Steve Blake and Jordan Hill were the only Lakers' reserves to score on Saturday, contributing five points each in a Game 4 loss to the Thunder. Matt Barnes played four scoreless minutes, and the Lakers' starters (led by Kobe's 38 points) didn't have enough firepower to beat the Thunder on the second of back-to-back nights. Mike Brown could be criticized for not reaching deeper into his bench, but the Lakers' reserve corps (led by Devin Ebanks, Andrew Goudelock, Josh McRoberts and Troy Murphy) doesn't exactly seem ready to jump into the playoff fray.

Steve Blake caught fire in the Lakers' Game 7 win on Saturday, making 5-of-6 three-pointers to finish with 19 points, two rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. "I hate Steve Blake tonight," George Karl said after the game, "but I love him as a player." The Lakers have shot only 28.6 percent from downtown in the playoffs, worse than any active team except the 76ers (24.7 percent). They'll have a much better chance of defeating the Thunder with reliable perimeter shooting from Blake and Metta World Peace (4-of-11 from downtown on Saturday), who had many open looks with Denver aggressively double-teaming Kobe.

Steve Blake will remain the starting point guard for the Lakers at this time. "We'll see as time goes on," Mike Brown said on the possibility of starting Ramon Sessions. "Right now I like the way our rotation is." Several expect Sessions to overtake Blake as the starter eventually, and we're on board with that belief considering how well Sessions has played for Los Angeles. Blake just doesn't do enough to be owned in standard-sized leagues.

Making another start at PG on Sunday, Steve Blake was scoreless with two assists and two turnovers in 27 minutes. Before the game, Mike Brown said that Blake might keep the starting job ahead of Ramon Sessions for the rest of the season. We're not convinced that will happen, especially after Sunday's lifeless effort, and even as a starter Blake doesn't do enough to warrant owning in 12-team leagues.

Steve Blake scored nine points on 3-of-5 shooting (including three treys) with five rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in 36 minutes during Tuesday's double-overtime win. Blake has been linked in trade rumors to Raymond Felton, though those have quieted down. That would be a best-case scenario for him, but owners shouldn't stash him based on one quieting rumor.

Some executives believe the Blazers are interested in trading Raymond Felton for Steve Blake. Blake spent 2 1/2 seasons with the Blazers from 2007-2010. He never averaged more than 11.0 points or 5.1 assists. Still, Portland is apparently desperate to shake things up as the names of Felton and Jamal Crawford continue to pop up in rumors.

Steve Blake played 29 minutes off the Lakers' bench on Sunday, compared to just 19 minutes for starter Derek Fisher. The two veteran PGs split minutes on a nightly basis, and neither has provided fantasy value in average leagues. The Lakers are eager to upgrade the position before the March 15 deadline, just one more reason owners should avoid Blake and Fisher.

Beat writer Mike Bresnahan suggests Steve Blake will start in place of Kobe Bryant (concussion/nose) if Bryant can't play on Wednesday. Blake hasn't started a single game for the Lakers this season, but that could change on Wednesday. He's averaging 6.8 points, 3.0 assists and 1.3 treys in a reserve role this season, but would likely see extended minutes if Bryant is unable to play.

Steve Blake (ribs) acknowledged that he wasn't 100 percent when he initially returned but is now improving. "I wasn't totally 100 %," he said. ""There were parts of my game I couldn't do. Changing direction fast was tough for me. I'm getting able to do that again." Blake said he's almost back to where he was before getting injured, and the Lakers will need him to be a big part of the offense going forward. He had 17 points (including five treys) in 21 minutes on Monday.

Steve Blake scored 17 points in the Lakers' blowout win over the Blazers on Monday, hitting 6-of-9 shots from the field (including five threes) with two rebounds and one assist in 21 minutes. Blake did much of his damage while the game was still in contention, but he's not going to have any real fantasy value unless he knocks off Derek Fisher (eight points, three boards, three assists, 25 minutes). We have no indication that is happening anytime soon.