FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
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.
|
   |
||||||
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
