FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Keyon Dooling: Sits Out Wednesday Night
Update: Dooling sat out Wednesday night's game against Washington with a sprained left foot.
Analysis: This was the third straight game he's missed because of the injury. The Magic are off until Saturday when they host Golden State.
Andrea Bargnani: Shaken Up Wednesday
Update: Bargnani was shaken up early in the third quarter of Wednesday's game after a collision under the basket, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Though he remained down for about three minutes, Bargnani was able to return to the court briefly to make two free throws. He then headed to the locker room. More on his status as we know it.
Kevin Martin: Questionable for Wednesday
Update: Martin (wrist) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Clippers, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: Martin hit the floor hard while attempting to catch a full-court pass near the end of the third quarter Tuesday against the Lakers. Once he recovered, he went to the bench clutching his right wrist and hand. John Salmons or Francisco Garcia would likely take his place in the lineup if he is unable to play.
Mo Williams: Out on Wednesday
Update: Williams (abdominal strain) missed Wednesday's game against Seattle, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Royal Ivey will replace Williams (who is listed as day-to-day) in the Bucks' lineup Wednesday.
Jianlian Yi: Sidelined by Ankle Sprain
Update: Yi missed Wednesday's game against Seattle with a sprained left ankle, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Yi, who suffered the injury Sunday, is day-to-day.
Udonis Haslem: Misses Wednesday's Game
Update: Haslem was not with the Heat for Wednesday night's game against the Raptors because of a family emergency, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Haslem is expected to rejoin the team in time for Friday's game against the Warriors.
P.J. Brown: Active Wednesday
Update: Brown will be active Wednesday night against the Pistons, the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Brown is essentially taking the place of Scot Pollard, who announced he'll miss the rest of the season because of a torn tendon in his left ankle. Brown may not see much work initially.
Scot Pollard: Out for Season
Update: Pollard said before Wednesday night's game against the Pistons that he will miss the rest of the season with a torn tendon in his left ankle, the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Pollard's injured ankle has lingered since October. P.J. Brown will be active for the game against the Pistons and will fill the role Pollard was never able to fill.
Gilbert Arenas: Knee Feels Fine
Update: Arenas said his knee feels fine after testing it in practice on Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Arenas may play by the end of the month.
Andris Biedrins: Targeting a Friday Return
Update: Biedrins (appendectomy) is targeting a return for Friday night's game in Miami, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Biedrins, who has begun shooting and some conditioning work, says it depends on how quickly he can get his conditioning back.
Dirk Nowitzki: Suspended for Flagrant Foul
Update: Nowitzki was suspended for Thursday's game against the Rockets for a flagrant-2 foul he committed on Utah's Andrei Kirilenko on Monday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: He initially received a flagrant-1 when he hit Kirilenko during the first half of Monday's game. The league reviewed the play and upgraded it to a flagrant-2. He will be eligible for Saturday's matchup with New Jersey.
Deron Williams: Misses Practice But Will Play Wednesday
Update: Williams did not practice Tuesday as he was tending to a family medical matter, the Deseret Morning News reports. However, he is expected to play in Wednesday night's game against Minnesota.
Analysis: Start Williams as you normally would.
CJ Miles: Will Start Wednesday
Update: Miles will start at small forward for Wednesday night's game against the Timberwolves, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: He will be taking the ailing Andrei Kirilenko's place in the starting lineup. He holds virtually no fantasy value so don't be tempted to pick him up in Kirilenko's absence.
Andrei Kirilenko: MRI Negative
Update: Kirilenko (hip) had an MRI on Tuesday which came back negative, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: He will not play in Wednesday's game against Minnesota and is considered doubtful for Friday when the Jazz head to Phoenix. Head coach Jerry Sloan confirmed that C.J. Miles will start at small forward for the squad.
Steven Hunter: Will Miss Weekend's Games
Update: Hunter will miss games at San Antonio on Friday and at Utah on Saturday to attend his grandmother's funeral in Chicago, the Rocky Mountain News reports.
Analysis: He will be in the lineup, however, for Wednesday's game against Phoenix.
Luol Deng: Rounding Into Form
Update: Deng had 21 points in 43 minutes in the Bulls' 112-97 win over Memphis Tuesday.
Analysis: This was Deng's third strong game in his last four contests and he appears to be rounding into form after missing a month with a strained left Achilles' tendon.
Andres Nocioni: 20 Points Off Bench Tuesday But Inconsistent Recently
Update: Nocioni had 20 points off the bench in the Bulls' 112-97 win over Memphis Tuesday.
Analysis: Nocioni has been up-and-down since being moved back to the bench five games ago. With Luol Deng back in action coupled with the addition of Larry Hughes, the Bulls now have a lot of weapons at the Bulls' disposal, meaning Nocioni's minutes and production will continue to be inconsistent.
Ben Gordon: Got Hot Once Larry Hughes Went To The Bench
Update: Gordon scored 16 points but didn't make his first field goal until 1 minute 36 seconds remained in the third quarter of the Bulls' 112-97 win over Memphis and didn't get going until Larry Hughes had exited for good, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Hughes scored only eight points in 24 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter as his pairing with Gordon continues to experience rocky moments. Coach Jim Boylan said Kirk Hinrich's strong play is why Gordon and Hughes didn't play much together in the second half. Gordon has struggled since Hughes joined Chicago, but was hot Tuesday and saw more playing time, Hughes had been coming off three solid games in a row as a starter, but if Hinrich and Hughes are hot, his minutes may be limited with Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni seeing time at small forward, preventing Hughes from playing there.
Larry Hughes: Limited Minutes Tuesday
Update: Hughes scored only eight points in 24 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter of the Bulls' 112-97 win over Memphis Tuesday as his pairing with Ben Gordon continues to experience rocky moments, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Gordon scored 16 points but didn't make his first field goal until 1 minute 36 seconds remained in the third and didn't get going until Hughes had exited for good. Coach Jim Boylan said Kirk Hinrich's strong play is why Gordon and Hughes didn't play much together in the second half. Hughes had been coming off three solid games in a row as a starter, but if Hinrich and Gordon are hot, his minutes may be limited with Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni seeing time at small forward.
Kirk Hinrich: Solid All-Around Game Tuesday
Update: Hinrich had 19 points, 12 assists and a career-high four blocks in the Bulls' 112-97 win over Memphis Tuesday and is back in coach Jim Boylan's good graces, the Chicago Tribune reports. "I liked his ballhandling and shooting, and he was doing a great job running the team," Boylan said. "Since I've taken over, Kirk in my opinion has grown as a point guard. He has more confidence and runs the team more. He talks more in the huddle. He's asserting himself. I appreciate that and like to let him run with it."
Analysis: Hinrich has rebounded from his benching last Wednesday to have two good games in his last three efforts and should see solid minutes nightly going forward.
Shawne Williams: Accompanies Team on Trip, But Still Inactive
Update: Williams accompanied the Pacers for their road trip that begins in Houston on Wednesday night, but he's still on the inactive list, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: The Pacers haven't said when/whether they plan to activate Williams.
Acie Law: Sets Target Date for Return
Update: Law (wrist) has set a target date of March 8 for his return to the court, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.
Analysis: Law will have missed nine straight games by that point. When he is finally able to return, Law will serve as the primary backup to Mike Bibby.
Delonte West: Status Uncertain for Wednesday Night
Update: West missed practice on Tuesday due to a death in the family, leaving his status for Wednesday's game against the Knicks in question, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Expect Damon Jones and LeBron James to play most of the point guard minutes if West is out of the lineup.
Chris Webber: Will Miss the Next Three Games
Update: Webber (knee) will stay in Atlanta to have his knee checked out and will miss the Warriors' next three games, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Analysis: Webber hurt his knee on Friday and tried to play through the pain on Sunday, but he only was able to play eight minutes in the game. The Warriors played a multitude of players at center in Webber's absence on Tuesday and are likely to do the same while he remains out of the lineup.
Kevin Durant: Continues to Roll in Rookie Year
Update: Durant totaled 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists Tuesday in one of his more complete games of the season.
Analysis: Durant has been doing a better job getting to the line lately. In his last four games, he's averaged more than nine free throw attempts per game. Earlier in the season, Durant was content to settle for jumpers rather than driving the lane. Perhaps he's getting stronger physically and more confident in the paint (though he had two shots blocked in the lane in the waning moments of Tuesday's game). In any event, he's an 87-percent foul shooter, so the more he gets to the line, the better.
Mike Miller: Likely to Return on Wednesday Night
Update: Miller (back) will likely play Wednesday night against New Jersey, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Analysis: Miller has missed the last seven games with the back injury. Feel free to get him back in your lineup if he plays on Wednesday.
Jianlian Yi: Misses Practice on Tuesday
Update: Yi (ankle) did not practice on Tuesday after suffering a sprained ankle in Sunday's game against Indiana, but he could still play Wednesday night against Seattle, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Yi has been moved to a reserve role and his fantasy value has taken a hit as a result. Still, if he's on your fantasy squad, check Milwaukee's roster prior to the game to see if Yi will play.
Chris Wilcox: Back-to-Back Double-Doubles
Update: Wilcox totaled 20 points and 10 rebounds Tuesday for his second double-double in row.
Analysis: A late-February illness threw Wilcox off his game for bit, but he's been strong in this last three games, averaging 22.6 points and seven rebounds per game. After Seattle's rash of trades, Wilcox is seeing more offensive looks. He's averaged 16.6 field goal attempts per game in his last three outings. It's likely he keeps that up, too, as Kevin Durant is the only other offensive weapon the Sonics really have.
Keith Bogans: Plays Through Pain
Update: Bogans played Tuesday night's game with a strained stomach muscle, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Head coach Stan Van Gundy said after the game that Bogans "looked very uncomfortable" on the floor. If Bogans is on your roster, make sure he is available on Wednesday night before inserting him into your lineup.
P.J. Brown: Could Make Debut Wednesday Night
Update: Head coach Doc Rivers said that Brown could make his Celtics' debut on Wednesday night against Detroit, the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Brown has yet to appear in a game this season, but he could be useful on Wednesday against a physical Pistons' squad.
Linas Kleiza: Questionable on Wednesday
Update: Kleiza is questionable for Wednesday's game with Phoenix due to a sprained left foot, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Keep Kleiza on your bench until he gets full clearance from team doctors and plays a full game. The club isn't going to take any chances with a guy they think is a big part of their future.
Marvin Williams: Best Scoring Night Since February 8th
Update: Williams had 20 points (8-of-17 FG, 4-of-4 FT), a steal and a block in the Hawks' loss to the Warriors on Tuesday.
Analysis: Williams has been battling the flu, so it was a good sign to see a solid game from him. Williams has let fantasy owners down in the last month but has the ability to get back to the solid numbers he has put up this season.
Josh Smith: Third Straight Game With at Least 20 Points
Update: Snmith scored 20 points (6-of-14 FG, 8-of-12 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in the Hawks' loss to the Warriors on Tuesday.
Analysis: Smith continues to bounce back from some subpar scoring that plagued him February. Smith looks more comfortable with point guard Mike Bibby, and this should mean a return to the monster fantasy numbers that Smith normally puts up.
Marcin Gortat: Finally Gets Off The Bench
Update: Gortat appeared in his second consecutive game on Tuesday night but only recorded one rebound in the contest.
Analysis: Gortat saw his first career NBA action on Saturday night and scored his first basket. Though he's finally been unglued from the bench, Gortat won't play enough over the remainder of the season to have any fantasy value.
Joe Johnson: Best Night of The Season
Update: Johnson exploded for 38 points (13-of-22 FG, 5-of-7 3-PT, 7-of-7 FT), seven rebounds and six assists in the Hawks' loss to the Warriors on Tuesday.
Analysis: The fast paced style that the Warriors play certain catered to Johnson's skill set, as he had perhaps his best all-around performance of the season. The addition of Mike Bibby has really helped Johnson's game.
Manu Ginobili: Productive Despite Shooting Struggles
Update: Ginobili returned to the starting lineup and had just 11 points but did have seven rebounds, three assists, four steals and a block in the Spurs' win over the Nets on Tuesday.
Analysis: Ginobili was just 3-of-11 from the floor and 1-of-5 from three but continues to produce in other areas when his shot is not falling.
Rashard Lewis: Picks Up Scoring Pace
Update: Lewis scored 22 points in Orlando's victory over Toronto on Tuesday night.
Analysis: Lewis shot 9-of-13 from the field and hit three three-pointers in the game. He's now topped 20 points in three of his last four contests and is shooting 52.8 percent over that span.
Tim Duncan: Big Night in Win
Update: Duncan had 29 points (11-of-21 FG, 7-of-9 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the Spurs' win over the Nets on Tuesday.
Analysis: Duncan rebounded from two subpar games and should have a big night against Indiana on Thursday.
Dwight Howard: Double-Double Tuesday Night
Update: Howard scored 19 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in Orlando's victory over Toronto on Tuesday night.
Analysis: Business as usual for Howard, as he shot an efficient 7-of-10 from the field and a subpar 5-of-8 from the free throw line in the game.
Jameer Nelson: Returns to Starting Lineup on Tuesday
Update: Following a bout with the flu, Nelson returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday night and scored 13 points in Orlando's victory over Toronto.
Analysis: Nelson also grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists. Tuesday night was the first time Nelson has recorded double figures in a game since February 22. He has been all over the place so far this season and his owners shouldn't expect anything other than that as the regular season comes to a close.
Keyon Dooling: Misses Another Game
Update: Dooling (foot) missed his second consecutive game on Tuesday night.
Analysis: Dooling sprained his foot last Wednesday against Philadelphia. He is still listed as day-to-day.
Elton Brand: Full-Contact on Tuesday
Update: On Tuesday, Brand (Achilles) participated in a full-contact practice for the first time this season, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: "We don't want to put him out there until he's ready to be out there," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "It's one of those things where we shouldn't rush him back. I want to see him dominating practice like he has in the past before I throw him into a game because it's not fair to him or anyone else in that regard." The power forward is in the final stage of his rehabilitation after suffering a severe Achilles injury that required surgery in August.
Brad Miller: A Double-Double Tuesday
Update: Miller scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds during Sacramento's 117-105 loss to the Lakers Tuesday night.
Analysis: In 34 minutes, the 7-foot center shot 5-of-11 while dishing out four assists and blocking a shot. Miller continues his steady play and has clearly been Sacramento's most consistent player this season. Since the All-Star break, he is averaging 15.2 points and 9.7 rebounds while shooting 45.9 percent.
John Salmons: Flashes the Old Salmons
Update: Salmons shot 7-of-10 and scored 17 points to go with four rebounds and three steals in the Kings' loss to the Lakers Tuesday.
Analysis: It was Salmons' best game since early February but undoubtedly too late for his owners to take advantage of considering he's probably not in many fantasy lineups at the moment.
Kevin Martin: Scores 23 Against the Lakers
Update: Martin had 23 points, three rebounds and three turnovers in Sacramento's home loss to the Lakers Tuesday night.
Analysis: Martin is definitely making a concerted effort to score when he has the ball. February was a rough month for the shooting guard. He appeared rudderless navigating in the Kings' offense. Against the Lakers, he shot 8-of-17 and spent the better portion of his time attacking the basket.
Tim Thomas: Doubtful Wednesday
Update: Thomas (groin) is doubtful for Wednesday's home game versus Sacramento.
Analysis: The Clippers' starting power forward was injured Friday at Denver. Rookie Al Thornton is likely to take his place in the opening lineup.
Ron Artest: Fades Down the Stretch
Update: Artest scored 23 points with five rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal in the Kings' 117-105 loss to the Lakers Tuesday night.
Analysis: Artest did a commendable job guarding Kobe Bryant throughout the game, but he faded offensively in the fourth quarter, shooting 1-of-9. Undoubtedly, he tired exerting himself on the defensive end. He finished shooting 10-of-23.
Sam Cassell: Not Expected to Play Wednesday
Update: Cassell, who recently signed with the Celtics, will not join the team until Friday at the earliest due to a death in his family, according to the Boston Herald.
Analysis: This rules out Cassell for Wednesday's game against Detroit, though he could make his Celtics debut Friday against the Bulls.
Lamar Odom: 19 Points, 12 Rebounds Against Kings
Update: Odom had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Lakers' 117-105 win over the Kings on Tuesday.
Analysis: Odom finished February averaging 11.6 rebounds per game, and he seems to be keeping up that pace in his first two games in March.
Kobe Bryant: Scores 34 in Win over Kings
Update: Bryant had 34 points and 10 rebounds in the Lakers' 117-105 win over the Kings on Tuesday.
Analysis: Bryant has now scored at least 33 in his last three games, and may be on the verge of one of his famous scoring sprees.
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