The Knicks and Timberwolves are riding eight-game losing streaks. The Bulls and Suns own six-game winning streaks. The Sixers are a top-10 defense and the worst offense in the league. Lastly, each conference claims four teams with a .700 winning percentage.

HOSPITAL WARD

Shawn Marion appeared to injure his ankle in the first half. He returned for the second half. Swelling could knock him out of future contests. The Cavaliers play a back-to-back set starting Tuesday.

Monta Ellis missed the final two minutes of the game after tweaking his left ankle. Ellis already came out and said, "I'm not missing [any] games. I'll go home and take care of what I need to take care of." The Mavericks don't play again until Tuesday, so Ellis should be cleared by then. He finished 6-of-20 from the field, the third time in four games he shot less than 37 percent on at least 17 attempts. Thanks a lot Rondo.

Rajon Rondo reportedly required stitches for a cut over his right eye. In six games with the Mavericks, Rondo is averaging 13.5 points, 9.5 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 33.2 minutes per game. The assists and rebounds have dipped at the expense of his scoring.

Carmelo Anthony rested during the second half, much like Derrick Rose did earlier this season against the Nuggets. In 19 first-half minutes, Anthony compiled 13 points (5-14 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), and five rebounds. Coach Fisher insisted the halftime deficit, compounded with the season-long knee stress, cajoled him to rest Anthony. Now anyone that owns Anthony in fantasy leagues will find it increasingly difficult to trade him, considering the Knicks are handling him like the Bulls are handling Rose, except coach Fisher ran him 41.8 minutes over the previous four games. A 5-28 record with no playoff hopes in sight all but guarantee Anthony's truancy from the second half of the season. Afterward, Anthony said,

"I felt this before the game, but I looked around the locker room and we have seven or eight guys ready to go - I really didn't have a choice but to go out there and attempt to play and see how much I could take."

By my count, the Knicks play 12 more back-to-back sets the rest of the season, including 11 from January through March. The game last night was the second game in a back-to-back. Anthony believes he'll be ready for the Knicks' next game Wednesday.

Tim Hardaway scored a team-high 17 points on 17 shots, including 3-of-10 from downtown, but only added five assists in 37 minutes. The opportunity is in his hands. Since entering the starting lineup eight games ago, Hardaway is averaging 15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.5 blocks, 0.5 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers in 34.4 minutes per game. He's also shooting 35 percent from the field and 29 percent from downtown, revealing his true form when not living off of garbage time stats. Once J.R. Smith (heel) and Iman Shumpert (shoulder) return, Hardaway should default to his typical garbage time stat sheet stuffing. Until then, expect to be underwhelmed.

M.I.A.

• Cleveland
  • Kyrie Irving (knee)
• Dallas
  • Tyson Chandler (back spasms)
• Denver
  • Danilo Gallinari (knee)
  • Randy Foye (quad)
• Detroit
  • Anthony Tolliver (inactive)
• Los Angeles
  • Ryan Kelly (hamstring)
• New York
  • Amar'e Stoudemire (knee)
  • J.R. Smith (heel)
  • Samuel Dalembert (ankle)
  • Iman Shumpert (shoulder)
• Oklahoma City
  • Kevin Durant (ankle)
  • Mitch McGary (leg)
  • Jeremy Lamb (DNP-CD)
• Portland
  • LaMarcus Aldridge (illness)
• San Antonio
  • Kawhi Leonard (hand)
  • Tony Parker (hamstring)
• Toronto
  • Landry Fields (concussion)

ROTATION NOTES

Recently acquired Anthony Tolliver was accidentally left on the inactive list. Jonas Jerebko led the Pistons' reserves in minutes for the second straight game, posting 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 27 minutes. We'll get a better feel of how coach Van Gundy plans on incorporating Tolliver into the rotation Tuesday against the Magic. Jerebko is someone to keep an eye on in the meantime. If he can sustain 25-30 minutes per game, he'll be useful in standard leagues. Don't sleep on Tolliver, either. He's a great three-point shooter.

Patty Mills made his season debut after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. He scored all eight of his points in the fourth quarter, playing all but 12 seconds during the final period in the Spurs' 110-106 win. Throw him on your watch list, because Cory Joseph worked himself into fantasy relevance with Tony Parker (hamstring) sidelined.

Marco Belinelli replaced Kyle Anderson in the starting lineup. It was the 20th different starting lineup used by Gregg Popovich this season in 32 games.

Josh Smith entered the starting lineup, replacing Donatas Motiejunas after he started 21 straight games. Smith lasted 26 minutes after picking up five fouls. Coach McHale sat him down the stretch because of a few missed defensive assignments. Smith finished with five points (2-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, three steals, and one assist.

Raymond Felton was on the active roster for the first time all season. He played one minute in his season debut.

Tyson Chandler (back spasms) sat. Dirk Nowitzki moved to center, and J.J. Barea started. It took 29 minutes for Nowitzki to score 30 points (8-13 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 12-12 FT), plagued by five fouls in his new role. The Mavericks play one game over the next four days. I don't know if that's enough time for Chandler to get right.

Chris Kaman returned from a one-game absence and abused the Knicks down low for 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, and one block in 20 minutes. The new daddy finished third in scoring and second in rebounds for Portland with LaMarcus Aldridge (illness) still unable to play.

Kobe Bryant returned after missing the last three games due to soreness. Wayne Ellington found his way back to the bench and played 14 minutes off the bench. Bryant turned in a near triple-double (10 points, eight rebounds, seven assists) and didn't attempt his first shot until two and a half minutes left in the first quarter. Overall, he hoisted 10 shots in 32 minutes, and six different Lakers scored in double figures.

TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH

LeBron James' head isn't in the game, but his heart is in the song, so to speak. In the Cavaliers' blowout loss, James added 17 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and one steals in 32 minutes. However, he shot 5-of-19 from the field. He was his usual, overdramatic and whiney self, begging the officials for calls instead of getting back on defense. He said he was hit in the quad at the end of the first half, but returned in time for the third quarter and later left the game with an ankle injury, sitting most of the fourth quarter. I think the rest had more to do with the Cavaliers 20-point deficit than any serious injury.

Russell Westbrook needed 23 shots to score 18 points. His usage rate with Kevin Durant on the bench is 43.6 percent. Westbrook narrowly missed the triple-double with nine assists, nine rebounds, and five steals. After last night's performance, he now leads the NBA with 2.3 steals in just 32 minutes per game.

Kyle Lowry is trying to get that All-Star nod. In Denver, he tallied 30 points (12-20 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 11 assists, seven rebounds, one steal, and one block in 38 minutes. In DeMar DeRozan's absence, Lowry has performed like a legitimate top-5 nine-category fantasy option.

Eric Bledsoe scored 20 of his 22 points (7-19 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 7-7 FT) in the second half, mixing in eight rebounds, eight assists, four steals, and one block in 32 minutes. On the season, he's averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 1.0 three-pointers in 32.9 minutes per game. Most importantly, he hasn't missed a game all season.

BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES

Brandon Jennings hit at least 50 percent of his shots for the second straight game. The longest such streak of his career extends to four consecutive games, and his career field goal mark sits at 39 percent. He's the definition of a streaky shooter. When he's on, D.J. Augustin will play fewer minutes. When he's off, a.k.a his whole career, Augustin will split minutes with him. Against the Cavaliers, Jennings produced 25 points (10-18 FG, 5-9 3Pt), six assists, five rebounds, and one steal in 31 minutes. I'm selling in rotisserie leagues and tossing out feelers in head-to-head leagues. We already witnessed Jennings hit a hot streak earlier this season, but that was before he fracture the thumb on his shooting hand. A two-game hot streak doesn't change his outlook, in my opinion.

Tristan Thompson chipped in 18 points (7-8 FG, 4-4 FT), and 11 rebounds in 37 minutes, encapsulating his entire fantasy value. Seven of those rebounds were offensive, making him a must-own in leagues that use offensive rebounds as a category. Thompson is not one who'll provide substantial steals, blocks, or assists, so temper expectations. The minutes will flow as long as he and Kevin Love are the only members of the frontcourt.

Corey Brewer scored a season-high 25 points (8-11 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), recorded three assists and two steals in 23 minutes. Just to be clear, Brewer is a career 43 percent shooter and 29 percent three-point shooter. One of his three-pointers was banked in from 30 feet at the end of a quarter. You should only concern yourself with Brewer if you need steals. Remember, he's still behind Trevor Ariza in the rotation.

Serge Ibaka scored a season-high 26 points (11-14 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT) but didn't record a block. He's averaging a career-low 2.3 blocks per game, excluding his rookie season. On the flip side, Ibaka is averaging a career-high 1.4 three-pointers per game and hitting them at a mark of 40 percent. He's not living off corner three-pointers, instead taking his game above the break.

After hitting at least three three-pointers in his last three games, Charlie Villaneuva regressed to the mean by hitting 1-of-7 from downtown. He only played 15 minutes, even with Tyson Chandler (back spasms) out of commission. More times than not, the stats you chase dry up before you can reap the benefits.

Cole Aldrich grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds and added 12 points (6-16 FG, 0-2 FT), four steals, two assists, and one block in a season-high 34 minutes. Amar'e Stoudemire (knee) and Samuel Dalembert (ankle) were no-shows, and coach Fisher was down to eight healthy players after halftime. Aldrich has performed well recently as Stoudemire's fill-in, averaging 11.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 24.0 minutes over the past six contests.

Wesley Matthews went 6-of-15 from behind the three-point line last night, and now leads the NBA with 96 three-pointers this season on a league-high 241 attempts. His teammate, Damian Lillard, is a close second with 87 made three-pointers. Matthews' 15 tries from deep match Gerald Green for a single-game season-high in attempts.

Lou Williams made his presence known with a team-high 31 points (11-18 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-9 FT), five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 34 minutes. The former Player of the Week found his stroke after a few so-so performances. Not just a scorer, Williams has recorded at least one steal in eight straight games and provided top-70 nine-category value on the season. His minutes will likely decline when DeMar DeRozan (groin) makes a full recovery, so enjoy the output while it lasts.

Kenneth Faried played a season-high 38 minutes, just the sixth time all season he's played at least 30 minutes. In that time, Faried compiled 17 points (8-19 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 19 rebounds, and two assists. In my last Box Score Breakdown, I detailed why he's a sell-high candidate in head-to-head leagues, and this just confirms my stance even more. Huge point and rebound totals are great, but where are the rest of the stats? That's right, he doesn't provide them. You can double-down and let Faried increase his value furthermore against the Lakers, or you can cash in now. He reminds me of Danny Fortson (look him up), but with more hustle and a coach who doesn't like him.  If the occasional 15-15 game with zero blocks, steals, or assists gets you off, keep Faried. If not, use his recent streak to help your team in the long run.

The Pistons sets a franchise record with 17 three-pointers against the Cavaliers. It's Stan Van Gundy's world. We're just living in it.

NIGHTLY LEADERS

Points

1. Lou Williams, G, TOR: 31 points (11-18 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-9 FT)
2. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR: 30 points (12-20 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT)
3. Dirk Nowitzki, F, DAL: 30 points (8-13 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 12-12 FT)

Rebounds

1. Kenneth Faried, F, DEN: 19 rebounds (7 offensive)
2. Cole Aldrich, C, NYK: 19 points (9 offensive)
3. Dwight Howard, C, HOU: 17 rebounds (5 offensive)
4. Andre Drummond, C, DET: 17 rebounds (8 offensive)

Assists

1. Kyle Lowry, G, TOR:  11 assists (2 turnovers)
2. Russell Westbrook, G, OKC: 9 assists (5 turnovers)
3. Eric Bledsoe, G, PHX: 8 assists (3 turnovers)

Steals

1. Danny Green, G, SAS: 5 steals
2. Russell Westbrook, G, OKC: 5 steals
3. Cole Aldrich, C, NYK: 4 steals
4. Eric Bledsoe, G, PHX: 4 steals

Blocks

1. Andre Drummond, C, DET: 5 blocks
2. Tiago Splitter, C, SAS: 3 blocks
3. 12 players tied with 2 blocks

Three-Pointers

1. Wesley Matthews, G, POR: 6-15 3Pt
2. Corey Brewer, F, HOU: 6-8 3Pt
3. Chandler Parsons, F, DAL: 5-9 3Pt
4. Brandon Jennings, G, DET: 5-9 3Pt
5. Nicolas Batum, G, POR: 5-7 3Pt

Minutes

1. Wilson Chandler, F, DEN: 41 minutes
2. Ty Lawson, G, DEN: 40 minutes
3. Arron Afflalo, G, DEN: 39 minutes