FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Chris Kaman: Out on Monday
Update: Kaman has missed five straight games with a sore lower back. He did not play Monday at Minnesota.
Analysis: Kaman's season has fallen apart thanks to injury woes. He has played in just half of the Clippers' last 26 games.
Gilbert Arenas: Undergoes MRI
Update: Arenas (knee) underwent an MRI on Monday and says he was told by doctors that his knee is healed, the Associated Press reports. Still, there is no timetable for his return.
Analysis: Arenas is making the situation pretty confusing. Doctors told him to exercise strenuously for 12 days before returning, but Arenas said, "If it feels the same as I feel now, I might just play." Comments like that make it seem as if a return is imminent, but when asked if he'll play again this season Arenas answered, "I don't know. I'm hoping. I do want to play."
Josh McRoberts: Sent to D-League
Update: The Blazers assigned McRoberts to the D-League on Monday.
Analysis: It will be McRoberts' second stint with Idaho; he averaged 7.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in eight games earlier this season.
Marquis Daniels: Avoids Trial
Update: Daniels avoided a trial Monday on charges stemming from a 2007 bar fight, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Prosecutors agreed to drop both charges on Daniels, misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct. He must serve 32 hours of community service, but won't miss any games.
Jamaal Tinsley: Avoids Trial
Update: Tinsley (knee) avoided trial Monday on charges stemming from a 2007 bar fight, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Provided he stays out of trouble for two years, Tinsley will be cleared of all charges, including a felony charge of intimidation. He won't have to worry about missing any games because of legal troubles, but his knee injury may keep him out for the rest of the season anyway.
Jarvis Hayes: Career-high 29
Update: Hayes exploded for a career-high 29 points in 25 minutes Sunday.
Analysis: Hayes hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire lately, so this blip came out of nowhere. It's nice to know he's capable of this, but predicting the next explosion will be difficult. He'll probably go back to the 8-15 minutes per game he's been logging over the last month.
Rasho Nesterovic: Another Big Effort Sunday
Update: Nesterovic scored 20 points with eight rebounds and two blocks while playing a team-high 48 minutes in Sunday's loss to the Kings.
Analysis: In the nine games Chris Bosh has been out with his latest injury, Nesterovic has averaged 29.2 minutes, 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds. Bosh is expected to return this week, however, which should signal the end of Nesterovic's productive run.
Jason Kapono: Offensive Explosion Sunday
Update: Kapono led the Raptors with 26 points in Sunday's loss to the Kings.
Analysis: He shot 12-for-19 from the floor and added four rebounds, two three-pointers and two assists. The last time Kapono scored more than 10 points in a game was February 10, and it's his first 20+ point effort since December 14. With Chris Bosh set to return this week though, expect Kapono to fade back to afterthought status in the Raptors' offense.
Francisco Garcia: Sees More Time Sunday
Update: Garcia played 25 minutes and scored five points in the Kings' 106-100 victory over the Raptors Sunday night.
Analysis: It was a longer stint than Garcia has been used to lately since John Salmons (ankle) was missing. Since the All-Star break in mid-February, the third-year swingman has lost playing time. He is averaging 22.5 minutes and 9.5 points after the break, compared to 26.7 minutes and 12.2 points before.
Mikki Moore: No Bosh, No Problem
Update: Moore scored 17 points and pulled down seven rebounds during Sacramento's home win over Toronto Sunday night.
Analysis: Moore had a much easier time in the paint with Chris Bosh (knee) missing from the festivities. He shot 7-of-8 from the field and 3-of-3 at the line in 33 minutes of work.
Kenny Thomas: No Future in Sacramento
Update: Thomas, who is deactivated, has not played since Jan. 4.
Analysis: There was an opportunity for the veteran forward to be activated on Sunday because swingman John Salmons was struggling with soreness in his right ankle, but it never transpired. Thomas is playing out the string in Sacramento and is not in the team's future plans.
Ron Artest: Ratcheting Up His Play
Update: Artest had 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals in the Kings' 106-100 win over Toronto Sunday night.
Analysis: Artest is intent on finishing the season out strong. After a recent meeting between coaches and players about ending the season on a high note, Artest's play has reached another level, especially on the defensive end. In his last four games, the small forward has 19 steals.
Brendan Haywood: Expected to Play Monday
Update: Haywood (knee) is expected to play on Monday, according to the Washington Post.
Analysis: Haywood sat out Saturday's game against the Clippers with a patella strain, and may be limited Monday against Atlanta.
Caron Butler: Battling Wrist Injury
Update: Butler landed on his left wrist during Thursday's game against Cleveland and was seen icing the wrist after Saturday's win over the Clippers, according to the Washington Post.
Analysis: This wrist injury explains Butler's horrid 3-14 shooting from the field on Saturday, and could lead to more poor shooting games. Butler is also still recovering from a hip injury that sidelined him for months, so don't expect consistent All-Star production from the Wizards star over the next few weeks.
Chucky Atkins: Hits Five Threes in Second Straight Game
Update: Atkins finished 5-of-8 from 3-point range and finished with 19 points during Denver's 168-116 win over Seattle on Sunday night.
Analysis: Atkins has seen roughly 21 minutes of court time over his last three games and has averaged 15 points, five rebounds and five assists while connecting on 12-of-19 3-pointers. Granted, the club's last three games have all been blowouts which has allowed Atkins to get more minutes than normal but it's worth noting he didn't lose his shooting touch while being laid up with his groin injury.
Carmelo Anthony: Leads Nuggets with 26 Points
Update: Anthony led all scorers with 26 points during Denver's win over Seattle on Sunday night.
Analysis: Anthony finished 10-of-17 from the field and 6-of-8 from the line in the blowout win which saw him sit out the entire fourth quarter for a third straight game. He also added four assists, two rebounds and one blocked shot in the victory.
Allen Iverson: Continues to Shoot Well Despite Finger Injury
Update: Iverson (finger) scored 24 points on 8-of-14 FGs and 8-of-8 FTs during Denver's 168-116 win over Seattle on Sunday night.
Analysis: Iverson also added six assists and one rebound in the third straight game in which he sat out almost the entire fourth quarter. The knee contusion he suffered two games ago has become a non-factor and while the broken bone in his right ring finger is still hurting Iverson has said he will continue to play through the pain for the remainder of the year.
Pau Gasol: Improving, But No Set Timetable for Return
Update: Gasol's ankle is feeling "a little bit better," but there is no timetable for his return, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he hoped that Gasol would be back by the end of this week, but we would be surprised to see Gasol back within the next seven days.
Kobe Bryant: Scores 24, But takes 33 Shots
Update: Bryant had 24 points on 11-33 shooting in the Lakers' 102-94 loss to the Rockets on Sunday. He also had seven rebounds in the loss.
Analysis: Bryant will take more shots without Pau Gasol for the next couple of weeks, and those shots will probably go in with more frequency against teams other than the Rockets.
Marcus Camby: Nets Triple-Double in 27 Minutes
Update: Camby posted 13 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, four blocks and one steal in just 27 minutes during Denver's 168-116 rout of Seattle on Sunday night.
Analysis: Camby finished 4-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line in a game that was essentially over after Denver took a 48-29 lead at the end of the first quarter. Camby brought the ball up the court on several occasions and made some great passes to guys slashing to the basket. He's playing some of his best basketball of the season and remains one of the best fantasy options at center in the game.
Lamar Odom: Double-Double Against Rockets
Update: Odom had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Lakers' 104-92 loss to the Rockets on Sunday.
Analysis: We had been worried that Odom would struggle without Pau Gasol to take the defensive heat off him, but Odom shot 7-10 on Sunday against a tough defensive team, so our fears may be put to rest. Still, keep an eye on Odom over the next few games.
Primoz Brezec: Pulled Groin Muscle
Update: Brezec pulled a groin muscle while warming up for Sunday's game against Sacramento and was a late scratch, the Toronto Star reports.
Analysis: Darrick Martin came off the inactive list to replace Brezec.
Spencer Hawes: Strained Left Foot
Update: Hawes was limited to just four minutes Sunday night because of a strained left foot, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Hawes first suffered the injury against Phoenix on Saturday. He is expected to play Tuesday night against Golden State.
John Salmons: Sits Out Sunday's Game
Update: Salmons missed Sunday's game against the Raptors with a sore ankle, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Salmons is expected to play Tuesday against Golden State.
Josh Childress: 22 Off The Bench
Update: Childress had 22 points (6-of-8 FG, 1-of-1 3-PT, 9-of-10 FT), nine rebounds and three steals in the Hawks' win over the Knicks on Sunday.
Analysis: This was the best game Childress has played this month, but he still has not produced numbers to help fantasy owners in a month.
Marvin Williams: 25 in Win
Update: Williams had 25 points (12-of-19 FG, 1-of-4 FT), eight rebounds and a block in the Hawks' win over the Knicks on Sunday.
Analysis: March has been a tough month for Williams, as he was battling the flu for much of the month. This was Williams highest scoring game since January 25.
Joe Johnson: Double-Double in Win
Update: Johnson had 28 points (10-of-21 FG, 5-of-9 3-PT, 3-of-3 FT), 11 assists and four rebounds in the Hawks' win over the Knicks on Sunday.
Analysis: Johnson is playing his best basketball of the season, as this was his eighth straight game with at least 20 points.
Tracy McGrady: Struggles with His Shot
Update: McGrady had just 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting in 39 minutes Sunday.
Analysis: He did have six assists, but overall it was a poor game that the Rockets won thanks to Rafer Alston's hot shooting and Shane Battier's defense on Kobe Bryant. That said, McGrady's playing very well of late, so we wouldn't read too much into one off game.
Bobby Jackson: Plays Key Role in Win Over the Lakers
Update: Jackson had 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including two three-pointers, and six rebounds in 20 minutes Sunday against the Lakers.
Analysis: Jackson's playing time will vary based on matchups, so you can't really count on consistent production. He will be an important bench player for the Rockets, however.
Carl Landry: Could Return Tuesday
Update: Landry experienced no difficulties with his sore right knee after Saturday's strenuous workout and will test his knee again Monday, with hopes he could be cleared to play Tuesday against the Celtics, the Houston Chronicle reports. "It's definitely better today," Landry said after a pregame workout Sunday. "Better every day."
Analysis: The Rockets will have a light workout Monday, but Rockets trainer Keith Jones said Landry will run after practice, as he did Saturday, and then get checked out by team doctors at Tuesday's shootaround. Landry moved from a protective brace to a neoprene sleeve on the knee. If he does return, he'll add depth to the front court along with Chuck Hayes, Luis Scola and Dikembe Mutombo.
Darko Milicic: Day-toDay
Update: Milicic (sore right foot) is being labeled "day-to-day" by the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Analysis: He's missed the past game and a half with the injury and looks to be questionable for Monday's game. Unless you hear otherwise, look in a different direction at center for Monday.
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