FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Dahntay Jones: Scores a Season-High 16
Update: Jones played 29 minutes and scored a season-high 16 points with eight rebounds in the Kings' 94-93 loss to the Bulls on Saturday night.
Analysis: Jones put in his best effort of the season. He was 4-of-5 from the floor and 8-of-11 from the line. But, most importantly, he didn't have any turnovers, a huge problem for Sacramento this season. Despite his success against the Bulls, Jones doesn't play enough to be deemed fantasy-worthy.
Ray Allen: Shooting Woes Continue
Update: Allen only scored nine points (3-for-8 shooting) in Saturday's win over Detroit.
Analysis: Allen, who entered the night averaging 18.3 points, has failed to score in double figures in back-to-back games. He is only averaging 5.5 points on 17.6% shooting over his last two games.
Brad Miller: Double-Double in Windy City
Update: Miller scored 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in Sacramento's 94-93 loss at Chicago Saturday night.
Analysis: Sacramento's starting center shot 8-of-17 from the field and dished out six assists in the losing effort. In his last three games, Miller is averaging 21.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Josh Smith: Stuffs The Stat Sheet on Saturday
Update: Smith recorded 34 points (14-for-22 from the field), nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks in Saturday's loss to New Jersey.
Analysis: Another solid all-around game from Smith who entered the night averaging 17.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 1.9 steals per game.
Anthony Johnson: Double-Double on Saturday
Update: Johnson scored 14 points and handed out ten assists in Saturday's loss to New Jersey.
Analysis: Johnson played 36 minutes despite Acie Law IV and Tyronn Lue both being in uniform. Johnson was only averaging 3.2 assists in 27.6 minutes over his last five games so his extra minutes on Saturday were probably due to his strong play. Look for the timeshare between Johnson, Lue and Law to continue going forward.
Jason Kidd: NinthTriple-Double Of The Year
Update: Kidd recorded his ninth triple-double of the year on Saturday with ten points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds in a win over Atlanta.
Analysis: Kidd entered the night averaging 11.5 points, 10.6 assists and 8.6 rebounds. The only downside to his game this year has been his field goal percentage. He entered Saturday shooting a dismal 36.8% from the field.
Aaron Williams: Still Bothered by Wrist
Update: Williams (bruised wrist) participated in limited drills Friday
Analysis: Williams has not played in eight games. Due to his injury, he is struggling to shoot with his left hand.
Luol Deng: MRI Reveals No Major Damage
Update: Deng (Achilles) missed Saturday's game against Sacramento, but an MRI taken on Friday revealed no major structural damage and he is listed as day-to-day, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: "We'll sit him out tonight (Saturday), give him a couple days rest and see how he is on Tuesday," Bulls interim coach Jim Boylan said. "Hopefully, the rest will do him some good. He seems to be feeling a little bit better, so we're keeping our fingers crossed on that. The schedule kind of breaks for us." Andres Nocioni will continue to see increased minutes while Deng is out.
Manu Ginobili: Should Be Back Soon
Update: Ginobili (finger) has missed five straight games, but hopes to play on Sunday against the Clippers, the San Antonio Express reports.
Analysis: "It is not difficult to grip the ball for my shot," Ginobili said, "because the shot comes off the fingers. But the tape and padding has to go around my hand and on the palm of my hand. Dribbling is hard because the ball needs to slide in the hand and the tape makes it difficult." It looks like Ginobili should be back in the next game or so. Michael Finley will continue to see increases minutes while he is out.
Austin Croshere: Could Return Soon
Update: Croshere (strained back) has missed the Warriors' last 10 games, but hopes to return on Monday against San Antonio, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Analysis: Croshere is only averaging 3.7 points this year and will likely see limited minutes in the Warriors' frontcourt when he returns.
Eddy Curry: Big Game in Loss
Update: Curry led the Knicks with 25 points (10-of-12 FG) and 12 rebounds during their loss to the Spurs Friday.
Analysis: Don't get too excited, as Curry's big line came with Zach Randolph (suspension) on the sidelines. Lines like this would be more common without Randolph sharing the blocks, but he's due back during New York's next contest. The Knicks fell to 1-12 on the road this season with the loss.
Jamal Crawford: Sprains Shoulder
Update: Crawford sprained his left shoulder during a third quarter collision with Matt Bonner Friday, the New York Daily News reports.
Analysis: Crawford stayed in the game but went 0-for-5 in the fourth quarter. He had X-rays taken of his non-shooting arm, and the results were negative. Consider him day-to-day, but it doesn't sound like the injury is too serious.
Thaddeus Young: Shows Improvement Every Game
Update: Young played 21 minutes in Friday's loss to the Lakers and finished with 16 points (8-12 FG) and nine rebounds.
Analysis: Young saw additional minutes because the game was over by the middle of the fourth quarter but still played a strong game and made a difference when he was on the court.
Louis Williams: Led Philadelphia With 17 Points Friday
Update: Williams led Philadelphia with 17 points (8-14 FG) Friday night in a loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: Williams also had three assists and three steals in the loss. He continues to improve in his third year and should be owned in most leagues. He is an injury away from playing major minutes.
Jeff McInnis: Better, But ...
Update: McInnis scored 13 points and handed out five assists while playing 38 minutes on Friday in New Jersey.
Analysis: As inefficient as those numbers are, that's McInnis' second double-digit outburst of the season and first since Nov. 6. Since being installed as the starting point guard, he's yet to dish out more than five assists in any game. Even while starting, he's not a very valuable fantasy player, and we've got to believe coach Sam Vincent will turn the offense back over to Raymond Felton at some point.
Nazr Mohammed: Reserve Role Not Fitting
Update: Mohammed had just two points and four rebounds in 14 minutes Friday in New Jersey.
Analysis: He averaged 14 points and nearly 12 rebounds per game as a starter. He could get back into the starting lineup at some point soon, but he's clearly not much of a fantasy threat while he gets so few minutes.
Jason Terry: Struggles Continue Against Heat
Update: Terry had eight points, two assists and one rebound in the Mavs' 94-89 win over the Heat on Friday.
Analysis: Terry is averaging only 8.4 points per game over his last five games, and owners may want to consider sitting him until his shot returns.
Eddie Jones: Scores 17 Against Heat
Update: Jones had 17 points on 5-9 shooting in the Mavs' 94-89 win over the Heat on Friday.
Analysis: Friday was Jones' first night scoring in double-figures, and we're not counting on many more of these performances this season.
Emeka Okafor: Always The Rebounder
Update: Okafor was nonexistent on the offensive side of the ball (2 of 2 from the floor, six points) but did grab 13 rebounds and block four shots.
Analysis: Okafor has scored 20 points only three times this season, and hasn't done so in 11 games. In fact, he's scored in single digits in three of the last four games, coinciding with his move to the center spot. The Bobcats are a mess right now and one of the league's most disappointing teams.
Raymond Felton: Slump Continues
Update: Felton's recent slide continued on Friday in New Jersey. Starting at off guard, Felton scored eight points on 4 of 12 shooting with eight assists, three turnovers and one rebound.
Analysis: Coach Sam Vincent's insistence on starting Felton and Jeff McInnis gives Charlotte one of the league's worst backcourts. Felton's offense is pretty bad right now, so why put him at a scorer's position? If Vincent wants to go small and move Jason Richardson to the three slot, a backcourt of Felton and Matt Carroll would seem a much better fit.
Devin Harris: Nears Double-Double Against Heat
Update: Harris had 15 points, nine rebounds and four steals in the Mavs' 94-89 win over the Heat on Friday.
Analysis: Harris has remained consistent this season, a lack of which plagued him early in his career. Now may be an optimal time to pick him up.
Dirk Nowitzki: Continues Strong Play Against Heat
Update: Nowitzki had 24 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the Mavs' 94-89 win over the Heat on Friday.
Analysis: Nowitzki has averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds over his last five games, and seems to be finding his groove.
Jason Richardson: Another 30-Plus Night
Update: Richardson scored 33 points on Friday (albeit on 12 of 28 shooting) and added eight rebounds and four assists.
Analysis: Since Dec. 22, Richardson is averaging a shade over 30 points over the last seven games. He also is starting at small forward right now as the Bobcats go to a smaller lineup.
Jordan Farmar: Scores 16 in Blowout Win
Update: Farmar had 16 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals in the Lakers' 124-93 blowout win over the 76ers on Friday.
Analysis: Farmar played equal minutes as fellow backup point guard Javaris Crittenton, a sign that Crittenton may be eating into Farmar's minutes in the future.
Kobe Bryant: Scores 15 in Blowout Win
Update: Bryant had only 15 points, six rebounds and four assists in the Lakers' 124-93 blowout win over the 76ers on Friday.
Analysis: Bryant played only 29 minutes on Friday, and spent much of that time deferring to teammates. Expect his numbers to be better in a closer game.
Andrew Bynum: Posts Huge Game Against 76ers
Update: Bynum had 17 points and 16 rebounds in the Lakers' 124-93 win over the 76ers on Friday.
Analysis: Any worries about Bynum's playing time were solved when Chris Mihm went down for the next four weeks, so fantasy owners should feel safe again starting Bynum on a nightly basis.
Gerald Wallace: Full Steam Ahead
Update: Wallace continued his remarkable recent play with a nice night in New Jersey on Friday, scoring 25 points to go with 12 rebounds and five assists.
Analysis: He did have five turnovers, but he and Jason Richardson have both scored at least 20 points in four straight games.
Grant Hill: Battling a Bruised Tailbone
Update: Hill did not practice on Friday due to a tailbone bruise he suffered back on Christmas Day against the Lakers, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: "(Thursday) night it bothered him a little, but he'll be fine (Saturday)," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He takes a couple shots (to his body) every game... but he's fine." Any injury to Hill is obviously a little more worrisome than it would be to another player, but so far this one hasn't cost Hill any games.
Javaris Crittenton: Posts Career High in Blowout Win
Update: Crittenton had 19 points on 7-9 shooting in the Lakers' 124-93 win over the 76ers on Friday.
Analysis: Crittenton received lots of garbage time minutes on Friday, and is not nearly consistent enough to be a fantasy consideration, even in the deepest of leagues.
Kevin Garnett: Scores 23 Against Grizzlies
Update: Garnett had 23 points, five rebounds and five assists in the Celtics' 100-96 win over the Grizzlies on Friday.
Analysis: Another solid game from Garnett, who has topped 20 points in four of his last five games.
Paul Pierce: Posts Double-Double Against Grizzlies
Update: Pierce had 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the Celtics' 100-96 win over the Grizzlies on Friday.
Analysis: A solid game from Pierce, who has been on a roll lately and should be an every-night starter in all fantasy formats.
Ray Allen: Struggles Mightily Against Grizzlies
Update: Allen had two points on 0-9 shooting in the Celtics' 100-96 win over the Grizzlies on Friday.
Analysis: Allen sank two free throws at the end of the game, narrowly avoiding his first career scoreless game. However, the team may look at resting Allen, who is averaging more than 38 minutes per game and is consequently playing on tired legs.
Tony Allen: Scores 20 Off Bench Against Grizzlies
Update: Allen had 20 points off the bench in the Celtics' 100-96 win over the Grizzlies on Friday.
Analysis: Tony Allen came in when Ray Allen (0-9) struggled, though we would like to see more consistency from Tony Allen before recommending him as a regular fantasy play.
Craig Smith: Starts at Power Forward
Update: Smith started Friday's game at power forward and scored 10 points with four rebounds in 25 minutes.
Analysis: Smith is getting more consistent playing time after a mid-December lull when his minutes fell off a bit in part due to the flu.
Gilbert Arenas: Aims for March 15 Return
Update: Arenas said he was recently cleared to get on the court for some light shooting for the first time since undergoing surgery on his left knee on Nov. 21, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Arenas indicated that he is aiming for a possible March 15 return to game action. "They say I'll be at 100 percent around February, mid-February, somewhere around the all-star break," said Arenas, who hasn't been cleared for any running or jumping just yet. "But I'm going to be in extra wait mode, just to be sure."
Brad Miller: Kings Relying on His Offense
Update: Miller scored 17 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished seven assists in Sacramento's 97-93 loss at Cleveland Friday night.
Analysis: Miller's field goal attempts have risen since Ron Artest (elbow) exited the lineup on Dec. 28. Against the Cavaliers, he shot 7-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the line and has become the Kings' second scoring option behind swingman John Salmons. In his last three games, Miller is averaging almost 16 shot attempts.
Justin Williams: Works Well Down Low
Update: Williams played 12 minutes and scored eight points with eight rebounds in the Kings' loss to Cleveland on Friday night.
Analysis: Sacramento has had no low-post prescence with Ron Artest (elbow) missing from the lineup. Williams shot 4-of-5 from the field and grabbed four offensive caroms. Gradually, he is playing more and his performance against the Cavs may warrant extended minutes in the future. Someone on the Kings has to mix it up inside, and Williams is one of the few players who will do it.
Marcus Williams: DNP Friday
Update: Williams was a DNP-CD Friday night in New Jersey's victory over Charlotte.
Analysis: Williams has slipped behind Darrell Armstrong on the depth chart, after missing much of the season recovering from a broken foot. With the Nets finally showing some life -- they reached the .500 mark Friday night -- coach Lawrence Frank can't afford to give Williams the time needed to get back his conditioning and timing. Armstrong's recent good play also played a role in the change in rotation.
Darrell Armstrong: Sticks as Backup Point Guard
Update: Armstrong scored six points and dished five assists in 21 minutes Friday night in New Jersey's victory over Charlotte.
Analysis: Armstrong has passed second-year man Marcus Williams (DNP-CD Friday) on the depth chart and has been effective. He was on the court for all of the fourth quarter in each of the Nets' last two games. His ability to play alongside Jason Kidd and handle the tougher defensive matchups, could earn him around 20 minutes a night.
Rodney Stuckey: Nearing Fantasy Relevance
Update: Stuckey had eight points and six assists in 18 minutes off the bench Friday.
Analysis: Stuckey won't crack the starting lineup, but with Detroit blowing out opponents, he's getting a lot of valuable low-pressure experience. In his last five games, he's averaged 20.0 mpg, 7.0 ppg, 4.2 apg, and 2.0 spg. He might already be Detroit's top offensive player off the bench.
Antoine Wright: Hopes to Play Tuesday
Update: Wright, who suffered a minor setback to his injured ankle, said he hopes to play Tuesday in Charlotte, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Wright was getting close to returning, but experienced swelling after Thursday's practice. He will miss Sunday's game in Atlanta.
Brandan Wright: First Career Start
Update: Wright made his first career NBA start Friday night in Golden State's loss to New Orleans.
Analysis: No reason was given for starting the rookie -- -- does coach Don Nelson ever need a reason? Wright scored five points and grabbed four rebounds in six minutes. He was eventually replaced by Golden State's rotation mainstays, like Al Harrington, Matt Barnes and Mickael Pietrus.
Josh Powell: Works Out Friday
Update: Williams (bruised wrist) participated in limited drills Friday.
Analysis: The forward-center has not played in eight games. Due to his injury, Williams is struggling to shoot with his left hand.
Tim Thomas: Participates in Friday Drills
Update: Thomas (sore knee) worked through some light drills on Friday and will be evaluated by team officials to see if he is able to play on Sunday at home against the Spurs.
Analysis: The Clippers' starting power forward was injured on Dec. 22 and has missed the last four games. Al Thornton and Josh Powell have taken his minutes in the playing rotation.
Paul Davis: Surgery a Success
Update: Davis underwent successful surgery Friday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn lateral meniscus in his right knee, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Davis was injured in the second quarter of the Clippers' loss at Dallas on Dec. 22.
For the next six days, he is scheduled to remain in Birmingham, Ala., where the surgery was performed, to receive physical therapy.
Al Thornton: Learning to Find His Offense
Update: Thornton, the Clippers' first-round draft choice in last June's NBA draft, is still learning to make offensive adjustments, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: "Sometimes, he is not really sure when to shoot, when not to shoot. When to attack, when not to attack. A lot of that has to do with his understanding of the guy who is guarding him," said Fred Vinson, Los Angeles' player development consultant. Thornton, a small forward, has been playing out of position at power forward, attempting to pick up the slack after Tim Thomas sprained his left knee on Dec. 22. Thornton is averaging 12.8 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 47.4% in nearly 30 minutes a game since Thomas went down.
Dwyane Wade: Day-to-Day for Sunday
Update: Wade, who missed Friday night's game with right shoulder and right pinkie finger injuries, is listed as day-to-day for Sunday's game in Memphis, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: Wade is also dealing with recurring soreness in his surgically repaired left shoulder and left knee. He admits that the various injuries are affecting his game. "I'm not complaining about nothing," Wade said. "You just have to pick your spots more. Some games you can be reckless, some games you can't."
Jason Williams: Pain Getting Worse
Update: Williams said the pain in his right knee has grown worse, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: Williams, who is with the team on its five-game road trip, missed his fifth consecutive game on Friday. He might try to play next week, but he really doesn't know when he'll be ready to return.
Jermareo Davidson: Won't Be Assigned to D-League
Update: Davidson, whose D-League assignment was rescinded in December, may never get there this season because Charlotte is shorthanded, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Davidson was slated to go to the developmental league when the Bobcats pulled off the 2-for-1 deal to land Nazr Mohammed. Bobcats coach Sam Vincent said he needs Davidson as a practice player and as insurance against further injury. "Until we have a (different) situation -- and I don't know if it will be this year -- we won't send him down," Vincent said.
Larry Hughes: Not Shooting Well
Update: Hughes shot 2-of-11 Friday night for four points.
Analysis: Hughes continues his abysmal shooting display, and it's only a matter of time before coach Mike Brown limits his role in the rotation. Hughes is shooting 32 percent for the year, and we see no signs of this turning around.
|
   |
||||||
Copyright © NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use.
NBA.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
