Around the NBA: Fantasy Basketball News and Notes from 10/29

We saw Rajon Rondo putting on a record-setting performance en route to a triple-double, Evan Turner and other rookies struggling, Robin Lopez stepping out of his brother's shadow and a first-round fantasy pick going down with an injury—all that and so much more in last night’s action.

Notes

1. This one is for deep leagues only: It appears Delonte West will not be suspended despite having initiated an altercation with teammate Von Wafer during practice. At first it was thought the Celtics would just cut ties, but now it looks more that they will keep him around.

2. Troy Murphy is expected to be back in the lineup for the Nets sometime next week. Expect this to potentially impact the scoring output of Brook Lopez and Devin Harris, who have both been lighting it up, as they will have another guy with whom to share the ball. It also potentially impacts Derrick Favors, who might lose minutes. If he continues to play as he has, though, it’ll be tough not to give him a decent amount of time.

3. Last night, Stephen Curry aggravated an ankle injury he had suffered in the preseason, and he did not return after going down in the third quarter. Curry claims it just means he needs more rehab to get the ankle stronger, but the Warriors won’t take any chances. I am sure they will take a wait-and-see approach on whether and how much to play Curry in the next game.

Game Notes

1. Brook Lopez and Devin Harris have had quite the start to the season and things are certainly looking up for the New Jersey Nets. Lopez has averaged 27.5 points and 7.5 rebounds over two games, while Harris has 21.5 points and 9.5 assists.

2. As good as Evan Turner looked in Game 1, he looked almost as bad in Game 2, going 0-for-5 from the field and scoring zero points. He’s a rookie, though, and he’s going to experience lots of ups and downs.

3. Al Horford rebounded from a bad Game 1 and posted 20 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots his second time around. If his first game actually had you worried, feel free to breathe easier now.

4. Andrea Bargnani scored 20 points but managed to get only one rebound in the game. Seriously, one rebound, against the Cavaliers. This is why I was skeptical of him going top-50. It’s not that I assume he will do this often—it’s that he is capable of doing it at all.

5. Twenty-four assists in one game is absolutely ridiculous, but when your guys are putting the ball down the way Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo were, it helps. Rondo is possibly the best playmaking point guard in the NBA right now.

6. We saw why so many people were high on Ben Gordon as he dropped 32 points on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a losing effort in last night's game.

7. Another 11 points and 11 rebounds for Udonis Haslem, who continues to be a force down low for the Heat, averaging nine rebounds a game in the first three games.

8. Kevin Love got 27 minutes last night. While scoring 17 points, he only shot 3-for-13. You definitely have to like the 16 rebounds, though. It’s a little frustrating that he is splitting time almost evenly with Anthony Tolliver and Darko Milicic, but you just have to hope he’s productive with the time he has out there.

9. With all the Warriors offensive weapons looking for touches, it probably won’t happen much that Dorell Wright leads them in shots taken and points—but he showed last night how dangerous he can be if he gets hot. Wright was 6-for-8 from three-point land, which helped him get to 24 points. In two games, Wright has already made nine three-pointers.

10. The Phoenix Suns got a much-needed boost from Robin Lopez last night. While the team may have lost, they are going to need Lopez to have games like last night’s if they are to compete this year. Lopez got 18 points and 14 rebounds going up against Pau Gasol inside. The Suns are in need of a consistent third scoring option on offense, and if Lopez can develop into that, his value will shoot up.

For more fantasy basketball analysis, as well as links to all the fantasy basketball news you need, check out The Rotoprofessor.