Each Thursday going forward this season, I'm going to pick out a performance from the prior three nights' games that stands out to me for various reasons. Three games to highlight below:
Monday February 14th: Milwaukee Bucks 102, Los Angeles Clippers 78
Corey Maggette injured himself the night before, opening up a spot in the starting lineup for Carlos Delfino, and the latter capitalized tremendously. Delfino started at SF and generated 26 points to go along with a career-high 7 three-pointers made. Delfino also contributed 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and only 1 turnover, briefly mentioned in the Maggette blurb in Tuesday's article here: Fantasy Basketball: Every Day Coverage Begins Today!
When Delfino is on, so are the Bucks. Look for Delfino to continue earning starting minutes and contribute numbers all across the board while Maggette is out. Unfortunately for Delfino and his owners, Carlos failed to capitalize in Wednesday's loss to the Nuggets. Maggette also has an extra few days to rest over the All Star Break. Keep an eye on Milwaukee up through the trade deadline as any move could open a permanent starting spot for Delfino.
Tuesday and Wednesday Night's Games highlighted after the jump...
Tuesday February 15th: Phoenix Suns 102, Utah Jazz 101
The streaky Channing Frye has not been able to replicate his career year last season nor earn his brand new contract this season. However, Frye dropped a bomb on the Jazz on Tuesday scoring a career-high 31 points. The former Knickerbocker and Blazer did what he does best: making it rain, dropping 6 three-pointers on the helpless Utah defense. To add insult to injury, Frye grabbed 11 boards, out-muscling Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap for those rebounds. The starting Power Forward has been insanely streaky, but games like this show his owners what he is capable of. Hang onto Frye as forwards that contribute in rebounds and hit three-pointers on a nightly basis are extremely rare.
Wednesday Februrary 16th: Portland Trail Blazers 103, New Orleans Hornets 96
LaMarcus Aldridge is taking his all-star snub to heart as he tore up the Hornets for 34 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. The All Star Break seems to be the only thing stopping Aldridge lately as he is having a career year. The 5th year forward out of Texas may also be eligible as Center in fantasy leagues since it seems every Center has gone down for the Blazers. Aldridge is single-handedly keeping Portland in the playoff hunt, averaging 22.3 PPG, 9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.3 BPG and 1.1 SPG. Since being snubbed from the All Star Team (Tim Duncan, really?), Aldridge has blown up for 40, 37, 36 and 42 points over the course of the last two weeks. This game should boost his already skyrocketing fantasy value. Try to use the break as a means of selling Aldridge off for some parts that can help your team over the second half. Otherwise hang tight and enjoy the ride.