FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Caron Butler: Team-High 32 Points Keeps Season Going
Update: Butler scored 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including a layup with 3.9 seconds left to give Washington a one-point victory over Cleveland in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference playoff series.
Analysis: The Wizards, who were playing without Gilbert Arenas (knee), extend their season for at least one more game with the win. Game 6 is Friday at Washington.
Gilbert Arenas: Done for Season
Update: Arenas (knee) will not play for the remainder of Washington's series against Cleveland and will be done for the season even if the Wizards are able to make it past the Cavs, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: After an impressive Game 1 against the Cavs, Arenas struggled in Washington's following three games. He will now have a chance to rest his knee and hope to be back fully healthy for next season.
Jorge Garbajosa: Won't Play in the Olympics
Update: The Raptors will not allow Garbajosa (leg) to play for Spain this summer in the Olympics, the Toronto Star reports.
Analysis: The Raptors are being extra cautious with Garbajosa after he missed most of the last season recovering from injuries he suffered last summer playing for the Spanish national team. The Raptors did not want him to play last summer either, but they allowed it when the Spanish basketball federation took out a $1 million insurance policy. Hopefully taking the summer off will allow Garbajosa to return at 100 percent next season.
Mehmet Okur: Solid Performance in Loss
Update: Okur had 14 points and 10 rebounds in Tuesday's Game 5 loss to Houston.
Analysis: Despite the solid production out of Okur and Carlos Boozer (19 points and 10 rebounds), the Jazz were no match for the Rockets all night. Game 6 will be Friday in Utah.
Dirk Nowitzki: Strong Series as Mavs are Eliminated
Update: Nowitzki had another strong performance scoring 22 points to go with 13 rebounds and six assists. However, Dirk's stellar play could not save the Mavericks as they were eliminated from the playoffs by the Hornets.
Analysis: Unlike last season when Nowitzki's production declined in the postseason, Dirk saw a jump across the board in his numbers. He averaged a double-double for the series, with 26.8 points a game along with 12.0 rebounds a game. He also increased his number of assists and blocks.
Josh Howard: Tough Series as Mavs are Ousted
Update: Howard scored 12 points on 6-14 shooting as the Mavs were eliminated from the playoffs by the Hornets. Howard did manage to grab nine rebounds.
Analysis: Howard's struggles were a primary reason Dallas was eliminated in five games. After averaging 19.9 points on 45.5 percent shooting during the regular season, Howard saw his playoff numbers drop drastically to 12.6 points on 29.1 percent shooting.
Tony Parker: 31 in Series Finale
Update: Parker had 31 points (9-of-21 FG, 13-of-16 FT), eight assists and a steal as the Spurs won their opening round series against the Suns in five games.
Analysis: Parker outplayed Steve Nash in this series and averaged 29.6 points and 7.0 assists on 52.3 percent shooting in the series. Next up for the Spurs is a trip to New Orleans on Saturday.
Shane Battier: Plays Through Ankle Injury
Update: Battier (ankle) started and played 37 minutes Tuesday night in Houston's victory over Utah in Game 5 of their Western Conference playoff series.
Analysis: Battier had missed some of Monday's practice because of the injury, but was never in doubt to play Game 5. Utah leads the series 3-2 as it heads back to Salt Lake City Friday.
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