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Celtics.com Fantasy Insider
Fantasy Insider
James Morris brings you the latest picks in Fantasy Basketball every week with his new Fantasy Insider column on Celtics.com.
He'll also share his picks for the Celtics' new statistics-prediction game on Facebook, Celtics 3-Point Play.
You can email James feedback on his column.
Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author exclusively and do not necessarily represent those of the Boston Celtics.
Celtics 3-Point Play
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Many fantasy owners couldn't breathe when they saw Chris Paul go down and cringe in pain as he sprained his ankle this week. A top-two pick in any format, CP3 is a huge loss that sent owners scrambling to pick up backup PG Darren Collison. Paul could be out for as many as two weeks, so plan accordingly. Oh, and then there was the rookie that dropped a 55-spot this week. Yes, I am speaking of none other than Brandon Jennings, who was on the waiver wire in 40 percent of leagues just last week. He isn't anymore, but that just goes to show you why paying attention is important to winning your league.
Start Em'
Russell Westbrook: Westbrook is a sneaky fantasy PG because Oklahoma City isn't a very good team and you don't think they have anyone worth owning outside of Kevin Durant. However, Westbrook is averaging 15.4 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.9 rebounds this season, but his drawback comes in FG percentage (.430) and FT percentage (.744). If you can deal with those or your league doesn't count them, then Westbrook is a great play this week with four games.
Brandon Jennings: I wouldn't expect more 55-point nights from Jennings, but the kid is averaging 25.6 points, 5.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per contest so far. His FG and FT numbers are good, he is seeing nearly 34 minutes a night, and the Bucks need him just as much as he needs them, so Jennings is a top tier PG play this week. I've seen some rankings that have him as low as No. 10 this week and that is just crazy.
Dahntay Jones: Jones was known for his defense before he moved to Indiana this season. But, he has been forced into a starting role with Troy Murphy injuring his back and he is making the most of it by averaging 16.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. If you need sneaky points at the SG position, I bet Jones is still available in most fantasy leagues.
J.R. Smith: Smith is back from his suspension and is starting to heat up already. In just three games, Smith is averaging 14.3 points, 1.7 steals and 1.7 3-pointers a game. His value really comes from points and 3's if your league counts them. Smith will only get better as he becomes more comfortable in the offense, so see if you can buy low on him via trade.
Trevor Ariza: Before the season I had Ariza as one of my sleepers and I caught some flak for it. So far, Ariza is averaging 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game, so to all those who thought I was wrong I say "HA!" The Rockets have four games this week and I wouldn't have any issues sticking Ariza in my SF slot.
Charlie Villanueva: Villanueva will qualify at both SF and PF in fantasy leagues, but I am going to stick him in the SF spot because... well... I can. Over the past week, Villanueva has averaged 23.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks, so he makes a pretty good four-game play at either the SF or PF spot.
David West: As I said above, the Hornets are without CP3, so the team is going to lean on West even more this week than they had the rest of the season. New Orleans has four games this week and I wouldn't be shocked at all to see West's post averages in the 15 points and 9 rebound range this week... and maybe even a game or two with 20-plus points.
Carlos Boozer: Boozer is back and looks like a guy that wants to be the best he can on the floor each and every game. So far this season he is averaging 17.6 points and 10.7 rebounds and that is good enough to rank him No. 1 in the NBA right now. I'd have no issues whatsoever sticking Boozer in my starting PF slot this week.
Greg Oden: Oden was one of my pre-season sleepers and many people told me I was wrong and Oden would be more Sam Bowie than Shaquille O'Neal. From a center, I want rebounds and blocks and Oden has been providing both with 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game this season. Portland plays four games and I wouldn't be surprised to see Oden finish the week with 10-plus blocks.
Roy Hibbert: Hibbert is someone else I had on the sleeper list because I also write for the Pacers and heard very good things about him from Danny Granger. Hibbert is putting up 11.7 points, 9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks every single game, so playing him at center with four games is an easy call for me this week.
Sit Em'
Jonny Flynn: Flynn has managed to come in and secure the starting PG job despite the Timberwolves' signing of Ramon Session in the offseason. But, with just two games this week it is not the week to put Flynn into your lineups.
Darren Collison: Now, I know you want to grab him and start him, but Collison is going to be too erratic to count on. The problem with Collison is that he may score 10 points, but he won't get you 5-plus assists and assists are essential any fantasy PG.
Richard Hamilton: I am not a Rip fan to begin with because all he gives you is empty points. Now, add to that an injury to his ankle and no set time for his return and you will want to make sure you keep him on your bench this week.
Kirk Hinrich: Over the past week Hinrich has averaged 12 points and 5 assists, which is an increase over his season average of 9.9 points and 4.6 assists. With three games this week and two of them against the Lakers and Nuggets, I would leave Hinrich on the bench because I think his numbers will dip back down to the season averages this week.
Andrei Kirilenko: AK-47 has found a way to step back into fantasy lineups this season with his 13.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. But, this week Kirilenko has three games against the Raptors, Pistons and Spurs, which means tough matchups will make his normal stats will fluctuate just a bit.
Richard Jefferson: Jefferson is averaging his fewest PPG since the 02-03 season and the Spurs face the Jazz and Mavericks in two of their three games. San Antonio plays a team game which means scorers like Jefferson will normally suffer as he has this season. I'd sit him this week and look to deal him if you can get value because he still has a name.
Al Jefferson: With just two games this week, there is only so much damage Big Al can do. This pick isn't anything more than a lack of chances to play.
Elton Brand: How the mighty have fallen as Brand is averaging just 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds this season. Brand is in the same boat as Richard Jefferson with the name value and trading him, but I would almost take whatever I could get for him at this point.
Shaquille O'Neal: Shaq has looked somewhat rejuvenated this season playing alongside of LeBron James. But, when you take a look closer you will notice that he is only averaging 11.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a night in just 24 minutes per game. Shaq is up and down with the stats and he has a strained shoulder; just sit him this week if you can.
Chuck Hayes: Hayes is getting over 27 MPG, but he is putting up just 6.1 points and 6.7 rebounds a night with less than one block. What that means is he isn't putting up the stats I want from a fantasy center and I would sit him until there is a reason to play him again.
Celtics 3-Point Play
Wednesday, November 18 vs. Golden State Warriors
Points- Ray Allen: The Warriors are dead last in the NBA with 113.66 PPG allowed and the Celtics are coming off a tough loss to Indiana. I could see Boston scoring 120-plus points in this one and because of that it is hard to pick who scores the most points. For me, I am going to pick Allen in this one. 22 points.
Rebounds- Kevin Garnett: I know you get points for the riskier picks, but I can't go against KG in this one. Golden State isn't good at defense and Garnett is a beast. 7 rebounds.
Assists- Rajon Rondo: How do you go against Rondo? The up and down game that Golden State plays means Rondo should at least equal or exceed his season average. 9 assists.
Friday, November 20 vs. Orlando Magic
Points- Paul Pierce: Orlando will put Rashard Lewis on Pierce and I like that match-up. Lewis is taller (6'10") but size doesn't matter when you are as athletic as Pierce is and I think he gets over the 20 point mark. 24 points.
Rebounds- Kendrick Perkins: Perkins will be in a battle with Dwight Howard in this one and I look for him to come through for me in the rebound department. 9 rebounds.
Assists- Rajon Rondo: Rondo is the one sure-fire lock to hold down one spot for me each and every week. Jameer Nelson isn't exactly a lockdown defender and Rondo always comes through when the team needs him to. 7 assists.
Sunday, November 22 @ New York Knicks
Points- Ray Allen: I like Allen as a pure scorer, and Larry Hughes tries to be a quick-handed defender. I'm going to run Allen in the scorers spot for this one because going with the team's leading scorer is too easy. 18 points.
Rebounds- Kevin Garnett: KG against Wilson Chandler, to take one from Chad Ochocino "CHILD PLEASE!" I think this is a 10+ rebound game for him. 11 rebounds.
Assists- Rajon Rondo: Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson are not people you worry about when it comes to your PG's assist totals. In the preseason matchup against the Knicks, Rondo dished out 7 assists in just 27 minutes; now, put that into the regular season and a full game and I see good things. 10 assists.
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