LeBron James(notes) is looking forward to a few games off once the Cavs are assured the top playoff seed.
• LeBron James is likely to get at least two of the Cavs’ remaining five games off. He’s been dealing with a sore left elbow in recent games and offered the following:
"You’d love to get some rest before the playoffs start. I
think there’s a few guys who want to keep playing but there’s a few guys
who want a little rest and I’m one of them."
Shaquille O’Neal’s(notes) potential availability could also affect which games LBJ does sit out. From The Plain Dealer:
Though the Cavs are not publicly talking about it, the belief within
the locker room is that team doctors could clear O’Neal to play within a
week … That would leave the option of O’Neal getting a game or two in
before the playoffs start in two weeks. It might help the Cavs get some
of the rust out in a meaningless regular-season game with O’Neal,
instead of in a playoff game. If that comes to fruition, it is possible James and some other
regulars would take a look at skipping some of the games this week —
[Tuesday] vs. Toronto, Thursday at Chicago or Friday vs. Indiana — and
then coming back together with O’Neal next week.
There have been no official mentions of James sitting Tuesday as of yet, but clearly it’s looking like his getting some time off is an inevitability. Antawn Jamison(notes) (knee, shoulder) and Mo Williams(notes) (shoulder) also appear to be prime candidates for down time once the No.1 overall seed is clinched. Delonte West(notes), Daniel Gibson(notes), and Jamario Moon(notes) would be the major beneficiaries of the surplus playing time.
• Joe Johnson(notes) will be out for at
least the Hawks’ next two games, as he continues to rest and
rehabilitate his sprained right thumb. Nothing is certain beyond that [schedule], as
his availability will be determined based on how the injury reacts over
the next few days. Johnson offered the following quote on Monday:
"I can’t really get deflections or try and steal or rebound the
ball the
way I want to, because I’m worried about getting hit. I’m just trying
to rest up and do whatever it takes to get it back to
100 percent before the playoffs start."
Maurice Evans(notes) will replace Johnson in the starting five, and he’s
averaged 16 points on 61-percent shooting, 2.7 threes, and 6 boards in
32 minutes during his three starts thus far.
• A Monday MRI of George Hill’s(notes) right ankle showed a strained right peroneal tendon, and the injury puts the rest of his regular season in doubt. The team has yet to announce a potential timetable for his return, although he’s been officially declared out for Tuesday and Wednesday. Tony Parker(notes) has been medically cleared and will return to the active roster Tuesday. He won’t start and Gregg Popovich said "fifteen or so" minutes would be ideal as he works his way back to game shape after missing over a month of action.
• Andrew Bynum(notes) remains out indefinitely.
A Monday MRI showed that his left Achilles tendon remains strained and
there is no timetable for his return.
• Stephen Jackson(notes) is dealing with a strained hamstring, a turned ankle, a sore hand, and a sore elbow, but plans to play through all of it until the Bobcats clinch a playoff spot. The Bobcats are currently the seventh seed in the East [standings], three games ahead of the ninth-seeded Bulls with six games to play for both teams.
• Jermaine O’Neal’s(notes) hyper-extended right knee is getting better. He was a partial participant in the Heat’s Monday practice, will get more treatment Tuesday, and may return to the court Wednesday. Keep in mind that the team will not press him back into service if he’s not completely ready – Joel Anthony’s(notes) defense has been pivotal during their current eight-game winning streak (the past four without O’Neal) and they have a playoff spot all but wrapped up.
• Shawn Marion(notes) (oblique) did not practice Monday, isn’t likely to practice Tuesday, and will be a game-day decision Wednesday.
• The Warriors still have yet to receive the results of medical tests regarding Monta Ellis’(notes) bout with flu-like symptoms, which has now lasted two weeks. Ellis is expected to remain out until at least Saturday at this point.
• For the 76ers: Andre Iguodala(notes) (plantar fasciitis) did not practice Monday but is expected to play Tuesday … Louis Williams(notes) (back) was a full participant in practice and said that
he expects no limitations moving forward … Thaddeus Young(notes) (thumb) was a non-contact participant in Monday’s practice and is being called a game-time decision, although it’s hard to think that he’ll play if he’s not taking part in contact work.
• For the Nuggets: Chauncey Billups(notes) (quad) is probable for Wednesday … Chris Andersen(notes) (ankle) was a limited participant in Monday’s practice and will be a game-time decision Wednesday … Kenyon Martin(notes) (knee) is still hoping to return before the end of the regular season.
• For the Pistons: Richard Hamilton(notes) (ankle) practiced Monday and will be a game-time decision Tuesday … Jason Maxiell(notes) (back) did not practice and is questionable for Tuesday.
• Andrei Kirilenko(notes) (calf) is traveling with the Jazz on their
current road trip but is likely to still be a week away
from returning to action.
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