fBasketballBlog

Yep, he's still No. 1. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Weekend Wonder: LeBron James averaged 28.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in two games over the weekend. He shot 57 percent from the floor, hit 94 percent of his free throws and turned the ball over 3.5 times per game. James is shooting 56 percent from the field so far this season, thanks to his apparently deliberate attempts to shoot fewer three-pointers and take shots closer to the rim.

Lines for Discussion:
LaMarcus Aldridge (1/20): 12-25 FG (48%), 9-14 FT (64%), 33 Pts, 23 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Stl, 6 TO; he’s quietly putting together top 12 averages so far this season

Stephen Curry (1/20): 5-15 FG (33%), 2 threes, 12 Pts, 2 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 TO; his minutes will likely be limited for a few games, but his owners should feel bold enough to start him

Danilo Gallinari (1/21): 9-19 FG (47%), 18-20 FT (90%), 1 three, 37 Pts, 11 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 TO; Gallinari is now shooting 46 percent from the field, his highest mark since arriving in the NBA and a big reason for his top 10 value so far this season (continue reading…)

The one in the front might look awesome in this photo, but he should be sold high; the one in the back should be bought low. (AP Photo/Bahram Mark Sobhani)

We’re going back to the tried-and-true “Buy Low, Sell High” posts for Fridays. Cheers!

Buy Low:
Dirk Nowitzki

Paul Pierce

Serge Ibaka

DeMar DeRozan

Carlos Delfino

Zach Randolph, Marcus Thornton, Jason Kidd and any other productive fantasy players who are injured should be considered buy-low candidates. (continue reading…)

Yep, this will be fun. (Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images)

The 2011-12 NBA season is finally within reach, ready to be ripped open by the childishly eager fingers of ravenous fans. For fantasy basketball owners, the joy comes with a bit of business. Once they cut through the excitement of seeing the first tip-off of the season, they’ll immediately wonder how their draft picks will pay off, what clues they can pick up in the early going and which players sitting in the free-agent pool might be worth a pickup.

While making heavy-handed conclusions after just the first day of games isn’t recommended, it doesn’t hurt to have a list of things to watch and hope for during the first official day of this unique NBA season. Below is a Christmas Day wish list for fantasy basketball owners who have players participating in the first day’s games. (continue reading…)

If that elbow is completely healed, Rondo has another shot at doing big things for the Celtics and his fantasy owners next season. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

We’re continuing our fantasy basketball analysis of every NBA team by looking at the Boston Celtics. The senior squad in green is in its final acts of the “Big Four” era, and will have to face its future without Shaquille O’Neal – which means next to nothing for fantasy purposes. A shortened season could be good news for the Celts and their aged stars, but it could also mean a heavier concentration of back-to-back games – maybe even a back-to-back-to-back run or two. Toss in a long list of unrestricted free agents and it’s easy to see that the Celtics will be an interesting team to watch whenever the NBA is back open for business. (continue reading…)

Pierce is no April Fool. (Flickr/Keith Allison)

[Read the full post at DimeMag.com]

Beast of the Night: Paul Pierce finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block and a three-pointer last night against the Spurs. He shot 50 percent (8-16) from the field, 80 percent (4-5) from the charity stripe and had two turnovers. Pierce has exceeded expectations by averaging top-20 numbers throughout the season. He’s a candidate to see some rest at the end of the season, so his owners should keep a watchful eye on that.

Lines for Discussion:
Rajon Rondo: 11-20 FG (55%), 0-2 FT (0%), 22 Pts, 5 Reb, 14 Ast

Glen Davis: 8-12 FG (67%), 16 Pts, 8 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl (continue reading…)