RADIO
Daniel Benjamin highlights three fantasy basketball takeaways from the NBA's January 16th slate. This recap focuses on Jarrett Allen, Ante Zizic, and P.J. Tucker.
NBA fans really got their money's worth on Wednesday as the majority of the league's stars really balled out. James Harden, Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving had monster nights. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jarrett Allen, Kawhi Leonard, as well as Jusuf Nurkic also put up 50 or more fantasy points, per NBA.com.
Harden was phenomenal once again, but Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to help lead the Nets, who overcame a nine-point deficit to start the final stanza, past the Rockets in what was the "Game of the Night" as the two teams combined to put up an unheard of 106 three-pointers with Houston setting a NBA record with its 70 attempts from long distance. Harden poured in a season-high 58 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, doled out six assists, and came up with one steal along with a blocked a shot. He made 16 of 34 shots from the field, five of 19 from beyond the arc, and 21 of 23 from the charity stripe. Like they did during his 57-point barrage against the Grizzlies on Monday, most of his field goals came out of isolation plays. The performance was the 29-year-old's 18th straight game with at least 30 points tying him with Elgin Baylor for the fifth-longest streak in NBA history. Harden also joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players with consecutive games of at least 55 points..
Curry also entered the NBA record books as he became the first player to drill eight or more three-pointers in three straight games. The 30-year-old point guard finished with 41 points on 11-for-21 shooting from the field, including 9-for-17 from beyond the arc, to go along with five rebounds, three assists and one steal in the Warriors come-from-behind victory over the Pelicans. Curry exploded for 23 points in the third quarter as he canned seven triples, marking the 23rd time in his career that he scored at least 20 points in a period. The rest of the article will look at my top three fantasy basketball takeaways from Wednesday, January 16th.
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Jarrett Allen Records First 20-20 Game Of Career
Allen had a career game in the Nets victory over the Rockets as he took advantage of Houston deploying a small lineup. The 6-foot-11 center posted 20 points along with 24 rebounds (six offensive) for his first 20-20 game of his career. It was his first 20 or more rebound game of his career. He was 10-for-19 from the field, missing each of his three three-point tries as well as his lone free throw attempt. Allen also set season highs in minutes, field goal makes, and field goal attempts.
The 20-year-old has been very good in January after struggling with consistency last month. He has four double-doubles and five games of at least 10 rebounds in the eight outings. More impressively, the Texas product has swatted away two or more shots in nine of the last 10 contests. Overall, Allen's production has been like a top-20 player this month with averages of 13.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks while shooting 58 percent from the field. Time will tell if he is capable of sustaining these numbers, but he definitely has the talent to do so.
Ante Zizic Is Showing What He Is Capable Of
The 6-foot-11 center has made the most of Larry Nance Jr.'s absence. The second-year pro totaled 16 points, eight rebounds (three offensive) and two blocks while seeing over 26 minutes of court time in the Cavaliers loss to the Trail Blazers. Zizic was 5-for-8 from the field and 6-for-7 from the free throw line. He set season highs in minutes and free throw attempts.
Zizic compiled the 30th most fantasy points last night with 33.1. He has scored in double-figures and grabbed at least six rebounds in three of his five appearances this month. The 22-year-old is averaging 10 points and six caroms in 18.8 minutes while shooting 59.3 percent from the floor.
Zizic is not currently a fantasy asset, but he could be as the season winds down with the Cavaliers likely giving their younger players more time as they have no incentive to give Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Channing Frye or Nance a boatload of court time. The Croatian native, when given a decent amount of floor time, has demonstrated that he can provide consistent rebounding and rim-protection along with some double-figure scoring nights.
P.J. Tucker Posts Second Double-Double
Tucker has always been known as a tough player who is the consummate pro as he is willing to do whatever it takes to give the team a chance to win. Which is what has kept the 33-year-old in the Association for eight seasons. Yes, Tucker is skilled but it is his versatility, high-motor, and physicality that has made him a valuable contributor to his teams.
Despite only standing at 6-foot-6, Tucker has manned both forward positions this season and now with Clint Capela out, he has slid over to center in a small ball lineup on occasion. Tucker was very good in the Rockets loss to the Nets, putting up 20 points to go along with 10 rebounds (four offensive), one assist, one block and two steals for his second double-double of the season. He was 7-for-12 from the field, 3-for-6 from the three-point line and 3-for-6 from the free throw line. It was his second-most points and second-most minutes (42) in a game this season.
Tucker registered 41.1 fantasy points, which was good enough for 21st best on the night. His offensive production has been inconsistent throughout the season, but he has done a lot of little things. He has stepped up his offense a little in January as he has reached double figures in three of the eight games -- topping the 20-point plateau twice. But more importantly, the Texas product continues to fill the stat sheet with an emphasis on three-pointers and steals. Tucker is averaging 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, two trifectas, and 1.9 steals while shooting 43.6 percent from the field as well ass 40 percent from the three-point line in January.
