FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Eric Snow: Back In Line-Up
Update: Snow played in his first game Wednesday night logging 12 minutes.
Analysis: Snow, who went 0-2 from the field in his debut, showed a little rust. Coach Mike Brown says he will play Snow over the next several games to help with the Cavaliers defensive woes, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. At the present time he has no fantasy value, but as his minutes increase, combined with the injury to Larry Hughes he may have some impact down the road.
Jason Kapono: Solid Game Off Bench Wednesday
Update: Kapono had his best game as a Raptor Wednesday, scoring 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting with three rebounds, two assists and two three-pointers.
Analysis: He's hit at least one three in six straight games, scoring in doubles digits four times over that stretch. His production should continue to inch up as he gets more comfortable in the Raptors' offense.
Andrea Bargnani: Double-Double on Wednesday
Update: Bargnani, getting his second straight start at center, scored 13 points with 11 rebounds in Wednesday's win over the Grizzlies.
Analysis: He also added four assists and three three-pointers, but again battled foul trouble. His ceiling is huge, but his production will be unreliable until he can learn to play with more control.
Marcus Banks: Big Minutes on Wednesday
Update: With Raja Bell and Eric Piatkowski both inactive Banks played 30 minutes off the bench Wednesday, scoring eight points with six assists.
Analysis: It was his first game action since November 13. Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has been going with a short bench most nights, so Banks' minutes are likely to be spotty until D'Antoni stops leaning so heavily on his starters.
Brian Skinner: Solid Effort on Wednesday
Update: Skinner scored nine points with five rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes of court time on Wednesday.
Analysis: With Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw getting healthier minutes are limited for Skinner, but he was still able to be productive on Wednesday.
Raja Bell: Misses Second Straight Game on Wednesday
Update: Bell (back spasms/ankle) missed his second straight game on Wednesday, the East Valley Tribune reports..
Analysis: Contradicting reports from Tuesday, the Tribune indicates that Bell is currently sitting due to back spasms, not the ankle injury that kept him out of action previously. It seems clear Bell isn't going to be 100% any time soon.
Eric Piatkowski: Inactive Wednesday Due To Shoulder
Update: Piatkowski missed Wednesday's game with a shoulder injury, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Analysis: He'd crept into the rotation with Raja Bell's injury problems, but Marcus Banks got the call instead on Wednesday.
Jeff Foster: Starting in Place of O'Neal
Update: Foster is back in the starting lineup now that Jermaine O'Neal is out indefinitely, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Foster will be able to provide a lot of rebounds, but he's still not much of a scoring threat, even with O'Neal and Ike Diogu out.
Jermaine O'Neal: Out Indefinitely
Update: O'Neal missed Wednesday night's game against the Hornets with swelling in his left knee and he'll be out indefinitely, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: O'Neal will undergo an MRI on Friday, and he'll sit out until the Pacers can figure out how to combat the constant swelling in his knee. "It doesn't help him or help us to have him on the court at 60 percent," coach Jim O'Brien said. "We have to get him corrected and we'll do whatever we have to do to get that done."
Brendan Haywood: Could Return Friday
Update: Haywood missed Wednesday's game with a sprained left ankle but said he could return as soon as Friday night against Golden State, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Andray Blatche has filled in -- and played well -- since Haywood suffered the injury, so the Wizards have the luxury of not pushing Haywood too quickly here.
Gilbert Arenas: The Skinny on His Knee Surgery
Update: After an MRI revealed that Arenas suffered a partial tear of his left medial meniscus, he underwent surgery to repair the meniscus and what Wizards' team physician Marc Connell described as a defect in a bone on the side of his knee, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Besides repairing the tear in Arenas' meniscus, Connell employed microfracture to stimulate cartilage growth. Despite the "M" word, Arenas said he will begin rehab in a month and is expected to make a full recovery. If all goes well, it will be three months before he can practice and then probably a bit longer before he is cleared to play in games.
Jeff Green: Back to the Bench
Update: Green's starting role turned out to be a one-game shot as coach P.J. Carlesimo said Wednesday he is returning to his usual starting lineup, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
Analysis: Green started at power foward Monday, but the domino effect it had on the lineup resulted in a poor defensive effort. Chris Wilcox will move back to power forward with Nick Collison starting at center.
Al Harrington: Misses Game Due to Personal Reasons
Update: Harrington missed Wednesday's game against Boston for personal reasons, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Analysis: Harrington's status for Friday's game against Washington is unknown.
Richard Hamilton: Out of Whack
Update: Though he finished with 12 points and eight assists, Hamilton struggled with his shot Wednesday and finishing with six turnovers.
Analysis: "He's still not in a groove at either end of the floor," coach Flip Saunders said. In his last five games, Hamilton is averaging 16.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 4.4 apg, so he's still contributing to his fantasy owners. However, he also has 17 turnovers and is shooting just 39% from the field during that span.
Drew Gooden: Staying Consistent
Update: Gooden scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds Wednesday night.
Analysis: Due to Donyell Marshall being out two additional months, Gooden will continue to put up numbers consistent with his 17-point/9-rebound outing Wednesday night. Gooden is a double-double threat every night he's on the floor, thus making him a solid play.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim: Inactive on Wednesday
Update: Abdur-Rahim (knee) was placed on the inactive list against Phoenix on Wednesday night.
Analysis: He is experiencing swelling in his right knee. Abdur-Rahim has played little this season, so there should be no fantasy consideration.
LeBron James: James Continues Career Year
Update: James scored 45 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out five assists in a win over the Timberwolves.
Analysis: James continues to put up M.V.P. type numbers. Shooting 65% Wednesday night in route to a 45 point effort, James connected on six 3-pointers, and also had three steals and blocked two shots. His eight rebounds and five assists are simply numbers that you can expect out of him on a nightly basis.
Ron Artest: Daughter Has Health Problems
Update: Artest left the Kings to attend to a family matter in Indiana, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: He missed Wednesday's game at Phoenix. According to Kings coach Reggie Theus, Artest's daughter underwent a kidney-related procedure. The coach said he hopes to have Artest back for Friday's game at Portland.
Tim Thomas: Heads Downtown in the Fourth
Update: Thomas had 13 points (4-of-7 FG, 3-of-6 3-PT) and three rebounds in the Clippers' win over the Nuggets on Wednesday.
Analysis: He had just two points heading into the third quarter but heated up as the game wore on. In the fourth quarter, his binge of 3-pointers sealed the victory for the Clips. Start him in most fantasy leagues as a third or fourth forward option. He'll see more minutes than usual with Elton Brand (Achilles) out of action.
Brevin Knight: Strains Groin, Leaves Early
Update: Knight played only 14 minutes and left Wednesday's game in the third quarter with a groin strain.
Analysis: He started and shot 1-of-3 from the field with seven assists in his brief outing. Consider him day-to-day at this point. Knight misses a lot of time with injuries and should only be a fantasy reserve.
Cuttino Mobley: Plays Despite Injury
Update: Mobley (groin) scored 14 points off the bench in the Clippers' win over Denver Wednesday night.
Analysis: "I was going to try to sit out a week to try and get my leg 100 percent, but Coach needed me. He said, `If you could squeak one of these out for us, that will help us down the line.' I'm all about the team, man. I can get guys open shots and create some for myself," Mobley said. Team officials wanted to sit Mobley until he fully healed, but Los Angeles was in dire need of players to use against Denver.
Chris Kaman: A Force on the Glass
Update: Kaman had 17 points (5-of-7 FG, 7-of-9 FT), 21 rebounds and five turnovers in the Clippers' win over Denver on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Kaman, who is the NBA's third-leading rebounder, is the only constant force for Los Angeles this season. He is averaging 37.8 minutes, 18.5 points, 14.1 rebounds while shooting 51.5% from the field. He is a must-start in any league.
Al Thornton: Starts on Wednesday
Update: Thornton (ankle) made his first career start and scored 12 points with nine rebounds in the Clippers' win over Denver Wednesday night.
Analysis: The rookie hit 4-of-14 from the floor and played 21 minutes. Thornton is still having trouble getting his shots to fall consistently and he needs to tone down the field-goal attempts until they do. He started because the Clippers are banged-up right now. Don't read too much into it at this point.
Chris Kaman: Another Huge Game in Breakout Season
Update: Kaman exploded for 21 rebounds Wednesday night to go along with 17 points, four blocks, two assists and a steal.
Analysis: Kaman has become one of the best centers in the NBA this season as he continues to take advantage of the absence of Elton Brand (Achilles).
Al Thornton: Solid Start for Thornton
Update: Thornton (ankle) was back in the starting line-up for the Clippers Wednesday night.
Analysis: He scored 12 points with nine boards, a block and a trey in 22 minutes in a nice preview of the kinds of skills he brings to the table.
Juan Carlos Navarro: Gets Just Nine Minutes in Loss
Update: Navarro got just nine minutes in the loss to the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: Navarro scored just two points. It looks like the fluctuation in minutes may have returned. Damon Stoudamire started and got 22 minutes while Kyle Lowry got almost 26 minutes off the bench. Navarro has been getting close to 30 minutes in his last three games, but it appears he may be fighting for minutes again.
Marcus Camby: Rebounding Binge Continues
Update: Camby produced an 18-point/18-rebound double-double Wednesday night, adding three blocks and a steal as well.
Analysis: Camby now has 58 rebounds in the last three games, and has taken over the league lead in rebounding.
Rudy Gay: Struggles From Field in Loss
Update: Gay had 15 points (5-of-17 FG, 2-of-8 3-PT, 3-of-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists and three blocks in the Grizzlies' loss to the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: Gay is having a nice all-around season, but he has been in a shooting slump, as he is just 12-of-41 in his last three games. We see this as a minor bump in the road and expect Gay to get his shooting back in the mid 40's.
Brandon Roy: Hot Hand From Downtown
Update: Roy knocked down all four of his 3-point attempts Wednesday night on his way to 25 points (9-for-14 FG), six assists and two steals.
Analysis: Roy generally produces strong points/rebounds/assists totals, so if he could start to consistently produce treys and steals that would really increase his value.
Channing Frye: Solid Start for Frye
Update: Frye scored a season-high 15 points on excellent 6-for-7 shooting from the field and 3-for-3 from the line Wednesday night to go along with five boards, three assists, two blocks and a steal in only 26 minutes.
Analysis: This was Frye's best game of the season, as he continues to try to find his niche in the Trailblazers offense.
Pau Gasol: Double-Double In Loss
Update: Gasol had 16 points (5-of-11 FG, 6-of-8 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in the Grizzlies' loss to the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: It was nice for fantasy owners to see Gasol get a double-double, as his rebounding totals and overall production have been down this season.
Marvin Williams: Double-Double in Win
Update: Williams had 13 points (4-of-8 FG, 5-of-6 FT), 10 rebounds, three steals and a block in the Hawks' win over the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: While Williams scoring has been down in his last five games (15.2), his rebound, steal and block totals are all up over his season averages.
Steve Nash: Assists Binge Continues
Update: Nash dished 15 assists in only 27 minutes Wednesday night against the Kings. He also added 18 points (7-for-10 FG) and three treys.
Analysis: Nash now has dished 15 assists in three of the past four games to re-take the assists lead from Chris Paul.
Josh Smith: Killing Owners With His Shooting
Update: Smith was just 4-of-17 from the floor in scoring 16 points. He did have 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in the Hawks' win over the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: Smith is shooting just 37.8% for the season which has to kill fantasy owners because his rebound, steal and block totals are great. If Smith can get his shooting in the mid-40's, he is a top-10 fantasy player.
Brent Barry: Hot Hand From the Outside
Update: Barry knocked down 7-for-8 from the field, including 5-for-6 from 3-point range on his way to 19 points in 29 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: When Barry has the shooting stroke working he can put up a lot of treys in a hurry, but he is no longer consistent enough for regular fantasy use.
Manu Ginobili: Elite Numbers Continue
Update: Ginobili led the Spurs with 27 points on great shooting (8-for-17 FG, 9-for-10 FT) to go with five assists, four boards and two treys on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Big numbers have become a nightly expectation for Ginobili, who is challenging Tim Duncan as the best roto option on the Spurs this season.
Joe Johnson: Scores 22 in Win
Update: Johnson had 22 points (6-of-17 FG, 3-of-7 3-PT, 7-of-8 FT), seven rebounds and four assists in the Hawks' win over the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: Johnson continues to pace the Hawks in scoring, but his shooting percentage is hurting his overall value, as he is making less 3-pointers and scoring fewer points than last season. He does continue to increase his assists, which does offset some of his shooting woes.
Tim Duncan: Big Games Against Big Competition
Update: Duncan grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds to go with 20 points (8-for-14 FG), five assists and two blocked shots on Wednesday night against Dwight Howard and the Magic.
Analysis: Duncan's numbers are down this season, but he has a tendency to show up against the better teams. Duncan's four 20+ point efforts this season have come against the Magic, Rockets, Mavericks, and Hornets, as he apparently plays to the level of competion.
Tony Parker: Back-to-back Big Scoring Games
Update: Parker led the Spurs with 32 points (14-for-22 FG) and nine assists Wednesday night.
Analysis: This makes consecutive 30-point games for Parker, whose offense seems to be heating up right now.
Dwight Howard: Huge Game Against Duncan
Update: Howard exploded for 34 points (14-for-19 FG), 16 boards, three blocks and a steal on Wednesday night against Tim Duncan and the Spurs.
Analysis: Howard has produced big numbers this week against both Duncan and Kevin Garnett, arguably the two best defensive big men in the NBA. If they couldn't slow Howard down then he is just unguardable right now.
Hedo Turkoglu: Back to Big Numbers
Update: Turkoglu scored 26 points on excellent shooting (9-for-18 FG, 6-for-7 FT) to go with five assists, five boards and two treys on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Turkoglu had slowed down a bit lately after a strong start to the season, but his game Wednesday shows that he still has strong scoring potential.
Kyle Lowry: Outplayed Damon Stoudamire on Wednesday
Update: Lowry scored 11 points with six boards, five assists and two steals in 26 minutes of action off the bench Wednesday night.
Analysis: Lowry and Stoudamire have taken turns producing good numbers this year, and neither are consistent enough to be full-time roto starters. On the other hand, with Mike Conley (shoulder) out of the equation for awhile both Lowry and Stoudamire have the potential to produce often enough to be worthy of a roster spot in many leagues.
Mike Miller: Crashing the Boards
Update: Miller produced a 16-point/10-rebound double-double Wednesday night to go with three assists and a steal against the Raptors.
Analysis: Miller is averaging almost eight rebounds per game on the season, well above his career average. The increased boards help to make up a bit for Miller's lack of treys thus far on the year.
Jose Calderon: Solid in Replacement Start
Update: Calderon started on Wednesday night in place of the injured T.J. Ford and responded with 10 points, eight assists, four boards and two treys in 41 minutes of action.
Analysis: Calderon is a double-double threat on any night that he is the starting point guard.
Chris Bosh: Second Huge Game of Week
Update: Bosh grabbed a season-high 19 boards to go with 22 points (8-for-16 FG, 6-for-7 FT) and three assists Wednesday night.
Analysis: This was Bosh's second consecutive big game, a good sign that his balky knee is getting closer to full strength.
Michael Redd: More Rounded Numbers for Redd
Update: Redd flirted with a triple-double Wednesday night, scoring 26 points with eight boards and seven assists against the Lakers.
Analysis: This was the third time in the last four games that Redd, generally considered to be primarily a scorer, has produced at least 11 combined boards and assists.
Kobe Bryant: Scores 27 Against Bucks
Update: Bryant scored 27 points and handed out four assists in the Lakers' 110-103 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Another strong game from Bryant, whose scoring has improved the last few games after a few lackluster (by Bryant's standards) contests.
Derek Fisher: Scores 14 Against Bucks
Update: Fisher had 14 points and two assists in the Lakers' 110-103 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Fisher has shown the ability to score, but backup Jordan Farmar is nipping on his heels and could eventually take over his starting spot.
Vladimir Radmanovic: Scores 13 Against Bucks
Update: Radmanovic had 13 points, two rebounds and two assists in the Lakers' 110-103 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday.
Analysis: Radmanovic's play has been greatly improved this season, and it seems he's settling into the team's starting power forward role. He could be a solid pickup in deeper leagues, due to his three-point shooting.
Andrew Bynum: Another Double-Double
Update: Bynum produced a 16-point/13-rebound double-double in only 27 minutes of action Wednesday night. He shot 5-for-10 from the field, 6-for-7 from the line, and also blocked a shot on the night.
Analysis: Bynum is now working on three consecutive double-doubles and continues to quietly impress with consistently strong numbers.
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