NBA Daily Notes: The Raptors win a marathon against the Wizards; Top fantasy picks for January 14th

Welcome to another day of the NBA 2018-19 season. Yesterday, we had 7 games to watch and we have 6 games to review tomorrow. Let's analyse some of the meaningful performances from the last night, results of the matches and the top players to look out for in the matches tomorrow.

Sunday's recap:

Toronto Raptors 140-138 Washington Wizards
Philadelphia 76ers 108-105 New York Knicks
Milwaukee Bucks 133-114 Atlanta Hawks
Houston Rockets 109-116 Orlando Magic
Golden State Warriors 119-114 Dallas Mavericks
Portland Trail Blazers 113-116 Denver Nuggets
Cleveland Cavaliers 101-95 Los Angeles Lakers

Highlights:

1. Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards): 43 points, 17-36 FG, 10 rebounds, 15 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks and 4 TOs.

2. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): 48 points, 17-32 FG, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks and 0 TOs.

Lowlights:

1. Noah Vonleh (New York Knicks): 3 points, 0-3 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks.

2. Gerald Green (Houston Rockets): 3 points, 1-7 FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 TO.

Sunday's takeaways:

The opening game was between the Toronto Raptors and the Washington Wizards, with the Raptors winning in an epic double overtime game, 140-138. The Philadelphia 76ers managed to sneak a win over the New York Knicks, 108-105. The Milwaukee Bucks were strengthened by a returning Giannis, beating the Atlanta Hawks, 133-114.
The Houston Rockets went up against the Orlando Magic, but lost the game, 109-116, due to some terrible shooting. The Golden State Warriors held off a determined Dallas Mavericks, 119-114. The Denver Nuggets came from behind to win an exciting game against the Portland Trail Blazers, 116-113. The last game of the night was the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Lakers struggling to beat them, losing 101-95.

Monday's games:

Boston Celtics @ Brooklyn Nets
Memphis Grizzlies @ Houston Rockets
Charlotte Hornets @ San Antonio Spurs
Detroit Pistons @ Utah Jazz
Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings
New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Clippers

PG 1 - Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics):

Boston Celtics need Kyrie performing at his best

Preview:

The Boston Celtics have been under-performing this season. Expectations were high for them, with everyone expecting them to be leading the East and competing for the NBA title. But they've been underwhelming, sitting in the 5th spot. They have a 25-17 record and have won just 6 of their last 10 matches.

Last 3 games:

1. 13/1/2019: Loss against Orlando Magic, 103-105

2. 11/1/2019: Loss against Miami Heat, 99-115

3. 10/1/2019: Win over Indiana Pacers, 135-108

Player performance and review:

Kyrie Irving has been one of the top performers for the Boston Celtics this season. He is averaging just under 23 points per game this season, along with 5 rebounds and more than 6 assists a game.

His scoring numbers have taken a slight dip due to increased usage of his surrounding players, which has resulted in better numbers in the other areas.

In the loss against the Orlando Magic, Kyrie scored 25 points, along with 6 assists and 5 rebounds, 2 steals and a block.

Alternate pick: Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)

PG 2 - Mike Conley Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies):

Memphis Grizzlies are heavily reliant on their star, Mike Conley

Preview:

The Memphis Grizzlies had gotten off to a great start this season, but have completely lost their track recently. They are 14th in the Western Conference after being in the playoff spots just weeks prior. They have a 19-23 record and have won only 3 of their last 10 matches.

Last 3 games:

1. 13/1/2019: Loss against Miami Heat, 108-112

2. 10/1/2019: Win against San Antonio Spurs, 96-86

3. 8/1/2019: Loss against New Orleans Pelicans, 95-114

Player performance and review:

Mike Conley has been playing really well all season long. His game has improved a lot, even though the rest of the Grizzlies is unable to match his game. He is averaging more than 20 points a game, along with at least 6 assists per game and more than 3 rebounds.

In the loss against the Heat, Conley had 22 points, along with 7 assists, 2 rebounds and 3 steals. The Grizzlies will be hoping that Conley keeps playing at this high level for them to have a chance at the playoffs.

Alternate pick: De'Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)

SG 1 - James Harden (Houston Rockets):

Houston Rockets are being propped up by some insane Harden performances

Preview:

The Houston Rockets have been performing really well of late. They have rocketed up to the 6th spot in the Western Conference. They have a 24-18 record and have won 7 of their last 10 games.

Last 3 games:

1. 13/1/2019: Loss against Orlando Magic, 109-116

2. 11/1/2019: Win over Cleveland Cavaliers, 141-113

3. 9/1/2019: Loss to Milwaukee Bucks, 109-116

Player performance and review:

James Harden has been on an absolute tear this season. He had started off a bit slow, but ever since Chris Paul got injured, there has been no stopping him. This season, Harden is averaging a massive 34 points per game this season, along with more than 6 rebounds and just under 9 assists a game this season.

He is surpassing his previous beats and is staking a great case for his MVP candidacy.

In the loss against the Magic, Harden had 38 points, along with 12 assists, 9 rebounds and 4 steals.

Alternate pick: DeMar DeRozan (San Antonio Spurs)

SG 2 - Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz):

Utah Jazz has been winning their recent games, thanks to their star guard Donovan Mitchell

Preview:

The Utah Jazz have been having a roller-coaster season. They couldn't get anything going for them in the beginning but have become better as the season has progressed and are currently in the 9th spot in the Western Conference. They have a 23-21 record and have won 7 of their last 10 games.

Last 3 games:

1. 12/1/2019: Win against Chicago Bulls, 110-102

2. 11/1/2019: Win against Los Angeles Lakers, 113-95

3. 9/1/2019: Win against Orlando Magic, 106-93

Player performance and review:

Donovan Mitchell has been having a decent season, not making a huge leap as everyone had expected him to. He is still not able to shoot very efficiently and has not become a better playmaker. But he is still averaging more than 21 points a game, along with just under 4 assists and 4 rebounds a game.

In his most recent game against the Chicago Bulls, Mitchell had scored 34 points, along with 6 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Alternate pick: Jrue Holiday (New Orleans Pelicans)

SF 1 - Bogdan Bogdanovic (Sacramento Kings):

Sacramento Kings are heavily reliant on Bogdan Bogdanovic these days

Preview:

The Sacramento Kings have been one of the biggest surprises this season. Their young players had finally taken the leap and had been performing at superb levels. Of late, they are not performing as well as one had hoped, but are still 10th in the Western Conference, having won the last 4 of their 10 matches, and have a 22-21 record.

Last 3 games:

1. 12/1/2019: Win against Charlotte Hornets, 104-97

2. 10/1/2019: Win against Detroit Pistons, 112-102

3. 8/1/2019: Loss against Phoenix Suns, 111-115

Player performance and review:

Bogdan Bogdanovic has been playing some solid basketball ever since he got back from his injury. He is averaging more than 15 points a game, along with 4 assists and 4 rebounds as well. Even though he is playing off the bench, he is warranting a lot of minutes with his game.

In the win over the Hornets, Bogdanovic scored a team high 22 points, along with 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Alternate pick: Gordon Hayward (Boston Celtics)

SF 2 - Danilo Gallinari (Los Angeles Clippers):

Los Angeles Clippers are one of the surprise packages in the Western Conference

Preview:

The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the better teams in the Western Conference this season. They are currently 5th in the Western Conference but have lost a bit of form in the past few games, winning just 5 of their last 10 games.

Last 3 games:

1. 12/1/2019: Loss against Detroit Pistons, 104-109

2. 10/1/2019: Loss against Denver Nuggets, 100-121

3. 8/1/2019: Win over Charlotte Hornets, 128-109

Player performance and review:

Danilo Gallinari has been one of the best players for the Los Angeles Clippers this season. He is averaging just below 20 points a game this season, having rediscovered his scoring touch. He has managed to stay fit as well and has been able to average more than 6 rebounds a game and more than 2 assists a game too.

In the loss against the Detroit Pistons, Gallinari ended up with 23 points, along with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. The Clippers will be hoping his season continues being this fruitful against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Alternate pick: Jae Crowder (Utah Jazz)

PF 1 - LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs):

San Antonio Spurs have been playing really well recently

Preview:

The San Antonio Spurs are enjoying a great run of form recently. They have reached the playoff spots after having a below par start to their season and are now in the 7th place. They have a 25-19 record and have won 7 of their last 10 matches.

Last 3 games:

1. 12/1/2019: Loss against Oklahoma City Thunder, 112-122

2. 10/1/2019: Win against Oklahoma City Thunder, 154-147

3. 9/1/2019: Loss against Memphis Grizzlies, 86-96

Player performance and review:

LaMarcus Aldridge has been enjoying a great start to the new season. Even though his numbers have regressed a bit due to the presence of another star in DeRozan, he is still making a big impact. He is averaging just under 21 points per game, along with more than 8 rebounds a game and more than 2 assists a game as well.

In the loss against the Thunder, he had a quiet game, scoring just 17 points, along 9 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.

Alternate pick: Tobias Harris (Los Angeles Clippers)

PF 2 - Blake Griffin (Detroit Pistons):

Detroit Pistons are struggling to get anything going

Preview:

The Detroit Pistons are struggling to maintain any sort of consistency this season. They have fallen out of the playoff spots and are 10th in the Eastern Conference. They have an 18-23 record and have won just 3 of their last 10 matches.

Last 3 games:

1. 12/1/2019: Win against Los Angeles Clippers, 109-104

2. 10/1/2019: Loss against Sacramento Kings, 102-112

3. 9/1/2019: Loss against Los Angeles Lakers, 100-113

Player performance and review:

Blake Griffin has been playing superb basketball this season. He is averaging more than 25 points per game, which is a new career high. He also has more than 8 rebounds and 5 assists as well this season.

In the win over the Clippers, Griffin managed a massive 44 points, along with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and a big block.

Alternate pick: N/A

C 1 - Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans):

New Orleans Pelicans are beginning to get some wins going

Preview:

The New Orleans Pelicans had started off the season really well but then a spate of injuries almost derailed their entire season. They are currently 12th in the Western Conference and have most of their starters back to full fitness. They have a 20-23 record and have won 5 of their last 10 games.

Last 3 games:

1. 12/1/2019: Loss against Minnesota Timberwolves, 106-110

2. 9/1/2019: Win over Cleveland Cavaliers, 140-124

3. 7/1/2019: Win over Memphis Grizzlies, 114-95

Player performance and review:

Anthony Davis has been one of the best players for New Orleans Pelicans, if not the league, this season. He is vying for the MVP title and is one of the top contenders. He is averaging 29 points per game, only second to James Harden this season.

He is also averaging more than 13 rebounds a game and 4 assists too. He is an elite rim protector and defender as well. He is averaging more than 2 steals and 3 blocks.

In the loss against the Timberwolves, Davis was outplayed by KAT, scoring 30 points, with 14 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal.

Alternate pick: N/A

C 2 - Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz):

Utah Jazz are finally playing better this season

Preview:

The Utah Jazz are a team that had struggled at the start of the season but now have started to get going. They are now 9th in the Western Conference and have been playing some superb basketball recently. They have won 7 of their last 10 matches and have a 23-21 record in the NBA.

Last 3 games:

1. 12/1/2019: Win against Chicago Bulls, 110-102

2. 11/1/2019: Win against Los Angeles Lakers, 113-95

3. 9/1/2019: Win against Orlando Magic, 106-93

Player performance and review:

Rudy Gobert has been performing at an elite level this season and has been the second star alongside Donovan Mitchell. He is averaging just under 15 points per game along with over 12 rebounds a game and 2 assists a game. He is a top notch defender with the huge limbs he has and manages a steal and 2 blocks.

In the win over the Bulls, Gobert was having his way with them, scoring 15 points, along with 16 rebounds, 8 assists, a steal and 2 blocks, filling up the entire stat sheet.

Alternate pick: Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)