FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Kirk Hinrich: Sits Out Game
Update: Hinrich sat out Thursday's game against the Spurs with a sprained right ankle, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Hinrich initially hurt his ankle in Tuesday's win over New Jersey when he stepped on teammate Larry Hughes' foot. He tried to warm up Thursday but said his mobility was limited. "It kind of swelled up on me the last couple of days and I wasn't moving really well on it," Hinrich said. "I feel like I could go, but I don't think I can move, don't think I'd be very effective. Any kind of planting or moving is really bothering me." Ben Gordon moved into the starting lineup to replace Hinrich.
Mickael Gelabale: Out For Season
Update: Gelabale will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL during practice.
Analysis: Gelabale suffered the injury Tuesday, and an MRI on Thursday revealed the tear. He averaged 4.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in 39 games with the Sonics this season.
Marcus Williams: Coach Wants Consistency
Update: Nets coach Lawrence Frank said Williams does not bring intensity every night and that was partially the reason he played just four minutes Wednesday, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Williams came on for an injured Devin Harris Tuesday night and promptly took some bad shots early. Frank counts among Williams' strengths his court vision, shooting and scoring ability, but said, "To be a winning player there has to be a consistency every single day. I think he has it in him, but it's up to him and it's up to us to pull it out of him."
Tony Allen: Will Not Play Thursday
Update: Allen will not play Thursday night against Dallas because of a bad back, the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Allen suffered the injury during Boston's victory over Houston on Tuesday.
Ray Allen: Seventy-Five Percent
Update: Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Allen (heel) is "75 percent" for Thursday night's game in Dallas, the Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Allen has missed the last three games after hurting the left talus bone last Friday against Utah.
Mehmet Okur: Still Game-Time Decision
Update: Okur (stomach flu) said after Thursday morning's shootaround that he still wasn't sure if he'd be able to dress or not for Thursday night's game against the Lakers, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: "We have such a late game tonight, so I have six, seven hours," Okur said. "I'm gonna get some rest, and we go from there." Okur is considered a game-time decision.
Carlos Boozer: Will Play Thursday
Update: Boozer (strained back) will play in Thursday night's game against the Lakers, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: Boozer did not practice Wednesday as initially expected, but did take part in Thursday's morning shootaround and afterward said he did plan to play. "I felt great. I felt really good," the Jazz's leading scorer and rebounder said. "Obviously not 100 percent, but I've been playing with it for two months, so I'm gonna keep going."
Chris Kaman: Point of Return in Question
Update: Kaman (back) is questionable Friday at Portland, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Los Angeles coach Mike Dunleavy said Kaman's ailing lower back is improving but has no idea when the 7-foot center will return. Kaman has sat out 10 of the past 15 games. Josh Powell has benefited from his absence, starting nine times in that span.
Gordan Giricek: Sits Wednesday With Quadriceps Bruise
Update: Giricek did not play on Wednesday due to a bruised right quadriceps, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: He hurt himself Tuesday trying to block a half-court shot from Portland's James Jones. "That was stupid," Giricek said while putting on his jersey for a game he wouldn't play. "I don't even know why I jumped. I feel so stupid right now. I cost myself an injury. I am so sorry. I'm so excited that I'm trying to hustle all that I can." Giricek has appeared rejuvenated in a Suns uniform, and look for him to return to the lineup quickly.
Corey Maggette: Poor Night at the Line
Update: Maggette had 21 points and four rebounds in the Clippers' 116-100 loss to Golden State Wednesday night.
Analysis: The small forward, an 82.7% foul shooter, was uncharacteristically errant at the line, making just 11-of-19 attempts. Despite his accuracy woes against the Warriors, Maggette was still able to pick up enough points to make his owners happy. Since the All-Star break in mid-February, he is averaging 24.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 17 games.
Gilbert Arenas: May Return Next Week
Update: Arenas (knee) vowed to return "way before" the playoffs and as early as next week, according to the Washington Post.
Analysis: Arenas has been medically cleared to return, so an exact return date is entirely up to Arenas himself. Those looking for a very late-season push may do well to plug Arenas into their lineups once he returns, as we expect him to come out of the gate scoring in bunches.
Andrew Bynum: Could Be Back in Two Weeks
Update: Bynum (knee) could return two weeks from Sunday, Lakers coach Phil Jackson told the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: This surprising news came only two days after Jackson told the media that Bynum wouldn't return until the playoffs. A return two weeks from Sunday would give Bynum six regular season games to find his footing before the playoffs, though we expect he would be babied in those games and hold questionable fantasy value.
Brevin Knight: Scratched Wednesday
Update: Knight (leg) did not play in Wednesday's loss to Golden State.
Analysis: The veteran point guard was scratched due to soreness in his left leg. Dan Dickau and recently-signed Smush Parker absorbed his minutes.
Aaron Williams: Out of Action With Strain
Update: Williams (abdomen) will not play Friday at Portland.
Analysis: Williams has been hampered by an abdominal strain. He has not played since March 5, a span of eight games.
Spencer Hawes: Foot Still Bothering Him
Update: Hawes (foot) is questionable Friday at San Antonio.
Analysis: The 7-foot rookie center strained his left foot Sunday versus the Raptors and is considered day-to-day. He missed Tuesday's win over Golden State.
Brad Miller: Theus Thinks He'll Be Ready
Update: Miller (elbow) is questionable Friday at San Antonio, but Kings coach Reggie Theus believes he will play, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: The 7-footer has bursitis in his right elbow. Rookie backup center Spencer Hawes (foot) is questionable as well, increasing the chances of Miller being on the court.
Beno Udrih: Iffy for Friday
Update: Udrih (back) is questionable Friday at San Antonio.
Analysis: Udrih missed Tuesday's home win versus Golden State. Veteran Anthony Johnson is likely to start in his place if he is unable to play. It would be best to keep Udrih out of fantasy lineups until he gets another game under his belt.
Rodney Carney: Eleven Points off Bench
Update: Carney scored 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting with one 3-pointer in 14 minutes Wednesday night in Philadelphia's victory over Denver.
Analysis: This was Carney's third double-figure scoring effort in the last four games -- the best stretch of the season for the second-year swingman. He's made at least one 3-pointer in the previous four games and is giving coach Mo Cheeks a scoring option off the bench. We're disappointed in Carney's output this season after falling behind Willie Green on the depth chart, but he's been integral in the Sixers' drive to the playoffs and could be of value to fantasy teams in the final month.
Caron Butler: Nears Double-Double
Update: Butler (wrist, hip) had 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists in the Wizards' 87-86 win over the Magic on Thursday.
Analysis: Butler has averaged only 14.5 points per game in his four games back from a hip injury, and fantasy owners shouldn't expect huge scoring from Butler, whose sore wrist is also affecting his shot.
Antawn Jamison: Torrid Scoring Continues
Update: Jamison had 31 points and 11 rebounds in the Wizards' 87-86 win over the Magic on Wednesday.
Analysis: Jamison is averaging more than 30 points per game over his last three, and should continue to keep up his torrid scoring as the Wizards fight for a playoff spot.
Marcus Williams: Four Minutes Wednesday
Update: Williams played just four minutes Wednesday night in New Jersey's victory over Atlanta. Williams played a lot in the Nets' loss to Chicago the night before when starter Devin Harris went down with a sprained ankle, but Harris sucked it up Wednesday to play 40 minutes.
Analysis: New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank didn't use Williams at all in the first half, after the second-year guard had 16 points and three assists against Chicago. "We're going to need better," Frank told the Newark Star-Ledger. Frank was probably looking for Williams to involve others in the offense instead of looking for his own shot. Whatever the case, Williams is not getting consistent minutes right now and can't help fantasy teams.
Monta Ellis: Nice Bounce-Back Game
Update: Ellis scored 28 points on 13-of-18 shooting with six assists and three rebounds in 35 minutes Wednesday night in Golden State's victory over the Clippers.
Analysis: Ellis was coming off a disappointing 11-point performance in a loss to the Kings the night before.
Smush Parker: Gets Playing Time Wednesday
Update: Parker had four points and eight assists in 29 minutes off the bench Wednesday night in the Clippers' loss to the Warriors.
Analysis: Meanwhile Brevin Knight did not get off the bench. Parker blows hot and cold in terms of fantasy production, so be careful if you're looking at him for a late-season lift. His long period of inactivity is showing in his shot. In four games with the Clippers, Parker is shooting 7-of-31 from the field, missing all 11 of his 3-point attempts.
Al Thornton: Best Game Since Injury
Update: Thornton (thigh, knee) scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in 44 minutes Wednesday night in the Clippers' loss to Golden State.
Analysis: Thornton, who was back in the starting lineup after coming off the bench the last four games, suffered the injuries in Saturday night's game against Washington and was not quite up to par the next game against Minnesota.
Raja Bell: Sprained Right Ankle
Update: Bell sprained his right ankle during the third quarter of Wednesday night's win over Seattle, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Bell did not return to the game after landing on Kevin Durant's foot. X-rays were negative and a Suns trainer said Bell had a mile to moderate sprain. Prior to the injury, Bell had racked up 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 6-of-6 from 3-point range. We'll know more about his status later on Thursday.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas: Solid Performace for Big Z
Update: Ilgauskas scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a victory over Detroit.
Analysis: After going 2-of-10 against the Magic, Ilgauskas bounced back nicely against the Pistons, going 9-of-14 from the field and adding a block and a steal.
LeBron James: 3rd Straight Game of 30 or More
Update: For the third straight game, James scored at least 30 points, hitting exactly that Wednesday night against the Pistons.
Analysis: James also had seven rebounds, six assists and went 11-of-19 from the field. James even recorded a block and a steal each.
Kenyon Martin: Solid All-Around Night vs Sixers
Update: Martin posted 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals during Denver's loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Analysis: It was a good game for Martin but we wouldn't get too excited about it. Martin has a habit of following solid outings with poor ones and thus lacks the consistency to provide a fantasy team with little more than occasional big nights or weeks.
Marcus Camby: Off Night vs Philadelphia
Update: Camby contributed five points, four rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals against Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
Analysis: While he did provide his owners a little of everything on Wednesday, Camby was clearly not on his game. The good news is he doesn't appear to be hurt so we expect him to bounce back strong when Denver plays at New Jersey on Friday.
Allen Iverson: Scores 32 in Homecoming
Update: Iverson (finger) posted 32 points, eight assists, three steals and two rebounds during his first trip back to Philadelphia since being traded to Denver.
Analysis: The Nuggets lost the game but Iverson was still spectacular going 13-of-24 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, and 3-of-5 from the line. Despite the broken bone in his right ring finger he continues to be a top tier guard and a guy you must start if you have him on your roster.
Josh Smith: 20 Points in Loss
Update: Smith had 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and three blocks in the Hawks' loss to the Nets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Smith was a solid 7-of-14 from the floor, although he did miss his only two 3-point attempts and was 6-of-8 from the line. While Smith didn't have great numbers in any one line, he gave a good enough all-around performance to help fantasy owners.
Al Horford: Huge Night Despite Loss
Update: Horford had 20 points, 15 rebounds and six assists in the Hawks' loss to the Nets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Horford was an excellent 9-of-11 from the floor and made his only two free throws. Horford appears to have bounced back from his rebounding slump, as he has three straight double-figure totals on the glass. With some good numbers down the stretch, Horford could average a double-double for the season.
Joe Johnson: Four 3-Pointers In Loss
Update: Johnson had 24 points, including four 3-pointers, four rebounds, and four assists in the Hawks' loss to the Nets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Johnson was just 7-of-18 from the floor, but did make 6-of-7 FT and continues to be the most consistent scorer for the Hawks.
Tracy McGrady: In a Slump
Update: McGrady's struggles continued Wednesday as he made just 6-of-21 shots for 15 points in 42 minutes, the Associated Press reports. McGrady's had consecutive games now of 4-for-16 (11 points) against the Lakers, 4-for-11 (8 points) against the Celtics and 6-for-21 (15 points) against the Hornets.
Analysis: "We've got to make it easier on him," Houston coach Rick Adelman said. "They are doubling him so hard. They're coming at him all the time. If he gives it up, we have to be able to finish it." The Rockets are starting to feel the absence of Yao Ming as inevitably they would when the outside shots ceased to fall. McGrady should snap out of it, but don't expect great shooting percentages.
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