Day 134 of 170: In Like A Lamb

Categorized as: Author: Nels, Fantasy Basketball, Miami Heat
Posted on: March 9th, 2011

Line of the Night: Despite a couple strong fantasy performances including the Line of the Night from Dwyane Wade (2.36) – 38 points (12-13 from the line), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks – the Heat drop their 5th straight game and have not won one in March. Hence: In Like a Lamb.

Honorable Mentions: Monta Ellis (2.29) took advantage of the Cavs for another strong outing with 24 points (6 threes), 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. It’s kind of funny how easily I reverted to my “90′s mindset” where playing the Cavs is automatically an easy win. Sorry, Cleveland. After missing a game (definitely not what you want in the fantasy playoffs) Vince Carter (2.28) came back with two solid games including last night’s 32 points (5 threes, 13-17 from the field), 6 rebounds, and 3 steals (definitely what you want in the fantasy playoffs). Kyle Lowry (2.15) continued his freedom run at PG for the Rockets with 32 points (7 threes, 11-18 from the field), and 4 assists. Andrew Bynum (1.81) is indeed a force to be reckoned with: 16 points (8-10 from the field), 16 rebounds, and 3 blocks is the kind of keeper you want for your keep league. Finally, the man, the lamb, LeBron James (1.45) scored 31 points (14-20 from the field) with 11 rebounds, and 8 assists in the Heat loss to the Blazers. Those Blazers are determined to make the playoffs because they know if they don’t make it, they risk ending up with another high draft pick that they’ll use on someone who will just get perpetually injured.

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Waiver Wire Line of the Night: Now that the Pacers season is over (not sure why I said “now that” but just go with it), Tyler Hansbrough (1.62) should get a lot of good experience. Last night he got 34 minutes of experience and made use of it with 26 points (11-14 from the field, 4-4 from the line), 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. At only 18% ownership, he might be a decent pick up for a stretch run since his last few games have been in the high 20′s to low 30′s for playing time, and there’s no real reason the Pacers can’t continue him along that path, especially since the Josh McRoberts/Hansbrough battle seems to going to Tyler.

Pick Up Lines: So with Channing Frye out, it looks like Hakim Warrick (1.39) is going to be the man for the Suns going forward. Not that I haven’t heard this story before… After wallowing in the fantasy equivalent of a mud hole, Warrick gets the start and goes for 32 points (14-19 from the field), 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. I’m a firm believer that anyone can go off for a single game, which is why we have the 3 game rule. Unfortunately, since he’s available in 80% of leagues, Warrick is apt to be snapped up by owners who are looking for anything and anyone to get them into the playoffs (or help them win once they’re there). I say, let those premature free agentaculators have Hakim Warrick. If he keeps up that kind of performance, then shame on me. But definitely consider the aforementioned Mr. Hansbrough before going after Hakim.

Trevor Booker (0.88) has gotten some decent minutes with Rashard Lewis out with a sore knee, and while his 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks may not seem like much, take a look at his recent game log and then check on Andray Blatche’s shoulder before you hate. Especially you deep league owners, since he’s out there just waiting for you with his 1% ownership.

While Patrick “P-Dub” Patterson (0.80) isn’t technically eligible because his 18 points came on 9-12 from the field (thus violating the 70% rule), with his 5 rebounds and 3 steals, he’s someone to keep an eye on and start evaluating as a sleeper candidate for next season. Probably a deep league sleeper, but he’s shown that he can put up some decent numbers when given the chance.

Jodie Meeks (0.73) is another guy who is probably not going to have an impact as far as fantasy is concerned this season. His 15 points and 2 steals are somewhat indicative of what he’s been doing recently, but he hasn’t quite reached the level of legit free agent pick up in any but those 20,000 leagues under the sea.

I’m not sure where the Wizards came up with 26 minutes for Jordan Crawford (0.57), because even after losing Andray Blatche it seems like their starting 5 is playing the majority of the minutes… But Crawford did indeed play those minutes and has 22 points, and 2 steals to show for it. Like teammate Trevor Booker, he also is right at 1% owned, but I’m more skeptical about Crawford since his extra time did come in a loss with a large point differential (some call it a blowout), so I’m not sure that he’ll be out there that long in any games the Wizards can actually win. Of course, being as this is the Wizards we’re talking about, that might not be that many more games. Boom, roasted.

Biggest Loser: Kyle Lowry’s former counterpart/colleague is not having a lot of fun backing up Steve Nash in Phoenix. Aaron Brooks (-1.14) ended last night’s game with 0 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist, going 0-6 from the field. If Brooks isn’t looking like a lamb… then here’s someone who is:

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Daily rankings and stats come from the GMTR H2H Player Rater (beta version).

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Tags: Dwyane Wade, Hakim Warrick, Jodie Meeks, Jordan Crawford, Kyle Lowry, Monta Ellis, Patrick Patterson, Trevor Booker, Tyler Hansbrough