It looks like the Lakers are the best team in L.A. – at least for now. Kobe went for 40/5/5 in the Lakers’ 105-101 win, while Lamar Odom chipped in 18 points and six boards. For the Clippers, Elton Brand posted 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Chris Kaman emerged from his slumber to tally 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, his first double-double of the season…It looks like Denver may have finally found that shooting guard that they’ve been looking for. J.R. Smith, who was acquired from the Hornets (via the Bulls) this summer, exploded for 36 points, hitting five threes in the game and shooting 13-24 overall in Denver’s win over Chicago. Methinks Smith was extra-motivated against the team that traded him away without even giving him a look. On the season, Smith is averaging 16.4 points and is hitting an average of three 3PT shots per game (which is exactly what the Nuggets needed)…Meanwhile, his old team (the Hornets) beat the Heat at home by 15. Peja Stojakovic scored 23, while Chris Paul dropped 10 dimes. Tyson Chandler added seven points and 18 rebounds in the win. The Heat dropped to 4-6 and look to be in some trouble early on. They visit the Spurs tonight on ESPN. In another nice matchup, the 10-1 Jazz travel to Sacramento to face the Kings, who are 4-1 at home and 5-4 overall.
Author: John Paulsen (Page 803 of 937)
Each week in the Pregame, I’ll provide a few players to start and a few to bench. These recommendations are based on that player’s strength of schedule (SOS) for that particular week or that player’s specific situation.
I’m a strong advocate of always starting your studs, so I won’t be telling you about LaDainian Tomlinson’s tough matchup or how Peyton Manning and company will light it up against a bad defense. Anyone can make those calls. I’ll be discussing marginal fantasy starters – guys that can start for you, but only under certain circumstances.
START
If you’re a Donovan McNabb owner (like me) you might be scrambling this week for a starter at QB. CHARLIE FRYE has a terrific matchup with a porous Bengals defense that has allowed the most points to opposing QBs over the last six weeks. Cincinnati will probably put up some points, so the Browns will have to throw to stay in the game. JAKE DELHOMME, AARON BROOKS and VINCE YOUNG also have favorable matchups… FRED TAYLOR and AHMAN GREEN have nice matchups against the Bills and Seahawks, respectively…SANTONIO HOLMES is worth a spot start this week. He’s been playing pretty well of late and actually has a great matchup against the Ravens, who have allowed the fourth most points to WRs over the last six weeks…
BENCH
REX GROSSMAN has a very tough matchup against the Pats this week. PHILLIP RIVERS, JON KITNA and JASON CAMPBELL also face tough pass defenses and may struggle…EDGERRIN JAMES, THOMAS JONES and LADELL BETTS will probably find running room tough to come by as they face the Vikings, Pats and Panthers, respectively…JOEY GALLOWAY, REGGIE BROWN and DONTE STALLWORTH have tough matchups this week and should be benched if you have another (decent) option.
INJURY UPDATE (THURSDAY GAMES)
Good news for KEVIN JONES owners: it’s not a high ankle sprain. He’s listed as questionable for Thursday’s game, but is not expected to play. He should be back for Week 13…RONNIE BROWN is listed as probable and did practice this week…TONY GONZALEZ returned to practice Tuesday and is a game-time decision against the Broncos…ROD SMITH is listed as questionable and, considering his production, shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups this week…MIKE BELL and TATUM BELL are both expected to play against the Chiefs, making any of the Denver RBs a risky play this week. Damn you, SKELETOR!
Yesterday, there were three Top 25 matchups in college hoops. Here are the results:
(5) UCLA 73, (22) Kentucky 68
(17) Marquette 73, (8) Duke 62
(19) Georgia Tech 92, (11) Memphis 85
The biggest surprise really shouldn’t be a surprise at all. Duke has four true freshmen in their rotation who need some seasoning before they’ll be a true Top 10 team. By the end of the season, we’ll be talking about the Blue Devils as a #1-#3 seed.
There is another nice slate of games today (all times ET):
4:30 PM: (22) Kentucky vs. (11) Memphis – ESPN2
7 PM: Butler vs. (21) Tennessee – ESPN2
9 PM: (23) Gonzaga vs. (2) North Carolina – ESPN2
10 PM: (5) UCLA vs. (19) Georgia Tech – ESPN
The Suns got back on track with a nice 113-110 win over a Golden State team that was 7-3 heading into the game. Unfortunately, the Warriors were playing without Baron Davis who missed the game due to a rib injury. Steve Nash returned to the Suns’ lineup and scored 19 points while dropping 15 dimes in the win…The Magic lost to the Grizzlies, 95-86, in a game that Orlando should win if they want to be considered a contender in the East. Dwight Howard went for 24/23 (after going for 24/21 in his last game), while Grant Hill tallied 16 points, seven assists and six boards in the loss. Hakim Warrick led all scorers with 26 points while also clearing 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies.
There are three Top 25 matchups today:
7 PM: (19) Georgia Tech vs. (11) Memphis – ESPN
9:30 PM: (5) UCLA vs. (22) Kentucky – ESPN
10 PM: (17) Marquette vs. (8) Duke – ESPN2
(All times ET.)
Dick Vitale said last night during the Duke game that he feels that college basketball shouldn’t begin until December, so that these great early season matchups don’t get overshadowed by all the college football going on. Based on this list of games, I tend to agree.
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