Weekend Wonder: Ersan Ilyasova makes his debut here after averaging 28.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.5 threes in two games over the weekend. In that stretch, he shot 69 percent from the field, 92 percent from the free-throw line and averaged turned the ball over just once. In his last 13 games, Ilyasova has averaged top five numbers, making him a serious contender for pickup of the year.
Lines for Discussion:
Nikola Pekovic (3/9): 8-14 FG (57%), 9-10 FT (90%), 25 Pts, 13 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl; Pekovic followed this up with a 21/11 line the next night, hinting at a return to form. He might’ve been dropped in your league during his cold streak, so make sure he’s not still available.
Andrea Bargnani (3/10): 2-8 FG (25%), 4-4 FT (100%), 8 Pts, 3 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 TO; This was Bargnani’s first game back after missing 20 games with a calf injury. He put up 11/8/2 on Sunday, and will require some time to work some rust off.
Jared Dudley (3/10): 9-16 FG (56%), 1 three, 19 Pts, 7 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Blk, 4 TO; So far in March, Dudley is averaging 17.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.0 block and 1.3 threes per game, while shooting 53 percent from the field and 63 percent from the free-throw line. He’s been trending up since his poor start to the season and looks primed to finish the season with top 70 value.
Amar’e Stoudemire (3/11): 4-9 FG (44%), 1-2 FT (50%), 9 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 1 TO; After a solid four games to start the month, Stoudemire mailed in this garbage line. He’s clearly not out of the woods yet, and owners will just have to bear with inconsistency the rest of the way.
J.J. Redick (3/11): 7-14 FG (50%), 1-1 FT (100%), 3 threes, 18 Pts, 3 Reb, 9 Ast; Redick will be a worthy starter so long as Jason Richardson is out.
Danilo Gallinari (3/11): 0-5 FG (0%), 5 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Blk; His owners should consider other options to start until Gallinari finds his groove again.
DeAndre Jordan (3/11): 1-2 FG (50%), 2-4 FT (50%), 4 Pts, 6 Reb, 1 Blk; Jordan has been downright terrible lately. He’ll find his way again before too long, but his owners should consider other options for now, unless they’re really desperate for blocks.
Waiver-Wire Watch:
Reggie Evans: He accumulated 25 rebounds in two games over the weekend, making him worth a pickup in deeper leagues.
Evan Turner: In his last for games, Turner is averaging 17.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks.
Shelden Williams: He’s going to have some low-end value for owners in dire need of a big man.
Zaza Pachulia: Owners looking for a center could do a lot worse than Pachulia at this point in the season.
Jason Maxiell: He’s averaging 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds through the first four games of March.
Mike Dunleavy: He averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 threes in two games over the weekend.
Gerald Green: His awesome dunk on Saturday made serious waves, but so did his 26 points and four three-pointers that game.
Isaiah Thomas: He continues to start and offer solid stats on most night, especially his 48 percent shooting from the floor and 94 percent shooting from the free-throw line so far as a starter.
Jerryd Bayless: He’ll be more reliable than usual so long as Jose Calderon is out.
Goran Dragic: He averaged 21.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.0 steal and 4.0 threes over the weekend, and will be a smart start while Kyle Lowry is out.
Injuries:
Ty Lawson (ankle): day-to-day
Terrence Williams (illness): day-to-day
Rudy Gay (concussion): will be evaluated today
Joakim Noah (flu): hopes to play tonight
Luol Deng (wrist): might miss tonight’s game
Jason Kidd (rest): expected to play Tuesday
Stephen Curry (ankle): he seems intent on playing through his latest sprain, but monitor his status
George Hill (shoulder): day-to-day
Mike Miller (ankle): day-to-day
Jose Calderon (ankle): day-to-day
Raja Bell (personal): tension between Bell and coach Tyrone Corbin was the reason for Bell’s DNP Saturday
Devin Harris (flu): day-to-day
Ivan Johnson (personal): day-to-day
Mickael Pietrus (ankle): monitor his status
Chris Wilcox (heart): day-to-day
Boris Diaw (DNP): his days in Charlotte could be over
Kenyon Martin (ribs): day-to-day
Ricky Rubio (knee): a torn ACL ends his season
Shaun Livingston (ankle): day-to-day
Deron Williams (calf): day-to-day
Tony Parker (thigh): expected to play tonight
For Tonight:
See if Manu Ginobili can maintain his strong play as the Spurs host the Wizards tonight.
See if Green can put up another big line for the Nets, who host the Bucks.
Throughout the season, be sure to leave your questions, comments, concerns, trade offers, roster problems and more in the comments below.
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