FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Craig Smith: Hot Streak Continues
Update: Smith scored a team-high 36 points (14-for-22) with eight rebounds and a blocked shot in Minnesota's loss to Washington on Tuesday.
Analysis: Smith has landed in double-digits in seven of the last eight games, starting at power forward in the previous two. If Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman commits the minutes to Smith, he should be a good source of rebounds with double-double potential.
Anderson Varejao: Season Debut
Update: Varejao made his season debut Tuesday night, playing 23 minutes off the bench in Cleveland's victory over Indiana.
Analysis: Varejao had six points and nine rebounds in the win. With Varejao back in the fold, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown will be happy to give some rest to starters Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Eric Snow: Starts in Place of Daniel Gibson
Update: Snow started at point guard in place of Daniel Gibson (wisdom teeth) on Tuesday in Cleveland's victory over Indiana.
Analysis: Snow scored two points with five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block in 29 minutes.
Jeff Foster: Back Spasms
Update: Foster sat out Tuesday night's game against Cleveland because of back spasms.
Analysis: Troy Murphy got the start at center for the Pacers, who come right back to play Wednesday night against Chicago.
Tim Thomas: Leads the Clips to Victory
Update: Thomas (jaw) had 18 points and four assists in the Clippers' win at New Jersey on Tuesday.
Analysis: The power forward led a 14-3 run in the third quarter to help guide the Clippers to their first win in New Jersey since 1998. Thomas is averaging 13.9 points and career-high 5.6 rebounds this season. He was hit hard in mouth on Sunday against Miami but appeared to be fine Tuesday night.
Josh Childress: Returns to Action Tuesday
Update: Childress returned to action Tuesday night after missing two games with a strained groin.
Analysis: Childress scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 28 minutes in Atlanta's loss to Toronto.
Andrea Bargnani: Returns to Action Tuesday
Update: Bargnani returned to action Tuesday night after missing four games with a knee injury.
Analysis: Bargnani came off the bench and played a scoreless (0-for-4) 12 minutes with two rebounds in Toronto's victory over Atlanta.
Chris Kaman: Six Consecutive Double-Doubles
Update: Kaman scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the Clippers' win over the Nets on Tuesday night.
Analysis: He shot 8-of-14 from the field and registered his sixth straight double-double.
Jason Kapono: Leaves Game with Wrist Injury
Update: Kapono left Tuesday's game against the Hawks with a sprained left wrist and will not return, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: The injury originally was thought to be more serious when Kapono immediately left the game grasping his wrist in obvious pain after fouling Hawks forward Shelden Williams. But X-rays taken in the locker room were negative.
Quinton Ross: Leaves Game with Back Injury
Update: Ross left Tuesday's game in the third quarter with a back injury.
Analysis: No word on the severity of the injury, but Ross is not expected to return to the game.
T.J. Ford: Taken Off in Stretcher
Update: Ford was taken off the floor in a stretcher with an apparent head injury Tuesday.
Analysis: Ford, who has a history of neck and spinal injuries, was immobilized by team medical personnel and taken to the locker room.
LeBron James: First Game Back From Injury
Update: In James' first game back from a finger injury, he scored 17 points in just 20 minutes.
Analysis: This should be the only game you see James coming off the bench. In just 20 minutes of play, he scored 20 points and added five assists, three rebounds, a block and a steal. That's not bad considering the Cavaliers beat the Pacers convincingly.
Larry Hughes: Huge Night off the Bench
Update: Hughes, who came off the bench in his second game back from injury, scored 36 points, going 13-17 from the field.
Analysis: Hughes seems to be adjusting to his new role quite nicely. Hughes, to go along with his season-high 36 points, also connected on five 3-pointers. Hughes also had three steals and two blocks as well. It looks as if Hughes may be out of his early season slump and healthy.
Ben Wallace: Possible Cut in Playing Time
Update: Despite playing well of late, Wallace could see a cut in playing time to afford more minutes for Andres Nocioni, the Arlington Daily Herald reports.
Analysis: Coach Scott Skiles has two options. If the Bulls play Luol Deng and Nocioni at the two forward spots, Wallace is going to have to sit more often than not in favor of Joakim Noah, Joe Smith or forgotten man Tyrus Thomas because Chicago will be too small down low. Or the Bulls will need to finally play Deng at shooting guard more often, which would mean less minutes for either Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich or Chris Duhon. No final determination has been made by Skiles on this, but if you get a really good offer for Wallace, consider taking it.
Scot Pollard: Misses Practice
Update: Pollard missed practice Tuesday with lower back pain, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Starting center Kendrick Perkins is also battling an injury and coach Doc Rivers said, "Right now, I would say there's a very good chance we're going to be without Perk and Scot Pollard" against the Kings on Wednesday.
Kendrick Perkins: May Miss Wednesday Game with Sore Toe
Update: Perkins may miss Wednesday night's game against the Kings after he said part on his bed fell of his toe, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: X-rays on his toe were negative. Perkins did not practice Tuesday and was limited to riding a bike. The Celtics may also be without backup forward Scot Pollard, who is battling lower back pain.
Larry Hughes: Not Playing Point Guard any More
Update: Hughes, who scored 22 points in his first game back from injury off the bench, will not play point guard any more coach Mike Brown said, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Brown has committed to not playing Hughes at point guard anymore but that might not be the only change for Hughes. "I enjoyed having him come off the bench against Charlotte and that's something we can always explore," Brown said. This could be the best thing for Hughes given that playing point guard has not worked out this season. Coming off the bench at shooting guard will allow him to be more weapon in the Cavaliers offense.
LaMarcus Aldridge: Out at Least One Week
Update: Aldridge will miss at least the next week of action after a magnetic resonance imaging test on Monday revealed he has plantar fascitis in his right foot, The Oregonian reports.
Analysis: This is a huge hit for the Blazers considering they have won three straight games. Something like plantar fasciitis can take longer than a week. We will keep you posted.
Randy Foye: Out Another 3 to 4 Weeks
Update: Foye will be out another three to four weeks after an MRI showed the stress reaction in his knee still isn't ready for him to return to the court, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Foye has been running and dunked a basketball, so the good news is that he may be ready to play right away when cleared as his conditioning won't be as far behind. Marko Jaric will continue to start at point guard with Foye out with Sebastian Telfair also getting significant minutes.
Chris Bosh: Groin Fully Healed
Update: Bosh (groin) practiced with the team fully on Monday and felt no ill-effects of his groin injury, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis: "I feel great," Bosh proclaimed. "I wasn't sure how I'd react, but my body feels fine and I'm prepared for the upcoming challenge." Bosh is the leader of this team and his presence on the court is extremely important for their success. This season, Bosh is averaging 19 PPG, eight RPG and 1.44 BPG to lead the Raptors in the first two categories (he is second on the team in BPG).
Matt Harpring: Still Recovering from Surgery
Update: Harpring (knee) is still feeling the effects of his offseason knee surgery, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: He has had his minutes limited so far this season, averaging only 15 per game but he is starting to feel better and looking for a more involved role with the team. "It's definitely gotten better," Harpring said. "I feel like it's gotten stronger. I've been working out, doing a lot of rehab on it, so I feel it has gotten better." He is averaging 7.4 PPG and 2.8 RPG, but until he proves that he if fully healthy he should not be counted on to provide much fantasy help.
Reggie Evans: Will Play Through the Pain
Update: Evans (sore right shoulder) injured himself on Nov. 28 against Utah, but plans on playing through the pain, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: "It hurts," Evans said. "All I can do is keep playing and possibly rest at times in practice." In Monday night's game, Evans had 11 points and one board.
Boris Diaw: Could See Increased Playing Time
Update: Head coach Mike D'Antoni said that he needed to find more minutes for Diaw according to the Arizona Republic.
Analysis: "It's hard, but I still gotta do it. That's not Boris' fault. He's playing well. He's got to get on the floor a little more," D'Antoni said. This season, Diaw has played in average of 26.2 minutes after averaging more than 30 minutes per game the last two seasons. Every major offensive statistical category is down for Diaw this year, and the decrease in playing time is definitely to blame.
Kwame Brown: Hopes to Return By Sunday
Update: Brown (knee, ankle) hopes to return to the Lakers' lineup for Sunday's game against the Clippers, the LA Daily News reports.
Analysis: Brown has only played in seven games this year, averaging a meager 4.3 points per game, but coach Phil Jackson is more of a fan of Brown's defensive potential. The only problem with Brown's return is that Andrew Bynum has played well in his absence and they will probably limit each other's minutes.
Baron Davis: Misses Monday's Practice
Update: Davis was excused for personal reasons from Golden State's practice on Monday, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Davis will play on Tuesday night, so there are not injury implications with this missed practice. Davis has been lighting it up for the Warriors this season, averaging 23 PPG, 8.5 APG, and 5.2 RPG, and should be in your lineup at all times.
J.R. Smith: Struggles to Hit Threes in December
Update: Smith's three-point shooting percentage has dipped to 38.2% in the month of December, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Smith is playing with an injured thumb, which he says is bothersome, but it had bothered him in November when he was hitting his threes so that probably isn't the problem. "The thing that was driving me crazy was his decisions," coach George Karl said. "Fouling with five seconds to go in the half. Childish, immature decisions. J.R. is still a young player, so inconsistency is probably part of his personality." Despite only hitting one three pointer all month, Smith is still second on the team to Eduardo Najera's 40%.
Eddie Jones: Looking to Return Soon
Update: As ordered by head coach Avery Johnson, Jones (ankle) has lost some pounds to reach a playable weight, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Jones is looking at a Wednesday return against Toronto, but this is not a definite yet. Jones was projected to be the Mavs' starting shooting guard at the beginning of the season, but has barely played so far due to injury. When he returns he will battle Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George for minutes, which will limit his fantasy value.
Daniel Gibson: Left Practice Due to Injured Tooth
Update: Gibson (wisdom tooth) had to leave Monday's practice and will not play in Tuesday night's game against Indiana, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: This is the only bad news for a team that looks to finally be getting healthy, with the return of LeBron James, Larry Hughes, and Anderson Varejao. It is unclear how long this toothache will sideline Gibson, but keep him out of your lineup until further notice.
Antoine Walker: Questionable For Tuesday
Update: Walker (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's game against Washington, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Walker has missed two games with the injury, so don't put him back into your lineup until he plays in a game again.
Greg Buckner: Out With Calf Injury
Update: Buckner will miss Tuesday's game against Washington due to a calf injury, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: His playing time has fallen off steadily since the start of the season as the T-Wolves give younger players more time.
Darius Songaila: Game-Time Decision
Update: Songaila, who rolled his left ankle late in Sunday's game and did not practice Monday, will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's game against the T-Wolves, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: If Songaila can't play, fellow big men Brendan Haywood and Andray Blatche would figure to see some added minutes.
Brian Cook: Struggling to Find Spot in Rotation
Update: After being acquired from the Lakers three weeks ago, Cook has been unable to find a spot in Orlando's rotation.
Analysis: He has yet to play more than eight minutes or score more than five points in a game with his new team, making it difficult for him to have any real fantasy value right now.
Maurice Evans: More Minutes with New Team
Update: After being traded from the Lakers three weeks ago, Evans is averaging almost 19 minutes and scoring 7.1 points per game with his new team.
Analysis: Evans was only averaging 13 minutes and 4.4 points per game with the Lakers. He has provided the Magic the athletic wing player off the bench they were hoping Trevor Ariza would be this season.
Dwight Howard: Shut Down by Hawks
Update: Though Howard still managed 14 points and 18 rebounds, he only attempted seven shots from the field and shot a dreadful 6-of-14 from the free throw line in Orlando's loss to Atlanta on Monday night.
Analysis: Atlanta consistently double-teamed Howard and chose to put him on the line rather than let him have easy dunks, a strategy that proved to be very effective. Howard leads the league with 11.7 free throw attempts per game, but he's only making 7.1 of those shots each game and is shooting 60.7 percent from the line. Howard is clearly the most dominant young big man in the game, but he must improve his free throw percentage so opposing teams are forced to stop employing the "Hack-a-Shaq" method on him.
Rashard Lewis: Rough Shooting Night
Update: Lewis shot 5-of-13 from the field, including only 3-of-10 behind the three point arc, and scored 15 points in Orlando's loss to Atlanta on Monday night.
Analysis: Lewis also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out two assists in the game. Though his struggles from the field continue, Lewis continues pouring in shots from three point land. He's made 16 over his last five games and now has made a league-leading 61 threes this season.
Jason Smith: Playing Limited Minutes
Update: Smith had six points (3-6 FG) and five rebounds in Monday night's win over the Rockets.
Analysis: Smith played 11 minutes and will likely continue to see limited minutes. 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks said he would expand his rotation and use more of the bench and he has done that. Smith will see some minutes here and there but not enough to be fantasy worthy.
Keith Bogans: Points Per Game Increasing
Update: Bogans scored 12 points and made three three-pointers in Orlando's loss to Atlanta on Monday night.
Analysis: Bogans has now scored in double-digits in four straight games, averaging 14.7 points per game over that span. Bogans continues to be a good source of threes as well -- he's hit at least three in four of his last five games.
Jameer Nelson: Inconsistency Continues
Update: Nelson scored six points in only 26 minutes of action in Orlando's loss to Atlanta on Monday night.
Analysis: Nelson only had four assists and one rebound in the game as well. It appears that he won't be giving consistent production any time soon, so fantasy owners are just going to have to live with his off-nights.
Kyle Korver: Shot Well on Monday Night
Update: Korver had 14 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-3 FT), three rebounds and three assists in Monday night's win over the Rockets.
Analysis: Korver also committed four turnovers but shot well from beyond the arc making both of his attempts. His shot selection was better and if he keeps that up he should improve his shooting percentage.
Willie Green: Paced the Sixers Monday Night
Update: Green had 20 points (8-15 FG, 1-3 3PT, 3-4 FT), six rebounds and four assists in Monday night's win over the Rockets.
Analysis: Green played 28 minutes and pushed the Sixers to an early lead with some key buckets in the first half. As long as he remains consistent with his shot, he will stay in the starting lineup and remain an option in fantasy leagues.
Jeff Green: More Minutes are in Store
Update: Green could get more minutes in Seattle's upcoming games, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: The report doesn't offer many details, but it's no secret the Sonics want Green to play in, at least, the 25-minute range. The last three games, he's logged 12, 14 and 14 minutes, partly due to cold shooting and partly due to game situations.
Kurt Thomas: Expected to Play Tuesday with Stitched Lip
Update: Thomas (hamstring), who did not practice Monday because of swelling in his upper lip, is expected to play Tuesday, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: Thomas suffered a cut lip in Sunday's game that required three stitches. He should be fine to play Tuesday, though. Thomas lost about five minutes per game after Nick Collison returned from injury recently, but he's still logging about 25 minutes a game. He won't do much scoring, but he can help with rebounds. He's averaging 11.8 rebounds in his last seven games. Thomas' tender hamstring doesn't seem to be limiting him, but it could flare up at any time.
Delonte West: Game-Time Decision for Tuesday
Update: West, who hasn't played since Dec. 2 due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot is a game-time decision Tuesday, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: West shot baskets Monday, as the Sonics had only a light workout. If West returns Tuesday, his minutes are likely to be limited anyway.
Luke Ridnour: Sore After Returning from Extended Abscence
Update: Ridnour felt soreness Monday in his partially torn left quadriceps after returning to game action the previous day and is a game-time decision for Tuesday's game, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: Ridnour played 12 minutes Sunday after missing the previous 12 games. He'll be eased back into his point guard role, so don't expect a lot of minutes for the next week or so.
Brad Miller: Bucking Shots for Passes
Update: Miller had 17 points (7-of-10 FG, 3-of-4 FT) and 10 rebounds in Sacramento's win over Milwaukee Monday.
Analysis: If Miller decided to shoot more from the outside he'd probably average four points per game more. He is a pass-first, shoot-second center who is skilled enough to take his game outside of the key and stick jumpers with regularity. Thus, Kings coach Reggie Theus is encouraging him to attempt more shots. In his last five games, Miller is averaging 12.0 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 48.9% from the floor.
Mikki Moore: Light Contribution on Monday
Update: Moore scored five points (1-of-4 FG) with five rebounds and three steals in the Kings' win over the Bucks on Monday.
Analysis: Sacramento's starting power forward sat out most of the second half as the Kings played with a smaller lineup. In his last six games, Moore is averaging 29.0 minutes, 8.8 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 48.8% from the field. He is a No. 4 or No. 5 forward in deep leagues.
Kenyon Martin: Sits Out Monday Practice
Update: Martin sat out Monday's practice but it was purely precautionary, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: The club was just giving Martin and his surgically repaired knee some rest. He is fully expected to play on Wednesday against New Orleans so use him as you normally would.
Ron Artest: Suits Thrown Out
Update: Two civil lawsuits against Artest were dismissed Monday by a District Court judge in Michigan, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "They were just trying to get a couple bucks. I guess just a couple guys trying to get money," Artest said. The suits stem from the ill-famed fracas between Detroit and Indiana three years ago at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Rasheed Wallace: Missed Practice
Update: Wallace sat out practice Monday to rest his sore legs, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis: Wallace isn't expected to miss any time right now, but he's had some knee and calf issues already this year, so don't be surprised if he misses a few games here and there.
Brandon Wallace: Sufferes Wrist Injury in NBDL
Update: Wallace suffered a carpal injury in his shooting wrist and will miss two weeks of NBDL play, according to the Boston Herald.
Analysis: With the C's winning games in bunches, we don't expect Wallace to be called up to the big club for a long while, especially given this injury.
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