FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Lamar Odom: Terrific December Continues
Update: Odom came through with 17 points and 16 rebounds during the Lakers' win Tuesday.
Analysis: After a slow start to the season while recovering from offseason surgery, Odom is averaging 15.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists during eight games in December.
Andrew Bynum: Another Double-Double
Update: Bynum had 12 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and four blocked shots in 40 minutes of playing time Tuesday.
Analysis: Over the last three games, Bynum is averaging 14.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks. He's an early candidate for the NBA's most improved player this season.
Luol Deng: Scores 26 in Loss
Update: Deng (back) led the Bulls with 26 points on 11-of-21 shooting during the team's loss to the Lakers Tuesday.
Analysis: Deng added seven rebounds, two assists, one 3-pointer and one block in 38 minutes of action. His sore back did not appear to be an issue Tuesday.
Francisco Garcia: Scores 24 Points in 26 Minutes
Update: Garcia played 26 minutes and scored 24 points in the Kings' win over the Nets Tuesday night.
Analysis: Garcia was on fire from downtown, shooting 5-of-8 from behind the arc, inspiring the Kings to play better. In the last six games, the third-year swingman is averaging 14.8 points and hitting 50% (13-of-26) from three-point range. He is a worthy fantasy start in most leagues while Kevin Martin sits out with a groin injury.
Sean Williams: Swats Eight Shots as Starter
Update: Williams celebrated being inserted back into the starting lineup by scoring 11 points and blocking eight shots during the Nets' loss to the Kings.
Analysis: Run, don't walk, to pick him up. Williams also picked up two steals in 42 minutes of action. While there's no guarantee he'll remain in the starting five, Williams has averaged a ridiculous 2.2 blocks per game in just around 19 minutes per game. He has serious upside.
John Salmons: Rips the Nets for a Career-High
Update: Salmons scored a career-high 31 points with seven assists, four rebounds and three steals in Sacramento's win over the Nets on Tuesday night.
Analysis: Salmons made his seventh consecutive start at shooting guard in place of Kevin Martin, who is out with a groin injury. He was 13-of-18 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from three-point range. Entering Wednesday, Salmons was leading the NBA in 3-point accuracy for December at 66.7%. New Jersey had no answer for him defensively.
Vince Carter: Will Play Tuesday
Update: Carter (ankle) will play Tuesday night against Sacramento, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Carter suffered a sore right ankle earlier this week, but the injury was never considered serious.
Bostjan Nachbar: Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Update: Nachbar (ankle) will be a game-time decision Tuesday night against Sacramento, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Nachbar says the ankle has improved, but is still sore.
Nene Hilario: Nene to Begin Practicing Friday
Update: Nene (thumb) has been cleared to begin ball-handling and shooting, and will be cleared for full basketball activity on Friday, according to The Denver Post.
Analysis: Nuggets coach George Karl said he expects Nene to get back into the Denver lineup around Jan. 1. Nene, who will wear a small splint on his thumb upon his return, has appeared in only five games for Denver, in which he averaged six points and five rebounds.
Alando Tucker: Tucker Brought Back to Phoenix
Update: Tucker was brought back up to Phoenix from the D-League to replace fellow rookie D.J. Strawberry, who was sent to the NBADL, The Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: Tucker has been on an offensive tear through the D-League. He scored 40 on Dec. 14, and then followed it up with 32 on Dec. 15. Through five games, Tucker is averaging 28 points and 7 boards a game. The rookie from Wisconsin won't likely see much time with the Suns, but he could be securing a spot in the team's future plans.
Mehmet Okur: Okur Questionable for Wednesday
Update: Okur (shoulder) missed his fourth-straight game Monday, and is questionable for Utah's next game Wednesday at Charlotte, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: "I feel better - but that's without contact, without pushing against anybody," Okur said. The 28-year old is putting up 12 points and five boards a game in just under 30 minutes per game this season for the Jazz. Utah has gone 1-3 in Okur's absence.
Brandon Wallace: Wallace Released by Celtics
Update: Wallace was released by Boston Tuesday.
Analysis: Wallace's contract would have become guaranteed had he been on the Boston roster on Dec. 20. Wallace had zero fantasy value with the C's, and that trend will likely continue even if Wallace picks up a 10-day contract will another team.
LaMarcus Aldridge: Aldridge May Play Wednesday
Update: Aldridge (foot) removed his orthopedic boot and got in a shooting workout Monday, clearing his return to the lineup for Portland's match up with Toronto Wednesday, The Columbian reports.
Analysis: Aldridge has missed five games due to the plantar fasciitis in his right foot. The second-year man out of Texas experienced no pain during his Monday shootaround, and if continues to play pain-free in Tuesday's practice he will likely be in Portland's starting lineup. Stay tuned for Tuesday's development.
Nick Young: Will Get Another Start
Update: Coach Eddie Jordan said that Young will get another shot at starting Wednesday night against the Bulls, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Regardless of who fills in as the starter for Antonio Daniels, Roger Mason Jr. will remain in the mix. "I want to give Nick another chance and see if he can stay out of foul trouble and defend properly," Jordan said. "And then Mason comes off and he's in a position where we know that he can be successful. That's not to say that he can't be successful as a starter, but it's just that we want to go with what we know is a given right now."
Reggie Evans: Should Be Okay By Wednesday's Game
Update: Evans (strained right shoulder) did not practice Monday and is listed as day-to-day, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Evans has been playing with the injury but is expected to be ready by Wednesday's game. He continues to rebound the ball well but isn't producing much in other areas.
Louis Williams: Continues to Have Soreness With His Toe
Update: Williams (right big toe) did not practice Monday and is listed as day-to-day, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Williams has soreness in his right big toe, in which he suffered a slight fracture on December 8. He should continue to play but remains a risky option in fantasy leagues.
Grant Hill: Leads Suns in Scoring Monday
Update: Hill played nearly 32 minutes on Monday, leading the Suns with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting while also adding seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Analysis: He was also a perfect 6-for-6 on free throws. Hill is having his best season statistically since '04-'05, and more importantly has remained healthy. So far it looks like playing in the desert is agreeing with Hill.
Rashard Lewis: Plays Despite Injury
Update: Lewis (neck) played Monday night and recorded 15 points and eight rebounds in Orlando's loss to Dallas.
Analysis: Lewis was questionable for the game but was able to start and play 40 minutes. He's still day-to-day, so make sure to check Orlando's starting lineup before their next game Wednesday at Houston.
Leandro Barbosa: Still Struggling With Shot
Update: Barbosa scored 18 points but shot just 6-for-19 from the field in Monday's win over the Spurs.
Analysis: He's shooting just 37.0% (20-for-54) from the field and 32.0% (8-for-25) from three point range over his last four games, and on the season his 34.4% (54-for-157) from three point range is 90 points lower than last season's average. The Suns are going to let him keep firing until he finds his shot, but Barbosa's production could remain inconsistent until he does.
Hedo Turkoglu: Explodes Again
Update: Turkoglu made a season-high 10 shots from the field en route to scoring 26 points in Orlando's loss to Dallas on Monday night.
Analysis: Turkoglu also had six rebounds and four assists in the game. Monday's effort was Turkoglu's twelfth game with at least 20 points this season.
Corey Brewer: Held Scoreless
Update: Brewer did not score and was 0-for-4 from the field, but did grab seven rebounds, in Monday's loss to Miami.
Analysis: The good news is that Brewer has been starting at small forward and getting significant minutes. The bad news is that his offensive game is inconsistent and he can have bad shooting nights like these.
Dwight Howard: Good Effort in Defeat
Update: Howard scored 22 points and had 13 rebounds in Orlando's loss to Dallas on Monday night.
Analysis: Howard also had five assists and was a solid 4-of-5 from the free throw line. Howard is so good that both his huge scoring and rebound totals from Monday night's game were below his season averages of 23.6 points and 15.3 rebounds per game.
Marko Jaric: Second Ugly Outing
Update: Jaric did not score and was 0-for-3 from the field in 22 minutes in Monday's loss to Miami.
Analysis: Jaric has had two consecutive ugly outings (one point in his previous game) while Sebastain Telfair has been playing well. He's at risk to lose playing time if he doesn't turn things around.
Jameer Nelson: Double-Digit Scoring Again
Update: Nelson scored 13 points and dished out five assists in Orlando's loss to Dallas on Monday.
Analysis: Nelson has scored at least 13 points in three straight games. He's also had 19 assists and only six turnovers over that span, so hopefully this is another sign that Nelson is close to becoming a consistent player.
Sebastian Telfair: Outplaying Marko Jaric
Update: Telfair scored 17 points with six assists in 37 minutes in Monday's loss to Miami.
Analysis: He's outplayed Marko Jaric the last week, although they've both been used in the backcourt. After slumping in November, Telfair has improved in December and should get significant minutes while Randy Foye remains out with a knee injury.
Michael Doleac: Gets Rare Start
Update: Doleac started at center in Monday's loss to Miami and scored four points with one rebound in 25 minutes.
Analysis: This was a rare start as he's played just six games all season. It likely came because he faced his former team. Expect him to return to the bench since he didn't give much reason to earn additional playing time.
Keith Bogans: Back to Regular Playing Time
Update: Bogans (quad) played 33 minutes and scored nine points in Orlando's loss to Dallas on Monday night.
Analysis: Bogans has played 33 minutes in the last two games after playing under 28 minutes in the previous two games. He also had two steals and a three-pointer in the game and it looks like he's almost back to full health.
Richard Hamilton: Missed Practice
Update: Hamilton (sore legs) did not practice Monday, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Hamilton received treatment on his legs and other "nagging" injuries. He's really been banged up so far this season, but the only two games he's missed were when his first child was born.
Ron Artest: In the Midst of Chilly Stretch
Update: Artest hopes to shake out of a slump on Tuesday at New Jersey.
Analysis: Artest has scored 11 points or less in four of his last five games. The small forward is shooting 34.3 percent from the floor and 60.0 percent from the free-throw line during that stretch. It has become increasingly difficult for Artest to get the ball in the post as opponents have sent double-teams at him once he nears the key. The Kings are currently working on plays to counteract that strategy.
Elton Brand: Enters Brand-New Phase
Update: On Monday, Brand (Achilles) was able to participate in drills that allowed him to leave his feet for the first time since being injured in August, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: "It felt good," Brand said. "Light jump shots, shooting, ballhandling, defensive slides earlier. Everything was real low impact. It was a big step for me today." Recently, he was approved to enter the next phase of his rehabilitation.
Elton Brand: Enters Brand-New Phase
Update: On Monday, Brand (Achilles) was able to participate in drills that allowed him to leave his feet for the first time since being injured in August, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: "It felt good," Brand said. "Light jump shots, shooting, ballhandling, defensive slides earlier. Everything was real low impact. It was a big step for me today." Recently, he was approved to enter the next phase of his rehabilitation.
Jerry Stackhouse: Scores 21 Against Magic
Update: Stackhouse scored 21 points in the Mavs' 111-108 win over the Magic on Monday.
Analysis: Stackhouse seems to have found his scoring groove, averaging nearly 14 ppg in the month of December, and scoring at least 16 in his last three games. The return of Eddie Jones (ankle), while taking away some of Stackhouse's minutes, has also been able to keep Stack relatively fresh and able to focus on scoring when he does get on the court.
Eddie Jones: Returns to Starting Lineup
Update: Jones (ankle) returned to the Mavs' starting lineup on Monday, scoring three points and grabbing six rebounds in a 111-108 win over the Magic.
Analysis: Jones won't carry much fantasy value, but his presence will keep Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse fresh.
Jason Terry: Returns to Sixth Man Role
Update: Terry came off the bench to score eight points on 4-11 shooting in the Mavs' 111-108 win over the Magic on Monday.
Analysis: Terry will remain as the Mavs' sixth man for the rest of the season, barring another injury to Eddie Jones.
Josh Howard: Another Solid Outing Against Magic
Update: Howard had 19 points and six rebounds in the Mavs' 111-108 win over the Magic on Monday night.
Analysis: One often-overlooked aspect of Howard's game is his impeccable free-throw shooting. Howard went 5-5 from the line on Monday, and is now shooting 86% from the charity stripe this year.
Luol Deng: Sore Back Could Be Season-Long Issue
Update: One day after participating in the Bulls' 2 1/2 -hour practice, Deng sat out Monday with a sore back that, for the first time, he acknowledged could be a season-long issue, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Deng, who was injured Nov. 15 in Phoenix and missed three games on the team's West Coast trip, said he planned to play Tuesday against the Lakers and continues to undergo daily treatment and rehabilitation. Deng hasn't let the soreness affect his performance of late, averaging 21 points in his last six games and has taken the team lead in scoring at 18.1 points per game and shooting at 47.7 percent.
Francisco Elson: Questionable Against Memphis
Update: Elson (sprained left ankle) could return against Memphis on Wednesday, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: If Elson is able to practice on Tuesday and shows no ill effects, expect him to play against Memphis.
Tony Parker: Unlikely to Play Against Memphis
Update: Parker (sprained left ankle) isn't likely to play in Memphis on Wednesday night, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: "The first game possible is probably Saturday against the Clippers," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's just got an inflammation. I don't want to play, and he comes right back, and he's got the same problem again. I want to leave him out long enough that the thing has a chance to heal." Jacque Vaughn will continue to start in Parker's place.
Jacque Vaughn: Solid in Loss
Update: Vaughn had 14 points (7-of-10 FG), two rebounds and four assists in the Spurs' loss to the Suns on Monday.
Analysis: Vaughn was solid but not spectacular in the loss. As long as Tony Parker remains out, look for Vaughn to get at least 30 minutes a night.
Manu Ginobili: In a Mini-Slump
Update: Ginobili scored 18 points (6-of-19 FG, 1-of-6 3-PT, 5-of-6 FT), four rebounds, five assists and a block in the Spurs' loss to the Suns on Monday.
Analysis: Ginobili had been in a slump since his back-to-back 37-point games. Since that time, he has averaged just 14 points a game on just 20-of-61 from the floor.
Daniel Gibson: Back in Starting Line-up
Update: Gibson scored 12 points and had five assists Monday night.
Analysis: After missing Saturdays game, Gibson was back in the starting line-up. Gibson who only shot (3-10) from the field and (2-7) from behind the arc, did not have one off his best shooting performances. Gibson did manage to collect five assists, a block and a steal against the Bucks. Look for Gibson to continue to look for his shot, and his assists totals should be on the rise playing point guard exclusively.
Marvin Williams: Continues Steady Play
Update: Williams had 21 points (5-of-8 FG, 11-of-12 FT), six rebounds and three steals in the Hawks' win over the Jazz on Monday.
Analysis: Williams has been steady all season and may be the Hawks most consistent player. He doesn't do anything spectacular from a fantasy perspective, but he doesn't do anything to hurt you either.
Josh Smith: Fills The Stat Sheet
Update: Smith had 18 points (5-of-13 FG, 0-of-2 3-PT, 8-of-10 FT), 12 rebounds, two steals and five blocks in the Hawks' win over the Jazz on Monday.
Analysis: Smith had another night where he helped fantasy owners in multiple categories. His field goal shooting is the only thing that is keeping him from being among the elite fantasy players.
Joe Johnson: On A Scoring Roll
Update: Johnson had 26 points (8-of-17 FG, 1-of-6 3-PT, 9-of-11 FT), five assists and a steal in the Hawks' win over the Jazz on Monday.
Analysis: Johnson is continuing his scoring run as this was his fifth straight game over 20 points.
Josh Boone: To Start at Center
Update: Boone will replace Jason Collins in the starting lineup at center on Tuesday, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Boone, who is averaging 9.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.25 blocks per game in the last four, will start alongside rookie Sean Williams, who is replacing Malik Allen at power forward. The two young players have given Nets head coach Lawrence Frank good production off the bench in the last few games and could take pressure off New Jersey's talented wing players.
Sean Williams: To Start at Power Forward
Update: Williams will start at power forward Tuesday night against the Kings, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Nets head coach Lawrence Frank will start Williams alongside Josh Boone, replacing Malik Allen and Jason Collins. Williams and Boone have given the Nets some production out of the front court in the previous few games. "We're searching for different combinations," Frank said. "I don't think it's a slight on either 'Twin' (Collins) or Malik or Jamaal [Magloire]. We're just trying to see if these guys can bring a different dynamic."
Vince Carter: Tweaks Ankle
Update: Nets head coach Lawrence Frank is calling Carter a "game-time" decision Tuesday night because of a sore right ankle, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Frank doesn't appear to be too concerned with the injury. Carter received treatment for the ankle Monday night and was not walking with a limp.
Tracy McGrady: Should Play Wednesday
Update: McGrady sat out Monday's practice with a bruised right knee, but said he expects to play Wednesday against the Magic, the Houston Chronicle reports. McGrady said the knee has been sore for about two weeks and was aggravated with a fall Saturday.
Analysis: "I'll be fine," McGrady said. "I'm taking these two days to rest it up and let the pain and the swelling to go out of there a little bit. It will help me a lot." Keep McGrady in your lineup until further notice.
Rafer Alston: Should Play Wednesday
Update: Alston has missed three of the past four games - all losses - with a strained groin muscle and was held out of Monday's practice, the Houston Chronicle reports. He said he expects to be able to practice Tuesday and to play Wednesday.
Analysis: With Wednesday's game beginning a stretch of four games in five nights, the Rockets are being cautious with Alston's injury, so he might not get big minutes right away.
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