fBasketballBlog

Yep, he's still No. 1. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Weekend Wonder: LeBron James averaged 28.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in two games over the weekend. He shot 57 percent from the floor, hit 94 percent of his free throws and turned the ball over 3.5 times per game. James is shooting 56 percent from the field so far this season, thanks to his apparently deliberate attempts to shoot fewer three-pointers and take shots closer to the rim.

Lines for Discussion:
LaMarcus Aldridge (1/20): 12-25 FG (48%), 9-14 FT (64%), 33 Pts, 23 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Stl, 6 TO; he’s quietly putting together top 12 averages so far this season

Stephen Curry (1/20): 5-15 FG (33%), 2 threes, 12 Pts, 2 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 TO; his minutes will likely be limited for a few games, but his owners should feel bold enough to start him

Danilo Gallinari (1/21): 9-19 FG (47%), 18-20 FT (90%), 1 three, 37 Pts, 11 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 TO; Gallinari is now shooting 46 percent from the field, his highest mark since arriving in the NBA and a big reason for his top 10 value so far this season

Amar’e Stoudemire (1/21): 4-9 FG (44%), 3-4 FT (75%), 1 three, 12 Pts, 11 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 4 TO; he remains a decent buy-low target for owners desperate for change

Chris Kaman (1/21): 1-2 FG (50%), 1-1 FT (100%), 3 Pts, 1 Reb, 1 Blk, 2 TO; owners in need of immediate help, especially in shallower leagues, should feel free to swap him out

Marc Gasol (1/21): 8-11 FG (73%), 3-3 FT (100%), 1 three, 20 Pts, 11 Reb, 5 Ast, 1 Stl, 6 Blk; the man is averaging top five numbers so far this season and is outperforming the likes of Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Love

Devin Harris (1/21): 4-5 FG (80%), 1-2 FT (50%), 9 Pts, 2 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 3 TO; don’t feel bad about dropping him

Paul Pierce (1/22): 10-15 FG (67%), 12-15 FT (80%), 2 threes, 34 Pts, 8 Reb, 10 Ast, 3 Stl, 5 TO; Pierce is shooting just 41 percent from the field but remains a must-start player in all but the shallowest of leagues

DeAndre Jordan (1/22): 7-9 FG (78%), 2-4 FT (50%), 16 Pts, 16 Reb, 1 Stl, 2 Blk; too bad he doesn’t rebound like this every night — not that his owners are complaining

Anthony Morrow (1/22): 6-10 FG (60%), 4-4 FT (100%), 3 threes, 19 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 TO; nice line, but he continues to come off the bench and offer unreliable value

Waiver-Wire Watch (four stars = must add; one star = keep an eye on him):
James Johnson: he’s starting and should be a fine all-around producer until further notice (***)

Shaun Livingston: Captain Jack’s loss is apparently Livingston’s gain, as he’s now starting and producing nice lines (**)

Bismack Biyombo: he’s inconsistent but is a good source of blocks (*)

Mickael Pietrus: owners in need of threes should give him a look (**)

Tiago Splitter: he posted a big 25/10/4 line Saturday with Tim Duncan out, but Splitter’s looked a lot better lately (**)

Mo Williams: the man has shot the lights out in his last three games and should be scooped up in most leagues (****)

Marreese Speights: unreliable but a decent big man to own in deeper leagues (**)

O.J. Mayo: he’s connected on 10 threes in his last three games (***)

Omer Asik: if Joakim Noah misses more time, Asik is worth a short-term pickup (*)

C.J. Miles: four of his last five games have been solid, and Miles is becoming a nice source of points, threes and steals (***)

Injuries:
Kirk Hinrich (shoulder): he’s hoping to play in the Hawks’ upcoming five-game road trip

Chris Wilcox (calf): day-to-day

Keyon Dooling (knee): day-to-day

Ray Allen (ankle): could play tonight

Rajon Rondo (wrist): monitor his status

DJ White (knee): day-to-day

D.J. Augustin (toe): day-to-day

Luol Deng (wrist): day-to-day

Chris Paul (hamstring): day-to-day

Dwyane Wade (ankle): day-to-day

Baron Davis (back): expected to practice today

Spencer Hawes (Achilles): game-time decision tonight

Andrea Bargnani (calf): day-to-day

Joakim Noah (ankle): day-to-day

Taj Gibson (ankle): day-to-day

Dirk Nowitzki (conditioning, knee): will miss three more games

Rudy Fernandez (Achilles): day-to-day

Arron Afflalo (groin): day-to-day

Ben Gordon (shoulder): day-to-day

Will Bynum (foot): day-to-day

Charlie Villanueva (ankle): day-to-day

Gerald Wallace (finger): day-to-day

Josh Howard (quad): day-to-day

Roy Hibbert (nose): left Sunday’s game with a broken nose but returned; monitor his status

Tristan Thompson (ankle): day-to-day

Daniel Gibson (personal): day-to-day

Darko Milicic (hip): day-to-day

Carmelo Anthony (wrist, ankle): monitor his status

Josh Harrellson (wrist): out for about six weeks

Iman Shumpert (back): day-to-day

Nikola Vucevic (quad): doubtful for tonight

John Salmons (illness): check his status for tonight

Marcus Thornton (thigh): day-to-day

For Tonight:
Watch to see if Stephen Jackson continues to come off the bench for the Bucks, as they host the Hawks.

Lamar Odom will see another start for the Mavs, who host the Suns tonight.

[See another version of this post on DimeMag.com]