Jon Lester Served First Loss in 6-4 Defeat to Adam Dunn, Chicago White Sox

Avery Bradley’s Role With the Celtics: Present and Future

Connelly’s Top Ten: Bruins Up 2-0

2013 NBA Playoffs Expert Picks: Third Round

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Fantasy Basketball Roundup: Week 5

Man, I had some bad matchups in some of my leagues last week. They were almost as bad as Tiger Woods’ driving…BA-ZING!!!! No, seriously though, they weren’t too bad, I just needed an excuse to make a Tiger woods joke. I hope you enjoyed it. Hey, he wasn’t injured, therefore it is OK to make light of the situation.

Injuries

Danny Granger (SG, SF, PF), Indiana Pacers

A first round pick in most leagues, Granger missed last Wednesday’s game with a sprained ligament in his knee. He has been playing through the injury on most nights and he hopes to play Monday night against the Warriors.

Elton Brand (PF, C), Philadelphia 76ers

Brand, who had a hot week last week, has missed three straight games with a hamstring injury. He will reportedly play Monday night against Dallas.

Charlie Villanueva (SF, PF), Detroit Pistons

Villanueva underwent surgery Monday to fix his broken nose that he suffered in a game on Sunday. He shouldn’t be out for long with the injury. Plus, he and Rip Hamilton will look cute wearing matching face masks.

Best Players of the Week

Point Guard

Steve Nash (PG), Phoenix Suns

He still has gas left in his tank! Nash put up 13.3 points and led all point guard with 14.3 assists. As usual, Nash shot the ball well from the field (56.7%) and he made 1.3 3PTM.

Honorable Mention: Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks (57.6 FG%, 22.5 points, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.5 3PTM)

Shooting Guard

Kevin Durant (SG, SF), Oklahoma City Thunder

Durant is improving every single game and he gave owners a return on their first round investment with 28.7 points on 50.0% shooting with 8.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks.

Honorable Mention: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (28.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 3.3 steals)

Small Forward

Gerald Wallace (SF, PF), Charlotte Bobcats

Wallace tore it up last week by averaging a double-double with 25.3 points and 13.7 rebounds. He threw in 1.7 steals, 1.0 blocks, and a 54.3 FG% for good measure.

Honorable Mention: Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets (54.2 FG%, 32.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals)

Power Forward

Marcus Camby (PF, C), L.A. Clippers

Camby was back in old form this past week with 12.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 3.0 blocks. He reached a season-high in rebounds (21) against Indiana and a season-high in blocks (6) against Detroit.

Honorable Mention: Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz (75.6 FG%, 26.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks)

Center

Nene Hilario (PF, C), Denver Nuggets

Nene almost averaged a double-double with 13.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. However, he made up for it with superb shooting (62.2 FG%) along with 4.3 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.3 blocks)

Honorable Mention: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs (58.3 FG%, 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks)

You Could Have Done better

Point Guard

Jose Calderon (PG), Toronto Raptors

Calderon’s numbers were disappointing all across the board with 9.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists,

Honorable Mention: Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards (40.6 FG%, 10.7 points, 6.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.0 3PTM)

Shooting Guard

Joe Johnson (PG, SG, SF), Atlanta Hawks

Double-J didn’t have it last week. He put up 13.7 points on a vomit-inducing 35.4 FG%. Rounding out his futility was 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Honorable Mention: Hedo Turkoglu, Toronto Raptors (12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists)

Small Forward

Michael Redd (SG, SF), Milwaukee Bucks

Redd’s return to the lineup wasn’t successful as he gave owners 7.7 points on 28.6% shooting with 1.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Oh, and he was injured again and missed Saturday’s game with the same knee injury that kept him out for most of November.

Honorable Mention: J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets (12.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals)

Power Forward

Al Horford (PF, C), Atlanta Hawks

Horford nearly had a double-double. However, 9.0 points and 9.0 rebounds is not what you want from a starter. His 2.0 assists and 0.7 steals also failed to impress.

Honorable Mention: Anthony Randolph, Golden State Warriors (34.6 FG%, 9.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.7 steals)

Center

Andrew Bynum (C), L.A. Lakers

Bynum wasn’t his usual dominating self last week as he produced just 12.3 points on 43.3% shooting with 7.0 rebounds and, 0.3 assists.

Honorable Mention: Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls (40.0 FG%, 50.0 FT%, 6.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 0.5 blocks)

Players to Pick Up

Al Thornton (SF, PF), L.A. Clippers

Thornton is averaging 18.9 points and 5.3 rebounds on 52.7% shooting since November 15th. He is starting and scoring a lot. So why haven’t you picked him up yet?

Nate Robinson (PG, SG), New York Knicks

Fresh off injury, Robinson is averaging 18.8 points on 67.3% shooting in his last five games. In the process, he is outshining starter Larry Hughes.

Ersan Ilyasova (SF, PF), Milwaukee Bucks

The Turkish powerhouse has started every game since November 18th and is becoming a hot pickup with three double-doubles in his last six games, including a season-high 20-16 game on Saturday.

Carlos Delfino (SG, SF), Milwaukee Bucks

Hey, need blocks and 3PTM? Well Delfino has 2.3 3PTM and 1.5 blocks in his last four game with a decent 10.0 points as well.

Anthony Morrow (SG, SF), Golden State Warriors

Last call for Morrow as he had another good week with 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.7 3PTM.

Sports of Boston Basketball League

• I lose a close one to SoB’s KC by a score of 5-4
• As a result of his win, KC remains in first place.
• Recent pickups include: Dahntay Jones, Corey Maggette, and AL Thornton.

Tags: Al Horford, Andrew Bynum, Charlie Villanueva, Danny Granger, Elton Brand, Fantasy, Fantasy Basketball Roundup, Gerald Wallace, Joe Johnson, Jose Calderon, Kevin Durant, Marcus Camby, Michael Redd, Nene Hilario, Steve Nash

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