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| Brandon Roy showed a quick flash of the brilliance we witnessed earlier this season, working as the offensive force in the Trail Blazers’ 112-103 victory over the LA Lakers. Roy went 8-of-15 from the field and 6-8 from the charity stripe to finish with 23 points, adding 12 assists to complete the double-double effort. Roy has struggled to achieve the massive expectation laid at his feet early in the year, but games like this show he is not falling off so quickly. |
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| Kobe Bryant was at it again and Pau Gasol had his back, but the Lakers still managed to finish with a loss, falling to the Portland Trailblazers 103-112. Bryant was 11-of-26 from the floor, 2-of-7 from three-point range, and 10-of-13 from the charity stripe to score 34 points, adding five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one blocked shot. Gasol added 21 points of his own, going 7-of-12 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, adding 13 rebounds and four assists along the way. The Lakers need these wins, especially on nights when the Hornets fall. Getting Andrew Bynum back is starting to look more and more appealing with each passing day. |
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| Seattle center Mouhamed Sene , the 10th-overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft, will have knee surgery following an injury suffered during play with the Idaho Stampede of the NBDL (developmental league), according to SI.com. The team reports Sene has torn lateral meniscus and thus will be done for some time. The up-and-coming international talent has appeared in 13 games for the Sonics this season. |
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| Dirk Nowitzki struggled to score points this evening, but he made it up in rebounds as the Mavs beat the SuperSonics 99-83. Nowitzki went just 5-of-14 from the field and failed to earn a single foul, scoring just 11 points, but his 12 rebounds was of great benefit and helped Dallas pull away. |
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| The Dallas Mavericks had it working on offense tonight, posting five different players with double-digit scoring totals, but it was veteran PG Jason Terry who led the way. Terry shot 9-of-11 from the floor, going 2-of-2 from three-point range and at the charity stripe to score 22 points in the Mavs’ 99-83 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics. Terry has 20+ points in four of his last five games, but as fantasy owners will attest, that is about all he does (and that is why they traded for Jason Kidd). |
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| Andrew Bogut did his part in attempting to put a dent in the machine that is the Boston Celtics, but he and the Bucks fell short, losing 104-107. Bogut posted a double-double performance, going 5-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line to score 15 points, adding 15 total rebounds with five assists, two steals, and an impressive four blocked shots. If Bogut can stay healthy, he’s a decent fantasy candidate at his position, but he’s never likely to be spectacular. |
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| On a night when the support from the normal sources was failing, the Big Ticket came through once more. Kevin Garnett went 7-of-8 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line to score 21 points. The rest of the stats weren’t there, posting just three rebounds and two assists, but with Paul Pierce scoring jut 14 (2-of-6 from three-point range) and Ray Allen only adding 11 (4-of-10 from the field), it was enough to help Boston win, 107-104, over the Bucks. |
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| Tonight could not have gone worse for the Detroit Pistons, posting seven players with double-digit scoring totals but none worthy of mention as fantasy stars and none contributing to a win, falling to the New York Knicks 94-98. Chauncey Billups went just 3-of-14 from the field and 1-of-5 from long range to score 11. Rasheed Wallace went just 3-of-11 from the floor and 0-of-5 from three-point range to score 6. Tashaun Prince; 4-of-12, 0-of-2, 11 points. Rodney Stuckey led the team with 14 points on 4-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. |
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| The Grizzlies might be heading towards life without a playoff appearance, but they are doing what they can to end on a positive note, and Rudy Gay is leading that charge. In 43 minutes of work, Gay went 13-of-22 from the field, an impressive 5-of-6 from three-point land, and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe to score 36 points, adding eight rebounds and three assists to complete a solid evening despite the hard-fought 113-127 loss to Phoenix . Gay has scored 20+ in seven consecutive games and 11 of his last 12. |
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| With Shaq out nursing a hip contusion, Amare Stoudemire was forced back into the role of starting center but moved forward undeterred. On a night when SEVEN different players scored double-digit point totals, Stoudemire shined as the example to follow, going 10-of-13 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe, scoring 28 points with 11 rebounds and five assists. Stoudemire has been strong this season, but he has been spectacular since Shaq joined the effort. This game back at center should give the Suns a huge level of confidence as the playoffs approach. |
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| Kings center Brad Miller will miss the final five games of the regular season, according to SLAM Sports. Miller has suffered a stress fracture in his left leg and a bone chip in his right elbow, adding another strike to a career littered with injuries. Rookie Spencer Hawes is likely to replace Miller in the starting lineup. |
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| If this was a preview of the coming playoffs, where the Hornets might well find the Utah Jazz waiting, Chris Paul has worries to consider. Tonight’s horrific 66-77 loss to the Jazz was “highlighted” by one of the worst outings Paul has posted this season, going 2-of-11 from the field, 0-of-2 from long range, and 0-of-2 from the charity stripe to score four measly points, adding just nine assists and three steals to end an evening we would rather forget. |
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| Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer failed to impress this evening, but the Jazz managed to prevail despite their struggles. Boozer went 5-of-14 from the floor and failed to garner a single foul, scoring just 10 points with six rebounds and one assist. Williams went just 2-of-11 from the floor, 0-of-2 from three-point land, and, like Boozer, failed to pull a single foul, scoring just FOUR points on the evening. On the bright side, Williams posted 16 assists, the lone stat not attached to Mehmet Okur worth mentioning. |
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| In a game that may serve as a preview of one of the best potential playoff matchups for the season, the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Hornets mixed it up this evening in a game that failed to meet expectation. Mehmet Okur continues to pace the Utah Jazz, going just 9-of-20 from the field, 2-of-7 from three-point range, and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe to score 22 points, but his 17 rebounds will be the banner for fantasy owners with Okur on the roster this evening. Okur has been on fire of late, averaging 20 points and 11.5 rebounds per game over his last six contests. |
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| Luol Deng put forth the top individual performance of the evening, but it was the lowly Miami Heat who prevailed with a 95-88 win over the Chicago Bulls. Deng went 9-of-11 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line to score 25 points, adding four rebounds and two assists to the stat line. This has been a rough season for the Bulls and Deng, the team’s best and most reliable offensive presence, has suffered as a result. We hope Chicago can get back on track and put Deng back in a position to make significant fantasy contributions next season. |
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| Jason Richardson continues to serve as the guiding light for the Charlotte Bobcats, going 11-of-21 from the field, 5-of-8 from three-point land, and 9-of-12 from the free-throw line to score 36 points in Charlotte’s 121-119 win over Minnesota. Richardson also added five rebounds and four assists to round out the evening, Richardson’s seventh 30-point performance since March 1. |
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| Al Jefferson sunk an impressive 18-of-25 shots from the floor this evening to score 40 points, adding 10 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves in a heartbreaking 119-121 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. The Boston Celtics struggled to make the choice during the offseason, but sending Al Jefferson to Minnesota finally became the cross to bear in working a trade to get Kevin Garnett, and while things have worked out well in Bean Town, Jefferson is proving to be the only bright spot from those events up north. |
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| Josh Smith and Joe Johnson got their work done in the box score this evening, but the effort fell short as the Hawks suffered the 98-112 loss loss to the Indiana Pacers. Smith went 7-of-18 from the field and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line to score 25 points, tacking 13 rebounds, three assists, a blocked sheet and a steal to the top fantasy performance of the night. Joe Johnson was more impressive in scoring, going 13-of-24 from the field and 2-of-6 from the three-point line to score 30, posting six rebounds but just four assists. |
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| LeBron James sat out of practice again today, his second consecutive day without work on the hardwood, and may miss more time as he tends to an aching back, according to SI.com. James has battled back spasms for some time, and with the playoffs quickly approaching, he is now receiving specific treatments to prepare for game action against the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night. Coach Mike Brown notes James could miss that game if his condition does not improve. “I know he wants to play, but we have to be cautious with him now.” Stay tuned. |
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| Malik Allen will sit out again tonight with back spasms, according to the Dallas Morning News. However, he may practice on Wednesday, coach Avery Johnson said. It seems possible he could be back in the lineup Thursday. |
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| Jerry Stackhouse will miss another game tonight with a right groin strain. He is improving, though, and could be ready to practice Friday. "He's improving,'' coach Avery Johnson said in the Dallas Morning News. "We hope to get him in a practice at the end of the week and see how he feels on this next road trip.'' It's possible Stackhouse could be back in the lineup this weekend. |
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| Caron Butler suffered a bruised right knee after colliding with teammate Darius Songalia in practice today, according to the Washington Post. X-rays on Butler's knee were negative, but he was said to be walking with quite a limp after practice. Songolia suffered a minor ankle sprain. Both players are considered day-to-day and coach Eddie Jordan said he hopes to have everyone available for Wednesday's game. |
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| Shaquille ONeal will be out of action on Tuesday due to his right hip bruise, according to the Arizona Republic. It is said to be a precautionary measure, and he is expected to return on Wednesday against San Antonio. O'Neal has averaged 13.4 points and 10.6 rebounds in 24 games as the Suns starting center.
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| Sam Cassell will miss tonight's battle with Milwaukee due to back spasms, according to the Boston Globe. It is unknown when he will be able to return, but he stated that he will be back in time for the playoffs. The NBA journeyman is averaging 10.9 points per game this season. |
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| Beno Udrih is questionable to play on Tuesday due to his lower back strain, according to the Sacramento Bee. He was targeting this game as his return, and looks like he will try to play. He is averaging 12.8 points over 60 games this season, and hasn't played since March 24. |
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| Brad Miller is questionable to play on Tuesday due to his lower leg strain, according to The Sacramento Bee. He is averaging 13.4 points and 9.5 boards per game, and his services would be missed if he ultimately cannot go. |
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| Tim Thomas is listed as probable to play on Tuesday, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He has been slowed by his Achilles' tendon injury, and would be a welcome addition back to the lineup as he averages 12.7 points per game. |
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| Corey Maggette is doubtful to play on Tuesday, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He strained his right hamstring during battle on Sunday, and did not return. His services will be missed if he cannot go, as he averages 22.2 points per game. |
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| Nene Hilario is questionable to play on Tuesday due to his strained right groin, according to Rocky Mountain News. He has only played in 16 games this season, and averages a mere 5.3 points and 5.4 boards per outing. |
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