Home Delivery is your morning roundup of last night's action in the NBA from a fantasy perspective.The Knicks bench came up big as they erased a 19-point deficit in the second-half on their way to picking up their second victory of the season. Al Harrington led the way with 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while Larry Hughes added 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Hughes has trumped both Nate Robinson and Toney Douglas at the 'two' and continues to look like a safe add.
Danilo Gallinari's big goose egg was overshadowed -- literally? -- by the return of every Knick fan's favorite big man, Eddy Curry. Big Slacks had 10 points and four rebounds in 12 minutes coming off the bench. Mike Breem said it best when he insinuated that the Knicks were going to start giving Curry more playing time in order to showcase his "talents" with the hopes that someone will bite on his contract. That says a lot, doesn't it?
For the Pacers it was Danny Granger who led the way with 33 points on 12-of-18 shooting and five treys. He wasn't very helpful in the second half, scoring just three of his 33 in the final two quarters.
Also In the Headlines
• The rumors are swirling. It seems that the Knicks are seriously pursuing Allen Iverson as a free agent for the remainder of the season. I'm all ears. The Knicks have to know that Allen Iverson expects to play and play often, meaning they are likely to promise him minutes. I would immediately add Iverson if he signs in New York. Have you seen the way Larry Hughes has played under Mike D'Antoni? There might not be enough shots to go around, but I imagine that Iverson will make sure he gets his.
• Remember when we were told that Raja Bell would have season-ending surgery on his wrist? Well, last night he scored 11 points and hit three treys in 23 minutes. Wait, what? Bell played due to the fact that the Warriors had just seven active players the night prior. He's still supposedly going to have surgery on his wrist, so I suspect we won't see him in uniform much longer.
• Antawn Jamison and Randy Foye returned to action last night against the Cavs. Jamison looked like he was trying to make up for lost time. He went for a team-high 31 points on 12-of-22 shooting with 10 rebounds, two threes and a steal. Foye, however, played just four minutes and looks like he's drop-able now, especially with the way Earl Boykins is playing.
• Tony Parker missed last night's contest against the Mavs thanks to the left ankle sprain he suffered on November 6. He's listed as day-to-day and questionable for Thursday night's game against the Jazz. Not to be outdone, Manu Ginobili left last night's game with a groin injury. As of now, It would seem that Manu is out for Thursday night's game. In that case, Roger Mason would get the start and should be considered for owners in need.
• Marcus Camby left late in the first quarter last night with a lower back contusion. Craig Smith and DeAndre Jordan got extra minutes in his absence. Smith led the way with 12 points and four rebounds. Neither is a must-add, but depending on how long Camby is out it's worth following to see if one of these young bigs steps forward and starts showing some consistency.
• In other injury news, Udonis Haslem missed last nights game with a sore shoulder. He should be ready to go for the weekend.
• Rashard Lewis posted a near triple-double, in just his second game since returning from a 10-game suspension -- 17 points, 10 rebound, nine assists, two threes and two steals. And you took him in the fourth round, didn't you?
• Elton Brand cares not for your rumors! The 30-year old power forward had a season-best 19 points and 11 rebounds in a two-point victory over the Bobcats. He also added six blocks and three steals, including a block on the first play of the game and a key deflection at the end of regulation to seal the victory for the 76ers. After speculation that he would come off the bench last night, Brand found himself in the starting lineup, playing nearly 42 minutes. This is a great sign, but I'd still like to see more from EB before I raise the roof in his honor. • Trevor Ariza had 18 points and four three-pointers against the T-Wolves, However, he shot 6-of-19 from the floor and is now shooting just 37-percent on the season. It's starting to become worrisome. Especially when you consider that he's taking 16.5 FGA per game.
• Luis Scola doubled-up last night with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Some impatient owners have already bailed on Scola. I think that's a mistake. If he's available on your wire you should seriously consider making the move.
• Chris Douglas-Roberts posted a career-high in points for the second straight game. He had 31 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and three steals. He's a universal add, even with Devin Harris and Courtney Lee looking to return to action this weekend. CDR has the confidence that fantasy owners love to see in a scoring two-guard. He is not messing around right now.
Lost and Found
• Delonte West tallied three blocks and two steals in a losing effort. It's till hard to own West right now, but the defensive effort was certainly there and for that he gets a mention.
• After a bit of a steals drought, Chuck Hayes picked up four more last night. I still think he's worth owning, if only for his defense and the fact that he's center eligibile.
Classified Adds
• J.J. Hickson was quiet last night with just six points and two rebounds in 20 minutes. A bit of a disappointment, after he went for 18 or more points over the last three. It was second-year big Darnell Jackson who provided the spark -- 10 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes. Still, Hickson is the better option at this point. Last night the Cavs were absolutely flat in the second-half blowing a 17-point lead, so don't read much into Hickson's performance.
• James Harden had a career-best 24 points, hitting six three-pointers and grabbing three rebounds in 31 minutes. This is a great sign for the rookie, however it came in a blowout loss in which no Oklahoma City starter played more than 27 minutes. Still, he's worth keeping an eye on.
• Jason Williams debuted in his new role as the starting point guard of the Orlando Magic with a 4-point, 5-assist and 4-rebound performance against the Thunder. Again, this game turned into a blowout early, but Williams looks like he can be a nice short-term option at the point.
• Flip Murray followed up his career-best 31-point performance with a nine-point showing against the 76ers. I think he just fell off our radar screen, no?
• Corey Maggette dropped 20-plus points for the fourth time in his last five games. That Stephen Jackson trade seems to be working out in his favor. You would be well-advised to add Maggette right now.
• Ramon Sessions, ladies and gentlemen. Now this is the Ramon Sessions we've all come to love and know. Last night he dropped 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting with five assists and three steals. He's widely available in 70-percent of Feaflicker and Yahoo! leagues. Jameer Nelson and Chris Paul owners, I hope you're paying attention. He's had four solid games in a row. We might see him get into a little groove here.
• Jamaal Tinsley made his Grizzlies debut last night. In just six minutes he was held scoreless, but Mike Conley wasn't much better in his 15 minutes on the court -- one point, two assists and two rebounds. it seems to me that there is an opening in Memphis and Tinsley might be in line to take over as the starter. It might take some time, but keep an eye on Tinsley.
• Carlos DelFino had a season-high 21 points and four three-pointers in 39 minutes. He's a bit too inconsistent for me, however. Remember that this was against the winless New Jersey Nets. I don't see him as a must-add.
• Terrence Williams double-doubled with 20 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Williams is a streaky scorer, but he has the ability to put up a solid line when his game is on. Deep leagues should be taking a shot on him.
• Marco Belinelli could care less that Hedo Turkoglu was active last night. Belinelli dropped 19 points on the Jazz with two three-pointers and four rebounds. He's starting to put his fellow Italian Danilo Gallinari to shame. Belinelli has put up 15.7 points and 2.7 threes over his last four. I'm buying on Belinelli right now in my 12-team leagues.
• Eric Maynor played some two-guard last night alongside Deron Williams. He had 15 points, six assists, a block and a steal. Maynor scored 11 of his 15 in the fourth quarter and looks like he might be making a case to see 20-25 minutes per game. I have a lot of faith in Maynor. Moreso than Wesley Matthews, for sure. If Maynor starts getting legit playing time he could be a nice waiver add.
• Drew Gooden started at center yet again with Erick Dampier still sidelined. In an overtime victory against the Spurs, Gooden had 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting with 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. This is three straight double-doubles for Gooden and it looks as if the starting gig is his, even when Dampier returns.Tonight
• There are just three games on the schedule Thursday night -- Hornets at Suns, Jazz at Spurs, and Bulls at Lakers.
• Finally, we'll get to see Pau Gasol in action as he is scheduled to make his season debut on Thursday night against the Bulls.
• I'm sure TNT isn't happy that they have to market the Suns-Hornets game as a battle between Steve Nash and Darren Collison, but what can you do.
• Utah plays in San Antonio. Mehmet Okur sat out Wednesday night with the flu and will more than likely miss Thursday night's game.
Lotto Line
1-12-15-29-41
• Dirk Nowitzki is no joke this season. He scored a season-high 41 points on 15-of-29 shooting with 12 rebounds and one three-pointer. There's not much more you can say about his performance. Best line of the night.
