fBasketballBlog

Ariza was great last night. (Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Beast of the Night: Trevor Ariza finished with 29 points, 5 threes, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 2 turnovers in one of his best performances of the season. He shot 56 percent (10-18) from the field and 100 percent (4-4) from the charity stripe. Though his numbers this year were disappointing to most, his difficulties should’ve been expected. Still, Ariza’s value will be intriguing in next year’s drafts.

Noteworthy Lines:
Dwyane Wade – 12-19 FG (63%), 5-7 FT (71%), 1 3ptm, 30 Pts, 4 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 4 TO; Ho-hum. While Wade has taken a step back from his unbelievable 2008-09 stats, he still had a great season and his good health was a bonus.

Andrea Bargnani – 13-22 FG (59%), 2-2 FT (100%), 5 3ptm, 33 Pts, 7 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Blk, 1 TO; With Chris Bosh out, Bargnani should’ve had a couple more games like this but his owners will take it any way they can get it from him. He didn’t have quite the breakout year many expected from him but had a solid season nonetheless.

Jarrett Jack – 5-8 FG (63%), 4-4 FT (100%), 1 3ptm, 15 Pts, 4 Reb, 12 Ast, 4 TO; You’ve really got to hand it to Jack, who shouldn’t be slept on in next season’s drafts. (continue reading…)

LeBron is always above the rest. (David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

Beast of the Night: LeBron James finished with 32 points, 2 threes, 9 boards, 9 dimes, 3 steals, 2 blocks and 6 turnovers. He shot 46 percent (11-24) from the field and 80 percent (8-10) from the line.

Noteworthy Lines:
Mike Bibby – 6-11 FG (55%), 1-1 FT (100%), 4 3ptm, 17 Pts, 4 Reb, 5 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 TO

Jose Calderon – 3-8 FG (38%), 2-4 FT (50%), 1 3ptm, 9 Pts, 3 Reb, 6 Ast, 2 Stl

Andrea Bargnani – 8-14 FG (57%), 4-6 FT (67%), 2 3ptm, 22 Pts, 11 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Blk, 1 TO (continue reading…)

Durant's been the top fantasy player in the land lately. (NBAE via Getty Images/Layne Murdoch)

Beast of the Night: Kevin Durant rolled right along with 33 points, 11 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 2 turnovers. He hit a three and shot 50 percent (9-18) from the field and 100 percent (14-14) from the line. Some thought using a No. 4 draft pick on him was a bit much, but it’s turning out to be about right.

Noteworthy Lines:
Andrea Bargnani – 14-21 FG (67%), 2-6 FT (33%), 4 3ptm, 34 Pts, 4 Reb, 1 Blk, 1 TO

Chris Bosh – 13-22 FG (59%), 9-12 FT (75%), 35 Pts, 15 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 Blk, 3 TO

Roy Hibbert – 7-12 FG (58%), 4-4 FT (100%), 18 Pts, 9 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Blk, 1 TO (continue reading…)