Here's some good news for fantasy owners who've been drooling over Andre Drummond's per-36 minute stats: You'll see plenty more of the dynamic rookie from here forward.
No, Detroit Pistons head coach Lawrence Frank won't be putting the 19-year-old in his starting lineup anytime soon. However, the Pistons have just entered a brutal stretch of their schedule. Starting with their Jan. 17 game in London against the New York Knicks, the Pistons are in the middle of a grueling stretch in which they will play 30 times in a span of 60 days through March 17. And starting with Tuesday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Pistons have 10 games in the 16 days leading up to the NBA All-Star break.
So, as a fantasy owner, Drummond being limited to 20-25 minutes a night isn't that concerning in the short-term. He'll still be playing basically four times a week.
Looking Back
• Did I forget something? Oh yes, Drummond was astounding against the Bucks, finishing with 18 points and 18 rebounds. He joined Dwight Howard as the only other teenager to produce an 18-18 line in an NBA game since the 1985-86 season. And Drummond did manage 28 minutes on Tuesday, marking just the fifth time in 45 games he's topped 25 minutes. I don't know if Drummond's 40.4 percent foul shooting is a killer in roto formats since he's averaging only 2.1 attempts per game, but it has to do some damage. For head-to-head and points formats, though, the youngster is a must-add. As of Tuesday, he was available in more than half of ESPN.com leagues.
• As expected, Stephen Curry sat out on Tuesday, a night after reinjuring his right ankle. The Golden State Warriors also rested Andrew Bogut, who'd made his season debut Monday against the Toronto Raptors. However, Klay Thompson (32 points), Jarrett Jack (26 points, 12 assists) and David Lee (20 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists) easily filled the void against the outmanned Cleveland Cavaliers. Speaking of the Cavs, if you're wondering about Kyrie Irving's 5-of-17 shooting performance, he was apparently dealing with an illness.
• Now that they've apparently learned what every kindergartner knows, the sharing, caring Los Angeles Lakers are a team transformed. Kobe Bryant notched 11 more assists against the New Orleans Hornets, giving him 39 in his past three games. In that same span he's taken just 34 shots. But it's not just Kobe. Five Lakers attempted at least 10 field goals on Tuesday, but no one had more than 14. Four other Lakers also had at least four assists. Earl Clark (20 points, 12 rebounds), who had 9 career 3-pointers going into the game, drained 4 from downtown against the Hornets.
Looking Ahead
• After missing three games with a sore left knee, Tim Duncan practiced on Tuesday. However, it's not known if he'll suit up for the San Antonio Spurs when they host the Charlotte Bobcats.
• Bradley Beal has been trying to play through the wrist injury he sustained on Jan. 18 against the Denver Nuggets, but the rookie is averaging only 8.8 points on 35.7 percent shooting (20 for 56) in his past six games. The Washington Wizards may hold Beal out against the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Nikola Pekovic is expected to return when the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Los Angeles Clippers. Pek has missed the past five games with a right thigh contusion. The Clippers are again expected to be without Chris Paul (bruised right kneecap).
• Arron Afflalo (calf), Kyle Lowry (back spasms) and JaVale McGee (shin) are all questionable for their respective teams.
