Derek Fisher and Rafer Alston Both Suspended One Game

Stu Jackson, the NBA’s executive in charge of wrist-slapping, has suspended Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher and Orlando Magic Rafer Alston for one game each. The Alston suspension came after he slapped Boston Celtic Eddie House in the back of the head in Game 2 of that series on Wednesday. Fisher got his suspension for a massive body check on Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets.

Both players are the starting point guard for their team, and the suspensions will have an impact on the Game 3 chances of the Magic and Lakers. It’s worse news for the Magic, who have less depth at the point.

Alston came to the Magic in a three team deadline deal after their original starting PG, Jameer Nelson went down for the season with a torn labrum. The signing of Alston came about two weeks after losing Nelson. During that time Anthony Johnson took over at PG, and he’ll be asked to fill in again for Game 3 against the Celtics. The Magic went 3-3 over that stretch, beating the Clippers, Nets and Bobcats (three lottery teams) while losing to the Pacers, Nuggets and Hornets. Not an impressive record.

Losing Alston for a game is especially bad, because Johnson, a veteran presence who can score but lacks foot speed, will be forced to guard the whirling dervish that is Rajon Rondo. Johnson’s backup, Tyronn Lue, has more quicks, but he’s hardly played this year, averaging 12 minutes in 44 appearances. He averaged 4.2 points and 1.4 assists in those minutes. Both replacements will have to put in work for the Magic, who are still five point favorites at home. I think the loss of Alston will have a greater effect than the oddsmakers are predicting the NBA odds. Take the Celtics +5 ATS.

Derek Fisher is extremely valuable to his team, but I don’t anticipate his loss being nearly as significant. I have a couple reasons. First, the Lakers have two legitimate backups at point guard. Jordan Farmar has struggled this season and seen his role with the team diminish, but he’s very quick and he can score. Shannon Brown, the other backup, has been a revelation for the Lakers since coming over with Adam Morrison from the Bobcats. The Lakers traded Vladimir Radmanovic for both players. Brown is a freakish athlete and can stroke the 3, as well as being fairly proficient handling the ball. He’s really stepped up to the plate in the pressure-cooker that is the Lakers in the playoffs.

The main reason I don’t think the Fisher suspension hurts the Lakers too much is the matchup situation with Houston’s starter at PG, Aaron Brooks. Brooks is small and lightning quick, a nightmare matchup for the slower, stronger Fisher. He’s averaging 16 points against the Lakers and 15.3ppg overall in the playoffs. Both Farmar and Brown should have an easier time guarding him. Fisher knocks down shots and spaces the floor, but Brown can do the same thing, and at any rate, the Lakers don’t exactly lack options on offense. Take the Lakers -1½ tonight.