fBasketballBlog

Ellis was leader of the pack last night. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Beast of the Night: Monta Ellis was huge last night, finishing with 48 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, a block and three three-pointers. He shot 62 percent (18-29) from the field, 90 percent (9-10) from the free-throw line and had three turnovers. Ellis is having himself another fine season, despite a rough patch late in January. He’s a top 40 fantasy asset so far this NBA season.

Lines for Discussion:
Darren Collison: 10-14 FG (71%), 4-4 FT (100%), 1 three, 25 Pts, 4 Reb, 5 Ast; since George Hill went down, Collison has been getting 35+ minutes a night and averaging 17/5/5 (read: sell high)

Jared Dudley: 7-9 FG (78%), 2-2 FT (100%), 3 threes, 19 Pts, 4 Reb, 3 Ast; Dudley appears to be on track to recover some of that value he lost earlier this season

Brandon Jennings: 1-4 FG (25%), 1 three, 3 Pts, 5 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Blk, 1 TO; he’ll bounce back, but his magical run is kaput

Michael Beasley: 7-21 FG (33%), 2-3 FT (67%), 1 three, 17 Pts, 14 Reb, 3 TO; he remains an overrated fantasy asset

Waiver-Wire Watch (four stars = must add; one star = keep an eye on him):
Derrick Brown: 20 Pts, 4 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 TO (*)

Reggie Williams: 21 Pts, 2 threes, 3 Reb, 5 Ast, 3 TO (****)

Michael Redd: 14 Pts, 4 Reb, 2 TO (*)

Grant Hill: 13 Pts, 2 threes, 4 Reb, 5 Ast, 1 Stl (**)

Ersan Ilyasova: 17 Pts, 1 three, 12 Reb, 1 Ast, 2 Blk, 1 TO (***)

Nikola Pekovic: 23 Pts, 10 Reb, 3 Stl, 2 Blk, 4 TO (****)

Daequan Cook: 17 Pts, 5 threes, 3 Reb (**)

Injuries:
Rudy Fernandez (back): probable for tonight

Spencer Hawes (back): doubtful for tonight; will get an MRI

Marcus Camby (illness): expected to play tonight

Keyon Dooling (hip): day-to-day

Nene (heel): game-time decision tonight

Arron Afflalo (ankle, toe): expected to play tonight

Nate Robinson (groin): day-to-day

Chauncey Billups (Achilles): done for the season

Darko Milicic (ankle): day-to-day

Amar’e Stoudemire (personal): out tonight; will take a few days before returning

Carmelo Anthony (groin); out 1-2 weeks

Raymond Felton (foot): game-time decision tonight

Manu Ginobili (hand): should return to game action within the next week

Anthony Morrow (personal): will return tonight

For Tonight:
Pekovic could be in for another big night as the Timberwolves visit the Grizzlies.

The Jeremy Lin ride continues as the Knicks visit the Wizards.