HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

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Here are this week’s smart plays and bad plays, followed by their DraftStreet salary and statistics from their last five games:

Smart Buys

Marco Belinelli – $9,663 – 14.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals, .403 FG%, .500 3P% – Belinelli has been putting up huge numbers since moving into the Chicago Bulls’ starting lineup. Earlier this season, the 26-year-old was getting just a handful of minutes off of the bench and he was barely contributing. It seemed like Belinelli didn’t fit in with the Bulls. However, once Richard Hamilton tore a plantar fascia in his foot, Belinelli’s minutes increased and he made the most of his opportunity. In eight games as a starter, Belinelli has averaged 16.6 points. He has earned Tom Thibodeau’s trust and has been Chicago’s most consistent player in recent weeks. At $9,663, you get starter production at a reserve price.

David Lee – $18,619 – 23.0 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, .585 FG% – Paying $18,619 for Lee may seem like a lot, but he has been absolutely dominant recently. He’s worth every penny. He was named the Western Conference Player of the Week after recording seven consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound games on the road. The last player to do that in seven-straight road games? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972. Lee has been playing well all year, but he’s taken his game to another level in the past few weeks. He has been extremely consistent and you should feel confident making him your highest paid player.

C.J. Miles – $9,081 – 21.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, .456 FG%, .486 3P% – Similar to Belinelli, Miles was considered a disappointing acquisition to start the season. When he signed in Cleveland, he expected to start, but instead he was coming off of the bench behind Dion Waiters. When Waiters was recently injured, Miles was inserted into the starting lineup and he was outstanding. While Waiters is back, Byron Scott is still giving Miles plenty of minutes and putting the ball in his hands. At $9,081, Miles is a bargain given how productive he has been as of late.

Bad Buys

Kyle Lowry – $13,862 – 2.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals, .182 FG% - When Lowry is healthy, he’s one of the best point guards in the league because he fills the stat sheet on a nightly basis. However, he has been sidelined quite a bit this season, which is one reason why the Raptors have failed to live up to expectations. Jose Calderon has been playing very well in his absence so Toronto isn’t rushing Lowry back. Don’t pay $13,862 for a player who may be injured or limited. Go with a point guard who has been more healthy and consistent. Lowry may be a smart buy down the road, but not now.

Jameer Nelson – $11,682 – 9.6 points, 6.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds, .352 FG%, .150 3P% – Nelson has been a big part of Orlando’s success by leading and mentoring the Magic’s young core, but his stats don’t jump off of the page. Jacque Vaughn is running the offense through Arron Afflalo and J.J. Redick as well as giving Glen Davis and Nikola Vucevic touches down low, so Nelson has the ball in his hands less and isn’t scoring like he has in years past.

Matt Barnes – $11,481 – 14.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, .578 FG% – Barnes has been producing lately, but can he continue to play at that high level? Considering he’s shooting nearly 60 percent from the field, it’s probably not sustainable. Barnes continues to come off of the bench for the Clippers, which means his minutes and stats could fluctuate on a nightly basis. As always, be careful when spending that much money on a reserve. There are starters available for that price, which may be the safer option.

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