FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Jannero Pargo: Starts at Second Half for Injured Rose
Update: Pargo started the second half of Thursday's game against the Magic as the replacement for the injured Derrick Rose.
Analysis: Rose's sprained left wrist is believed to be a mild injury, but Pargo could earn a spot start in Friday's game against the Heat.
Ronny Turiaf: Knee: Will Not Play Thursday
Update: Turiaf (knee) will not play in Thursday's game against the Blazers, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Analysis: Turiaf injured his knee in Saturday's game against the Bobcats and remains day-to-day. Thursday will be the second strait game he's missed with the injury. The Warriors' next game is on Saturday against the Raptors.
Derrick Rose: Wrist: Leaves Game With Sprained Left Wrist
Update: Rose (wrist) has been diagnosed with a sprained left wrist and will not return to Thursday's game against the Magic.
Analysis: Rose injured the wrist after colliding with Dwight Howard while going in for a layup. X-rays were taken that came back negative. He'll be day-to-day going forward, and his status for Friday's game against the Heat is unknown at this time. Rose played all of the first quarter before leaving the game and finished with just three points and two assists.
Derrick Rose: Wrist: Leaves Game With Injured Left Wrist
Update: Rose left Thursday's game against the Magic at the beginning of the second quarter with an injured left wrist.
Analysis: Rose went to the locker room to tend to his ailing left wrist. His status for the rest of the game is not yet known. The Bulls are having an X-ray taken on the wrist.
James Johnson: Starts at Small Forward for Injured Deng
Update: Johnson started at small forward as the replacement for Luol Deng who is expected to miss Thursday and Friday's game with a strained right calf.
Analysis: Johnson started only one other game this season and recorded nine points, two rebounds, and two blocks in 24 minutes of action. He'll get his third career start in Friday's game against Memphis but will move back to the bench when Deng is ready to return, which could be as earlier as next Tuesday.
Luol Deng: Calf: Sits Out Thursday
Update: Deng (calf) did not play in Thursday's game against the Magic.
Analysis: Deng is expected to miss Friday's game against the Heat as well but could return for Tuesday's game against Memphis. He's currently recovering from a strained right calf that he suffered in Tuesday's loss to the Jazz.
Kevin Love: Harsh Words for Coaching Staff
Update: Love had pointed words to share concerning the Timberwolves' coaching staff and the lack of clarity in the team's gameplan, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Love has seen his shooting percentage dip to 42 percent over his last 10 games and believes it is due to the lack of solid direction from the coaching staff. "My shooting percentage is down the past 10 games, because I don't know when I'm going to get the ball," Love said. "(Rambis) is into precision, but I don't feel like we know 100 percent what we need to do out there. There's some confusion, and that's kind of on us and kind of on them [the coaching staff]."
Mickael Pietrus: Neck: Day-to-Day, Out Thursday
Update: Pietrus (neck) is day-to-day with a neck strain and will miss Thursday's game against the Bulls, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Pietrus has played in 62 of the Magic's 65 games this season, but his inability to avoid minor injuries is one of the reasons he was never able to establish and keep himself in the starting lineup.
Gilbert Arenas: Suspension: Changing Jersey Number from Zero to Six
Update: Arenas (suspension) has filed paperwork to change his jersey number from zero to six for next season, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Though there will be much speculation and jokes concerning Arenas' switch from zero to six, his true reason for making the switch is that he was both born and suspended on Jan. 6.
Josh Howard: (Knee) Back With Wizards Next Year?
Update: According to sources with knowledge of the Wizards' thinking, the team is considering re-signing Howard at a price less than his option when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: The Wizards had no intention of picking up Howard's' $11.8 million team-option next season, even before his season-ending knee injury occurred. Apparently the Wizards' organization was encouraged with Howard as he brought a positive attitude and enthusiasm to a locker room in desperate need of a jolt when he was traded to the team just after the All-Star break. Howard himself has said he would like to return to Washington next season. Assuming his knee heals completely, Howard would have a good chance of being a starter again if he were to come back to the Wizards on a reduced salary next season.
Michael Beasley: Thigh: Game-Time Decision for Friday
Update: Beasley (thigh) will be a game-time decision for Friday's game against the Bulls, ESPN reports.
Analysis: Beasley bruised his left in Wednesday's game. He briefly sat on the sidelines but was able to return and finish out the game. Hopefully a day of rest on Thursday will give him the time he needs to heal up and play in Friday's game. Daily leagues will want to check his status shortly before game-time on Friday.
Ty Lawson: Shoulder: Questionable for Friday
Update: Lawson (shoulder) is questionable for Friday's game against the Hornets, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Lawson should be kept on benches until his return is officially announced. He's missed the Nuggets' last five games with a bruised left shoulder and remains day-to-day.
Renaldo Balkman: Back: Will Not Travel With Team
Update: Balkman (back) has seen just six minutes of action over the last three months and will not travel with the team for their three-game road trip that begins in New Orleans on Friday, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Balkman has only played in one game over the last three months, and should continue to ride the pine as long as his back remains problematic. He should probably be dropped in all but the deepest of keeper leagues at this point.
Taj Gibson: (Foot) Will Play Thursday
Update: Gibson (foot) will play Thursday against Orlando, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis: Gibson is dealing with plantar fasciitis in both feet, so his minutes and usefulness will likely be quite limited. You probably want to use other options.
Leandro Barbosa: (Wrist) Injury Regresses, Out Friday
Update: Contrary to previous expectations, Barbosa (wrist) will not return for Friday's game against the Lakers, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: Barbosa apparently is having trouble passing and might miss more games besides this one. It's very difficult to tell when he'll be back and how much he'll be playing when he does.
Monta Ellis: (Back) Expected to Play Thursday
Update: Ellis (back) participated in the Warriors' shootaround Thursday and will play against Portland, Comcast Sportsnet reporter Matt Steinmetz reports.
Analysis: Ellis hasn't played since February 25th, but he has obviously proven himself as a must-start. Expectations for this game should be relatively modest, though Ellis typically performs well in his first games back from injury.
Ronny Turiaf: Questionable For Thursday
Update: Turiaf (knee) did not practice on Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday's game against Portland, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Analysis: C.J Hunter should get Turiaf's minutes if he can't go.
CJ Watson: Misses Practice On Wednesday
Update: Watson was excused from Wednesday's practice to attend an out-of-town funeral, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Analysis: Watson's status for Thursday's game against Portland is unknown. Look for Anthony Morrow to get a little more run if Watson is out.
Ryan Gomes: Scores Nine Points
Update: Gomes started at small forward and scored nine points with five rebounds in 36 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Denver.
Analysis: Gomes has seen his role decline this season as he's averaging just 10.6 ppg from 13.3 ppg last season. He's faded in the last month with just 9.3 ppg since the All-Star break.
Nathan Jawai: Returns From Ankle Injury
Update: Jawai returned after missing three games with a sprained ankle but didn't score or grab a rebound in just over one minute on the court.
Analysis: Jawai is still a project at this point and getting few minutes.
Wayne Ellington: Returns From Ankle Injury
Update: Ellington (ankle) scored six points with five rebounds in 18 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Denver.
Analysis: He returned after missing three games with a sprained ankle.
Darko Milicic: Grabs 12 Rebounds
Update: Milicic started at center and scored six points with 12 rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot in 26 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Denver.
Analysis: Milicic had his most productive game with the T-Wolves. He'll be in the starting lineup with Ryan Hollins out during a two-game suspension.
Rodney Stuckey: Coach Optimistic About Stuckey's Return
Update: Pistons coach John Kuester said the team will have a clearer picture on when Stuckey (head) can return to practice on Thursday, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis: Kuester is optimistic that his star point guard will be able to return to game action this season. Look for more details, and maybe a timetable, to surface in the next couple days.
Jason Maxiell: Double-Doubles in Loss
Update: Maxiell picked up his second double-double of the season Wednesday, totaling 10 points and 11 boards in a loss to the Jazz.
Analysis: "Mad Max" has filled in nicely for the injured Ben Wallace (knee) the past four games, averaging 8.8 points and 10.8 boards. No timetable has been set for Wallace's return, but he should be returning soon. In the meantime, look for Maxiell to be a solid plug-and-play.
Tyson Chandler: Scores Double Figures
Update: Chandler hit all three field goal attempts and scored 12 points against the Sixers. He also grabbed five rebounds Wednesday.
Analysis: Wednesday was the first night that Chandler has scored in double-figures since before he became injured earlier in the year. The Bobcats continue to be cautious with his minutes and have him coming off the bench for now.
Mehmet Okur: Continues to Play Well
Update: Okur hit two three-pointers and finished with 18 points in a win against Detroit. He added five rebounds, three assists and two blocks Wednesday.
Analysis: Okur played the most minutes (36.5) of all the Utah big men Wednesday, which is rare. He has a double-digit scoring streak of six games, the longest streak he has put together since early December.
Carlos Boozer: Continues Double-double Streak
Update: Boozer was just 4-of-10 from the field and scored 11 points, but he completed a double-double with 12 rebounds Wednesday in a win.
Analysis: Boozer has recorded a double-double in four straight games, but has not been scoring a particularly great amount in those games. He is averaging just 14.8 points, 4.5 points per game below his season's average.
Nene Hilario: Just Misses Double-Double on Wednesday
Update: Nene posted 17 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in Denver's win at Minnesota on Wednesday night.
Analysis: The lack of blocks and steals is distressing but Nene did make 6-of-9 FGs and 5-of-7 FTs and continues to be a nightly double-double threat now that Kenyon Martin is sidelined indefinitely.
Chris Andersen: Double-Double on Wednesday
Update: Andersen (knee) posted a team-high 10 rebounds to go along with 14 points and three blocks during Denver's win in Minnesota on Wednesday night.
Analysis: We don't know how long this guy's knee will hold up but with Kenyon Martin sidelined Andersen has become a good bet to grab six to 10 rebounds a night with some scoring and blocks thrown in. Use with caution but definitely grab him if you're in need in any of those statistical categories.
Zach Randolph: Returns Wednesday
Update: Randolph (back) returned Wednesday and scored 13 points (6-16 FG, 1-2 FT) to go with 10 rebounds and two steals in the Grizzlies' win over the Celtics.
Analysis: He returns from a sore back and scores a double-double.
Chauncey Billups: Leads Nuggets with 25 Points on Wednesday
Update: Billups had a game-high 25 points in helping the Nuggets outlast the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Billups finished a respectable 9-of-18 from the field (2-of-7 3pt) and 5-of-5 from the line in the victory. He also added three rebounds, three assists and a steal in 36 minutes of action.
Hasheem Thabeet: Plenty of PT Against Celtics
Update: Thabeet had seven points (3-5 FG, 1-2 FT) to go with six rebounds and a block in 26 minutes against the Celtics Wednesday.
Analysis: The Grizzlies surprisingly jumped all over the Celtics in a 20-point win, so there was plenty of garbage time to employ Thabeet. He still had more personal fouls (four) than blocks (one).
Malik Hairston: Plays Entire Fourth Quarter Against Knicks
Update: Hariston played 12 minutes in Wednesday's win over the Knicks, scoring four points and grabbing three rebounds.
Analysis: Wednesday's game, where the Spurs allowed Hariston to play the entire fourth quarter and take some important shots, was the first signficant time that Hariston's seen all season. With Tony Parker now out for the year, Hariston may start seeing 10-15 minutes per game.
Richard Jefferson: Held Scoreless Against Knicks
Update: Jefferson was scoreless with seven rebounds in the Spurs' win over the Knicks on Wednesday.
Analysis: Jefferson has had the occasional high-scoring game coming off the bench the last few weeks, but his lack of consistency should probably make you look elsewhere for SF help.
Kyle Lowry: Ankle Still Sore
Update: When Lowry left Tuesday's game in the fourth quarter, he packed his left ankle in ice, then repeated the process in the locker room after the game, the Houston Chronicle reports. "I was a little sore," Lowry said. "I felt OK. I felt I got the rhythm back of the game. I stepped wrong a few times. I'm a little sore, but I'm fine."
Analysis: Barring a setback, Lowry should be fine to resume his usual backup point guard role going forward.
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