FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Shawn Marion: (Groin) Out Saturday
Update: Marion (groin) is unavailable for Saturday's game against the Magic, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: He didn't practice Friday and couldn't make Saturday's shootaround, opting for treatment instead. Marion missed last Sunday's game against the Thunder because of the injury, then tried to play against Boston on Wednesday, but left after eight minutes. He'll have a day off before Miami's back at it on Monday at home against Atlanta.
Steve Nash: Bad Back Leads to Bad Game
Update: Nash admitted Saturday that he probably should have sat down earlier in Friday's game because of back pain, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Nash had a rough game Friday, playing less than 22 minutes and committing six turnovers with only four points and five assists. "I tried to fight through the back pain, but it was tough," Nash said. ... "I wouldn't say I had back spasms, but it was locking up. It was more of a shooting pain at times."
Kwame Brown: Set to Start On Sunday
Update: Coach Michael Curry will insert Brown into the starting lineup in place of Amir Johnson for Sunday's matchup against the Rockets, Mlive.com reports
Analysis: Curry is planning on Yao Ming (knee) being in the lineup and wants Brown in their to help offset any height advantage. Brown has seen starts this year against other teams with quality big men, so look for this trend to continue.
Carmelo Anthony: (Hand) Still Targeting Return for Friday
Update: Anthony (hand) fired jumpers with plenty of accuracy after Saturday's practice, but doesn't plan to return before Friday's tilt against the Bobcats, the Rocky Mountain News reports.
Analysis: "It doesn't really hurt," said Anthony. "I was surprised about that. I'm able to shoot the ball without any pain." He will undergo X-Rays on Tuesday or Wednesday and will be cleared for contact work barring any setbacks.
Andrei Kirilenko: Expected to Miss Saturday's Game
Update: Kirilenko (ankle) is expected to miss his second consecutive game Saturday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Kirilenko has not played since a sore right ankle forced him out of Tuesday's game. The Jazz hoped he could play in one of two games this weekend, so perhaps they are looking forward to Sunday's game and playing it cautions Saturday.
Elton Brand: Will Play Saturday Against Knincks
Update: Brand will return in Saturday's game against the Knicks, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.
Analysis: Coach Tony DiLeo has said that Brand will play in "short bursts" and come off the bench at first. Brand should return to the starting lineup after a few games, but the team wants to see where he can help the team the most. The Sixers have won seven of their last eight games, and have found a groove while Brand has been out of the lineup. We recommend sitting Brand, if you have another option, until he gets fully acclimated to his new roll on the team. However, there are only six games on the docket tonight and teams in most leagues should have an open roster slot to slide Brand into.
Mike Conley: Season-High 18 Against Knicks
Update: Conley had 18 points (5-8 FG, 4-5 3pt, 4-4 FT) to go with six rebounds and four assists against the Knicks Friday.
Analysis: Conley got 30 minutes in on Friday, the first game since coach Marc Iavaroni was fired, and getting him playing time will likely be a priority under incoming coach Lionel Hollins.
Martell Webster: (Foot) Another Setback
Update: Webster (foot) is still wearing a protective walking boot and isn't expected to begin running until March, the Oregonian reports.
Analysis: He was supposed to be out of the boot two weeks ago, but the injury hasn't been healing as fast as originally thought. The new time frame for Webster's rehab makes his return this season very unlikely. If he isn't able to run until March, he probably won't be in game-shape until the last few weeks of the season at best.
Matt Barnes: Complains About Playing Time
Update: After seeing just 13 minutes of court time in Friday's loss to the Bobcats, Barnes sounded off to the media about the lack of action he and Leandro Barbosa have been seeing, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: "Me and LB can maybe get a little more playing time," Barnes said. "We're playing about 15 minutes a game and that's not helping the team at all. We're better than that. We know we can help this team. Playing 13, and LB played 19, we're not allowed to help the team. We don't get no rhythm out there. We don't get (stuff) done. It's frustrating. We're a lot better than our record. We're struggling in all areas. When it rains, it pours." Barnes sounds more generally frustrated after a tough loss than angry at coach Terry Porter, but going to the media isn't likely to get Porter to see things his way.
Steve Blake: (Shoulder) Still Healing
Update: Blake (shoulder) shot around on Friday, but no definite timetable for his return has been announced by the team, the Oregonian reports.
Analysis: Coach Nate McMillan pretty much ruled him out of the Blazers next two games, so the earliest Blake would return is Wednesday against the Bobcats.
Rasheed Wallace: Can't Buy A Bucket
Update: Wallace has struggled with his shot since returning from a four-game absence due to a sore right foot, going 33-for-89 from the floor in the past eight games.
Analysis: As the Pistons only consistent big man, Sheed has been leaned on more than in past seasons. He's playing two more minutes per game than last year, and coach Michael Curry admitted that Wallace is struggling because of his sore foot and tired legs. Wallace is averaging 25 minutes per in the past two games and will probably continue to see less run until his health is up to par.
Will Bynum: Expanded Role?
Update: Bynum scored 10 points and added four assists in Friday's 112-91 loss to the Mavericks.
Analysis: One of the reasons coach Michael Curry wanted to move Richard Hamilton to the second unit was to pair him with Bynum in the back court. The two worked well together Friday night, combining for 27 points. Bynum's minutes will probably fluctuate a bit, but Curry plans to give him more action in the second half of the season. Deep leagues should put him on their radar.
Andrew Bogut: Could Return on Monday
Update: Head coach Scott Skiles said that he hoped Bogut would return next Monday against the Timberwolves, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Analysis: It sounds like the Bucks really don't know at all when Bogut will return. Keep an eye out to see if he actually does make it back by Monday.
Sean Williams: D-League Disruption
Update: According to a Nets official, Williams was a disruptive influence and sometimes late for practice during his eight-game stint with the Colorado 14ers of the D-League, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Williams has been slapped with the "immature" label, even before he was drafted by the Nets in 2007. Williams was not active for Friday night's loss to the Spurs, and hasn't played in a game for the Nets since a six-minute stint against the Raptors Dec. 12.
Joe Johnson: Only Second Game Below 10 Points This Season
Update: Johnson had just nine points on 3-of-11 shooting in the Hawks' win over the Bucks on Friday.
Analysis: Johnson has been in a bit of scoring slump this month as he is averaging just 16.9 points per game in January. The heavy minutes may be taking its toll on Johnson as he is shooting just 35.8 percent in January after shooting nearly 47 percent in December.
Josh Smith: Hot Play Continues
Update: Smith had 24 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the Hawks' win over the Bucks on Friday.
Analysis: Smith is averaging 20.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game in his last five games. This is Smith's best stretch of the season as he appears to be regaining his dominant form.
Tony Parker: Still Struggling With Shot
Update: Parker had 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting in the Spurs' win over the Nets on Friday.
Analysis: Parker is going through a bit of a shooting slump, as he is just 15-of-42 from the floor in his last three games. Parker's scoring has also been dropping as he is averaging just 15 points a game in his last five games.
Tim Duncan: Huge Night in Win
Update: Duncan had 30 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in the Spurs' win over the Nets on Friday.
Analysis: Duncan has seven straight double-doubles and is having his best month of the season shooting almost 55 percent while averaging 20.3 points and 10.6 rebounds.
Mike James: Struggling With His Shot
Update: James has struggled with his shot the last three games, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: James is only 10-of-29 from the field and 1-of-11 from three-point range over his last three games. Overall, in his first 23 games since joining the Wizards, James is averaging 11.1 points, 3.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 threes, 0.8 steals and shooting 39.6% from the field (34.9% from three) and 78.4% from the line in 31 minutes per game.
Mo Williams: Off Night Shooting
Update: Williams shot a poor 6-of-17 from the floor to total 14 points in a win over Golden State Friday.
Analysis: Since Delonte West injured his wrist, Williams has averaged 21.2 points in five games. In the same amount of time he also has connected on 14 3-pointers. While West is out, Williams' points and 3-point activity should continue to rise.
Anderson Varejao: Nice All-Around Performance
Update: Varejao was all over the box sheet Friday night. He scored eight points, had nine rebounds, and dished out four assists.
Analysis: Varejao surprisingly did not shoot well, going 3-of-10 from the floor, but he made up for that by recording two blocks and two steals. As the starting center, Varejao is averaging 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and one block and steal apiece. Varejao had been in a little bit of a slump, but he looks to be coming out of it.
LeBron James: Beats the Buzzer in Win
Update: James hit the game-winning shot to pull out the win over Golden State Friday night, ending up with 32 points.
Analysis: James played great Friday, and was two assists and one rebound shy of another triple-double. James also collected three steals and two blocks. James logged 40-plus minutes Friday night, putting him at six consecutive games of at least 40 minutes on the floor. With minutes like these, James will continue to put up outrageous fantasy numbers.
Josh Childress: Sports Hernia
Update: Childress is expected to miss two months because of a sports hernia, the New York Daily News reports.
Analysis: Childress is playing in Europe for Olympiacos, which has agreed to bring in Jannero Pargo as a replacement.
Stephon Marbury: Greece Not the Word
Update: The Greek team Olympiacos, which had reportedly expressed interest in Marbury, has agreed to bring in Jannero Pargo, Newsday reports.
Analysis: A person with knowledge of the situation said Olympiacos' interest "was never real." This brings the Knicks back to square one in their buyout negotiations with Marbury, where the guard will cede just $1 million in a buyout while the team wants him to accept $3 million less.
Marcus Camby: Ankle Swells Friday
Update: One day after giving his sore ankle a go in practice, Camby said the ankle swelled up over night and he was unable to play Friday night against Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Camby was considered questionable to return Friday, which would have been ahead of schedule. It's not known how long this will set him back, though original estimates had him coming back early next week.
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