
If you have a problem with Smith's monster line from last night, then you have a problem. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Beast of the Night: Josh Smith busted out something nasty last night, to the tune of 33 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, two blocks and two three-pointers. He shot 57 percent (13-23) from the floor and 100 percent (5-5) from the free-throw line, and had one turnover. After shooting a miserable 41 percent from the field in February, Smith is hitting 51 percent of his shots to go along with his 26.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 threes per game through the first seven games of March.
Lines for Discussion:
Dwight Howard: 9-13 FG (69%), 6-18 FT (33%), 24 Pts, 25 Reb, 1 Ast, 3 Stl, 2 Blk, 2 TO; Howard is averaging 27.9 points, 15.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.7 blocks so far this month, while shooting 67 percent from the field
Jameer Nelson: 10-16 FG (63%), 1-2 FT (50%), 4 threes, 25 Pts, 1 Reb, 4 Ast, 2 Stl, 4 TO; he’s been better this month, as he’s managed to hit 48 percent of his shots from the floor while averaging 11.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.9 threes per game
Andrew Bynum: 15-18 FG (83%), 7-8 FT (88%), 37 Pts, 16 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 4 TO; through the first seven games of March, he’s averaging 14.1 shot attempts per game, 2.4 more attempts per game than his 11.7 averages in January and February
Jeff Teague: 2-8 FG (25%), 4-4 FT (100%), 1 three, 9 Pts, 5 Reb, 8 Ast, 2 TO; Teague’s fantasy appeal has dropped off lately, though he does just enough thieving and assisting to keep him on rosters
Nene: 8-16 FG (50%), 6-6 FT (100%), 22 Pts, 6 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Blk, 3 TO; he started at center and thrived last night
Arron Afflalo: 3-10 FG (30%), 1 three, 7 Pts, 4 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 TO; selling him high was a great idea
Waiver-Wire Watch (four stars = must add; one star = keep an eye on him):
Louis Amundson: 21 Pts, 8 Reb, 1 Blk, 2 TO (*)
Jerryd Bayless: 20 Pts, 4 threes, 4 Reb, 7 Ast, 3 TO (***)
Leandro Barbosa: 17 Pts, 3 threes, 1 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk (**)
Ramon Sessions: 16 Pts, 4 Reb, 6 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 TO (**)
Chandler Parsons: 21 Pts, 3 threes, 7 Reb, 6 Ast, 1 Stl (****)
Courtney Lee: 21 Pts, 4 threes, 4 Reb, 1 Ast, 3 Stl, 1 Blk, 1 TO (**)
Marreese Speights: 25 Pts, 7 Reb, 5 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk (*)
Trevor Booker: 20 Pts, 12 Reb, 1 TO (**)
Rodrigue Beaubois: 19 Pts, 6 Reb, 4 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk (**)
Kirk Hinrich: 22 Pts, 3 threes, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 TO (**)
Injuries:
Von Wafer (back): day-to-day
Marvin Williams (hip): out tonight
Derrick Rose (groin): questionable tonight
Jordan Hill (flu): day-to-day
Luke Walton (illness): day-to-day
Chris Johnson (ankle): day-to-day
Marcus Camby (shoulder): day-to-day
Josh Howard (Achilles): probable tonight
Ray Allen (foot): monitor his status
Luol Deng (wrist): might play tonight
Kevin Martin (shoulder): day-to-day
Jason Richardson (ankle): day-to-day
Spencer Hawes (Achilles): expected to start tonight
Manu Ginobili (hip): monitor his status
Jose Calderon (ankle): day-to-day
Rashard Lewis (knee): day-to-day
For Tonight:
Gary Neal could be a nice spot start if Ginobili can’t go for the Spurs tonight, as they host the Magic.