Look for all Mavericks, namely Erick Dampier and Dirk Nowitzki, to record a lot of boards vs. a Philly team being out-rebounded by over 11 per game. Jason Terry should score a lot, after putting up only eight shots on Saturday (20 and 17 attempts the previous two games). Start Andre Iguodala if you need steals. I’m a Chris Webber believer, and he should continue his terrific play tonight. Philly allows a league-worst 111 points per game.
L.A. Clippers at Washington, 7 p.m. ET
Who does Sam Cassell think he is? Doesn’t he know he wasn’t supposed to do this? Temper your expectations tonight vs. a Washington defense allowing the fewest points and assists per game in the NBA. Brendan Haywood has logged 30+ minutes in each game this year; start him if you need blocks and boards.
Seattle at Cleveland, 7 p.m. ET
Drew Gooden has been a beast thus far, bringing down at least eight boards and one block in all four games this year; start him vs. a Seattle team getting seven of their shots blocked per game. And I hear this LeBron James kid has some potential….Seattle looked absolutely terrible last night, scoring only 69 points despite having played their last game three whole days before. Other than Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, no player on Seattle has topped 10 points in a game this year – in other words, stay away from everyone other than Allen, Lewis and assist man Luke Ridnour at this point.
Memphis at Boston, 7:30 p.m. ET
Making his best Shawn Marion impression, Delonte West has filled the stat sheet thus far, averaging 11 points, 5.3 boards, 5 assists, 1.7 steals and 2 blocks per game. While it’s highly unlikely this will continue, he remains a terrific start while he’s hot. There’s no reason to believe Eddie Jones won’t keep this up, as long as he keeps getting the shots. He’s taken at least four threes in every single game this year (making 50 percent of them), and Boston is at the bottom of the league in that department, allowing teams to shoot over 45 percent from three. I’m sure there’s something to be taken from those stats, I’m just not sure what….Oh, that’s right – Start Eddie.
San Antonio at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m. ET
Gerald Wallace has played out of his mind this year, but he didn’t play in the second half against Utah due to injury – use with caution. The Brevin Knight/Raymond Felton tandem has combined for 48 assists in just four games (12 assists per game). If only they didn’t split time….Michael Finley continues to get decent minutes (at least 20 in every game), but doesn’t do any one thing very well, making it tough to start him.
Utah at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. ET
Andrei Kirilenko is a freak. A freak that apparently took free throw lessons from Shaq this offseason. Check that – Shaq is better than this. Mehmet Okur has been great this year, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t continue his good play against a Nets team playing Jason Collins and Clifford Robinson at Center. Marc Jackson will get things going, just not tonight vs. the top rebounding team in the league.
L.A. Lakers at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET
Gotta love Smush Parker. You name it, he’s done it thus far this year – ride him while he’s hot. Eddie Griffin continues to be a nice option for those in need of blocks. The Lakers are allowing well over 25 assists per game, ranking them near the bottom of the league -- good news for Marko Jaric and Troy Hudson owners.
Miami at Indiana, 8 p.m. ET
Miami has gone with a seven man rotation in each game since Shaquille O’Neal has been out, meaning more minutes and therefore more stats for those that play. Gary Payton and Jason Kapono are worth a look in deeper leagues thanks to the minutes they’re getting (25+ off the bench for both in each of the last two games). If only Danny Granger could get those kind of minutes….Shaq owners are no longer Mourning if they picked up Alonzo (Mourning). He’s a lock for a double-double with at least two blocks every night.
Orlando at New Orleans, 8 p.m. ET
Keep playing Hedo Turkoglu, who has become a large part of the offense with Grant Hill out of action. With double-digit points and shot attempts in every game this season, he’s been consistent to say the least. Rookie point guard Chris Paul continues to impress, averaging well over five boards a game, to go along with his 13.7 points, five assists and two steals.
Golden State at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. ET
Don’t look now, but Michael Sweetney is averaging 7.3 boards per game following his 13-rebound showing vs. the Spurs. The Warriors are allowing nearly 49 rebounds per game (good for 27th in the league), so Sweetney should continue his good play. Adonal Foyle has recorded at least six boards and two blocks in all but one game this year, and remains a nice plug and play option for those in need of boards, and especially blocks.
New York at Portland, 10 p.m. ET
Joel Przybilla has yet to get going, posting no more than six rebounds in a game this year. Look for the Przy monster to break out, however, against a Knicks team allowing 44 rebounds and seven blocks per game (ranked 21st and 26th respectively). Jamal Crawford’s value has plummeted; he’s taken more than five shots in a game only once this year, and doesn’t do much else. Bench him until further notice.
Sacramento at Denver, 10:30 p.m. ET
If Marcus Camby can stay healthy, he’s in for a terrific season. A lock for 10+ boards and 2+ blocks every night. Carmelo Anthony has averaged 22.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in his career vs. Sacramento. Look for Mike Bibby to get it going tonight – Denver allows 22 assists per game, tying them for 21st in the league.
NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad
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