Reacaps of NBA Games

Dallas 108, Sacramento 100:  Dirk Nowitzki had 31 points and 12 rebounds for Dallas, which extended its season-high winning streak to 10 games.

Toronto 102, New York 96: Sonny Weems scored a career-high 20 points, and the Raptors ended a losing streak at four games.

Boston 96, at Philadelphia 86: Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 11 assists, Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and the Celtics handed the 76ers their fifth straight loss.

Milwaukee 102, at Washington 74: Andrew Bogut had 19 points and 10 rebounds despite sitting out the fourth quarter for the Bucks, who have won eight of nine.

Atlanta 127, Golden State 122: Josh Smith scored a season-high 29 points and Al Horford added 27 points and 15 rebounds as the Hawks won their fourth straight.

Orlando 97, at New Jersey 87: Matt Barnes scored 14 of his 16 points in the first quarter when the Magic opened a double-digit lead on its way to its fourth straight win.

Denver 122, Indiana 114: Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points and the Nuggets’ bench contributed 48 points.

San Antonio 102, New Orleans 91: Seven Spurs scored in double figures, led by Tony Parker’s 20 points. Darren Collison scored 32 for the Hornets.

The free-agent signing period had just begun and his agent called to tell him Coach Lovie Smith was in town. Soon, Peppers was meeting him at an executive airport.

Now, he’s being fitted for a Bears uniform.Peppers joined Chicago in the biggest move by a team that showed it’s fixated on contending again after missing the playoffs the last three seasons.

Peppers received $18.2 million from the Carolina Panthers last season. He turned down a four-year, $54 million contract offer from the Panthers last year.Peppers has the potential to make close to $110 million in the seven-year period between 2009 and 2016.

1. Hanley Ramirez-Perhaps most people were expecting to see Albert Pujols but we have to give Ramirez the top spot. A big producer in five categories is hard to resist. Especially at shortstop where he is clearly an elite fantasy baseball producer.

2. Alex Rodriguez- say what you want about A-Rod. He used to be my favorite player. If we leave out all the off the field issues, he should be one of your favorite fantasy baseball players as well. Evan Longoria took away a bit of the shine off A-Rod last year, but we believe a healthy Alex Rodriguez will return to the top spot at third base.

3. Albert Pujols- okay, here he is. For many people pulse is a consensus number one pick. It is hard to argue with his numbers. He averaged .342-35-110-5-100 for the past two years. However, in fantasy baseball, position counts, and for that reason this first baseman is our number three pick.

4. Chase Utley- Utley will be picked at various draft positions number one through five. It’s hard to argue with anyone that we choose him above number four. We could leave them out of our top five, and doubt you will be able to either.

5. Mark Teixeira- Two the Yankees in the top five? We love Mark Teixeira on any team, but absolutely adore him playing 81 games in Yankee Stadium. His numbers, He led the American League in home runs (39) and RBIs (122), and managed an OPS greater than .900 for the fifth time in his past six seasons. Any questions?

6. Joe Mauer- Catchers dont make a lot of top 10 fantasy baseball lists. Then again there aren’t many catchers like Joe Mauer. In 2009 we saw Mauer add power to his repertoire, and that made him one of the toughest outs in the American League. Catchers are always at a premium in fantasy baseball, so don’t let him get by.

7. Ryan Braun- it’s hard to leave Ryan Braun out of any top 10 list. He does a little of everything very well. Staying healthy will be a key, but when he is, he is the kind of guy that you don’t have to worry about. Rock solid and consistent. Braun’s about as complete a fantasy player as there is. In each of his three big-league seasons, he’s managed at least 30 home runs, 90 runs scored, 90 RBIs and 10 stolen bases, and he’s averaging .308-34-106-16-99 per-year numbers.

8. Prince Fielder- first things first. How does a vegetarian get that big? Okay the question was more or less a joke, but hitting 40+ bombs per year and driving in 100+ runs is not.

9. Roy Halladay- okay as I started to compile this list, Roy Halladay kept popping into my head. Halladay has been on at least one or two of my teams, since I can remember. A workhorse of the pitcher who never seems to come out of a game. Playing on marginal teams for his entire career, he has still produced some of the best fantasy numbers for starting pitchers. Since it’s that time of year how many games can you win with an offense like the Phillies have behind him?

10. Carl Crawford- Crawford has been on my keeper league team since he came in to Major league baseball. A disclaimer, I am a Rays fan and there’s no way I will make a top 10 list without a Tampa Bay Ray. That being said, Crawford seemingly fades every summer. Crawford is in the last year of his contract and typically that produces big numbers for any player. I don’t expect he will be with Tampa Bay past the trading deadline. So my pick for number 10 is Carl Crawford.

Bubble players we considered for the top 10 list are Evan Longoria, Tim Lincecum, Ryan Howard and José Reyes.