FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Zach Randolph: Returns to Action
Update: Randolph returned to action Monday, scoring 17 points with eight rebounds during the Knicks' loss to the Nets.
Analysis: Randolph had received a DNP-CD over the previous two contests.
Nene Hilario: Five-on-Five Practices on Hold
Update: Nene (tumor) will not participate in five-on-five practices in the near future, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: The Nuggets had been hoping Nene could return to five-on-five practices this week but the 6'10" power forward, who is still recovering from surgery to remove a testiculor tumor, said his body just isn't ready yet. Of late, Nene has participated in running drills, weightlifting and one-on-one play with assistant coach Jamahl Mosley, a former University of Colorado player. But Nene said, "I can't do much or else I'll start shaking." An earlier report by the AP had said Nene would not return at all this season but based on this information that scenario doesn't seem likely just yet. If Nene does return this year we expect his minutes will be very limited.
Brent Barry: Will Not Play Against Orlando
Update: Barry (calf) will not play against Orlando, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: Barry hasn't played since January and just rejoined the Spurs on Monday. However, Barry should be back in the rotation once he gets healthy and back in rhythm with the team. We'll keep you posted.
Sasha Vujacic: Scores 19 Against Warriors
Update: Vujacic had 19 points in the Lakers' 123-119 win over the Warriors on Monday.
Analysis: Vujacic is still too streaky to count on for regular fantasy play, as evidenced by the 0-5, one-point performance only one game before against the very same Warriors team.
Derek Fisher: Scores 18 Against Warriors
Update: Fisher had 18 points and four assists in the Lakers' 123-119 win over the Warriors on Monday.
Analysis: Fisher has scored in double figures in each of his last four games, and is averaging 13 points per game in March. Be wary however of his low assist numbers, as he's averaged only 2.9 per game on the season, a shockingly low total for a starting point guard.
Lamar Odom: Another 20 Rebound Night
Update: Odom had 23 points and 21 rebounds in the Lakers' 123-119 win over the Warriors on Monday.
Analysis: Don't expect this sort of production from Odom in every game, as the Warriors allow more opponent points and rebounds than any team in the league. Still, Odom's 16.8 rebounds and 13.1 rebounds per game in March serve as a sign that he's picked up his game of late.
Kobe Bryant: Feasts Again on Warriors
Update: Bryant had 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the Lakers' 123-119 win over the Warriors on Monday night.
Analysis: Bryant has been a beast in the second half of back-to-back games, averaging 28.3 points, 5.2 assists and 5.3 rebounds on nights where you'd expect his production to dip due to fatigue.
James Posey: Misses Game for Personal Reasons
Update: Posey missed Monday's 95-90 loss to the Sixers, dealing with "family issues," according to the Boston Herald.
Analysis: Posey will probably miss Tuesday's practice, but is expected to suit up for Wednesday's game against Phoenix.
Ray Allen: Struggles From Three Against Sixers
Update: Allen had 14 points but shot only 1-8 from three-point range in the Celtics' 95-90 loss to the Sixers on Monday.
Analysis: Allen is shooting only 25% from three (6-24) since suffering a heel injury, and the C's may give him more rest soon to let the injury fully heal for the playoffs.
Leon Powe: Scores 16 in Loss
Update: Powe had 16 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes of play during the Celtics' 95-90 loss to the Sixers on Monday.
Analysis: Powe doesn't play heavy minutes but makes the most of the time he does see, averaging 25.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per 48 minutes. Expect him to see more time as the season winds down, and he could be an optimal waiver-wire pickup for your fantasy home stretch.
Kevin Garnett: Scores 18 Against Sixers
Update: Garnett had 18 points and five rebounds in the Celtics' 95-90 loss to the Sixers.
Analysis: Expect big production from Garnett coming up, as the C's next two games are against Phoenix and New Orleans.
Paul Pierce: Scores 12 in Loss
Update: Pierce had 12 points on 4-6 shooting in the Celtics' 95-90 loss to the Sixers on Monday.
Analysis: Pierce has been a stalwart for the C's all season, but may gradually defer to his teammates as the season winds down, especially with the Eastern Conference top seed all but wrapped up. Expect him to still log heavy minutes, but look to his teammates more often.
Tim Thomas: Looks Ready to Go
Update: Thomas (illness) is probable Tuesday at Dallas, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Thomas did not play in Saturday's home loss to the Trail Blazers after falling ill during Friday's game at Portland. He appears to be over his malady, so make the proper adjustments in the lineup. The power forward is averaging 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Brevin Knight: Probable at Dallas
Update: Knight (leg) has missed three straight games but is probable for Tuesday at Dallas, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: The 11-year point guard has been laboring with a stress reaction in his lower left leg for the last half of the season. He started but did not finish the Clips' 5-on-5 scrimmage on Monday, electing to take himself out of the proceedings. Smush Parker and Dan Dickau have been handling the point guard duties while Knight has been missing.
Al Thornton: Hammy Acting Up
Update: Thornton, who has scored just 10 points in the past two games, has a sore hamstring, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: "I can't really explode and move the way I want," the rookie said. "That's the thing that's kind of irritating me right now." He has scored in double digits once in the past five games.
Marcus Camby: Blocks Seven Memphis Shots on Monday
Update: Camby posted five points, 15 rebounds, seven blocked shots, four assists and one steal during Denver's win over Memphis on Monday night.
Analysis: Just another in a long line of solid nights for Camby who appears headed for a record number of games played in 2007-08. Camby need only play in five of the team's final 11 games to eclipse his previous personal record of 72 games played during the 2003-04 season.
J.R. Smith: Leads Nuggets with 27 Points vs Memphis
Update: Smith came off the bench to drain 7-of-12 3-pointers on the way to a team-high 27 points during Denver's win over Memphis on Monday.
Analysis: Smith continues to increase his stranglehold on the No. 3 guard slot within the Nuggets' rotation. He finished 9-of-15 from the field and 2-of-3 from the line and has provided the team with much needed firepower from it's thin bench.
Kenyon Martin: Posts Double-Double vs Memphis
Update: Martin contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds to the Nuggets' win over Memphis on Monday night.
Analysis: Martin also added two blocks and a steal in the contest while going 7-of-8 from the field. Though he's seen a drop in minutes from February (35.2 a night) to March (30.5 a night) he's still averaged 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks making him a valuable bench asset in most leagues.
Allen Iverson: Another Productive Night vs Memphis
Update: Iverson posted 26 points, seven assists, three steals and zero turnovers in the Nuggets' 120-106 win over Memphis on Monday night.
Analysis: For the season Iverson is averaging 26.7 ppg, 7.3 apg, 2.9 rpg and 1.9 steals in just under 42 minutes a night. The broken bone in his right ring finger is still bothering him but he's been able to play through it very effectively and shouldn't miss any time because of it.
Arron Afflalo: Starting for Hamilton
Update: Afflalo started and scored six points in 21 minutes Monday against the Suns.
Analysis: The Pistons were without Richard Hamilton and Juan Dixon due to injuries, but with a playoff spot already clinched, don't be surprised to see Hamilton rest a little more. Afflalo's minutes haven't been too consistent this year, but he's gotten the call during the handful of games that Hamilton has missed.
Bostjan Nachbar: Injury-Related Slide Continues
Update: Nachbar, who has been playing with a sore back, scored six points Monday night in New Jersey's victory over New York.
Analysis: Nachbar is averaging 5.0 points per game on 32.3 percent (10-for-31) shooting in the previous five games. The back is still hurting him, but he's had one good game in the past five, so he'll continue to step out on the court.
Nenad Krstic: Giving Nets a Fourth Scorer
Update: Krstic scored 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting with six rebounds Monday night in New Jersey's victory over New York.
Analysis: Krstic appears to be getting back to form following months of knee rehab. A healthy Krstic gives New Jersey a fourth scoring option behind Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Devin Harris.
Samuel Dalembert: (Shoulder) Plays Monday
Update: Dalembert (shoulder) started and played 37 minutes Monday night in the Sixers' victory over the Celtics, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Dalembert's shoulder is still sore, but it looks like he'll be playing through the injury with Philadelphia looking for a better playoff seed. "It's sore, but you can't take off this time of year," Dalembert said during Monday's shootaround. "It's too crucial at this point of the season to sit down." He had six points, 12 rebounds, two blocked shots and one steal in the win.
Jason Richardson: (Back) Sits Out Practice
Update: Richardson sat out practice Monday with a sore back, but is expected to play Tuesday night against the Jazz, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: The Bobcats are beginning a four-game road trip in Salt Lake City on Tuesday.
Tracy McGrady: Struggling and Banged Up Monday
Update: McGrady struggled with his shot Monday, hitting just five of 16 attempts for 17 points while getting banged up for most of the game, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: McGrady turned his left ankle four minutes into the game, and again in the second quarter before straining his left shoulder in the fourth quarter. "I've twisted my ankle so many times, it just takes a while to kind of run it off," McGrady said. "It was fine in the second half." The shoulder, he said, would not cause him to miss a game.
Damien Wilkins: Rare Big Night for Wilkins
Update: Wilkins scored 20 points Monday on 7-of-11 shooting off the bench.
Analysis: This has pretty much been a lost season for Wilkins. His playing time has wavered tremendously since losing his starting assignment to rookie Jeff Green. Wilkins scored in double figures 14 times in the first month of the season. Four months later, he finally doubled that total Monday.
Luke Ridnour: Starts for Injured Watson
Update: Ridnour started in place of the injured Earl Watson on Monday and finished with 15 points and 11 assists.
Analysis: Ridnour will start at point guard as long as Watson is out. Don't expect such production every night. Ridnour is apt to be more hot and cold than consistent.
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