FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Bonzi Wells: Big Game for Wells
Update: Wells had 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds and two steals in 31 minutes Monday.
Analysis: Much of his production was in garbage time and after Tracy McGrady left with a sprained ankle, but Wells is on a bit of a roll of late and could see more minutes if McGrady misses any time.
Yao Ming: Poor Game for Yao
Update: Yao struggled for the second straight game Monday, hitting just 3-of-11 shots and scoring 12 points.
Analysis: We wouldn't worry too much about this. The entire Rockets team was flat against the quicker and more energetic Sixers, and Yao was no exception.
Rafer Alston: Alston Still Out
Update: Coach Rick Adelman said Monday he wasn't going to rush Alston (groin) back into the lineup, the Associated Press reports. "We want him for long run," Adelman said. "We don't need him to hurt it again.
Analysis: There's a chance Alston could miss another game or two, so keep him on your bench until further notice.
Rafer Alston: Misses Second Game With Groin Injury
Update: Alston missed Monday's loss to Philadelphia with with a strained groin.
Analysis: It's the second consecutive game he's missed due to the injury. He may need to miss Wednesday's game as well. Steve Francis started in his place, but scored just one point in ten minutes.
Tracy McGrady: Sprains Right Ankle
Update: McGrade left Monday's game with a sprained right ankle.
Analysis: He scored 12 points before departing. More word on McGrady's status when we get it. Bonzi Wells, Mike James and Luther Head could see more minutes if McGrady were to miss any time.
Darryl Watkins: Released by Kings
Update: Watkins was waived by the Kings on Monday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Watkins was released so the Kings had an available roster spot for the recently-signed Dahntay Jones. Watkins only saw action in nine games with the Kings and averaged 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
Andrea Bargnani: Hopes to play Tuesday
Update: Bargnani (knee) practiced Monday after missing more than a week and hopes to play against Atlanta Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: "The knee is getting better every day," Bargnani said after Monday's practice. "Today I practiced normally and it was feeling good. I can try to play, we'll see (Tuesday)." If Bargnani returns to the Toronto lineup, it will be the first time he, T.J. Ford and Chris Bosh have played together since Nov. 20. Bargnani has been averaging 11.9 points per game.
Eduardo Najera: Expects to Play Wednesday
Update: Najera (knee contusion) says he expects to play Wednesday when Denver takes on New Orleans, the Rocky Mountain News reports.
Analysis: Najera will likely miss some practice time during the week, but the Nuggets do not play until Wednesday, giving him time to rest the knee.
Jamario Moon: Extends Block Streak to 13 Games
Update: Moon played under 20 minutes on Sunday, but still managed to extend his streak of games with at least one block to 13.
Analysis: He's experiencing some rookie growing pains, but since joining the Raptors' starting five Moon has averaged a more than respectable 8.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals per game.
T.J. Ford: Poor Performance on Sunday
Update: Ford (thumb) shot just 1-for-9 from the field Sunday, scoring three points with four assists in over 23 minutes.
Analysis: He did come up with two steals, but otherwise it was not kind of performance Ford owners were hoping to get from him now that he's back in the lineup. His offense is likely to be erratic until he's 100%.
Jamaal Tinsley: No Punishment After Shooting
Update: The Pacers will not punish Tinsley after he was targeted in a shooting early Sunday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Tinsley is rebounding from a poor 2006-07 season and is averaging 14.8 points per game to go with two steals and 8.7 assists. He still is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 14 for a separate incident.
Nick Young: Just Two Points Sunday
Update: Young, who saw 18+ minutes the previous two games, played just six minutes in Sunday's win over New Jersey and put up two points (1-4 FG).
Analysis: The guys ahead of him at his position were playing too well, and were not in any kind of foul trouble, for Young to spell them for too long. His playing time this season has been too random for him to warrant serious fantasy consideration.
Antawn Jamison: No Trouble Getting a Double-Double
Update: Jamison had 22 points (7-21 FG, 1-3 3pt, 7-8 FT) to go with 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals in Sunday's win over New Jersey.
Analysis: He now has double-doubles in 10 of the last 12 games. While he doesn't produce much outside of points and rebounds, he is one of the most consistent in the league in putting up good numbers in those two categories on a nightly basis.
DeShawn Stevenson: Rebounds From Tow Bad Games
Update: Stevenson scored 12 points (5-11 FG, 1-5 3pt, 1-1 FT) to go with three rebounds and a steal in Washington's win over New Jersey Sunday.
Analysis: He also a had a killer dunk over the Nets' Richard Jefferson. He is still shooting at a poor clip (37% on the season), and does not get off enough shots to compensate.
Darius Songaila: Sprained Ankle Muddies Good Game
Update: Songaila had 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 FT) and six rebounds in Sunday's win over the Nets before exiting with a sprained ankle, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: He has been seeing 15+ minutes a game, but this was his first game with double-digits in points since Nov. 20. No word yet on whether he will be able to go in Tuesday's game against Minnesota.
Andray Blatche: Limited Time After Big Game
Update: After scoring 19 points in 26 minutes Friday night, Blatche was held scoreless in eight minutes in Sunday's victory over the Nets.
Analysis: He pulled down five rebounds (two offensive). The lack of minutes is surprising, as he was not in foul trouble, and had been playing well of late. Fellow big man Darius Songaila went down with an ankle sprain late in the game, so Blatche may see more time Tuesday against the T-Wolves.
Richard Hamilton: Received League-Leading Fifth Technical
Update: Hamilton received his league-leading fifth technical foul Sunday.
Analysis: Teammate Rasheed Wallace has the reputation for drawing technicals, but Hamilton is generally not far behind him among the league leaders. It may be a long way off, but if Hamilton gets to 16 technicals this year, it will be a one-game suspension.
Keyon Dooling: Might Start Monday
Update: Dooling may get his fist start of the season Monday if guard Keith Bogans (quadriceps) is unable to play, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Bogans is not expected to miss an extended period of time, so any boost in numbers Dooling sees will be temporary.
Ronald Murray: Rarely Used in First Three Quarters
Update: Murray had four points and three assists in 11 minutes Sunday.
Analysis: Murray was a DNP-CD in each of the last two games, and in his last four appearances, he's basically only been on the floor during the fourth quarter of blowouts. Considering that Murray has started two games this year and played well off the bench in November, it's surprising that he's near the bottom of the Detroit rotation right now. His playing time should diminish even further when Rodney Stuckey returns next month.
Keith Bogans: Game-Time Decision Monday
Update: Bogans is recovering from a quadriceps injury suffered Friday and is a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Hawks, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Keyon Dooling is in line for his first start of the season if Bogans is unable to play. Bogans is averaging career highs in points (10.5) and field goal percentage (41.6%) this season.
Cheikh Samb: Sent Down to NBDL
Update: Samb has been sent down to the NBDL Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Analysis: Samb has played only 20 minutes in his brief NBA career, but he'll get plenty of minutes with Fort Wayne, starting with his NBDL debut on Thursday.
Stephon Marbury: Still Grieving
Update: Marbury will probably not play Monday, as he is still grieving over the death of his father, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Coach Isaiah Thomas said he would give Marbury as much time off as he needed. In the two games since his father's death, he is a combined 2-of-7 from the field and has just five assists.
Luke Walton: May Play Thursday
Update: Walton (ankle) said he would be able to play in Thursday's game against San Antonio, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: He had trouble running before Sunday's game, but remained optimistic about playing Thursday. We'll let you know if anything changes between now and then.
Francisco Garcia: Being Nurtured in Sacramento
Update: Garcia is prone to turnovers and monopolizing the ball, but Kings coach Reggie Theus doesn't want it to deter the third-year swingman, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "If you look closely at 'Cisco,' most of his mistakes occur when he's playing slow. He is one of our guys who has a tendency to pound the ball. I want him to be aggressive and attack the basket, and he can stretch the defense when he goes to the right spot on the floor," Theus said. Currently, Garcia may be the most valuable member of the Kings. Team officials have stressed they are willing to allow Garcia to grow as a player by playing him substantial minutes.
Louis Williams: Took a Hard Fall Saturday Night
Update: Williams, who took a hard fall in Saturday night's win over the Knicks, was reevaluated Sunday and is expected to play Monday, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.
Analysis: Williams, who leads the 76ers in free throw percentage (79.7) and three point shooting percentage (45), will see how he feels before Monday's game and try to play. If he can't suit up, he should return to the lineup later in the week.
Rodney Carney: Averaging Just 12 Minutes Per Game This Season
Update: Carney is averaging 12 minutes and 4.7 points per game this season. He had seven points and two rebounds Saturday night, knocking down his only three-point attempt after going 3-for-20 from beyond the arc in 14 previous games.
Analysis: Carney has been all but locked to the bench. When he played 7 minutes, 59 seconds on Saturday night, he was the fifth of seven reserves to make an appearance. He had not played at all in four of the previous five games. In 179 total minutes, he has committed just seven turnovers, but also has had only nine assists.
Ruben Patterson: Sits Because of the Heat
Update: Patterson was a DNP-CD on Sunday afternoon versus the Heat.
Analysis: Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy favored a larger lineup against Miami's rugged frontcourt, so it prompted him to use 6-foot-11 Paul Davis for 17 minutes, leaving Patterson idle for the first time this season.
Aaron Williams: Misses Game With Personal Matter
Update: Williams missed Sunday's game against Miami for personal reasons.
Analysis: The forward-center attended a funeral in Chicago and will rejoin the team on Monday, making him available on Tuesday versus New Jersey.
Tim Thomas: Bad Mouth Doesn't Stop Him
Update: Thomas (mouth) scored 10 points (3-of-9 FG, 3-of-5 3-PT) with four assists in the Clippers' loss to Miami on Sunday.
Analysis: Thomas hurt his jaw in the third quarter but returned in the final stanza to nail two 3-pointers less than a minute apart. The treys were instrumental in a 10-point run by the Clippers that tied the game at 90-all with 3:29 left. Ultimately, Los Angeles lost thanks to a hail of blown layups in the closing moments. There is no report of Thomas missing any time due to his injury, making it safe to insert him into a fantasy lineup as a third or fourth option at forward.
Kenyon Martin: Club Insists Minutes Will Remain Restricted
Update: The Nuggets would like to see Martin only play around 30 minutes a night for the next 3-4 weeks, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Head coach George Karl said he was going to try to keep Martin's court time to right around 30 minutes a night for the next 10-15 games. That should probably be taken with a grain of salt though as the club's starting PF has played 34, 35 and 37 in his last three games and was quoted as saying, "I can play 40 minutes if they need me to." The Nuggets' head trainer Steve Hess said Martin, in his eyes, is 100% ahead of schedule when asked about where he thought Martin would be at this time after last season's knee surgery. That's good news for his owners and possible suitors. If Martin is getting 30-35 minutes he should be able to provide 12-17 points, 5-9 rebounds, 1-2 blocks and 1-2 steals a night.
Trevor Ariza: Scores 11 Against Warriors
Update: Ariza had 11 points, four rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes of play during the Lakers' 123-113 win over the Warriors on Sunday.
Analysis: Ariza's increased minutes were a direct result of Luke Walton (ankle) missing the game. Ariza will continue to see additional minutes so long as Walton is out, and his production therefore should mimic Sunday's.
Lamar Odom: Posts Double-Double Against Warriors
Update: Odom had 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Lakers' 123-113 win over the Warriors on Sunday.
Analysis: Odom's 14 points came on only six shots, and we expect him to become a larger part of the offense in coming games.
Tim Duncan: Likely To Return Against Golden State
Update: Duncan, nursing a sprained ankle, has been deemed probable for Tuesday's game at Golden State, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: Emmanuel Ginobili has been the star since Duncan's injury scoring 37 points in each of the two games Duncan has missed.
Luke Walton: Misses Sunday's Game
Update: Walton (ankle) missed Sunday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: There was no word on his return, though his ankle sprain reportedly is in the ligament, which is worse than a normal muscle sprain.
Andrew Bynum: Comes Up Big Against Warriors
Update: Bynum had 20 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks in the Lakers' 123-113 win over the Warriors on Sunday.
Analysis: It seems that Coach Phil Jackson's motivational tactics worked, as Bynum had one of his best games of the season on Sunday.
Shaquille O'Neal: Needs More Shots
Update: Miami coach Pat Riley said O'Neal, who is averaging 10.4 field-goal attempts per game, needs to get more shots, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: O'Neal, who was 4-of-8 in Sunday's victory over the Clippers, has gone public with his displeasure about the number of shots he's getting. "He spends a lot of time on the bench -- and foul trouble, inadvertently, cuts four or five minutes in a row off," Riley said. "But he definitely should be getting more than 10 or 11 shots a game. He should be getting 15 shots a game. So we have to do a better job with that."
Craig Smith: Healthy Ankle Fuels Recent Surge
Update: Smith, who scored 16 points in Saturday's win over Phoenix, says his ankle is finally back to full strenth. "I'm finally feeling better," Smith told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "I just need to continue to work. I knew it would be tough getting back, especially spraining [the ankle] twice. But I just kept fighting, kept pushing away."
Analysis: Smith scored 36 points in his last two games and played a season-high 36 minutes in Saturday's win. He started at power forward on Saturday and it looks like he's going to get the bulk of minutes at the position while he's hot.
LeBron James: Expected to Return Tuesday
Update: James (finger) is expected to return for Tuesday's home game against Indiana, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: He's missed five consecutive games with a sprained left index finger
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