Fantasy Basketball-Starting 5-January 27

Last night was a TNT spotlight night with only 2 games sandwiched  between the 13-game slate Wednesday in the NBA and tonight’s jam-packed schedule (with 13 games as well). As we head into the weekend, many games in Fantasy Hoops leagues are still up for grabs.With that in mind, not only can you find 5 great, good, and bad performances from last night below, but you can also find the top 5 guys I’d think about adding for the coming weekend to finish week 5 out strong.

Come back tomorrow for the top 10 that I’d add for week 6 as well as a comprehensive look at all the action from the hardwood tonight. Here’s today’s 4 lists of 5:

Paul Pierce gets our MVP-for-a-day for leading the Celtics back from a huge deficit to defeat the Magic in Orlando. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

5 great nights

1. Paul Pierce-Bos: Pierce led the C’s comeback from 27 down in the 2nd quarter and 23 down at halftime. He finished with 24 points, 10 assists, 6 boards, and a block as Boston stormed back to beat the Magic for the 2nd game in a row to get to 8-9 on the year. The Celtics defense looked to be back in this one and if the roll players step up like they did last night, we may not have heard the end of this year’s Celtics…

2. Blake Griffin-LAC: Griffin had 20 points, 9 boards, 8 assists, and 2 blocks for the Clippers as they pulled away late and beat Memphis in LA to get to run their record to 10-6.

3. Marc Gasol-Mem: Gasol had a good game across the board as he pulled in in 11 rebounds to go with his 18 points, 6 assists ,and 2 steals. His Grizzlies (dressed as the old-school Memphis Tams) couldn’t get the job done though as they fell to 10-8 overall and 4-6 on the road.

4. Dwight Howard-Orl: Big Dwight had 16 points and 16 boards after a slow start but finished with a painful +/- of -25 as once again Boston was able to harass and defend him all night long. The loss drops Orlando to 12-6 on the year.

5. Rudy Gay-Mem: Gay hit 9 of his 18 shots from the field while finishing with 3 three’s, 7 boards, 2 assists, a block, and 24 points in Memphis’s road loss.

5 good nights

1. Chris Paul-LAC: Paul had 18 points, 7 boards, 7 assists, and 2 steals as he played 36 minutes in just his second game back and helped the Clippers (or was it the old ABA Stars?) to the win.

2. Caron Butler-LAC: Butler was highly efficient hitting 6-11 overall and 3-5 from long-distance. He finished with 17 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals.

3. Kevin Garnett-Bos: Garnett was extremely active for the Celtics especially on the defensive end and finished with 12 points, 10 boards, 4 assists, 3 setals, and a “throwback-big-ticket” style 4 blocks.

4. E’Tuan Moore-Bos: The rookie guard from Purdue had by far his best game of his career. He had 16 points in just 18 minutes while hitting 5-6 from the field and 4-4 from 3-point-range. He added a block and 3 rebounds while getting an impressive +/- of +27 (in 18 minutes!).

5. Mo Williams-LAC: Williams came off the bench and carried the offense for LA early in the 4th as they pulled away from the Grizz and finished with 18 points, 4 steals, 2 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 three-pointers.

Chris Paul (3) and Mike Conley (11) squared off in some pretty sweet throwback jerseys. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-US PRESSWIRE

5 bad nights

1. Mike Conley-Mem: Conley’s shot deserted him last night as he hit just 2-10 from the field and had 4 points, 3 turnovers, 4 steals, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds before fouling out.

2. OJ Mayo-Mem: Mayo showed flashed of greatness, or at least goodness, in this one but his 5-19 shooting was pretty ugly even though he finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, a steal, a block, and as assist.

3. Glen Davis-Orl: Davis struggled against his old mates shooting 3-11 while scoring 7 points and grabbing 6 rebounds and 3 steals in 26 minutes.

4. Brandon Bass-Bos: Bass got the start in Orlando and played 29 minutes but shot just 4-12 while scoring 10 points, 5 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and an assist.

5. Ryan Anderson-Orl: Anderson definitely improved on his scoreless outing in the Garden last time these teams met, but still struggled hitting just 5 of 12 overall and 1 3-pointer. He finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds, a block, and an assist.

Ronnie Brewer makes a great add for the weekend. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE

5 to look at for the weekend

1. Ronnie Brewer-Chi: Brewer is filling in for the injured Luol Deng and did so quite admirably in Deng’s first game out. Brewer had 20 points, 10 boards, 4 assists, and 3 steals. There’s a chance Deng returns quickly, but Brewer should have a bit role for the Bulls even when he does. Chicago closes the week with a home game against Milwaukee and the Sunday afternoon ABC game in Miami. Brewer’s owned in just 4.5 % of leagues.

2. Linus Kleiza-Tor: Kleiza has excelled when given the opportunity and has scored 16 points or more in 2 of his last 3 games. He should continue to see a good chunk of action with Andrew Bargnani back to the sidelines for another extended absence. He’s a good source of points, boards, and 3′s and finishes the week with 2 road games against teams that allow points: the Nuggets (tonight) and the Nets (Sunday).

3. Mickael Pietrus-Bos: The Celtics return from their comeback in Orlando for home games against Indiana tonight and Cleveland Sunday. Ray Allen is still ailing and Pietrus is picking up minutes in his absence. If you need 3′s, steals, and/or points, Pietrus is a good option in the 99.6 percent of leagues where he’s available.

4. Austin Daye-Det: Daye has a back-to-back tonight and tomorrow against Atlanta and then at Philadephia Saturday. The matchups aren’t great which is why he’s so low on this list, but his upside is huge as he showed coming off the bench against Miami with 28 points, 6 boards, 4 3-pointers, and 3 assists. Tayshaun Prince is questionable and if he is out, Daye’s a good play. If Prince returns, Daye’s value takes a big hit. He’s available in over 99%

5. Tyrus Thomas-Cha: Thomas is only owned in 21 percent of leagues and he’s someone to look at if you’re trailing in blocks and want to close the gap. He’s just now getting his form back after an extended layoff and has games against Philly in Philly tonight and then home against Washington tomorrow.

Tags: Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, fantasy basketball advice, Fantasy Basketball week 5, NBA Recap, Paul Pierce, Starting 5