes. These are the matchups you play JV. Do not play him against any center that can shoot from downtown.
DeAndre Jordan –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6/9 | 2/2 |
DJ has grabbed at least 15 boards in seven of the past nine games. Stocktonator loved him last night, but keep in mind that I saw it watching old games of Michael with Montell blaring in the backround. I interpret it as having so much computing power that it can multi-task no problemo.
Milos Teodosic –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2/9 | 4/12 | 2/2 |
Made his return and played 21 minutes. I was told that there would be assists.
So, the rotations got all wonky for the Clippers. The starting lineup was Milos Teodosic, Austin Rivers, Wesley Johnson, Jamil Wilson, and DeAndre Jordan. Johnson only played 20 minutes, while Sam Dekker played 27. Wilson, who started at power forward, only played nine minutes, while Montrezl Harrell played 16. Jawun Evans played 15 minutes, while Sindarius Thornwell played 23. My head hurts. The only constant beside DJ is that Rivers and Lou Williams will soak up usage and minutes.
With Nicolas Batum out, Jeremy Lamb got the start and played 33 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2/7 | 6/17 | 0 |
How must it feel for Lamb that he can never be a GOAT?
Treveon Graham –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3/3 | 4/5 | 1/1 |
Played 20 minutes and will continue to get minutes due to the Batum injury. He shoots threes, so there’s your magic mushroom.
Alex Abrines –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2/7 | 2/9 |
Andre Roberson was out, so Abrines got the start and played 26 minutes. A bagel run, as he didn’t accumulate any periphery stats. An impressive feat.
Russell Westbrook –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 30 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1/2 | 10/22 | 9/9 |
I think we need a WESTCON alert system. With the Thunder at 12-14, at some point Westbrook is going to start Hulk smashing and nuke everything in his path. I’d say we are at WESTCON 3 right now, but right on the brink of going to WESTCON 2.
DeMarcus Cousins –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 14 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2/3 | 8/17 | 6/11 |
Boogie almost messed around. Did you know that he’s leading the league in turnovers per game at 5?
Rajon Rondo messed around.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3/5 | 5/12 | 0 |
Jrue Holiday –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 37 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4/7 | 16/21 | 1/2 |
That’s back-to-back games with 30+ points and 41 minutes. He must’ve stayed at an Inn over the weekend.
Clint Capela –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 28 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13/14 | 2/4 |
Capela has been providing beautiful fantasy goodness all season long.
James Harden –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 26 | 1 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 4/10 | 8/16 | 6/9 |
Harden had 14 assists in the first half! He’s the number one player in fantasy by a wide margin. His owners are Harden excited.
Kyrie Irving did not play, so Marcus Smart got the start and played 31 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3/6 | 5/12 | 0 |
Terry Rozier also played 28 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3/7 | 5/12 | 0 |
Even though they both went 5-for-12 from the field, I prefer Rozier over Smart when Kyrie sits.
Nikola Mirotic –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 24 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3/7 | 9/14 | 3/6 |
Got the start with Lauri Markkanen out due to back spasms. Bobby Portis also played 23 minutes.
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 23 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3/3 | 10/15 | 0/1 |
Man, gotta give props to Mirotic. He just don’t give a F. Anyways, it looks like Mirotic is ahead of Portis in the pecking order right now. Portis is up in street cred, though.
David Nwaba –
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | 3PT | FG | FT |
| 13 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3/6 | 7/8 |
Played 27 minutes. I love Nwaba. Athletic, high-energy guy. Was always impressed when he played for the Lakers. Hoiberg loves him too. He doesn’t shoot well from outside, but he more than makes up for it in everything else.
