FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Chris Duhon: Misses Sunday's Practice
Update: Duhon was excused from Sunday's practice because of a virus, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Duhon will not travel with the Bulls for Monday night's meeting with the Hornets.
Jianlian Yi: From Day-to-Day to Out
Update: The status of Yi (wrist) has changed from "day-to-day" to "out," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Yi has missed five games because of the wrist injury, and it is not known when he will return.
Joel Anthony: More Playing Time
Update: Anthony scored two points with two rebounds, three blocked shots and one steal in 27 minutes Sunday in Miami's loss to Dallas.
Analysis: Anthony has played a total of 61 minutes in the last two games due to injuries hitting Miami's regulars. While this wasn't much production, Anthony could find himself some steady playing time here on out.
Randolph Morris: Season-High Minutes
Update: Morris played a season-high 18 minutes Sunday night in the Knicks' loss to the Hawks.
Analysis: With injuries claiming the seasons of Eddy Curry and Stephon Marbury, coach Isiah Thomas has started using some of the younger players. Morris has eight points (4-for-8 FG, 0-for-5 FT), one rebound and one blocked shot before fouling out.
Nate Robinson: Team-High 23 Points
Update: Robinson scored a team-high 23 points on 9-of-22 shooting with four rebounds, five assists and two steals in 35 minutes Sunday in the Knicks' loss to the Hawks.
Analysis: Robinson can be a productive, if erratic, fantasy producer, but appears to be settling in as a regular in coach Isiah Thomas' rotation. And getting regular playing time has been the problem for fantasy owners who've speculated on Robinson in past.
Anderson Varejao: Back off Bench
Update: Varejao was replaced in the starting lineup by the returning Zydrunas Ilgauskas (back) in Sunday's victory over Charlotte.
Analysis: Varejao scored just two points with six rebounds in 16 minutes after posting 8.7 ppg and 10.1 rpg as the starting center for the past seven games. The Ilgauskas injury appeared to mask the impact of the addition of Ben Wallace and Joe Smith on Varejao's playing time. Prior to Sunday's game, he had been averaging 28 minutes as a sub.
Antoine Wright: Minutes Reduced With George's Return
Update: Wright played just nine minutes in Sunday's win over Miami. He scored three points and had one turnover.
Analysis: With the return of Devean George expect Wright's minutes to dip as he has yet to gain the confidence and trust of Coach Avery Johnson. Wright is averaging just 5.1 points since joining Dallas.
Dirk Nowitzki: 21 Points Against the Heat
Update: Nowitzki scored 21 points to lead the Mavericks in Sunday's 98-73 win over the Heat. He added four rebounds and three assists.
Analysis: Nowitzki has been remained productive despite playing reduced minutes in five consecutive games. With the Mavericks winning the past five by an average margin of victory of 23.6 points, Nowitzki has averaged just 27.2 minutes. However, the Mavericks' schedule gets tougher with upcoming games against the Lakers, the Celtics, and Spurs so expect Nowitzki's minutes to head back toward his season average of 36.4.
Jason Kidd: Solid All-Around Game Against the Heat
Update: Kidd filled the stat sheet again Sunday with five points, five assists, six rebounds, and two steals in Dallas' win over Miami.
Analysis: Kidd was limited to just 23 minutes and sat most of the fourth quarter with Dallas holding a big lead over Miami. No Dallas started played more than 27 minutes and Kidd should see more action as the Mavericks are set to face the Lakers, the Celtics, and Spurs in the upcoming week.
Josh Howard: 15 Points Against the Heat
Update: Howard scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in Dallas' Sunday afternoon victory over Miami.
Analysis: Howard has been productive during the Mavs' current five-game win streak despite playing reduced minutes due to each game being a blowout. During the streak, he's averaging 15.4 points and 3.4 assists on just 29.8 minutes, 6.5 minutes less than his season average of 36.3.
Devean George: Returns to Action
Update: George (back) returned to action Sunday after missing the previous three games. He scored one point and came up empty from the field, missing all six of his shots.
Analysis: George, who had been plagued by back spasms, played 21 minutes in his return. It appears that George's minute will come at the expense of swingman Antoine Wright.
Rafer Alston: Team-High 31 Points
Update: Alston scored a team-high 31 points on 10-of-22 shooting, including 8-of-11 from 3-point range, Sunday in Houston's victory over the Lakers.
Analysis: Since Yao Ming went down with a foot injury 10 games ago, Alston has picked up some of the scoring slack, averaging 17.3 points per game (season average 12.3 ppg).
Brandon Bass: 14 Points Off the Bench Against the Heat
Update: Bass continued his strong production off the bench with 14 points in Sunday's win over the Heat. He was 7-9 from the field to continue his hot shooting.
Analysis: Bass has been on a stellar shooting streak making 32-46 shots (69.5%) over the past five games. He's averaged 14 points and 5.6 rebounds over the same stretch and may be worth a look in deeper leagues.
Malik Allen: Doesn't Miss Time with Hip Injury
Update: Allen (hip) played 19 minutes in Dallas' victory over Miami. He scored six points on 3-4 shooting.
Analysis: Allen, who had left Dallas' previous game with a strained hip flexor, appeared unaffected by the injury.
Udonis Haslem: Continues to Sit
Update: Haslem (ankle) did not play in the Heat's 98-73 loss to Dallas Sunday. He missed his fifth consecutive game due to an injured left ankle that's kept him in and out of the lineup since late January.
Analysis: Haslem's ankle has not improved, leaving the Heat's coaching staff to consider benching him for the remainder of the season, the Miami Herald reports. The hits just keep on coming for the Heat who don't even have enough players to hold a full practice.
Carl Landry: Sits Out Sunday
Update: Landry (knee) was unavailable for Sunday's victory over the Lakers.
Analysis: Landry has missed five straight games because of the injury.
LeBron James: Bounce Back Game
Update: James showed again why he is mentioned at the top as an M.V.P. candidate. James scored 33 points Sunday in a victory over the Bobcats.
Analysis: Along with his 33 points, James also dished out 10 assists, hauled in seven rebounds, blocked two shots, and added a steal. Look for James to continue to post numbers like this throughout the remainder of the season.
Daequan Cook: Continues to Start in Place of Wade
Update: Cook finished with 11 points, a game-high 8 rebounds and three assists in the Heat's 98-73 loss to the Mavs Sunday. He played 41 minutes in his fourth consecutive start in place of Dwyane Wade who is out for the season.
Analysis: Cook was one of two players to score in double-digits for the Heat Sunday as they set a season-low in points at 73.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas: Returns to Action
Update: Ilgauskas returned Sunday (back) after missing several games to score 16 points and pull down nine rebounds.
Analysis: Ilgauskas' return is very encouraging for the Cavaliers, as he showed no signs of a bad back. Ilgauskas also managed to block three shots in almost 32 minutes of action.
Alexander Johnson: Injures Knee
Update: Johnson left in the second quarter of the Heat's game against the Mavs Sunday with a bone bruise on his right knee. He did not return.
Analysis: The Heat just can't catch a break as another player hits the injured list. This was Johnson's second consecutive start filling in for Shawn Marion who is out with a sore back. This will leave the Heat with only eight players available for Tuesday's game against Milwaukee.
Earl Barron: Returns from Injury and Scores Career-High
Update: Barron (knee) returned from his five-game absence due to knee injury to score a career-high 21 points in the Heat's 98-73 loss to the Mavs Saturday.
Analysis: His performance today coupled with Alexander Johnson's injury (knee) means he will more than likely start Tuesday night against Milwaukee.
Shawn Marion: Sits 2nd Straight Game
Update: Marion (back) sat out Sunday's game against Dallas, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: The Heat had barely enough players to play Sunday with nine available, one more than the league minimum of eight. Marion is considered day-to-day, and it may be best to keep him out of your lineup until there is definitive news that he'll be able to play in Miami's next game. We'll keep you posted.
Marko Jaric: Scores 19 Points
Update: Jaric scored 19 points with four assists and two steals in Saturday's loss to Portland.
Analysis: He's starting at shooting guard with Sebastian Telfair out with a sprained ankle (with Randy Foye moving to point guard). He's been a streaky player this season, so he may be worth a shot for leagues that really need to gamble. However, Telfair may return in a week or less.
Amir Johnson: Out of Rotation?
Update: Johnson was a DNP-CD Friday as coach Flip Saunders has attempted to shorten his bench with the playoffs looming, the
Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: The acquisition of Theo Ratliff has hurt Johnson more than anyone else. What few minutes Johnson was getting before are now going Ratliff's way. Johnson should still see some playing time over the last month of the regular season, but he'd more likely top out at 15 minutes in any given night, rather than the 20-30 minutes he has occasionally gotten this season.
Grant Hill: Limited Action on Saturday
Update: Hill (wrist) got the start but played just 12 minutes on Saturday.
Analysis: The Suns jumped out to a huge early lead, and the club took the opportunity to get Hill some additional rest. He'll have two more days off before Phoenix plays again on Tuesday, so expect him to once again be in the lineup, although perhaps not 100% effective.
Chris Bosh: Could Return on Wednesday
Update: Bosh (knee) is feeling much better and is hopeful that he'll be able to return to action on Wednesday against the Heat, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis: "I'm not having pain where I had pain before. I couldn't walk up stairs. I couldn't back-pedal. I'm (doing all that) without pain now so it's going pretty well," he said. The Raptors will have a better idea of his availability over the next couple of days.
Cuttino Mobley: Scores 13 at Washington
Update: Mobley had 13 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in the Clippers' 119-109 overtime loss at Washington Saturday night.
Analysis: Mobley shot 4-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-4 at the line in 35 minutes. In his last nine games, he is averaging 12.7 points and shooting 51.7 percent.
Francisco Elson: Out Until Wednesday
Update: Elson (strained right MCL) may be able to play by Wednesday, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: Elson, who did not travel with the Sonics for Sunday's game in Denver, remained in Seattle to get more treatment.
Corey Maggette: Gains the Nod at Center
Update: Powell started at center and scored 14 points with nine rebounds during the Clippers' 119-109 overtime loss to the Wizards Saturday night.
Analysis: The third-year forward-center shot 6-of-15 from the field and 2-of-2 at the line in 31 minutes. Because of a balky lower back, Chris Kaman is sidelined, and there is no timetable for when he may return. Powell stands to benefit from his absence.
Dan Gadzuric: Starts Saturday Night
Update: Gadzuric started at center in place of the injured Andrew Bogut (thigh) Saturday night.
Analysis: Gadzuric was scoreless with four rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot in 16 minutes in Milwaukee's loss to Boston. Bogut is not expected to miss much time because of the injury, so expect Gadzuric to resume his marginal role off the bench.
Desmond Mason: Returns to Action Saturday
Update: Mason returned to action Saturday night after missing one game with a knee injury.
Analysis: Mason was in the starting lineup and scored eight points with nine rebounds in 31 minutes in Milwaukee's loss to Boston.
Corey Maggette: Throws Up 34 in Overtime Loss
Update: Maggette had 34 points, five rebounds and three assists in the Clippers' 119-109 overtime loss at Washington Saturday night.
Analysis: It shouldn't be the last 30-point effort for Maggette with Chris Kaman (back) ailing. The Clippers don't have many scorers to lean on, so the small forward should receive plenty of shot opportunities for the remainder of the season.
Spencer Hawes: Significant Time Saturday
Update: Hawes had four points, eight rebounds and a steal during the Kings' 127-99 loss at Phoenix Saturday night.
Analysis: The rookie center received ample playing time as starter Brad Miller was sent to the bench due to the Suns' 31-point halftime lead. Hawes shot 2-of-9 and committed five turnovers in 25 minutes. He is averaging 18.9 minutes, 6.1 points and 4.7 rebounds in seven March games.
Ron Artest: Lone Producer
Update: Artest had 26 points, nine rebounds and five steals in Sacramento's 127-99 loss to the Suns.
Analysis: Artest was the only player to positively contribute for the Kings. He was 10-of-22, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Since the All-Star break, Artest has been a fantasy stud. He is averaging 22.9 points while shooting 48.3% from the field and 41.0% from beyond the arc in that span.
Brad Miller: Short-timer in Phoenix
Update: Miller scored 10 points with five rebounds and two assists during the Kings' 127-99 loss at Phoenix.
Analysis: Miller played just 19 minutes as the Kings were outscored by 28 points in the second quarter. With Sacramento trailing by such a wide margin, Kings coach Reggie Theus decided to insert rookie center Spencer Hawes in Miller's place for most of the second half.
Reggie Evans: Playing Through Sore Shoulder
Update: Evans said he's been playing with a painful right shoulder, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Evans started and played 20 minutes Saturday night in the Sixers' win over the Spurs. "I feel it especially when it gets banged," said Evans, who has missed only one game, and that was because of a finger injury. "I've never felt banged up like this, but you just forget about it and get the job done."
Willie Green: Returns to Action Saturday
Update: Green returned to action Saturday night after missing two games with a sore back.
Analysis: Green was back in the starting lineup and scored eight points (4-for-10) in 19 minutes in the Sixers' win over the Spurs.
Andre Miller: Back Is Okay When Playing
Update: Miller has been playing through a sore back, but says it's fine once he starts playing and it heats up, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Miller, who has the longest current streak in the NBA with 433 consecutive games played, came up large Saturday night (32 points, seven assist, zero turnovers) in a win over San Antonio. "I am not 100 percent," said Miller, who will get a few days off before the Sixers resume action Wednesday against Denver. "I am all right once the game goes on and I get heat on the back."
Sean Williams: Starts Saturday Night
Update: Williams started at power forward in place of Nenad Krstic (upper repiratory infection) Saturday night in New Jersey's victory over Utah.
Analysis: Williams picked up three quick fouls and was limited, scoring four points with five rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot in 14 minutes. The rest of the night's power-forward minutes went to Stromile Swift and Bostjan Nachbar.
Bostjan Nachbar: Playing Through Sore Back
Update: Nachbar (back) scored 16 points (4-for-10 FG, 3-for-6 3pt) with three rebounds and one assist in 20 minutes Saturday night in New Jersey's victory over Utah.
Analysis: Nachbar's been playing with a sore back, but isn't missing any time because of it. Actually, he's produced well, averaging 13.8 points in 23.3 minutes off the bench in the last four games.
Shawne Williams: Active Again, But Not Playing
Update: Williams has been active for the past five games, but has played in just one of those games. Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said Williams is not playing because of recent on-court struggles and not because of his off-court issues, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Prior to the arrest of a man wanted on a murder charge outside Williams' home, the second-year forward was shooting 13-of-61 (21.3 percent) from the field in the 10 games leading up to the incident outside his home. "Prior to the issue happening, Shawne was not playing particularly well," O'Brien said. "Regardless of the issue that happened a couple of weeks ago, it's a matter of him playing at a level that shows he deserves to be in the basketball game. I thought the 10 games prior to that I just didn't think he played at a particularly sharp level."
Travis Diener: Benching not Permanent?
Update: Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said Diener's demotion to the bench may not be a permanent thing, the Indianpolis Star reports. "Us starting Flip Murray can be a temporary thing," O'Brien said. "Sometimes you need to shake things up a little bit. Travis is struggling offensively the last couple of games. But certainly he hasn't been struggling from an assist-to-turnover ratio; he has done a nice job."
Analysis: Diener came off the bench for the first time in 22 games on Saturday following his 0-for-9 effort against the Mavericks on Friday. His shot hasn't been falling for the last five games (12-for-45), but it's not the slump so much that put him on the bench, but the decisions he's made. "I mentioned this to him at a meeting -- his first three shots (against Dallas) were challenged shots," O'Brien said. "As a team across the board we don't shoot well when somebody has a hand up on the ball... I mentioned to him that he's not necessarily in a shooting slump as much as if you make the proper decisions from an offensive standpoint, the shots will fall."
Andrew Bogut: Misses First Game of the Season
Update: Bogut missed Saturday's game against the Celtics with a bruised thigh, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Analysis: Head coach Larry Krystkowiak said that Bogut had some swelling in the leg, but he didn't think Bogut would be out for long. This was the first game that he has missed this season.
Manu Ginobili: Bounces Back in Loss
Update: Ginobili had 22 points (7-of-12 FG, 3-of-6 3-PT, 5-of-5 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and a block in the Spurs' loss to the 76ers on Saturday.
Analysis: Ginobili had struggled of late, but he had an excellent all-around game despite the Spurs' loss.
Tim Duncan: Struggles Continue
Update: Duncan had 16 points (5-of-14 FG, 0-of-1 3-PT, 6-of-7 FT), six rebounds and a block in the Spurs' loss to the 76ers on Saturday.
Analysis: Duncan appears worn down and continues to struggle from the floor in March. The unfortunate thing for Duncan owners is that he is not going to get a lot of rest down the stretch, as the Spurs could be fighting for their playoff lives if they don't get hot soon.
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