fBasketballBlog

Love strikes again. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Beast of the Night: Kevin Love posted 28 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal, four blocks and four three-pointers in a losing effort against the Grizzlies. He shot 46 percent (10-22) from the floor and 100 percent (4-4) from the free-throw line, and had two turnovers. Love has racked up eight blocks in his last three games, which is completely out of character. If he can somehow lift his blocks per game next season, he’ll make a run for top three status.

Lines for Discussion:
Kyrie Irving: 4-13 FG (31%), 1-2 FT (50%), 3 threes, 12 Pts, 4 Reb, 7 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 5 TO; in his last three games, Irving is shooting 39 percent from the floor, well below his season average of 47 percent

Jeff Teague: 6-8 FG (75%), 2-2 FT (100%), 1 three, 15 Pts, 1 Reb, 7 Ast, 1 Stl, 7 TO; Teague has been a top 70 fantasy asset this season, which is in line with expectations, though it’s clear his value has a ceiling

Monta Ellis: 15-24 FG (63%), 3-4 FT (75%), 33 Pts, 4 Reb, 8 Ast, 1 Stl, 3 TO; this could be the start of Ellis finding his comfort zone on that Bucks squad

Tim Duncan: 11-16 FG (69%), 4-4 FT (100%), 26 Pts, 11 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 TO; averages of 15/9/2.5 along with 1.4 blocks per game — those are pretty much all you can ask of a big man on your fantasy roster

Jared Dudley: 1-4 FG (25%), 2 Pts, 5 Reb; he’s clearly cooled off from his hot streak earlier this month, and owners in leagues where hot free agents are available shouldn’t hesitate to make a swap

Waiver-Wire Watch (four stars = must add; one star = keep an eye on him):
Jodie Meeks: 31 Pts, 7 threes, 2 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 TO (*)

Shannon Brown: 32 Pts, 5 threes, 1 Reb, 3 Ast (**)

Dante Cunningham: 13 Pts, 14 Reb, 1 Ast, 2 Stl, 4 Blk (*)

Matt Barnes: 18 Pts, 3 threes, 10 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Blk, 2 TO (**)

Brandon Rush: 23 Pts, 2 threes, 3 Reb, 1 Ast, 2 Blk (***)

Ekpe Udoh: 8 Pts, 10 Reb, 1 Ast, 2 Stl, 3 Blk, 1 TO (***)

J.J. Hickson: 21 Pts, 4 Reb, 3 Stl, 1 Blk, 1 TO (***)

Alonzo Gee: 13 Pts, 3 threes, 9 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 TO (***)

Spencer Hawes: 10 Pts, 8 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 TO (***)

Injuries:
Jordan Hill (knee): day-to-day

Mike Conley (ankle): probable for Friday

Marc Gasol (ankle): he’s expected back for Friday

LeBron James (finger): monitor his status

Ersan Ilyasova (back): day-to-day

Grant Hill (knee): he’s hoping to play tonight

Steve Nash (back): ditto

Stephen Jackson (rest): he’ll be fine for the Spurs’ next game

Ray Allen (ankle): could return tonight

Daniel Gibson (foot, ankle): a torn tendon could take him out for the rest of the season

Nate Robinson (hamstring): day-to-day

Andris Biedrins (groin): day-to-day

Carlos Delfino (groin): day-to-day

Anthony Morrow (groin): says he’ll play tonight

Andre Iguodala (knee): day-to-day

Raymond Felton (personal): day-to-day

For Tonight:
See if Melo can keep things rolling, as the Knicks host the Magic.