FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Yao Ming: Sprains Thumb; X-rays Negative
Update: Yao left Saturday's game with a mild thumb sprain, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: X-rays were negative, and Yao returned in the fourth quarter.
Tim Thomas: Leaves Game with Sprained Knee
Update: Thomas left Saturday's game with a sprained left knee.
Analysis: Thomas was injured midway through the first quarter. No word on the severity of the injury.
Al Thornton: Season-High 25 Points On Saturday
Update: Thornton started at small forward on Saturday and scored a season-high 25 points (10-for-17 from the field) in a loss to San Antonio.
Analysis: Thornton played a team-high 42 minutes in his second career start. With starters Corey Maggette (knee) and Tim Thomas (knee) both injured, Thornton could be seeing some meaningful fantasy minutes for the foreseeable future.
Corey Maggette: Misses Game On Saturday With Sore Knee
Update: Maggette missed Saturday's game against San Antonio with a sore right knee, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: More on his status as we get it.
Manu Ginobili: Leaves Game on Saturday With Sprained Finger
Update: Ginobili left Saturday's game against the Clippers in the first quarter with a sprained right index finger, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: The Spurs don't play again until Wednesday, December 26th. More on his status as we get it.
Charlie Bell: Gets The Start on Saturday
Update: Bell took Desmond Mason's place in the starting linup on Saturday but was scoreless in 31 minutes of action.
Analysis: The minutes were encouraging for Bell's future prospective fantasy value but the production wasn't. Look for Bell and Bobby Simmons (17 minutes on Saturday) to split minutes at small forward while Mason (thumb) is out.
Jianlian Yi: Season-High 29 Point on Saturday
Update: Yi had the best game of his rookie season on Saturday, scoring 29 points (14-for-17 shooting) and pulling down ten rebounds in a win over Charlotte.
Analysis: Yi has thrived over the last five games with Charlie Villanueva (ankle) injured and not taking away some of his minutes. He entered the night averaging 14.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in 34.2 minutes over his last five games.
Nazr Mohammed: Another Start, Another Double-Double
Update: Mohammed recorded his second consecutive double-double on Saturday scoring 14 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in a loss to Milwaukee.
Analysis: Mohammed should be on your radar if you're a fantasy owner in need of a center that rebounds and blocks shots. Mohammed will be inconsistent, but he is averaging 17.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks over his last three games.
Pau Gasol: Erupts for 31 Points on Saturday
Update: Gasol scored a season-high 31 points and played a season-high 45 minutes in Saturday's loss to Philadelphia.
Analysis: Gasol also had 13 rebounds and four assists. His toe injury looks to be behind him.
Marko Jaric: Misses Third Consecutive Game With The Flu
Update: Jaric missed Saturday's game against New Orleans with the flu. Both he and Rashad McCants did not travel with the team.
Analysis: He is listed as day-to-day.
Rashad McCants: Misses Saturday's Game With The Flu
Update: McCants missed Saturday's game against New Orleans due to the flu.
Analysis: He is listed as day-to-day.
Josh Boone: First Double-Double of The Year
Update: Boone scored 19 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in Saturday's win over Golden State.
Analysis: Boone has been a bit erratic since taking over the starting center job from Jason Collins, but is averaging 15 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over his last two games. He could be a fantasy contributor for owners in deep leagues.
Richard Jefferson: Getting To The Line At Will
Update: Jefferson got to the free throw line 17 times on Saturday and scored a team-high 31 points in a win over Memphis.
Analysis: Jefferson only shot 11-for-17 from the line on Saturday, but he entered the night shooting 84.8% from the line and averaging 9.2 free throw attempts per game.
Antawn Jamison: Scoring Barrage Continues
Update: Jamison scored a team-high 29 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in Saturday's loss to Indiana.
Analysis: Jamison is averaging 27.6 points and 11.0 rebounds over his last three games.
Paul Davis: Season Ended by Knee Injury
Update: Davis will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament and his right lateral meniscus on Friday at Dallas, the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: "It's tough because he's worked so hard and it happened just when he was getting a chance to play," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. Davis was injured in the second quarter trying to break up a pass in the lane intended for Erick Dampier. Initially, X-rays taken after the game were negative, but Davis underwent a MRI on Saturday in Los Angeles and it revealed the tears. The Clippers went into Saturday's game at San Antonio with Josh Powell as the only healthy backup post player.
Taurean Green: Recalled from D-League
Update: Green was recalled from the D-League on Saturday.
Analysis: Green was sent to the Stampede on Dec. 10 where he averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 2.0 steals in four games for Idaho.
Antoine Wright: Will Miss Saturday's Game
Update: Wright (ankle) will not play Saturday night against Golden State, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: The injury doesn't appear to be serious, but just needs time to heal. "It's pretty bad but it didn't swell so that's pretty good," Wright said. "It really hurts...I think after ice and a little treatment I'll be back sooner than expected."
Gerald Wallace: Another Big Night
Update: Wallace continued his recent surge with a team-high 27 points to go along with four rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Analysis: Most importantly, he made nine of 11 free throws. That's 29 for 36 (81 percent) from the stripe the three games. He was shooting 69 percent before the recent hot streak. Heading into Saturday night's game in Milwaukee, Wallace's averages are up to 19.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.1 spg, 2.2 apg. That's a full point per game better than last season but two rebounds per game fewer.
John Salmons: Fills it Up, While He's Filling In
Update: Salmons, who plays again on Sunday versus Denver, ranks fifth in the NBA for 3-point accuracy at 48.7%.
Analysis: Salmons can hardly be eligible for the league's best sixth man at this point, but he can't necessarily be called a starter, either. At the beginning of the season, he started seven games at small forward while Ron Artest served a suspension. Now, the sixth-year swingman is filling in at shooting guard for Kevin Martin, who is shelved 4-6 weeks with a groin injury. In December, Salmons is averaging 36.4 minutes, 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists. How about coining him the NBA's Most Valuable Fill-in?
Brad Miller: Admits He's Tired
Update: Miller has been shooting exceptionally well in December but admits he's tired, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: If Miller's tired, he's not playing like it. Sacramento finished 3-2 on its recent five-game road trip and Miller was the team's most consistent player. He averaged 18.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and shot 59.0% from the field during those five games. The 7-foot center is a must-start despite his recent lack of energy. The Kings play again on Sunday against Denver.
Beno Udrih: Determine Udrih's Value
Update: Udrih is averaging 14.5 points and 4.6 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field, 42.9% from three-point range and 89.6% from the free-throw line.
Analysis: Mike Bibby (thumb) should return around mid-January, so it's a good time to determine Udrih's worth in the eyes of other fantasy owners. Sacramento is 10-9 with Udrih at the helm, possibly making Bibby a strong candidate to be traded. It's better to contact fellow league members when Udrih's value is ascending, and a new zip code for Bibby is actively being discussed.
Ike Diogu: Returns From Calf Injury
Update: Diogu (torn calf) played nearly 10 minutes in his return from a torn calf muscle, scoring 10 points in Friday's loss to Minnesota.
Analysis: Look for Diogu to slowly work his way back into coach Jim O'Brien's rotation.
Chris Wilcox: Complaints Don't Change Outcome
Update: Wilcox, a day after complaining about his offensive involvement, scored 16 points Friday, but he wasn't that much more involved in the offense.
Analysis: Wilcox scored his second-highest total in his last 12 games because he made all seven of his field goal attempts. But seven attempts isn't enough for Wilcox, who should have about 12 a night. One problem was Wilcox was saddled with foul trouble, which is why he played less than 19 minutes, his second-lowest total of the season. But the team didn't give him one pick-and-roll, which was his main complaint.
Wally Szczerbiak: Better Results with Consistent Minutes
Update: Szczerbiak scored 23 points Friday on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three-point range.
Analysis: Since going 1-for-9 from the field four games ago, Szczerbiak has shot better than 45 percent and scored in double figures in each game since, topping 20 points twice. Szczerbiak has gotten more consistent minutes in December, and his production has been more consistent as a result. He's averaging about 25 minutes a game and, aside from his 1-for-9 night, has scored in double figures in every game this month.
Rashad McCants: Unlikely to Play Saturday
Update: McCants is not expected to play in Saturday's game against New Orleans after missing Friday's game with the flu, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: McCants isn't even expected to travel with the T-Wolves to New Orleans.
Sebastian Telfair: Plays All 48 Minutes
Update: Telfair scored 27 points with 11 assists and played all 48 minutes in Friday's win over Indiana.
Analysis: Telfair's role continues to grow as Mark Jaric has missed two games with the flu and has slumped.
Renaldo Balkman: Playing Time Withering
Update: Balkman played just three minutes Friday night in New York's loss to Charlotte.
Analysis: Once a defensive staple in coach Isiah Thomas' rotation, Balkman barely gets off the bench these days. He's averaging a little under nine minutes per game in the month of December and contributes nothing for fantasy owners. We've never expected big offensive numbers, but he's a good rebounder and provides steals and blocked shots in limited minutes. If only he could get more playing time on a team in need of a defender.
Nate Robinson: Team-High 20 Points
Update: Robinson led the Knicks with 20 points in 27 minutes Friday night in New York's loss to Charlotte.
Analysis: Although the Bobcats won by 10, the game was a rout early and we can't read too much into the numbers, though it was Robinson's second straight game with extended minutes off the bench. The 5-9 scorer is down to 13:48 per game in the month of December with two DNPs and five other games under 10 minutes. With Stephon Marbury off and on, coping with the death of his father and perhaps some lingering anger at coach Isiah Thomas, Robinson may be able to reclaim a sizable role in the Knicks' rotation.
Al Thornton: A Breakout Game on the Horizon?
Update: Thornton played 19 minutes and scored eight points in the Clippers' loss at Dallas Friday night.
Analysis: The rookie appears to be one of those streaky players who needs to play meaningful minutes to get hot. Coach Mike Dunleavy has been gradually working Thornton into more playing rotations, so we may see an explosive performance before long. The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder is a keeper league prospect, so if he's available, position one hand on that computer mouse and prepare for a transaction. At some point, the Clippers will decide they're in the heart of a lost season and will need to turn Thornton loose to see what he's made of.
Matt Harpring: More Tests
Update: Harpring, who has undergone a round of tests related to gastric distress, will have to undergo a colonoscopy, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Analysis: There is some thought that anti-inflammatory medication Harpring is taking for his sore knee could be having a negative effect on his stomach. "When it's your body, yeah, I'm a little nervous for sure," Harpring said. "Their opinions are it's probably nothing, more of the same as what's going on in the stomach. They just want to make sure."
Paul Millsap: Career-High Night
Update: Millsap had a career-best 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting Friday night in Utah's victory over Orlando.
Analysis: Millsap also had seven rebounds and an assist in 31 minutes. With Mehmet Okur (shoulder) out, there is potential for Millsap to have a night like this.
Mehmet Okur: Doubtful for Saturday
Update: Okur (shoulder) is doubtful for Saturday night's game against Miami, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: Okur missed his sixth straight game on Friday. He joined the team on its four-game road trip this week, leading us to believe he would suit up at some point. He's suffering from a strained left trapezius muscle and some deep bruising in the shoulder. Jarron Collins has been starting in his place, but Paul Millsap has been the biggest beneficiary of available minutes.
Gordan Giricek: Fate Determined After Road Trip
Update: The Jazz will determine the fate of Giricek, who is away from the team after getting into a verbal exchange with Utah coach Jerry Sloan, after the team returns from its current road trip which ends Saturday in Miami, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: Giricek was sent home from the road trip after getting into a disagreement with Sloan during a timeout in Wednesday's loss to Charlotte. Utah is getting offers for Giricek since the incident, but they are believed to be low-ball offers.
Nazr Mohammed: Big Night in Second Start
Update: Mohammed scored 20 points with 14 rebounds, two steals and four blocked shots in 28 minutes Friday night in Charlotte's victory over New York.
Analysis: Mohammed was phenomenal in only his second start with the Bobcats, who are 2-0 since inserting him in the starting lineup. We can't expect 20 points out of him every night, but he's a defensive presence who should rebound often and block lots of shots. His one bugaboo is a propensity to pick up fouls in limited minutes. He averages 2.5 fouls per game in 18 minutes over his career, but he brings Charlotte and Emeka Okafor much-needed help inside.
Sam Cassell: Day-to-Day Becomes Week-to-Week
Update: Cassell (calf) missed his 12th straight game on Friday night at Dallas.
Analysis: Despite telling Lisa Salters of ESPN he hopes to play on Saturday at San Antonio, Cassell wouldn't be the source to hinge any hopes on with regards to his status. Those decisions will be left squarely up to Clippers head trainer Jasen Powell and coach Mike Dunleavy. Cassell recently said he would return on Dec. 27, so play it safe, keep him reserved, and don't predict when he'll play again. He said he felt close to returning two weeks ago.
Nick Young: Bounces Back Friday
Update: After starting Young twice in a row in place of the injured Antonio Daniels, coach Eddie Jordan replaced the rookie guard Friday with Roger Mason Jr., the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Young bounced back from his off performances as a starter to finish with 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting in 21 minutes. Meanwhile, Mason had three points in 20 minutes. Regardless of who starts, this is a time-share which figures to favor the hot hand in any given game.
Anthony Parker: Solid Game Friday
Update: Parker scored 18 points on Friday, shooting 7-for-12 from the field, with four three-pointers, four assists and three rebounds.
Analysis: His production has been up and down all season so far, but overall his numbers are only slightly off last year's pace. He's never going to be a fantasy superstar, but he's still an important player for the Raptors.
Chris Bosh: Second Straight Double-Double Friday
Update: Bosh led the Raptors with 26 points, adding 13 rebounds and two blocks, in Friday's loss to the Sonics.
Analysis: Over his last five games he's averaging 21.4 points and 12.4 rebounds. It looks like Bosh is finally playing up to his usual standards.
Jose Calderon: Double-Double on Friday
Update: Calderon scored 15 points with 16 assists in Friday's loss to the Sonics.
Analysis: He came reasonably close to a triple-double as well, collecting seven rebounds. In the six games since TJ Ford's latest injury, Calderon has averaged over 36 minutes with 14.0 points, 10.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 three pointers.
Corey Maggette: Mavs Hold Him to Season-Low
Update: Maggette scored just nine points with three rebounds and two assists in the Clippers' loss to Dallas Friday night.
Analysis: The Clippers' starting small forward is averaging a team-high 20.3 points but was kept to a season-low nine in 26 minutes against the Mavericks. Los Angeles plays just four games until the end of year, so Maggette's fantasy contributions will be light for a while.
Dan Dickau: Playing With An Elbow Injury
Update: Dickau (elbow) shot 1-of-7 from the floor and scored four points in the Clippers' loss at Dallas on Friday night.
Analysis: The 6-foot point guard will continue wearing a protective sleeve on his right elbow after slightly hyperextending it in late November. Coach Mike Dunleavy has been playing him 20.3 minutes per game in December due to Sam Cassell's calf injury. Although Dickau has been playing more, his game's strictly based on distributing the ball and setting up on the perimeter for open shots. He's simply too small and slow to create offense inside, generally making him a fourth scoring option at best. Don't be surprised to see him firmly planted to the bench once Cassell returns.
Arron Afflalo: Best Game of Career
Update: Afflalo had 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal Friday night.
Analysis: While the numbers may look unspectacular, they are all career bests for the rookie. It's important to note that the more-heralded rookie on the roster, Rodney Stuckey, made his debut Friday night. Afflalo will get pushed down in the rotation when Stuckey gets healthy, so he needs to quickly impress while he still has the chance. In his last three games, he's averaging 9.0 ppg in about 19 mpg.
Robert Hite: Hasn't Donned Pistons Uniform Yet
Update: Herrmann has yet to see any action since coming to Detroit a week ago, and it doesn't look like he will any time soon, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis: "We have a logjam on the whole roster right now," coach Flip Saunders said. "The tough thing is, we are playing well right now and you don't want to just put people in just to put them in. You just let your team and the rotation play itself out." Herrmann may eventually see some garbage time minutes for Detroit, but he hasn't even been activated yet. It looks like Detroit just doesn't need him right now.
Robert Hite: Hasn't Donned Pistons Uniform Yet
Update: Herrmann has yet to see any action since coming to Detroit a week ago, and it doesn't look like he will any time soon, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis: "We have a logjam on the whole roster right now," coach Flip Saunders said. "The tough thing is, we are playing well right now and you don't want to just put people in just to put them in. You just let your team and the rotation play itself out." Herrmann may eventually see some garbage time minutes for Detroit, but he hasn't even been activated yet. It looks like Detroit just doesn't need him right now.
Jason Terry: Shoots Better Against Clippers
Update: Terry had 14 points and three assists in the Mavs' 102-89 win over the Clippers on Friday.
Analysis: Terry converted six of 10 shots from the field Friday, a vast improvement on the 7-21 he shot over the previous two games.
Devin Harris: Scores 21 Against Clippers
Update: Harris scored 21 points in the Mavs' 102-89 win over the Clippers on Friday.
Analysis: Friday was Harris' second consecutive 21-point game, and he has scored in double figures in his last five games.
Dirk Nowitzki: Scores 30 Against Clippers
Update: Nowitzki had 30 points, six rebounds and three assists in the Mavs' 102-89 win over the Clippers on Friday.
Analysis: Friday was Dirk's third consecutive 30-point game, and he seems to have overcome his early-season struggles.
Derek Fisher: Scores 21 Against Sixers
Update: Fisher had 21 points and seven rebounds in the Lakers' 106-101 win over the Sixers on Friday.
Analysis: Fisher has averaged nearly 14 ppg over his last five games.
Chris Mihm: Sits Third Straight Game
Update: Mihm was a DNP-CD for the third straight game on Friday night.
Analysis: There is no word as to whether Mihm, who is playing on a reconstructed ankle, is injured or just hasn't seen any rotation time. Mihm should receive no fantasy consideration at this point.
Kobe Bryant: Shoots 6-20 Against Sixers
Update: Bryant (groin) had 19 points on 6-20 shooting in the Lakers' 106-101 win over the Sixers on Friday.
Analysis: Bryant, who still seems slowed by his groin injury, also had seven rebounds in the win.
|
   |
||||||
Copyright © NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use.
NBA.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
