FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Josh Boone: Double-Double on Saturday
Update: Boone exploded for a 19 points/13 rebound double-double in Saturday's win over Indiana.
Analysis: Boone also had two blocks and made all five of his free throw attempts. This was the first time he has scored in double figures in six games and his minutes and production could continue to be inconsistent in a crowded Nets frontcourt.
Jared Dudley: Starts on Saturday
Update: Dudley got the start on Saturday for the injured Gerald Wallace (concussion) but only scored six points in 23 minutes of play.
Analysis: With Wallace out for at least two weeks, Dudley, Matt Carroll and Jermareo Davidson should all see a bump of minutes. None of them are great fantasy options, though.
Nazr Mohammed: Production Down As Reserve
Update: Mohammed only scored five points (1-for-9 shooting from the field) in Saturday's loss to Washington.
Analysis: Mohammed's numbers have taken a serious hit with Bobcats coach Sam Vincent's decision to bring him off the bench and start Jeff McInnis. Mohammed is only averaging 6.5 points and 5.2 rebounds over his last five games.
Gilbert Arenas: Not Ready to Return as Hoped
Update: Arenas, who was targeting a March 2 return from knee surgery, conceded Saturday that he's not close to being ready to play, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Arenas said his knee is healthy enough to play now, but he's not in shape. He hasn't practiced with the team yet, either. "[I]t's going to be longer to get into shape," Arenas said. "I'm trying to get some rhythm back in my legs, get some cardio in. That's all I'm working on now. I have to get my body used to the floor again."
Gerald Wallace: Out at Least Two Weeks
Update: Wallace will miss at least two weeks after suffering his fourth concussion in four seasons Friday night in a loss to Sacramento, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: A team official said Wallace was suffering some amnesia, but tests showed no fractures and no internal bleeding. Two weeks seems to be best-case scenario. Don't be surprised if Wallace is out longer.
Sam Cassell: Contract Buyout?
Update: A Clippers official said the chance of buying out Cassell's (wrist) contract are about 50-50, the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: Cassell's agent, David Falk, attended Friday night's game against the Jazz but had nothing to say afterwards. A buyout would allow Cassell to become an unrestricted free agent, available to any team that wishes to sign him.
Carlos Boozer: Plays Well Through Injury
Update: Boozer, playing with a sore back, scored 22 points (9-of-15 shooting) with 10 rebounds and four assists in Friday's loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: Keep starting Boozer as you normally would as the bad back doesn't look like it will limit him too much.
Andrei Kirilenko: Active Friday
Update: Kirilenko (flu-like symptoms) was active for Friday's game against the Clippers. He finished with four points (1-of-5 FG), five rebounds, a steal and a block in 27 minutes of action.
Analysis: Kirilenko clearly was not at his best Friday, but he should put in a much better performance in Saturday's game against the Hawks.
Eddy Curry: Out of Rotation?
Update: Curry was held to just four points and zero rebounds during the Knicks' win Friday.
Analysis: Curry started the game but played only nine minutes, none after the first quarter. David Lee got the bulk of the minutes from there and finished with eight points and 13 rebounds. Curry simply can't be trusted in fantasy leagues right now.
Marvin Williams: Double-Double in Win
Update: Williams had 10 points and 14 rebounds in the Hawks' win over the Warriors on Friday.
Analysis: Williams didn't shoot the ball well (2-of-11) and his scoring has been down, but he was able to have his best rebounding game of the season.
Joe Johnson: Big Scoring Night
Update: Johnson had 27 points (10-of-22 FG, 3-of-4 3-PT, 4-of-6 FT), eight rebounds and eight assists in the Hawks' win over the Warriors on Friday.
Analysis: Johnson continues to shoot the ball much better with Mike Bibby, as he now has three games shooting above his season average.
Mike Bibby: Best Performance Since Coming to Atlanta
Update: Bibby (bruised right heel) had 17 points (5-of-9 FG, 3-of-7 3-PT, 4-of-4 FT), seven assists, a steal and a block in the Hawks' win over the Warriors on Friday.
Analysis: Bibby had solid production in his 24 minutes. The concern is that his current heel injury will prevent him from being his best for much of the season.
Gerald Wallace: Not With Team Saturday
Update: Wallace (concussion) did not travel with the team and will not play Saturday night against the Wizards, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Wallace left Friday night's game because of the injury and was sent home from the hospital after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 concussion. At this point in time, there is no timetable for his return. After Saturday's game, Charlotte is off until Wednesday at New York.
Jamario Moon: Heats Up From Outside Friday
Update: Moon scored 16 points Friday, including hitting four of six three-point attempts, and added eight rebounds.
Analysis: Moon has now had two big games since the All-Star break, and seems to have found his second wind on the season.
Jason Kapono: Almost Invisible Friday
Update: Kapono played under eight minutes Friday and failed to score a point.
Analysis: Despite the fact that he defended his crown in the three-point shooting contest during the All-Star festivities, he seems to have become a forgotten man on the Raptors bench.
T.J. Ford: Suits Up Friday
Update: Ford (abdominal strain) ended up playing 11 minutes off the bench in Friday's loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: He missed all three of his shots but did dish three assists. The Raptors are happy to see him back in the lineup, but Ford's a long way from being useful to his fantasy owners.
Anthony Parker: Good Shooting Night Friday
Update: Parker scored 18 points, hitting seven of 13 shots, in Friday's loss to the Knicks.
Analysis: He also added three rebounds and two steals. Parker's scoring has been very inconsistent (he's averaging 10.6 points in eight February games) and he hasn't been contributing too much in other categories, so unless he gets hot Parker's probably only worth using in deeper leagues that use rotisserie scoring.
Shaquille O'Neal: Dominates on the Glass Friday
Update: Although he scored only four points Friday, O'Neal led all players with 14 rebounds in an 85-77 win over the Celtics.
Analysis: The Suns will be very happy with that offensive output from Shaq if it comes with double-digit boards and a team defensive effort like that every night.
Amar'e Stoudemire: Solid Game Despite Chest Cold
Update: Stoudemire missed Friday morning's shootaround due to a chest cold, but then played 43 minutes in Friday night's win over the Celtics.
Analysis: He led the Suns with 28 points and added six rebounds and three blocks. Stoudemire's production hasn't been affected by Shaquille O'Neal's presence at all, and he remains an elite fantasy player.
Leandro Barbosa: Leaves Friday's Game To Get Stitches
Update: Barbosa played less than two minutes on Friday after taking a blow to the head from Paul Pierce, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: He needed three stitches. At this point Barbosa's not expected to miss any more time.
Jermaine O'Neal: Sees Doctor on Friday
Update: O'Neal, who hasn't played in more than a month because of a left knee injury, visited with a doctor in New York about the knee on Friday, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Indiana president Larry Bird talked about the Pacers in an interview with the Star, touching on a few subjects, including O'Neal's status and the team's need for a locker-room leader ("I don't think we have what I call a great leader in that locker room."). Bird said he assumes O'Neal "will not opt out" of the final two years of his contract, worth $44 million. The Pacers are expected to try to trade O'Neal this summer, but his health will determine if there is a taker. "We'll look at all avenues with Jermaine," Bird said. "I think the key right now is to get him healthy, get him back in this season and this summer take a look at everything. He understands that and we understand that. When you look at our cap, he takes almost a third of our cap and we expect, when you pay a guy what we're paying him, he's got to produce."
David Harrison: Returns to Action Friday
Update: Harrison returned to action Friday night after missing one game because of a sprained right ankle.
Analysis: Harrison played a bit part in Indiana's victory over New Jersey, going scoreless with a minus-8 in a little more than four minutes.
Devin Harris: Participated In Shootaround
Update: Harris (ankle) participated in Friday's shootaround and did some conditioning work, but still has trouble moving laterally, the Bergen Record reports.
Analysis: Harris, who was diagnosed with a Grade 2 ankle sprain earlier this week, is more than a week away from making his Nets' debut.
Chris Kaman: Plays Despite Bad Shin
Update: Kaman (shin) had 14 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots and three assists in the Clippers' 114-104 win over Utah Friday night.
Analysis: Kaman hasn't been practicing, but he's been able to suit up for games. He shot 6-of-9 and turned the ball over four times in 36 minutes. Los Angeles plays again on Saturday, so it will be a test for Kaman with his injury. We'll see how he responds.
Stromile Swift: Out With Virus
Update: Swift sat out Friday night's game against Indiana with a stomach virus, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Swift has missed two straight games because of the illness.
Brevin Knight: Starts at the Point
Update: Knight had four points and four assists in the Clippers' home win over Utah Friday night.
Analysis: Knight played 22 minutes and battled foul trouble all game long as he had his hands full trying to contain Jazz point guard Deron Williams. Knight started at the one in place of Sam Cassell, who was out with a bruised wrist. Cassell is questionable Saturday versus the Lakers, making Knight the likely choice to receive the opening nod again.
Quincy Douby: DNP: Douby Not Playing
Update: Douby did not see any action Friday at Charlotte. It was his second DNP since the All-Star break.
Analysis: If anyone was wondering if the Mike Bibby trade would boost Douby's minutes considering a higher-caliber guard was scratched from the playing rotation, guess again. Douby has played one minute since Bibby was sent to Atlanta three games ago.
Nazr Mohammed: Coach Using Smaller Lineup
Update: Prior to Friday's loss to Sacramento, Bobcats coach Sam Vincent said his best chance of winning games the rest of the season was by starting his smaller lineup, which has Mohammed coming off the bench, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Mohammed has come off the bench in the two games played since the All-Star break, averaging 19 minutes per game. He's much more of an attractive fantasy option when starting as he averages just 16 minutes per game when coming off the bench. However, we've seen Vincent change his mind several times already this season, so don't release Mohammed (12.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.3 bpg as starter) just yet.
Beno Udrih: Looking Great as a Starter
Update: Udrih, anointed the starting point guard after Mike Bibby was traded, scored 17 points with eight rebounds, six assists and a blocked shot in Sacramento's 116-115 overtime victory over the Bobcats Friday.
Analysis: In 40 minutes, Udrih shot 7-of-11, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. Fantasy owners rejoice if he's on your roster, and a fantasy championship is within range. In his three games since Bibby was traded, Udrih is averaging 14.7 points, 7.3 assists and shooting 48.6 percent.
Vince Carter: More Playmaking
Update: Carter scored 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting with six rebounds, eight assists and two steals in 40 minutes Friday night in the Nets' loss to the Pacers.
Analysis: New Jersey is going with the untested Marcus Williams at point guard, and coach Lawrence Frank has stated that Carter will do some of the playmaking with Jason Kidd no longer around. Carter has 22 assists in three games without Kidd. Still, we'd like to see him shooting and scoring more than he did Friday night.
Francisco Garcia: Ignites Six Bombs
Update: Garcia scored 23 points and hit six 3-pointers in just 29 minutes of Sacramento's 116-115 overtime win at Charlotte Friday.
Analysis: The swingman ignited Sacramento off the bench for the third consecutive game. In his last three games, Garcia is averaging 20.0 points and shooting 15-of-21 from 3-point land. He needs minutes to be effective, but make no mistake, he has the potential to win an NBA's Sixth Man of Year before his career is over.
Derek Anderson: Returns to Action Friday
Update: Anderson returned to action Friday night against Sacramento after missing five games with a sore knee.
Analysis: Anderson had a very productive night, helping the Bobcats replace Gerald Wallace, who was forced to leave the game with a concussion during the third quarter. Anderson had 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting (2-of-3 3pt) from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line with four rebounds and two steals in 27 minutes. This is typically more playing time he gets on any given night. Given the fickle nature of Bobcats coach Sam Vincent, we're not ready to jump on him yet. If Wallace misses a significant amount of time, Anderson could be in line for additional minutes.
Gerald Wallace: Leaves Hospital
Update: Wallace, who suffered a Grade 3 concussion and was forced to leave Friday night's game during the third quarter, regained consciousness and was released from a hospital late Friday, the Charlotte Observer reports
Analysis: Wallace suffered his fourth concussion in four years after taking an inadvertent elbow from Sacramento's Mikki Moore. He had a slight case of amnesia and did not accompany the team to Washington D.C. for Saturday's game against the Wizards.
Sam Cassell: May Miss Two Straight
Update: Cassell (wrist) is questionable Saturday against the Lakers. He sat out the game Friday against the Utah.
Analysis: The point guard suffered a bruised right wrist after banging it against a camera Wednesday. Brevin Knight replaced him in the starting lineup against the Jazz. Reserve Cassell until further notice.
Corey Maggette: Get Out of His Way! He
Update: Maggette had 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and two turnovers in the Clippers' 114-104 win over Utah Friday night.
Analysis: Since missing four games with flu, the 28-year-old forward has registered 20 or more points in seven of eight games, including surpassing 30 points three times. Maggette was 13th in the NBA in scoring, moving his average up to 21.9 points after the Jazz game.
Corey Maggette: Out of His Way! He's on Fire!
Update: Maggette had 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and two turnovers in the Clippers' 114-104 win over Utah Friday night.
Analysis: Since missing four games with flu, the 28-year-old forward has registered 20 or more points in seven of eight games, including surpassing 30 points three times. Maggette was 13th in the NBA in scoring, moving his average up to 21.9 points after the Jazz game.
Ray Allen: Struggles From Field Against Suns
Update: Allen had 11 points on 3-12 shooting in the Celtics' 85-77 loss to the Suns on Friday.
Analysis: Nearly everyone in a Celtics uniform struggled Friday, and we expect Allen's numbers to improve in coming games.
Paul Pierce: Shoots Poorly Against Suns
Update: Pierce had eight points on 2-13 shooting in the Celtics' 85-77 loss to the Suns.
Analysis: Part of Pierce's struggles came due to the presence of Shaquille O'Neal patrolling the middle for the Suns, preventing layups from players like Pierce and Rajon Rondo. Expect Pierce's numbers to improve against teams he can drive against.
Kevin Garnett: Scores 19 Against Suns
Update: Garnett (abdominal strain) had 19 points, five rebounds and four assists in the Celtics' 85-77 loss to the Suns on Friday.
Analysis: Garnett looked further along in recovery from an abdominal strain that kept him out for nearly a month, and should continue to be an every-night fantasy starter.
Andrew Bynum: Showing Slow Improvement
Update: Bynum jogged in a pool without any additional swelling in his knee, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: The earliest possible return date for Bynum is March 11, but realistically he should come back sometime later in March.
Robert Swift: Torn Meniscus - Out for Season
Update: The Sonics announced that Swift tore the right meniscus in his right knee and is expected to miss the rest of the season, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
Analysis: The Sonics said the injury is not related to Swift's torn anterior cruciate ligament but the center could be in for another long rehabilitation process. Swift was not at the arena Friday night and it is uncertain if he will rejoin the team this season.
Jerry Stackhouse: Returns Against Grizzlies
Update: Stackhouse (hamstring) returned to the Mavs' lineup Friday night, scoring eight points in 19 minutes of play.
Analysis: Stackhouse may get a shot at the starting shooting guard spot in the near future, as the Mavs are trying out shooting guards to match with Jason Kidd.
Jason Terry: Scores 22 As Starter
Update: Terry had 22 points, six rebounds and four assists as a starter in Friday's 98-83 win over the Grizzlies on Friday.
Analysis: Terry started on Friday night because the Mavs are tinkering with starting shooting guards to match with Jason Kidd. Terry may get the job because he seems to jel nicely with Kidd, as evidenced by Friday night's performance.
Travis Outlaw: Scoring Binge off the Bench
Update: Outlaw scored 26 points in 26 minutes off the bench Friday night, knocking down 8-of-14 shots from the field and all eight free-throw attempts.
Analysis: Outlaw has averaged 22.7 points per over his last three games, and is again proving himself to be a viable roto producer from the sixth man slot.
Dirk Nowitzki: Scores 27 On Near-Perfect Shooting
Update: Nowitzki had 27 points on 8-9 shooting in the Mavs' 98-83 win over the Grizzlies on Friday. He also had six rebounds in the win.
Analysis: The presence of Jason Kidd in the lineup has stood to greatly improve Nowitzki's shot selection, as he's getting the ball in perfect situations to make shots. Out of all the Mavs, we expect Dirk's numbers to shoot up with Kidd as the team's point guard.
Josh Howard: Scores 20 But Shoots Poorly
Update: Howard (back) had 20 points on 9-27 shooting in the Mavs' 98-83 win over the Grizzlies on Friday.
Analysis: Howard is generally a good shooter, but was still feeling the effects of his back contusion. Still, when Howard is fully healthy, his stats could greatly improve with the presence of Jason Kidd at point guard.
Kevin Durant: Sits Entire Fourth Quarter
Update: Due to a total team effort Durant didn't play the fourth quarter at all, but managed to still account for 17 points
Analysis: It was good timing considering Durant was coming of an (illness). However, don't expect this to happen often seeing that the Sonics will likely be playing from behind in most of its games.
LaMarcus Aldridge: Consecutive Strong Games
Update: Aldridge scored 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field and 5-for-6 shooting from the line Friday night. He also added eight boards, two assists, a block and a steal before fouling out.
Analysis: Aldridge has 41 points, 20 boards and six blocks over his last two games.
Jason Kidd: 15 Assists, Two Points Against Grizzlies
Update: Kidd had 15 assists, five rebounds, four steals and two points in the Mavs' 98-83 win over the Grizzlies on Friday.
Analysis: Kidd will eventually start looking for his shot, but his presence greatly helped the production of Josh Howard, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry, all of whom scored more than 20 points Friday.
Caron Butler: Misses Friday's Game, Could Be Out Through Next Week
Update: Butler (hip) missed Friday's game against the Wizards and may not return until late next week, according to the Washington Post.
Analysis: Wizards coach Eddie Jordan wants Butler to return only after he's able to make it through a full practice. Unfortunately, with games Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, the Wizards might not hold a full, intense practice until Thursday, pushing Butler's possible return into late next week.
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