fBasketballBlog

Pierce was standing tall last night. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Beast of the Night: Paul Pierce blew up for 43 points, two rebounds, three assists, two steals and four three-pointers. He shot 58 percent (11-19) from the floor and 94 percent (17-18) from the free-throw line, and had three turnovers. Pierce has been a pleasant surprise this season, giving his fantasy basketball owners top 24 value.

Lines for Discussion:
Roy Hibbert: 6-14 FG (43%), 3-3 FT (100%), 15 Pts, 13 Reb, 1 Blk, 1 TO; that’s five straight double-doubles for Hibbert, who looks like he’s getting a second wind after a sluggish March

Carmelo Anthony: 13-24 FG (54%), 7-8 FT (88%), 2 threes, 35 Pts, 12 Reb, 10 Ast, 2 Stl, 5 TO; in the past month, Anthony has averaged 26.2 points, 7.4 boards, 3.3 dimes, 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.2 threes per game, while shooting 48 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line — top 12 numbers

J.J. Barea: 10-20 FG (50%), 3-4 FT (75%), 5 threes, 28 Pts, 5 threes, 5 Reb, 8 Ast, 1 Stl, 5 TO; Barea’s probably propelling more than a few fantasy basketball teams toward championships, but with Luke Ridnour set to return this weekend, the ride might hit an untimely speed bump

Brandon Knight: 11-12 FG (92%), 2-2 FT (100%), 4 threes, 28 Pts, 2 Reb, 7 Ast, 2 TO; Knight could be an exciting prospect next season, if it weren’t for that crowded Pistons backcourt

Waiver-Wire Watch (four stars = must add; one star = keep an eye on him):
Tristan Thompson: 12 Pts, 13 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 4 TO (**)

Manny Harris: 18 Pts, 3 threes, 3 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Blk, 3 TO (**)

Steve Novak: 25 Pts, 8 threes, 2 Ast (***)

Danny Green: 11 Pts, 3 threes, 1 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk, 1 TO (****)

Injuries:
Rajon Rondo (back): monitor his status

Mickael Pietrus (knee): day-to-day

Ray Allen (ankle): day-to-day

Alonzo Gee (ankle): day-to-day

Wilson Chandler (hip): no timetable for his return

Samuel Dalembert (back): day-to-day

Al Horford (chest): cleared to take contact; no set timetable for his return yet

D.J. Augustin (knee): questionable tonight

Anderson Varejao (wrist): unlikely to play again this season

Kevin Martin (shoulder): could return tonight or Thursday

Marcus Camby (back): questionable tonight

Darren Collison (groin): day-to-day

Kobe Bryant (shin): day-to-day

Luke Ridnour (ankle): likely out until Sunday

Gerald Wallace (hamstring): questionable tonight

Deron Williams (calf): out tonight

Chris Kaman (leg): likely done for the season

Amar’e Stoudemire (back): hoping to return Friday

Glen Davis (knee): questionable for tonight

Paul Pierce (calf): monitor his status

Andrew Goudelock (migraine): day-to-day

Nikola Pekovic (ankle): could be shut down

For Tonight:
Novak and J.R. Smith should feast again tonight, as the Knicks visit the Nets.

See how Earl Clark fares, as the Magic visit the Celtics.

Waiver-Wire Watch (four stars = must add; one star = keep an eye on him):