FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
James Jones: Will Return Friday
Update: Jones (knee) will return Friday night against the Lakers, The Oregonian reports.
Analysis: Jones, who has missed 12 games because of a sore left knee, is officially being listed as a game-time decision. "He's most likely going to go," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "But we are going to keep our options open and list him as a game-time decision."
Brandon Roy: Doubtful for Friday
Update: Roy is doubtful to play Friday night because of a sprained right ankle, The Oregonian reports.
Analysis: Roy was hoping to return after missing two games this week, but is still feeling pain.
Andray Blatche: Should Continue to See Starts
Update: Blatche should continue to see starts for the forseeable future, as the Washington Post reports that Caron Butler's hip injury is actually a small tear of the labrum in his left hip.
Analysis: Blatche's numbers have fallen off their initial pace, but he still could be worth a risk given his new relative job security.
Sam Cassell: Agrees to Buyout Terms
Update: Cassell and the Clippers have agreed to terms on a buyout, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: The deal calls for the Clippers to pay him about half of the $1.7 million he was still owed on his $6.1 million contract. The consensus opinion is that Cassell will eventually sign with Boston once he clears waivers.
Sam Cassell: Buyout Expected, Then to Celtics?
Update: The Boston Herald reports that Cassell is expected to sign buyout papers with the Clippers, and then sign with Boston after he clears waivers.
Analysis: As we learned with the Jason Kidd trade, nothing is official until it is official. But if the buyout becomes official, Cassell would have to clear waivers, which takes 48 hours, before he could sign with Boston. Check back for word on when (and if) this becomes official.
Andris Biedrins: Doing Some Light Conditioning
Update: Biedrins (appendectomy) began some conditioning work with some light passing and shooting drills on Thursday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: There is still no timetable for his return, but this is a welcome sign for Biedrins owners. The center is averaging 10 points and 10 boards this season.
Sam Cassell: Likely to Stay in Los Angeles?
Update: Cassell says he is unlikely to reach a buyout agreement with the Clippers, the Minnesota Timberwolves website reports.
Analysis: The website cites a conversation between Cassell and a correspondent in Southern California, who questioned the veteran point guard on the issue. The correspondent reports that Cassell used the word "unlikely" when asked about the possibility of a buyout. He must be waived before 9 p.m. Friday to have 48 hours to clear waivers and be signed by another team to qualify for the postseason.
Marcus Camby: Posts Double-Double vs Sonics
Update: Camby posted 12 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, four assists and two steals during Denver's drubbing of Seattle on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Camby played 37 minutes in the 42-point victory and continued his assault on various Nugget rebound and block records.
Allen Iverson: Leads All Scorers with 31
Update: Iverson scored 31 points on 13-of-18 FGs (3-of-5 3pt) and 2-of-3 FTs during Denver's 138-96 trouncing of the Sonics on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Iverson sat out the better part of the fourth quarter but still played 35 minutes in the win. He added six assists, five rebounds and one steal against arguably the league's worst team.
Drew Gooden: Another Productive Night Off The Bench Wednesday
Update: Gooden posted a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds - eight offensive - in 25 minutes off the bench in the Bulls' 113-107 win over Indiana Wednesday.
Analysis: Gooden has been solid in all three games as a Bull and management has debated inserting him in the lineup in place of Tyrus Thomas. If that does happen, his value would get a boost, but even in his current role, he has been productive enough to warrant a spot in your lineup.
Carmelo Anthony: Sits Out 4th Quarter vs Sonics
Update: Anthony posted 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal during Denver's rout of Seattle on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Anthony only played 30 minutes and was given the entire fourth quarter off as the team was up by 25 at the end of three. The rest was much needed, and there was no more talk of his sore shoulder after the game, so hopefully it's just normal wear and tear and not something more serious.
Shawne Williams: Out at Leat One Game
Update: Williams will miss at least one game after a man who had just left Williams' home was arrested on a murder charge while allegedly driving a truck registered to Williams, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said that the forward was not suspended, but needed time to sort out what happened. Williams doesn't have any real fantasy value, so this shouldn't affect your fantasy roster.
Travis Diener: Scores Season-High in Defeat
Update: Diener scored 22 points and dished out nine assists in Indiana's loss to Chicago on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Diener continues to start in place of the injured Jamaal Tinsley and is a viable option in most leagues.
Chris Kaman: Misses Another Game
Update: Kaman (back) did not play Wednesday at home against Portland.
Analysis: The center missed his third consecutive game with a sore lower back. In the 16 games Los Angeles has played since Jan. 26, Kaman has missed half to injury or illness. The Clippers have no chance of reaching the playoffs, so expect team officials to treat Kaman's condition very carefully.
Josh Childress: Explodes For 25 Off The Bench
Update: Childress had 25 points (7-of-10 FG, 1-of-1 3-PT, 10-of-11 FT), five rebounds and a steal in the Hawks' win over the Kings on Wednesday.
Analysis: Childress bounced back from two subpar games in which he scored only 11 points. He clearly appears to have recovered from his bruised knee.
Al Horford: Another Strong Outing
Update: Horford had 16 points and 14 rebounds in the Hawks' win over the Kings on Wednesday.
Analysis: Horford may never be a 20-point a game scorer, but he certainly has the potential to be a 15-point, 12 rebound player if he continues to develop.
Joe Johnson: Hits Five 3-Pointers in Win
Update: Johnson had 26 points (8-of-17 FG, 5-of-7 3-PT, 5-of-5 FT), six assists and a steal in the Hawks' win over the Kings on Wednesday.
Analysis: Johnson continues to shoot the ball much better since Mike Bibby has been acquired. In his last five games, Johnson is shooting almost 47 percent from the floor, which is six points higher than his season average.
JJ Redick: Gets Unglued from the Bench
Update: Redick made two three-pointers and scored 10 points in Orlando's loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Redick played nearly 16 minutes in the game, the most action he's seen since December 15. Orlando was getting blown out in the game, so unless Stan Van Gundy was really impressed with what he saw, don't expect many more games like this over the remainder of the season.
Hedo Turkoglu: Produces in Multiple Categories
Update: Turkoglu shot 9-of-10 from the free throw line and scored 20 points in Orlando's loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Turkoglu also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists in the game. Keep putting Turkoglu in the lineup every day as he's showing absolutely no signs of letting up.
Dwight Howard: Big Game in Defeat
Update: Howard had 14 points and 16 rebounds in Orlando's loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Like usual, Howard grabbed double-digit rebounds and struggled from the free throw line, only hitting two of his seven attempts.
Jameer Nelson: Slumping Again
Update: Nelson only had two points in Orlando's loss to Philadelphia.
Analysis: After scoring double digits in seven consecutive games, Nelson has failed to score more than six points in any of his last three games. He still has 19 assists in the last three games but has not done much else during that span. Nelson has been routinely up-and-down like this all season, so this shouldn't be much of a surprise to fantasy owners still hanging onto him.
Caron Butler: Hip Injury May Be Worse than Expected
Update: Doctors who re-examined Butler's injured hip found a small tear in the area that went previously undetected, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Butler was diagnosed with a strained hip flexor, but it appears that they injury may be worse than originally expected. The Wizards don't have a timetable for his return but said he will be evaluated again next week, likely ruling him out of games on Friday and Sunday. Andray Blatche and DeShawn Stevenson should continue their increased production while Butler remains sidelined.
Tim Thomas: His Third Double-Double
Update: Thomas had 21 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a steal in the Clippers' 82-80 loss to the Trail Blazers Wednesday night.
Analysis: It was the 31-year-old power forward's third double-double of the season. He shot 7-of-17, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range. Since the All-Star break concluded, Thomas has been rebounding with more regularity, averaging 7.8 boards in five games, 2.5 more than his season average.
Dan Dickau: One Point in 25 Minutes
Update: Dickau played 25 minutes, shot 0-of-5 and scored a point in the Clippers' 82-80 loss to Portland Wednesday.
Analysis: The 29-year-old point guard continues to see extra minutes as starter Sam Cassell missed his fourth consecutive game with a sprained wrist. Brevin Knight started but played less than Dickau, logging 22 minutes. Even though his scoring barely moved the Richter scale, Dickau did register five assists, four rebounds and a steal.
Al Thornton: Impresses on the Defensive End
Update: Thornton shot 3-of-10 and scored 11 points with six rebounds in the Clippers' 82-80 loss to the Trail Blazers Wednesday night.
Analysis: Thornton struggled offensively but was able to make his presence felt on the other end, particularly in the third quarter. Obviously, in the fantasy world defensive effort doesn't generally translate to heavy production, although it does prove that Thornton's intensity will certainly land him in the good graces of coach Mike Dunleavy and earn him more playing time as the season winds down.
Corey Maggette: Charitable Box Score
Update: Maggette scored a game-high 32 points with six rebounds, three assists and a steal in the Clippers' 82-80 home loss to Portland Wednesday night.
Analysis: Maggette racked up 15 points at the free-throw line, but he finished just 8-of-21 from the field, missing Los Angeles' final two shots of the game, including a potential go-ahead basket with eight seconds remaining. Since Jan. 1, a span of 22 games, Maggette is averaging 24.2 points while shooting 52.7% from the field and 85.6% at the charity stripe. He doesn't register a lot of defensive stats, which would elevate him to an elite status, but Maggette's fantasy value has never been higher.
Kirk Hinrich: Benched Wednesday Night
Update: Hinrich played just 16 minutes Wednesday night and was benched 56 seconds into the second half, the Chicago Sun Times reports.
Analysis: "I said there's competition out here," interim coach Jim Boylan said when asked about the benching afterward. "Bring your 'A' game or come down here and sit next to me. That's the way that went tonight." Larry Hughes came in and got extended minutes for the Bulls, scoring 29 points in 32 minutes in Chicago's victory over Indiana.
Damien Wilkins: Returns to Action Wednesday
Update: Wilkins returned to action Wednesday night against Denver after missing two games because of a wrist injury.
Analysis: Wilkins played 21 minutes off the bench, scoring eight points with three rebounds and three assists in Seattle's loss to Denver. The Sonics were without Earl Watson (illness) to start the night, then lost Luke Ridnour to a hamstring injury in the first half, forcing Wilkins into some ballhandling chores. Seattle plays next on Friday against Miami.
Chris Wilcox: Plays After Illness
Update: Wilcox (illness) started and played 33 minutes Wednesday night in Seattle's loss to Denver.
Analysis: Wilcox missed one game earlier this week because of the illness, but has played in two straight since. He had nine points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and six turnovers in the loss to the Nuggets.
Luke Ridnour: Leaves With Hamstring Tightness
Update: Ridnour left Wednesday night's game and didn't play in the second half because of tightness in his right hamstring, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Ridnour, who was starting in place of Earl Watson (illness), had two points and three assists in 17 minutes before leaving. Seattle's next game is Friday against Miami.
Earl Watson: Stis Out Wednesday; Iffy For Friday
Update: Watson sat out his second consecutive game on Wednesday because of a respiratory infection, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo was unsure if Watson would be available to play Friday night against Miami. His replacement, Luke Ridnour, didn't play in the second half after experiencing tightness in his right hamstring.
Ray Allen: Hot Shooting Against Cavs
Update: Allen had 22 points on 7-10 shooting, including 3-5 from three-point range.
Analysis: Allen is averaging 19.8 points per game over his last five, shooting better than 50% over that time. The All-Star break seems to have done him good.
Richard Jefferson: Sits Out Wednesday's Practice
Update: Jefferson did not participate in Wednesday's practice because of tightness in his back, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: We expect Jefferson to play Thursday night against the Bucks, but you should be keeping an eye on breaking news during the day. He felt the same tightness during warmups prior to Tuesday's loss to the Magic.
Kevin Garnett: 18 and 11 Against Cavs
Update: Garnett (abdominal strain) had 18 points and 11 rebounds in the Celtics' 92-87 win over the Cavs on Wednesday.
Analysis: Garnett also had four steals, and looks to be improving bit by bit after missing nearly a month with an abdominal injury.
Paul Pierce: Shoots Poorly Against Cavs
Update: Pierce had 12 points on 4-14 shooting in the Celtics' 92-87 win over the Cavs on Wednesday.
Analysis: Pierce's shot will be fine, as evidenced by his 12-14 shooting performance two games ago.
Devin Harris: Set to Play Thursday
Update: Harris (ankle) participated in practice on Wednesday and is set to make his Nets' debut Thursday night against Milwaukee, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: "Everything feels good," Harris said after pushing his left ankle through his first full practice Wednesday. "I can pretty much do everything. The wind is pretty much (substandard, in that) I haven't played in a month, so I have to get back up to a good stamina. Other than that, I feel good." The Nets will determine if there is any swelling Thursday. If there isn't, coach Lawrence Frank is expected to bring Harris off the bench.
Jason Richardson: Iffy For Friday
Update: Richardson (eye) said he will play Friday night against Boston, while coach Sam Vincent was not so sure, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Richardson was forced to leave Wednesday night's loss to New York after having a finger poked in his right eye. The eye was swollen and puffy after the game, but Richardson said he'd play Friday. "I'm definitely not playing him if it's swollen," Vincent said. Stay tuned for updates leading up to Friday night's game.
Paul Millsap: Sparks Jazz Off Bench
Update: Millsap scored 19 points off the bench to help Utah beat Detroit 103-95 Wednesday night.
Analysis: Jazz' coach Jerry Sloan was extremely pleased with Millsap's performance. "He just made some great moves offensively around the basket," Sloan told the Deseret Morning News. "He's (got) a tremendous spin move to be able to get to the basket. Sometimes with that you screw yourself in the ground. But he was right on target tonight. He was terrific." The 19 points was Millsap's highest total since Dec. 21.
Carlos Boozer: Double-Double Again
Update: Boozer had 18 points (9-of-17 FG) and 15 rebounds in Wednesday's game against Detroit.
Analysis: Boozer has put up double-doubles in seven of his last eight games.
Deron Williams: 14 Dimes in Win
Update: Williams scored 14 points (4-of-12 FG) and handed out 14 assists in Wednesday's victory over the Pistons.
Analysis: Over his past five games, Williams has averaged 19.8 points and 10.2 assists. With the win Wednesday, Williams and the Jazz remain two and a half games up on the Nuggets in the Northwest division.
Mehmet Okur: Good Scoring Night in Win
Update: Okur had 24 points (10-of-18 FG), seven rebounds and four dimes Wednesday night in a 103-95 win over Detroit.
Analysis: Okur shot 4-of-8 from 3-point range and was a key factor in Utah's big fourth quarter in which they outscored Detroit 36-24.
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