FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Mark Blount: Starting at Center
Update: Blount started and pulled in 23 points (10-of-17 FG) and five rebounds in 38 minutes of action Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs.
Analysis: Shaquille O'Neal could be out for as long as a month so look for Blount to get 30-plus minutes a game and plenty of scoring opportunities. He is averaging 18 points and five rebounds a game as a starter.
Kareem Rush: Left Leg Injury
Update: Rush left Thursday's loss to the Bucks in the second quarter with a left leg injury, but later returned.
Analysis: Rush still ended up playing 34 minutes, scoring 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting.
Dwyane Wade: Starting at the All-Star Game
Update: Wade was voted in as a starter for the Eastern Conference in the 2008 All-Star Game. This will be his fourth consecutive appearance, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: Wade has managed to put up all-star numbers and carry his struggling team all while nursing several injuries.
Shaquille O'Neal: Will Finish Out Contract
Update: O'Neal, who will miss two weeks because of a hip injury, said Thursday that he will finish out the final two years of his contract, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: O'Neal, in a conversation with ESPN Radio's Jack Ramsey, said, "I am the son of an army drill sergeant, and when we enlist, we go full term. So I've got two years left on my term, and after that, I'll be looking to do other things." O'Neal's hip injury has fueled speculation in the press about the center's future.
Joe Smith: Sits Out Practice
Update: Smith sat out Thursday's practice because of sore knees, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis: Smith has not missed any game action because of the sore knees, but his status for Friday night's game against Charlotte is unknown.
Ben Gordon: Undergoes MRI; Will Consult Specialist
Update: Gordon underwent an MRI of his sore right wrist on Thursday and indicated he is likely to consult a specialist on Friday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis: Results of the MRI will not be known until Friday, leaving his status for Friday night's game against Charlotte uncertain. Gordon sat out Wednesday night's victory over Indiana.
Marcus Camby: Just Another 20 Boards
Update: Camby grabbed a game-high 21 rebounds to go along with 13 points, four assists, four blocks and one steal on Wednesday against Atlanta.
Analysis: It was the eighth time this season Camby has pulled down 20+ boards and his other stats are just gravy. We know Dwight Howard has been a freak this year but if you want consistency you've got to take a look at Camby who's averaging a career high 14.5 rebounds and 3.9 blocks a game.
Kenyon Martin: Double-Double vs Atlanta
Update: Martin posted 20 points and 10 rebounds Wednesday night against Atlanta.
Analysis: Martin finished 7-of-14 from the field and 6-of-6 from the line while adding two blocked shots and one assist in his 37 minutes of action. As long as Nene stays out Martin is a solid bench option for any fantasy team.
Eduardo Najera: Plays 16 Minutes vs Hawks
Update: Najera (hyperextended elbow) found a way to give the Nuggets 16 minutes on Wednesday despite being listed as questionable.
Analysis: Najera was able to score five points while adding four rebounds, two assists and one steal playing practically one handed. He wore a sleeve to protect his elbow and seemed to get through the game without any more complications. He remains a fringe fantasy prospect at best, even when healthy, so this is purely FYI.
Allen Iverson: Named All-Star Starter
Update: Iverson joined teammate Carmelo Anthony on the starting squad for the Western Conference All-Star team, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Iverson overtook Tracy McGrady late to earn the start and it's well deserved as he's averaged 43 minutes a night with a team high 27.0 points and 6.9 assists.
Allen Iverson: Scores 29 Against Hawks
Update: Iverson led all scorers with 29 points during the Nuggets' 107-100 win over Atlanta on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Iverson's shot continues to be off with Carmelo Anthony out as he was just 6-of-21 from the field but his 15-of-18 FTs helped him post solid scoring numbers. He also added six assists, three rebounds and three steals for good measure.
Carmelo Anthony: Named All-Star Starter
Update: Anthony was named a starter for the Western Conference All-Star team, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: I don't think we have to say this is about a year late. Kudos to Carmelo who is averaging 25.5 points, a career high 7.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals a game.
Elton Brand: Taking Big Steps
Update: Brand (Achilles) was medically cleared to run and jump Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: The next step for Brand will be participating in team drills after getting re-examined by the team's doctor. He has reportedly been looking good in workouts, but a better timetable probably won't be set until after that second examination.
Michaela Pavlickova: Out Six to Eight Weeks with Foot Sprain
Update: Pavlovic (foot) will miss six to eight weeks after a MRI Thursday confirmed a mid-foot sprain on his left foot which he suffered during the third quarter of Cleveland's Wednesday night blowout of Washington.
Analysis: Pavlovic was averaging seven points and a shade under three rebounds this season. The guard put up career highs in points, rebounds, and assists last season, and was rewarded for it with a three-year contract from the Cavs in November. Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we monitor Pavlovic's progress.
JamesOn Curry: Curry: Recalled for Second Time
Update: Curry was recalled Thursday by the Bulls from Iowa of the development league.
Analysis: This is the second time Curry has been recalled from Iowa. He has performed quite strongly in the D-League, putting up 20 points, three rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game through 13 contests. Curry will add backcourt depth while Ben Gordon nurses a wrist injury.
Jermareo Davidson: Davidson: Back to Development League
Update: Davidson was assigned to Sioux Falls of the NBA Development League Thursday by the Bobcats, according to the Associated Press.
Analysis: Davidson was mainly on Charlotte's roster to provide depth to a depleted frontcourt. The rookie forward appeared in only 16 of Charlotte's 42 games, averaging 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in those appearances. Davidson is not a fantasy asset, so this move should not influence any owners' roster.
Matt Harpring: Good News from Doctors
Update: Harpring underwent a colonoscopy Wednesday and had a biopsy taken of spots in his digestive tract, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Analysis: Fortunately, Harpring received a clean bill of health. He should continue to see extended minutes now that doctors have lifted restrictions on his playing time, put in place because of Harpring's offseason knee surgery.
Udonis Haslem: Limited in Practice
Update: Haslem (chest contusion) did not fully participate in practice Wednesday but is expected to play against San Antonio on Thursday, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: The contusion was from a fall in the Cavs' game Monday. He shouldn't miss any playing time but we'll keep an eye on it. Haslem is the only Heat player to start every game and also leads the team in minutes.
Troy Murphy: Sits Out Loss to the Bulls
Update: Murphy (bruised knee) sat out Wednesday's loss to the Bulls, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Murphy was replaced in the starting lineup by Jeff Foster.
Travis Diener: MRI Comes Clean
Update: The MRI on Diener's sprained foot came back clean, with no evidence of a stress fracture, the Indianapolis Star reports. Diener was able to play 18 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Bulls.
Analysis: Diener originally sprained his ankle, but then hurt his foot trying to compensate for the ankle. "The initial pain from the sprained ankle is gone, but now it's moved to my foot," he said. "I just have to keep rehabbing and hopefully soon enough it will be 100 percent."
Kareem Rush: Starting Spot Secure
Update: Even when Jermaine O'Neal returns, the Pacers will stick with a small ball approach, meaning Rush will stay in the starting lineup, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Coach Jim O'Brien is pleased with the results since the Pacers switched to a smaller lineup. "We spent roughly 35 games trying to play (as) a bigger, less mobile team," O'Brien said before Wednesday's game. "It gives a little more defensive mobility," he said. "We lose some rebounding and some interior defense, but we're harder to guard."
Ricky Davis: Limited in Practice
Update: Davis (back spasms) was limited in practice Wednesday but is still expected to play Thursday night against San Antonio, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Look for Davis to take on a bigger scoring role in Shaquille O'Neal's absence.
Jeff Foster: Starting With O'Neal and Murphy Out
Update: Foster started in place of the injured Jermaine O'Neal and Troy Murphy in Wednesday's loss to the Bulls.
Analysis: Foster was stastically productive, scoring 12 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. He played 33+ minutes despite getting hit with five fouls.
Quincy Douby: Just Five Minutes Wednesday
Update: Douby played five minutes and scored five points in the Kings' 111-85 loss to the Clippers Wednesday night.
Analysis: The second-year guard has played just 18 minutes in the past five games, and it isn't a coincidence that Ron Artest (elbow), Kevin Martin (groin) and Mike Bibby (thumb) all returned from injury during that span. He's a janitor on the Kings now strictly mop-up duty in garbage time.
Dwyane Wade: Misses Practice
Update: Wade (shoulder, knee) sat out of practice Wednesday with overall soreness but is expected to play in Thursday night's game against San Antonio, reports the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Analysis: Expect Wade to miss a few practices here and there as he recovers from shoulder and knee injuries. With Shaquille O'Neal out again with a hip injury, Wade will continue to play hurt just to keep the team from sinking too far.
Rashard Lewis: Finally Playing Without Pain
Update: Lewis hit three more three-pointers and scored 16 points in Orlando's victory over Memphis on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Lewis had six rebounds on Wednesday and now has at least that many in six of his last seven games. Now that Lewis is over his neck injury, expect him to play with more agression and approach last season's rebounding average of almost seven boards per game.
Mike Bibby: Starts Hot, Ends Lukewarm
Update: Bibby scored 16 points, dished five assists and grabbed three rebounds in the Kings' 111-85 loss to the Clippers Wednesday.
Analysis: Bibby started hot, scoring nine points early in the first quarter. But he cooled, finishing the game 6-of-14 from the field, including 1-of-5 from 3-point range. In the five games since his return from thumb surgery, Bibby is averaging 30.6 minutes, 15.4 points and 4.0 assists while shooting 43.6 percent.
Brad Miller: Notches Double-Double in Loss
Update: Miller had 15 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five turnovers in the Kings' 111-85 loss to the Clippers Wednesday night.
Analysis: In 34 minutes, Miller was 5-of-8 from the floor and 5-of-8 from the charity line. His hands were active on defense and he picked up three steals as a result.
Jameer Nelson: Will Attempt to Play on Friday
Update: Nelson (foot) hopes to return to the lineup on Friday night in Detroit when the Magic take on the Pistons, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Nelson has missed three straight games with a strained tendon in his foot. See how he plays on Friday and in the following couple games before putting him back into your fantasy lineup.
Tony Battie: Rehab Ahead of Schedule
Update: Battie's shoulder rehabilitation is going better than expected and he said Wednesday that he would "definitely" like to attempt an early return so he can help the Magic in the playoffs, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Battie had surgery on his shoulder in October and it was thought that he would be forced to miss the entire season; however, his rehab appears to be ahead of schedule. Even if Battie comes back this season, he won't have much fantasy value in his reserve role.
Hedo Turkoglu: Hits Six Threes in Victory over Grizzlies
Update: Turkoglu shot 10-of-16, including 6-of-8 from behind the three point line, and scored 26 points in Orlando's victory over Memphis on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Turkoglu's shooting slump is now officially over. He also grabbed four rebounds and dished out five assits and continues to be one of the this season's best overall fantasy players.
Anthony Parker: Great Shooting Night Wednesday
Update: Parker scored 23 points on Wednesday, making 8-of-12 field goals (including going 4-for-6 from three point range) and hitting all three of his free throw attempts.
Analysis: He didn't contribute much else to the cause, with just two rebounds, two steals and one assist, but considering the team won in Boston Wednesday night the Raptors will take it. In 10 January games Parker is averaging 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.4 three pointers and 1.3 steals.
Andrea Bargnani: Huge Game Wednesday
Update: Bargnani came within shouting distance of a triple-double Wednesday, scoring 20 points with seven rebounds and seven assists.
Analysis: He shot 7-for-14 from the floor, 3-for-6 from outside the arc and 3-for-3 from the free throw line. It's the first time in nine games that Bargnani has scored in double digits.
Jose Calderon: Leads Raptors in Win Over Celtics Wednesday
Update: Calderon had a double-double, led the Raptors in scoring, and scored the winning basket with 10 seconds left in the game in Wednesday's 114-112 victory over Boston.
Analysis: Calderon finished the night with 24 points, 13 assists, three steals and three three-pointers, shooting 8-for-10 from the floor and 5-for-5 from the line. With coach Sam Mitchell's recent suggestion that even if TJ Ford does get back on the court it would be in a bench role, Calderon's spot as one of the league's top point guards would seem to be secure.
Amar'e Stoudemire: Another Great Shooting Night Wednesday
Update: Stoudemire led the Suns with 33 points in Wednesday's loss to Minnesota, shooting 14-for-16 from the field and 5-for-5 from the line.
Analysis: He also added six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. He's been Steve Nash's favorite target for most of January, and it's showing in his FG%.
Grant Hill: Playing Defense Still Painful
Update: Although Hill (appendectomy) was effective on offense Wednesday night, scoring 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting, he's finding it painful and difficult to play any kind of physical defense, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Analysis: "It's getting there, but I hope it comes a little faster," Hill said. "I talked to Al Jefferson, and he had the same thing and he said that he came back in two weeks but it took him three to four weeks before he could really get back. He said the only reason he (came back early) was because he was trying to get a (new) contract. If he had to do it over again, he would have taken a little longer." Given Jefferson's experience, it could be another week or so before Hill really regains his form. If you've got some depth, you may want to consider returning Hill to your bench until then.
Jason Maxiell: Amir Johnson Joining Rotation
Update: The Pistons are trying to work Amir Johnson into the rotation, which could come at Maxiell's expense, the
Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Maxiell probably isn't in any danger of falling out of the rotation, but it's worth noting that Johnson played 15 minutes Wednesday while Maxiell played only 10.
Amir Johnson: Now Part of Rotation
Update: Johnson had five points and five rebounds in 15 minutes Wednesday, the
Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Coach Flip Saunders and team president Joe Dumars determined earlier this week that the team needed to establish another big man. While there have been some rumors that Chris Webber is set to join the team, it makes more sense to develop the young Johnson. Expect an uptick of minutes for Johnson as he becomes more established in the rotation.
Delonte West: On the Outside Looking In
Update: West did not play Wednesday as he appears to be the odd man out in coach P.J. Carlesimo's shortened rotation.
Analysis: Carlesimo is limiting the rotation to nine or 10 players. With two point guards (Luke Ridnour, Earl Watson) already playing, there is little room left for West. It won't be surprising if Carlesimo changes his mind, though, and re-inserts West into the rotation.
Nick Collison: Continues to Start
Update: Collison grabbed 14 rebounds Wednesday as he continues to start at power forward.
Analysis: Collison had just three points, but he averages close to a double-double (9.4 points/9.0 rebounds). Collison stepped into the starting lineup for an injured Chris Wilcox and has remained there because of strong play and lingering injuries to Wilcox. His scoring is spotty, though. In starting the last 10 games, Collison has scored in double figures seven times. In the other three games, though, he's scored two, two and three points.
Kurt Thomas: Continues to See Good Minutes
Update: Thomas posted 16 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes Wednesday.
Analysis: Thomas gets about 25-30 minutes a game, but his scoring can't be counted on every night. He'll usually approach double-digit rebounds, though Wednesday he was a little light on that ledger.
Cuttino Mobley: Attempts Just Five Shots
Update: Mobley (elbow) played 28 minutes and scored seven points on 2-of-5 shooting in the Clippers' 111-85 win over the Kings Wednesday.
Analysis: Something's fishy. Mobley claims to be healthy, but several times he clearly grimaced when contact was made with his left arm. Last November, the 10-year veteran had an inflamed bursa sac in his left elbow drained. To prevent further pain and injury, he began wearing a long sleeve on the arm, but the veteran appears resistant to shooting for some reason. In his career, Mobley is averaging 13.5 field-goal attempts. In January, he is averaging just 9.6.
Theo Ratliff: Knee Making Progress
Update: Ratliff (knee) has been cleared to start running and he still hopes to return by Feb. 13, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "Everything looks good," Ratliff said. "[Dr. James Andrews] said to start doing basketball stuff again, working on my feet. I'm running now. It's all about getting the strength back, getting in shape, getting ready to play."
Analysis: It still seems overly optimistic to think he'll return by the middle of February since he hasn't returned to full practice, but at least he's making progress.
Chris Wilcox: Will Stick in Bench Role for Now
Update: Wilcox isn't starting because his dislocated right pinky is still bothering him, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: Coach P.J. Carlesimo said he doesn't feel comfortable starting Wilcox unitl he proves to him the injury is no longer a factor. Nick Collison has played well in a starting role, and Wilcox's conditioning, after missing five of six games to start the month, is still lacking as well. Wilcox was in four trouble Wednesday and played only 15 minutes. He should get about 20 minutes a game coming off the bench.
Robert Swift: Begins Workouts; Practice Next
Update: Swift (right knee) has begun individual workouts and may be in team drills soon, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: Swift has missed 37 games this season due to knee tendinitis.
Corey Maggette: Big Third Quarter in Win
Update: Maggette scored 21 points with five rebounds, four assists and six turnovers in the Clippers' 111-85 victory over the Kings Wednesday night.
Analysis: The 6-foot-6 swingman was sloppy with the ball, but provided the offensive punch for Los Angeles in the third quarter, scoring 11 points. He shot 8-of-13 from the field and 4-of-4 from the line.
Sam Cassell: Plays With Aching Back
Update: Cassell (back) had 12 points, seven assists and two rebounds in the Clippers' 111-85 win over Sacramento Wednesday night.
Analysis: Cassell has been battling a balky lower back recently, so he was held out of practice on Tuesday as a precaution. In 27 minutes, he shot 4-of-10 from the field and 4-of-4 from the line. For January, Cassell is averaging 27.5 minutes per game.
Marko Jaric: Another Near Triple-Double
Update: Jaric scored 15 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds in Wednesday's win over Phoenix.
Analysis: Jaric has been a streaky player this season and is currently on fire by averaging 15.3 points, eight assists and 5.3 rebounds per game over his last three games. Randy Foye is back in practice, so ride Jaric's hot streak until he returns.
Rajon Rondo: Scores 14 Against Raptors
Update: Rondo (back) had 14 points, six rebounds and four assists in the Celtics' 114-112 loss to the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: Rondo's back made him a bit slower on defense, but his offensive and fantasy contributions seem safe to reinsert to your lineup.
Ray Allen: Scores 19 Against Raptors
Update: Allen (neck) had 19 points, six rebounds and four assists in the Celtics' 114-112 loss to the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: Allen is averaging 22 points and five rebounds over his last five games, one of his better stretches of the season.
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