Fantasy Basketball 2013: January 18 Best Performers
From great scoring performances to solid showings on defense featuring plenty of steals and blocks, elite individual performances can help owners win categories in Week 12 matchups. On Thursday, January 17, SF/PF LeBron James, PG/SG Dwyane Wade and PF/C Larry Sanders made up the top three studs from yesterday. From James’ 39-point outburst against the Los Angeles Lakers to Wade’s balanced performance in the same game, these players certainly provided great fantasy performances for their owners in Week 12.
With nine games on Friday, January 18, 2013, fantasy squads had plenty of opportunities to improve their statistics in different categories. Who else provided fantasy owners with great numbers on this day of NBA action?
Friday, January 18, 2013 Honorable Mentions:
10. PG Kemba Walker – 25 points (7-9 free throws, two made 3-pointers), eight rebounds, five assists, two steals
9. SG/SF Vince Carter – 29 points (5-7 free throws, four made 3-pointers), two steals
8. PG/SG Russell Westbrook – 31 points (7-9 free throws), six rebounds, six assists
7. PF David West – 20 points (4-6 free throws), 11 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks
6. PG Rajon Rondo – 30 points (6-9 free throws), seven assists, two steals
* Player statistics are accurate as of Friday, January 18, 2013. Player ranks are determined according to ESPN’s Daily Leaders list. FGM-A = Field Goals Made-Attempted, FTM-A = Free Throws Made-Attempted, 3PM-A = 3-Pointers Made-Attempted, GP = Games Played, PTS = Points, REB = Rebounds, AST = Assists, STL = Steals, BLK = Blocks, TO = Turnovers.
Austin Chang is a featured columnist and fantasy sports expert at Rant Sports and you can follow him on Twitter @_austinchang.
5. PG Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets
Statistics: 36 minutes, 11-16 FGM-A, 3-4 FTM-A, 4-5 3PM-A, 29 PTS, 1 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 5 TO
Lawson may have broken out of his early-season woes with a big outing on Friday night. Despite the big effort in which he went 11 for 16 from the field, his team still lost against the lowly Washington Wizards.
4. SG/SF Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Statistics: 43 minutes, 11-19 FGM-A, 2-2 FTM-A, 7-10 3PM-A, 31 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 5 STL, 1 BLK, 5 TO
George put up another huge performance for the Indiana Pacers with seven made 3-pointers and a team-high 31 points. While he didn’t record a double-double like he did in the last three games, he put together a well-rounded performance that is obviously huge for fantasy owners.
3. SF/PF Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers
Statistics: 45 minutes, 13-19 FGM-A, 1-2 FTM-A, 0-0 3PM-A, 27 PTS, 14 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO
In an overtime win that required him to play 45 minutes, Young put up his 10th double-double of the year with 27 points and 14 rebounds. Scoring more as of late without damaging his shooting percentage, he’s really stepping his game up as a versatile and valuable fantasy option.
2. PG Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers
Statistics: 46 minutes, 13-23 FGM-A, 6-8 FTM-A, 1-4 3PM-A, 33 PTS, 5 REB, 14 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO
While Young went to work in the post, Holiday managed and ran the Philadelphia 76ers to the win. Scoring 33 points and handing out 14 assists, this is already the second 30-point performance in the past week for the breakout point guard.
1. SF Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Statistics: 50 minutes, 13-31 FGM-A, 21-21 FTM-A, 5-9 3PM-A, 52 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO
Durant set a career-high with 52 points on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, a feat that cannot be ignored given his scoring prowess. To get there, he made all 21 of his free throws and attempted 31 shots on his monumental night.
