NBA Fantasy Basketball-Starting 5-February 10

Last night the NBA took a breather between 11 games Wednesday and 12 tonight. The 4 games that did happen were all super-competitive games. No game was decided by double-digits and the Lakers-Celtics game went into OT. Here’s 5 lists of 5 to wrap up all the fantasy happenings in last night’s action as we look forward to another big weekend in the NBA

Stephen Curry earned our MVP-for-a-day despite (and definitely not because of) his dancing skills. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

5 top fantasy stars

1. Stephen Curry-GS: Curry must have been inspired by teammate Monta Ellis’s huge game Tuesday night as he went off for a nice stat-line of his own last night while breaking out of of the worst dance moves since Tom Brady hit carnivale. Fortunately, you don’t lose points for crumby dancing in most fantasy hoops leagues and his 36 points on 13-17 and 6 3-pointers with 7 board, 7 assists, and 2 blocks will more than make up for the hard time your friends might give you. Curry can be deadly when his shot is on which it definitely was last night.

2. Pau Gasol-LAL: Gasol led the Lakers past the Celtics, not only blocking Ray Allen’s put back at the buzzer but scoring 25 points while grabbing 14 boards to go with 3 assists and 2 blocks. The win got LA to 15-11 on the year.

3. Russell Westbrook-OKC: The Thunder couldn’t overcome 6 4th quarter turnovers (23 on the night) as they fell in Sacramento to 20-6 for the season. Westbrook still had a nice stat line with 33 points, 6 boards, 3 asssits and a steal although he did commit 7 turnovers in the game.

4. Kevin Durant-OKC: Like Westbrook Durant’s stat-line was good enough to get the Thunder the win, but they blew their 4th quarter lead by turning the ball over. KD finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block.

5. Tyreke Evans-Sac: Evans led the Kings to their 10th win, this one over the visiting Thunder, with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Evans shot just 8-21 from the field, but still finished with a solid night in the totals categories

5 top big men

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) shoots the ball in the second half against Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (5) and small forward Paul Pierce (34) at the TD Garden. The Lakers defeated the Celtics in overtime 88-87. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE

1. Andrew Bynum-LAL: The Celtics had an answer for Bynum exactly 0 of the 41 minutes he played as he abused Boston’s bigs all night. He only scored 16 while grabbing 17 boards but he added 3 blocks while controlling the paint and forcing KG and Brandon Bass to shoot jumpers. Once those jumpers stopped falling, the Lakers caught up to the C’s and forced OT where they ultimately won. Bynum also added a steal and an assist. If you took him in spite of his early suspension, you’re reaping the reward to your risk.

2. Serge Ibaka-OKC: Ibaka had 10 blocks in 30 minutes for the Thunder last night and added 9 rebounds and 6 points before fouling out late.

3. Channing Frye-Phx: Frye has been heating up recently with 14 or more points in each of his last 3 games. Last night he hit 4 3-pointers and 8-17 overall while scoring 21 points to go with 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals, and an assist. He’d be worth a speculative add if your desperate at Center and need 3′s. He’s available in 43 percent of leagues.

4. Paul Pierce-Bos: Pierce played the PF spot for much of the game which is why I’m putting him in this category even though normally he’s a SF. He finished with just 18 points but fortified his numbers with 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal. It was an ugly offensive game overall as evidenced by the 88-87 final even with overtime. the Celtics fell to 14-11 with the loss

5. DeMArcus Cousins-Sac: The man of many nicknames managed just 7-17 from the field but did score 19 points to go with his 9 boards, 2 steals, and a block as the Kings got the big win over the Thunder.

5 top guards

1.Kobe Bryant-LAL: Bryant didn’t have his best shooting night (11-24) and played 44 minutes, but he did finish with a solid 27 points, 4 asits, and  rebounds.

Goran Dragic (3) puts up a shot against his former team the Phoenix Suns.. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE.

2. Aaron Afflalo-Den: Afflalo was the one Nugget who could score last nigth as he shot 8-16 overall and 5-8 from deep. He finished with 26 points and 2 assists and could play a bigger role in the Nuggets make-shift lineup provided his own injuries don’t cost him the chance.

3. Ray Allen-Bos: Allen had a put back to win the game after Pierce missed a shot at the end of OT but Pau Gasol got a piece of it to preserve the Laker win. Allen still had a solid game finishing with 22 points on 9-20 shooting while adding 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block.

4. Goran Dragic-Hou: Dragic didn’t get the start since Kyle Lowry did play, but he led the very effective Houston second unit while scoring 11 points and contributing 11 assists against his former team the Suns. He added 4 rebounds and 2 steals as Houston won again to move to 16-11 on the year.

5. Steve Nash-Phx: Nash made all 7 shots he took for 14 points to go with 13 assists, a steal, and a rebound in 35 minutes. The bench couldn’t score for Phoenix while Houston’s bench went off and carried them to victory.

5 top disappointments

1.Kevin Martin-Hou: Martin played just 13 minutes for Houston and took just 2 shots. He finished with 2 points, 1 steal, and 1 assist. Martin has been awful lately, but don’t drop him just yet unless his role changes or we find out about a major injury.

2. Rudy Fernandez-Den: Fernandez started and played 37 minutes but only shot 4-13 and hit just a single 3-pointer on his way to merely 9 points. He did contribute 5 assists and 4 rebounds and should still be considered a good addition while Gallinari is out.

3. Samuel Dalembert-Hou: Dalembert, like Martin, is anther Rocket who has had times where he’s been fantasy gold, but right now is scuffling. He only played 18 minutes while contributin 7 rebounds, 1 assist, a block, and 4 points. The Rockets are winning while riding their bench and these starters are suffering. He should bounce back over time if you can afford the roster spot to hold on to him.

4. Al Harrington-Den: Harrington shot just 4-11 and failed to fill in the scoring gap left by the Nuggets rash of inuries. He finished with 11 points, 2 steals, a rebound, and an assist in 24 minutes played. The Nuggets and his owners are hoping he can step up and play a bigger role in the Denver offense.

5. Metta World Peace-LAL: The player-formerly-known as Ron Artest had just 2 points in 34 minutes on 1-6 shooting. He played solid defense on Pierce at times and also contributed 2 boards, 2 steals, a block, and an assist.

5 top additions for the weekend 

1.Nikola Pekovic-Min: Pekovic probably isn’t available anymore (23 percent availability) but has had 5 huge games in a row. He’s averaged 32 minutes whil scoring just shy of 17 a game and averaging over 10 boards. Check his availability in your league since He’s got 2 games left in this week and can help with boards and scoring going forward.

Chicago Bulls point guard C.J. Watson. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

2. C.J. Watson-Chi: Watson plays at Charlotte tonight and at Boston on Sunday. With all the injuries to the Bulls backcourt he’s seen 19 or more minutes in the last 5 games and has averaged 10 points, 5 assits, and 3 boards in that time. The Bulls could turn tonight’s game into a blowout meaning more time for Watson and with Rose and Hamilton strugglin with injuries CJ makes a good play. He’s owned in just 4.8 % of leagues

3. Trevor Booker-Was: Booker’s moved into the starting lineup and in 5 February games is averaging just over 12 points and 6 boards. He finishes out with Miami at home  in Washington and then a trip to Detroit. He’s owned in less than 25 percent of leagues

4. Randy Foye-LAC: Foye played 28 minutes while starting for the injured Chauncey Billups. He finishes up the wee with games @ Phi tonight and @ Cha tomorrow. He scored 15 points with 3 3′s, 2 assists, a board, and a steal. He’s owned in only 8.9% of leagues.

5.Norris Cole-Mia: Cole started for Miami against Orlando in place of the injured Mario Chalmers. He could be in for more work even if Chalmers is back for tonight’s game at Washington. The Heat close out the week playing the Hawks on Sunday.