There it goes - I have been flat out this last week, so Im not sure if that is why this seemed to go extremely quickly; or if it was the fact that it was about 6 days shorter than the last matchup. Either way, it seems much more civilised this time round. With games on each day, the action never stops, so i reckon its good to be just a week long.

We had some really close games this week! - 2 games decided by less than 35 points; and a couple of blowouts - 4 games with 200+ point margins. And I tipped 7 out of 10 again :lol: haha, and again not sure how, as Im not using very detailed analysis to come up with my predictions!

Before I get to the review, just want to say that Im going to wait until there is a clear leader, before I award the Dirk Diggler trophy. At the moment there are 5 teams that have won both games.

Now have a look over the break for the review of Matchup 2; and the preview of Matchup 3:::::::

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Matchup 2 Review:

<a title="Kings of Karlos (Sean Minetti)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=10&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Kings of Karlos[/url] 927 lost to <a title="Team Stowie (Daniel Stow)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=8&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Stowie[/url] 959

This was one of the close ones, and if it wasnt for Karlos forgetting to fill his roster on Nov 12th, it would have been much closer. In fact Karlos would have won with either of Fields or Jianlians scores from that day added to his score. both were sitting on the bench with a spare roster slot available. In the end though it was Stowie that got up by 32 points, with Josh Smith again his best performer with 165 points this matchup.

<a title="Pikus United (Adam Ziegler)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=9&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Pikus United[/url] 723 lost to <a title="Stevos Nuggets (Stephen Nilsson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=12&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Stevo’s Nuggets[/url] 915

FZilla is doing quite well considering the injuries he has at the moment, however still was defeated comfortably in this matchup by Steve. Both of their best points scorers scored 176 for the matchup - Gasol for SN and Curry for PU; however SN had a better overall performance with 8 players scoring more than 60 compared to 5 from PU. However this result mainly came down to injuries with Steve having 10 more scoring games from his players.

<a title="Doobia Dominators (Andrew Dubowik)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=20&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Doobia Dominators[/url] 776 lost to <a title="Ruddys Cavaliers (Peter Rudd)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=14&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Ruddy’s Cavaliers[/url] 921

Looks like Doobs didnt front up again! Only 10 players used and players scoring points on his bench. Amazing that he has had two fairly close games, considering he hasnt changed his team once! Well this one ended up with a 145 point margin, however it was rooly close throughout, with Ruddy only hitting the lead n the 3rd last day. Doobs had 4 players scre more than a ton and had another 2 in the 90s! Pretty good foundation to his team, I think we all should be worried that he will actually show up when we play him. Ruddy had a massive 223 from Nash, but only 1 other above 100.

<a title="Run TMC (Owen Beebe)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=19&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Run TMC[/url] 1012 defeated <a title="Wade Machine (Daniel Laengst)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=15&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Wade Machine[/url] 898

A good win here to Owen, against Dans highly sought after second stringers! :lol: Owen was once again led by Rondo with 188, however RR isnt doing it alone! Owen had 5 players get a ton up, compared to only 2 from Dan, however Dans best - Westbrook - finished with a huge 205. Run TMC is looking a great allround team as demonstrated by Nazr Mohammed, who has been a great FA pickup by Owen, with 117 points for this matchup.

<a title="Dannys Lebronts (Danny Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=18&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Dannys Lebronts[/url] 1031 defeated <a title="Fudges Sixers (Jim Tsilikas)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=16&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Fudge’s Sixers[/url] 1025

Very close one here! Only 6 points separating them at the end. Danny10 looked in control for most of the matchup, before a spirited comeback over the last 3 days by Fudges Sixers almost saw them home. Particularly the last day where Fudge won the day 59 - 9, including (as pointed out by Fudge yesterday) a -7 from DeMarcus Cousins - without that score, it would have been a win to Fudge! Dannys Lebronts players scores were quite polarised - 6 players with more than 100, and apart from 89 from Marion, all the rest scored less than 45, including 4 scores less than 20! Fudge will be hping his luck changes after two really close losses to start the season.

<a title="Team El Bonanzas (Al Lee)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=3&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team El Bonanzas[/url] 707 lost to <a href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=1&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_blank">Team anthak[/url] 942

As ELbonz is still away, last week I said I would set up his team for him for the foreseeable future. When I actually went to do it though, I realised that I cant set future days in the same way that we can for our own teams. So I set up a poll to decide who I should put on the bench out of his forwards. When I set his team for the second day Wesley Johnson was leading so I put him on the bench and he dutifully followed up with the lowest score for that day. Then the next day Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was leading the way so i then put him on the bench for the remainder f the matchup, and thats how ill leave it for now. Elbonz has a heap of injuries and I won this pretty easily as expected.

<a title="Too Seriouseses (Les Wales)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=2&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Too Seriouseses[/url] 853 lost to <a title="Adelaide Maggots (Cameron Sears)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=4&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Adelaide Maggots[/url] 982

I played Walesy last week and have Cameron this week... and more importantly, AM beat the TSes by 129 points with Ginobli, DJ Augustin and KG leading the way with 182, 166 and 146 points respectively, all scoring more than any of Walesys players where Hibbert top scored with 128. Both teams were hit buy injury with Ridnour and Bynum both not playing a single game for TSes and AM respectively, and Walesy also only getting one game out of Caron Butler who had torn me up the week before.

<a title="Team Fezkat (Kristian Collins)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=17&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Fezkat[/url] 785 lost to <a title="Jasmines Mob (Jasmine Johnson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=5&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Jasmine’s Mob[/url] 1291

A bit of a wake up call for Fez, after he easily accounted for an absent Elbonz last round. For Jasmine to win by over 500 points in only 7 days of action is pretty special, however Fez may be able to think of other words to describe the performance. The fact is there were 4 more of us that would have been beaten by over 500 points this week if up against Jasmine! 1291 was a massive score, especially considering most of us struggled to break the grand! Jasmines Mob were led by Deron Williams with a huge 244 and ably supported by Monta Ellis and AK47 both with scores in the 170s!! heck, she only had 2 players score less than 49 and they were players she let go to the waivers after 1 and 2 games. What a great all round effort by this team!

<a title="Team HEAVER! (David Tong)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=13&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team HEAVER![/url] 1267 defeated <a title="Westside Hardcore (Michael Walters)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=6&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Westside Hardcore[/url] 1022

Another wake up call maybe??   No, not really!  Micka has come down from the lofty heights he enjoyed last round, however no wake up call here - Just beaten by another great team in a high scoring game. Along with Jasmine, Heaver was the only other one to score more than 1031. And not too disimilar to Jasmine, it obviously took a great team effort. He had two players score over 200 in Love and Wall, and they were followed closely by Horford on 184, with 2 other players with at least a ton. Micka was not embarrassed in this one and also had a great score. His best performers were Tony Parker, Millsap and Anthony with 203, 176 and 148 respectively.

<a title="Under Achievers (Richard Chambers)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=11&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Under Achievers[/url] 670 lost to <a title="Do Something Knicks (Chris Riches, Steve Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=7&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Do Something Knicks[/url] 878

Amazingly UnderAchievers used 20 players during this matchup, however could not get a single player to achieve a century, which contributed to him getting the lowest score out of all teams. DSK did enough to get the chocolates, using 16 players of their own, and having 3 players top the ton in Durantula, Holiday and Odom. Im glad DSK got up in this one, as I was a little hesitant in tipping them after the way they handled the pressure of my tip the previous round :lol: .

......................

Now, I gotta get to bed soon, so Ill just get through the matchup 3 previews pretty quickly :::

<a title="Team Stowie (Daniel Stow)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=8&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Stowie[/url] (2-0) v <a title="Stevos Nuggets (Stephen Nilsson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=12&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Stevos Nuggets[/url] (1-1)

First up, one of the matches of the round! With the much talked about trade going through just in time for it to help them in this matchup, Ive got to pick Team Stowie here, as it will just strengthen an already imposing lineup!

<a title="Ruddys Cavaliers (Peter Rudd)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=14&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Ruddys Cavaliers[/url] (1-1) v <a title="Kings of Karlos (Sean Minetti)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=10&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Kings of Karlos[/url] (1-1)

Both teams 1 and 1. And both teams have played, and both only narrowly beaten, Doobs who hasnt even been changing his team. Also, both teams have been smashed by injuries, however I reckon Ruddy is worse of in that regard s Im tipping Kings of Karlos.

<a title="Wade Machine (Daniel Laengst)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=15&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Wade Machine[/url] (1-1) v <a title="Pikus United (Adam Ziegler)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=9&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Pikus United[/url] (0-2)

For some reason Dan has publicly written himself off in this matchup and a couple more to come. At least thats what he said was behind his decision to trade in a player that is out for a couple of weeks. Not sure who to tip here. WM has been the better performer, however it seems to me that they are tanking, so Pikus United has my tip!

<a title="Fudges Sixers (Jim Tsilikas)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=16&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Fudges Sixers[/url] (0-2) v <a title="Doobia Dominators (Andrew Dubowik)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=20&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Doobia Dominators[/url] (0-2)

Gee, both teams are 0 and 2! and both teams have had extremely close games in both matchups. The only difference being Doobs doesnt give a toss and Fudge has actually been trying!!  :lol: .  I got to point out that Fudge has had much harder opposition and has come much closer to actually winning at the business end of his matchups. So it would be ridiculous to go for Doobs in this one; Fudges Sixers luck has got to change and they will romp home and win this one by a huge margin.

<a title="Dannys Lebronts (Danny Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=18&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Dannys Lebronts[/url] (2-0) v <a title="Run TMC (Owen Beebe)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=19&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Run TMC[/url] (2-0)

Two of the top performing teams in this game. Gotta be match of the round! Danny10 just snuk over the line both rounds, whereas Owen has had two dominating performances; and I expect Run TMC to keep it going here with another convincing win.

<a href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=1&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_blank">Team anthak[/url] (1-1) v <a title="Adelaide Maggots (Cameron Sears)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=4&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Adelaide Maggots[/url] (1-1)

Ok, I had a close loss with one of the lowest scores in the first matchup, and then followed that up with an easy win over a coachless Elbonanzas; so im expecting this one to be a little harder than what I have encountered so far. And although I am quite terrified of what CP3, KG and co could do to my team, Im gonna back Team anthak to get back to back wins here.

<a title="Jasmines Mob (Jasmine Johnson)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=5&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Jasmines Mob[/url] (2-0) v <a title="Team El Bonanzas (Al Lee)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=3&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team El Bonanzas[/url] (0-2)

A rampaging Jasmines Mob to take no mercy on an "away" Elbonz and smash the living bejeesus out of them! Enough said here!

<a title="Westside Hardcore (Michael Walters)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=6&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Westside Hardcore[/url] (1-1) v <a title="Too Seriouseses (Les Wales)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=2&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Too Seriouseses[/url] (1-1)

After being so fired up for the opening matchup, Westside Hardcore couldnt quite keep it up for matchup 2, however their form didnt drop too much, and Im tipping them to be too good for an injury riddled TSes in this match.

<a title="Do Something Knicks (Chris Riches, Steve Smith)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=7&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Do Something Knicks[/url] (1-1) v <a title="Team Fezkat (Kristian Collins)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=17&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team Fezkat[/url] (1-1)

Pretty sure Team Fezkat will be a little rattled after the performance of Jasmines Mob last round, however Im tipping them to fight this matchup out, and I reckon this will actually be a pretty close one. Both teams have a few injuries, so that will not be much of a factor. After a big score in the first round and then a good hard fought win in matchup2, I reckon Do Something Knicks will have the monkey of their backs and will register another W in this game.

<a title="Under Achievers (Richard Chambers)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=11&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Under Achievers[/url] (0-2) v <a title="Team HEAVER! (David Tong)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=13&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">Team HEAVER![/url] (2-0)

Going for a massive upset here and picking UnderAchievers to get up in a real close one. With UAs having a more settled lineup and Heavers arguable best player, KL, out of action, im going out on a limb!

There we go.  Wish everyone luck! And hope its a fun week!