• With the NBA season in its final month of games, we’ll be seeing lots of interesting lineups as well as players emerging with temporary value. Somehow every season a point guard or two comes out of nowhere, (or at least deep off the bench) to provide fuel for a championship run when you lose a solid role player (Malcom Brogdon anyone). This Sunday we saw Emmanuel Mudiay and Alex Caruso deliver top-6 performances in the eight-game slate. Another friendly reminder is that you make sure that you check your favorites first, second and third-year players’ stats over their last couple of months so you can more accurately project how they might perform next season. Trae Young has been a top-30 asset over the last 60-days while Buddy Buckets is the 32nd overall contributor over the same stretch. No matter where you’re at in the standings taking a few notes now will put you ahead of the competition when next season’s draft comes around.

    New York State of Mind

    The Knicks don’t have much to play for this season, but for one night they walked away with the crown, defeating LeBron and the Lakers 124-123. Led by Emmanuel Mudiay’s team-high 28 points, eight assists, three triples, two boards and a block the Knicks held on late to snap an eight-game losing streak. Mario Hezonja (17 points, eight boards, one assist, two steals, one triple) had a block against LeBron to seal the one-point victory. Both Mudiay and Super Mario have failed to find consistency this season with the Knicks but their ability to provide solid contributions on a game-to-game basis is likely to garner attention from teams looking to round out their roster. The Knicks were without Dennis Smith Jr. but youngsters Damyean Dotson (25 points, three triples, six boards) and Kevin Knox (19 points, six boards, three triples) gave fans plenty to look forward to next year. DeAndre Jordan, a pending free agent, continued his career year from the line to hit 3-of-4 freebies for 15 points, 17 boards, seven assists and a couple of counters. Jordan is mere percentage points away from shooting 70 percent from the line after being south of 50 percent most of his career.

    The lights shine differently in New York

    The Lakers don’t have much to play for and LeBron James might just be making a business decision by throwing a few games down the stretch. The Lakers led big late in the game but only converted on 1-of-13 straight possessions while the Knicks made play after play. When your hearts not into it sometimes your head loses focus, and that seems to be exactly what the Lakers are dealing with. Rajon Rondo (three points, five assists, five boards, one triple) committed an inexcusable foul on Mudiay to give the Knicks the final two points of the game. LeBron’s focus might be a bit lacking but his game is on autopilot with 33 points, six boards, eight assists and a block. Alex Caruso continues to make a push as a late-season value, delivering top-100 numbers over the last two weeks and top-50 over the Lakers last four games. If you need solid defensive contributions and across the box production, consider giving him some run late in the season.

    New Hair, old school results

    Dwayne Wade needed to change something up after hitting 7-of-28 shots over his last two games, on Sunday he debuted a new look while getting back on track with 17 points, two steals, eight boards, a block and two assists. Wade is not a streaming option in weekly leagues, making him more of a DFS punt and tonight he delivered in a 93-75 win over Charlotte. Justice Winslow (right thigh bruise) skipped Sunday’s action so Goran Dragic found himself playing his highest minute total (28) since returning from his injury. The Dragon delivered 19 points, four assists, four triples and two boards. He didn’t draw the start, so it’s realistic to project similar production when Winslow returns if Dragic finds the minutes. With the Heat battling for the final playoff spot expect Coach Spoelstra to go with the hot-hand approach every evening. Tonight, that included Bam Adebayo who scored 16 with nine boards, two steals, a block and an assist.

    Hornets losing their sting and shot at the postseason

    Charlotte is known as a team that only plays as well as its engine (Kemba Walker), that was never truer than on Sunday when they were blown out while Kemba delivered 10 points, four assists, four boards and two triples. The Hornets have lost every game this season (five) in which Kemba has scored 10 or fewer points. Jeremy Lamb was the only real contributor tonight for the Hornets, scoring 21 points with four steals, three triples and four boards. Lamb should have a solid close to the season as the Hornets bonafide second option and best producer off the bench. Nicolas Batum tried but failed as the Hornets fell two full games out of the eighth seed, only hitting 3-of-11 shots for 12 points, even boards, an assist and a triple.

    Seven, Sixer, Five-Guys

    The Sixers might have the strongest starting five outside of the Bay Area and everyone delivered in the 130-125 win over the East-leading Bucks. Joel Embiid battled back against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s career-high 52 points with 40 points, 15 boards, six assists, three steals, four triples and a block. The Sixers starters were their five most productive players with Jimmy Butler doing damage with 27 points, two triples, six boards, three assists and three steals. J.J. Redick hit some wild shots going 7-of-10 from the field for 19 points on four triples, he added a steal and a block. Tobias Harris took a back seat tonight but still scored an efficient 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting with seven boards and four assists. Ben Simmons didn’t score much with eight points but added nine boards and nine assists.

    A freaky 52-point night

    Giannis, Giannis, Giannis, how you tantalize me. Take a step back and admire his full box from tonight of 52 points (career-high), 16 boards, seven assists, three triples, two steals and a block. No Bucks starter, besides Giannis, hit over 45 percent of their shots as they exhibited ill effects of losing Malcolm Brogdon for the next 6-8 weeks. If you own Brogdon anywhere, feel free to cut him loose as he’s barely got a shot to make it back for the second round of the playoffs. Nikola Mirotic drew the start but he’s lost his touch, only hitting 1-of-7 shots. Brook Lopez shot slightly better to score 14 points with three triples, four blocks and four boards. He’ll have even more spacing opportunities to close out the year. Khris Middleton scored 19 on three triples with seven boards and six dimes.

    Detroit flashing some horsepower

    The Pistons dispatched the Raptors 110-107 on Sunday to continue their hold on the six seed while the Nets lost on a buzzer-beating heave. Andre Drummond hit 5-of-5 freebies to score 15 points with 17 boards and two steals to help power Detroit. Blake Griffin was the leading scorer with 25 points and eight boards while Reggie Jackson also delivered with 20 points, four assists and two triples. Ish Smith split time evenly with Jackson, logging 24 minutes with eight points, eight assists, five boards and three steals. Expect the four aforementioned players to continue to carry the load while the Pistons search for auxiliary players who can contribute on a game-by-game basis.

    Short-handed Raptors fail to hold back Pistons

    The Raptors played more like a short-handed T-Rex on Sunday when they fell to the Pistons sans Serge Ibaka (suspension) and Kyle Lowry (ankle sprain). Ibaka is out for one more game and it’s likely that Lowry will also miss Monday’s contest as the Raptors play four times next week. On Sunday Kawhi Leonard carried the load with 33 points, 10 boards, five triples, two assists, a steal and a block. Pascal Siakam had a rare off-game with 12 points, three boards and three assists. Marc Gasol did a bit of everything but the Raptors could have used a bit more scoring from the former All-Star who finished with nine points, 11 boards, eight assists, a triple and a block. Fred VanVleet logged 31 minutes in his first game back from a thumb injury and it looks like he won’t have any restrictions considering the high minutes played tonight. Give FVV a look in DFS tomorrow if Lowry is announced out as expected.

    Sactown’s Young Kings

    The Sacramento Kings still have an outside shot at the playoffs and their future is looking brighter and brighter every game despite how they finish this season. The Kings lacked the depth to make up for Marvin Bagley’s (21 points, nine boards) contributions while he was injured and they slipped in the standings as a result. Buddy Hield led the way for them on Sunday in the 129-102 win with a full box of 16 points, four assists, three steals, three boards, two triples and a block. Harry Giles continued his inspired play off the bench with three blocks, 16 points, six boards and three assists. He should have had four blocks but there was a phantom foul call on one play. De’Aaron Fox continued his MIP campaign with his own filled up box of 17 points, four boards, three assists, two steals, two triples and a block. I don’t believe in giving the award to second-year players and would still lobby for Pascal Siakam if I had a vote to cast. Keep in mind that none of the Kings played heavy minutes due to the score so all of their lines are slightly muted.

    A whole load of Bull

    Four of five Bulls starters shot in the thirties percentage wise on Sunday. Only Lauri Markkanen proved to be a marksman with 4-of-8 shooting to finish with 11 points, three boards, two assists a steal and a block. Zach LaVine scored 18 points with three steals, three boards, three assists, two triples and a block. The Bulls want to get good reps in for their version of their big three but Otto Porter stunk with eight points and little else. Kris Dunn continued his concerning season with eight points and five assists. Floor generals sometimes take time to develop and Dunn has the athletic measurables to get it “Dunn” but it seems like the constant injuries are starting to add up between the ears.

    The Magic Continues

    Nikola Vucevic delivered the seventh 20/20 game of his career on Sunday in the 101-91 win over the Hawks. Vooch is making it crystal clear that he wants to make the postseason for the first time of his career as he also made his first All-Star team. He was good for 27 points, 20 boards, three assists and three steals on 10-of-20 shooting and a sterling 7-of-7 from the line.  Aaron Gordon has been hot over the last couple of weeks and it continued against the Hawks and John Collins (who fouled out) in the form of 22 points, eight boards, three triples, three assists and a steal. D.J. Augustin continued to deliver his serviceable play with 11 points, nine boards, two steals, two triples and two boards. He’s been hot and playing more minutes as the Magic continue to struggle to find a backup point. They signed Michael Carter-Williams to a 10-day contract but he almost single-handedly lost the game for the Magic in his 16 minutes played as he committed three quick fouls, missed all three shots while only hitting 5-of-8 free throws.

    No treys for Trae

    Trae Young hit 9-of-18 shots on Sunday despite going 0-for-5 from deep to score 20 points with five assists and six boards. Young has been delivering top-30 numbers over the last two months and has made up a lot of ground on Luka Doncic’s ROY bid. Dewayne Dedmon didn’t want to leave his young floor general out there on his own and he dropped in a double-double with 10 points, 14 boards, two triples, two steals and two assists. Dedmon has delivered a career year, futher solidifying himself as a threes, boards and blocks specialist who can do a bit more a couple times a month. Alex Len (13 points, block, triple) had the opportunity to continue to play solid minutes with John Collins (10 points, seven boards) fouling out in 20 minutes. Collins will bounce back once he gets his minutes normal.

    Big KAT? No Problem in Houston

    The Houston Rocket’s did it “Texas Style” and pulled out the big guns against the Big KAT known as Karl-Anthony Towns. The “Big-3” delivered in flying colors as each double-doubled in the big win 117-102 to maintain a grasp on the third seed out West. Chris Paul led the way in scoring with 25 points, 10 assists, seven boards, six triples and a steal. Clint Capela was the connecting glue with 20 points, 13 boards and two blocks, catching lobs and dishes from his elite guards. James Harden slowed down a bit to smell the burn fur with 20 points, 10 assists, four triples, two boards and a steal on 8-of-24 shooting. Hopefully, Harden hasn’t spent all of his Rocket fuel in the regular season as the Rockets approach the most important part of the NBA season. There’s the proverbial goal of peaking at the right time, it seems like the Rockets are doing so as a team while Harden takes a slight step back.

    The Wolfpack’s missing an Alpha

    The Timberwolves played without Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague on Monday and barely got any contribution out of their other two point guards, Tyus Jones and Jerryd Bayless. They combined for six points, seven boards, seven assists and 3-of-11 shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns did his best to fill the void with six assists, 22 points, 10 boards, two triples and two blocks but it wasn’t enough against an elite team. Dario Saric continued his disappointing year after seemingly turning the corner last season with eight points, eight boards and a steal in 23 minutes. Josh Okogie might be the silver lining from this season for the Wolves as he’s developed an offensive game to go with his explosive athleticism and defensive length. He delivered 21 points, three triples, five boards, three assists and a steal.

    What a Sweet-Lou finish

    Lou Williams is the NBA’s leading scorer off the bench. On Sunday he added to his legend by drilling a contested three that was squarely between the three-point arch and the half court logo. The Clippers had five seconds to score in a tied game and they turned to Williams who finished the night with 25 points, six boards, two assists and two triples to end it in regulation 119-116. Danilo Gallinari continued to flash his potential (availability is your greatest ability) with 20 points, 11 boards, five assists, a steal and a triple. Not to be forgotten with his bench mate making the big plays, Montrezl Harrell put in 20 points with 10 boards, three blocks and a steal. Patrick Beverley, Landry Shamet and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all scored in double digits with multiple threes made.

    If it isn’t Brook-lyn don’t fix it?

    The Nets have dropped three straight games after winning four straight. One change that occurred after the first loss is that Caris LeVert moved back into the starting five. He scored 12 points with four boards and seven assists on Sunday but he’s still not completely comfortable. He might be a better fit in the second unit as he’s competing with D’Angelo Russell for touches in the starting unit. It took a LeVert injury to propel Russell into a role that landed him his first All-Star selection. On Sunday D-Lo did damage with 32 points, six triples, 10 assists, one steal and five boards. DeMarre Carroll (22 points, seven boards, three triples) logged a team-high 33 minutes off the bench along with Spencer Dinwiddie (13 points, three assists, four boards). Considering the minutes the Nets give their bench players it wouldn’t be surprising to see LeVert possibly shift back there when Allen Crabbe (sore knee) returns next week.

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