Andrew Bogut(notes) is in full beast mode, Rodney Stuckey(notes) had a scare, and Baron Davis’(notes) struggles continue.
• Andrew Bogut continued his shot-blocking rampage Friday,
turning away five in the Bucks’ 102-74 win over the Wizards. It was the
fifth time in nine games that he’s blocked five shots, averaging 3.9
blocks during the stretch. Strong play is nothing new, however, as he’s
delivered a first-round impact since January 1 – in 31 games, he’s
averaged 16.8 points on 55-percent shooting, 10.8 boards, and 2.8
blocks, while making a reasonable 71 percent of his free throws. On the season, he currently ranks 10th among center-eligible players in per-game rank at 29th overall, and he and Dwight Howard(notes) are the only two players in the league currently averaging a double-double and at least two blocks per game.
• Andray Blatche(notes) had his worst game since becoming completely awesome
Friday, scoring 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting and grabbing six boards
in 35 minutes. Meanwhile, JaVale McGee(notes) posted his second double-double
in four games (13 points, 11 boards) and added four blocks in 31
minutes, while Al Thornton(notes) was more-or-less invisible for the second
straight game (27 minutes, 6 points, 3 boards, 1 block).
• Rodney Stuckey was taken to the Cleveland Clinic Friday after feeling lightheaded and collapsing into a Pistons trainer’s arms during a timeout in the third quarter. A Pistons spokesman said that Stuckey was conscious, his vital signs were stable and he was breathing on his own, and he’ll remain in the hospital overnight for tests and observation. What is particularly troubling in Stuckey’s case is that he had a similar event happen during a game last season. Will Bynum(notes) will likely take over point guard duties for the Pistons while Stuckey’s availability is addressed, with Ben Gordon(notes) also being in line for more playing time … Also for the Pistons: Ben Wallace(notes) (knee) missed his second straight game and is expected to miss several more.
• J.J. Hickson(notes) followed up a pair of solid efforts in his first two games as the the Cavs’ starting center with a certified stinker on Friday (16 minutes, 4 points, 1-of-6 FG, 1 rebound). Anderson Varejao(notes) picked up the slack off the bench, however (39 minutes, 16 points, 10 boards, 3 assists, 1 turnover). Count on more ups and downs from Hickson before he eventually cedes playing time to Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes).
• Tyson Chandler(notes) played 15 minutes off the bench for the Bobcats Friday (6 points, 4 boards, 1 block). For some reason, Chandler’s percent-owned number is currently 31 percent, so he’s already rostered in more leagues than he’s likely to warrant even if he is able to stay healthy enough to remain in the rotation from here on out.
• Game two of Tracy McGrady’s(notes) stint at point guard for the Knicks was a bit less successful, as he scored 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting, grabbed six boards, and had four assists and six turnovers in 33 minutes of a 102-96 loss. Sergio Rodriguez(notes) was reasonably effective in limited action (18 minutes, 10 points, 7 assists, 2 turnovers) and is undoubtedly looking at a bench role for as long as T-Mac can keep himself on the court.
• Chris Bosh(notes) was slated to return to the lineup Friday after
missing the past six games due to a left ankle sprain, but he missed
the team’s shootaround and ended up going to the hospital because of severe stomach cramps. Amir Johnson(notes) got the start in his stead (31 minutes, 14 points, 8 boards, 1 steal).
• Surprise, surprise. The Warriors and Hawks got together and there were plenty of good numbers to go around in the 127-122 Atlanta win. The notables for the Warriors: Anthony Tolliver(notes) posted a complete line (44 minutes, 20 points, 4 threes, 7 boards, 5 assists, 0 turnovers, 1 block), Ronny Turiaf(notes) continued his solid play (37 minutes, 6 points, 10 boards, 5 assists, 1 turnover), and Corey Maggette(notes) came back early from his hamstring injury (23 minutes, 18 points, 7 boards). If he has no set-backs, Maggette will likely push Anthony Morrow(notes) back to the bench before too long. For the Hawks, Mike Bibby(notes) (23 points, 7 threes) helped pick up the slack on an off night for Joe Johnson(notes) (10 points, 3-of-14 FG).
• Do you think the Magic are happy to have Jameer Nelson(notes) back? Over the past nine games, he’s averaged 16.2 points on 54-percent shooting, 1.4 threes, 7.3 assists, and 2.1 turnovers, while the team has gone 7-2. It probably hasn’t hurt that Dwight Howard has been downright dominant, too (22.2 points, 61% FG, 67% FT, 12.3 boards, 3.3 blocks).
• Courtney Lee(notes) (ankle) missed his third straight game Friday and will be a game-time decision Saturday against the Knicks.
• Jason Terry(notes) had surgery Friday to repair a broken orbital bone and will be able to return to basketball activities within 10 to 14 days. If all goes well, he’ll return to the active roster very quickly after getting that medical clearance. Rodrigue Beaubois(notes) provided the spark off the bench for the Mavs Friday (24 minutes, 22 points, 3 treys, 1 steal) and will play consistently while Terry is sidelined, as will Jose Juan Barea(notes) (30 minutes, 8 points, 7 assists, 0 turnovers) … The Mavs lost Brandan Haywood after just seven minutes Friday, due to back tightness, and he’s questionable for Saturday at this point.
• Although the Nuggets have officially declared Kenyon Martin(notes)
day-to-day because of patella tendinitis, sources say that he has a partial tear of his left patella tendon
and may be facing surgery. The report indicates that they’ll decide on
a course of action within 48 hours. Chris Andersen(notes) is the obvious
upgrade if K-Mart were to go under the knife (or simply miss time), but
he’s no sure thing himself – he’s been playing through pain and doesn’t expect to be 100 percent until the off-season, although he was certainly effective Friday (27 minutes, 13 points, 10 boards, 3 blocks). Joey Graham(notes) started in Martin’s place (22 minutes, 8 points, 3 boards, 2 steals).
• Has T.J. Ford(notes) replaced Earl Watson(notes) as the Pacers’ starting point guard? Does it matter? Ford was in the starting five Friday (24 minutes, 7 points, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals), his fourth start in five games, while Watson was a reserve for the first time since late December (23 minutes, 10 points, 3 boards, 3 assists, 3 turnovers). As you can see by the numbers, it was a fairly unimpressive timeshare.
• A solid game for DeJuan Blair(notes) (32 minutes, 10 points, 12
boards, 1 steal, 1 block), as he got a second consecutive start while
Antonio McDyess(notes) rested his hyper-extended left knee.
McDyess was in uniform for the game but did not leave the bench, and
it’s unknown when he’ll return and if he’ll step back into the starting
five … Tim Duncan’s(notes) fantasy owners should look for Saturday updates, as Greg Popovich may choose to keep Duncan out of action in an effort to keep him fresh(er) for the playoffs
• Perhaps rumors of Chris Paul’s(notes) impending return were premature? Paul remains without a timetable and has yet to be cleared
to begin running, the next major step in his rehabilitation. Once Paul
is cleared – and assuming he has no set-backs – then it might not be
too long, but for now fantasy owners can only take solace in the fact
that Paul will do everything within his own power to get back on the
court.
"I don’t care if I come back and there are three games left – I’m
playing before the season is over. But I can’t come back
until I can help the team. I don’t want to come back until I’m fully
healed. It would be pointless to come back, not be 100 percent and
reinjure my knee."
Meanwhile the Hornets have dropped six of their past seven games and now sit 5.5 games behind the Blazers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Don’t make any concrete plans for Paul or Darren Collison(notes) until we hear of Paul running with no limitations.
• Russell Westbrook(notes) had seven more steals Friday, pushing his average to 2.3 over the past 18 games. In 30 games between November 22 and January 22, he averaged just 1 per game.
• Baron Davis continues to funk up the place, with another poor line (6 points, 2-of-11 FG, 6 assists, 4 turnovers) in the comfortable loss to the Thunder Friday. While he’s been accumulating some assists lately, his own offense has not been there in seven games since his return from time off to rest his back (11 points, 35% FG, 1 three, 4.6 boards, 8.9 assists, 3.1 turnovers, 1 steal, 0.9 blocks). With the Clips well out of playoff consideration, keep an eye on Davis’ status in the event that he decides to shut it down and give way to Steve Blake(notes), who would instantly become waiver gold.
• Drew Gooden’s(notes) Friday line (29 minutes, 9 points, 13 boards) marked the first time in seven games as a Clipper that he failed to reach double figures in scoring and was the sixth time he had at least eight boards. His averages in the seven games include 32 minutes, 14.9 points, 9.6 boards, and 0.9 steals.
• Marcus Camby(notes) injured his left ankle in practice Friday. X-rays were negative but he’s currently listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
—
Photos via Getty Images