FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Brendan Haywood: Misses Game With Knee Injury
Update: Haywood was inactive for Saturday's game against the Clippers with a left patella tendon strain, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Haywood suffered the injury in Thursday's game against Cleveland. Consider him day-to-day for now. Darius Songalia took his place in the starting lineup.
Gilbert Arenas: Nearing Return
Update: Arenas will have an MRI on his knee Tuesday, and if it checks out healthy, he could be back in action as early as March 19, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: If he's given clearance by team doctors, "then, I guess that means I'll play," Arenas said. Coach Eddie Jordan was less optimistic. "All right, we'll see how it goes. I haven't had any updates on him yet," Jordan said. "That's for me to find out sooner rather than later. That's not for me to know right now."
Pau Gasol: Will Miss Three Games with Injury
Update: Gasol will miss at least three games with a sprained left ankle, including Sunday's showdown with Houston, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: X-rays were negative, but the Lakers said Gasol will miss at least the next three games.
Josh Powell: Major Minutes, Minor Stats
Update: Powell played 34 minutes and scored nine points and grabbed just three boards in the Clippers' 117-93 loss to the Hawks Friday night.
Analysis: Powell, who started at power forward in Atlanta, has had an opportunity to grab more playing time the last two months, but his production seems to wane as his minutes extend. He's more effective in short stints as a substitute versus playing a major role on the Clippers. In 13 games as a starter, Powell is averaging 7.9 points and 6.1 rebounds.
Nenad Krstic: Out Saturday Night
Update: Krstic will not be available for Saturday's game against Utah because of an upper respiratory infection, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Krstic was sent home from Saturday's shootaround. After Saturday's game, the Nets are off until Tuesday at Chicago.
Smush Parker: First Game as a Clip
Update: Parker scored 10 points during the Clippers' 117-93 loss at Atlanta Friday night.
Analysis: Parker, who signed with Los Angeles on Wednesday, played 16 minutes in his Clipper debut. He shot 4-of-8 and registered two steals. It's quite possible he might steal playing time from point guards Brevin Knight and Dan Dickau for the rest of the season. Keep an eye on his box scores.
Tim Thomas: Starts at Center
Update: Thomas had 18 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocked shots and a steal during the Clippers' 117-93 loss to Atlanta Friday night.
Analysis: Thomas received the nod at center as Chris Kaman missed his third consecutive game with a sore lower back.
Adrian Griffin: Out for Personal Reason
Update: Griffin is out indefinitely because of a personal matter, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: There is no timetable for his return. Griffin rarely gets off the bench anyway (he's played 16 minutes total since arriving in Seattle a month ago), so no one should miss him.
Ray Allen: Travels With Team
Update: Allen (heel) traveled with the Celtics for their game Saturday night against Milwaukee, but coach Doc Rivers said Allen will have to be "extremely healthy" to play him against the Bucks, the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: The Celtics are embarking on a five-game road trip that starts in Milwaukee, so perhaps he'll be in action at some point next week. "It's a tough blow, especially going out on the [road trip]," Rivers said. "I'm hoping he's healthy for that. But you know, I'm not going to change my rule. He's going to have to be extremely healthy for me to play him. And if he can't play, then someone else is just going to have to step up and play, and we've done that pretty well this year." Tony Allen is expected to fill in for Ray Allen.
Grant Hill: Questionable Saturday
Update: Hill is questionable for Saturday night's game against Sacramento because of a wrist injury, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Analysis: Hill sprained his right wrist in Thursday's win over Golden State and wasn't able to shoot or take part in Friday's practice. "We'll see. If it feels better, I'll go but if it's doesn't it might be rough," Hill said. "It swelled up and I can't move it side-to-side too much. I was doing my Dennis Rodman impression last night, grabbing rebounds (11) and passing up shots."
Darko Milicic: Sore Foot
Update: Milicic is suffering from a sore foot, but is expected to play Saturday night against Golden State, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Analysis: Milicic, who played just nine minutes and sat out the second half of Wednesday night's loss to Denver, participated in Friday's full workout.
Rudy Gay: Sore Hamstring
Update: Gay is suffering from a sore hamstring, but is expected to play Saturday night against the Warriors, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Analysis: Gay, who was limited to 18 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Denver, participated in Friday's full workout and will give it a go Saturday.
Andre Miller: Plays Through Back Injury
Update: Miller (back) played 32 minutes and scored 18 points with three rebounds and three assists Friday night in Philadelphia's victory over Chicago.
Analysis: Miller was forced to leave Philadelphia's previous game after aggravating an existing back condition that first cropped up on Monday. He hasn't missed games due to the injury, so consider him healthy until further notice.
Marcus Camby: Solid All-Around Night vs Raptors
Update: Camby led the Nuggets with 10 rebounds to go along with 17 points, six assists, two steals and one blocked shot, Friday night against the Raptors.
Analysis: Camby finished 6-of-8 from the field and 4-of-6 from the line while hitting a 3-pointer for the second straight game.
Keyon Dooling: Back in Action
Update: Dooling (foot) played 19 minutes and scored 10 points Friday night in Orlando's victory over Miami.
Analysis: Dooling has been bothered by the foot for the last two weeks, but appears to be healthy once again.
Earl Barron: Sits Out Friday
Update: Barron missed his his fifth straight game on Friday because of a right knee injury.
Analysis: It's too bad for Barron, who had filled in at times this season for the injured Shaquille O'Neal and Udonis Haslem. The Heat are beset by injuries right now and were limited to eight players Friday night against the Magic.
Carl Landry: Sits Out Friday
Update: Landry (knee) sat out Friday night's victory over Charlotte.
Analysis: Landry has been testing the ankle, but is still considered day-to-day. Houston's next game is Sunday against the Lakers.
Derek Anderson: Active But Not Playing
Update: Anderson (knee) has been active the last two games, but has not played due to a coach's decision.
Analysis: Anderson has been a non-factor even when getting minutes. The Bobcats are more concerned with giving Matt Carroll playing time, so we don't expect much from the veteran Anderson the rest of the season.
Acie Law: Back in Action
Update: Law (wrist) played 24 minutes and scored 10 points with two rebounds and three assists Friday night in the Hawks' victory over the Clippers.
Analysis: Law missed a total of 11 games because of the injury. He returned to action Wednesday night, playing nine minutes in a loss to the Rockets. Depending on how Josh Childress is deployed (guard or forward), Law could get 20-plus minutes a night.
Michael Doleac: Back With Team, But Not Playing
Update: Doleac (personal) has not played since returning to Minnesota's lineup Tuesday.
Analysis: Doleac was a DNP Friday for the second straight game. We'd be shocked if he took minutes away from Chris Richard or Criag Smith from here on out.
Al Jefferson: Playing Through Ankle Injury
Update: Jefferson (ankle) played 29 minutes and scored 16 points with five rebounds, three steals, two blocks and one assist Friday night in Minnesota's victory over Seattle.
Analysis: Jefferson had missed a practice earlier this week because of the ankle, but has played in the two games since. He's had some injury history with his ankles, but has played in every game this season for the Timberwolves. Consider him healthy and ready to fill out an impressive first season in Minnesota.
Linas Kleiza: Playing Through Foot Injury
Update: Kleiza, who's been playing with a sprained left foot, played 22 minutes Friday night in Denver's victory over Toronto.
Analysis: Kleiza never missed any games because of the injury, which may still be affecting him, given his uneven playing time in the last 10 days. He remains part of the Nuggets' rotation, but fantasy teams shouldn't be counting on him right now.
Allen Iverson: Plays Through Finger and Knee Injuries
Update: Iverson (finger, knee) played 32 minutes and scored 28 points with five assists Friday night in Denver's blowout victory over Toronto.
Analysis: Iverson has always been a gamer, so it shouldn't surprise that he played through the injuries. He's been playing with a non-displacement fracture of the finger since last week, but the knee injury occurred in Denver's previous game.
Steven Hunter: Back in Lineup
Update: Hunter (personal) played six minutes and scored three points Friday night in Denver's victory over Toronto.
Analysis: Hunter missed a few games to attend a funeral, but is back with the Nuggets, filling out the end of their bench.
Jared Dudley: Shrinking Minutes
Update: Dudley played just 13 minutes Friday night in Charlotte's loss to Houston.
Analysis: Dudley still has a spot in the rotation, but the return of Gerald Wallace (concussion) will serve to limit Dudley's playing time.
Chris Duhon: Barely Active Friday
Update: Duhon was activated for Friday night's game against Philadelphia, but did not play in the Bulls' loss to the Sixers.
Analysis: Duhon has been on rocky ground since missing last Sunday's shootaround. He was fined for missing the session, then fined again for making dismissive comments to the media about his absence. His presence in the rotation was declining since the All-Star break anyway, having played in just three of the 11 games since Feb. 24. With Ben Gordon, Thabo Sefolosha, Larry Hughes and Kirk Hinrich contributing, Duhon may not get on the court again this season.
Dwight Howard: Double-Double Friday Night
Update: Howard scored 18 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in Orlando's victory over Miami on Friday night.
Analysis: Howard's free-throw shooting had been improving prior to Friday's game, but he shot a dreadful 6-of-16 from the charity stripe against the Heat. Though Howard is one of the best big men in the game, he still needs to improve his free-throw shooting before ascending to the fantasy elite.
Chris Kaman: Sits Out Friday
Update: Kaman sat out Friday night's loss to Atlanta because of a sore back.
Analysis: This was the third straight game he's missed because of the injury. Tim Thomas got the start at center with Josh Powell filling in at power forward. The Clippers are right back at it Saturday night at Washington.
Joel Anthony: One of Three Reserves
Update: Anthony played 34 minutes Friday night and scored 10 points with seven rebounds in Miami's loss to Orlando.
Analysis: Anthony was one of three reserves available off the Heat bench and produced this surprising result. This was only his second game action since being recalled from the D-League on March 7, but as injuries engulf the Heat, you should keep an eye on Anthony in the coming games.
Tyronn Lue: 13 Points on 5-5 Shooting
Update: Lue was huge off the bench Friday night, scoring 13 points on 5-5 shooting, including three made three-pointers, in Dallas' win over Indiana.
Analysis: In only his second game as a Maverick, Lue showed why Dallas signed him off waivers to back up Jason Kidd. He is averaging 10 points and has hit eight of the nine shots he has taken in a Mavericks jersey.
Daequan Cook: Huge Increase in Minutes
Update: Cook had 15 points, including two 3-pointers, in 36 minutes of play against the Magic Friday night. He has averaged 37 minutes a game for the short-handed Heat since being recalled from the D-League just before the March 8 game against the Hawks. Before his stint in the minors, Cook averaged just under 20 minutes a game.
Analysis: Look for this considerable bump in minutes to continue as the injury-riddled Heat have only one other option at shooting guard, newly acquired Bobby Jones. Cook has also averaged 2.3 three-pointers a game since rejoining the team on March 8th.
Dirk Nowitzki: 21 Points in Limited Minutes
Update: Nowitzki scored 21 points and chipped in six rebounds in Dallas' easy victory over the Pacers Friday.
Analysis: While Nowitzki's numbers remain impressive, they are slightly lower than they could be. Dallas has blown out four teams in a row allowing coach Avery Johnson to rest his superstar. The Mavericks have won the last four games by an average of 19 points resulting in Dirk's minutes to be under 30 in three of the four wins.
Josh Howard: Strong Showing Against the Pacers
Update: A game after handing out a career-high six assists, Howard had five more in a blowout win Friday over the Pacers. In addition to the assists, he finished with 18 points and four rebounds.
Analysis: Since Jason Kidd joined the Mavericks, passing has been contagious. Howard is averaging 16.6 points 3.4 assists over the past five games and appears to have completely recovered from a back injury.
Manu Ginobili: Getting Tired
Update: Ginobili had just nine points on 4-of-10 shooting while hitting just 1-of-5 from downtown in the Spurs' loss to the Pistons on Friday.
Analysis: Ginobili has had three sub-par scoring games in a row and looks like he is tired from all the bumps and bruises he gets. Don't expect Ginobili to get much rest, as the Spurs are fighting for seeding in the playoff hunt.
Tim Duncan: Getting Tired?
Update: Duncan had 20 points and 10 rebounds but was just 9-of-23 from the floor in the Spurs' loss to the Pistons on Friday.
Analysis: While Duncan normally struggles against Detroit, he is shooting just 44 percent in March and has not had a great month like he had in February. Duncan may play more minutes, as the Spurs need him during this crucial time of the season.
Erick Dampier: Grabs 12 Rebounds in Win
Update: Dampier scored six points and pulled down 12 rebounds in the Mavericks' blowout win over the Pacers. He also added three blocks.
Analysis: The 12 rebounds were Dampier's first double-digit rebound output since he pulled down 17 against the Lakers six games ago. Still the center has remained active and aggressive, averaging 8.6 rebounds and two blocks in the month of March.
Mike Bibby: Sharing the Basketball
Update: Bibby had 14 points and 14 assists in the Hawks' win over the Clippers on Friday.
Analysis: Bibby has improved his assist totals with the Hawks, and we expect this to continue. Bibby is averaging 6.7 apg for the Hawks in his 16 games, and we can see that total easily rising as the season comes to a close.
Jerry Stackhouse: Ends Free-Throw Streak
Update: Stackhouse missed his first free-throw attempt since January 2, in Dallas' 116-97 victory over Indiana. He had hit 36 consecutive free throws before his miss.
Analysis: Stackhouse has always been solid from the free-throw line and is currently ranked fifth in the NBA in free-throw percentage with 90.2%. Dallas is currently riding a four-game win streak that started when Stack was reinserted into the starting lineup.
Josh Smith: Puts The Ball in The Basket
Update: Smith had 25 points (10-of-15 FG, 5-of-7 FT), eight rebounds, a steal and a block in the Hawks' win over the Clippers on Friday.
Analysis: Smith had been a mosnter on the boards but was a monster on offense on Friday. This was Smith's best offensive game of the month, and if he can put this kind of effort with his efforts on the boards of late, look out.
Brandon Bass: Continues Hot Shooting
Update: Bass continued his hot shooting in Dallas' 116-97 win over Indiana. He scored 13 points on 6-9 shooting and added two rebounds and season-high three assists.
Analysis: The Mavericks continue to dominate the East in their current four-game win streak and Bass' contribution off the bench has been key. During the streak, Bass has three games with double- digit points while averaging 12.5 points on 67.5% shooting.
Joe Johnson: Still Hot
Update: Johnson had 28 points (10-of-14 FG, 7-of-8 3-PT, 1-of-1 FT), six rebounds and five assists in the Hawks' win over the Clippers on Friday.
Analysis: Johnson may be in his best 10-game stretch of the season. In that time, he has averaged 25.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.2 3-pointers made per game. Those are numbers that would make any fantasy owner happy.
Alexander Johnson: Starts Friday
Update: Johnson started at power forward in place of the injured Udonis Haslem (ankle) on Friday in Miami's loss to Orlando.
Analysis: With the injuries piling up in Miami and coach Pat Riley giving up the season, there may be some available minutes for players we never thought would have some value. And while Johnson scored just six points with three rebounds in 21 minutes, the point is you may be able to find a player on the roster that can help your fantasy team down the stretch.
Bobby Jones: Perfect from Three-Point Range
Update: Jones finished with nine points in the Heat's Friday night loss to the Magic. He was a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in just his second game with the Heat.
Analysis: Jones has played 20 and 14 minutes in each of the games he's played for the Heat. We may see his minutes go up soon as the Heat are short-handed and desperately need an outside threat.
Gerald Wallace: Still Coming off Bench
Update: Wallace scored 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting (3-of-5 3pt) with seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 31 minutes Friday night in Charlotte's loss to Houston.
Analysis: Wallace came off the bench again in his second game since returning from a concussion. He'll eventually get back in the starting lineup, which will cause Jason Richardson to shift back to shooting guard and force Matt Carroll to the bench.
Malik Allen: Leaves Friday's Game
Update: Allen was forced to leave Friday night's game against Indiana and did not return because of a strained hip, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Allen has been getting some minutes off the bench since coming over from New Jersey, but like his days with the Nets, it's nothing fantasy worthy. Whatever minutes he was getting will go to Brandon Bass. The Mavericks are back in action Sunday at Miami.
Eddie Jones: Out For Another Week
Update: Jones will miss another week of action because of a knee injury, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: It's hard to tell when the knee took over as the reason he wasn't playing, as Jones fell out of coach Avery Johnson's rotation in late February.
Arron Afflalo: Dropped From Rotation?
Update: The Pistons are planning on activating Lindsey Hunter March 19, which could mean that Afflalo won't play much down the stretch.
Analysis: Afflalo's playing time has already been sporadic, but if the Pistons plan on giving Hunter 5-10 minutes night, it should dwindle down to nothing.
Devean George: Sits out Friday
Update: George (back) sat out Friday night's game against Indiana, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Dallas coach Avery Johnson said George, who has missed three games because of the injury, may be ready to play Sunday against at Miami.
Troy Murphy: Double-Figure Scoring Becoming the Norm
Update: Murphy scored 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting with five rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes Friday night in Indiana's loss to Dallas.
Analysis: This was Murphy's 12th straight game in double-digit scoring and 19th of the last 20. He's been a steady producer for Indiana, whose been playing without Jermaine O'Neal for what seems like forever.
Lindsey Hunter: Return to Action on March 19.
Update: The Pistons want Hunter to be active in the last 15 games of the season, meaning he should be back in uniform this coming Wednesday, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis: Hunter hasn't played in two months, but Detroit wants him ready for the playoffs. Unfortunately this probably means rookie Aaron Afflalo isn't going to get his first post-season experience in 2008.
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