FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Corey Maggette: Will Probably Play Monday
Update: Maggette (hamstring) is probable for Monday's game against the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: "Last time, you heard it was supposed to be three weeks," Maggette said. "But everything is doing well and I had the opportunity to rest it and get some good strengthening from therapists and it's feeling good. Most likely, I'll be playing [against Houston]." The Clippers' leading scorer has missed four games after suffering his injury on Nov. 16. It might be risky starting Maggette for Week 5, but check back on his status before officially setting a lineup.
Carlos Delfino: Solid Game Off Bench Sunday
Update: Delfino played almost 30 minutes on Sunday, scoring 13 points with eight rebounds and two assists.
Analysis: His production is spotty, as his minutes depend on matchups and coach Sam Mitchell's whims, but when he gets a chance Delfino has been productive this season.
Chris Bosh: Double-Double on Sunday
Update: Bosh scored 16 points and added 13 rebounds in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
Analysis: He also added four assists, after disging five dimes on Saturday. Bosh has averaged more than 2.5 assists per game over the last two seasons, and the return of that aspect of his game might be the best indication yet that he's beginning to feel like his old self.
Andre Iguodala: Contributes Across the Board Saturday Night
Update: Iguodala had 26 points (8-17 FG, 9-10 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, five steals and two blocks in Saturday's loss to Golden State.
Analysis: Iguodala made up for some bad play earlier in the week but will have to continue to work on his shot and limiting his turnovers to warrant his early-round fantasy selection.
Michaela Pavlickova: Best Outing of Year
Update: Pavlovic scored 22 points and collected five assists Sunday night.
Analysis: In his best outing of the year, Pavlovic looks to be finally getting his legs back. Playing 41 minutes is evidence enough. Connecting on four 3-pointers and adding a steal against the Pacers, you should expect Pavlovic to finally start posting better numbers, after his offseason contract holdout lasted into the regular season.
Ronnie Price: More Playing Time
Update: Price, coming off a productive 12-point effort Friday, had two points in 14 minutes Sunday in Utah's victory over Detroit.
Analysis: Price was the first shooting guard off the bench ahead of Gordan Giricek, who was a DNP-CD against the Pistons. It wasn't clear whether Price's effort on Friday indicated a change in the depth chart, but Sunday's rotation appears to confirm it. We don't expect his move up the depth chart to mean much from a fantasy perspective, but if injuries hit the Jazz's backcourt, Price, who can play either guard position, will be ahead of Giricek in the line for available minutes.
Gordan Giricek: DNP-CD Sunday
Update: Giricek did not play in Sunday's game against Detroit.
Analysis: It appears that Ronnie Price has moved ahead of Giricek on the depth chart at shooting guard.
Deron Williams: No Problems With Toe
Update: Williams (toe) scored 21 points on 6-of-13 shooting with 14 assists in 41 minutes Sunday in Utah's victory over Detroit.
Analysis: Williams had been bothered by the toe for a couple weeks before undergoing surgery to remove an ingrown toenail. He played Friday, but was still feeling pain. Williams added four rebounds, three blocks, a steal and a 3-pointer to Sunday's stat sheet.
Nazr Mohammed: Season-High 14 Rebounds
Update: Mohammed scored seven points and grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds Sunday in Detroit's loss to Utah.
Analysis: Mohammed has been getting some extra playing time lately because of Rasheed Wallace's knee injury. Once Wallace returns, we expect Mohammed to return to a limited role off the bench.
Jason Maxiell: Second Consecutive Start
Update: Maxiell started in place of the injured Rasheed Wallace (knee) on Sunday.
Analysis: In 39 minutes, Maxiell had 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in a very busy afternoon.
Antonio McDyess: Double-Double Sunday
Update: McDyess scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds Sunday in Detroit's loss to Utah.
Analysis: McDyess played a season-high 39 minutes in the loss with Rasheed Wallace sidelined by a knee injury. Since returning from a shoulder injury three games ago, McDyess is averaging 17.0 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Richard Hamilton: Plays Through Flu
Update: Hamilton (flu-like symptoms) scored 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting in 37 minutes Sunday in Detroit's loss to Utah.
Analysis: Hamilton had been battling the flu over the weekend, but did not miss any game action.
Drew Gooden: Double-Double in Victory
Update: Gooden scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds Sunday night.
Analysis: Gooden played 40 minutes against the Pacers and will continue to see these types of minutes due to Cleveland's lack of depth in the front court. Gooden, who sports a solid 14-point/10-rebound average, is playing with a lot of confidence, thus creating the potential for his averages to rise a little.
Luol Deng: Returns to Action Sunday
Update: Deng (back) returned to action Sunday after missing three games.
Analysis: Deng led the Bulls with 21 points on 7-of-18 shooting with nine rebounds, four turnovers, three assists and a steal in 37 minutes in Chicago's loss to Toronto.
Jamario Moon: Multi-Category Producer
Update: Moon had 15 points (7-for-12 FG), nine rebounds, six blocks and three steals Sunday in Toronto's victory over Chicago.
Analysis: Moon isn't usually a big player when it comes to scoring, but he's averaging 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per game as a starter.
Jose Calderon: Fourteen Assists Sunday
Update: Calderon had 19 points and 14 assists (one turnover) Sunday in Toronto's victory over Chicago.
Analysis: Calderon was starting in place of the injured T.J. Ford once again and didn't disappoint. In three starts in place of Ford, Calderon is averaging 11.7 assists (1.0 turnovers) and 12.0 points.
LeBron James: Back-to-Back Triple-Double
Update: James collected his fourth triple-double of the year, doing it in back-to-back fashion. James scored 30 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists in a win over the Pacers.
Analysis: James continues his league leading play in every aspect of his offensive and defensive skill set. In putting up his fourth triple-double for the season, James also had four steals and a block. James is clearly the hottest fantasy player right now.
Kenyon Martin: Strains Knee
Update: Martin suffered a right knee strain in Saturday's loss to the Rockets, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Martin will be re-evaluated Sunday in Denver to determine the extent of the injury, which incidentally is on a knee that he has had microfracture surgery on. Martin said he'll probably undergo an MRI Sunday "or in the next couple of days."
Nick Young: Plays Season-High 22 Minutes
Update: Young scored seven points (on 2-of-7 shooting) in a season-high 22 minutes of action in Saturday's loss to the Grizzlies.
Analysis: Young has been seeing more minutes of late, but he'll need to achieve more consistency and contribute in more categories than just points before he is a legit fantasy option.
Brendan Haywood: Time-Share Brewing?
Update: Haywood scored eight points (on 3-of-9 shooting) and added six rebounds in 22 minutes of action in Saturday's loss to the Grizzlies.
Analysis: Let's not overreact, but on Saturday at least, Andray Blatche played about a minute more than Haywood did. We'll monitor the pair's minutes in upcoming games to see if this turns into a true time-share.
Andray Blatche: In Time-Share With Haywood?
Update: Blatche scored six points (on 3-of-9 shooting) and added four rebounds in 23 minutes of action in Saturday's loss to the Grizzlies.
Analysis: Brendan Haywood remains the starting center, but Blatche actually saw slightly more court time Saturday. We'll monitor this situation to see if that trend continues in upcoming days.
Rasheed Wallace: Misses Sunday's Game
Update: Wallace missed Sunday's game against Utah because of a knee injury, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Wallace, who injured the knee in the team's win over New York on Wednesday, also missed Friday's game. More on his status for next week as we know it.
Jason Kapono: Second Straight Solid Game Saturday
Update: Kapono played almost 24 minutes off the bench Saturday, going 3-for-6 from three point range and scoring 17 points.
Analysis: He's finally starting to justify his offseason signing, averaging 11.8 points and 1.8 threes over his last five games.
Jermaine O'Neal: Sitting Out Again
Update: O'Neal (knee) will miss his third consecutive game on Sunday against the Cavs, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: O'Neal could have an extended absence with this knee injury. The Pacers have said that they will hold him out until they figure out what's causing the swelling in his knee and how to combat it.
Jorge Garbajosa: Could Have Season-Ending Surgery
Update: Garbajosa will travel to Baltimore on Monday to see a specialist about his injured leg and ankle, and could elect to have season-ending surgery, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis: Spanish media sources are reporting that Garbajosa, who's missed six games already this season, has already decided to have the surgery, but the Raptors have so far not confirmed that, instead issuing a press release stating that "future treatment and therapy options remain undetermined at this point." You shouldn't have Garbajosa on your roster at this point anyway, but if you've been hanging onto him hoping for a repeat of last season's numbers the odds of that happening are looking increasingly remote.
Kevin Durant: Expected to Play with Ankle Injury
Update: Durant missed practice Saturday with an ankle sprain but is expected to play Sunday, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.
Analysis: Durant could have practiced, but the Sonics decided to give him a day off. The ankle injury doesn't sound serious.
Tony Allen: Bruised Right Thigh
Update: Allen left in the second quarter of Saturday night's victory over Charlotte with a bruised right thigh and did not return, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Without Allen, James Posey got more playing time for Boston.
Jason Richardson: Five Three-Pointers
Update: Richardson scored 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including a perfect 5-of-5 from 3-point range in Charlotte's loss to Boston on Saturday.
Analysis: Richardson, who had nine rebounds, five assists and a blocked shot in the loss, had his entire offensive repertoire working against the Celtics. He and Raymond Felton were getting to the rim consistently, while making Boston pay from long distance if they sat back.
Jared Dudley: Starts in Place of Gerald Wallace
Update: Dudley started in place of the injured Gerald Wallace (calf) on Saturday, scoring 11 points with nine rebounds (five offensive) and three assists in 38 minutes in Charlotte's loss to Boston.
Analysis: Dudley played well in his first NBA start, getting the Bobcats some extra possessions on the offensive glass and not forcing anything. He's clearly ready for more minutes, but a healthy Wallace will cut into Dudley's development.
Elton Brand: Important Appointment Looms Dec. 3
Update: Brand is scheduled to meet Dec. 3 with the physician that repaired his ruptured left Achilles' tendon, the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: "I'm feeling good," Brand said. "I'm hoping I hear some good news." If Brand's injury has progressed without any obstacles, his projected return is in mid-February, after the All-Star break. The power forward was injured in a workout last August.
Chris Kaman: No Foul Play This Year
Update: Kaman scored 18 points (7-of-13 FG, 4-of-6 FT) with 12 rebounds and two blocked shots in the Clippers' loss to New Orleans on Saturday night.
Analysis: He was whistled for his third foul with 6:26 left in the second quarter but didn't pick one up the rest of the way. Last season, unnecessary fouls limited Kaman's playing time and production as he fouled out of six games, twice the total of any other teammate. In 2007-08, he has yet to receive more than four whistles in a game. As a consequence, Kaman is averaging 38.1 minutes compared to 29.0 last season.
Corey Brewer: Stuck On Bench
Update: Brewer did not score in 10 minutes in Saturday's loss to Atlanta.
Analysis: Brewer's playing time continues to be erratic, as he's scored just four points in four games after getting a start at small forward on Nov. 17. He may not emerge with consistent minutes until later in the season.
Rashad McCants: Ends Shooting Slump
Update: McCants scored 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting in Saturday's loss to Atlanta. He rebounded from a 1-of-15 shooting performance on Friday.
Analysis: Head coach Randy Wittman didn't lose confidence in McCants despite his recent shooting slump, so he'll continue to start at shooting guard.
Sebastian Telfair: Minutes Continue to Shrink
Update: Telfair played a season-low 12 minutes in Saturday's loss to Atlanta, scoring six points with four assists.
Analysis: Marko Jaric continues to get more of the minutes at point guard with Telfair coming off the bench. Telfair's shot at significant minutes may have passed him by since Randy Foye will return at some point and make him third string.
Marko Jaric: Increased Playing Time
Update: Jaric scored 20 points with six assists, three blocks and a steal in 35 minutes in Saturday's loss to Atlanta.
Analysis: Jaric has played more than 30 minutes in two consecutive games as he's starting to take over more of the point guard playing time from Sebastian Telfair. He's someone to pick up in deeper leagues while he's hot since he'll continue to start with Randy Foye out at least another three weeks.
Mike Miller: Hits Five 3-Pointers in Win
Update: Miller hit five 3-pointers and had six rebounds and six assists in the Grizzlies' win over the Wizards on Saturday.
Analysis: Miller had 17 points total and is beginning to heat up from the 3-point line, as he has made seven 3s in his last two games.
Kyle Lowry: Solid Off The Bench
Update: Lowry had 17 points (2-of-5 FG, 0-of-1 3-PT, 13-of-14 FT), five rebounds and five assists in the Grizzlies' win over the Wizards on Saturday.
Analysis: Lowry did have six turnovers but was just two points off his season-high. Lowry is not a great shooter but does slash well as evidenced by his 14 free throw attempts. Lowry continues to get a solid 25 minutes a night in his backup role.
Pau Gasol: Nice Bouce Back in Win
Update: Gasol had 21 points (7-of-15 FG, 7-of-8 FT), nine rebounds and four blocks in the Grizzlies' win over the Wizards on Saturday.
Analysis: It's nice to see Gasol get over 20, as he had been under 20 in his last four games. We exepct Gasol's rebound totals to continue to rise, as he is currently averaging a career-low 6.9 per game.
Rudy Gay: Big Game in Win
Update: Gay (left ring finger) had 27 points (11-of-19 FG, 3-of-6 3-PT, 2-of-2 FT), eight rebounds and three steals in the Grizzlies' win over the Wizards on Saturday.
Analysis: Gay may be one of the more improved players in the NBA. He continues to score and has improved his shooting tremendously since last season. The big area that Gay will need to improve on is his assists (1.2 per game), if he is to become a fantasy superstar.
Josh Smith: Great All-Around Game
Update: Smith had 16 points (5-of-9 FG, 1-of-1 3-PT, 5-of-5 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and five blocks in the Hawks' win over Minnesota on Saturday.
Analysis: These are the all-around performances that make Smith such a great fantasy player. Another good sign for Smith was the 5-of-9 from the floor. Smith had been in a 7-of-33 slump.
Joe Johnson: Leads Hawks to Win
Update: Johnson had 25 points (9-of-21 FG, 2-of-5 3-PT, 5-of-6 FT), five assists and a steal in the Hawks' win over Minnesota on Saturday.
Analysis: The Hawks overcame a 21-point deficit to win their second straight on the road. Johnson is on a bit of a scoring role, as he has three straight games of at least 20 points.
Josh Howard: Posts Double-Double Against Bucks
Update: Howard had 24 points and 11 rebounds in the Mavs' 97-95 loss to the Bucks.
Analysis: Howard also had four assists, and he should not be to blame for the Mavs' recent woes.
Jason Terry: Scores 21 Against Bucks
Update: Terry had 21 points in Saturday's 97-95 loss to the Bucks, including 17 in the game's last 4:14.
Analysis: Terry's streakiness was on display Saturday, with only one point in the first half and then the 17 in four minutes later on.
Erick Dampier: Plays Four Minutes Against Bucks
Update: Dampier (shoulder) played only four minutes in the Mavs' 97-95 loss to the Bucks on Saturday.
Analysis: Dampier is clearly not fully recovered from shoulder surgery, meaning that DeSagana Diop and Brandon Bass should hold fantasy value for at least a few more games.
Mo Williams: Leads Bucks to Win after Spraining Ankle
Update: Williams sprained his ankle in the first quarter of Saturday's win over the Mavs, but returned to the game and finished with 19 points and 10 assists.
Analysis: Williams is always dinged up a little bit, but came back and played one of his better games of the season. He should continue to play through the sprain.
Dirk Nowitzki: Scores 20 Against Bucks
Update: Nowitzki had 20 points, three rebounds and three assists in the Mavs' 97-95 loss to the Bucks on Saturday.
Analysis: Nowitzki's three rebounds were his lowest in years, and fantasy owners should be officially concerned about last year's MVP, who is bearing little resemblance to the player he was last season. His scoring is down four points, his three-point shooting is down nine percent, and his rebounds are down as well.
Ray Allen: Scores 14 Against Bobcats
Update: Allen had 14 points, five assists and four rebounds in the C's 96-95 win over the Bobcats on Saturday.
Analysis: Everyone will remember Allen's game-winning three-pointer in this game, but Allen shot only 3-14 from the field before that point, including 0-5 from three-point range.
Paul Pierce: Scores 12 Against Bobcats
Update: Pierce had 23 points, seven assists and four rebounds in the C's 96-95 win over Charlotte on Saturday.
Analysis: Pierce's 5.2 assists per game so far this season is the highest single-season assist average of Pierce's career.
Kevin Garnett: Fills Up Stat Sheet Against Bobcats
Update: Garnett had 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals in the C's 96-95 win over Charlotte on Saturday.
Analysis: Garnett has posted a double-double in 11 out of the C's 12 contests so far this season.
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