It's Week 8 of the NBA Cares Celebrity Fantasy League, which puts us about one third of the way to the finish line. The league is clearly divided between contenders and pretenders. In fact, some aren't even pretending. Adam McKay, Spike Lee and Kenny Smith share a 1-6 record in the battle for the basement. Did someone forget to tell me about a prize for finishing last?

Tony Potts and Bill Simmons both won last week, so they continue to pace the rest of the league. I predicted that George Lopez would top Simmons, but with the caveat that Bill would find a way to luck into a win. It happened. George suffered injuries to both Aldridge and Gasol; the two combined to play one game out of a possible seven last week. The result? Simmons won by 45 points -- an amount that one of these players could have posted in only one (or at least two) games. Ouch.

Below Potts and Simmons are four clear contenders: Donald Faison (5-2 with 5,754.93 fantasy points), Zach Gilford (5-2 and 5,187.66), George Lopez (4-3 and 5,976.88), and Samuel L. Jackson (4-3 and 5,554.68). I still have my doubts about Gilford considering his low point total, but he just keeps winning. Lopez actually owns the league's largest point total, so he needs to be considered one of the elite. And Samuel L. Jackson has overcome an 0-3 start to win four consecutive games. As good as the top six teams look, only four teams will make the Celeb League playoffs, so it will get interesting down the stretch. This thing is far from wrapped up.

Let's take a look at this week's match-ups, shall we?

Tony Potts (6-1) vs. James Denton (3-4)
Can anything slow down Tony Potts? No injuries. A healthy 31 games this week. Does James Denton stand a chance? Maybe. Denton is at full strength as well, and he has a one game advantage, including four games from Stephen Jackson and Chris Bosh. Uh.... Who am I fooling? This one is over.
Prediction: Potts. Mark it down.

Bill Simmons (6-1) vs. Will Ferrell (3-4)
When you're good, you're lucky. Sometimes when you're lucky, people think you're good, but you're really not all that great. Not pointing any fingers here (Gilford?). Simmons' team is good. He has a one game advantage over Ferrell, meaning that the only way he'll lose is if he encounters some bad luck.
Prediction: Luck not necessary. Simmons wins.

Donald Faison (5-2) vs. Samuel L. Jackson (4-3)
Finally, a good battle. It's actually quite amazing that Jackson won last week, considering he withstood injuries to both Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Then again, he was facing Spike Lee, so it was a gimme (albeit a 60 point margin gimme). I don't have much confidence in either team this week. Faison has 200 more points than Jackson on the season, although Sam's numbers are skewed by a slow start. Faison has a one game advantage, although that comes from four games for Andris Biedrins and Drew Gooden, hardly big point generators. Then again, Jackson's only four-gamer is Jamal Crawford.
Prediction: Sam is forced to sit a hobbled Tony Parker, creating a difference maker. Faison wins.

Zach Gilford (5-2) vs. Adam McKay (1-6)
Don't let the records fool you -- only 300 fantasy points separate these two teams. McKay has battled the loss of Gilbert Arenas for much of this young season, and will be hard pressed to find many wins as a result. (Side Note: George Lopez should add McKay to his Holiday card list. McKay inexplicably dropped Gilbert and Lopez scooped him up last week. Granted, he's of little value to McKay, but watch out if Lopez has a healthy Gilbert Arenas for the Celeb League playoffs). McKay has a one game advantage this week, which includes four game for Deron Williams, Rashard Lewis and Jermaine O'Neal. I'll say this: He has a chance.
Prediction: A slim chance. I'm giving this one to Gilford.

George Lopez (4-3) vs. Kenny Smith (1-6)
Wow, this one should be easy. Lopez has 1200 more fantasy points than the last place Kenny Smith. That said, Lopez is struggling with injuries, as mentioned earlier. He is forced to bench the injured Pau Gasol and is holding out hope that LaMarcus Aldridge plays Monday -- or at least sometime this week. Kenny does have a two game advantage. Maybe?
Prediction: No. Four of Kenny's games are coming from Kelenna Azubuike, who is averaging four points, two rebounds and 11 minutes during his last two games. Lopez wins.

Bernie Mac (3-4) vs. Spike Lee (1-6)
After a 3-1 start, Bernie Mac is falling fast. No better time for a match-up with Spike Lee. Both teams have 33 games, but three of those for Spike come from an uncertain Ray Allen. Things just don't get any easier for Mr. Lee.
Prediction: Bernie recovers, and evens up his record at 4-4.

This is the week I get all of my predictions right. I'm telling you!