FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Josh Smith: Hot Night
Update: Smith had 25 points (11-of-19 FG, 1-of-2 3-PT, 2-of-3 FT), nine rebounds and two blocks in the Hawks' win over the Knicks on Friday.
Analysis: Smith had been hot and cold lately and this was certainly a hot night. When Smith is on he is one of the top-10 players in all of fantasy. The key for Smith will be to be more consistent down the stretch.
Al Horford: Three Double-Doubles in A Row
Update: Horford had 20 points (8-of-14 FG, 4-of-4 FT), 11 rebounds, a steal and a block in the Hawks' win over the Knicks on Friday.
Analysis: Horford is in his best stretch of the season. While he may not pass Kevin Durant for NBA Rookie of the Year, Horford looks to be a solid choice for runner up.
Beno Udrih: Huge Night in Big D
Update: Udrih had 25 points, five assists, five rebounds and a blocked shot in the Kings' loss at Dallas Friday night.
Analysis: Udrih followed his 25-point effort against the Hawks Wednesday with another superior game versus the Mavericks, or most notably, Jason Kidd. He shot 10-16 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the line in 40 minutes.
Mike Bibby: Another Double-Double
Update: Bibby had 11 points and 10 assists in the Hawks' win over the Knicks on Friday.
Analysis: Bibby was just 4-of-11 from the floor and 1-of-5 from the 3-point line but did have five rebounds and two steals. While Bibby may not be a great scorer, he should be able to provide a high number of assists with the Hawks.
Mike Wilks: Signs With Seattle
Update: The Sonics signed Wilks to a 10-day contract on Friday, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
Analysis: Wilks, a former SuperSonic, will be available for Friday night's game against Miami. He might actually see some playing time with the health of Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour in question.
Brandon Roy: Game-Time Decision Friday
Update: Blazers coach Nate McMillan said Roy (ankle) is a game-time decision Friday night against the Lakers, The Columbian reports.
Analysis: As recently as Thursday, Roy was listed as doubtful, but he said his right ankle has healed enough to allow him to play. Roy said he can run without feeling any pain, and can explode to his left without significant discomfort.
Antoine Walker: T-Wolves Make Buyout Offer
Update: Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale said he made Walker's agent a buyout offer, but has not heard back yet, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Walker is still owed another $9.3 million for next season and he doesn't want to give up much of that in accepting a reduced buyout offer. If Walker remains in Minnesota, his expiring contract next season will have value.
Wally Szczerbiak: Will Miss Friday's Game
Update: Szczerbiak will miss Friday's game against Minnesota to be with his wife, who is expected to deliver their third child on Saturday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: There's no word on his availability for Sunday's game against Chicago.
Tony Allen: Will Sit Out Friday
Update: Allen, who already has a sore calf, missed Friday's shootaround because of the flu and will not play Friday night against Charlotte, the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Allen said he expects to play next Wednesday against the Pistons.
Robert Swift: Second Opnion Confirms First
Update: Swift got a second opinion on his right knee and it confirmed he needs season-ending surgery, the Associate Press reports.
Analysis: Swift will undergo surgery March 4 to repair a torn lateral meniscus in the knee. This is the same knee that cost him the entire 2006-07 season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He played in just right games this season.
Danny Granger: Suspended One Game
Update: Granger received a one-game suspension for an altercation with Andres Nocioni in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Granger will miss Friday's game against the Raptors. He is averaging 18.2 points with 5.8 boards and around 35 minutes a game this season.
Tyronn Lue: Kings Buy Out Contract
Update: Lue and the Kings have agreed to terms on a buyout, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: Lue was acquired by Sacramento in the Mike Bibby trade with Atlanta on Feb. 16. He was scheduled to make $3.5 million in 2007-08 - the last year of his contract. The 30-year-old point guard did not play for the Kings during his short stint in Sacramento. He averaged 6.9 points and 1.8 assists in 33 games with the Hawks this season.
Demetris Nichols: Headed to D-League
Update: The Bulls assigned Nichols to the team's D-League affiliate in Iowa.
Analysis: Nichols saw very little minutes in his nearly two-month stint for Chicago. He needs to mature a bit more at the lower levels for him to be a viable outlet in the NBA.
Gordan Giricek: Headed to Suns?
Update: Having lost out on Brent Barry, the Suns are now expected to sign Giricek after he gets released by the 76ers, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: He likely wouldn't have any bigger a role with Phoenix than he did with Utah or does with Philadelphia, however.
Jorge Garbajosa: Takes Some Shots Thursday
Update: Garbajosa, favoring his surgically-repaired leg, took some flat-footed shots with Raptors assistant coach Jay Triano on Thursday, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis: "The days are going by and I'm feeling better," Garbajosa said, adding this was actually the second day in a row he had been out shooting. "It's not a big difference from how I was two days ago (before taking his first shots) and today but mentally it's important for me." He won't be back in uniform until next season, but he shouldn't have any further problems with his leg when he does return.
Kevin Martin: February Fantasy Funk
Update: Martin is shooting just 40.2% and averaging 18.2 points in February, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "He's just got to get in a rhythm," Ron Artest said. "Like I told him, I was a little disappointed. I don't remember the last time he had 30 (points). Something's wrong. Every three or four games, he should be getting 30 or 35 points. He should be averaging 27, 28 points (per game)." Entering February, Martin was shooting 46.0% and averaging 24.3 points. For owners relying on the shooting guard's numbers to propel them into fantasy contention, that's a perilous drop in production.
Shawne Williams: Staying Behind
Update: Williams was held out of practice on Thursday and will not travel with the team for Friday's game in Toronto, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Williams is still sorting through the incident where a suspected murderer was caught leaving his house and driving his car, all while the Pacers were playing on Tuesday night. The suspect in question was also in Williams' car back in September when he was arrested for a traffic violation and marijuana possession (the marijuana charged was later dropped). "He's very confused right now," said Pacers president Larry Bird, who chose Williams with the No. 17 selection in the 2006 draft. "There's no way he could play basketball. He's just not all there mentally and there's no way he could be on the basketball court right now playing. He knows it's a very serious issue."
Tony Parker: Struggles in Win
Update: Parker had just 10 points on 5-of-13 shooting in the Spurs' win over Dallas on Thursday.
Analysis: Parker did have five rebounds, four assists and two steals but has not been shooting the ball lately like the Parker of last season. This seems to be due, in part, to Parker shooting more jumpers than layups, a sign that he may not be fully recovered from his heel injury.
Manu Ginobili: Tough Night Shooting
Update: Ginobili was just 6-of-20 from the floor and 1-of-7 from the 3-point line in the Spurs' win over Dallas on Thursday.
Analysis: Ginobili finished with 17 points, five rebounds and five assists in the win. Ginobili may be getting a little tired, as he averaged 36.6 minutes a game in February and is just 10-of-33 from the floor in his last two games.
Tim Duncan: Big Night in Win
Update: Duncan had 31 points (12-of-20 FG, 7-of-10 FT), 15 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in the Spurs' win over Dallas on Thursday.
Analysis: With Tony Parker and Emmanuel Ginobili both having off nights, Duncan's contribution was huge as the Spurs have now won seven straight. February was a big month for Duncan, as he averaged 21.8 points and 13 rebounds in 11 games.
Elton Brand: A Return on the Horizon?
Update: Brand, who ruptured his left Achilles tendon last August, may begin taking part in full practices in early March, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Currently, Brand is on target with his rehabilitation and recently started participating in light contact drills for the first time since his injury. There is a slight chance he will play his first game in mid-March. That last sentence must have his owners drooling.
Sam Cassell: Can't Sign Until Monday
Update: Cassell can't be signed by the Celtics or any other team until he clears waivers at the end of Monday's business day, according to the Boston Herald.
Analysis: When Cassell clears waivers, the Celtics are expected to offer him the $1.2 million veteran's minimum. We'd be shocked if he joined a team other than Boston.
Tony Allen: Misses Practice Thursday
Update: Allen (calf) missed Thursday's practice, according to the Boston Herald.
Analysis: We'd be surprised to see Allen play on Friday against Charlotte, and if he does appear, his playing time should be minimal.
Caron Butler: Prescribed Rest
Update: Butler will rest his the torn labrum in his hip in hopes of resuming basketball activities this season, according to the Washington Post.
Analysis: Butler will be re-evaluated next week, with a decision being made on Butler's timetable from there. If the injury continues to persist, season-ending surgery could be an option.
Andrew Bynum: April Return Date Likely
Update: Bynum (knee) seems headed for an early April return date, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: Bynum is currently still running in a pool and hasn't started work on a treadmill yet. He will have a few more pool sessions over the next week, and if he feels no pain at that point, he will begin jogging slowly on a live treadmill.
Kobe Bryant: Eight Assists Against Heat
Update: Bryant had 21 points, eight assists and four steals in the Lakers' 102-88 win over the Heat on Thursday.
Analysis: Expect Bryant to defer to teammates often in blowout wins and against weaker opponents, especially with Pau Gasol in tow.
Ronny Turiaf: Grabs 12 Rebounds Against Heat
Update: Turiaf had seven points and 12 rebounds in the Lakers' 102-88 win over the Heat on Thursday.
Analysis: Turiaf is not nearly consistent enough to be a fantasy starter, even in deeper leagues.
Lamar Odom: Another Double-Double
Update: Odom had 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in the Lakers' 102-88 win over the Heat on Thursday.
Analysis: Odom should be an every-night fantasy starter, as he's pretty much a guaranteed double-double every night.
Pau Gasol: Double-Double Against Heat
Update: Gasol had 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in the Lakers' 106-88 win over the Heat on Thursday.
Analysis: The 13 points were the lowest since Gasol joined the Lakers, but was more a result of the game's blowout nature than any struggles on Gasol's part.
Eduardo Najera: Expected to Return Friday
Update: Najera (personal) is expected to return to the court on Friday after missing Wednesday night's game to attend to a family matter, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: This is strictly FYI as Najera is a fringe fantasy option at best, even in the deepest of leagues.
Nenad Krstic: Knee Fine, Timing Off
Update: Krstic said his surgically repaired left knee has responded well to playing, but he finds his timing and conditioning off, the Bergen Record reports.
Analysis: Krstic, who scored eight points with four rebounds in 16 minutes in Thursday's victory over the Bucks, is still starting games, but has played more than 20 minutes once since returning from rehab. Additionally, he's been ineffective against smaller lineups. "I just need to work on my game," Krstic said before playing his 24th game this season. "Before the injury it was not a problem for me if I had a tough matchup. I still could play my game. Right now, I'm trying to get my game again and it's really tough when you have tough matchups."
Jordan Farmar: Consecutive 20-point Efforts
Update: Farmar set a new career-high with 24 points in only 23 minutes of action Thursday night. He knocked down 9-for-14 from the field, including four treys, and also added four boards, three assists and three steals.
Analysis: Farmar is still coming off the bench and playing only part time, but he has been making the most of his 24 minutes per game lately.
Devin Harris: Strong in Debut
Update: Harris (ankle) returned to the court Thursday night with a strong performance, scoring 21 points (7-for-13 FG, 4-for-5 FT) with five assists and a surprising three treys in only 21 minutes of action.
Analysis: This was a very nice debut for Harris, who may thrive in the lower pressure environment of a Nets team for which he should be a focal point.
Mo Williams: Three Straight Big Games
Update: Williams scored 24 points with seven assists, four boards, two steals and a blocked shot on Thursday night against the Nets.
Analysis: Williams has averaged 29 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 boards per over his last three games.
Andrew Bogut: Another Big Double-Double
Update: Bogut dropped 22 points (11-for-16 FG) and 15 boards on the Nets Thursday night along with four assists, two blocks and a steal in 36 minutes.
Analysis: This was Bogut's third double-double in the past five games, and in all of them he pulled down at least 14 boards.
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