FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Andres Nocioni: Started At Small Forward For Luol Deng Saturday
Update: Nocioni - starting in place of the injured Luol Deng - scored 21 points while grabbing eight rebounds in 41 minutes of action in the Bulls' 97-81 win over Detroit Saturday.
Analysis: Nocioni has posted more than 20 points in five of his last six and seven of his last nine contests and with Deng's Achilles injury flaring up, look for him to remain in the starting lineup.
Kirk Hinrich: Returned To Action Saturday
Update: Hinrich returned to action Saturday after missing three games with back spasms, scoring eight points while dishing out three assists in 26 minutes of action in the Bulls' 97-81 win over the Pistons.
Analysis: Hinrich came off the bench and probably would have seen more action but he battled foul trouble most of the night. With Chris Duhon now nursing a sprained left knee and Luol Deng's Achilles injury flaring up, look for Hinrich to move back into the starting line-up for Chicago's next game.
Thabo Sefolosha: Double-Double Saturday
Update: Sefolosha finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds in 35:39 of action in the Bulls' 97-81 win over Detroit Saturday.
Analysis: Sefolosha logged heavy minutes even with the return of Kirk Hinrich due to Luol Deng misses the game with a flare-up of his Achilles injury and Chris Duhon heaving to be carried off the court. If both Deng and Duhon miss time, look for Sefolosha to continue to see lots of playing time.
Chris Duhon: Sprains Left Knee After Colliding With Chauncey Billups Saturday
Update: Duhon had to be carried off the floor with just more than eight minutes left in the Bulls' 97-81 win over the Pistons Saturday after he and Chauncey Billups apparently bumped knees, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Duhon was diagnosed with a left knee sprain but no word was provided as to the severity of it or how long he might be out. With Luol Deng's Achilles acting up and Duhon now banged up, look for Thabo Sefolosha to continue to log hey minutes.
Juan Carlos Navarro: Third Straight Game with 20+ Points
Update: Navarro was in the starting lineup on Saturday and scored 21 points (5 3-pointers) in a loss to Charlotte.
Analysis: Navarro played a team-high 43 minutes but the Grizzlies were without the services of Mike Miller on Saturday. Navarro is averaging 19.2 points over his last five games and has been productive recently as a starter and as a reserve.
Dwyane Wade: Continues to Play Through Injuries
Update: Wade finished with 22 points (7-of-23 FG, 7-of-9 FT), five rebounds and nine assists Saturday night. His point and assist totals were game highs in a home loss to New York.
Analysis: Wade appears to still be bothered by his sore ankles. However, he continues to log huge minutes as he did Saturday with 40 minutes against New York.
Shaquille O'Neal: In Foul Trouble
Update: O'Neal had 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks in only 24 minutes of play Saturday in a loss to New York.
Analysis: The limited playing time was not related to Shaq's recent hip injury. He ran into foul trouble early leaving Mark Blount with the heavy lifting.
Gerald Wallace: Stuffs The Stat Sheet on Saturday
Update: Wallace filled up the stat sheet on Saturday with 28 points (12-for-23 shooting), seven rebounds, six assists and seven steals.
Analysis: A great bounce back game for Wallace after only scoring 12 points in his last game. Wallace is averaging 28.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 steals over his last six games.
Jason Richardson: Season Highs in Points And Rebounds On Saturday
Update: Richardson scored a season-high 38 points and pulled down a season-high 14 rebounds in Saturday's win over Memphis.
Analysis: Richardson entered the night shooting 43% from the field but shot 16-for-25 from the field on Saturday and made six 3-pointers.
Troy Murphy: Starts At Center on Saturday
Update: Murphy got the start at center for the injured Jermaine O'Neal (knee), but only scored three points (1-for-9 shooting from the field) in Saturday's loss to Sacramento.
Analysis: Murphy did have nine rebounds in 26 minutes of play and should be a decent source for boards while O'Neal is out for the next two weeks.
Jamaal Tinsley: Starts on Saturday
Update: Tinsley was back in the Pacers starting lineup after being deactivated for their last game and handed out 13 assists in Saturday's loss to Sacramento.
Analysis: Tinsley didn't shoot much (2-for-6 the field) but played 35 minutes on Saturday. It looks safe to put him back in your lineups.
Ron Artest: Leaves Indiana Victorious
Update: Artest had 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in the Kings' win over the Pacers Saturday night.
Analysis: Artest, who notched his first win against his old team since leaving Indiana two seasons ago, was instrumental in the fourth quarter. He nailed a key 3-pointer, then moments later followed with a short jumper, giving Sacramento a 95-80 lead with 5:13 to play. The rest of the evening was battle for Artest, however. He shot just 5-of-14 while committing six turnovers.
Jameer Nelson: Misses Saturday's Game
Update: Nelson (foot) was inactive for Saturday's game against Portland.
Analysis: He is listed as day-to-day. Carlos Arroyo took his place in the starting lineup.
Beno Udrih: Left Out of Crunch Time
Update: Udrih scored 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting with three assists in the Kings' 110-104 win over Indiana Saturday.
Analysis: Curiously, Udrih was on the Kings' bench most of the fourth quarter, even though he outplayed point guard cohort Mike Bibby. Udrih shot 3-of-4 from 3-point range and 3-of-3 from the line. He logged just 23 minutes which doesn't seem like enough considering Bibby played 30 and looked very tired near the end of the game. With Udrih on the sideline and Bibby on the floor, Sacramento squandered a 14-point lead in the final minutes and barely hung on for the victory.
Mikki Moore: Paces Kings With Double-Double
Update: Moore had 22 points and 11 rebounds in Sacramento's 110-104 win at Indiana Saturday night.
Analysis: The Kings' starting power forward registered his fourth double-double of the season against the Pacers. Moore shot 9-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the line in 32 minutes.
Luol Deng: Achilles Flares Up
Update: Deng (Achilles) was inactive for Saturday's game against Detroit after his nagging Achilles injury flared up in the fourth quarter of Friday's game, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: "Since he's (Deng) had the injury it's kind of stayed with him," Bulls interim coach Jim Boylan said. "It gets better on occasion and he can play, and then it comes back. Deng had played in four consecutive games after missing three games with the Achilles injury. He's day-to-day, but it looks like this could be an ongoing issue. Andres Nocioni started in his place on Saturday.
Damon Stoudamire: Close to Buyout
Update: Stoudamire is close to reaching a buyout agreement with the Grizzlies, according to a source, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The possibility remains that Memphis will keep Stoudamire should better trade offers come the their way. The Celtics, Suns, Heat, Raptors and Nuggets have all explored trade possibilities with the Grizzlies.
Marcus Williams: Available Saturday
Update: Williams (foot) will be available Saturday night against the Clippers, the New York Daily News reports.
Analysis: Williams missed Wednesday night's game because of the injury, which is to his surgically repaired right foot, but wasn't playing much before that. He's been working with John Lucas, so the Nets are putting some development time into him. If things go south for the 18-20 Nets, they may trade Jason Kidd opening up an opportunity for Williams.
Antoine Wright: Available Saturday
Update: Wright (ankle) will be available Saturday night against the Clippers, the New York Daily News reports.
Analysis: Wright tried to come back early from a sprained right ankle and has missed nine of the last 13 games.
Bostjan Nachbar: Sore Right Foot
Update: Nachbar was suffering from a sore right foot that was heavily wrapped after Saturday morning's shootaround, the New York Daily News reports.
Analysis: Nachbar, who is expected to play Saturday night against the Clippers, is still part of the Nets' rotation and is averaging 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 23.7 minutes per game during the month of January.
Jermaine O'Neal: Out for Two Weeks
Update: O'Neal will miss a minimum of two weeks with a bruised knee, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: O'Neal has been bothered by pain in his surgically repaired right knee for most of the season. Earlier reports indicated that the injury will not go away even if O'Neal is held out of the lineup for an extended period, but apparently the pain will force O'Neal to rest the knee. "I'm in a position where one week it'll be fine and the next week, it'll be really swollen," O'Neal said. "When you have fluid in your knee, it tends to affect where your knee moves, and it tends to irritate a lot of things." The injury has affected his numbers throughout the season, and he is averaging only 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds.
Marko Jaric: Back In Starting Lineup
Update: Jaric started at shooting guard, but did not score and had just one assist in 33 minutes in Friday's loss to Phoenix.
Analysis: Jaric started for a second game in a row but has scored just six points in his last two games. While it looks like he's getting back into the starting lineup, hold off picking him up until he shows some signs of producing.
Michael Doleac: Out Again With The Flu
Update: Doleac (illness) missed Friday's loss to Phoenix.
Analysis: Even if he was healthy, it's not clear he would have played as he's been mired on the bench most of the season.
Tracy McGrady: Could Play Saturday
Update: A day after he could not finish practice and said he was unlikely to play Saturday against the Spurs, McGrady (knee) went through all of Friday's practice without problems and said after that he is 75 percent certain he would play, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: "I'm better, better," McGrady said. "I was able to get through practice. There was a little bit of pain. Mentally, I was better than (Thursday). It's coming along. I got to see how I feel (Saturday), come in for shootaround. If I feel good, I'll play. There's a chance. There's a good chance I could play." At this point, we'd wait until McGrady clears 30 minutes in the boxscore before activating him.
Wally Szczerbiak: Trade Rumors Swirl
Update: Szczerbiak has been named in number of trade discussions as the Feb. 21 deadline approaches, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: None of the rumors appear to have legs, but Szczerbiak obviously isn't in the team's long-term plans, and it'll move him if it can to clear cap space. Szczerbiak is owed $12 million this season and $13 million next season.
Cuttino Mobley: Little Pizazz Against Jazz
Update: Mobley had five points, five assists, a steal and a block in the Clippers' 106-88 loss at Utah Friday.
Analysis: In 35 minutes, Mobley shot just 2-of-6 from the field and 1-of-2 from the line. He appears to be over nagging elbow and groin injuries, but his good health hasn't enhanced his production much. In his last six games, the 10th-year swingman has averaged 32.9 minutes, 12.5 points and 2.8 assists while shooting 45.5% from the floor and 50.0% from 3-point range. Those stats make him a fourth guard on a fantasy squad.
Troy Murphy: To Start Saturday
Update: Murphy is expected to start at center, if Jermaine O'Neal (knee, doubtful) can't play on Saturday against Sacramento, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Jeff Foster will back up Murphy in the event O'Neal's knee prevents him from playing. Murphy entered Wednesday's game after O'Neal was forced to leave because of the knee and scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 17 minutes.
Jermaine O'Neal: Doubtful for Saturday
Update: O'Neal (knee) is doubtful for Saturday night's game against the Kings, the Indianapolis Star reports. O'Neal, who has been limited to games only, played just nine minutes before sitting out the rest of Wednesday's game against Golden State.
Analysis: The issue with the knee is not one that will go away by sitting down for an extended number of games, but the condition prevents him from being available every game. "When he came back, he would be in the same situation he is right now," O'Brien said. "You don't know if he would be able to practice, you don't know if he would be able to play in back-to-back games. Somebody with more medical knowledge than I do would have to say there would have to be a benefit to sit him out. And right now I'm told there is not (a benefit)."
Nate Robinson: Good Minutes off Bench
Update: Robinson scored 10 points and handed out nine assists (two turnovers) in 33 minutes off the bench Friday night in New York's loss to Washington.
Analysis: Since rejoining the Knicks' rotation, Robinson has posted double-digit scoring in 14 of 15 games. But with Stephon Marbury out indefinitely, we may see coach Isiah Thomas rely on him for some ball distribution as well. Even though Thomas is giving Jamal Crawford more ballhandling duties and starting Fred Jones in place Marbury, Robinson is getting plenty of minutes and playing the point off the bench. Robinson has 21 assists in the last three games.
Linas Kleiza: Expected to Start Again on Saturday
Update: With Kenyon Martin and Nene both hobbled, Kleiza is expected to start once again on Saturday.
Analysis: Kleiza posted a career-high 41 points to go along with nine boards on Thursday night starting in Martin's place. With the club playing Minnesota on Saturday, Martin and Nene still out and Eduardo Najera (hyper-extended elbow) literally playing with one hand, we expect Kleiza to get 15+ shots. Whether or not he makes any remains to be seen but he could supply your fantasy team with solid numbers, at least for one more game.
Jamal Crawford: Playing the Point?
Update: Knicks coach Isiah Thomas said Crawford could become the team's starting point guard, the New York Daily News reports.
Analysis: Crawford, typically a shooting guard first, has been increasing his ballhandling chores ever since Stephon Marbury's ankle injury, but has not been called the point guard. "That may be his best position," Thomas said of the shooting guard. "We may have to rethink that. If he keeps playing like this -scoring, distributing, defending - this may be his position."
Kenyon Martin: Will Not Play Saturday at Minnesota
Update: Martin (staph infection) will miss his third straight game on Saturday, the Rocky Mountain News reports.
Analysis: Martin is making progress but just wants to play it safe before returning to the court. "Just letting it run its course," Martin said as he left the Pepsi Center on Friday. "I'm not messing around with this thing." Linus Kleiza, who posted 41 points and nine boards in Martin's place on Thursday night, will most likely get the bulk of Martin's minutes on Saturday.
Caron Butler: Scores 22 Against Knicks
Update: Butler had 22 points, five rebounds and five assists in the Wizards' 111-98 win over the Knicks on Friday.
Analysis: Butler has averagd 7.4 rebounds over his last five games, three more than his season average.
Nick Young: Scores 12 Against Knicks
Update: Young had 12 points on 5-6 shooting in the Wizards' 111-98 win over the Knicks on Friday.
Analysis: Young played 19 minutes, even with Antonio Daniels back in the lineup, a sign that the team has increased confidence in the rookie.
Antawn Jamison: Scores 32 Against Knicks
Update: Jamison had 32 points and five rebounds in the Wizards' 111-98 win over the Knicks on Friday.
Analysis: Jamison is averaging exactly 20 points and 10 rebounds in his last 10 games and has been remarkably consistent all season.
Kevin Garnett: Held to 11 Points Against Sixers
Update: Garnett had 11 points, six rebounds and eight assists in the Celtics' 116-89 win over the Sixers on Friday.
Analysis: Garnett was 5-12 from the field on Friday, and got to the free-throw line only once. Expect him to produce more in closer games.
Leon Powe: Scores 10 in Return
Update: Powe had 10 points in 15 minutes of play during the Celtics' 116-89 win over the Sixers
Analysis: Powe had missed the C's previous game due to the birth of his child, but returned to play his most minutes of the season. However, given that it was only Powe's second game playing double-digit minutes, we would not recommend him for regular fantasy play.
Paul Pierce: Shoots Well Against Sixers
Update: Pierce had 22 points on 7-9 shooting in the Celtics' 116-89 win over the Sixers on Friday night.
Analysis: Pierce was also strong behind the three-point stripe, making all three of the three-pointers he attempted. He had made only 22% of his threes over the previous five games.
Josh Smith: Another Near Triple-Double
Update: Smith had 24 points (11-of-16 FG, 2-of-2 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks in the Hawks' loss to Toronto on Friday.
Analysis: Smith has been near triple-doubles in his last two games and continues to provide quality numbers in the block and steal categories. Smith is having his best scoring month at 21.1 points per game in large part due to his 53.4 percent shooting from the floor.
Joe Johnson: Bounces Back in Loss
Update: Johnson had 25 points (8-of-18 FG, 5-of-11 3-PT, 4-of-6 FT), four rebounds and seven assists in the Hawks' loss to Toronto on Friday.
Analysis: Despite the loss, Johnson had a nice performance after scoring just 12 points on Wednesday. Johnson has been especially good from the 3-point line lately making an average of 3.2 threes per game in his last five games.
Al Thornton: Inconsistent Playing Time
Update: Thornton played 23 minutes and scored seven points in the Clippers' 106-88 loss to the Jazz Friday night.
Analysis: The rookie forward shot 3-of-8 and nailed his only 3-point attempt on the evening. Still, his playing time continues to be erratic in coach Mike Dunleavy's rotation. In six January games, Thornton is averaging 25.9 minutes, 9.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. Most importantly, his field-goal percentage is rising. Thornton is shooting 49.1% during the new year.
Jamario Moon: Fills Up the Scoresheet Friday
Update: Moon scored nine points and added five rebounds, five steals, three blocks and two assists in Friday's win over the Hawks.
Analysis: His varied skill set is making him a fantasy gem. On the season Moon is averaging 8.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and at least one assist, steal and block per game.
Sam Cassell: Starting to Produce
Update: Cassell scored 16 points and dished out six assists in the Clippers' 106-88 loss at Utah Friday night.
Analysis: Cassell finished 5-of-11 from the field and 6-of-6 from the line in 26 minutes. Additionally, he registered three steals and three turnovers. Cassell has been required to play more the past week since Brevin Knight (leg) has been relegated to limited minutes.
Steve Nash: Nearly Perfect Friday
Update: Nash picked up another double-double Friday, scoring 17 points on a perfect shooting night (6-for-6 from the field, hitting his only three point attempt, and 4-for-4 from the line) while dishing 13 assists against just one turnover.
Analysis: He also pulled down four rebounds, and has recorded a double-double in three straight games since shaking off a flu bug.
Grant Hill: Should Return To Practice Saturday
Update: Hill (appendectomy) will practice on Saturday and is hopeful he'll be able to play Tuesday in Milwaukee, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: That seems like a quick turaround to us after his surgery, but unless he has a setback it appears as though Hill will be rejoining the Suns lineup sometime next week.
Vince Carter: Aggressiveness Back
Update: Carter, who had a couple of rough first halves in the two previous games, was aggressive in the first half against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Analysis: Carter was 6-for-11 and scored 14 points during the first half of New Jersey's loss to New York on Wednesday, signalling that Carter was not going to sit back. "I was disappointed in myself," Carter told the Newark Star-Ledger. "I wanted to be aggressive from start to finish for a change and try and put it together. So hopefully I'm out of that." Look for Carter to return to form as the Nets embark on a six-game road trip out west beginning against the Clippers on Saturday.
Shaquille O'Neal: Denies ESPN Report
Update: O'Neal denied a report on ESPN claiming associates of the center advised him to sit out the remainder of the season, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: O'Neal denied the report before Friday night's loss to Portland. "I don't have advisers," he said. "I'm my own mouthpiece."
Derek Anderson: First Action in Eight Games
Update: Anderson got off the bench for the first time in eight games on Friday, going scoreless in eight minutes in Charlotte's blowout loss to New Orleans.
Analysis: Anderson had missed some time because of a knee injury, and while out of action also lost a spot in the rotation.
Chris Quinn: Limited Role in Rotation
Update: Quinn played less than 10 minutes for the second consecutive game on Friday, going scoreless in seven minutes in a loss to Portland.
Analysis: Since Jason Williams' return from to the starting lineup, Quinn has played a total of 30 minutes off the bench in three games, while giving fantasy owners little value. If you can stash him away on your reserve roster for another month, Miami will almost certainly trade Williams and give Quinn ample minutes in February, March and April.
Dorell Wright: Starts Again
Update: Wright was in the starting lineup for the second consecutive game on Friday, but scored just two points on 1-of-3 shooting in 19 minutes in a loss to Portland.
Analysis: Wright returned from a five-game absence to reclaim his starting small forward spot, but has just six points in the last two games. As long as Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade are healthy, Wright will only be a bit player in the Heat's offense. Ricky Davis came off the bench to score 14 points in 34 minutes in the loss to Portland.
|
   |
||||||
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
