Marreese Speights had his fourth straight double digit scoring effort last night with 17 points, adding 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. It was his best game since the trade that sent him over from Memphis and he could be the answer to the Cavs Anderson Varejao woes (i.e. varejwoes). In four games with Cleveland, Marreese “Don’t Call Me Maury” Speights is averaging 14 points and 6 rebounds! Lebron who? Am I right?! No? Well, either way Speights could be worth a look. He had 29 minutes last night (only Kyrie Irving had more with 30) in the blowout and could see more as he finds his role with the maroon and gold. I got nothing but love for Tyler Zeller (2 pts, 2 reb), but his play lately isn’t exactly inspiring any confidence. Marreese is currently owned in just 10% of yahoo leagues, but could be worth owning especially those in need of scoring and field goal percentage.
Here’s what else happened in fantasy basketball Friday night:
Emeka Okafor – 8 pts, 6 reb. The Wiz were uglier than usual in this one, and got beat bad by the Grizz, so let’s chalk this one up to an “off night.” Emeka’s double-double streak ends at 3 games but he continues to rebound, averaging 13.6 boards over the past five games, he should be owned everywhere right now.
Amir Johnson – 19 pts, 16 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk. Fear not owners, Amir’s minutes ain’t going anywhere–not if he keeps playing like this.
Rudy Gay – 20 pts, 3 reb, 1 blk, 3 3pm in 22 minutes off the bench. He came off the bench but I don’t think Landry Fields will be starting over Rudy much longer. Apparently, after the game the team lined up single file and lay their jerseys on the coach’s desk in a protest for Rudy to start. Gay’s been ready for this his whole life. Welcome to Canada!
Blake Griffin – 17 pts, 9 reb (9-12 ftm) Shooting 73% from the free throw line over the past two weeks. OK, Griff. I am sold. If there is any possible way to buy low on Blake, now is the time. He’s taking his game to the next level and we are all witnesses.
John Lucas – 17 pts, 5 3pm in 19 minutes as the Raptors slashed the Clippers 98-73 in the huge upset. Uh oh. The Toro Raptors are coming for you, NBA! You can tell because the water in that glass is shaking.
David West – 30 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast. The West was won in this game as the Pacers take out Miami despite a pretty 28 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast from Sheriff Lebron James.
Paul George – 15 pts, 6 ast, 6 reb, 2 stl, 1 3pm. These are the kinds of players you want on your fantasy team. I cannot stress this enough.*fantasy pro tip! He’s like Lebron James-lite.
Isaiah Thomas – 24 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb, 1 stl, 10-10 ftm. IT2’s inconsistency could drive you nuts (last five games 7, 10, 22, 8, 24 points) but it’s games like Friday night that make him a must own.
DeMarcus Cousins – 12 pts, 12 rebs, 4 ast, 2 stl, 3 blk. Despite nice efforts from Cousins and Thomas the Kings went on to lose their 100th game in a row.
Andrew Nicholson – 14 pts, 10 reb, 2 blk in 33 minutes in the start. Hot pickup alert! The Magi should look to Nicholson to make up much of the minutes Glen Davis played before going down. However, the now “healthy” Hedo Turkoglu should see more minutes as well, and hopefully Hedo will see less games like last night where he went 0-6 from the field, missing 4 threes. Nicholson is the most likely beneficiary of the Glen Davis injury.
Courtney Lee – 14 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl, 2 3pm. The Celtics win their third in a row without Rajon Rondo. Who needs ’em! They randon’t! Jason Terry (12 pts, 5 ast), Leandro Barbosa (12 pts, 4 ast) both played well. The ‘perts say Avery Bradley (6 pts, 2 ast) is the Celtics guard to own but he played just 20 minutes. I’d say Courtney Lee could be worth a look and he’s still under 30% owned.
Jeff Green – 17 points, 4 ast, 4 reb, 3 blk. Although Jeff Green has looked lost at times this season, but has also shown some flashes of greatness. Also, he can dunk. Did you watch it? Yeah, I know, that shizz was sick. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll see the real Jeff Green until he gets his chance to start. I know he’ll be a good player, but I’m still undecided on just how good. However, with the injury to Jared Sullinger, this might be a chance for Green to get enough minutes to show what he’s really got. He’s under 15% owned and definitely one to keep an eye on. If he can ever put it all together he’s got all the tools to be a fantasy stud.
Ersan Ilyasova – 19 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl, 2 3pm. Ersan has obviously been using the Bucks antler spray to enhance his performance because he is insane right now.
Tyson Chandler – 9 pts, 20 reb, 2 blk, 8 orbd. Twenty rebounds! I never get tired of seeing that. Imagine he got 30 rebounds!? #thatwouldbesodope
Ray Felton – 14 pts, 8 ast. Felton gets closer to pre-injury form every day, and his presence is definitely felt-on by the Knicks, in the form of a 3 game winning streak.
Nate Robinson – 12 pts, 11 ast, 4 reb in 41 minutes. Chris says you should BUY him. Taj Gibson also had 16 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk in 48 minutes, and Jimmy Butler added 12 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast and 2 stl. Four players played 40 or more minutes in this game. I love Tom Thibodeau.
Brook Lopez – 20 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk. All Star snub Bropez took revenge on the poor, Rose-less, Noah-less, Boozer-less Bulls and the Nets won 89-93.
Brandon Knight – 29 pts, 10 ast, 2 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk. “Well if we knew you could do that, we wouldn’t have traded for Jose Calderon.” said the Piston GM.
Andre Iguodala – 24 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk, 2 3pm. See George, Paul.
Shawn Marion – 14 pts, 11 reb, 2 stl, 4 blk. After his monster 18 point/17 rebound game Thursday night, the Matrix did it again Friday night. He’s averaging 13 pts, 9.3 reb, 2.8 ast and 1.3 stls in the past 2 weeks and should be owned everywhere. He’s still available in over over a third of leagues so take the blue pill and pick him up if he’s out there. There is no spoon.
Elton Brand – 4 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 4 blk. Not exactly what Shawn Marion was throwing down but the four blocks is cool.
Goran Dragic – 19 pts, 8 reb, 9 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk. Yes. This is what I’m talking about. Keep doing this.
Alexey Shved – 18 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast. In his second game back from injury Alexey lit it up and hit five threes. Pretty nice, right? That’s what she Shved!
Earl Clark – 13 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk. Clark is owned in just a quarter of yahoo leagues and that is criminal. Go out and own him. Chris told you to BUY him. He’s got the fantasy skills to fill all the stat categories.
Antawn Jamison – 18 pts, 7 reb, 2 stl. This was Antawn’s fourth straight game scoring in double digits, and he should see a bump in minutes while Howard is sidelined. I hesitate to recommend him–so I won’t.
Pau Gasol – 22 pts, 12 reb, 2 ast, 3 blk. Guess who’s happy Dwight Howard is injured again? Yep, Pau. And Kobe, too, was mighty glad to see his old friend back. Mamba even praised Gasol saying, “this is what he does,” and said Friday’s game was like “the good old days.” Aww, that’s so sweet. Best friends forever! Now starting winning some basketball games already.
Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap, as fantasy basketball continues next week, all week long!
