FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Chris Kaman: Misses Game With Shin Contusion
Update: Kaman missed Saturday's game against Memphis due to a shin contusion.
Analysis: Consider him day-to-day for now. Aaron Williams took his place in the starting lineup.
Rudy Gay: Career-High 34 Points on Saturday
Update: Gay scored a career-high 34 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in an overtime win over the Clippers.
Analysis: Gay shot 13-for-25 from the field and made four 3-pointers. Gay entered the night averaging 19.3 points and 5.9 rebounds on 46.8% shooting from the field.
Corey Maggette: 18 Free Throw Attempts on Saturday
Update: Maggette shot 16-for-18 from the line on Saturday and scored a team-high 35 points in an overtime loss to Memphis.
Analysis: Maggette had a great all-around game with nine rebounds, three 3-pointers and two steals. He is averaging 26.8 points and 6.4 rebounds over his last five games.
Kyle Lowry: Starts on Saturday
Update: Lowry got the start at point guard on Saturday for the injured Mike Conley (ribs) and responded with 21 points, four assists and eight rebounds.
Analysis: Lowry played 49 minutes on Saturday and should continue to get big minutes with Conley injured and Damon Stoudamire about to be released. He could be a good pickup for teams needing assists and steals if Conley's injury forces him to miss some time.
Emeka Okafor: 16 Rebounds in Back-to-Back Games
Update: Okafor pulled down 16 rebounds for the second consecutive game in Saturday's loss to Philadelphia.
Analysis: Okafor, who also scored 17 points, has recorded four straight double-doubles. He is averaging 19.5 points and 13.0 rebounds over his last four games.
Jason Richardson: Seven Threes On Saturday
Update: Richardson made seven 3-pointers en route to a team-high 35 points in Saturday's loss to Philadelphia.
Analysis: Richardson already has made more three-pointers this year (126) than he made all of last year (110).
Andre Iguodala: Explodes for 33 Points on Saturday
Update: Iguodala filled up the stat sheet on Saturday with 33 points, five assists, five rebounds, two 3-pointers and two blocks in a win over Charlotte.
Analysis: Iguoudala has scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games and is averaging 28.5 points over his last two games.
Mark Blount: Nineteen Points on Saturday
Update: Blount got his second consecutive start at center on Saturday and responded with 19 points in a win over Indiana.
Analysis: Blount played 33 minutes and should continue to see plenty of action with Shaquille O'Neal (hip) out. He won't give you many rebounds (only three on Saturday) but could be a decent source for points (averaging 21.0 over his last two games).
Pau Gasol: Out Saturday
Update: Gasol will sit out Saturday's game against the Clippers with a sore lower back, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: It will be the second straight missed contest for Gasol, who did not suit up for Friday's loss against the Wizards because of the injury.
Raymond Felton: Out with Ankle Injury
Update: Felton did not dress for Saturday's game against Philadelphia because of a sprained ankle, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Felton said the ankle has been bothering him since the preseason, and he rolled it again in the first quarter of Friday's win over Chicago. While coach Sam Vincent targeted Wednesday's game in Sacramento as Felton's likely return date, Felton said he would push hard to play on Monday against the Clippers. Matt Carroll replaced Felton in the starting lineup Saturday.
Jason Williams: Grabs a Career-High in Steals
Update: Williams nabbed a career-high, six steals in a win against Indiana on Saturday. He has averaged three steals and five assists in his last five games.
Analysis: Two of Williams' six steals came late down the stretch helping the Heat earn their first victory in their last 16 attempts.
Dwyane Wade: Wade Leads Heat to First Victory in Last 16 Games
Update: Wade poured in a game-high 35 points (12-of-20 FG, 9-OF-11 FT), eight rebounds, four assists plus a block and steal against Indiana Saturday to give the Heat their first win since December 22nd.
Analysis: Wade has averaged 32.6 points and 40 minutes over his last five games. The minutes are way too high, especially for Wade who is nursing several injuries. Head coach Pat Riley acknowledges the situation but says it's done out of necessity, according to the Miami Herald. "If we ever had a game where we were down by 20, I'd rest him. But most of the games are like one- or two-point games in the fourth quarter, and so you're trying to win. And he wants to win to get this albatross off our back,'' coach Riley said after Thursday night's game.
Troy Murphy: Starts Saturday
Update: Murphy started at center Saturday in Indiana's loss to Miami.
Analysis: With Jermaine O'Neal (knee) out of action, both Murphy and Jeff Foster have been sharing the center job. Neither player has staked an obvious claim to the job, so expect coach Jim O'Brien to juggle them according to need and matchup.
Andre Owens: More Playing Time With Tinsley Out
Update: Owens scored 13 points with five assists and four rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench Saturday in Indiana's loss to Miami.
Analysis: Owens was once starting in place of the injured Jamaal Tinsley, but has been relegated to string of DNPs and a significantly reduced role since Tinsley's return. Tinsley is out again, this time with a knee injury, so Owens may get some run as long as that remains the case.
Kareem Rush: (Knee) Plays 41 Minutes
Update: Rush (knee) scored 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting with six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 41 minutes Saturday afternoon in Indiana's loss to Miami.
Analysis: Rush hurt his left knee in Thursday's loss to Milwaukee, but returned to play. His shot was off Saturday, but he still managed to drop two 3-pointers (out of 10 attempts) and now has six straight double-digit scoring games and eight of nine since entering the starting lineup. He has at least one 3-pointer in 12 consecutive games.
Travis Diener: Second Straight Start
Update: Diener started in place of the injured Jamaal Tinsley (knee) for the second straight game on Saturday.
Analysis: After scoring 15 points in 40 minutes in Indiana's previous games, Diener had eight points on 3-of-8 shooting with three assists and two steals in 22 minutes in Saturday's loss to Miami. The Pacers have a few guards that can lay claim to Tinsley's minutes, so Diener may not always get big minutes. Andre Owens (25 minutes) and Marquis Daniels (13 minutes) also saw action in the backcourt.
Jamaal Tinsley: Sits Out Saturday's Game
Update: Tinsley (knee) sat out Saturday's game against Miami.
Analysis: This was the second straight game he's missed because of a sore left knee. Travis Diener started at point guard for the Pacers.
Mike Conley: Won't Play Saturday
Update: Conley (chest) is not expected to play against the Clippers, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Analysis: He was shaken up quite a bit after colliding with a Wizard in Friday's game and was in quite a bit of pain following the game. The team many seek to sign another point guard for the upcoming games, as Damon Stoudamrie's departure is imminent.
Damon Stoudamire: Agrees to Buyout
Update: The Grizzlies and Stoudamire have agreed verbally to a buyout, which should become official by Monday, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Analysis: The terms of the buyout have not been announced yet. Stoudamire's top three destinations are Boston, Toronto and Phoenix.
Jamal Crawford: Continues to Impress
Update: Crawford came through in Friday's win with 18 points, five assists, two steals and three 3-pointers.
Analysis: Crawford continues to log big minutes (45 Friday) and has been a fine fantasy performer all season. He's averaging 21.1 ppg, 5.0 apg and 2.5 3pt during January.
Zach Randolph: Big Game in Win
Update: Randolph had 16 points and 15 rebounds during the Knicks' win over the 76ers Friday.
Analysis: Randolph went 8-of-12 from the field and also handed out three assists in 39 minutes of action. He played strong interior defense and recorded his fifth double-double over his last six contests in the victory.
Marko Jaric: Scores Just Four Points
Update: Jaric scored just four points with one assist and two rebounds in Friday's loss to Boston.
Analysis: He still played over 30 minutes and started at shooting guard, but had an off night after two near triple doubles. He's been streaky this season, but should bounce back since he's getting significant minutes.
Aaron Brooks: Sees Crunch-Time Minutes
Update: Brooks had eight points on 2-of-7 shooting, two rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes Friday.
Analysis: Meanwhile starting point guard Rafer Alston played just 20 minutes. We still think Alston's going to see the lion's share of the minutes going forward, but Brooks' quickness and defense kept him on the floor in crunch time on Friday and could buy him a bigger role.
Rafer Alston: Plays Just 20 Minutes
Update: Alston had nine points on 3-of-8 shooting and one assist in 20 minutes Friday night.
Analysis: Rookie point guard Aaron Brooks played 28 minutes in his stead. We doubt that this is a permanent change in roles, but Brooks, who was on the floor in crunch time, could have a slightly bigger share of the job going forward.
Tracy McGrady: Plays 36 Minutes Friday
Update: McGrady (knee) had 15 points, four rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes Friday night.
Analysis: McGrady's output has been modest by his standards the last couple games, but his knee is feeling better and he's able to log big minutes and be effective.
Yao Ming: Foul Trouble Limits Minutes
Update: Yao had just 11 points in 28 minutes Friday night due to foul trouble.
Analysis: Just in case you were wondering if anything was amiss, it wasn't. Yao did pull down 10 rebounds and had two steals.
Deron Williams: Excellent in Win
Update: Williams had 16 points (7-of-14 FG) and 14 assists in 39 minutes Friday against the Kings.
Analysis: Williams has been on fire lately, averaging 21 points and 11 assists over his last five games.
Carlos Boozer: Pounds Sacramento for 33
Update: Boozer was a force Friday, scoring a game-high 33 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a win over Sacramento.
Analysis: Boozer hit his first 13 shots from the field and finished 15-of-19. It was his 30th double-double of the season.
Joe Johnson: Playing with Sore Ankle
Update: Johnson has been playing with a sore left ankle, but is not expected to miss any game time, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.
Analysis: Johnson said he suffered the injury when he was kicked in the leg a few weeks ago and the pain has moved down the leg. After sitting out most of Thursday's practice, Johnson started and played 35 minutes Friday night in Atlanta's victory over Seattle.
Andrei Kirilenko: Scores Season-High
Update: Kirilenko scored a season-high 25 points (6-of-8 FG, 3-of-4 3pt) with six rebounds, six assists and four blocks in Friday's win over Sacramento.
Analysis: Coming off a scoreless performance in his last game, Kirilenko had one of his most productive outings of the season Friday, contributing in almost every fantasy category.
Mickael Gelabale: Could Go to NBDL
Update: Gelabale is closer to being sent to the NBDL, but the Sonics haven't made a final decision yet, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
Analysis: What's to decide? Gelabale rarely gets off the bench. He has not logged a minute since Jan. 18 against Memphis.
Jeff Green: Plagued by Inconsistency
Update: Green totaled just five points and three rebounds in his last two games.
Analysis: Green is still starting, but his production couldn't be more inconsistent. That's probably to be expected for a rookie, but until he learns how to avoid nights like Friday in which he scored just one point, his fantasy value doesn't add up to much.
Nick Collison: Out of Starting Lineup
Update: Collison went back to the bench Friday as Chris Wilcox returned to the starting lineup.
Analysis: Collison still had a productive game off the bench, posting 12 points and five rebounds. Just a couple days ago, coach P.J. Carlesimo made the case for why Collison should continue to start (solid play, Wilcox injury). The team is better with Wilcox starting, though, because Collison can play in nearly any role, and Wilcox wasn't doing well as a reserve. In an unrelated note, Collison has a bone bruise on his right knee but is not expected to miss any time
Sam Cassell: Scores 16 in Hornets' Nets
Update: Cassell scored 16 points with five assists and four rebounds in the Clippers' loss at New Orleans Friday night.
Analysis: Cassell, who is finally healthy after suffering a calf injury in late November, is in the middle of his best stretch of the season. In his last five games, the veteran point guard is averaging 30.6 minutes, 15.0 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 50.9% from the floor and 88.9% from the line. Los Angeles plays four games in Week 14, so Cassell is an above-average starter for owners patiently waiting to play him.
Andre Iguodala: Only Strong Performer in Sixers Loss Friday
Update: Iguodala led the 76ers with 24 points (10-20 FG, 1-6 3PT, 3-5 FT) Friday night in a loss to the Knicks and added six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Analysis: Iguodala continues to be the team's most consistent offensive performer, averaging 19.1 points while scoring 20 or more points in three of his last four contests.
Cuttino Mobley: Ties Season-High in Attempts
Update: Mobley scored 20 points with six rebounds and three assists in the Clippers' 111-92 loss at New Orleans Friday.
Analysis: We mentioned his lack of shot attempts lately, and the veteran swingman obliged us by tying a season-high with 17, making nine. Mobley was 2-of-4 from behind the arc.
Elton Brand: Won't be Rushed Back
Update: Brand, who was cleared to begin extensive running and jumping exercises, will be monitored closely as he works towards the goal of returning to practice, the Los Angeles Times reports. The power forward suffered a torn Achilles tendon in August.
Analysis: "What we've said all along is that we are not going to try and push our guys in any way to come back," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said of Brand and Shaun Livingston, who is recovering from a serious knee injury. "Our main thing is to be as sure as we can be about their health." It wouldn't make much sense to rush Brand back considering the Clippers' season is down the drain. At 13-26, they don't have much at stake.
Al Horford: Another Double-Double
Update: Horford had 10 points (4-of-8 FG, 2-of-4 FT), 16 rebounds, a steal and a block in the Hawks' win over Seattle on Friday.
Analysis: Horford continues to be solid on the boards averaging 11.3 boards in his last 10 games while scoring nine points a game.
Marvin Williams: Career-High in Win
Update: Williams had a career-high 33 points (12-of-20 FG, 9-of-12 FT), seven rebounds and three steals in the Hawks' win over Seattle on Friday.
Analysis: Williams sometimes gets lost on the Hawks with Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. However, he continues to provide solid scoring in January at 17 points a game, despite shooting just 42.9 percent, while grabbing 6.4 boards and a combined 2 steals/blocks per game.
Andrea Bargnani: Falls Back To Earth Friday
Update: Bargnani followed up his big effort Wednesday by playing just 20 minutes on Friday due to foul trouble and poor play in general at both ends of the court.
Analysis: He scored 13 points on 4-for-12 shooting, although he did have seven rebounds and two three-pointers. The sophomore continues to experience growing pains, and it could be a while before he translates his talent into consistent production.
Ron Artest: Behavioral Problems, Knee Issues
Update: Artest, who was ejected after tussling with Carlos Boozer, was questionable with right knee soreness on Friday night against the Jazz.
Analysis: It was vintage Artest in Utah. Less than two hours before tip-off he was complaining about knee problems, leaving Kings coach Reggie Theus grasping for replacement options. Finally, Artest gave the thumbs-up that he could play, then promptly went out, taunted fans the entire contest and ultimately received two technicals along with a pink slip. For the past two games, the Kings have looked awful and Artest has been one of the main ingredients.
Carlos Delfino: Another Big Night Off the Bench Friday
Update: Delfino scored 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting (4-for-6 from three-point range) in Friday's blowout win over the Bucks.
Analysis: He also chipped in four rebounds. Delfino has been inconsistent in January, posting five games with three or less points and four with 15 or more, but his overall production for the month (9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 threes, 1.6 assists) is still useful in deeper rotisserie-style leagues. If your league uses a weekly head-to-head format though, there are probably safer options available to you.
Chris Bosh: Another 30+ Scoring Night
Update: Bosh led the Raptors with 32 points on Friday, shooting 12-for-19 from the floor and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
Analysis: He also added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bosh is on a serious roll offensively, scoring 30 or more points in five of his last eight games, and averaging 27.9 points in 11 January games so far.
Boris Diaw: Near Double-Double Off the Bench Friday
Update: With Grant Hill leaving Friday's game early due to back spasms, Diaw played 40 minutes and scored 11 points with nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Analysis: The Cavs aggressively double teamed Steve Nash almost as soon as he crossed midcourt all night, but the Suns countered by putting Diaw at the top of the arc where Nash could find him easily, giving the Suns a number of 4-on-3 chances and Diaw plenty of assist opportunities. Hill is iffy for Sunday's game, so Diaw may get starter's minutes once again.
Mike Bibby: Has a Hand in Kings' Loss
Update: Bibby (finger) was 4-of-11 and scored 11 points in Sacramento's 127-113 loss to the Jazz Friday night.
Analysis: Bibby played 37 minutes, pulled down six rebounds and dished out four assists. He was icing his right pinkie finger after the loss but appears fine. If Sacramento continues to get blown out as they have in the last two games, expect more trade rumors to be attached to his name. Although he hasn't been back from injury for very long, the Kings haven't played any better with Bibby in the lineup.
Raja Bell: Leads Suns in Scoring Friday
Update: Bell scored 27 points, including hitting six of 10 three-point attempts, in Friday's 110-108 win over the Cavs.
Analysis: He also added four rebounds and four assists. Now finally healthy, Bell has scored 20 or more points in three of his last five games, and is averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.6 three pointers, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals over his last 10 games.
Shawn Marion: Quiet Offensive Night Friday
Update: Marion made just one basket from the floor Friday, although it proved to be the game-winner in a 110-108 victory over the Cavs.
Analysis: He finished the night with seven points (5-for-6 from the free throw line), nine rebounds and four assists. He's now scored just seven points in back-to-back games.
Steve Nash: Big Night From Beyond the Arc
Update: Nash scored 26 points Friday, including shooting 7-for-9 from three-point range, in a 110-108 win over the Cavs.
Analysis: He also had nine assists and four rebounds. Cleveland attacked him on defense with double teams almost as soon as he crossed the midcourt line, resulting in an uncharacteristic seven turnovers for Nash, but he found ways to compensate.
Jason Kidd: Sprained Right Thumb
Update: Kidd played Friday night's game against Denver with a sprained right thumb, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Kidd's thumb didn't impact his production. He posted another triple-double, scoring 13 points with 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the Nets' loss to the Nuggets. Kidd threw in two 3-pointers, two steals and two blocks to close out a great fantasy night, despite New Jersey losing its eighth straight.
Bostjan Nachbar: Sits Out Friday
Update: Nachbar sat out Friday night's game with a sore and swollen left thumb, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Without Nachbar, Nets coach Lawrence Frank gave more minutes to Antoine Wright and Malik Allen. The Nets play again on Sunday in Minnesota.
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