FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Rajon Rondo: Scored 14 With Four Steals Against Nuggets
Update: Rondo had 14 points, four rebounds and four steals in the Celtics' 119-93 win over the Nuggets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Rondo's shooting is either extremely hot or extremely cold, and his 7-11 shooting on Wednesday represented one of those hot games. However, don't expect scoring consistency from the young guard.
Paul Pierce: Scores 26 Against Nuggets
Update: Pierce had 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals in Wednesday's 119-93 win over the Nuggets.
Analysis: Pierce would have had a bigger game, but the C's were up 77-38 on the Nuggets at halftime. The Celtics seem to be hitting on all cylinders at this point, and Pierce's numbers should benefit.
Amar'e Stoudemire: May Play Friday
Update: Stoudemire, who missed his third straight game because of knee soreness, performed some agility drills with team trainers on Wednesday and decided to forestall his return, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Analysis: "We'll go one more day. That way he can get a practice in, get some shooting and be ready to go (Friday against Miami)," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said. "I want him to be 100 percent and totally sure. The worst thing is he plays, and then he doesn't play and then he comes back we don't want him sputtering. Let's get him completely well and to the point where he can keep playing." Stoudemire had similar problems at the start of last season, but the season turned out alright for him and the Suns.
Brevin Knight: An Aching Back
Update: Knight (back soreness) did not play on Wednesday night at Indiana.
Analysis: Sam Cassell took advantage of his absence and scored 35 points. In his 11-year career, the fragile point guard has played more than 70 games in a season just once, his rookie year. Nostradamus would have trouble predicting when Knight would play so fantasy owners might want to take note.
Ray Allen: Scores 22 Against Nuggets
Update: Allen had 22 points and six assists in the Celtics' 119-93 win over the Nuggets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Expect this stat line, including Allen's 3-7 three-point shooting, to be closer to his season averages than Sunday's 33-point outburst.
Kevin Garnett: Has Huge Game in Rout of Nuggets
Update: Garnett had 23 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and four steals in the Celtics' 119-93 win over the Nuggets on Wednesday.
Analysis: Garnett's numbers would have been even higher, were it not for the C's 77-38 halftime lead. His steals and assists seem greatly increased this season as well.
Jameer Nelson: Returns to Lineup
Update: Nelson (concussion) returned to action Wednesday night after missing one game.
Analysis: Nelson was back in the starting lineup and had 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds in 29 minutes in Orlando's victory over Toronto.
Al Thornton: Scores 13 Against Pacers
Update: Thornton played 25 minutes and had 13 points (3-of-13 FG, 1-of-4 3-PT, 6-of-6 FT), seven rebounds and two steals in the Clippers' victory at Indiana on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Despite a rough night from the field he's starting to bloat the stat sheet a little bit more and contribute to the Clippers' success. Cuttino Mobley (groin) is likely to miss time and Thornton may fill the void. Coach Mike Dunleavy has inserted players into games according to specific matchups and Thornton's athleticism will create problems for slower, less athletic teams.
Ruben Patterson: Hurt in the First Quarter
Update: Patterson left Wednesday night's game against Indiana after re-injuring a dislocated right pinkie finger in the first quarter.
Analysis: He saw just four minutes of action, finishing with no points. The forward hurt the finger back on Oct. 24 and has been playing with the injury ever since.
Chris Kaman: A Monster Effort
Update: Kaman posted his fourth consecutive double-double, scoring 15 points (6-of-16 FG), pulling down 22 rebounds and blocking two shots in the undefeated Clippers' win over the Pacers on Wednesday.
Analysis: His rebound total was the highest of any player in the league so far this season. Possibly the most impressive aspect of Kaman's effort is it came in the second of back-to-back games. After four games, the 7-footer averages 16.8 points, 16.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
Sam Cassell: Lights Up Indy
Update: Cassell started and exploded for 35 points (13-of-20 FG, 2-of-4 3-PT, 7-of-8 FT) with eight assists and three rebounds in the Clippers' win over Indiana on Wednesday.
Analysis: He came off the bench in Tuesday night's win over Chicago, but received the start from Clips coach Mike Dunleavy against the Pacers. Cassell might be playing angry right now. He wasn't too pleased about the recent announcement from Dunleavy that he'd be sharing time with Brevin Knight. Keep an eye on the situation. If Cassell keeps putting up gaudy stats it may be hard to keep him from playing more.
James Posey: Leaves Game with Back Spasms
Update: Posey left the Celtics' game against the Nuggets Wednesday after suffering back spasms.
Analysis: He played seven minutes and picked up a foul before leaving. We'll keep an eye on this and keep you posted.
Nene Hilario: Injures Thumb, Leaves Game
Update: Nene sprained his left thumb Wednesday night and did not return.
Analysis: He will undergo an MRI Thursday to examine the extent of damage on his thumb.
Cuttino Mobley: Leaves Game with Groin Injury
Update: Mobley left Wednesday's game after five minutes with a groin injury. He was in street clothes at the start of the second half.
Analysis: This isn't good for Mobley, who scored 33 points against the Bulls a day earlier. We'll keep you posted on as to his status. The Clippers have an off day Thursday before playing in Detroit on Friday.
Kelenna Azubuike: Bone Bruise In Ankle
Update: Azubuike has been bothered a bone bruise in his ankle, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Azubuike has been dealing with the bruise since this summer and it hasn't improved much. "It just hasn't been right," said Azubuike. "I might have to just play on it and get treatment. I think it's something I can play with, as long as it feels better than it did last night." Azubuike struggled in Tuesday's game against Cleveland (6 points on 2-for-10 shooting), but should be able to play through the injury.
Monta Ellis: Comes Down With the Flu
Update: Ellis was sent home from practice Wednesday after he came down with the flu, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Ellis just scored 22 on the Cavs, so it would be disappointing if he can't go Thursday against the Mavs.
Matt Barnes: Sprained Finger Tuesday
Update: Barnes sprained a finger on his shooting hand during Tuesday's loss to the Cavaliers, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: "I don't know how he could possibly catch a ball," coach Don Nelson said. He missed practice Wednesday, and his status for Thursday's game against Dallas is up in the air. Brandan Wright may see more time if Barnes can't play.
Amar'e Stoudemire: Out Again Wedneday
Update: Stoudemire (knee) will miss Wednesday night's game against the Hawks.
Analysis: This makes three games he'll miss because of knee soreness stemming from his early-October surgery. This causes some concern, as he's now missed more games than he's played this season. But as Stoudemire owners know, when he's healthy, he's one of the elite players in the league.
Raymond Felton: Sits Out Wednesday Against 76ers
Update: Felton (knee) was held out of Charlotte's game against Philadelphia Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Jeff McInnis started in his place. He suffered the injury Tuesday after crashing into Steve Nash and landing awkwardly. He hopes to play Friday against Indiana.
Rashad McCants: Day-to-Day With Sprained Ankle
Update: McCants' sprained ankle is listed as day-to-day and it will be re-evaluated on Thursday, the team's official web site reports.
Analysis: While the T-Wolves didn't give out much detail on the injury, it sounds like he has a chance to play Friday against the Lakers.
Kenyon Martin: Will Play in Boston
Update: Martin (knee) will play Wednesday night in Boston, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Martin was rested on Tuesday night in New York, though we don't know if Martin will always be rested in one of the games in every back-to-back set.
Joe Smith: Second Straight Solid Effort
Update: Smith had 17 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench in the Bulls' 97-91 loss to the Clippers Tuesday.
Analysis: With Ben Wallace nursing an ankle injury and ineffective and Tyrus Thomas struugling offensively, Smith has played 25+ minutes the past two games - scoring 31 points - and could be in line to see similar playing time until Wallace is healthier and Thomas is more effective on the floor.
Ben Gordon: Poor Shooting But Attached the Rim, Indication Ankle Is Okay
Update: Gordon (sprained right ankle), in an attempt to jump-start his slow start offensively, tried to attack the rim but shot 4-for-18 and got to the line only six times besides a technical foul shot in the Bulls' 97-91 loss to the Clippers Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Even though the results were not there, the fact that Gordon attacked the rim is a sign that his ankle is okay. Look for him to find his shooting touch shortly.
Kirk Hinrich: Allowed 33 Points to Cuttino Mobley
Update: Hinrich struggled again defensively, this time allowing 33 points to Cuttino Mobley, in the Bulls' 97-91 loss to the Clippers Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Coach Scott Skiles uncharacteristically offered Hinrich the out that he's guarding larger players, which he is. "It's tough," Hinrich said. "[Mobley] would bang me and knock me back and I couldn't get the lift to challenge his shot the way I wanted to." This is the second time in four games that a bigger guard dominated Hinrich, and if this pattern continues, Skiles may need to use Thabo Sefolosha due to his size in place of Hinrich and move Ben Gordon to point guard.
Gilbert Arenas: Gets Knee Drained
Update: Arenas had his surgically repaired left knee drained for the second time in three weeks Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Despite that and the fact that Arenas missed practice for the third consecutive day Wednesday, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said he expects Arenas to play against the Nets Thursday night.
Larry Hughes: Will Not Play Wednesday
Update: Hughes (bruised knee) will not play Wednesday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Hughes also missed Tuesday night's game against Golden State. Sasha Pavlovic replaced him Tuesday and will likely start in his place again Wednesday night.
Raymond Felton: MRI on Knee Negative
Update: An MRI taken on Felton's knee following the Bobcats' loss to the Suns Tuesday showed no signs of bone, cartilage or ligament damage, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Analysis: Felton had 12 points in the game before going down with the injury. He's currently day-to-day and may miss Wednesday's game against Philadelphia. If he doesn't play, backup Jeff McInnis will assume the starting role.
Alando Tucker: Makes NBA Debut on Tuesday
Update: Tucker saw the first action of his NBA career on Tuesday, playing four minutes and making one of two field goal attempts with one rebound.
Analysis: It's clear he isn't going to have a big role in the Suns rotation any time soon, if the only action he sees comes in 32-point blowout wins.
Luol Deng: Solid Shooting Game Tuesday After Struggling the First Three Games
Update: Deng rebounded from his poor shooting performance through the first three games of the season to go 9-for-17 and score 22 points in the Bulls' 97-91 loss to the Clippers Tuesday.
Analysis: Despite Deng's output, the Bulls fell to 0-4 on the season.
Marcus Banks: Solid Game Off Bench
Update: Banks scored 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting in just 16 minutes of court time Tuesday.
Analysis: The Bobcats could barely slow down the Suns offense in this one, as eight different Phoenix players scored in double digits. So far this season Banks has had two good games off the bench and been nearly invisible in two others; until he starts producing more consistently he'll be a risky player to use from a fantasy perspective.
Sean Marks: Solid Game Off Bench
Update: In his first action of the season, Marks (back) scored 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting in just 16 minutes of court time in Tuesday's win over the Bobcats.
Analysis: Eight different Suns players scored in double digits in this one, so this was more of a case of Phoenix as a team almost being able to score at will than a great individual effort by Marks. His back appears to be OK, however, and with Amare Stoudemire's knee still giving him problems there should be a regular spot in the front court rotation for him in the short term.
Joakim Noah: Made Season Debut Tuesday
Update: Noah made his regular season debut off the bench in the first quarter of the Bulls' 97-91 loss to the Clippers Tuesday after missing the first three games with a sprained right ankle. He finished with two points, four rebounds and three blocks in 18 minutes of action.
Analysis: Ben Wallace played an unproductive 27 minutes and is clearly hampered by his sprained ankle, so if Noah has no setbacks following Tuesday's game, he could be in line for a short-term bump in minutes.
Shaun Livingston: Will Be Re-evaluated
Update: Livingston (knee) will depart for Birmingham, Ala., following Thursday's game at Indiana, the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: He accompanied the Clippers on the current road trip but must have his knee re-evaluated by Dr. James Andrews, the surgeon who operated on Livingston last February after he injured himself in a game. The latest forecast is that he is on schedule to return after the All-Star break if his recovery continues without any setbacks. Livingston dislocated his left knee and knee cap, tearing three ligaments in the leg, requiring extensive procedures to repair them.
Raja Bell: Breaks Shooting Slump on Tuesday
Update: Bell finally had some shots fall for him on Tuesday, scoring 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting and going 4-for-9 from three point range.
Analysis: He also chipped in six rebounds and four assists. If you'd benched Bell during his shooting slump, it's time to get him active again.
Ike Diogu: Out 4-6 Weeks With Calf Injury
Update: Diogu will be out four-to-six weeks with a torn left calf muscle, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Diogu, who suffered the injury in practice Tuesday, has averaged 13.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in his first three games for the 3-0 Pacers.
Kris Humphries: Big Minutes on Tuesday
Update: With the Raptors resting their starters in a blowout loss to the Bucks, Humphries played 32 minutes on Tuesday, scoring 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting and adding nine rebounds and two blocks.
Analysis: Humphries showed at the end of last season that he's capable of putting up useful fantasy numbers when he gets regular court time, but so far those minutes have been tough to come by this season.
Juan Dixon: Leads Raptors in Scoring on Tuesday
Update: Dixon played over 32 minutes on Tuesday, scoring 20 points on 6-for-15 shooting with three rebounds, three assists, two steals and two three-pointers.
Analysis: The Raptors' starters got an early rest in the blowout loss to the Bucks, and Dixon benefitted. He's averaging 10.3 points through four games, which probably isn't too far off what he'll end up with on the season.
Gilbert Arenas: Wizards Take Cautious Approach
Update: Arenas (knee) did not practice for the second straight day on Tuesday, the Washington Post reports. "We're just taking some precautionary measures, giving him some time off because we have this gap between games," coach Eddie Jordan said, referring to the fact that the Wizards haven't played since Saturday and next take the court on Thursday. "He'll be ready, we think, for Thursday. We think."
Analysis: Arenas acknowledged after Saturday's game that his knee felt "stiff." However, he indicated that he was confident that he would be ready to play Thursday. Arenas, who had the knee drained of excess fluid once during the preseason, said he would consider having the knee drained again if the fluid buildup continued to cause stiffness. We'll monitor his status closely in the coming days.
Eric Piatkowski: Out With Flu
Update: Piatkowski is battling the flu, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: He hasn't been able to crack the backcourt rotation when healthy so far, so this is really just an FYI.
Spencer Hawes: First Practice Since Surgery
Update: On Wednesday, Hawes will practice for the first time since arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Oct. 10, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: The rookie center may be ready for action in at least a week. It will be interesting to see how Kings coach Reggie Theus employs him. Sacramento needs an immediate infusion of talent in the frontcourt.
Baron Davis: Three Double-Doubles In First Four Games
Update: Davis scored 29 points (11-for-28 shooting) and handed out ten assists in Tuesday's loss to Cleveland.
Analysis: Davis played a team-high 46 minutes and continues to show that, when healthy, he is one of the top point guards in the NBA. He's averaging 21.8 points and 9.8 assists over the Warriors first four games.
Monta Ellis: 33 Minutes Off The Bench on Tuesday
Update: Ellis had 22 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in Tuesday's loss to Cleveland.
Analysis: A nice all-around game for Ellis who also shot 3-for-4 from 3-point range. He should continue to see plenty of minutes as the Warriors sixth man.
Josh Powell: Inactive for Now
Update: Josh Powell, a third-year forward, was inactive for Tuesday's game in Chicago.
Analysis: Veteran Aaron Williams (calf) was activated for the Bulls game, so Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy needed to clear a roster spot. Powell is a garbage time player at best for Los Angeles.
Andris Biedrins: Turnovers Continue To Be a Problem
Update: Biedrins recorded his first double-double of the year on Tuesday (12 pts/10 boards) but committed four turnovers in a loss to Cleveland.
Analysis: Biedrins has been solid so far this year (10.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 1.8 bpg over his first 3 games), but he is averaging 3.7 turnovers a game after only averaging 1.4 turnovers a game last year.
Aaron Williams: Sees His First Action
Update: Williams (calf) made his season debut on Tuesday against Chicago.
Analysis: He played one minute and and picked up a foul. The forward-center has averaged 17.1 minutes, 5.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in his 14-year career. He does not merit fantasy consideration unless there is an extended absence by Chris Kaman.
Rashard Lewis: Three-Point Barrage
Update: Lewis made seven of his nine three-pointers and scored 27 points in Orlando's victory over Minnesota on Tuesday night.
Analysis: Lewis only contributed three rebounds and an assist on the side, but he earned his $116 million by putting the ball in the hole like he did on Tuesday.
Hedo Turkoglu: Struggles to Find the Basket
Update: Turkoglu had a tough time finding the basket Tuesday night, only making four of his 15 shot attempts in Orlando's victory over Minnesota.
Analysis: Besides the poor shooting, Turkoglu had a solid all-around game. He scored 14 points and had six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. His poor shooting won't last, so keep playing him daily.
Earl Watson: Could Lose Starting Job
Update: Watson could lose his starting point guard job because of his shooting woes, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: After four games, Watson is 7-of-27 (25.9 percent) from the field. Watson had problems last year, too, shooting just 38.3 percent. Luke Ridnour probably will get a run soon at the starting job, but the position likely will be in flux for some time.
J.R. Smith: Plays 23 Minutes in Return
Update: Smith returned from his team mandated three game suspension and played 23 minutes off the bench on Tuesday at New York.
Analysis: Smith was greeted with a chorus of boos when he entered the game because of last year's brawl. He finished the night with eight points and one rebound. All six of his shot attempts were 3-pointers.
Stephon Marbury: Breaks Out of Slump
Update: Marbury scored 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting in last night's victory over the Denver Nuggets. He also dished out eight assists and grabbed a couple of boards.
Analysis: Marbury joined in on the offensive fun last night, as three other Knicks (Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, and Eddie Curry) also topped the 20 point mark.
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