FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Leon Powe: Team-High 22 Points on Saturday
Update: Powe scored 22 points (12-for-13 from the line) and pulled down nine rebound in Saturday's win over Charlotte.
Analysis: Powe started on Saturday as Kevin Garnett got the night off to rest. Powe could continue to get 25+ minutes over the Celtics last six games and could be a decent source for points and rebounds.
Antawn Jamison: Misses Second Consecutive Game
Update: Jamison (shoulder) was inactive for Saturday's game against Chicago.
Analysis: The Wizards don't play again until Wednesday. Check back here for updates on Jamison's status.
Brad Miller: Inactive on Saturday
Update: Miller missed Saturday's game against Denver on Saturday with a leg injury, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Consider him day-to-day for now. Spencer Hawes took his place in the starting lineup.
Ron Artest: Misses Game On Saturday With Thumb Injury
Update: Artest missed Saturday's game against Denver with a thumb injury, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Consider Artest day-to-day for now.
Gilbert Arenas: Held Out Of Saturday's Game
Update: Arenas (knee) was held out of Saturday's game against Chicago as a precautionary measure, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: "The training staff looked at him (Arenas)," said assistant coach Mike O'Koren on before Saturday's game. "They're going to be real, real delicate with Gilbert. He's coming back from injury. He looked fine. He obviously is in great shape, great condition for being out that long. It's precautionary." Arenas plans to practice on Monday and Tuesday and play should play in Wednesday's game against Boston.
Ray Allen: Gets Some Rest on Saturday
Update: Allen was inactive for Saturday's game against Charlotte, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Garnett (rest) and Paul Pierce (personal) also missed Saturday's game. Allen could continue to miss games or play sparingly as Celtics coach Doc Rivers begins to rest his starters for the playoffs. Tony Allen got the start at shooting guard.
Kevin Garnett: Gets A Night Off
Update: Garnett was inactive for Saturday's game against Charlotte, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Garnett and Ray Allen were both given the night off. "We thought about it a month ago," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "When you looked at the schedule, we had a game, two days off, a game and two days off. Honestly, we had hoped that we had clinched home court. But if we don't do it now, you literally can't do it. Because I believe you have to be playing going into the playoffs." Garnett should play in the Celtics last six games but his minutes and production could be limited. Leon Powe got the start in Garnett's absence on Saturday.
Paul Pierce: Not With The Team On Saturday
Update: Pierce missed Saturday's game against Charlotte after his fiancee gave birth to a baby girl on Friday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: None of the Celtics "Big Three" played on Saturday as Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were given the night off. Pierce could see limited minutes for the rest of the regular season as coach Doc Rivers looks to rest his starters in preparation for the playoffs. James Posey started for Pierce on Saturday.
Jameer Nelson: Back In Starting Lineup
Update: Nelson (concussion) started on Saturday and finished with 16 points and nine assists in a win over Cleveland.
Analysis: Nelson played 33 minutes after missing the Magic's last two games with a concussion.
LeBron James: Dealing With Back Spasms
Update: James scored 17 points (6-for-22 shooting) on Saturday despite playing with back spasms, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: James struggled from the field but did record nine assists, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Cavaliers coach Mike Brown revealed before the game that James has been dealing with back spasms for some time now. James played 42 minutes on Saturday, but Brown plans out resting him as much as possible over the Cavs final five games to get him ready for the playoffs.
Brad Miller: Iffy at Denver
Update: Miller (leg) is questionable Saturday at Denver, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: The center strained his leg on a missed dunk attempt Thursday against the Clippers. Rookie Spencer Hawes would take his place in the starting lineup if he can't suit up.
Ron Artest: May Not Play Saturday
Update: Artest (thumb) is questionable Saturday at Denver, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: Artest has been bothered by a sprained left thumb since Thursday's home win over the Clippers.
Kevin Martin: Surprise Saturday Sickness
Update: Martin (illness) is questionable Saturday at Denver, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: The shooting guard is sick and is considered day-to-day.
Martell Webster: Out With Irregular Heartbeat
Update: Webster will miss at least one game after tests revealed he has an irregular heartbeat. The tests were performed after Webster experienced flu symptoms and dizziness shortly before Thursday's home game against Houston, The Oregonian reports.
Analysis: Webster was taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital on Thursday night and was kept for observation. He was discharged Friday shortly after noon and is scheduled to see the team cardiologist Monday morning. "We take this pretty seriously," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. "He still has to go through some more tests, but it was something (the doctors) felt they needed to address." Webster had played in 165 consecutive games before Thursday, the longest streak on the team.
Coby Karl: Reports to D-League
Update: Karl was sent down to the Los Angeles of the NBA Development League Saturday.
Analysis: This is Karl's third time going to the lower levels this season. He averaged only 1.8 points in 4.2 minutes over 17 games this season.
Taurean Green: Sent to D-League
Update: Green was assigned to Colorado of the NBA Development League on Saturday.
Analysis: Green averaged only 1.6 points in 17 games between the Nuggets and Trail Blazers this season, and really could use the playing time at the lower levels.
Tracy McGrady: Plays Through Pain
Update: Despite playing well Friday night, McGrady (shoulder) was in considerable pain, the Houston Chronicle reports. "I was in a lot of pain (Friday)," McGrady said. "It was definitely worse than it had been in the past. I don't know why, but today was pretty brutal. I got some medicine in there. Took a shot. But that doesn't kick in for a while. I had it wrapped in the first half. That kind of took away the pain a little bit, but I couldn't shoot the ball. I really couldn't extend my arm. I had to get that off, the pain came back. It took a while for the medicine to kick in, but once it did, I was fine."
Analysis: With Rafer Alston still out, McGrady's going to bring up the ball more and is obviously still the focal point of the team's offense. McGrady's been able to play through his shoulder injury so far, and with the Rockets jostling for playoff position in a very tight Western Conference, he'll do whatever he can to keep going.
Alexander Johnson: Released from Hospital
Update: Johnson (head/knee) was released from a Washington D.C. hospital Saturday after slamming his head scrambling for a loose ball on Friday, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. He was diagnosed with a concussion.
Analysis: The Heat will play Johnson's injury by ear since post-concussion recovery is such an unpredictable process. We'll list him out indefinitely, but he could be back as early as next week. Johnson is more of a role player for the Heat, scoring only 4.2 points with 2.2 boards playing in only 12:54 a game.
Al Harrington: Plays Through Thumb Injury
Update: Harrington has played in all four games since jamming his thumb against Denver last Saturday.
Analysis: The problem is that he's not playing much. Harrington has played more than 20 minutes just once in the previous six games. Kelenna Azubuike has been getting a bump in minutes during that time.
Jason Richardson: Team High Scoring
Update: Richardson scored a game-high 27 points Friday night in Charlotte's victory over Toronto.
Analysis: Gerald Wallace had to leave the game because of a sore groin, and it's not known when he'll return. If the Bobcats decide to shut down Wallace, expect big scoring games from Richardson, who has averaged 25.0 points per game in the 14 games Wallace has missed this season.
Nazr Mohammed: Late Arrival
Update: Mohammed arrived just before game time Friday night after attending a funeral earlier in the day, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Mohammed was not in the starting lineup, but contributed 11 points and six rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench in Charlotte's victory over Toronto. With the Bobcats officially eliminated from the playoffs Friday, and coach Sam Vincent's mercurial nature, Mohammed could be coming off the bench for the rest of the season while Jared Dudley and Jermareo Davidson get looks.
Stromile Swift: Friday Night Eruption
Update: Swift scored 11 points with three rebounds and two blocked shots in 27 minutes Friday night in New Jersey's loss to Detroit.
Analysis: The stars aligned Friday night to give Swift his most playing time since being traded to New Jersey (11 mpg with the Nets). The team was without Vince Carter (ankle) to start the night, then lost Nenad Krstic for a spell with back spasms. Pile on the blowout loss to the Pistons, and Swift got on the court for the first time since March 21.
Beno Udrih: Out at Denver
Update: Udrih (back) will not play Saturday at Denver.
Analysis: Udrih, who has missed eight of the past nine games, said he expects to play Tuesday against Golden State.
Josh Childress: Being More Consistent
Update: Childress had 20 points (7-of-10 FG, 2-of-3 3-PT, 4-of-5 FT), four rebounds and two blocks in the Hawks' loss to the 76ers on Friday.
Analysis: Childress has four straight double-doubles after having an up-and-down March.
Joe Johnson: Continues Strong Finish
Update: Johnson had 32 points, six rebounds and eight assists in the Hawks' loss to the 76ers on Friday.
Analysis: Johnson was a strong 12-of-20 from the floor and continues his late season run of excellent play. Johnson is averaging nearly 24 points a game on 47 percent shooting after the All-Star break.
Tony Parker: 17 in Loss
Update: Parker had 17 points, four rebounds and four assists in the Spurs' loss to the Jazz on Friday.
Analysis: Parker was solid, going 7-of-14 from the floor in the loss. Expect Parker to continue his solid play against Portland on Sunday.
Tim Duncan: Double-Double in Loss
Update: Duncan had 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the Spurs' loss to the Jazz on Friday.
Analysis: Duncan was 6-of-12 from the floor and was solid despite playing just 26 minutes in the loss.
Dirk Nowitzki: Team-High 27 Points in Loss to Lakers
Update: Nowitzki scored 27 points on 13-19 shooting in just his second game since returning from a high ankle sprain.
Analysis: While Dirk is back it is clear he is not 100 percent. He grabbed just four rebounds and failed to shoot a free throw as he still is missing some of his normal lateral quickness and power. Dirk's limitations were further exploited defensively as Lakers forward Lamar Odom continually blew past Nowitzki to score a season-high 31 points. This could mean trouble for Dallas as Dirk will be matched up on a red-hot Amare Stoudamire in Sunday's game against the Suns.
Rodney Stuckey: Career-High Nine Assists
Update: Stuckey scored 14 points and added a career-high nine assists in 30 minutes Friday.
Analysis: With the Pistons resting their starters as much as possible, Stuckey - who has 41 points and 12 assists in his last two games - is looking like a viable fantasy player down the stretch.
Jason Kidd: Solid Effort Against the Lakers
Update: Kidd put up his normal impressive statline Friday night with 10 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in a 112-108 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: Kidd has not had a triple-double since being acquired by the Mavericks in February. His next one will not only be his first with Dallas but the 100th of his career.
Josh Howard: 23 Points Against the Lakers
Update: Howard scored 23 points in Dallas' 112-108 loss to the Lakers Friday night. He added seven rebounds and three assists.
Analysis: Even with Dirk Nowitzki back, Howard's numbers remain up. He has averaged 25.5 points and seven rebounds in the two games with Nowitzki back in the lineup.
Erick Dampier: Double-Double Against the Lakers
Update: Dampier recorded his sixth double-double of the season Friday night. He scored 11 points to go with 10 rebounds.
Analysis: Dampier has played well against the Lakers this year averaging 10 points and 11.3 rebounds. However, he did fail to record a block for the first time in 15 games. Dampier will have a big test Sunday as the Mavs take on Shaquille O'Neal and the Suns.
Darrell Armstrong: Starts Friday
Update: Armstrong started in place of Vince Carter (ankle) Friday night in New Jersey's loss to Detroit.
Analysis: Carter came down with the ankle sometime during the week and he may require surgery to clean out some loose bodies. As the Nets season inches closer to lottery-land, Carter may be shut down and minutes will be open for guys like Armstrong, Boki Nachbar and Marcus Williams.
DeSagana Diop: Sits Out Friday
Update: Diop developed a sore right knee and sat out Friday night's loss to the Pistons, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: There is no word on his availability for Saturday's contest against Toronto. Stromile Swift and Sean Williams received more playing time as a result.
Nenad Krstic: Back Flares Up, But Returns to Play
Update: Krstic developed back spasms during Friday night's loss to Detroit, but returned to play, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Krstic said he intends to play Saturday night against Toronto.
Vince Carter: Offseason Surgery a Possibility
Update: Carter, who sat out Friday night's game because of a sore ankle, has loose bodies floating around in the ankle and could face offseason surgery to clean them out, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: "He might," team president Rod Thorn said before Friday's game. "With those loose bodies it's no big deal, but as long as they're in there they float around and they end up getting caught in the joint." Carter had been on a roll lately, but developed soreness in the ankle sometime between Tuesday's game and Thursday's practice, which he sat out. The team said he sat out practice because of personal reasons, but it looks like it was because of the ankle. Darrell Armstrong started in place of Carter in Friday's loss to Detroit, but minutes were also made available for Marcus Williams.
Kirk Snyder: Plays Just 14 Minutes
Update: Synder scored just four points in 14 minutes in Friday's loss to the Suns.
Analysis: Michael Doleac started at center, so his lack of playing time was likely due to an odd lineup as the T-Wolves tried to combat Shaq. He's coming off the bench, but should still get 20 or more minutes a game the final weeks as the T-Wolves audition him for next season.
Michael Doleac: Gets Rare Start
Update: Doleac started at center in Friday's loss to the Suns and scored four points in 12 minutes.
Analysis: A rare start for Doleac, who the T-Wolves occasionally start against bigger lineups. Still, that's not enough use for viable fantasy value in any format.
Jermareo Davidson: Starts Friday
Update: Davidson started at one of the forward spots Friday night in Charlotte's win over Toronto, the Charlotte Observer reports. He had eight points on 4-of-9 shooting with three rebounds and three assists in 20 minutes.
Analysis: The Bobcats were heading into the game without Nazr Mohammed, who arrived just in time after attending a funeral earlier in the day, so some type of lineup adjustment was necessary. While that was a factor in the decision to start Davidson, coach Sam Vincent said it was more borne out of his desire to give Davidson a good look before the end of the season. "Jermareo hasn't played a lot lately," Vincent said before the game. "We want to put him out there and take a look at him." Davidson had not got off the bench in the last five games, but with Charlotte eliminated from the playoffs Friday night and Gerald Wallace leaving because of a sore groin, we should be seeing more of Davidson.
Gerald Wallace: Sore Groin
Update: Wallace, who left Friday night's win over Toronto with a sore groin, said he's been dealing with the injury since returning to action from a concussion in mid-March, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: "They didn't want me to play tonight," Wallace said Friday. "I felt I could push through it, then it got to a point where I just had to stop." Not that there was a question in the matter, but the Bobcats were officially eliminated from playoff contention Friday night, so there's no need to rush Wallace back. He's a gamer and will try to play, but the possibility exists that the Bobcats shut down one of the their biggest assets.
Nick Collison: Takes Advantage of Situation
Update: Collison posted his sixth double-double in his last nine games Friday, totaling 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Analysis: Collison is taking advantage of the extra playing time he's receiving these days with Chris Wilcox out for the season. He's shown throughout the season that when he gets 30-plus minutes, he'll put up good numbers. Only four of his 20 double-doubles this season have come in less than 30 minutes of action.
Johan Petro: Posts Double-Double
Update: Petro posted his third double-double of the season Friday, scoring 11 points with 15 rebounds.
Analysis: Petro's had double-digit rebounds in his last two games (15, 11), but he's inconsistent game to game. There was a talk at one point of him losing his starting assignment, but the Sonics don't really have an alternative at this point. Petro made just five of a season-high 17 shots, 29.4 percent.
Andrew Bynum: May Not Return Until Playoffs
Update: Bynum (knee) may not return during the regular season, according to the Los Angeles Times. Lakers coach Phil Jackson said there was a "very good possibility" that Bynum wouldn't be back until the playoffs.
Analysis: Even if Bynum does happen to return with one or two games left in the season, fantasy owners should expect very little from him as he'll slowly be worked back into the lineup.
Kevin Durant: Scores Season-Low Four Points
Update: Durant had a miserable night Friday, scoring a season-low four points on 2-of-17 shooting.
Analysis: Durant had been shooting very well in the last month or so. He shot at least 44 percent in 17 of his last 18 games entering Friday, hitting at least 50 percent 13 times. He might be finally hitting a wall 76 games into his rookie season.
Kobe Bryant: 25 Points, 10 Rebounds Against Mavs
Update: Bryant had 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Lakers' 112-108 win over the Mavs on Friday.
Analysis: Bryant is averaging 33.4 points per game over his last five, and has posted double-digits in rebounds for three of his last four games.
Pau Gasol: Scores 25 Against Mavs
Update: Gasol (ankle) had 25 points, seven assists and four rebounds in the Lakers' 112-108.
Analysis: Gasol played 38 minutes on Friday, and seems to be fully recovered from the sprained ankle that kept him out for the last few weeks.
Andray Blatche: Scores 17 in Jamison's Absence
Update: Blatche had 17 points and seven rebounds in the Wizards' 109-95 win over the Heat on Friday.
Analysis: Blatche's extra playing time (27 minutes) came as a result of Antawn Jamison (shoulder) missing Friday's game. Jamison is expected to return soon, limiting Blatche's potential value.
Caron Butler: Scores 29 in Win
Update: Butler had 29 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals in the Wizards' 109-95 win over the Heat on Friday.
Analysis: Butler has seemed to adjust well to the reinsertion of Gilbert Arenas to the lineup, something which may have been a concern earlier.
Gilbert Arenas: Being Worked Back Slowly
Update: Arenas had 13 points, eight assists and five rebounds in 20 minutes of play during the Wizards' 109-95 win over the Heat on Friday.
Analysis: Arenas came off the bench again on Friday, though we expect him to reclaim his starting spot very soon.
Darko Milicic: Returns But Doesn't Start
Update: Milicic (shoulder) played 14 minutes in his return Friday against the Warriors but did not start, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Analysis: He finished with eight points, seven boards and two blocks. Darko was questionable for the game after missing most of practice Thursday. Feel free to use him Saturday.
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