{"id":219381,"date":"2010-01-16T04:55:00","date_gmt":"2010-01-16T09:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,yhoo:20050301:fantasy,article,yhoo-ept_sports_fantasy_experts-213993:1"},"modified":"2010-01-16T04:55:00","modified_gmt":"2010-01-16T09:55:00","slug":"court-report-getting-to-know-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/219381","title":{"rendered":"Court Report: Getting to know you"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kevin Martin<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> is back, meaning the feeling out process between K-Mart and Tyreke Evans<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> can begin (again). <\/em> <\/p>\n

• Kevin Martin returned to the court Friday, after missing 32 games since fracturing his wrist in early November. The Kings
\nwere 1-4 at the time of the injury, with Martin having averaged 30.6
\npoints and 3.4 threes in 42 minutes per game. Tyreke Evans has emerged
\nas a two-way game changer in the months since, averaging 22.3 points,
\n81-percent foul shooting, 5.5 boards, 5.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.6
\nblocks in 28 games over that stretch. The Kings also enjoyed some team
\nsuccess despite K-Mart’s absence, winning 12 of 22 games before a
\nrecent swoon (2-8). There is significant interest in whether Martin and
\nEvans can form a mutually beneficial pairing, as it will help determine
\nthe future of the franchise. <\/p>\n

The lines weren’t stellar in their
\nfirst attempt to re-connect, a 98-86 loss to the 76ers. Evans scored 14 points on
\n3-of-13 shooting in 36 minutes, adding four assists, three turnovers,
\nand three steals. Martin jumped right back into the starting five and
\nplayed 34 minutes, scoring 19 points on 4-of-10 shooting, with two
\nthrees, two assists, three turnovers, one steal, and one block. One
\nvery good sign was that the two combined to make 17 of 17 foul shots.
\nOmri Casspi<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> was something of a non-factor for the Kings (6 points,
\n2-of-6 FG), while Jason Thompson<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> had a very good game (19 points, 16
\nboards, 5 assists, 4 turnovers, 3 blocks). The Kings are right back at
\nit on Saturday, taking on the Wizards in Washington, and then play once
\nin the span of five days.<\/p>\n

• The 76ers got yet another
\ndouble-double from Samuel Dalembert<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (28 minutes, 17 points, 12 boards,
\n3 blocks) and a rare showing of efficient offense from Thaddeus Young<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\n(20 points, 9-of-14 FG, 2-of-2 FT) in the win over the Kings. Young has a ways to go
\nto make up for his horrific production over the past month (12 points,
\n0.1 threes, 40% FG, 70% FT over his past 15 games).  <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

• You want to talk about defense<\/a>? The
\nBobcats limited the Spurs to 76 points on 39-percent shooting, with no
\nplayer scoring more than 11 points. All was not completely lost for the
\nSpurs from a fantasy perspective, however. DeJuan Blair<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> followed up
\nWednesday’s 28\/21 explosion with 11 points and 16 boards in another 31
\nminutes of playing time. Blair is picking it up just as Matt Bonner<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> nears his return<\/a>
\nfrom a broken hand, so we’ll have to see if he can keep it up and stop
\nBonner from making a play for the starting gig. Antonio McDyess<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> has
\nmade it clear that he prefers life as a reserve.  <\/p>\n

• Boris Diaw<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\nscored 26 points, hit four threes, grabbed 11 boards, and had two
\nblocked shots in 37 minutes against the Spurs. And there was much rejoicing<\/a>.
\nHe’s now scored in double-figures in three of the past four games,
\nposting averages of 16 points on 52-percent shooting, 2 threes, 8.5
\nboards, 5 assists, 1.8 turnovers, 0.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks.
\nMeanwhile, Raymond Felton<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> has felt the squeeze – he had four points on
\n1-of-7 shooting Friday and has averaged 9.5 points over the past four
\ngames. <\/p>\n

• There were plenty of good numbers<\/a>
\nto go around in the Bulls’ 121-119 win over the Wizards in double
\novertime. Derrick Rose<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> delivered a big line (37 points, 9 boards, 6
\nassists) in a whopping 50 minutes of playing time to lead the Bulls,
\nwhile Antawn Jamison<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> turned in his most complete line of the season (34
\npoints, 3 threes, 18 boards, 5 assists, 0 turnovers, 1 steal) in 55
\nminutes … And it was yet another 20-plus point effort from Randy
\nFoye<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> who has now averaged 20.6 points, 1.4 threes, 4 boards, 7.8
\nassists, 1.8 turnovers, 1 steal, and 1 block in five games since
\nreplacing Gilbert Arenas<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> in the starting five. \n<\/p>\n

• Speaking of Arenas, his saga took its next step Friday, as he pled guilty<\/a>
\nto a felony count of carry a pistol without a license. His sentencing
\ndate is March 26, and there is no reason to expect his indefinite
\nsuspension to be modified before that date, at least not for the
\nbetter. His plea deal with prosecutors means he probably won’t see more
\nthan six months in jail, but the fact that his sentencing wasn’t
\nannounced today makes it likely he’ll spend at least some time in jail.
\nIn case it still needs to be said: it’s safe to drop him in re-draft leagues.  \n<\/p>\n

• Kris Humphries<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> saw 27 minutes of playing time in his second
\ngame with the Nets (15 points, 8 boards, 2 steals, 1 block) and should
\nemerge as the sole backup big for the Nets, as Josh Boone<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Tony
\nBattie<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> are eliminated from the rotation. Deep-leaguers should take note
\nhere, as his per-25 minute averages over the past four seasons include
\n10 points, 7 boards, and 1.4 steals-plus-blocks and Yi Jianlian<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> hasn’t
\nexactly been the picture of health during his three NBA seasons. <\/p>\n

• Robin Lopez<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> [game log<\/a>]
\nhas been a DNP-CD more often than not in recent weeks, but was
\nproductive Friday (11 points, 6 board, 6 blocks) in his first extended
\nplaying time of the season (31 minutes). Lopez limited Channing Frye’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\nimpact (21 minutes, 5 point, 1 three, 3 boards), but nobody should be
\nin panic mode, although it’s worth noting that Frye has totaled 16
\npoints in the past three games.  <\/p>\n

• Big games from Richard Hamilton<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (32 points, 10 assists, 7
\nturnovers, 3 steals) and Ben Wallace<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (13 points, 21 boards, 5 assists,
\n1 turnover, 2 blocks) helped the Pistons best the Hornets in overtime,
\n110-104. Chris Paul<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> put up another herculean effort (24 points, 2
\nthrees, 5 boards, 14 assists, 3 turnovers, 4 steals) and got the usual
\nfrom David West<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (25 points, 9 boards). Devin Brown’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> slump reached a
\nnew low (21 minutes, 0 points, 0-of-3 FG), while Marcus Thornton<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> scored
\nin double figures for the fourth straight game (30 minutes, 13 points,
\n2 threes, 5 boards, 2 steals).  <\/p>\n

• It’s impossible to ignore the fact that Jose Calderon<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (26 minutes,
\n21 points, 3 threes, 6 assists) outperformed Jarrett Jack<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (22 minutes,
\n10 points, 1 three, 1 assist) for the second consecutive game. For now,
\nJay Triano appears satisfied with the current rotation<\/a>, but that could change if this becomes more of a trend. <\/p>\n

• Chris Duhon<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> is swooning once again, as he’s averaged 4.5 points on
\n23-percent shooting over the past four games. Shocking, I know. \n<\/p>\n

• Memphis went roughly nine players deep<\/a> with useful fantasy lines Friday, thanks to the friendliest matchup<\/a> around. The Timberwolves have allowed 110 points on average over the past 18 games. <\/p>\n

• While Kevin Durant’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> overall numbers have improved as the season
\nhas progressed, one area that has been working against his fantasy
\nimpact is assists-to-turnovers. His Friday line was an exaggerated
\nversion of the trend: 30 points, 4 threes, 14-of-16 FT, 13 boards, 0
\nassists, 8 turnovers, and 1 steal. As for his overall AST:TO ratio, it
\nwas 3.5:3.7 in November, moved to 2.8:4.1 in December, and so far is
\n2.1:5.1 in seven January games. <\/p>\n

• In two games since aggravating his right wrist injury, Dwyane Wade<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\nhas averaged 36 points on 64-percent shooting, 5 boards, 8.5 assists,
\n4.5 turnovers, 3 steals, 0.5 blocks, and made 22 of 22 free throws …
\nJermaine O’Neal<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> followed up Wednesday’s season-high of 24 points with
\nhis first double-double in nearly six weeks (32 minutes, 16 points, 13
\nboards, 4 blocks). \n<\/p>\n

• Pau Gasol’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> return was felt throughout the Lakers’ lineup, as the
\nteam’s percentages were 50\/46\/83 in the 126-86 shellacking of the
\nClippers. The Lakers had averaged 116 points in five games before Gasol
\nwas hurt and 93 points in the six games that he missed … Andrew Bynum<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\naveraged 19 points on 53-percent shooting, 11.8 boards, and 1.5 blocks
\nin Gasol’s absence, and went for 20\/7\/2 in the easy win over the Clips.
\nThe Lakers and fantasy owners are anxiously waiting to see if he’s
\nheaded for another downturn now that Gasol is back. Lamar Odom’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> streak
\nof 11 games with at least 10 rebounds ended emphatically, as he barely
\nmanaged double figures in minutes (11 minutes, 7 points, 2 boards, 4
\nfouls). <\/p>\n

• Chris Kaman’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> back pain is\/was significant enough that he’s had an epidural<\/a>, the third of his career. He missed his third consecutive game Friday and his status for Saturday remains up in the air. DeAndre
\nJordan<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> has started the past three games in Kaman’s stead, averaging 13
\npoints on 80-percent shooting, 7.7 boards, and 1.7 blocks in 29
\nminutes.<\/p>\n

• The Warriors’ depth chart is so thin these days<\/a> that Stephen Curry<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> was allowed to stay in Friday’s game after having fouled out<\/a>.
\nThey started with only eight healthy players and lost Anthony Morrow<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> to
\ninjury, while Andris Biedrins<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Chris Hunter<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> has previously fouled
\nout. Both Monta Ellis<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Curry played all 48 minutes, while Morrow lasted only four before leaving with a right knee sprain<\/a>. He’s due to have an MRI on Saturday. <\/p>\n

• Jodie Meeks<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> followed up 21 points in 31 minutes Wednesday with zero points and three fouls in 13 minutes Friday.  <\/p>\n

• This just in: the Magic are struggling. Matt Barnes’<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> -14 was the "best" number of any of the team’s starters in the 102-87 loss<\/a> to the Blazers Friday. Rashard
\nLewis<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Jameer Nelson<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> weren’t terrible offensively, but Vince Carter<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\nwas horrific in his return from a shoulder injury and Dwight Howard<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\nattempted only seven shots and made three of 10 free throws. The team
\nhas lost six of eight games and is desperate to get everyone healthy
\nand on the same page<\/a>.
\nThe upcoming schedule is a mixed bag, with matchups with the Lakers,
\nPacers, Kings, Bobcats, Grizzlies, Celtics and Hawks on tap for the
\nnext two weeks. From a fantasy perspective, it’s basically "hold"
\nsituations all around. <\/p>\n

• What made the Blazers’ win over the Magic particularly impressive
\nwas that they did it without Brandon Roy<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> who was inactive because of a
\nhamstring strain<\/a>.
\nThe team got good production from Andre Miller<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (19 points, 9 assists),
\nSteve Blake<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (18 points, 4 threes, 6 assists), LaMarcus Aldridge<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (14
\npoints, 14 boards), and Martell Webster<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> (24 points, 5 threes, 9
\nboards). Jarryd Bayless managed just one point in 20 minutes as the
\nstarting shooting guard. Rudy Fernandez<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> had 10 points in 18 minutes in
\nhis second game since returning from back surgery.<\/p>\n

• Does Greg Oden<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> have a shot to play this season? He hasn’t been officially ruled out<\/a> yet, but I wouldn’t be rushing to the wire in the wake of this "news". It’s still a (very) long shot. <\/p>\n

• Sundiata Gaines’<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> game-winner<\/a>
\ngrabbed the headlines Thursday but the more relevant fantasy stories in the
\nJazz’s win over the Cavs was that both Deron Williams<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Andrei
\nKirilenko<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> left the game<\/a>
\nwith injuries. Williams aggravated his right wrist injury, did not
\npractice Friday, and his immediate availability is unknown. AK was on
\nthe court Friday, was feeling better than he was "supposed to be", and
\nthinks he’ll "probably" be able to give it a go on Saturday. Frustrated
\nKirilienko owners should note that he was recently singled out by Jerry
\nSloan as someone he’d like to get more minutes and touches for, so I
\nstill recommend holding him in standard leagues. <\/p>\n

• The rough target<\/a>
\nfor Kevin Garnett’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> return from his hyper-extended right knee is next
\nFriday, January 22. He’s resumed workouts and the team is hoping that
\nhe’ll be ready to rejoin the active roster after a few practices,
\nincluding the day before that target … Rasheed Wallace<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> is a strong possibility<\/a> to return on Monday. <\/p>\n

—<\/em><\/p>\n

Photos via Getty Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kevin Martin(notes) is back, meaning the feeling out process between K-Mart and Tyreke Evans(notes) can begin (again).  • Kevin Martin returned to the court Friday, after missing 32 games since fracturing his wrist in early November. The Kings were 1-4 at the time of the injury, with Martin having averaged 30.6 points and 3.4 threes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4320,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-219381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4320"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219381\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=219381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=219381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}