FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Thabo Sefolosha: Groin Will Be a Problem All Season
Update: Sefolosha said his groin injury will nag him for the rest of the season, but he will play through it, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Interim head coach Jim Boylan wants Sefolosha on the floor because of his defensive presence, and his presence will eat into Larry Hughes' minutes. But if the injury hobbles him more, Hughes' minutes should rebound.
Ben Wallace: Returns Thursday
Update: Wallace (back spasms) returned to the Cavs' lineup Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: He's missed the past game and a half with the ailment. Wallace started and had four rebounds and four points through the game's first eight minutes.
Ime Udoka: Out with Ankle Injury
Update: Udoka will miss at least two games due to a right ankle injury.
Analysis: The forward is suffering from tarsal tunnel syndrome and received anti-inflammatory shots to combat the inflammation. He is expected to be back in the lineup on Monday when the Spurs take on the Celtics.
Wilson Chandler: Ineffective in Starting Role
Update: Chandler started for the fourth consecutive game Wednesday but responded with just two points (1-of-6 FG) in 18 minutes of action.
Analysis: Even though Quentin Richardson continues to rack up DNPs, Chandler isn't much of a fantasy option.
Zach Randolph: Double-Double in Win
Update: Randolph had 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks during the Knicks' win over the Heat Wednesday.
Analysis: Randolph went 9-of-19 from the field and also added a steal and a 3-pointer in the victory. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for New York.
Scot Pollard: Undergoes Successful Surgery
Update: Pollard (ankle) underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn tendon in his left ankle, the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Pollard remains out for the season. P.J. Brown has taken Pollard's spot in the lineup.
Francisco Elson: Leaves Game With Knee Injury
Update: Elson left Wednesday night's game early after suffering a right knee sprain, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
Analysis: Elson will undergo an MRI on Thursday and nothing has been made official in regards to how much time he will miss due to the injury.
Greg Oden: Practices With the Entire Team
Update: Oden (knee) participated in his first in-season practice with the rest of his teammates on Wednesday, the Oregonian reports.
Analysis: Oden was able to take part in practice for about 45 minutes. He said he went through drills at half-speed, but at least he was on the floor participating in basketball activities. There is still no chance that Oden will play this season, but Wednesday's results have to make Portland fans even more optimistic about a young team that could really take off over the next few seasons.
Joel Przybilla: Expected to Play on Thursday
Update: Przybilla (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday but said he will play on Thursday night against Sacramento, the Oregonian reports.
Analysis: Przybilla was injured in Tuesday's contest with the Timberwolves. Przybilla did not start the second half but came back into the game later in the half. Fantasy owners should feel free to get Przybilla into the lineup on Thursday night.
Joe Johnson: Scoring Streak Continues
Update: Johnson scored 28 points (9-of-25 FG, 3-of-7 3-PT, 7-of-8 FT), eight rebounds and two steals in the Hawks' loss to the Rockets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Johnson continued his scoring streak despite having a rough night from the floor. Johnson has also been good from the 3-point line averaging 3.3 makes over his last three games.
Andre Miller: Forced to Leave Game Early
Update: Miller was forced to leave Wednesday night's game early after aggravating a back injury first suffered on Monday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Miller is listed as day-to-day with the injury but said he'd be ready to play on Friday against the Bulls. Check Miller's status again on Friday before putting him in your fantasy lineup.
Tony Parker: 24 Points in Loss
Update: Parker had 24 points (10-of-16 FG, 2-of-3 3-PT, 2-of-8 FT) and four assists in the Spurs' loss to the Hornets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Parker shot well from the floor, but was bad from the line, and didn't do much else to help fantasy owners.
Manu Ginobili: Just 11 Points in Loss
Update: Ginobili had just 11 points in the Spurs' loss to the Hornets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Ginobili failed to make a three but did have four rebounds and three steals. Ginobili is in a bit of of a scoring slump, as he has scored just 24 points in his last two games.
Chris Webber: Remains Out With Knee Injury
Update: Webber (knee) rejoined his teammates for Wednesday's shootaround but he won't play on Thursday night and there has been no date set for his return to the lineup, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Thursday night's game will be the sixth consecutive game that Webber has sat out. Webber didn't have much fantasy value prior to the injury, but it's doubtful that he will be able to help any squad even when he's healthy.
Tim Duncan: Double-Double Despite Loss
Update: Duncan had 24 points (10-of-16 FG, 4-of-6 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in the Spurs' loss to the Hornets on Wednesday.
Analysis: While it was a terrible game for the Spurs, Duncan had another solid night and has a streak of three straight double-doubles.
Tim Thomas: Strain May Have Set Him Back
Update: Thomas (groin) scored 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting during the Clippers' 110-88 loss at Orlando Wednesday night.
Analysis: Eight of Thomas' field-goal attempts were from downtown, but he only managed to connect on two. In 23 minutes, he grabbed five rebounds with an assist. Since suffering a groin strain during the beginning of March, Thomas is averaging 24.0 minutes and 7.3 points. Benching him wouldn't be a bad idea until he hits a hot streak.
Andre Barrett: Let Go in Los Angeles
Update: Barrett was not offered a new 10-day contract after his original one expired on Monday.
Analysis: The Clippers signed point guard Smush Parker on Tuesday to take Barrett's place.
Kevin Martin: Constructive Criticism
Update: Martin has caught fire after a recent slump, and he attributes his success to a recent conversation with Kings coach Reggie Theus, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "Ever since we had our talk after the Atlanta game (Feb. 27), he said he wanted to work on some stuff, like right now," Martin said. "So we started around the Dallas game, and ever since then, we've just been working with a lot of one-on-one time, and it's been helping. I'm just being a student right now." In February, prior to their conversation, Martin averaged 19.3 points and shot just 41.2 percent. Since Theus' recommendations, Martin has averaged 29.2 points on 50.6 percent shooting in the past five games.
Carlos Arroyo: Splitting Time at Point Guard
Update: Arroyo played nearly 22 minutes and scored 13 points in Orlando's victory over the Clippers on Wednesday.
Analysis: Arroyo and starter Jameer Nelson again played nearly equal minutes on Wednesday, as they have been doing for the last several games. Orlando is 5-1 since Arroyo re-entered the rotation, so look for the time share to continue in the near future.
Hedo Turkoglu: Multi-Category Production Continues
Update: Turkoglu scored 17 points in Orlando's victory over the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Turkoglu also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out four assists, and hit three three-pointers in the game. Turkoglu is easily having the best season of his career and fantasy owners who ended up with him in their draft last year have probably yet to wipe the smile off their face.
Rashard Lewis: Solid All-Around Game
Update: Lewis finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and five assists on Wednesday night as the Magic defeated the Clippers.
Analysis: Lewis is playing his best ball of the year right now, averaging season-highs of 20.5 points and 6.3 rebounds through six games so far this month. It's probably no coincidence that he's also shooting a robust 52.9 percent from the field in those games.
Dwight Howard: Building off All-Star Success
Update: Howard scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Orlando's victory over the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Howard has been an absolute beast since the All-Star break. His 23.2 points and 14.7 rebounds per game so far this month are his highest simulataneous averages since November. As an added bonus, he's also improved from the free throw line and is shooting 68.3 percent from the stripe this month. Keep riding Howard's hot streak right into your fantasy playoffs.
Nick Collison: Out with Injuries
Update: Collison missed Wednesday's game because of a right hip bruise, lower back bruise and right elbow bruise, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: After the Kurt Thomas trade, Collison is left to do the dirty work in the lane. The job might be waring on him as he is undersized for an NBA center. The Sonics are encouraging Collision to shoot his jumper more, and he scored 15 and 12 in the last two games. But unless the Sonics find someone else to bang underneath, don't expect Collison to have many opportunities to develop his mid-range game.
Jameer Nelson: Another Average Game
Update: Nelson scored 12 points and dished out five assists in Orlando's victory over the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Nelson and Carlos Arroyo both played about equal minutes again and the playing time situation is really hurting Nelson's value. Nelson is averaging 11.4 points and 5.6 assists per game this month, but his value still isn't anywhere near where it would be right now if he had progressed like the Magic had hoped this season.
Maurice Evans: Scores 13 in Victory
Update: Evans scored 13 points in Orlando's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
Analysis: Evans shot 5-of-12 from the field and hit two three-pointers in the game. He's been a little inconsistent lately, but he is still worthy of a roster spot in most fantasy leagues.
Chucky Atkins: Has Best Game Since Return
Update: Atkins (groin) posted nine points, seven assists and six rebounds in 20 minutes during Denver's 108-86 win over Memphis on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Atkins finally saw some extended minutes with Allen Iverson ailing and looked impressive, albeit against a struggling Memphis club. If Iverson misses any time due to his bruised knee and/or broken finger, then Atkins will most likely be the recipient of his minutes.
Marcus Camby: Blocks Six Memphis Shots on Wednesday
Update: Camby posted eight points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and six blocks during Denver's win over Memphis on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Solid all-around game for Camby who did all his dirty work in just 28 minutes of court time. He connected on 3-of-4 shots from the field which included his fifth 3-pointer of the year.
Carmelo Anthony: Posts Double-Double vs Memphis
Update: Anthony posted 14 points and 13 rebounds in just 29 minutes during Denver's 108-86 win over Memphis on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Anthony also contributed two assists and one steal in the win and seems completely recovered from the bruised knee he suffered last Friday against the Spurs.
Allen Iverson: Suffers Knee Contusion, Sits Out 4th Quarter
Update: Iverson (finger) banged his knee early in the game and finished with just eight points on 2-of-12 shooting against Memphis on Wednesday night.
Analysis: It was the first time all season Iverson has failed to reach double-digits in scoring. The broken bone in his right ring finger may be more of an issue than he's letting on although Wednesday's performance may have had more to do with a loss of quickness and acceleration due to the knee contusion than to the finger issue. The 31 minutes Iverson played was also a season low. The club plays again on Friday so keep checking back for updates on Iverson's condition.
Caron Butler: Will Return to Lineup Thursday
Update: Butler practiced pain-free on Wednesday and will play on Thursday night against the Cavs, according to the Washington Post.
Analysis: Butler may be a bit rusty after missing 17 straight games, so fantasy owners may want to be a bit wary about starting him Thursday night.
Ray Allen: Scores 18 in Blowout Win
Update: Allen had 18 points on 8-10 shooting in the Celtics' 111-82 win over the Sonics on Wednesday.
Analysis: Allen played only 25 minutes on Wednesday, as the game was a blowout quickly. Expect him to play more in competitive games.
Kevin Garnett: 18 Points in Blowout Win
Update: Garnett had 18 points and six rebounds in the Celtics' 111-82 win over the Sonics on Wednesday.
Analysis: Garnett played only 23 minutes Wednesday, as the game was out of hand quickly. He shot 4-5 from the field.
Bostjan Nachbar: Sore Lower Back
Update: Nachbar, who went off for 21 points in Wednesday's victory over Cleveland, said his lower back has been bothering him, the Bergen Record reports.
Analysis: Nachbar said the sore back was the result of the hip-flexor injury that kept him out of three games last week.
Josh Boone: Looks Better
Update: Boone, who had gone six games without double-digit anything, scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds Wednesday night in New Jersey's victory over Cleveland.
Analysis: Boone was much better against the Cavs than he has been in a while. He's averaging 6.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in seven games this month.
Ben Wallace: Sits Out Wednesday Night
Update: Wallace was unavailable for Wednesday night's game because of back spasms, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Joe Smith started in place of Wallace, who was forced to leave the Cavs' previous game because the back. Cleveland comes right back on Thursday with a road game against the Wizards.
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