fBasketballBlog

Last night's line was for you. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Beast of the Night: LeBron James put up 41 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, a block and a three-pointer last night in a start at shooting guard for the Heat. He shot 60 percent (15-25) from the floor and 77 percent (10-13) from the free-throw line, and had four turnovers. James’ recent slip in production dropped him to No. 2 overall in fantasy basketball, but he’s still a monster.

Lines for Discussion:
Carmelo Anthony: 17-31 FG (55%), 4-5 FT (80%), 1 three, 39 Pts, 10 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 3 TO; though he’ll finish the season strong, 2011-12 was a huge disappointment for his fantasy owners

Steve Nash: 7-12 FG (58%), 2-2 FT (100%), 2 threes, 18 Pts, 6 Reb, 12 Ast, 1 TO; he’s maintained top 60 value throughout the season and is a dependable double-double machine, albeit one with a worrisome back

DeMarcus Cousins: 16-25 FG (64%), 9-14 FT (64%), 41 Pts, 12 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 TO; Cousins has worked himself into a near-top 50 fantasy basketball player this season, which is how he should be viewed heading into next season’s drafts

Pau Gasol: 11-20 FG (55%), 22 Pts, 12 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 TO; Pau has finally overtaken his little brother, Marc, in terms of overall fantasy value this season

Waiver-Wire Watch (four stars = must add; one star = keep an eye on him):
J.R. Smith: 11 Pts, 1 three, 9 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 TO (***)

Landry Fields: 15 Pts, 2 threes, 4 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 1 TO (**)

Danny Green: 19 Pts, 4 threes, 3 Reb, 2 Stl, 1 TO (*)

Patty Mills: 20 Pts, 4 threes, 2 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 TO (*)

Byron Mullens: 20 Pts, 1 three, 14 Reb, 2 Blk, 1 TO (***)

Evan Turner: 26 Pts, 8 Reb, 1 Ast, 4 TO (***)

Glen Davis: 31 Pts, 1 three, 10 Reb, 3 Stl, 1 Blk (**)

Ben Gordon: 18 Pts, 1 three, 6 Reb, 7 Ast, 2 Stl, 3 TO (***)

Jeremy Tyler: 9 Pts, 11 Reb, 1 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 3 TO (**)

Terrence Williams: 16 Pts, 6 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Blk, 2 TO (**)

Injuries:
Tyrus Thomas (jaw): day-to-day

Dwyane Wade (knee): hopes to play tonight

Marcus Thornton (calf): day-to-day

Gary Forbes (knee): day-to-day

Vladimir Radmanovic (back): doubtful for tonight

Ray Allen (ankle): will play tonight, barring any setbacks

Anderson Varejao (wrist): could return to action next week

Lamar Odom (illness): questionable for tonight

Andrew Bynum (ankle): day-to-day

Ryan Anderson (ankle): day-to-day

Dwight Howard (back): day-to-day

John Salmons (hip): day-to-day

Devin Harris (ankle): game-time decision tonight

Andre Iguodala (eye): monitor his status

For Tonight:
Monitor Nikola Pekovic’s progress, as the Timberwolves host the Warriors.