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| Gilbert Arenas returned to practice on Monday and appears in line to suit up for the Wizards on Wednesday when they take on the Celtics, this according to ESPN. "Gilbert is the only one who has to gel in and that shouldn't be a problem," head coach Eddie Johnson said. "He has a great feel for the game and he's been in our system. He's a terrific player. It won't take long for him to gel. He just needs to get his conditioning." Arenas is a tough guy to put in the lineup at this point as you just don't know what you are going to get from him. It would likely be wise to monitor his progress this week before inserting him into your lineup. |
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| Antawn Jamison (shoulder) returned to the court on Monday and appears in line to play on Wednesday against the Celtics, this according to ESPN. "Antawn looked great today," coach Eddie Jordan said. "He did a lot of good things on the floor. He got hit a few times and came out of there pretty clean." Jamison is a double-double machine, so it would be wise to get him back into your lineup for the upcoming game. |
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| LeBron James sat out practice on Monday to rest his ailing back that has been bothering him for the past couple of weeks, this according to NBA.com. "One day helps,'' he said. "But it's something where you need a little more than one day.'' James hopes to play in the team's next game on Wednesday, but with the playoffs approaching there is a chance he could sit out a game or two or at least have his minutes monitored very closely for the rest of the season. |
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| Joe Johnson was named the Eastern Conference player of the week for games ending on April 6th, this according to NBA.com. The Hawks went 3-1 on the week as Johnson poured in an average of 25.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists. Johnson also shot 55.6% from the field as he continues to improve his production as the season wears on. |
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| Kobe Bryant was named the Western Conference player of the week for games ending on April 6th, this according to NBA.com. The Lakers went 3-0 behind Bryant as he averaged 30 point, 9.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 68.8% from downtown. |
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| Chris Kaman , out with a sprained ankle, said on Monday that his season was over, this according to the Orange County Register. Kaman had a wonderful start to the season but as the year wore on the injuries began to pile up. Overall, he averaged 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds, and with a healthy Elton Brand next season the Clippers should have a powerful inside duo to turn to. |
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| The Suns called up Alando Tucker from Albuquerque of the D-League on Monday. |
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| Gerald Wallace's year may be over due to a strained groin. He will certainly miss Tuesday's game against the Wolves and may shut it down after a doctor's appointment earlier in the day, the Charlotte Observer notes. "That groin muscle is bothering him. He’s going to stretch on it, work on it, and see what happens in the next four or five days," head coach Sam Vincent says. Frankly, we don't see a good reason for Gerald to return. |
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| Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen might take the night off on Tuesday, head coach Doc Rivers tells the Boston Globe. Paul Pierce is also not expected to play following the birth of his daughter. Of the three, Allen is the most likely to take the court, Rivers says. |
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| Paul Pierce is likely to miss Tuesday's game due to the birth of his daughter on Friday. The All-Star did not travel with the team, and head coach Doc Rivers tells the Boston Globe there's only a small chance Pierce will join the club in Milwaukee. Pierce is expected to play on Wednesday, though. |
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| Rafer Alston tested his strained left hamstring before Sunday's game but was unable to go. "I'd like to see him in practice, see how he feels," head coach Rick Adelman tells the Houston Chronicle. "We should be able to do that on Tuesday." Alston has missed three straight contests. |
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| Javaris Crittenton jammed his right thumb on Sunday night and managed only seven minutes. X-rays were negative, the Memphis Commercial-Appeal notes. We imagine the guard may need to miss a couple games, if not the rest of the season. |
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| Alexander Johnson is still dealing with the after-effects of last Friday's concussion and will likely miss a few more days, the Miami Herald reports. Overall, though, Johnson has improved greatly over the last couple days. |
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| Jermaine ONeal's minutes remains limited as he returns from a left knee injury. He has not played more than roughly 20 minutes in any of the four games since his return. "I've been told by our medical people that's his limit," head coach Jim O'Brien tells the Indianapolis Star. "He said he felt great. I'm glad he felt great. Maybe we can increase his minutes. When I'm told by our medical people he has 20 minutes, that's what we're going with." We imagine the Pacers staff might rethink the minutes if the club makes the playoffs. |
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| Mo Williams was unable to play on Sunday due to a lower abdominal injury. It's the same ailment that sidelined him for five games in March, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel notes. There is no word on how long he'll be out. Ramon Sessions started in his place. |
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| Mickael Pietrus missed his ninth straight game on Sunday due to a strained right groin. He does not have a timetable for his return. The Warriors bench has looked thin without Pietrus, who had played well prior to this injury. |
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| Ronnie Brewer practiced on Sunday and hopes to play on Tuesday, the Salt Lake Tribune notes. He has missed three games due to a strained right groin, and Ronnie Price has started in his place. |
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| Dirk Nowitzki had a huge game on Sunday, but Mavs coach Avery Johnson says the superstar is still only operating at about 60 percent. Nowitzki has appeared in three games since returning from a high left ankle sprain. "It wasn't great on a couple of moves, I'm not going to lie," Nowitzki tells the Dallas Morning News. "But they are quick hits. It hurts for five to 10 seconds, and I move through it." |
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| Nene Hilario was unable to play on Sunday due to a strained right groin, the Denver Post notes. He is day-to-day. |
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| Chris Kaman missed his third straight game on Sunday due to a sprained right ankle. He was previously listed as day-to-day and presumably remains so. Josh Powell started in his place. |
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| Luke Walton was unavailable to play on Sunday due to a strained right hamstring, the Los Angeles Times notes. He is day-to-day. |
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| Tim Thomas missed his fifth straight game on Sunday due to sore Achilles' tendons. It's amazing how tired your body can get from counting money. |
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| Andrew Bynum is currently traveling with the team and getting in some limited workouts, the Los Angeles Times reports. He is recovering from a dislocated right kneecap and won't return until the final two regular season games, at the earliest. |
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| Joel Przybilla's season is over. He broke a bone in his right hand on Sunday, SI.com reports. His injury could open up more time for Raef LaFrentz and Channing Frye. |
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| Corey Maggette strained his right hamstring in the first quarter on Sunday and did not return, the AP reports. We do not know how long the ailment might keep Maggette out, but Al Thornton should benefit in the interim. |
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| Kevin Durant had one of his best games of the season on Sunday night against Denver, finishing with 37 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Fellow rookie, Jeff Green, scored 35 and added 10 boards. |
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| With his fourth consecutive double-double, Zach Randolph led the Knicks to a 100-90 win over the Orlando Magic. Randolph had 20-points and 11 rebounds helping the New York forward to a April average of 22 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Randolph continues to struggle to string together more than 30 minutes during the stretch of solid performances. |
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| Mike Miller erupted for 34 points, including eight three-pointers, in a 113-101 victory over Minnesota on Sunday. The guard added 10 rebounds and six assists. Miller has struggled this season in first-year head coach Marc Iavaroni's system. |
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| Brandon Roy returned to the Trailblazers' starting lineup on Sunday after missing four games because of a sore groin. Roy played 40 minutes and scored 18 points, pulled down four rebounds and added four assists in a loss to the Spurs. |
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| Richard Hamilton continues to sit out for the Pistons and in his place Rodney Stuckey has benefited. This was the case on Sunday when Stuckey finished with 19 points, three steals, and four assists in 28 minutes off the bench in Detroit's victory over the Heat. Hamilton (hip) is unlikely to play until the team begins their postseason schedule. |
Our View:
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| Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday by outscoring the entire Suns team, 12 to nine, in the final quarter. The Mavs power forward finished with 32 points and 12 rebounds. |
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| Chris Paul recorded his first triple-double of the season on Sunday afternoon, leading the Hornets to a 108-95 victory over the Golden State Warriors. The New Orleans point guard finished the game with 16 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. |
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