Line of the Night: Chris Paul (6.2) scored a career high 43 points and added 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals, and 5 threes in an OT win against Memphis. Paul wasn’t content just delivering a good fantasy line either, he won the game with a layup in traffic with 1.8 seconds left in OT. Is there anyone left debating whether Deron Williams is better than Paul?
Honorable Mentions: Close your eyes KrisB… Danny Granger (5.2) had 27 points with 4 steals and 6 threes… ok you can open them again; Manu Ginobili (5.2) had 37 and was 17 of 19 from the line (what the hell was going on in that game?); Kevin Durant (5.0) makes his second appearance on the honorable mentions list this week after a 35 point performance, someone give this rook a shoe contract; Dwight Howard (4.9), when 30 and 15 becomes an average night, it’s time to bow down to the altar of Howard.
Waiver Wire Line of the Night: Dorell Wright (3.5). Starting his second consecutive game at small forward for Ricky Davis, Wright went off for 19 points and 17 rebounds. Before you run out and add him, let’s look at the facts. Wright, in his fourth year, has never been more than a role player (averaging 6 points and 4 rebounds last year). Pat Riley started Wright over Davis to give a spark to a 4-14 (now 4-15) team. The Heat have lost both games he started in. IF you have space on your bench without losing anyone of importance, you may want to see what develops with Wright, otherwise I can’t see how it continues with Davis on the bench.
The shallow end of the pool: Shane Battier (3.9) isn’t usually associated with waivers, but he’s available in some of my leagues. He went for 12/5/6 against the Nets yesterday. Even fantasy teams need a glue guy or two who can consistently bring in a boring set of stats every night. David Lee (3.6) went for 16/11 in 32 minutes as both Randolph and Curry only played about half the game. Umm, so David Lee can’t handle the small forward position, but Quentin Richardson and his 6 for 16 shooting night can?
Goat of the Night: Zach Randolph (1.3) played 27 minutes, shot 2 for 11, scored 4 points and got 5 rebounds. No, he did not block a shot.
Dishonorable Mentions: Nate Robinson (1.4) played 8 glorious minutes yesterday. It’s time to drop him in every league. Jamario Moon (1.8). Oh, boy. Has the shuttle begun to fall out of orbit? The minutes are dropping, the rebounds are dropping, the points were never there. I’d be worried if I was a Moon owner, you’ve got some hot property that’s about to be foreclosed on.