Joel Embiid trolled another superstar guard and Klay Thompson posted the most efficient scoring night in NBA history. Just another Monday in the NBA.
Thompson scored 44 points and made his first 10 3-pointers in a drubbing of the LeBron-less Lakers, tying the NBA record for consecutive 3s made in a game and setting a record for the most consecutive successful attempts from beyond to begin a game. In just one amazing night from the floor, Thompson's overall shooting percentage rose from 45.5 percent to 46.4 percent and his 3-point rate jumped from 36.5 percent to 38.2.
Effective field goal percentage is a metric that adjusts for the reality that a 3-point field goal is worth one more point than a traditional field goal. Last night, Thompson's effective field goal mark of 110.0 percent is the highest in league history for any performance with at least 15 shots, per ESPN Stats & Info. Thompson now has three 40-point games in which he played fewer than 30 minutes in his career, while no other player in the shot clock era has done so more than once, per Elias.
Meanwhile, The Process produced 32 points and 14 rebounds, good for his 20th game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds this season, most in the NBA and most in a season by a 76ers player since Charles Barkley back in 1990-91. I was in fourth grade and attended many of those Barkley games that season, so this is quite the accomplishment in my book. Chuck was balling back then.
Embiid swatted three shots, including pinning James Harden on the glass, which included the requisite post-block stare down. Philly controlled the game throughout, but Harden still notched his 20th straight game with at least 30 points, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to do so. Even in the loss, more history was made, as Harden scored 37 of the Rockets' 63 points through three quarters, the highest percentage (59) of his team's points through three quarters in his career.
My nomination for the top fantasy free agent from Monday is Dewayne Dedmon of the Hawks, as Atlanta's stretch center tied his career high with 24 points in a loss to the Magic. Dedmon is available in 85 percent of ESPN leagues, and he has expanded his game and fantasy stock without much fanfare, hitting 48 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc (on 3.8 shots per game) during the past 13 starts. Dedmon's full slash during this sample includes 12.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.4 combined blocks and steals and 1.8 3PG from the center position. I'd make Dedmon a priority addition if I lost Clint Capela or Anthony Davis to injury.
With an eye on important fantasy performances and relevant statistical trends, let's delve into the night that was in the NBA.
Monday recap
Highlights
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: 31 points (10-20 FG), 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 TO
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks: 18 points (6-17 FG), 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 TO
Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics: 26 points (11-19 FG), 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 8 steals, 3 TO
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors: 44 points (17-20 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 TO
Lowlights
Rodney Hood, Cleveland Cavaliers: 4 points (1-8 FG), 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Joe Ingles, Utah Jazz: 2 points (1-7 FG), 2 rebounds, 6 assists
Kevin Knox, New York Knicks: 8 points (3-8 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Austin Rivers, Houston Rockets: 0 points (0-5 FG), 2 rebounds, 3 assists
Monday takeaways
D'Angelo Russell is averaging 27 points in his past six games and the Nets are now 17-5 since Dec. 7. I would have never have guessed this, but "D-Lo" is making a run at an All-Star berth. The Nets have now won six straight games against Western Conference opponents. Those in deeper leagues will want to give Rodions Kurucs a look; the surprisingly productive rookie wing is sinking shots at an awesome clip of late.
With a double-double on Monday afternoon, Thomas Bryant continues to shine for the Wizards as their primary traditional center. Tomas Satoransky and Bryant both tallied around 30 fantasy points on DraftKings yesterday and remain widely available in ESPN leagues. They should continue to see plenty of opportunities in their respective roles for Washington. Trevor Ariza has been stellar statistically since being traded from Phoenix, as he produced his first game with least 20 points and 10 rebounds since March of 2014 (also as a Wizard).
Doncic's first career triple-double comes at 19 years and 327 days old, joining Markelle Fultz as the only teenagers in NBA history to record a triple-double. Jalen Brunson is a seasoned rookie in that he has mounds of high-leverage experience leading Villanova to two titles, thus it's not surprising to see him capably step into the starting lineup for Dallas. With JJ Barea out for the season, Brunson will bear more offensive responsibility, as confirmed by last night's 16 points on 15 shots and five dimes in 30 minutes.
Miami just finds wings. I'm not sure how, but they just find them every season. Derrick Jones Jr. is known as "Airplane Mode" thanks to his aerial skills around the rim, but the Heat are turning him into a productive rotation piece and more than merely a highlight act. Jones produced 18 points, nine rebounds and two combined blocks and steals in a loss to the Celtics. During the past 10 games, Jones has tallied 10.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.3 SPG and 0.7 BPG while shooting 42 percent from 3-point range. Like with Brunson, I'd give Jones a look in deeper and more demanding formats.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports Houston traded Carmelo Anthony and cash to the Chicago Bulls on Monday in order to clear space for Kenneth Faried to join the roster. Woj added Anthony will not play a game for the Bulls, lining up an eventual trade or release before the Feb. 7 trade deadline. There is some buzz about Anthony ending up with LeBron James in Los Angeles, but I'm not sure there's much fantasy value here regardless of the destination.
The New Orleans Pelicans improved to 2-7 in the past nine games without Anthony Davis dating back to last season in downing Memphis. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, have lost six straight and 12 of their past 13 games and could potentially pivot to becoming sellers at the deadline. The main story for the Pelicans was Jahlil Okafor producing his first double-double (20 points and 10 rebounds) since he was with Philly two seasons ago. I'd want to let Okafor string together a few quality games, but this is an encouraging development for the former top pick.
For a trip down memory lane, on this date 13 years ago, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in a win over the Raptors, the second-most points ever scored in an NBA game behind only Chamberlain's legendary 100-point game.
Injuries of note
Ricky Rubio returned from his hamstring injury to play 14 minutes off the pine for the Jazz on Monday.
Deandre Ayton suffered an ankle injury this past Saturday in Charlotte and is doubtful for tonight's visit by the Timberwolves. Richaun Holmes is also ailing, setting up Dragan Bender for another solid showing. Bender tallied 12 points and 10 boards in 29 minutes with Ayton and Holmes sidelined on Sunday and is available in 99.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
Analytics advantage for Tuesday
Speaking of that Suns and Timberwolves game, I love the spot Karl-Anthony Towns is in tonight against Phoenix. Towns should feast on either Holmes or Bender in the post and could dominate the slate with a high-ceiling showing. The Suns are 28th in rebounding percentage, securing just 46.2 percent of available rebounds. Towns' slash of 30 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals against the Suns this past Sunday is essentially the median expectation for tonight.
Top players to watch tonight
A marquee matchup pits Damian Lillard against Russell Westbrook on Tuesday evening. Lillard is in a great spot to produce as a DFS building block, given a strong expected usage rate (career 26 percent usage clip against Oklahoma City) and efficient scoring pattern, while Westbrook will be tasked with facilitating at an elite level, given enduring struggles with his shot.
Another compelling matchup is found down on the block, as Steven Adams will seek to tame Jusuf Nurkic's ascent as a triple-double threat from the post. Even during a light four-game slate, Tuesday offers some riveting matchups.