Fantasy Basketball: Top Performers from 12/26/2013

Dec 26, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague (0) saves the ball from heading out of bounds during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Hawks beat the Cavaliers 127-125. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

On the day after Christmas, the NBA kept on giving to fantasy basketball owners with four more solid games on the slate including a double-overtime, high-scoring game in Cleveland, a huge night for “The Beard” from “the line,” and a big Western Conference showdown in Portland. Here’s the players who gave their owners a late Christmas gift with a big stat line Thursday night:

Chris Paul-Los Angeles Clippers

Dec 26, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

CP3 had a huge game in the Clippers trip to Portland where they almost won in regulation, but fell to the Blazers in a great game. Paul finished with 34 points to go with his 16 assists while adding six steals, three rebounds, a pair of three-pointers, and numerous clutch plays down the stretch although ultimately coming up just short.

Jeff Teague-Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks beat the Cavs on Teague’s buzzer-beater at the end of double-overtime. Teague finished with 49 minutes played and definitely made the most of them with 34 points, 14 assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Teague doesn’t habitually put up huge numbers like this, but his owners have definitely been happy with his consistent assist totals and the occasional scoring explosion like last night serving as a nice side benefit.

Kyrie Irving-Cleveland Cavaliers

Teague’s counterpart also put up big numbers in the double-OT showdown. Irving finished with 40 points in his 45 minutes to go along with four steals, nine assists, two rebounds, and a blocked shot. Irving still looks like a star in the making, but the Cavs still need plenty of pieces to go along with him.

Zach Randolph-Memphis Grizzlies

Randolph put up Dwight-like numbers as he and the Grizzlies traveled to Houston, but the Rockets ultimately got the win. Randolph finished with 17 rebounds to go with 23 points and five assists. He’s turned in a string of nice production as the Grizzlies continue to try and right the ship after early-season struggles

Danny Green-San Antonio Spurs

Dec 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green (4) celebrates making a three point shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Green scores 22 off the bench. The Spurs defeated the Mavericks 116-107. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Green owners looking for a breakout season have been sorely disappointed by his performance this season, but for last night at least he stepped up and came through which could be a positive sign of things to come. He played 27 minutes last night against Dallas and didn’t miss a shot. He went 7-7 from the field, 5-5 from three-point territory, and 3-3 from the free throw line. In the end, he finished with 22 points, three steals, two blocks, and two assists. If someone in your league gave up too early on Green, he makes a nice speculative pickup if he can continue these numbers.

LaMarcus Aldridge-Portland Trail Blazers

Aldridge kicked it into another gear in overtime and got his team the win despite having numbers slightly less-impressive than Paul’s. He finished with a double-double with 10 boards and four assists to go with his team-high 32 points.

Blake Griffin-Los Angeles Clippers

Griffin played over 40 minutes in the Clippers big road game in Portland. He finished with 35 points on his 27 shots and even hit a three-pointer to go with his 11 rebounds, two blocks, a steal, and an assist.

Al Horford-Atlanta Hawks

Horford had 25 points on 11-17 from the field for Atlanta as he added eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks to Atlanta’s win.

James Harden-Houston Rockets

With one of the more bizarre stat lines in a while, Harden managed just 2-9 shooting from the field but still finished with 27 points. He went an amazing 22-25 from the free throw line and added six rebounds, five assists, and a blocked shot to his stat line in the Rockets 8-point win over Memphis.

Dirk Nowitzki-Dallas Mavericks

Dirk continues to put up numbers every night in his consistent, low-glamor role for Dallas. He scored 25 points last night against the Spurs giving him six games in a row with at least 20 points. He added five boards last night to go with two steals and two assists. Dirk just keeps on going and going making his owners look smarter and smarter.

Terrence Jones- Houston Rockets

Dec 26, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Terrence Jones (6) controls the ball during the third quarter as Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph (50) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Grizzlies 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Our sleeper line of the night goes to Terrence Jones who had his second big game in a row as he continues to play some solid minutes for Houston. Last night he had 20 points, five rebounds, two blocks and an assist while shooting a scorching 10-14 from the field. He had an even better game on Christmas scoring 21 points to go with 14 rebounds and three blocks. Jones is owned in just 1/4 of ESPN standard leagues and makes a nice pickup although he may eventually cool back off. Ride the production while its there in a solid offense like Houston’s.

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