FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Steven Hunter: Out for Six Weeks
Update: Hunter underwent successful knee surgery Friday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: He's expected to miss six weeks.
Rasho Nesterovic: Misses Friday's Game
Update: Nesterovic (ankle) sat out Friday's game against Indiana, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: He sprained his right ankle Wednesday in a loss to Utah. Maceo Baston made his first start this year in place of Nesterovic.
Marquis Daniels: Misses Friday's Game
Update: Daniels (knee) did not dress for Friday night's game at Toronto, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Daniels has now missed three games so far due to soreness in his left knee, and has averaged 6.7 points and 2.2 boards in six games this year.
Troy Murphy: Returns to Action
Update: Murphy returned to action Friday after missing Wednesday's loss to Washington, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Murphy said "It's getting better, I thought I'd turned a corner and then I got kicked and it kind of swelled up on me." He also said he may be limited when he returns.
Jorge Garbajosa: Leg Likely Still Bothering Him
Update: Garbajosa, who has been a DNP - Coach's Decision for the last two games, is likely still bothered by the leg he broke last season, the Toronto Star reports.
Analysis: Garbajosa insists he's fine and pain-free, but neither the visual evidence of his swollen left ankle, nor his tentative play on the court, backs up that assertion. Don't expect Garbajosa to play a big role with the Raptors any time soon.
Rasho Nesterovic: Game Time Decision on Friday
Update: Nesterovic (ankle) will be a game time decision on Friday, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis: He was unable to practice on Thursday but did get in some conditioning work on a stationary bike. If he can't play Andrea Bargnani and Kris Humphries will likely split his minutes, with Bargnani more likely to get the start.
Grant Hill: Hill Has Big Night Against Chicago
Update: Hill had five rebounds, three assists, and went 9-for-14 from the floor while scoring 24 points in 39 minutes for the Suns in a 112-102 victory over Chicago Thursday night.
Analysis: Perhaps the most encouraging stat is the 39 minutes that Hill played in Friday night's contest. The forward has played over 35 minutes in the Suns' last five games, including a season high 41 against Atlanta on Nov. 7. Hill has been all that Phoenix could have asked for so far this season; he is averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Mickael Pietrus: Pietrus May Return Friday Night
Update: Pietrus may return from the birth of his son in France in time for the Warriors' game Friday night, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Analysis: It's still not certain that Pietrus will be available from Friday night's game, and, if he is, his minutes could be reduced. Through four games this season, Pietrus has averaged 10.3 points and 3.8 rebounds a game.
Bostjan Nachbar: Nachbar to Start Against Orlando
Update: Nachbar will start over Nenad Krstic Friday against Orlando, The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Apparently, the move is match up based, with Nets coach Lawrence Frank saying, "This is more game-specific, and (beyond that), we'll take it from there." Frank likes the way Nachbar matches up against the Magic's Hedo Turkoglu. It's unclear if Nachbar's position in the starting lineup will extend past Friday night.
Acie Law: Law Out With Sprained Ankle
Update: Law (ankle) will not play Friday against Atlanta, according to The Seattle Times.
Analysis: Th rookie from Texas A & M has averaged 21 minutes a game while averaging six points and three assists per game, and shooting 48.5 percent from the floor. Law's status is day-to-day.
Justin Williams: Might Play Friday
Update: Williams, who was recently cleared by Sacramento police on sexual misconduct charges, may see his first action of the season Friday against New York, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: Once he shakes the rust after his month-long absence from the team, the forward-center might see 15-20 minutes each game because he provides much-needed defense and rebounding. After eight games, both are in short supply on the Kings.
Ronald Murray: Could Start Again
Update: Although the MRI on Chauncey Billups' knee was negative, Murray could be in line for another start, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Billups will very likely sit out Friday's game to rest his knee and hip. Murray started and played 41 strong minutes Wednesday, so he could be a decent short-term fill-in.
Antonio McDyess: MRI on Shoulder is Negative
Update: Thursday's MRI on McDyess' shoulder was negative, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: While this is good news for McDyess, he'll likely sit out Friday's game with the Lakers. Jason Maxiell is expected to start in his place.
Chauncey Billups: MRI on Knee is Negative
Update: Thursday's MRI on Billups' knee was negative, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: While this is good news for Billups, there's a good chance he'll sit out Friday's game with the Lakers.
John Salmons: A Rift With Theus
Update: According to numerous sources, Salmons was frustrated with Kings coach Reggie Theus' criticism of the team after a loss to previously winless Minnesota Wednesday night, the Sacramento Bee reports. Salmons stormed out of the Target Center locker room before the coach was done lecturing his players.
Analysis: Theus said in the locker room that Salmons would be fined for his actions, but at Thursday's practice described Salmons' punishment as "an internal thing" and would not go into detail. It appears that Theus' disciplinarian approach is rubbing many of the Kings the wrong way. Recently, the first-year head coach has had run-ins with Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kevin Martin, Mikki Moore and Kenny Thomas. Undoubtedly, Salmons' prickly behavior started when he was benched in favor of Ron Artest before Wednesday's loss.
Larry Hughes: Hughes to Miss at Least Four Weeks With Bruised Leg
Update: Hughes will miss at least four weeks with a bruised leg, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Hughes missed three games after originally injuring the leg on Nov. 4, and now it looks like it will cost him at least four weeks. Hughes has missed significant chunks of time in nearly every one of his nine seasons, and the trend continues into the 2007-2008 campaign. The 28-year-old guard has been largely ineffective for Cleveland this season, averaging only a meager 6.8 points and 2.3 assists while shooting an abysmal 29.3 percent from the floor.
Vladimir Radmanovic: May See Increased Playing Time Against Pistons
Update: Radmanovic may see increased playing time, and might even start, in Friday's game against Detroit, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: This should be a temporary thing, as Radmanovic would only be filling in for starter Ronny Turiaf (ankle).
Ronny Turiaf: Suffers Ankle Sprain in Practice
Update: Turiaf suffered a moderate left ankle sprain in Thursday's practice and may not be able to play Friday night against Detroit, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: Expect Vladimir Radmanovic and Chris Mihm to receive more minutes in Turiaf's place.
Brent Barry: Hits Three 3-Pointers in Loss
Update: Barry scored 11 points (4-of-4 FG, 3-of-3 3-PT) in the Spurs' loss to the Mavericks on Thursday.
Analysis: Barry demonstrated that his ankle is not bothering him and that he still is an effective weapon off the bench.
Jacque Vaughn: Plays For First Time This Season
Update: Vaughn (strained left calf) played 15 minutes and scored three points in the Spurs' loss to the Mavericks on Thursday.
Analysis: Look for Vaughn to assume the backup point guard spot and for Darius Washington only to be in the game during mop-up time.
Maurice Ager: Receives Second Career Start Against Spurs
Update: Ager started in Thursday's game against the Spurs, scoring five points and handing out three assists in 21 minutes of play.
Analysis: Ager was filling in for Eddie Jones (ankle), and may see another start or two in the next few weeks while Jones is out. He is still probably a year or two away from being a regular fantasy contributor however.
Devin Harris: Scores 18 With Five Assists Against Spurs
Update: Harris (thigh) scored 18 points and handed out five assists in the Mavs' 105-92 win over the Spurs on Thursday night.
Analysis: Thursday's performance was the type that the Mavs envisioned when they decided to fully hand the point guard keys to Harris this offseason. We still expect Harris' assists to go up however, as Dirk Nowitzki is ever-so-slowly relinquishing his point-forward role.
Erick Dampier: Grabs Nine Rebounds Against Spurs
Update: Dampier (shoulder) had three points and nine rebounds in the Mavs' 105-92 win over the Spurs on Thursday night.
Analysis: Dampier didn't start on Thursday, but he did play 18 minutes, only two less than starter DeSagana Diop. Expect Dampier to reclaim his starting spot soon.
Jason Terry: Scores 18 Against Spurs
Update: Terry had 18 points in the Mavs' 105-92 win over the Spurs on Thursday night.
Analysis: Terry's 18 points came on spectacular shooting: 7-9 from the field and 4-5 from three-point range.
Josh Howard: Scores 23 Against Spurs
Update: Howard had 23 points, six rebounds and three steals in the Mavs' 105-92 win over the Spurs on Thursday.
Analysis: Another solid effort from Howard, who is emerging as the Mavs' 1A scoring option this year.
Manu Ginobili: Plays Well in Loss
Update: Ginobili had 25 points (7-of-15 FG, 1-of-4 3-PT, 10-of-13 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals in the Spurs' loss to the Mavericks on Thursday.
Analysis: Ginobili continues to be the most productive Spur, as even in losses, he finds ways to make great contributions to a fantasy roster.
Tony Parker: Worst Shooting Game of Season
Update: Parker had just seven points (1-of-11 FG, 0-of-1 3-PT, 5-of-6 FT), three rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block in the Spurs' loss to the Mavericks on Thursday.
Analysis: Parker and Michael Finley were totally outplayed by Devin Harris and Josh Howard. What is encouraging is that Parkler was able to contribute with eight assists on a night were he didn't have it offensively.
Tim Duncan: Has 24 in Loss
Update: Duncan had 24 points (11-of-21 FG, 2-of-2 FT), five rebounds and a steal in the Spurs' loss to the Mavericks on Thursday.
Analysis: In addition to just five rebounds, Duncan had five turnovers. The Spurs were never in this game as the starting backcourt was shut down, and the Spurs were never able to get on track.
Ben Wallace: First Double-digit Rebounding Night of Season
Update: Wallace (ankle) grabbed 10 rebounds to go with five points, a steal and a blocked shot in 23 minutes of action against the Suns.
Analysis: This was the first time this season that Wallace has grabbed 10 rebounds in a game, and doing it in only 23 minutes may be a sign that he is starting to feel a bit healthier. Watch his minutes, though, because he won't have any kind of roto impact until he starts playing closer to 30 minutes per night.
Andres Nocioni: Solid In Return to Starting Line-up
Update: Nocioni replaced Tyrus Thomas in the starting line-up for the Bulls on Thursday night, and responded with 18 points, seven boards, a blocked shot and a 3-pointer in 41 minutes of action.
Analysis: If he is starting and getting these kinds of minutes, Nocioni should be a valuable roto contributor. Noce got off to a slow start, but was aggressive and opportunistic, especially in the second half, to rack up his 18 points. Entering last season it was Nocioni, and not Luol Deng, that many expected to have a breakout fantasy year. It now appears that Nocioni will have that chance again a year later.
Dirk Nowitzki: Fills Up Stat Sheet Against Spurs
Update: Nowitzki had 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots in the Mavs' 105-92 win over the Spurs on Thursday night.
Analysis: Nowitzki's scoring is down this season, but his assists (5.1) are nearly double his career average of 2.6.
Kevin Ollie: Not Seeing Any Playing Time
Update: After having such a strong camp, Ollie has played just once in eight games.
Analysis: He likely won't be part of the team after this season's expiring contract but Ollie could provide some veteran leadership on the court for the struggling 76ers.
Eddie Gill: Signed by the Nets
Update: The Nets signed Gill on Thursday, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Gill, who was one of New Jersey's final cuts during training camp, will replace Darrell Armstrong and will play Friday night against the Magic. Armstrong suffered a deep thigh bruise in Wednesday's loss to Boston and will miss 2-4 weeks.
Zach Randolph: Away Friday
Update: Randolph will not play Friday night against Sacramento because he is attending the funeral of his grandmother, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Randolph, who returned to the club to play against the Clippers on Wednesday after spending a few days with his family, said he thinks he will be ready to play Saturday when the Knicks conclude their current road trip in Denver.
Stephon Marbury: Teammates Wanted Him Benched
Update: According to Yahoo! Sports, a poll of the Knicks players returned a unanimous vote for benching Marbury Wednesday night against the Clippers.
Analysis: Knicks coach Isiah Thomas asked Jamal Crawford to poll the players, and pledged to hold out Marbury even if one player didn't want him on the court. Despite the unanimous vote, Thomas went ahead and gave Marbury 34 minutes of run. "My goal is to try to win a basketball game," Thomas told the New York Daily News Wednesday night after the Knicks's loss to Los Angeles. "I've played with people I don't like. I've won with people I don't like. We're a professional basketball team, and my job is to try and win the basketball game. However I feel about a person doesn't matter. We're trying to win. Whatever happened in the past is in the past and we move forward."
Raja Bell: Returns to Action Thursday
Update: Bell (ankle) returned to action Thursday night after missing two games.
Analysis: Bell was back in the starting lineup, scoring eight points on 3-of-6 shooting (two 3-pointers) with seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in 34 minutes.
Matt Harpring: Practices Thursday
Update: Harpring (illness, knee) practiced on Thursday, one day after missing Utah's victory over Toronto because of a virus, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: The Jazz list Harpring as a game-time decision for Friday night's game in Cleveland. Even if he does play, remember that he is on a minutes restriction (16-17 minutes).
Tracy McGrady: Likely to Miss One Week
Update: The followup examination of the MRI results on McGrady's right elbow revealed no tendon or ligament damage, the Houston Chronicle reports. He is suffering from a sprain and nerve irritation and could be out of the lineup for roughly a week.
Analysis: The treatment for McGrady's injury is focused on getting the swelling down and getting rid of the tingling sensation in his fingertips. He is on medication for the pain but is doing no specific rehab. The biggest factor in his return will be keeping the soreness and swelling in check around the affected area.
"As soon as it responds and he has good feeling back and has return of strength in the hand and full movement on the elbow, he should be OK to go," said Dr. Tom Clanton, the Rockets' team physician. Bonzi Wells will see more minutes in his place.
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