NBA Weekly Preview
About the Writer: Kevin Roberts is a Concordia University graduate with over five years of experience in covering the NFL, NBA, Fantasy Basketball and Fantasy Football. He has had several articles featured on FOXSports.com and CBSSports.com, owns and operates NFLSoup.com and NBASoup.com, and currently resides in Florida with his wife.
Just when you get all giddy about Eric Gordon returning and Chris Paul actually playing like Chris Paul again, injuries have yet again taunted your fantasy basketball fortunes.
Bad luck certainly continues to strike many fantasy basketball gamers in the daily field, which makes our NBA Weekly Preview even more important this week. For all the information you’ll need to get a hot start to the week, keep your eyes running down this column.
Injury Report
Chris Paul sustained a head/neck injury on Sunday night after putting up what looked to be his second straight solid performance. This, of course, was after he killed your fantasy night with three straight stinkers. Paul reportedly has a concussion, and is tentatively listed as day-to-day. Keep an eye on his status.
Los Angeles Clippers star guard Eric Gordon wasn’t so lucky, ironically, as his wrist and back injuries have nothing to do with his head or neck, but he’s still looking to miss at least a week of action. Stay away from him this week, but start monitoring his status come next Monday.
Charlotte’s Stephen Jackson has continued to rest his ailing hamstring, but according to the swing man himself, he could make game action on Wednesday night. I’m skeptical and would stay away until he makes it through an entire game and shows no ill effects. On the flip side, Charlotte’s Tyrus Thomas is close to a return, and is also looking at Wednesday night as the day he makes all of your fantasy dreams come true. Well, sort of. I know a lot of people have been counting down the days until his return, but you’d be best advised to wait and see what he brings to the table and if he can remain healthy.
Houston Rockets big man Luis Scola is questionable for Tuesday’s action with a sore knee, Trevor Ariza of New Orleans (groin) is still unsure about his return, and both Paul Millsap and Andrei Kirilenko left Monday’s game for the Jazz, and are in question for their next game this week. If Kirilenko misses significant time, Gordon Hayward would benefit immensely.
Rotation Probation
Kirk Hinrich has put up two straight 15+ point efforts in Atlanta, including a nice 21-point night two games ago. However, the assist numbers haven’t quite been going his way. He’ll get there eventually, especially since his offensive game is coming to him so early with his new team. Just refrain from using him in daily games until he gets into more of a groove.
Mike Bibby is not worth using in fantasy games, as his minutes aren’t quite big enough yet, and his production thus far has been absolutely atrocious. Mario Chalmers is still starting and has a big enough hand in the mix for minutes to curb Bibby’s value.
In a different light, the Cleveland Cavaliers have shaken things up a bit and made a small, quiet star out of forward Samardo Samuels, who has scored in double figures in four straight games and has logged at least 30 minutes in his past three. He’s not completely reliable yet, but he’s getting there. Baron Davis has established himself a role off the bench for the Cavs, and appears to be quite comfortable in it. In hist first two games as a Cavalier, Davis is averaging over 17 points, five assists, four rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. And at least for the moment, Ramon Sessions is still clinging onto his own solid fantasy value.
The Detroit Pistons have also been making waves with their constantly changing lineup. Charlie Villanueva is still coming off the bench, but he’s becoming more consistent, as he dropped in his fifth straight 10+ point effort on Sunday night. Tayshaun Prince is the big winner for the moment, however, as he poured in 20 points and six rebounds in his return from injury. He was easily the most consistent Pistons player before he went down, so don’t expect that to change. Detroit is still trying to find the perfect lineup/rotation, so continue to monitor their situation if you plan on using any of their players.
Risers and Fallers
James Harden – SG, Oklahoma City Thunder (Riser)
Harden has been smooth since the Thunder traded away Jeff Green, as his role off the bench is more cemented than ever, and his scoring production has gotten more consistent. He’s now churned out 10+ point games in 13 of his last 14 contests, including two 20+ point games in his last four. With occasional help in rebounds, assists, and steals, Harden’s daily fantasy value is heating up.
Gerald Wallace – G/F, Portland Trail Blazers (Faller)
Wallace is still getting you respectable numbers across the board, but not for a guy who was normally killing it in daily fantasy games. His minutes are way down on his new squad, and he’s taken a hit in just about every major category, while shooting less than 40% from the field. Stay away from him until he starts to raise his level of play.
Lock of the Week
Randy Foye – G, Los Angeles Clippers
Foye was smashing your opponent up for you until Eric Gordon had to come back for what seems like five seconds. He picked up right where he left off when Gordon went down on Sunday night, as he piled on 13 points, two blocks (huh?), and three treys. Look for him to get some of his mojo back, if only for a week.
Sleeper of the Week
Chase Budinger – SF, Houston Rockets
I’ve mentioned Budinger a few times already and listed him as a Riser in last week’s column, and all for good reason. Budinger is starting and has rattled off four straight 11+ point games, while chipping in nicely elsewhere. The big deal about Budinger is his value over at FanDuel, where you can get him on the cheap for $5,300. Considering he’s sandwiched between Marvin Williams and Reggie Williams, you can see that you’re getting a solid value. Also, consider that the leader at the small forward position is going for $9,700.
Matchup Special
New Jersey Nets vs. Golden State Warriors
I nailed it last week with the Nets and Raptors. Who would have thought these two sorry teams would have gone into triple overtime and made the London crowd cry for more NBA games? Well, it happened, and any Nets and Raptors owners should have been feeling pretty smart because of it. This week, we have another delicious matchup, and yes, one of last week’s teams is getting thrown back into the mix.
Deron Williams seems to be totally fine, and I can’t see the Nets slowing down both Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries shouldn’t find too much difficulty scoring against the defensively inept David Lee, while Lee should be a beast on the boards with the rebounding-inept Lopez manning the middle for the Nets.
Good luck with your daily games this week, and be sure to come back to check out next week’s NBA Weekly Preview.