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February 5, 2009, 10:10 AM

Daily Notes for Friday: Which Celtic will torch Knicks?

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By Seth Landman
Special to ESPN.com
Archive

Time	Visitors		Opp. PPG	Opp. FGP	RPG Diff.		Home		Opp. PPG	Opp. FGP	RPG Diff.
7:00 p.m.		Atlanta Hawks	96.7	.450	-1.9	@		Charlotte Bobcats	94.2	.454	-1.0
7:00 p.m.		Orlando Magic	94.3	.431	+1.0	@		Indiana Pacers	107.1	.461	-0.4
7:30 p.m.		Boston Celtics	91.5	.424	+5.5	@		New York Knicks	106.5	.475	-3.9
8:00 p.m.		Los Angeles Clippers	101.9	.459	-3.6	@		Memphis Grizzlies	99.8	.479	-2.3
8:00 p.m.		Toronto Raptors	100.3	.458	-2.8	@		New Orleans Hornets	93.3	.458	-0.5
8:00 p.m.		Portland Trail Blazers	94.8	.466	+5.0	@		Oklahoma City Thunder	103.2	.471	+2.3
8:00 p.m.		Denver Nuggets	100.5	.443	+0.8	@		Washington Wizards	101.6	.478	-1.8
10:00 p.m.		Utah Jazz	99.6	.460	+1.1	@		Sacramento Kings	108.8	.481	-4.8
10:30 p.m.		Golden State Warriors	111.2	.464	-5.3	@		Phoenix Suns	103.3	.453	+1.2

Out
D.J. Augustin, PG, Bobcats (abdominal strain)
Andray Blatche, PF/C, Wizards (knee)
Andrei Kirilenko, SF/PF, Jazz (ankle)
Jameer Nelson, PG, Magic (labrum)
Gerald Wallace, SF/PF, Bobcats (collapsed lung)

Day-to-day
Chauncey Billups, PG, Nuggets (ankle)
Steve Blake, PG, Trail Blazers (shoulder)
Caron Butler, SF/SG, Wizards (flu)
Chris Duhon, PG, Knicks (flu)
Monta Ellis, PG/SG, Warriors (ankle)
Kevin Garnett, PF, Celtics (flu)
Al Harrington, SF/PF, Knicks (knee)
Al Horford, PF/C, Hawks (knee)
Joe Johnson, SG, Hawks (viral infection)
Kyle Lowry, PG/SG, Grizzlies (ankle)
Corey Maggette, SG/SF, Warriors (back)
Darko Milicic, PF/C, Grizzlies (hand)
Brad Miller, C, Kings (abdominal strain)
Chris Paul, PG, Hornets (groin)
Deron Williams, PG, Jazz (quadriceps)

I don't know exactly what to make of it, but something is happening in Madison Square Garden these days. It's not an easy homestand for the Knicks, having to face the Lakers, Cavaliers and Celtics, and New York has played admirably, keeping the games within shouting distance, but they are giving up some major numbers to star players. Kobe had 61. LeBron had 52 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Even Pau Gasol managed 31 points, 14 boards and 5 dimes. With Kevin Garnett possibly out again with the flu, I'd expect big nights out of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, but look for the Knicks to see if they can keep the rest of the C's roster from beating them. For now, you still need to start all relevant Celtics, but if this is a pattern, it's something to watch out for since the Cavs' other fantasy guys, Mo Williams, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao all had off nights. … With both Deron Williams and C.J. Miles a bit banged up at the moment, the Jazz are going to have to rely on Ronnie Brewer to play some heavy minutes in the backcourt. He played 43 against the Bobcats on Monday and finished with 21 points, five rebounds and three assists. He also got to the line 14 times, which means he's being a lot more aggressive when asked to carry the load. That's a good sign, because against the Kings on Friday, he's not going to face much resistance, and should have a huge night again. … Without Chris Paul in the lineup, Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose each had a field day for the Bulls against the Hornets, and the Raptors' Anthony Parker, who was terrific against the Lakers on Wednesday, should have a nice night against the beat-up Hornets on Friday night.

The Bobcats' Raja Bell makes an excellent pickup right now, and fortunately for you he's still available in almost 50 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues. Joe Johnson is suffering from a viral infection for the Hawks, and even if Johnson plays it should significantly hinder the Hawks' backcourt defense. This means plenty of good looks for Bell, and probably a good night for Raymond Felton as well. … We didn't learn much about Orlando's post-Jameer Nelson rotation Wednesday since they pretty much put the Clippers away in the first half. Both Anthony Johnson and Courtney Lee had fantastic games, but considering they were a combined 18-for-21 from the floor, I don't think we're likely to see a repeat of their performances, even against a lax Pacers defense. For now, though, if they're available, they are each worth a prospective pickup until we know exactly how the minutes are going to shake out against real competition. … Speaking of the Clippers, their terrible defense will benefit the Grizzlies on Friday night, and those Grizzlies will be playing at home again, where they beat the Rockets on Wednesday. Looking at the numbers Orlando's backcourt was able to pile up against the Clips, I'd be definitely picking up Mike Conley, who is owned in only 6 percent of leagues right now. He's the starter, folks. He's averaging 11.6 points, 6.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 35 minutes per game in his past five games, and he should be owned in just about every possible format right now.

Seth Landman is a fantasy basketball analyst for ESPN.com.