FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Matt Barnes: Misses Game Due To Paperwork Error
Update: Barnes was inadvertently left off the Warriors' list of active players for Saturday's game and wasn't eligible to play, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Analysis: Warrior assistant coach Keith Smart listed Mickeal Pietrus as both active and inactive. "I didn't have a clue," Warriors head coach Don Nelson said. "The only thing I saw was Pietrus listed in two spots and I thought, 'Oh, that's a typo or something.' I didn't even notice Matt wasn't on the list. The referee came up and said the league does not allow change at the last minute any more." Tough break for Barnes owners as he was averaging 13.3 points and 7.6 rebounds over his last three games.
Louis Williams: Still Dealing With Pain In His Toe
Update: Williams continues to feel pain in his right toe that he broke two weeks ago but is able to practice every day and considers the injury a non-factor at this point, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: "At this phase of the injury, I can't ice it or treat it because it has to run its course. At least the swelling is down now to a normal bruise," Williams said. He is currently averaging 11 points per game but should improve throughout the rest of the season unless he aggravates the injury.
Andre Miller: Nice Performance Saturday in a Win Over Toronto
Update: Miller had 20 points (8-19 FG, 4-6 FT), five assists and three steals in Saturday's win over the Raptors.
Analysis: Another typical game for Miller who continues to play well even though most people doubted his ability to run this offense before the season. Fantasy owners may think about selling high but Miller is as consistent as they come.
Andre Iguodala: Another Strong Performance Saturday
Update: Iguodala had 20 points (8-16 FG, 4-5 FT), six assists, five steals and four rebounds in Saturday's win over the Raptors.
Analysis: His hip injury of a week ago no longer seems to be an issue. He may sit out a practice here and there to get some much needed rest but keep him in your lineup.
Willie Green: Led the Sixers with 23 Points Saturday
Update: Green had 23 points (10-18 FG, 3-5 3PT), five assists and four rebounds in 36 minutes Saturday in a win over the Raptors.
Analysis: 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks said "He showed his ability to get inside the defense with some curls and some mid-range shots, and that really opened up his 3-point game." Green is earning more and more time with his strong play as of late.
Samuel Dalembert: Averaging a Double-Double for the Season
Update: Dalembert had his fourth double-double in the last five games in a win over the Raptors Saturday finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Analysis: Dalembert is averaging 11.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game as the season hits the halfway mark. He has also scored in double figures in five consecutive games, a season high.
Jeremy Richardson: Re-Signed by Spurs
Update: Richardson was resigned by the Spurs on Sunday.
Analysis: After signing on Jan. 10, he averaged 1.7 points in three games with the club. He has bounced around a bit this season but it seems he may have found his home in San Antonio, for now at least.
Anthony Johnson: Suspended One Game For Flagrant Foul
Update: Johnson was suspended one game for his flagrant foul against Toronto's Jose Calderon on Friday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: A.C. Law IV will start in Johnson's place Monday. Johnson will be reinstated Wednesday for the game at Denver.
Antoine Walker: Second Double-Digit Scoring Effort In Last Three Games
Update: Walker scored 14 points with four rebounds in 26 minutes in Saturday's loss to Denver.
Analysis: After being buried on the bench the first two weeks of January, he's averaging 14.6 points per game over his last three games. We're not totally confident he's part of the rotation again, so watch his next few outings.
Marko Jaric: Scores 15 Points
Update: Jaric scored 15 points with four rebounds and four assists while playing 40 minutes in Saturday's loss to Denver.
Analysis: Jaric is back in the starting lineup, but he had scored just six points in his last two games. Watch his next few games to see if he's finally back on track and getting significant minutes on a consistent basis.
Francisco Garcia: Losing Shot Attempts
Update: Garcia played just 12 minutes and scored seven points in Sacramento's win at Indiana Saturday night.
Analysis: Since Ron Artest (elbow) and Mike Bibby (thumb) returned from injuries on Jan. 16, Garcia is averaging nearly 23 minutes per game. However, his field goal attempts have dropped off, consequently he is scoring just 7.3 points in that span. Reserve him in fantasy leagues for now.
Kevin Durant: Shooting Woes Continue
Update: Durant scored a season-low-tying six points Saturday.
Analysis: Durant's scoring is pretty consistent -- he averages 19.1 points per game -- but his shooting percentage needs to improve. He shot 25 percent from the field Saturday, the fifth time this month he's shot less than 36 percent.
Delonte West: Returns From Injury
Update: West (plantar fasciitis) returned to action Saturday, though he only played 12 minutes.
Analysis: West missed two games with the injury. He's still not 100 percent healthy, though. He went 1-for-6 from the field for two points.
Wally Szczerbiak: Another Good Game in Another Loss
Update: Szczerbiak finished with 26 points Saturday, scoring in double figures for the 19th time in his last 23 games.
Analysis: Szczerbiak was 9-of-15 from the field (60 percent), the fifth consecutive game he's shot at least 50 percent. Szczerbiak likely will get dealt if the Sonics can find a good match. Hopefully, it will be a good fantasy match too because right now he's Seattle's best and most consistent player. If he goes to a deeper, he might not get as minutes as he's playing now.
David Noel: Sent to D-League
Update: The Bucks assigned Noel to Tulsa of the Developmental League.
Analysis: He has not seen any action yet this season, missing 27 games with a wrist injury, so this move shouldn't effect your fantasy lineup at all.
Dan Dickau: Another DNP on Saturday
Update: Dickau was a DNP against New Jersey on Saturday night. It was his sixth in the last nine games.
Analysis: Although Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy recently said his point guard rotation would be split between Sam Cassell, Brevin Knight and Dickau, it is apparent it won't work out that way. Dickau has played just 14 minutes in January and Knight has a stress fracture in his lower left leg.
Mike Dunleavy: Struggles From Behind the Arc
Update: Dunleavy struggled from long range in Saturday's loss to Sacramento, going 2-for-7 from three-point range.
Analysis: The team as a whole didn't find their shot very often, going 8-for-28 beyond the arc.
Josh Powell: Forced Into Action
Update: Powell (groin) played 12 minutes, scored four points and blocked a shot in the Clippers' win over the Nets Saturday night.
Analysis: The third-year power forward strained his groin during Friday's game at Utah but was forced to play against New Jersey. The Clippers' frontcourt lacks quality rebounders and Powell fits that profile.
Kenyon Martin: Questionable for Monday
Update: Martin (staph infection) missed his third straight game on Saturday and remains questionable for Monday's game against the Lakers, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: The infection is under control and according to head trainer Jim Gillen the issue now is just getting the actual would healed up. With fellow front-courters Nene (tumor) and Eduardo Najera (hyperextended elbow) either limited or out the club desperately needs Martin to get well and get back in the line-up. Check back Monday morning for an update on Martin's status.
Allen Iverson: Continues to Post Big Numbers
Update: Iverson led all scorers with 35 points to go along with six boards, five assists and two steals Saturday night vs Minnesota.
Analysis: Just more of the same from Iverson who played 43 minutes and finished 11-of-26 from the field (2-of-4 3pt) and 11-of-14 from the line.
Juan Dixon: Big Game Off Bench Saturday
Update: Dixon scored 18 points in almost 24 minutes of court time Saturday.
Analysis: He was a perfect 4-for-4 from three point range, shooting 6-for-9 overall with three rebounds and two assists. Dixon is more comfortable in a shooting guard role than he is trying to run the offense from the point, and it showed on Saturday. At the moment his playing time is too inconsistent for him to be a useful fantasy player though.
Jamario Moon: Career High in Scoring Saturday
Update: Moon scored a career-high 17 points and added nine rebounds and two steals in Saturday's loss to the 76ers.
Analysis: He was one of the few Raptors to show any energy on the court, as the team was playing their fourth game in five nights. Moon is averaging 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals through nine games in January.
Carmelo Anthony: Double-Double vs Minnesota
Update: Anthony posted 26 points, 10 boards, three assists and one steal during Denver's 111-108 win over Minnesota on Saturday night.
Analysis: Anthony didn't shoot particularly well (7-of-19 from the field) but got to the line with regularity (12-of-14 FTs). His back doesn't seem to be an issue at all so keep him in your line-ups and play him like you normally would.
Marcus Camby: Records 14th Double-Double
Update: Camby led the Nuggets with 13 rebounds to go along with 12 points, three blocks and two assists Saturday against Minnesota.
Analysis: It was Camby's 14th double-double of the year. The 6'11" center just keeps giving his fantasy owners solid numbers night in and night out. With Nene out indefinitely we don't see any reason why Camby won't continue to be just as dominant down the stretch.
Josh Boone: Improved Free-Throw Shooting
Update: Boone scored 17 points on 7-of-18 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line Saturday night in New Jersey's overtime loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: In the two games since he got some free-throw instruction from Nets special assistant Kiki Vandeweghe, Boone, who was making a little over 30 percent of his free throw attempts, has knocked down 7-of-10 from the stripe. He also grabbed 16 rebounds against the Clips and now has three double-doubles in the last four games.
Nenad Krstic: May Play Next Week
Update: Krstic (knee) participated in the Nets' shootaround Saturday and said he may be able to play next week when the team returns from its current road trip, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Krstic is with the team on its six-game road trip, but is only expected to work out, not play. This is a sure sign that he's getting closer to returning, so mark late January to put in a claim on him. At one point, getting a healthy Krstic was considered a huge lift for the Nets, but the play of Josh Boone and Sean Williams makes it hard for Krstic to crack the starting lineup.
Kareem Rush: Another Big Game
Update: Rush scored 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including two 3-pointers Saturday night in Indiana's loss to Sacramento.
Analysis: Rush has gained a higher profile since Pacers coach Jim O'Brien altered his playing rotation. He's been the starting shooting guard in the last five games, scoring double-digits in four of them while connecting from the 3-point range in all five. During this stretch, he' averaging 14.2 points (12.6 FGA/game), 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point range in 28.9 minutes per game. He appears to be getting a steady dose of minutes these days, and worthy of a spot on fantasy rosters for the time being. One note from Saturday's game, Marquis Daniels, who typically plays the same position as Rush, was inactive because of swelling in his left leg.
Marquis Daniels: Inactive Saturday
Update: Daniels was inactive for Saturday's game after experiencing swelling in his left leg, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Daniels developed the swelling while flying back to Indiana from Orlando. There's no timetable for his return to action, so we'll monitor his status heading into Monday's game against the Sixers.
Marcus Williams: Returns From Foot Injury
Update: Williams returned to game action Saturday night after missing one game because of a flare up of his foot injury. He had 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including three from 3-point range in the Nets' loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: Williams was solid in 22 minutes, also dishing four assists to go along with New Jersey's loss to the Clippers. Darrell Armstrong, who had moved ahead of the Williams on the depth chart was limited by an ankle injury and did not play. We'll be watching to see the long-range implications of Williams' productive game, but we're certain the Nets would like him to be Jason Kidd's backup.
Al Thornton: Leads Clips Down the Stretch
Update: Thornton played 26 minutes and scored 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the Clippers' 120-107 overtime win over New Jersey Saturday night.
Analysis: The rookie, who scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, was terrific, often leading Los Angeles' charge during a tightly contested game. He nailed two clutch free throws with 1:25 left to put Los Angeles in front, 98-96. Thornton's performance may give him the confidence he needs to finish strong in the second half of the season.
Darrell Armstrong: DNP Saturday
Update: Armstrong (ankle) did not get off the bench Saturday night in New Jersey's loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: Armstrong played just nine minutes in the Nets' previous game because of the ankle, so that could be the reason he didn't play Saturday.
The more likely reason is that Marcus Williams gave the Nets a solid 22 minutes (17 points, four assists). Armstrong had moved ahead of Williams on the depth chart, but we'll have to see if that's still the case after Saturday's game.
Antoine Wright: Returns to From Ankle Injury
Update: Wright returned to game action after missing after missing one game because of an ankle injury.
Analysis: There's not a whole lot to say other than the fact that Wright was available and playing. He had two points, three rebounds and two steals in seven minutes. Wright has been a rotation player when healthy, but his impact varies too much to be used as a fantasy starter.
Bostjan Nachbar: (Foot) Plays 14 Minutes
Update: Nachbar (sore right foot) scored seven points in 14 minutes Saturday night in New Jersey's overtime loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: It's odd that Nachbar would play so little, given the extra period, but a rare Marcus Williams sighting (17 points, 22 minutes) may have played as much a role in Nachbar's reduced minutes as the foot.
Corey Maggette: Lights Up the Nets for 31
Update: Maggette scored 31 points with seven rebounds and six assists in the Clippers' 120-107 overtime win against New Jersey on Saturday night.
Analysis: It was one of Maggette's best all-around performances of the season. In 33 minutes, he shot 11-of-16, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. Interestingly, Maggette's production on the glass has lightened up recently. He recorded five double-digit rebounding games before Dec. 11 but hasn't registered one since.
Ron Artest: Likely to Opt Out of Contract
Update: Artest said it is likely he would use the early termination option in his contract after the 2007-08 season ends, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "You know, I guess everybody assumes (I'm going to opt out)," Artest said. "If you're going to bet your house on it, then bet that I'm going to opt out. But that time will come later. We'll see what happens." The mercurial small forward is due to earn $7.4 million with Sacramento next season, but he made it clear his goal in free agency is to sign with a team capable of winning an NBA title. A rich contract, according to Artest, will not be a priority in the offseason. Ah, we can see the trade rumors wafting in the air.
Jason Maxiell: Scoring is Down
Update: Maxiell has failed to score in double digits in any of the last seven games, averaging just 4.9 ppg and 5.3 rpg over that stretch.
Analysis: In a 23-game stretch from November 23 to January 5, Maxiell scored in double figures 15 times, so he's certainly capable of doing it consistently. The Pistons have struggled throughout January, and the bench of Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey, and Jarvis Hayes have offered no relief.
Jarvis Hayes: Breaking out of Slump?
Update: Hayes scored 12 points in 19 minutes Saturday, connecting on a three pointer for the first time since January 4.
Analysis: The Pistons as a whole have been slumping in January, with Hayes providing no relief off the bench. In his last eight games - five of them Detroit losses - Hayes is shooting just 13-43 from the field and 1-16 from the three-point line, averaging just 3.6 ppg.
Manu Ginobili: Four 3-Pointers in Loss
Update: Ginobili had 21 points (6-of-13 FG, 4-of-7 3-PT, 5-of-6 FT), five rebounds and four assists in the Spurs' loss to the Rockets on Saturday.
Analysis: Ginobili has been the best of San Antonio's big three in January. Ginobili is shooting 47 percent from the floor, but more importantly making almost three 3-pointers a game, along with scoring just under 21 points a game. Ginobili looks to be as healthy as could be expected in January.
Tony Parker: 16 Points in Loss
Update: Parker (heel) had 16 points (7-of-15 FG, 2-of-4 FT), four rebounds and four assists in the Spurs' loss to the Rockets on Saturday.
Analysis: Parker, much like Tim Duncan, has struggled shooting in January. Parker is shooting 46.9 percent from the floor and just 71.2 percent from the line. Because of the heel injury, Parker has not gotten into the lane as easily, and therefore is settling for more jump shots.
Tim Duncan: Big Night in Loss
Update: Duncan had 24 points (10-of-21 FG, 4-of-9 FT), 17 rebounds and two blocks in the Spurs' loss to the Rockets on Saturday.
Analysis: Duncan had another big night in points and rebounds but his shooting has been off in January. Duncan is shooting just 45.7 percent from the floor and 62.9 percent from the line. Despite this he is averaging 20.2 points, 13.4 rebounds and almost two blocks a night this month.
Eddie Jones: Sees Limited Action Against Sonics
Update: Jones (knee) played 14 minutes in the Mavs' 111-96 win over the Sonics, scoring three points.
Analysis: Jones doesn't make much of a fantasy impact even when healthy, but his injury did open more playing time for the little-used Trenton Hassell.
Chris Kaman: Career High Nine Blocks On Saturday
Update: Kaman scored 10 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked a career-high nine shots in Saturday's win over New Jersey.
Analysis: Kaman's career year continues as he entered the night averaging career-bests in points (17.4), rebounds (13.8) and blocks (3.1).
Devin Harris: Scores 17 Against Sonics
Update: Harris had 17 points and eight rebounds in the Mavs' 111-96 win over the Sonics on Saturday.
Analysis: Harris turned the ball over only once on Saturday, but, at 2.3 per game, turnovers are still a problem for the young point guard.
Dirk Nowitzki: Another Solid Game Against Sonics
Update: Nowitzki had 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the Mavs' 111-96 win over the Sonics on Saturday.
Analysis: Dirk shot 10-16 on Saturday, and is shooting over 56% in his last five games.
Darko Milicic: Comes Off Bench
Update: Milicic played just nine minutes off the bench in Saturday's loss to the Bobcats and failed to score.
Analysis: The Grizzlies switched to a three-guard, two-forward look, with Pau Gasol taking the five spot. It looks like the demotion to the bench had more to do with Milicic's recent poor play and not a bruised knee he suffered earlier in the week.
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