Kobr Bryant led the Lakers to a big win the night the franchise fired Coach Mike Brown after a 1-4 start. Kobe could be in for a fantasy boost if the Lakers get a more offense-friendly coach in place. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Friday Night was another busy as the first full week of action comes to a close. With 13 games there were plenty of nice wins, but the biggest win of the night was the Lakers cruising past the Warriors just hours after the firing of Coach Mike Brown. The Lakers still have a long road ahead, but it was a good first step. Other teams that had a nice night last night included the Sixers in Boston and the Grizz picking up their fourth in a row at home against the visiting Rockets.

On the other side, the Pacers lost to the ailing Wolves in Minnesota on an end-of-the-game shot from Chase Budinger. Other teams with tough losses were the Hawks losing the the Dwyane Wade-less Heat and the Mavs who became the latest victims of the unbeaten Knicks.

Here’s the five biggest sleepers, surprises, and stars from last night: (Click here for archive)

Starting 5 Fantasy Basketball Stars

November 9, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) dunks the ball in front of Sacramento Kings point guard Tyreke Evans (13) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Spurs defeated the Kings 97-86. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

1. Tim Duncan-San Antonio Spurs: Duncan continues to impress even at 36 years old. He had 23 points last night along with a season-high 12 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks along with three steals. He’s averaging 18.3 points, 2.5 assists, 2.3 blocks, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game after his first six and continues to be a top-of-the-line power forward. His minutes may be managed more than others, but Duncan is still a great centerpiece who was drafted in the in the middle of the fifth round on average in fantasy drafts this year.

2. Kobe Bryant-LA Lakers: Bryant knocked in 27 ponts last night to go with nine rebounds, seven assists, and a pair of steals.  He’s still playing at an elite level and may be about to be in a much more fluid offense than the Mike Brown Princeton disaster.

3. LeBron James-Miami Heat: James picked up the slack with Dwyane Wade resting in this one. LeBron finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and a steal. He’s averaging 22.2 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.2 assists over Miami’s first six games and showing everyone why he’s the #1 pick in most fantasy drafts.

4. Jrue Holiday-Philadelphia 76ers: Jrue has stepped up without Andrew Bynum and has helped the Sixers to a solid start. He finished last night with 21 points and 14 assists with four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. He’s like Rondo-lite to this point of the season with 18.6 points and 10.4 assists although he shoots a bit better and doesn’t have the steals of Rondo.

5. Kevin Durant-Oklahoma City: Durant powered the Thunder past the hapless Pistons with 25 points, 13 rebounds two assists, and a steal in his 28 minutes last night. He’s averaging 22.0 points, 11 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game as he continues to keep the pressure on LeBron for top fantasy honors.

Starting 5 Fantasy Basketball Surprises

1. George Hill-Indiana Pacers: Hill scored a season-high 29 points to go with seven assits, five rebounds, a block, and a steal last night as the Pacers fell to Minnesota. Hill will dontinue to carry the load offensively until Danny Granger returns or someone else steps up and contributes which they have yet to do to this point in the season.

Nov 9, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) goes up for a shot against the Miami Heat during the second half at Philips Arena. The Heat defeated the Hawks 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

2. Jeff Teague-Atlanta Hawks: Teague had his first double-double of the year last night with a season-high 20 points to go with 11 assists, three boards, and a block. It was a big night for Teague, but the Hawks still fell at home to the visiting Miami Heat.

3. Anthony Davis-New Orleans: Davis has been as good as advertised when on the floor. He returned from his concussion last night with 11 rebounds, five blocks, two assists, two steals, and 23 points for the Hornets in their win over Charlotte. Davis is universally owned but looks to be NBA-ready at least ready to contribute in blocks and boards.

4. Serge Ibaka-Oklahoma City: Ibaka followed his season-high 21 points last game with another season-high of 25 last night while adding seven rebounds and three blocks. Ibaka has stepped up and is putting up 14.7 points and 2.7 blocks through the first 6 games of the Thunder season.

5. Dion Waiters-Cleveland Cavaliers: Waiters has scored in double-figures in five of his six NBA games and hit for 20+ for the second time last night. He finished with 23 points, two assists, a rebound, a block, a board, and an assist. He hasn’t contributed much but scoring yet, but his 16.7 points per game will be greatly appreciated by those who took a flier at the end of drafts on him.

Starting 5 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

1. Ben Gordon-Charlotte Bobcats: Gordon went off for 34 points last night on 14-21 shooting and 3-6 from long-distance and added six rebounds and  four assists in the Bobcats loss to the Hornets. Gordon is still available in 38% of ESPN leagues and should see plenty of playing time over the next few weeks with Gerald Henderson sidelined.

Nov 9, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers power forward Arnett Moultrie (5) hands the ball to small forward Evan Turner (left) during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

2. Evan Turner-Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner got off to a slow start but has turned things around the last four games finishing in double figures scoring in each of them. He capped his run last night with a 25-point, 11-rebound double-double to go with four assits, a block, and a steal. He played 41 minutes last night and has seen his numbers go up the last few games with his playing time making him a great pickup or trade target if someone is ready to move on too early from Turner.

3. Daniel Gibson-Cleveland Cavaliers: Gibson came off the bench for the Cavs last night and hit five threes scoring 19 points in 22 minutes to go with his two rebounds and a steal. Gibson hit four threes in his last game and is averaging 20+ minutes and 2+ three-pointers per game. He’s still virtually unowned, but can contribute if your short on scoring and three’s.

4. Kosta Koufos-Denver Nuggets: Koufos has been mentioned here before but he’s still available in 99.9% of ESPN leagues. He had 15 points and 10 boards along with three blocks, two steals, and an assist last night as the Nuggets cruised past the Jazz. Koufos and Javale McGee are splitting minutes at center but Koufos is providing viable numbers in points, blocks, and boards if you need a fill-in or a one-game pickup.

5. Andre Drummond-Detroit Pistons: Drummond had the most shocking line of the night last night going for 22 points, eight rebounds, a block, and a steal in his 21 minutes on the floor against the Thunder. He led the Pistons in points and was very efficient in his time on the court. See how coach Lawrence Frank uses him going forward since it appears he’s ready to contribute if he earns the playing time. The UCONN alum is owned in just 1.8% of ESPN leagues.

The Portland Trailblazers made a run, but in the end it was the LA Clippers who held on for the win last night in Portland. With just two NBA games on the schedule, there were still some solid fantasy performances. Check below to learn more. Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer-US PRESSWIRE

Last night there were just a pair of games on the NBA slate. The night belonged to the road teams as the Thunder went into Chicago and got a win against the Bulls and the Clippers held on to win on the road in Portland.

Here’s who stood out and some players who are starting to step up as we look at 5 stars and 5 sleepers from lats night’s action. (Click here for archive)

Starting 5 Fantasy Basketball Stars

Nov 8, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers small forward Nicolas Batum (88) reacts after making a three point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-US PRESSWIRE

1. Nicolas Batum-Portland Trailblazers: Batum led the Blazers charge with 23 points, nine boards, five assists, three steals, and a block. He’s off to a great start to the year and looks to be fitting in extremely well in the Portland starting lineup. In his five games this season, he’s averaging 16.6 points, 2.8 steals, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

2. Chris Paul-LA Clippers: CP3 scored 21 while adding three steals, four boards, and six assists. Throughout the young season Paul has contributed solid lines averaging a double-double with 17.5 points and 10.7 assists. He’s done nothing but confirm that he’s a perennial first-round pick in fantasy drafts.

3. Serge Ibaka-Oklahoma City: The Thunder need nights like this from Ibaka especially in the wake of the Harden trade. Ibaka had season highs in points (21), blocks (4), and rebounds (9) as he led OKC past the Bulls. He’s starting to build some momentum as the season goes on and his scoring has progressed in each go so far (4, 7, 14, 17, 21).

4. Luol Deng-Chicago Bulls: Deng led all scorers last night with 27 and added a pair of assists, a rebound, an assist, and a block. He’ll continue to be a scoring force for Chicago while Derrick Rose works his way back from his knee injury.

5. Kevin Durant-Oklahoma City: Durant had a solid night with 24 points, three steals, three blocks, an assist, and just 4 rebounds. It was a bit of a down night for KD, but he was still the closer scoring 10 of his 24 in the fourth to carry his Thunder team to the win. His fantasy owners hope for more stats going forward so he can do the same for his fantasy teams.

Starting 5 Fantasy Basketball Sleepers

1. Jamal Crawford-LA Clippers: Crawford is back to universal ownership after his hot start but definitely started the year as a sleeper. He had 25 more points last night with an assist, three rebounds, and a steal. He’ll continue to be the Clippers bench-scorer throughout the year and definitely has value if your team needs points.

2. DeAndre Jordan-LA Clippers: Jordan is actually still on the waiver wire in eight percent of ESPN leagues, but won’t last long if he keeps playing this well. He followed up a 20-11 double-double Wednesday with a 21-point, eight-rebound performance last night. Jordan is shooting 75% from the field and averaging 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds along with 2.8 blocks per game. He’s a great pickup option if you get lucky and find him there. He’s also a decent big man to target in a trade depending on the offer it takes to land the big man.

Nov 8, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls shooting guard Richard Hamilton (32) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha (2) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

3. Richard Hamilton-Chicago Bulls: I was among the skeptical of Rip’s fantasy value coming into the season, but on a Rose-less Bulls team he’s been an important contributor. Last night he had a season-high 20 points but he’s had 19 in two other games in the Bulls first five. He had eight rebounds last night as well to go with a block and two steals. If you need some scoring and (usually) assists, Hamilton is available in 70% of leagues and isn’t a bad option if you need some depth.

4. Kirk Hinrich-Chicago Bulls: Another Bulls guard who will get increased looks and time while Rose recovers is Hinrich. He’s had a slow start to the season due to a groin issue but played a season-high 36 minutes yesterday and had 12 points, a pair of three’s, five assists, and three rebounds. If he sees starters minutes his three’s, assists, and points should make him useful as a depth option. Hirnich is owned in 17.1% of ESPN leagues

5. Meyers Leonard-Portland Trailblazers: Leonard is splitting time with J.J. Hickson at Center almost evenly. He had eight points and six rebounds last night with a block, steal, and an assist. His blocks, boards, and points could quickly make him ownable and if his minutes increase as the year progresses he could be a huge pickup down the stretch. Watch him for now and be ready to pounce if he starts getting 30+ minutes. He’s owned in only one of every 200 ESPN leagues as of now.