I thought the low amount of NBA games during the week would have resulted in close games in our league; however, i think, because there were big variations in the amount of games played between different teams - ie 4 to some teams, and only 2 to about half the teams and even just the 1 for Toronto - there ended up being mostly 1 sided afairs, with only 2 games decided by less than 100 points - and 100 points was a lot in this low scoring week.

This week saw Jasmine, Owen and Danny10 continue on their winning ways; however the other top 4 team - Heaver! - finished up with a loss in a relatively high scoring game against myself - Team anthak. Heaver finishing as the highest scoring losing team for the round.

Mid table, we saw Dan drop out of the top 8 after 3 straight losses. And down the bottom we still have the two obvious teams holding up the ladder. Fudge is still on the move, winning his 3rd game in a row, and there are a few teams down there with 4 and 5 game losing streaks!

In the NBA, San Antonio has the best record in the league with only 4 losses; while Boston still lead the East, with the same record as Dallas who have been hot for the last few weeks. As for individual leaders: After a 44 point effort on xmas day, Durantula has increased his lead on top of the points with 28.1 ppg; Rondo has not been playing so his healthy ave of 13.8 apg is still easily enough to lead the league; and Love continues to lead the league in rebounds with 15.7 rpg. Bogut and CP3 both still lead the blocks and steals respectively; while Westbrook has cut down on the TOs, leaving the door open for Rondo to jump to the lead averaging 4.15 TOpg. A special mention needs to go out to Lebron James who is the first player to record more than 1 trip-dub this season, and after 2 TDs in his last 5 games, he now has 3 for the season! In our league, Rondo and Paul lead the league in fppg, both with 58.3 pg.

Now over the break - the usual - reviews of matchup 8 games; and previews of matchup 9 games:::::::::

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Matchup 8:

<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] 771 v <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] 628

Owen responded to losing his first game in the best possible way, notching up his 7th win to hold onto his spot on top of the ladder. While Stowie is heading the other direction: after winning 3 of his first 4 games, he has lost the last 4 and is now 15th on the ladder. Both teams had an injured player for the whole matchup, and both had 2 players score over 100; the difference was Owens depth, as he had 4 players score between 60 and 100, compared to only 1 for Stowie. Owens top scorer was Griffen with a huge 168 from 3 games; and Stowies best was Josh Smith with 115 from 3 games.

<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] 1055 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] 760

Well this is Doobs first loss since he has worked it all out... tough opponent though in Danny10 - who finished with the best score this round and has improved his streak to 5 wins on the trot, needing only 1 more to hold the DD trophy with Owen. Doobs only won 1 of the days, and never led at any stage. Doobs had 3 players over 100, with Bosh his best with 153 from 3 games; while Danny10 had 4 over 100 with Lebron James putting up a monster score of 211 from 3 games to be his best, and special mention should also go to his 2nd best - Eric Gordon with 161 from 3 games.

<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] 641 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] 527

Who would have thought this would be so close - Fudge did... at the beginning of the week, Fudge made the call that he might lose this one to Pikus United, and he wasnt far off; and if Curry had have played all 3 games, the result may have been different. Both teams had only 2 players score a ton, with Aldridge (112 from 2) best for Fudge, and Okafor (146 from 3) best for PU.

<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] 762 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] 921

Karlos has made it 3 wins on the trot after another impressive performance - scoring the 3rd best total of the round. Dan only recently traded in a couple of injured players, which didnt help his cause, but even with a fit squad it would have been hard to get over Karlos this week. Karlos had a massive 5 players break the ton milestone, while Dan didnt have anyone! Dans best was Wade with 97 from 2 games, while Karlos had Howard with 196 from 4 games.

<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] 797 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">Stevo’s Nuggets[/url] 656

George Hill should have been an advantage for Steve this week - playing 4 games - but an injury meant he only suited up for 1 and could only manage 16 min in it. His other player scheduled to play 4 games - Jefferson - was his best scorer with an even 100. Ruddy had 2 players playing 4 games - Asik and Boozer - and they scored 55 and 195 respectively, with Boozer his best performer for the week, in front of Nash, who scored 169 from 3 games.

<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] 818 v <a href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=1&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_blank">Team anthak[/url] 976

2nd time in a few weeks that Ive beaten the team with the highest losing score! I knew it would be tough to beat Heaver, but am really happy my boys could pull through. I was a little lucky that I had 5 more games played by my players; and i was also lucky that our love trade didnt come back to bite me! KL was Heavers best scorer with 136 (from 3 games) but it wasnt enough to worry me. He didnt have anyone else break the ton, with the next closest - Wrestbrook stranded on 99 from 3 games. My best 2 were Rose with 221 from 4 games, and Durant with 189 from 3 games; while i had another 1 over 100.

<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] 587 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] 610

The closest game of the round, with only 23 points separating them! A big xmas day saw Fez regain the lead that he hadnt held since the end of day 1, and a good fightback frm UAs on the last day wasnt enough to get him his 2nd win of the season. A tad unlucky for UAs, as he had 4 less games played during the week. His best scorer was Kidd with 85 from 2 games; while Fez had 3 over that, with the soon to depart - Beasley, his best with 129 from 3 games.

<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] 662 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] 692

Another close one here. A massive xmas day saw DSK almost double the TSeses, but saw them still a point behind going into the last day. Thanks largely to a 62 from Ridnour (who is now sharing minutes with Flynn), Walesy outscored them on that day to win by 30 points. DSKs only player over 100 was Nene who scored 119 from 3 games; while Walesy had 2 over 100 with Billups their best on 138 from 3 games.

<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] 718 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] 463

Westside Hardcore had the bye this week. But with a few injuries of his own to contend with, he only had 8 more games played than Elbonz. However he finished with a good score as he had 4 players over 100 with his 2 spurs the best - Duncan with 148, and Parker with 141 - both from their 4 games.

<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] 882 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] 652<a title="Adelaide Maggots (Cameron Sears)" href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=4&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_top">[/url]

Jasmine got off to a great start again this week - leading 384 to 196 after 2 days, and then winning the 3rd and 4th days as well... in fact Cameron only won the 1 day which was the final day in junk time! A big win to Jasmine - 230 points. She had 4 more games played for the week, although her only player to play 4 games - Arenas - spudded it up with a total of 55 points from them. She had 3 players over 100, with Monta Ellis leading the way on 233 from 3 games! Cameron had 2 over 100, with 162 from Ginobli his best, coming from 4 games.

Matchup 9 preview:

This week sees the new years games. There are games on all 7 days, with a good even spread of games amongst the teams - with almost all playing 3 or 4. The only exception is Dallas with 5.

<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] (3-5) 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] (4-4)

With a real tough game against Danny10 out of the way, im tipping Doobia Dominators to get back on the winners list this week.

<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] (0-8) 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] (7-1)

Even though Fzilla has been sitting back in his recliner, PU have done alright over the last 2 weeks! But i cant pick them against the might of Run TMC.

<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] (6-2) v <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] (7-1)

Karlos has been really good so far this season, but I have to go with Dannys Lebronts to keep his streak going.

<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] (2-6) v <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] (3-5)

Tough one to pick this one! Fudge only just got over the line against Pikus Utd last round, but Stevos Nuggets just keeps on losing lately! Anyway, Ive tipped Steve a few times recently, and I may be a gluton for punishment, but Im doing it again...

<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] (4-4) v <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] (4-4)

With big Dirk playing 5 games this week, and Wall back from injury, Im sooooo tempted to pick Dan in this game - but i just cant! Gotta go with Ruddys Cavaliers.

<a href="http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=23530&amp;teamId=1&amp;seasonId=2011" target="_blank">Team anthak[/url] (6-2) 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] (4-4)

Im on a roll lately - and so is Fez....   but I have to keep tipping my mob while its been going well. Team anthak to just get up for the win.

<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] (5-3) 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] (6-2)

An inspired choice of DeShawn Stevenson from the FAs will see Team HEAVER over the line here.

<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] (0-8) v <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] (1-7)

Under Achievers!

<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] (4-4) v <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] (2-6)

I think the trade with Fez will help Do Something Knicks a lot, and hopefully the players i traded them can too. Im tipping them again this week.

<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] (7-1) v <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] (5-3)

Should be an awesome game! Easily match of the round! Really tough to pick, but have to go with Jasmines Mob.

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Have a great new years everyone!!