Author: Matt Buser

Carlos Boozer(notes) and Tony Parker(notes) were the injury casualties on Wednesday night, while Kris Humphries(notes) continues to produce.

• Carlos Boozer left Wednesday’s game after straining his right calf on a simple in-bounds in the third quarter and did not return. He’s set for a Thursday MRI that should give us a better idea of his condition. Given his history, both Boozer and Paul Millsap’s(notes) fantasy owners should anxiously be awaiting news here … Deron Williams(notes) won’t play Friday, as he’ll be away from the team because of a family funeral. Ronnie Price(notes) figures to get the start for the Jazz.

• Tony Parker, already dealing with plantar fasciitis, left
Wednesday’s game with a left ankle sprain. X-rays were negative, but
he’ll be re-evaluated by Spurs’ doctors Thursday and is likely to miss
at least a couple of games.
George Hill(notes), who was already starting at shooting guard, will take over at point guard during his absence and suddenly looks like a very good roster add (an upgrade from his previous designation of merely "good"). Roger Mason(notes) and Keith Bogans(notes) will also get extra backcourt run while Parker is out.

• Brandon Roy’s(notes) hamstring injury will keep him out at least through the weekend. He’ll be re-evaluated Monday and may be available for the Blazers’ game that night … Nicolas Batum(notes) is back for the Blazers and should serve to further muddy the
fantasy depth chart. He played 27 minutes Wednesday, scoring 16 points on
7-of-9 shooting (2-of-2 threes) and adding four boards, one block, and
one steal, while spending some time defending Deron Williams. The Blazers of course played with Brandon Roy in that game, so how many minutes Batum sees – and who they come at the expense of (Martell Webster(notes)?) – remains to be seen once Roy’s hamstring is feeling good enough for him to return to the active roster. 

• The Clippers played most of their 103-87 loss to the Nets without Marcus Camby(notes), who suffered a bruised rib while taking a charge in the first quarter. There’s been no indication as of yet that the injury is serious. Craig Smith(notes) played 37 minutes in his absence (18 points, 8 boards) and would be the primary beneficiary if Camby were to miss any games moving forward. Over the past eight games, Smith has averaged 14.5 points on 61-percent shooting and 5.6 boards in 24 minutes, but he’s not more than a three-category contributor (FG%, REB, PTS) even at his best.

• Kris Humphries made some noise in the win over the Clippers, scoring 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting in 31 minutes, and adding eight boards, one steal, and one block. Humphries got the extra run because of Yi Jianlian’s(notes) foul trouble (15 minutes, 6 points, 5 fouls) and has seen at least 22 minutes of action in each of the past six games as the team’s sole backup big. His averages during that stretch include 14.8 points on 57-percent shooting, 6.7 boards, and 1.3 steals-plus-blocks. Those numbers play in more than six percent of leagues (his current ownership level). 

• Michael Beasley(notes) played only eight minutes Wednesday because of a hyper-extended right knee. While the injury isn’t considered serious – there was no swelling and the team didn’t see a need for an MRI – he’s questionable/doubtful for Friday’s matchup with the Pistons. Udonis Haslem(notes) (40 minutes, 16 points, 11 boards Wednesday) will get extra run if Beasley is out Friday.

• Developments in Dallas: Jason Terry(notes) has started the past four games at shooting guard (35 minutes, 16.5 points, 49% FG, 2.5 threes, 3.5 assists, 1 turnover, 1.3 steals) and all involved parties appear comfortable with Terry remaining in the starting five, while Josh Howard(notes) comes off the bench. Howard [splits] certainly has a chance to be productive as a reserve, but the move does make it a bit tougher for him to completely turn his season around … Erick Dampier(notes) (knee) is being called a game-time decision Thursday, but it’s likely by design and I’d expect him to sit, considering the matchup (@PHO). Drew Gooden(notes) should be in fantasy lineups for this one.

• Brandon Rush(notes) is emerging with some fantasy value, post-hype. Over the past eight games, he’s averaged 13.1 points on 55-percent shooting, 2.1 threes, 4.8 boards, and 1.3 steals-plus-blocks in 32 minutes. He’s taken back the starting shooting guard position and is showing signs that he means to hang on to it this time around (and the Pacers’ organization as a whole couldn’t be happier). I’d roster Marcus Thornton(notes) ahead of Rush, but Rush ahead of Arron Afflalo(notes).

• Thursday status updates: Grant Hill(notes) (heel) will be back in the starting lineup … DeMar DeRozan(notes) (ankle) is doubtful.

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Photos via Getty Images

Corey Maggette(notes) missed a lot of shots Tuesday, but his fantasy owners still don’t have much to gripe about these days.

• I don’t want to hear any whining from you Corey Maggette owners in the wake of his 3-for-22 performance against the Kings Tuesday. Sure, he made it tough for you to win FG% in your h2h matchup this week, but wasn’t he largely responsible for winning you both FG% and FT% over the past five weeks? In 19 games between Dec. 12 and Jan. 22, Maggette shot 62 percent from the field (13.3 FGA) and 88 percent from the line (11.2 FTA) and was the cumulative leader in positive impact in both categories over that stretch. Amar’e Stoudemire(notes) (56% FG, 15.3 FGA) and Kevin Durant(notes) (87% FT, 10.2 FTA) had the second-best impacts in the respective categories during that time.

• Those of you that added Anthony Tolliver(notes) in recent days were surely less than enthused to see Vladimir Radmanovic(notes) return Tuesday, as he was also back in the starting lineup. He played just seven minutes in a close game, however, while Tolliver played 28 minutes and was fourth on the team with 11 field goal attempts. That he made only two is another matter… This quote from VladRad regarding his Achilles should give Tolliver owners a bit of pause before sending him back to waivers:

"It’s never going to be 100 percent healthy, but I hope to keep the pain at a point that I can play with it."

Tolliver has launched 21 threes over the past five games, but made just two. Obviously something has got to give there, and his resume suggests that some of them are going to start falling. And what he has going for him over VladRad is some athleticism, that he likes to rebound, and isn’t a total loss on defense. I’m going to stay the course here for at least a few more days and see if Tolliver keeps getting the opportunities and can find his range.

• Jose Calderon(notes) could be looking at significant run on Wednesday night against Miami, as DeMar Derozan(notes) injured his right ankle in Tuesday’s practice and is doubtful for the game.

• Tyson Chandler(notes) says the stress reaction in his left foot is now pain-free. He’s hoping to return to practice sometime this week and possibly return to the active roster next week. Chandler has not played since Dec. 22 and has missed the past 17 games, during which the Bobcats have gone 11-6.

• We can put the Gilbert Arenas(notes) story to bed for the rest of the season, as he won’t be coming back for any of it. As for his future beyond the 2009-10 season with the Wizards:

Arenas asked Stern about the possibility of having the remaining
four years of his six-year $111 million contract voided, to which Stern
replied, "That would be left up to the team." He also informed Arenas
that members of the Wizards organization had not yet made an inquiry
about voiding his contract to the NBA’s legal department. Arenas also has intimated to friends, the NBA and legal
representatives that he has no desire to play for Wizards President
Ernie Grunfeld again, according to a person familiar with Arenas’s
situation.

Randy Foye(notes) (72% owned) is now locked in for the rest of the year, and he’s averaged 17 points, 1.1 threes, 93-percent foul shooting, 5.6 assists, 1.7 turnovers, and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks in 11 games since taking over at point guard for the team. 

• Corey Brewer(notes) made four more threes Tuesday (29 minutes, 22
points, 9-of-10 FG) and his averages over the past nine games include
17.6 points on 49-percent shooting, 2.3 threes (53%), 4.1 boards, 1.3
steals, and 0.9 blocks. The threes are a new wrinkle for Brewer, as he
averaged 0.5 attempts from long-range in 94 games over his first two
NBA seasons and made 11 of 55 threes (20%) through the first 36 games
of the season. While there are no guarantees that the shots are going
to keep falling for him at this pace, fantasy owners would be
well-advised to go ahead and give him some run while he’s playing at
this level if he’s currently among available free agents. 

• Leandro Barbosa(notes) had surgery on his wrist Tuesday and is expected to be out for up to six weeks. Barbosa has missed the past three games, during which Goran Dragic(notes) has averaged 21.3 points on 62-percent shooting, 3.3 threes, 2.7 assists, 2 turnovers, and 1.3 steals in 26 minutes … Grant Hill(notes) missed Tuesday’s game because of a heel injury, giving Jared Dudley(notes) his first start of the season (49 minutes, 18 points, 4 threes, 10 boards, 2 steals). If Hill’s injury becomes a long-term issue, then Dudley is certainly worth a look on most fantasy rosters, but as it stands my money is on Dragic being the better roster add (and worthy of standard-league ownership).

• Wednesday status updates: Carmelo Anthony(notes) (ankle) and Chris Andersen(notes) (ankle) are probable for the Nuggets … Devin Harris(notes) (wrist) and Courtney Lee(notes) (wisdom tooth) are out, Chis Douglas-Roberts (illness) is questionable for the Nets … Eric Gordon(notes) (toe) expects to play … Ben Gordon(notes) (groin) might actually make an appearance for the Pistons … Delonte West(notes) (finger) is out … For the Blazers, Brandon Roy(notes) (hamstring) remains out, while Jerryd Bayless(notes) (ankle) is expected to be back in the starting lineup … Monta Ellis(notes) (ankle) expects to return to the lineup.

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Photos via Getty Images

Setting the stage for Week 14 of the fantasy basketball season.

Schedule Breakdown

Four-game teams: ATL, BOS, CHA, CLE, DEN, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIA, MON, NOR, NYK, ORL, PHI, PHO, POR, SAS

Three-game teams: CHI, DAL, DET, MIL, NJN, OKC, SAC, TOR, UTH, WAS

Also see: Basketball Monster’s ease rankings | Rotowire’s value meter

Pickups/Plug-ins – Players owned in fewer than 40% of Yahoo! leagues

• Goran Dragic(notes) – Leandro Barbosa’s(notes) wrist surgery [see below] presents Dragic with a great opportunity
for more consistent playing time at both guard positions for the Suns.
Case-in-point: Saturday’s win over the Warriors, during which he scored
20 points and added three treys, four steals, and a block in 26
minutes. While the matchup clearly couldn’t have been better,
his production was still part of a trend. In games where he’s seen at
least 20 minutes of action (15), Dragic has averaged 11.1 points, 1.7
threes, 3.1 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.3 turnovers, and 1 steal. Jason
Richardson(notes) returned to the starting lineup Saturday, but played 27
minutes and is averaging a career-low 30 on the season. Factor in Jared
Dudley’s(notes) continued shooting woes (34% FG, 29% 3PT in January), and
Dragic’s prospects improve that much further. Week 14: NOR, UTH, @HOU, @DAL

• Matt Barnes(notes) – Stan Van Gundy couldn’t be happier
with the way that Barnes has performed as a starter, although he said
"you never know" when it comes to adjusting player roles over the
season’s second half. Barnes should be getting run in most formats
while he is starting – in 13 January games, he’s averaged 13 points on
53-percent shooting, 1.4 threes, 7.3 boards, and 1.3 steals-plus-blocks
in 31 minutes. Week 14: @MEM, BOS, ATL, @DET

• Brandon Rush(notes) – Rush is back in the Pacers’ starting
five and has averaged 12.7 points on 63-percent shooting, 2 threes, 3.8
boards, 2 assists, 0.5 turnovers, and 1.2 steals-plus-blocks in 30
minutes over the past six games. He’s in a great position to succeed
and the team would like nothing more than for him to take ownership of
the shooting guard position. His horrific start to the season turned
off a lot of fantasy owners, but he’s got plenty of time left to impact
the fantasy season. Week 14: @PHI, LAL, CLE, @TOR

• Drew Gooden(notes) – Gooden started for the injured Erick
Dampier(notes) Sunday and was huge against the Knicks (34 minutes, 15 points,
18 boards, 1 steal, 2 blocks). Gooden has been a fantastic per-minute
producer over the past month (23 minutes, 10.1 points, 50% FG, 8.7
boards, 1 steal, 1 block) and doesn’t have significant downside in
terms of playing time behind the gimpy Dampier. Week 14: MIL, @PHO, POR

• Rasual Butler(notes) – Butler has been in and out of the Clippers’
starting five all season but overall has had a steady role over the
past six weeks or so. Over his past 21 games, he’s averaged 13.3
points, 1.9 threes, 1.3 steals-plus-blocks, and 0.8 turnovers in 33
minutes. Week 14: @BOS, @NJN, @MIN, @CLE

• George Hill(notes) – Hill has moved ahead of middling options like Keith Bogans(notes) and Roger Mason(notes)
as the Spurs’ starting shooting guard and has averaged 15.7 points and
2.3 threes over the past three games. There isn’t always a ton of usage
available after the team’s big three, but Hill has a good all-around game and Tony Parker’s(notes)
plantar fasciitis should mean that he’s utilized fairly regularly
within the Spurs’ gameplan. He’s worth a look in most formats with 30-plus minutes. Week 14: CHI, ATL, MEM, DEN

• Arron Afflalo(notes) – Afflalo has been a very steady player
for the Nuggets, and his role has been expanding in recent weeks. He’s
scored in double figures in nine of the past 11 games, averaging 11.8
points on 52-percent shooting, 2.1 threes, and 1.3 steals-plus-blocks
in 28 minutes over that stretch. There is only so much usage available
here, but his defense has been solid, he’s making good use of his
offensive opportunities (48% FG, 42% 3PT on the season), and could be in line for even more. Week 14: @UTH, CHA, DAL, @HOU

• Francisco Garcia(notes) – Garcia remains an intriguing roster add (particularly in roto leagues) for the same reasons that I mentioned last week, and he’s seven days closer to returning at this point.

• Anthony Tolliver(notes) – Tolliver has been pressed into duty
for the short-handed Warriors and has averaged 15.5 points, 1 three,
and 10.5 boards in 39 minutes over the past two games. He should see
consistent run for at least a few more weeks, as neither Vladimir
Radmanovic(notes) nor Anthony Randolph(notes) are set to return any time soon. Week 14: @SAC, NOR, CHA, @OKC

• Carlos Delfino(notes) – Defino’s inconsistent production is
currently on the upswing – he’s been in the starting five for the
Bucks’ past three games (in place of Ersan Ilyasova(notes)) and has averaged
17.7 points on 52-percent shooting, 3 threes, 8 boards, 3.2 assists,
1.8 turnovers, and 1.7 steals in 36 minutes over the past six games.
He’s worth the add while his minutes are up if you’ve got a roster spot
that you regularly turn over, but he’s not heading for a breakout at
age 28 – keep expectations in check. Week 14: @DAL, PHI, MIA

• Daniel Gibson(notes) – Gibsonwill
start at point guard for as long as Delonte West(notes) is out and warrants a
deep-league add
for those with a roster spot in play, as his role was already set to
increase in the wake of the Mo Williams(notes) injury. Gibson has made 47
percent of his threes this
season and has averaged 11.2 points, 2.2 threes, 2.5 assists, and 0.7
steals in 43 career starts. Week 14: @MIA, MIN, @IND, LAC

• Kris Humphries(notes) – Humphries has seen at least 22
minutes of playing time in each of the past five games, averaging 12.8
points on 52-percent shooting, 6.4 boards, and 1.2 steals-plus-blocks
in 25 minutes. His role should stay steady as the primary backup big
for the Nets, and the potential for expanded minutes is there behind
the injury-prone Yi Jianlian(notes). Week 14: LAC, WAS, PHI

• C.J. Watson(notes) – Watson returned from his hand injury
ahead of schedule Saturday (25 minutes, 11 points, 1 steal) and at
least makes sense as a short-term add in deep leagues with Monta Ellis(notes)
and Anthony Morrow(notes) currently dealing with injuries. Week 14: @SAC, NOR, CHA, @OKC

• A.J. Price(notes) – While the Pacers have technically been satisfied
with Earl Watson’s(notes) play as the starter, his fairly low ceiling is
well-established and leaves room for Price to see playing time. The
rookie has averaged 10.6 points, 1.5 threes, 2.9 assists, 1.9
turnovers, and 0.9 steals in 21 minutes over the past 13 games, numbers
that play in deep leagues (his current ownership level is 2%). Week 14: @PHI, LAL, CLE, @TOR

• Craig Smith(notes) – Smith’s recent run has put him on
deep-league radars, as he’s averaged 14.2 points on 61-percent
shooting, 5.3 boards, and 1 steal-plus-block in 22 minutes over the
past six games. He’s emerging as the primary backup big for the
Clippers and has posted per-25 minute averages of 11.9 points, 5.5
boards, and 1.2 steals-plus-blocks on the season. Week 14: @BOS, @NJN, @MIN, @CLE

Status Updates

• Carmelo Anthony(notes) – Although his ankle injury is not considered serious, Anthony will not play Monday. He’s targeting Wednesday for a return to the active roster.

• Ron Artest(notes) – Artest is dealing with plantar fasciitis in both feet but has said that "it’s gotten a lot better" and shouldn’t cost him any games if he stays diligent in getting treatment.

• Leandro Barbosa – Barbosa and the Suns have been left with no choice but surgery
to address his nagging right wrist injury, suffered during
international play over the summer. He’s quietly played through pain
for the past few months, but an ever-present cyst has become too
problematic (35% FG in January), and he’s expected to miss the next
month of action. Jason Richardson is back as the starter at shooting
guard for the Suns, while Gordan Dragic and Jared Dudley will also get
some of Barbosa’s minutes.

• Jerryd Bayless(notes) – Bayless missed Saturday’s game with a sprained left ankle and his status for Monday’s game has yet to be determined.

• Tyson Chandler(notes) – Chandler (foot) has yet to resume practicing and still does not appear close to returning to the active roster.

• Erick Dampier – Damp sat out Sunday’s game with the Knicks because of continuing problems with his left knee. His knee was recently thought to be improving,
so he may have just gotten the day off because of matchup
considerations, but we should know more in the coming days. Drew Gooden
got the start Sunday (34 minutes, 15 points, 18 boards, 2 blocks) and
gains plenty of relevance any time Damp is sidelined.

• Monta
Ellis – Ellis missed Saturday’s game because of a sprained right ankle.
X-rays taken Friday were negative but his status for Tuesday’s game
remains up in the air.

• Francisco Garcia – Garcia has been practicing with the Kings for just over three weeks and should be back in the team’s active rotation sometime after February 1.

• Eric Gordon(notes) – Gordon has missed the Clippers’ past two games with a sprained left big toe.
While he’s officially listed as day-to-day, Gordon himself admitted
that he’s concerned about the potential for the injury to stick with
him. Rasual Butler and Ricky Davis(notes) will see extra minutes for as long
as Gordon is limited. 

• Ben Gordon(notes) – Gordon remains out with a groin injury that has taken much longer to heal than was originally expected. He’s missed seven straight games and is currently questionable for Wednesday. 

• Devin
Harris(notes) – Harris did not play Saturday because of a right wrist sprain.
He’s set for a Sunday MRI, after which his availability for the Nets’
three-game week should be established.Keyon Dooling(notes) got the start Saturday but had just three points on 1-of-7 shooting in 19 minutes of a 116-83 loss.

• Jason Kidd(notes) – Kidd missed Sunday’s game to tend to a personal matter but is expected to play Tuesday. 

• Anthony Morrow – Morrow (knee) is expected to be sidelined for another week to 10 days because of a sprained right MCL. 

• Joakim Noah(notes) – A bout with plantar fasciitis finally cost Noah a game Sunday. He’s essentially game-to-game at this point, saying that he’ll just have to stretch, treat, and "stay on top of it." Brad
Miller(notes) got the start Sunday and scored a season-high 25 points in 26
minutes, and he’s the beneficiary if Noah can’t get right and misses
more games.

• Anthony Randolph – Randolph’s multiple left ankle injuries are expected to sideline him for about two months, a timeframe Don Nelson called "pretty close" to season-ending.

• Nate Robinson(notes) – Robinson was not active Sunday because of a strained right hamstring and is currently day-to-day.

• Brandon Roy(notes) – Roy has undergone an unconventional procedure
to treat his strained right hamstring and is expected to miss most of
Week 14. Current targets for a return are January 29 or February 1.

• David West(notes) – West is day-to-day after missing Saturday’s game with a sprained left ankle. Jeff Bower is optimistic and hopeful that he’ll be able to return to the lineup on Monday.

• Delonte West – West
missed Saturday’s game because of a broken left ring finger and his
short-term availability will determined after a re-evaluation, which
should take place within the next day or two. He’ll get the starts at point guard, in place of the injured Mo Williams, once he’s able to return to the lineup.

• Mo Williams – Williams will miss four to six weeks
with a left shoulder strain, suffered Tuesday against the Raptors.
He’ll be re-evaluated in roughly 10 days, at which point we should have a
more precise timeframe for his return.

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Photos via Getty Images

Mo Williams(notes) and Brandon Roy(notes) injuries take center stage, while George Hill(notes) and Brandon Rush(notes) appear on more radars.

• Mo Williams will miss four to six weeks with a left shoulder strain, suffered Tuesday against the Raptors. He’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks, at which point we should have a more precise timeframe for his return. Fantasy owners have little choice but to carry dead weight while Williams is out – on the far end of that expected down time, he’ll be back the first week of March, with six weeks of games yet to play. If you are in danger of falling out of contention, then you can throw him on our trade block and see what kinds of offers come in.

Delonte West(notes) is the obvious beneficiary of excess playing time. He started Thursday’s game and played 43 minutes … and broke his left (shooting) ring finger. West will not play Saturday (OKC) and, although the damage is not severe, it’s not yet known if he’ll need more games off. At this point he’s at least questionable for Monday’s game (@MIA). Daniel Gibson(notes) will start for as long as West is out and warrants a deep-league add for those with a roster spot in play, as his role was set to increase with Williams out anyway. Gibson has made 48 percent of his threes this season and has averaged 11.1 points, 2.2 threes, 2.6 assists, and 0.7 steals in 42 career starts. Despite his injury, West should get a serious look in most formats. His brand of across-the-board potential doesn’t come along every day – in 221 career starts, he’s averaged 11.8 points, 1.2 threes, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks. At the very least, make sure he’s on your roster while his injury status is resolved.

• Brandon Roy’s strained right hammy is getting the best treatment available. He underwent a cutting-edge, non-surgical technique Friday where platelet rich plasma is injected into the hamstring in the hopes that it stops bleeding and accelerates the healing process. The hope is that he can return to the active roster within seven to 10 days, and current game targets are Jan. 29 and Feb. 1. Andre Miller(notes) (47 minutes, 28 points, 8 boards, 8 assists Friday), Jerryd Bayless(notes) (21 minutes, 12 points, 4 assists), Martell Webster(notes) (33 minutes, 19 points, 2 threes), Steve Blake(notes) (21 minutes, 5 points), and Rudy Fernandez(notes) (35 minutes, 6 points, 2 threes) will all continue to share the minutes and usage for as long as Roy remains out. 

• Kevin Garnett(notes) returned Friday after missing 10 games with a knee injury and was right back in the mix (30 minutes, 13 points, 4 boards, 3 assists, 2 blocks). Rasheed Wallace’s(notes) nice stretch of games continued, despite his return to the bench (29 minutes, 14 points, 2 threes, 6 boards, 1 block). If that trend continues, it would be huge for the Celtics and fantasy owners alike.

• Raymond Felton(notes) lasted just 11 minutes Friday because of a right ankle sprain, and he may be out Saturday. Flip Murray(notes) (26 minutes, 11 points, 1 three, 9 assists) and D.J. Augustin(notes) (23 minutes, 8 points, 0 assists) would be the recipients of whatever playing time happens to open up. Gerald Wallace(notes) also aggravated an ankle injury and his status will need to be updated Saturday.

• Rafer Alston’s(notes) Friday line (11 points, 3 threes, 5 boards, 9 assists, 2 turnovers, 4 steals) was certainly enough to raise a few eyebrows, if only because starting point guards are always at least monitored for fantasy purposes. The numbers came in a blowout and he’s been mostly useless with the Heat thus far (7.4 points, 1 three, 3 boards, 1 steal in 8 games before Friday), so this doesn’t change things substantially. 

• Andray Blatche(notes) got excess run in the blowout loss to the Heat (32 minutes, 19 points, 11 boards) but the 30-plus minutes will continue to be the exception until there is an(other) injury or a major trade (or three). He’s one to watch around the deadline, though.

• Andrea Bargnani(notes) was not in the lineup for the Raptors Friday because of a sore lower back. Look for further updates on his condition on Saturday.

• Another week, another shake-up of the 76ers’ rotation. Elton Brand(notes) and Jrue Holiday(notes) were in the starting five Friday, ahead of Louis Williams(notes) and Thaddeus Young(notes). Andre Iguodala(notes) was the only player to cross the 30-minute threshold, as seven others saw between 21 and 29 minutes. What makes this edition of the lineup likely to stick for at least a few games is that the 76ers won and limited the Mavs to just 81 points on 40-percent shooting. 

• A horrific effort all around for the Kings on Friday. They were outscored by a combined 54-27 in the second and third quarters and lost by 16 to the Magic despite winning the fourth quarter 35-23. They shot 33 percent as a team, led by Kevin Martin’s(notes) 1-of-7 shooting in 41 minutes (5 points, 5 boards, 5 assists). Tyreke Evans(notes) was the only other player to see substantial playing time (37 minutes, 19 points, 6-of-15 FG, 2 assists, 3 turnovers), as the Kings went 12 deep in the rotation.

• Dwight Howard(notes) was big for the Magic in somewhat limited action (26 minutes, 19 points, 15 boards, 3 steals, 2 blocks), as Orlando also got all 12 of their active players some action in the blowout win. Vince Carter(notes) wasn’t terrible relative to his recent production (26 minutes, 11 points, 1 three, 2 steals, 2 blocks), and Rashard Lewis(notes) continued his decent recent run (27 minutes, 15 points, 2 threes, 6 boards). 

• Brandon Rush’s seesaw production continued, as he followed up four points Wednesday with 19 points and five threes in 34 minutes Friday. It wouldn’t be a shock if he doesn’t regain standard-league relevance any time soon, but he’s at least in a position to succeed now that he’s back in the starting five. 

• Chris Duhon(notes) had another terrible offensive game (2 points, 1-of-9 FG), but played 31 minutes because Nate Robinson(notes) (10 minutes, 3 points, 4 assists) suffered a hamstring injury. Look for an update on Nate’s condition on Saturday – Larry Hughes(notes) would begrudgingly be added back to the rotation if the injury is at all serious.

• One Knick that was decidedly un-terrible in the loss to the Lakers: David Lee(notes), who posted 31 points, 17 boards, and four assists in 42 minutes. Lee has delivered a first-round impact over the past month, averaging 21.6 points on 55-percent shooting, 83-percent foul shooting, 13.4 boards, 4.6 assists, 2.2 turnovers, and 1 steal-plus-block over his past 17 games.

• David West(notes) played 12 minutes against the Timberwolves Friday (14 points) before leaving with a sprained left ankle. Look for an update on his status on Saturday – Darius Songaila(notes) (24 minutes, 13 points, 5 boards, 3 steals) is next in line on the depth chart. 

• Kevin Love(notes) returned after missing two games with strep throat, posting 13 points, nine boards, one steal, and one block in 24 minutes as a reserve. He isn’t likely to be long for the starting five – Ryan Gomes(notes) had all zeros in 20 minutes of a two-point loss Friday. 

•Kyle Lowry(notes) played 34 minutes off the bench Friday as the Rockets (and Spurs) went small, and delivered a big line (23 points, 2 threes, 6 boards, 9 assists, 2 steals). He’s been one of the better per-minute producers on the season, but he’ll just continue to tease with lines like this as long as he’s locked in as Aaron Brooks’(notes) backup.

• George Hill made his third consecutive start Friday and posted a very solid line (35 minutes, 15 points, 3 threes, 5 assists, 1 steal). He’s averaged 15.7 points and 2.3 threes over the past three games (all starts) and has moved ahead of middling options like Keith Bogans(notes) and Roger Mason(notes) as the starting shooting guard. There isn’t always a ton of usage available after the Spurs’ big three, but Hill has a good all-around game and Tony Parker’s(notes) plantar fasciitis should mean that he’s utilized fairly regularly within the Spurs’ gameplan. He’s worth a look in most formats with starters’ minutes.

• Both the Warriors and the Nets lost their point guards in their Friday matchup. Monta Ellis(notes) continued to play after suffering a righ ankle sprain in the first quarter, but he eventually left the game for good in the third quarter. X-rays were negative but he is out Saturday. Harris left the game after aggravating a right wrist sprain. His X-rays were also negative but he’s doubtful for Saturday. Stephen Curry(notes) (48 minutes, 32 points, 3 threes, 7 assists, 4 steals) picked up the slack for Ellis; nobody on the Nets picked up the slack for Harris in the 111-79 loss.

• The Suns continue to flounder, as their loss to the Bulls was their sixth in eight games. They got reasonable production from a few players but shot 39 percent overall while allowing the Bulls to shoot 51 percent from the floor. Channing Frye(notes) (26 minutes, 16 points, 4 threes, 8 boards, 1 block) and Jason Richardson(notes) (30 minutes, 12 points, 8 boards, 3 assists) were solid off the bench, but the team had no answer for Derrick Rose(notes) (32 points, 5 assists, 3 steals) and was largely ineffective on the defensive end.A few more losses like this one – or in general – and their "new look" lineup could be in for a newer look.

—

Photos via Getty Images

Setting the stage for Week 13 of the fantasy basketball season.

Schedule Breakdown

Four-game teams: CHA, CHI, DAL, DET, GSW, IND, LAC, LAL, MIA, MIL, MIN, NJN, NOR, OKC, ORL, PHI, PHO, POR, SAC, TOR, WAS

Three-game teams: ATL, BOS, CLE, DEN, HOU, MEM, NYK, SAS

Two-game teams: UTH

Also see: Basketball Monster’s ease rankings and Rotowire’s value meter

Pickups/Plug-ins – Players owned in fewer than 40% of Yahoo! leagues

• Matt Barnes(notes) – Barnes should be universally rostered in standard leagues. While his ups and downs as a starter have mirrored his team’s inconsistencies, his overall numbers in 17 games have been very useful for fantasy: 13 points on 51-percent shooting, 1.3 threes, 7.4 boards, and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks in 31 minutes. Week 13: @LAL, IND, SAC, @CHA

• Luke Ridnour(notes) – Ridnour has quietly put together an 11-game streak of scoring in double figures, and his averages in five games since Michael Redd(notes) was lost for the season include 13 points, 1.2 threes, 6.4 assists, 1.6 turnovers, and 1.4 steals in 29 minutes. And speaking of quietly, Ridnour’s per-game rank on the season is 83rd, despite just 23 minutes per game to this point. Week 13: @HOU, TOR, @TOR, MIN

• Francisco Garcia(notes) – Considering Garcia for a roster add at this point requires some forward thinking and is a calculated risk. He isn’t likely to return to the active roster much before the end of the month, and Omri Casspi’s(notes) emergence muddies the rotational waters. Garcia remains a key cog for the team and has never needed significant minutes to make a fantasy impact – in 29 games as a reserve last season, his averages in 26 minutes included 12 points, 1.3 threes, 1 steal, and 1 block. The forward thinking is that you’ll have to deal with an inactive player for at least the next two weeks, and the calculated risk is the over/under on 25 minutes per game once he’s back in the mix. But ask yourself what is the better gamble: taking a chance on some good numbers down the stretch from Garcia or hoping for a sustained spike in production from players like Peja Stojakovic(notes) (66% owned), Grant Hill(notes) (61%), and/or Al Thornton(notes) (43%)?

• Corey Brewer(notes) – Brewer has suddenly gotten hot from long-range, making
10 of 21 attempts over the past six games (48%). The dead-eye shooting
has helped him accumulate averages of 16.8 points on 46-percent
shooting, 1.7 threes, 4 boards, and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks in 28
minutes over that stretch. Brewer made 11 of his first 54 3-point
attempts (20%) before his recent binge, but his fantasy impact takes on
a whole new dimension with a reasonable shooting percentage and some
threes. Week 13: PHI, OKC, NOR, @MIL

• Arron Afflalo(notes) – The least mentioned aspect of Afflalo’s game when he
was acquired by the Nuggets was that he made 40 percent of his threes
during the 2008-09 season. That has carried over to Denver, where he’s
made 43 percent of his attempts during the current season. He’s been
picking up the pace on offense of late, scoring in double figures in
six of the past seven games and posting averages of 12.1 points on
50-percent shooting, 2.1 threes, and 1.4 steals-plus-blocks in 29
minutes over the past seven games. His role is very secure and
deep-leaguers should be all over this guy. Week 13: @GSW, LAC, NOR

• Kris Humphries(notes) – Humphries played 27 minutes in his second
game with the Nets (15 points, 8 boards, 2 steals, 1 block) and should
see steady minutes as the sole backup big for the Nets. Deep-leaguers should take note
here, as his per-25 minute averages over the past four seasons include
10 points, 7 boards, and 1.4 steals-plus-blocks and Yi Jianlian(notes) hasn’t
exactly been the picture of health during his three NBA seasons.

Status Updates

• Kevin Garnett(notes) – KG (knee) has been a limited participant in recent practices and his current target for a return is Friday versus Portland.

• Ben Gordon(notes) – Gordon is hopeful to return from his groin injury sometime this week.

• Chris Kaman(notes) – Kaman has missed four consecutive games because of back issues, and he recently had an epidural to help him deal with the pain. His status will be evaluated on a game-to-game basis.

• Mike Miller(notes) – Miller was expected to miss a week or so after aggravating his calf injury this past Tuesday, although the team is expected to be particularly cautious with him this time around.

• Anthony Morrow(notes) – Morrow could miss two to four weeks because of a sprained right MCL. The team is expected to announce the results of an MRI sometime Sunday. 

• Jameer Nelson(notes) – Nelson has struggled since returning and admits that his knee still isn’t 100 percent, but there are no plans for him to sit any games as of yet. 

• Paul Pierce(notes) – Pierce left Sunday’s practice after bumping knees with Shelden Williams(notes). It was the same knee that caused him to miss five games and the hit was "in the exact same spot" that give him problems earlier, so be looking for an update on Monday.

• Tayshaun Prince(notes) – Prince (knee) was a participant in pre-game shooting drills Saturday but sat out his fourth consecutive game. He’s day-to-day and could return sometime this week.

• Anthony Randolph(notes) – Randolph’s multiple left ankle injuries are expected to sideline him for about two months, a timeframe Don Nelson called "pretty close" to season-ending.

• Brandon Roy(notes) – Roy took the advice of Blazers’ doctors and sat Friday’s game in an effort to rest his injured right hamstring. His availability could be tenuous over the next few weeks, depending on how his hamstring responds. The team has consecutive days off just once before the All-Star break and plays four sets of back-to-backs over the same stretch.

• Al Thornton – Thornton is day-to-day after sitting out Saturday’s game with a sprained left ankle.

• Rasheed Wallace(notes) – Sheed has missed the past four games because of a foot sprain, but has returned to practice and is expected to be active Monday. 

—

Photos via Getty Images

Kevin Martin(notes) is back, meaning the feeling out process between K-Mart and Tyreke Evans(notes) can begin (again). 

• Kevin Martin returned to the court Friday, after missing 32 games since fracturing his wrist in early November. The Kings
were 1-4 at the time of the injury, with Martin having averaged 30.6
points and 3.4 threes in 42 minutes per game. Tyreke Evans has emerged
as a two-way game changer in the months since, averaging 22.3 points,
81-percent foul shooting, 5.5 boards, 5.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.6
blocks in 28 games over that stretch. The Kings also enjoyed some team
success despite K-Mart’s absence, winning 12 of 22 games before a
recent swoon (2-8). There is significant interest in whether Martin and
Evans can form a mutually beneficial pairing, as it will help determine
the future of the franchise.

The lines weren’t stellar in their
first attempt to re-connect, a 98-86 loss to the 76ers. Evans scored 14 points on
3-of-13 shooting in 36 minutes, adding four assists, three turnovers,
and three steals. Martin jumped right back into the starting five and
played 34 minutes, scoring 19 points on 4-of-10 shooting, with two
threes, two assists, three turnovers, one steal, and one block. One
very good sign was that the two combined to make 17 of 17 foul shots.
Omri Casspi(notes) was something of a non-factor for the Kings (6 points,
2-of-6 FG), while Jason Thompson(notes) had a very good game (19 points, 16
boards, 5 assists, 4 turnovers, 3 blocks). The Kings are right back at
it on Saturday, taking on the Wizards in Washington, and then play once
in the span of five days.

• The 76ers got yet another
double-double from Samuel Dalembert(notes) (28 minutes, 17 points, 12 boards,
3 blocks) and a rare showing of efficient offense from Thaddeus Young(notes)
(20 points, 9-of-14 FG, 2-of-2 FT) in the win over the Kings. Young has a ways to go
to make up for his horrific production over the past month (12 points,
0.1 threes, 40% FG, 70% FT over his past 15 games). 

• You want to talk about defense? The
Bobcats limited the Spurs to 76 points on 39-percent shooting, with no
player scoring more than 11 points. All was not completely lost for the
Spurs from a fantasy perspective, however. DeJuan Blair(notes) followed up
Wednesday’s 28/21 explosion with 11 points and 16 boards in another 31
minutes of playing time. Blair is picking it up just as Matt Bonner(notes) nears his return
from a broken hand, so we’ll have to see if he can keep it up and stop
Bonner from making a play for the starting gig. Antonio McDyess(notes) has
made it clear that he prefers life as a reserve. 

• Boris Diaw(notes)
scored 26 points, hit four threes, grabbed 11 boards, and had two
blocked shots in 37 minutes against the Spurs. And there was much rejoicing.
He’s now scored in double-figures in three of the past four games,
posting averages of 16 points on 52-percent shooting, 2 threes, 8.5
boards, 5 assists, 1.8 turnovers, 0.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks.
Meanwhile, Raymond Felton(notes) has felt the squeeze – he had four points on
1-of-7 shooting Friday and has averaged 9.5 points over the past four
games.

• There were plenty of good numbers
to go around in the Bulls’ 121-119 win over the Wizards in double
overtime. Derrick Rose(notes) delivered a big line (37 points, 9 boards, 6
assists) in a whopping 50 minutes of playing time to lead the Bulls,
while Antawn Jamison(notes) turned in his most complete line of the season (34
points, 3 threes, 18 boards, 5 assists, 0 turnovers, 1 steal) in 55
minutes … And it was yet another 20-plus point effort from Randy
Foye(notes), who has now averaged 20.6 points, 1.4 threes, 4 boards, 7.8
assists, 1.8 turnovers, 1 steal, and 1 block in five games since
replacing Gilbert Arenas(notes) in the starting five.

• Speaking of Arenas, his saga took its next step Friday, as he pled guilty
to a felony count of carry a pistol without a license. His sentencing
date is March 26, and there is no reason to expect his indefinite
suspension to be modified before that date, at least not for the
better. His plea deal with prosecutors means he probably won’t see more
than six months in jail, but the fact that his sentencing wasn’t
announced today makes it likely he’ll spend at least some time in jail.
In case it still needs to be said: it’s safe to drop him in re-draft leagues. 

• Kris Humphries(notes) saw 27 minutes of playing time in his second
game with the Nets (15 points, 8 boards, 2 steals, 1 block) and should
emerge as the sole backup big for the Nets, as Josh Boone(notes) and Tony
Battie(notes) are eliminated from the rotation. Deep-leaguers should take note
here, as his per-25 minute averages over the past four seasons include
10 points, 7 boards, and 1.4 steals-plus-blocks and Yi Jianlian(notes) hasn’t
exactly been the picture of health during his three NBA seasons.

• Robin Lopez(notes) [game log]
has been a DNP-CD more often than not in recent weeks, but was
productive Friday (11 points, 6 board, 6 blocks) in his first extended
playing time of the season (31 minutes). Lopez limited Channing Frye’s(notes)
impact (21 minutes, 5 point, 1 three, 3 boards), but nobody should be
in panic mode, although it’s worth noting that Frye has totaled 16
points in the past three games. 

• Big games from Richard Hamilton(notes) (32 points, 10 assists, 7
turnovers, 3 steals) and Ben Wallace(notes) (13 points, 21 boards, 5 assists,
1 turnover, 2 blocks) helped the Pistons best the Hornets in overtime,
110-104. Chris Paul(notes) put up another herculean effort (24 points, 2
threes, 5 boards, 14 assists, 3 turnovers, 4 steals) and got the usual
from David West(notes) (25 points, 9 boards). Devin Brown’s(notes) slump reached a
new low (21 minutes, 0 points, 0-of-3 FG), while Marcus Thornton(notes) scored
in double figures for the fourth straight game (30 minutes, 13 points,
2 threes, 5 boards, 2 steals). 

• It’s impossible to ignore the fact that Jose Calderon(notes) (26 minutes,
21 points, 3 threes, 6 assists) outperformed Jarrett Jack(notes) (22 minutes,
10 points, 1 three, 1 assist) for the second consecutive game. For now,
Jay Triano appears satisfied with the current rotation, but that could change if this becomes more of a trend.

• Chris Duhon(notes) is swooning once again, as he’s averaged 4.5 points on
23-percent shooting over the past four games. Shocking, I know.

• Memphis went roughly nine players deep with useful fantasy lines Friday, thanks to the friendliest matchup around. The Timberwolves have allowed 110 points on average over the past 18 games.

• While Kevin Durant’s(notes) overall numbers have improved as the season
has progressed, one area that has been working against his fantasy
impact is assists-to-turnovers. His Friday line was an exaggerated
version of the trend: 30 points, 4 threes, 14-of-16 FT, 13 boards, 0
assists, 8 turnovers, and 1 steal. As for his overall AST:TO ratio, it
was 3.5:3.7 in November, moved to 2.8:4.1 in December, and so far is
2.1:5.1 in seven January games.

• In two games since aggravating his right wrist injury, Dwyane Wade(notes)
has averaged 36 points on 64-percent shooting, 5 boards, 8.5 assists,
4.5 turnovers, 3 steals, 0.5 blocks, and made 22 of 22 free throws …
Jermaine O’Neal(notes) followed up Wednesday’s season-high of 24 points with
his first double-double in nearly six weeks (32 minutes, 16 points, 13
boards, 4 blocks).

• Pau Gasol’s(notes) return was felt throughout the Lakers’ lineup, as the
team’s percentages were 50/46/83 in the 126-86 shellacking of the
Clippers. The Lakers had averaged 116 points in five games before Gasol
was hurt and 93 points in the six games that he missed … Andrew Bynum(notes)
averaged 19 points on 53-percent shooting, 11.8 boards, and 1.5 blocks
in Gasol’s absence, and went for 20/7/2 in the easy win over the Clips.
The Lakers and fantasy owners are anxiously waiting to see if he’s
headed for another downturn now that Gasol is back. Lamar Odom’s(notes) streak
of 11 games with at least 10 rebounds ended emphatically, as he barely
managed double figures in minutes (11 minutes, 7 points, 2 boards, 4
fouls).

• Chris Kaman’s(notes) back pain is/was significant enough that he’s had an epidural, the third of his career. He missed his third consecutive game Friday and his status for Saturday remains up in the air. DeAndre
Jordan(notes) has started the past three games in Kaman’s stead, averaging 13
points on 80-percent shooting, 7.7 boards, and 1.7 blocks in 29
minutes.

• The Warriors’ depth chart is so thin these days that Stephen Curry(notes) was allowed to stay in Friday’s game after having fouled out.
They started with only eight healthy players and lost Anthony Morrow(notes) to
injury, while Andris Biedrins(notes) and Chris Hunter(notes) has previously fouled
out. Both Monta Ellis(notes) and Curry played all 48 minutes, while Morrow lasted only four before leaving with a right knee sprain. He’s due to have an MRI on Saturday.

• Jodie Meeks(notes) followed up 21 points in 31 minutes Wednesday with zero points and three fouls in 13 minutes Friday. 

• This just in: the Magic are struggling. Matt Barnes’(notes) -14 was the "best" number of any of the team’s starters in the 102-87 loss to the Blazers Friday. Rashard
Lewis(notes) and Jameer Nelson(notes) weren’t terrible offensively, but Vince Carter(notes)
was horrific in his return from a shoulder injury and Dwight Howard(notes)
attempted only seven shots and made three of 10 free throws. The team
has lost six of eight games and is desperate to get everyone healthy
and on the same page.
The upcoming schedule is a mixed bag, with matchups with the Lakers,
Pacers, Kings, Bobcats, Grizzlies, Celtics and Hawks on tap for the
next two weeks. From a fantasy perspective, it’s basically "hold"
situations all around.

• What made the Blazers’ win over the Magic particularly impressive
was that they did it without Brandon Roy(notes), who was inactive because of a
hamstring strain.
The team got good production from Andre Miller(notes) (19 points, 9 assists),
Steve Blake(notes) (18 points, 4 threes, 6 assists), LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) (14
points, 14 boards), and Martell Webster(notes) (24 points, 5 threes, 9
boards). Jarryd Bayless managed just one point in 20 minutes as the
starting shooting guard. Rudy Fernandez(notes) had 10 points in 18 minutes in
his second game since returning from back surgery.

• Does Greg Oden(notes) have a shot to play this season? He hasn’t been officially ruled out yet, but I wouldn’t be rushing to the wire in the wake of this "news". It’s still a (very) long shot.

• Sundiata Gaines’(notes) game-winner
grabbed the headlines Thursday but the more relevant fantasy stories in the
Jazz’s win over the Cavs was that both Deron Williams(notes) and Andrei
Kirilenko(notes) left the game
with injuries. Williams aggravated his right wrist injury, did not
practice Friday, and his immediate availability is unknown. AK was on
the court Friday, was feeling better than he was "supposed to be", and
thinks he’ll "probably" be able to give it a go on Saturday. Frustrated
Kirilienko owners should note that he was recently singled out by Jerry
Sloan as someone he’d like to get more minutes and touches for, so I
still recommend holding him in standard leagues.

• The rough target
for Kevin Garnett’s(notes) return from his hyper-extended right knee is next
Friday, January 22. He’s resumed workouts and the team is hoping that
he’ll be ready to rejoin the active roster after a few practices,
including the day before that target … Rasheed Wallace(notes) is a strong possibility to return on Monday.

—

Photos via Getty Images

Blake Griffin’s(notes) debut has been postponed until at least next season, and Brandon Roy’s(notes) hammy could need some rest.

• Blake Griffin’s season is officially over (not that it ever officially started). He experienced pain in his knee soon after ramping up his rehabilitation to include activities like jumping in a pool, so he’s been shut down and will undergo surgery. The expected rehabilitation period is four to six months, which should leave him plenty of time to be ready for the 2010-11 season. The unsuccessful attempt to avoid surgery (Mike Dunleavy called the effort a calculated risk) is another knock on his long-term fantasy potential. His college game was almost completely dependant on explosive athleticism, and he never was a player that projected to accumulate many steals-plus-blocks, make more than 60% of his free throws, or help anyone in terms of assists-to-turnovers. Captain Obvious thinks that Griffin and Greg Oden’s(notes) recoveries and off-season regimens will be heavily scrutinized.

Knowing that Griffin isn’t coming back could mean that the Clippers don’t move Marcus Camby(notes) at the trade deadline, having no other everyday option at power forward. Camby is in the midst of another monster season, with a current per-game rank of 13th thanks to averages that include 11.7 boards, 3.2 assists, 1.1 turnovers, 1.2 steals, and 2.1 blocks. … Chris Kaman(notes) has missed the past two games because of a bad back, but is feeling better and an MRI showed nothing of consequence. He said he may be able to go Friday, but that "could be optimism." I’ve been saying since early in the season that 37 minutes per game are too many for Kaman’s body to handle, and you only need to look at his history to come to that conclusion. DeAndre Jordan(notes) has started the past two games (averages 15 points, 7 boards, 1.5 blocks in 29 minutes) in Kaman’s absence and would be the clear beneficiary if Kaman ends up with significant health issues. Jordan (20 minutes, 7 points, 7 boards) lost time to Brian Skinner(notes) (19 minutes, 14 points 2 boards) Wednesday, but there aren’t many good reasons for that to become a trend.

• Brandon Roy is "concerned" about a right hamstring strain that "could be serious." Plenty of ominous quotes here, with the most troubling aspect being that this is an injury that has never fully recovered from last season. To summarize: he aggravated the injury on Jan. 2 and it’s been bothering him since, and it really tightened up on him during Wednesday’s blowout of the Bucks, during which he played 27 minutes. A Thursday MRI confirmed the strain and he’s currently questionable for Friday. Fantasy owners shouldn’t be surprised if Roy gets a few games off and deep-leaguers should make a quick check of Jerryd Bayless’(notes) availability, although Rudy Fernandez’s(notes) return muddies the backcourt roles in Portland.

• Tim Duncan(notes) got the night off Wednesday and will continue to sit out
parts of back-to-backs as the season progresses, according to Gregg
Popovich. Duncan figures to be active for both of the Spurs’ games this weekend, and the team only has one back-to-back in February, but then it will get interesting. The Spurs have five back-to-backs in March and two in April,
so you have to expect those DNP-CDs to be a potential factor in h2h
playoff matchups. … DeJuan Blair(notes) went off in Duncan’s absence
Wednesday, scoring 28 points and adding 21 boards, two steals, and two
blocks in 31 minutes before fouling out. Blair’s per-31 minute averages
on the season include 13.2 points, 10.9 boards, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks,
and 4.8 fouls.

• Kobe Bryant’s(notes) back spasms kept him out of the entire second quarter
Wednesday, but he then went on to play all 24 minutes of the second
half. Bryant took just 11 shots and no free throws in the 100-95 win
over the Mavericks, after encouraging his teammates to be more agressive earlier in the day. 

• So much for Dwyane Wade’s(notes) sore wrist. He scored 35 points on 10-of-15 shooting and made all 15 of his free throws in the 115-102 win over the Warriors on Wednesday. 

• Jameer Nelson(notes) says his left knee isn’t close to 100 percent and the numbers back it up. In 12 games since returning, Nelson has averaged 9.8 points on 38-percent shooting, 1.1 threes, 4.3 assists, 1.7 turnovers, and 0.5 steals in 27 minutes. He’s still dealing with soreness and occasional swelling, but he’s currently considered healthy enough to play through the issues.

• Josh Howard(notes) (finally) replaced Jose Juan Barea(notes) in the starting lineup for the Mavs, scoring 18 points and adding three treys, five boards, three assists, one steal, and one block in 36 minutes during the loss to the Lakers.

• Jodie Meeks(notes) set season-highs for minutes (31) and points (21) Wednesday, the second game for the post-Redd Bucks. He also added three treys, four boards, and a steal, and should be given plenty of chances to assert himself in the Bucks’ rotation moving forward. Deep-leaguers in need of offense should consider an add here. 

• Here’s the current top 10 in the Curry Line standings ((AST+STL+BLK)/TO): 1. Chris Paul(notes) (6.14), 2. Marcus Camby (5.90), 3. Ronnie Brewer(notes) (5.19), 4. Jason Kidd(notes) (4.92), 5. Ben Wallace(notes) (4.74), 6. C.J. Watson(notes) (4.50). 7. Mike Bibby(notes) (4.49), 8. Jose Calderon(notes) (4.45), 9. Chris Duhon(notes) (4.27), 10. Rajon Rondo(notes) (4.26)

And the bottom 10: 1. Tyson Chandler(notes) (0.89), 2. Amar’e Stoudemire(notes) (0.99), 3. Jonas Jerebko(notes) (1.20), 4. Carl Landry(notes) (1.23), 5. Udonis Haslem(notes) (1.26), 6. Kendrick Perkins(notes) (1.30), 7. Corey Maggette(notes) (1.30), 8. Chris Kaman (1.33), 9. Kevin Durant(notes) (1.37), 10. Al Harrington(notes) (1.42)

• Friday status quick hitters: Pau Gasol(notes) will practice Thursday and is expected to play. … Kevin Martin(notes) practiced Wednesday and is "very likely" to play. … Vince Carter(notes) remains day-to-day with a sprained left shoulder and his availability is not yet known. … Both Ben Gordon(notes) and Tayshaun Prince(notes) will have their status’ updated on Friday. … Mike Miller(notes) is doubtful. 

—

Photos via Getty Images

Kobe and D-Wade continue to accumulate pain, Anthony Randolph(notes) is out for a while, and Kev Martin is set to return.

• The news on Anthony Randolph’s ankle certainly could have been better. He suffered damage to three ligaments and is expected to miss at least two months. He’ll spend the next three weeks in a protective boot and then will be re-evaluated. If all goes well to that point, he’d need a month of rehab before he could return to the court. In most formats, it’s safe to drop him for an active option from waivers. While it’s true that we may see him again down the stretch, what will really be interesting to see is how he is treated next season, post-hype: clearly, he’s been a disappointment overall, but he did improve in a number of areas when you look at advanced stats and per-36’s and he’s just 21 years old. Will he still be a Warrior next season and, perhaps more importantly, will Don Nelson? That remains to be seen.

• Although X-rays came back negative Tuesday, Dwyane Wade’s(notes) wrist is a concern. His sprain Monday aggravated issues that have been with him for weeks, and he’s likely to be a game-time decision Wednesday. His injury concerns figure to be much like Kobe’s – he’ll play through as much as he can and only sit if he absolutely has to. 

• Kevin Garnett(notes) is expected to miss another 10 days as he recovers from his hyper-extended right knee. That may sound vaguely familiar, but this time the team really means it.
KG worked out with the team Monday, his first action since first
hitting the inactive list, and Doc Rivers said that it’s "just a
conditioning thing" at this point. … Rasheed Wallace(notes) could be looking
at "maybe a week" on the inactive list to deal with some general discomfort in his foot.  

• Kevin Martin(notes) has been cleared to practice fully and hopes to return to the Kings’ lineup Friday.
He plans to work out and practice with the team over the next two days and his
activation will ultimately be based on the results of those workouts. 

• Don’t look now, but we may be seeing some signs of life from Boris Diaw(notes). His 19 points Tuesday were the most he’s scored since Dec. 5, and just the third time he’s reached double figures since that date, and he added seven boards, six assists, one steal, and three blocks in a whopping 47 minutes. The Bobcats have won five of their past six games, during which Diaw has averaged 8.7 points (40% FG), 1 three, 5.7 boards, 5.8 assists, 2.2 turnovers, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 40 minutes. Matchups with Memphis and New York certainly helped his cause, but any progress is notable when you consider how bad he’s been since Stephen Jackson(notes) arrived. 

Jackson was feeling it Tuesday to the tune on a career-high 43 points on a spiffy 15-of-22 shooting and 10-of-11 from the line. He added three treys, eight boards, and three steals in 43 minutes. He more than made up for poor shooting nights from Gerald Wallace(notes) (2 of 10) and Raymond Felton(notes) (2 of 7). Flip Murray(notes) (27 minutes, 14 points) scored in double-figures for the fifth consecutive game.

• The Pistons’ losing streak is finally over at 13 games, as they beat the short-handed Wizards 99-90 Tuesday. Rodney Stuckey(notes) (19 points, 6 boards, 11 assists, 1 steal, 1 block) and Charlie Villanueva(notes) (23 points, 5 threes, 9 boards) were the box score standouts. The Pistons weren’t with a full squad themselves, as Ben Gordon(notes) (groin) and Tayshaun Prince(notes) (knee) both were inactive.

• Randy Foye(notes) reached the 20-point plateau for the third consecutive game and added 10 assists, the first time he’s reached double-figures since November of last season. Over the past three games, Foye has averaged 21 points, 1.7 threes, 4.3 boards, 8 assists, and 2 steals-plus-blocks in 36 minutes. … Mike Miller(notes) was out and may miss a week or so
as he deals with continuing issues with his injured right calf. An MRI confirmed that he didn’t seriously re-injure himself, but the team isn’t taking any chances
here. … Andray Blatche(notes) got the night off after he was suspended for a game for complaints about getting no shots Monday.

• A triple-double from Baron Davis(notes) (27 points, 12 boards, 12 assists, 5 steals, 1 block) and a career night from DeAndre Jordan(notes) (37 minutes, 23 points, 7 boards, 3 blocks) weren’t enough for the Clips, as they fell to the Grizzlies 104-102. Jordan ended up with the spot start after Chris Kaman(notes) tweaked his lower back in pregame warmups. He’ll be re-evaluated Wednesday, and Jordan would be a solid pickup if he were to miss time. In his 15 career starts, he’s averaged 8.6 points on 69-percent shooting, 8.4 boards, and 2.5 blocks in 29 minutes. … Marcus Camby(notes) also played only 12 minutes Tuesday because of a stomach virus.

• Kobe Bryant(notes) sat out the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 105-85 loss to the Spurs because of injury, but the culprit was back spasms and not one of his other ailments. Kobe attempted just 10 shots in his 32 minutes of action (16 points) but, as you might expext, is "pretty sure" that he’ll be able to go on Wednesday. As for Pau Gasol(notes), he could return Friday. And it was no surprise, but Lamar Odom(notes) (40 minutes, 10 points, 12 boards, 6 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 steals, 2 blocks) and Andrew Bynum(notes) (42 minutes, 23 points, 8 boards, 2 blocks) once again put up big numbers for the short-handed Lakers.

• Vince Carter(notes) (shoulder) missed his second consecutive game Tuesday and the hope is that he’ll be able to return by the end of the team’s current four-game road trip, which runs though Monday. J.J. Redick(notes) got the start Tuesday but didn’t do much with the excess playing time (38 minutes, 8 points, 2-of-9 FG). 

• The Kings don’t have a matchup for Dwight Howard(notes), as evidenced by his line (30 points, 9-of-15 FG, 12-of-17 FT, 16 boards, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 steals, 3 blocks). And after something of a slow start to the season, Howard has come around in the boards and blocks department. He’s had 15 or more rebounds in 12 of the past 24 games, and his line over that span includes 17.1 points on 60-percent shooting, 14.3 boards, and 2.9 blocks.

• Some less-than-stellar numbers for the Magic included just seven points on 2-of-8 shooting for Rashard Lewis(notes) and 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting for Jameer Nelson(notes). The two played 29 and 25 minutes respectively, as well, as Stan Van Gundy benched his non-D12 starters for the entire fourth quarter [gameflow]. The lack of production has been an unsettling trend for Lewis – he’s reached double figures three times over the past eight games and has been seeing more pine of late, averaging 11.5 points on 38-percent shooting in 31 minutes per game. The Magic will need Lewis to become more active if they are going to break out of their slump (4-5 over the past nine games).

• Michael Redd(notes) is set to have surgery within the next month
and is "going to try" to come back from yet another catastrophic knee
injury sometime next season, although the odds are certainly against
him. What’s more likely to happen? The 31-year-old will exercise his
$18 million player option for the 2010-11 season and then rehab for
most or all of it. His huge, expiring salary will bean attractive trade commodity, as 80 percent would be covered
by the NBA’s standard insurance. We may not have seen the last of Redd
on the court, but we’ve likely seen the last of him as a Buck and
certainly as a player of consequence. 

• Wednesday status quick-hitters: With Ronny Turiaf(notes) dealing with an ankle injury, Andris Biedrins(notes) figures to be back in the starting lineup. … Al Harrington(notes) (calf) managed just nine points in 17 minutes Monday and seems questionable, although he’s been given no official designation. … Josh Howard(notes) (thigh) worked out Tuesday and should be active. … Devin Harris(notes) (wrist) will play but expects to be in pain. … Rudy Fernandez(notes) practiced with the Blazers Tuesday and has been upgraded to questionable.

—

Photos via Getty Images

A look ahead to Week 12 of the fantasy basketball season.

Schedule Breakdown

Four-game teams: DET, IND, LAC, MIA, MIL, NOR, NYK, OKC, PHO, SAS, UTH, WAS

Three-game teams: ATL, BOS, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, GSW, HOU, LAL, MEM, MIN, ORL, PHI, SAC, TOR

Two-game teams: NJN, POR

Also see: Basketball Monster’s ease rankings and Rotowire’s value meter

Pickups/Plug-ins – Players owned in less than 40% of Yahoo! leagues

• Rafer Alston(notes) – Alston will be given every chance to monopolize the
point guard position for the Heat, as evidenced by his 35 minutes in a
somewhat surprising start Friday. His line in 428 career starts [splits]
is a reasonable place to set expectations – 12.8 points on 39-percent
shooting, 1.8 threes, 5.8 assists, 2.1 turnovers, and 1.5 steals. In
general, unchallenged starters at point guard don’t appear on the wire
with tremendous frequency and the Heat play the most games in each of
the schedule’s next six weeks. Week 12: @UTH, @GSW, @HOU, @OKC

• Kirk Hinrich(notes) – Hinrich is back in the Bulls’ starting lineup and has
been putting up useful fantasy numbers for most of the past month. Over
his past 11 games, he’s averaged 11.7 points, 1.9 threes, 4.1 boards,
4.9 assists, 1.1 turnovers, and 1.1 steals. Derrick Rose’s(notes) elevated
play has coincided with Hinrich’s promotion, so he’s not heading back
to the bench any time soon. Week 12: DET, @BOS, WAS

• Matt Barnes(notes) – That balanced overall game that has made Barnes a real
fantasy asset any time he’s seen 30-plus minutes is still with him. In
14 starts for the Magic, he’s averaged 12.5 points on 50-percent
shooting, 1.1 threes, 7.4 boards, and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks, and
Mickael Pietrus(notes) won’t be challenging him for starts any time soon. Week 12: @SAC, @DEN, @POR

• Erick Dampier(notes) – There’s not much to say here other than Damp deserves
to be widely-rostered any time he’s on the court. He had 13 boards
Sunday and his season averages include 8 points on 67-percent shooting,
9.4 boards, and 1.7 blocks. Week 12: LAL, OKC, @TOR

• Rasual Butler(notes) – Butler is back in the starting lineup for the
Clippers, ahead of Al Thornton(notes), and the team has won three straight
games since the move. In fact, the Clippers are 6-1 in games where
Thornton has been a reserve to this point (16-18 overall). Butler’s
role was established well before the move, however – over the past 12
games, he’s averaged 14.3 points on 48-percent shooting, 2.3 threes,
and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks in 31 minutes. Week 12: @MEM, @NOR, @LAL, CLE

• Ersan Ilyasova(notes) – I’m sure I don’t need to remind too many of you how inconsistent Ilyasova has been this season [game log]. Some reasons to think about an add at this point, if you are currently in the market for a free agent: Scott Skiles has stuck with him through the ups and downs, his Week 12 schedule is very friendly (@PHO, @POR, @GSW, @UTH), and the Bucks are tied with the Heat for the most games over the next seven weeks (25).

• Martell Webster(notes) – Webster played monster minutes (43 per game) and put up big-time numbers (20.3 points, 50% FG, 4 threes, 7 boards, 1.5 steals-plus-blocks) in the four games that Steve Blake(notes) missed with pneumonia. Blake is expected to be back Sunday, but Webster should get a look in the event that this hot streak translates into consistency moving forward. Week 12: MIL, ORL

• Kyle Lowry(notes) – Lowry is a great complement to a team with lots of scorers but is in need of other counting stats. He’s played less than 24 minutes just once since December 13, averaging 27 minutes, 9.1 points, 0.7 threes, 4.9 boards, 5.1 assists, 1.5 turnovers, and 1.3 steals in 15 games since. Week 12: @CHA, MIN, MIA

• J.J. Redick(notes) – The window isn’t likely to be large, but Redick will
start while Vince Carter(notes) misses time with a shoulder injury, and he’s
averaged 13.7 points, 2.4 threes, 95-percent foul shooting, 2.9
assists, and 0.9 turnovers in his seven starts thus far on the season.
The potential for VC to need more time off than is currently thought
adds a bit of intrigue here. Week 12: @SAC, @DEN, @POR

• A.J. Price(notes) – Price has accomplished more in the past five games in 19 minutes as a reserve (11.8 points, 1.4 threes, 4 assists, 1.2 turnovers, 1 steal) than Earl Watson(notes) has accomplished in 31 minutes as a starter (7 points, 0.6 threes, 6 assists, 2.2 turnovers, 0.2 steals). On Sunday, Price scored 19 of his 23 points while playing the entire fourth quarter, and we all know that Jim O’Brien hasn’t exactly been shy about shaking up his starting five. Week 12: TOR, PHO, @NJN, NOR

• Devin Brown(notes) – The Hornets’ current five-game winning streak has coincided with an uptick in Brown’s offensive contributions, as he’s averaged 15.4 points, 1.8 threes, and 84-percent foul shooting in 32 minutes during those games. Week 12: @PHI, LAC, @DET, @IND

• Flip Murray(notes) – Murray has been settling in as the Bobcats’ sixth man, a role he excelled in for the Hawks last season. He’s averaged 14.4 points on 47-percent shooting, 1.7 threes, 91-percent foul shooting, and 1.3 steals-plus-blocks in the past seven games where he’s seen at least 20 minutes of playing time. Deep-leaguers looking for some offense could do a heck of a lot worse with a roster spot. Week 12: HOU, SAS, PHO

• Dorell Wright(notes) – Wright had one of his more productive games Friday (28 minutes, 15 points, 1 three, 7 boards, 4 steals), which also coincided with Rafer Alston’s debut with the team. Alston’s arrival may prompt the Heat may give more time to the athletic Wright, at the expense of the one-trick pony Quentin Richardson(notes). There are no guarantees here, but it’s certainly something deep-leaguers should monitor. Wright’s career per-30 minute numbers include 6.1 boards, 0.9 steals, and 1 block, and he’s knocked down 37 percent of his threes so far this season (11 of 30). Week 12: @UTH, @GSW, @HOU, @OKC

Status Updates

• Carmelo Anthony(notes) – Anthony has missed the past five games with a bruised right knee but will likely be back in the lineup Monday. 

• Steve Blake – Blake has participated in two straight practices and is expected to be back on the active roster for the Blazers on Sunday. He lost eight pounds while he was battling pneumonia and is likely to have him minutes limited at the outset.

• Vince Carter – VC’s shoulder separation is painful but mild, and he’s currently day-to-day without a specific timetable for a return. Although it’s not expected to be a long-term issue at this point, consider him extremely questionable for the team’s back-to-back games on Tuesday/Wednesday. J.J. Redick will start while Carter is sidelined.

• Tyson Chandler(notes) – Chandler is still in a walking boot and isn’t much closer to returning to the lineup. Thursday marked the first time that he was able to walk without significant pain since being diagnosed with the stress reaction in his left foot.

• Mike Conley(notes) – Conley missed Saturday’s game after a hard fall Friday left him with back pain and a groin strain. The hope is that a few days rest will allow him to return to the lineup on Tuesday. If not, the Grizzlies are then off until Friday.

• Rudy Fernandez(notes) – Fernandez is expected to return in about a week to what is already a very crowded Blazers’ backcourt.

• Francisco Garcia(notes) – Garcia has returned to practice on a limited basis and could be back in the Kings’ active rotation by the end of the month.

• Kevin Garnett(notes) – KG missed his fifth consecutive game Sunday and the Celtics are "just going to wait" while he fully recovers from his hyper-extended knee. The vague reference puts his status for the team’s three games over the next four days in doubt, but be checking for individual game-time updates.

• Pau Gasol(notes) – Gasol (hamstring) will miss his fourth consecutive game Sunday, but he might be able to return on either Tuesday (@SAS) or Wednesday (@DAL).

• Ben Gordon(notes) – Gordon is day-to-day after tweaking his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s game.

• Blake Griffin(notes)
– Griffin continues to make progress, albeit at a slower pace than was originally projected. He’s expected to begin participation in non-contract drills sometime this week, but steps up to full contact and subsequent game action remain without a timetable.

• Al Harrington(notes) – Harrington has missed the past two games with a calf strain. He’s hoping to return to the lineup Monday, but he needs fluid in his calf to dissipate and his status won’t be known until game day.

• Josh Howard(notes) – Howard is day-to-day with a thigh contusion that kept him out of Saturday’s game.

• Allen Iverson(notes) – AI was seen limping after Friday’s game and did not play Saturday due to his continuing battle with left knee arthritis. He could be back in the lineup Monday, however. 

• Kevin Martin(notes) – Martin will meet with team doctors Tuesday and we may see a specific date for his return to the lineup emerge from the meeting.

• Tayshaun Prince(notes) – Prince is day-to-day after tweaking his left knee during Saturday’s game.

• Anthony Randolph(notes) – Randolph’s left ankle is severely sprained but not fractured, a CT scan revealed Saturday. He’ll undergo more testing Sunday in an effort to establish a timeline for his return.

• Rodney Stuckey(notes) – Stuckey is day-to-day after aggravating a right knee injury during Saturday’s game.

—

Photos via Getty Images

A busy Friday was marked by notable returns (Danny Granger(notes), Chauncey Billups(notes)) and losses (Vince Carter(notes), Anthony Randolph(notes)).

• Danny Granger returned to the court Friday, one day after being ruled out
for the weekend by Jim O’Brien. He made seven of 19 shots (3 of 10
threes) in 31 minutes en route to 19 points, and probably won’t push
his season average of 37 minutes initially. Nevertheless, it’s good to
see Granger back on the court, as well as Troy Murphy(notes), who returned
from his ankle injury (30 minutes, 21 points, 5 threes, 5 boards, 4
steals).

• The suddenly crowded roster held Luther Head(notes) to 20 minutes
(6 points) in his sixth start of the season, with Brandon Rush(notes) (29
minutes, 7 points, 2 threes, 4 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals) and Mike
Dunleavy (26 minutes, 18 points, 4 threes, 6 boards, 3 assists, 1
steal) still warranting steady run. If everyone can get and stay
healthy and productive (Dunleavy in particular), then there will only
be so much playing time available for Head. 

• Friday’s line (32 minutes, 15 points, 1 three, 8 boards, 6
assists, 1 steal, 1 block) could be what pushes Ryan Gomes(notes) back into
the starting lineup, ahead of Damien Wilkins(notes) (23 minutes, 13 points, 4
boards, 3 assists).

• Game two for the post-Arenas (?) Wizards was a 104-97 win over the Magic, thanks in large part to a 55-41 rebounding advantage and 30 made free throws. Sterling individual efforts came via Antawn Jamison(notes) (28 points, 11 boards, 2 steals), Caron Butler(notes) (23 points, 7 boards, 1 steal, 2 blocks), Brendan Haywood(notes) (18 points, 15 boards), and Randy Foye(notes) (20 points, 2 threes, 6 assists, 0 turnovers, 2 blocks). Mike Miller(notes) returned to the starting lineup and played 39 minutes in his first game action since Nov. 21 (6 points, 6 boards, 6 assists, 5 turnovers). He was also sporting a buzz cut. Tonight’s starting five should stick until injury and/or transactions affect any/all of the involved parties.

• Vince Carter just can’t get anything going. He’s 69th in per-game rank on the season, and that drops to 102nd over the past month. Entering Friday’s action, he’d shot 33 percent over his past nine games and 21 percent over his past four. Sadly, things only got worse Friday, as VC sprained his left shoulder in the second quarter on a pick by Andray Blatche(notes). He left without talking to reporters and we’ll have to wait until at least Saturday to get some more specific details. J.J. Redick(notes) would once again benefit if VC were to miss any games. He had 14 points and made three treys in 33 minutes Friday and averaged 13.2 points and 2.3 threes in six starts in early November.

• Jose Calderon(notes) played 24 minutes in his second game since returning from a hip flexor strain (8 points, 3 assists) and it’s hard to see anything but some kind of platoon with Jarrett Jack(notes) (31 minutes, 10 points, 1 three, 4 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block) moving forward. The split could eventually turn back in Calderon’s favor, but it won’t happen in the short-term.

• The Raptors have now won eight of nine games, while the 108-106 loss pushed the 76ers to 7-8 in games where they’ve held a double-digit lead at any point and 10-25 overall. Eddie Jordan is not making a lot of friends these days and nobody can deny that the matchup of system and personnel is looking poor, at best.

• Elton Brand(notes) missed the game with a stomach virus but is expected to play on Saturday. Allen Iverson(notes) took a hit on his arthritic left knee Friday and will not be in the lineup Saturday.

• The Jazz were a tale of two teams in the home-and-home series with the Grizzlies, playing without Deron Williams(notes). In Wednesday’s 117-94 win in Utah, they shot 57 percent as a team and, amazingly enough, had a season-high 39 assists on 46 made field goals. The Jazz then fell to just 40-percent shooting in Friday’s 91-89 loss in Memphis. Ronnie Brewer(notes) propped up 13 total points in the two games with averages of 4.5 boards, 8 assists, and 2.5 steals. C.J Miles scored a season-high 24 Wednesday and then went scoreless in 25 minutes Friday (0 for 7). Williams (wrist) is no lock to play on Saturday, either.

• Mike Bibby(notes) may be working himself back into the scoring mix for the Hawks. He had a recent stretch of 10 straight games without taking at least 10 shots, but he’s reached that milestone in three of the past five games. During that time, he’s averaged 13 points on 49-percent shooting, 2 threes, 5 assists, 1.6 turnovers, and 1.2 steals in 29 minutes.

• Meanwhile, Jamal Crawford(notes) has been the Carl Landry(notes) of guards, providing consistent and efficient offense for the Hawks without significant supporting stats. Over the past 10 games, he’s averaged 19.4 points on 49-percent shooting, 2.3 threes, and 84-percent foul shooting, 3.4 boards, 2.1 assists, 2.3 turnovers, and 0.8 steals.

• Chris Paul(notes) shut down Devin Harris(notes) in a big way Friday, limiting him to four points (2 of 9 shooting) and four assists in 34 minutes. Paul himself went for 11 points and 18 assists in 40 minutes. Shaky play isn’t new for Harris, however – his per-game rank now stands at 128th on the season, with averages that include 15.9 points on 38-percent shooting, 0.6 threes, 5.8 assists, 2.8 turnovers, and 1.7 steals.

• Courtney Lee(notes) had season-highs of 28 points, five threes, and six assists in yet another losing effort for the Nets, as Harris, Chris Douglas-Roberts(notes), Yi Jianlian(notes), and Brook Lopez(notes) combined to shoot 33 percent (14 of 43).

• David West(notes) had another big game for the Hornets (32 points, 10 boards) and continues his upward trend. Over the past 11 games, he’s averaged 22 points on 54-percent shooting, 86-percent foul shooting, 8.8 boards, and 1.7 steals-plus-blocks.

• Manu Ginobili(notes) is healthy and producing and, in the interest of self-preservation, is assuming that he’s already made the last start of his career. Over the past eight games, Ginobili has averaged 13.4 points on 47-percent shooting, 1.3 threes, 95-percent foul shooting, 4.5 boards, 5.5 assists, 1.4 turnovers, and 2 steals in 28 minutes.

• Derrick Rose’s(notes) numbers have been much improved in recent weeks and he now looks to be completely over his early-season injuries. Over the past 10 games, he’s averaged 24.4 points on 48-percent shooting, 81-percent foul shooting, 4.5 boards, 6.8 assists, and 2.9 turnovers. With that said, 0.1 threes and 0.5 steals in those games could cap how far up the ranks he can climb. 

• Tyrus Thomas(notes) isn’t going to garner a lot of support to join the starting five with his recent stretch of games. Friday marked his fourth consecutive game with no more than seven points (4 points, 1-of-4 FG), and thus far in January he’s averaged 5.8 points on 32-percent shooting, 5.3 boards, 0.8 steals, and 1 block in 22 minutes. 

• The Bucks have won three in a row despite just 9 points on 25-percent shooting from Brandon Jennings(notes) in those games. Jennings was 1-for-9 Friday (5 points, 8 assists, 4 turnovers, 3 blocks) and has made just 34 percent of his shots over the past 11 games. Andrew Bogut(notes) continued his strong play Friday (27 points, 13 boards, 6 blocks) and has now averaged 17.1 points on 50-percent shooting, 10.5 boards, and 2.2 blocks over his past 14 games.

• The MIA@PHO box score is having trouble registering Rafer Alston(notes), so jump here if you want to see his numbers. Alston got
a somewhat unexpected start and played 35 minutes, delivering a fairly
expected line (10 points, 3-of-9 FG, 2 threes, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1
steal). Carlos Arroyo(notes) got the DNP-CD and will likely continue to do so
as long as Mario Chalmers(notes) doesn’t completely bottom out (13 minutes, 3
points, 3 assists). A reset on Alston: he’ll be a reasonable source of
threes, assists, and steals for fantasy owners that can deal with a
(very) low shooting percentage, and warrants a look in most formats.
Chalmers is universally droppable – his role as the No.2 point guard is
locked in with Arroyo also around for the duration. 

• Andre Miller(notes) turned in good line (39 minutes, 17 points, 1 three, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block) a day after a heated exchange with Nate McMillan. Both Miller and McMillan apologized to the team Friday and called this a closed issue. The Blazers shot 51 percent from the field and made 32 of 39 free throws in the 107-98 win over the Lakers, who shot 43 percent and made five of 10 free throws.

• Pau Gasol(notes) missed his third consecutive game Friday and Phil Jackson called him a "maybe" for Sunday. Lamar Odom(notes) has averaged 13.6 points on 47-percent shooting, 0.9 threes, 14 boards, 4.3 assists, 1.8 turnovers, and 1.9 steals-plus-blocks over the past eight games, all starts. 

• Ime Udoka(notes) got a spot start Friday, in place of the injured Donte Greene(notes), and responded in huge fashion (35 minutes, 19 points, 4 threes, 14 boards, 2 steals, 1 block). With this team in build mode and Kevin Martin(notes) and Francisco Garcia(notes) eventually coming back, there isn’t a whole lot to read into this performance. Udoka peaked while Omri Casspi’s(notes) streak of 20-plus point games ended at four, as he scored just four points on 1-of-8 shooting.

• Andris Biedrins(notes) put up some good per-minute stats (22 minutes, 6 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, 0 turnovers, 3 steals) and continues to work his way back to 100 percent. He could be in for an expanded role now that Anthony Randolph is headed for the inactive roster. He left Friday’s game with a left ankle injury that has been diagnosed as a sprain and possible fracture, which could sideline him for up to six weeks. His status will be updated after a CT scan on Saturday.

• The Nuggets got Chauncey Billups and Chris Andersen(notes) back but were still missing Camelo Anthony for their 99-97 win over the Cavs Friday. Kenyon Martin(notes) had another double-double (19 points, 12 boards) and has averaged 13.1 points on 48-percent shooting, 10.3 boards, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks over his past 13 games. Anthony is doubtful for Saturday but hopeful that he’ll be back on the active roster Monday.

—

Photos via Getty Images

There’s a good chance that fantasy owners have seen the last of Gilbert Arenas(notes) this season.

• By now, you likely know that the Gilbert Arenas situation has escalated to an indefinite suspension by the league while the police investigation of the events is still underway. Arenas’ parting image is to the right. From The Washington Post:

"The possession of firearms by an NBA player in an NBA arena is a
matter of the utmost concern to us," Stern said. "Although it is clear
that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial
suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to
conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA
game."

Stern, who originally had said through the league that he would wait
until the police investigation concluded before taking action, decided
to act after Arenas playfully formed his hands into pistols and
pretended he was shooting his teammates as the Wizards huddled
courtside before their game against the 76ers in Philadelphia on
Tuesday night.

It seems likely that Arenas has played his last game of the current season and with the Wizards. There are plenty of directions to go with the discussion from there, but I’ll keep the focus on the fantasy impact for our purposes. Arenas’ owners should still wait for the specifics of his punishment to shake out here if they can afford to, but if an extended inactive stint removes your team from the playoff/championship picture, then it’s fine to make the move for an active player at this point.

The Wizards started Earl Boykins(notes) (19 minutes 10 points, 6 assists, 0 turnovers) and Nick Young(notes) (37 minutes, 14 points, 2 threes, 3 assists, 1 steal) in the backcourt Wednesday, with Randy Foye(notes) (29 minutes, 18 points, 2 threes) coming off the bench. Mike Miller(notes) is a matter of days away from a return, and I anticipate him moving ahead of Young in fairly short order. There are 96 minutes available at point and shooting guard in a given game: with everyone healthy (and regardless of specific role), I can see Miller and Foye pulling around 30, Boykins around 25, and Young getting the remainder. Here are the current per-30 minute averages for the four players on the season:

Miller: 10.2 pts, 1.5 3pt, 6.4 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.6 to, 0.9 stl
Foye: 12.9 pts, 1.2 3pt, 2.4 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.7 to, 0.7 stl
Boykins: 12.9 pts , 0.5 3pt, 2.3 reb, 5.2 ast, 1.8 to, 0.7 stl
Young: 13.1 pts, 1.2 3pt, 3 reb, 1 ast, 1 to, 0.7 stl

Miller deserves universal consideration, Foye is worth the speculative add in most formats, Boykins deserves a look in most leagues deeper than standard size, and Young is a Watch List candidate. Keep in mind that the Wizards will likely be looking to shake up their roster as the trade deadline approaches, particularly if they are able to relieve themselves of Arenas’ contract, so those roles could be subject to change in a month or so.

• Two days after Jim O’Brien said that Danny Granger(notes) was at least two weeks away, an AP report is saying that he’ll be back soon,
after practicing Wednesday and Thursday with no pain in his right
plantar fascia. Granger’s original timetable was four to six weeks for
an injury suffered on Dec. 5. Obviously nothing specific is known
at this point, but the fact that he did practice without pain is a very
good sign.

• A side-effect to Yi Jianlian’s(notes) strong play since his return? Brook Lopez(notes) has been losing a lot of his touches. Over
the past six games, Yi has averaged 20.3 points and 14.7 shot attempts,
while Lopez has averaged 14.3 points and 10.6 shot attempts. In the
first 28 games of the season, Lopez averaged 19.5 points on 14.6 shot
attempts. What’s also notable about Yi’s play – and this situation –
since his return is that he’s totaled two assists in 258 minutes of
playing time.  

• Luol Deng’s(notes) fractured left thumb
is affecting his shot, as evidenced by his 13.5 points on 41-percent
shooting over the past six games. He’s still been contributing
otherwise, averaging 7.5 boards, 0.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks in the same
stretch. But he’s been held out of contact drills during team
practices and has been getting X-rays before every game since first
sustaining the injury (Dec. 21). This might be a good time for
risk-averse owners to at least shop Deng and see what his current
market value is – team doctors told him that the injury would heal on
its own in six to eight weeks … if he didn’t play.

• Things are coming to a head for Andre Miller(notes) in Portland. Reports are that he and Nate McMillan were involved in a shouting match
that lasted 25 minutes during Thursday’s practice. For what it’s worth,
team general manager Kevin Pritchard called the exchange "normal" and
said it could be "healthy." It’s not secret that Miller could be on the move, and this isn’t likely to hurt those chances. 

• The Heat had a Wednesday deadline and opted to keep Carlos Arroyo(notes) on the roster for the remainder of the season, a move that takes a bit of the shine off Rafer Alston’s(notes) potential fantasy impact and should effectively end the potential for any kind of Mario Chalmers(notes) rebound during the current season.

• Kings updates: Tyreke
Evans’(notes) ankle is still not 100 percent. … Kevin Martin(notes) feels ready to
go, but his status won’t change before he meets with team doctors on
Tuesday. … Francisco Garcia(notes) has been practicing with the team but isn’t
likely to join the active rotation before the end of January. 

• Nuggets Friday status updates: Chauncey Billups(notes) (groin)
and Nene Hilario(notes) (ankle) are probable, Carmelo Anthony(notes) (knee) and Ty
Lawson(notes) (ankle) are questionable, and Chris Andersen(notes) (ankle) is almost
certainly out.

• Other injury/status updates: Deron Williams’(notes) bruised/sprained right wrist is still giving him issues. He didn’t practice Thursday and is questionable for Friday’s game. … Pau Gasol’s(notes) hamstring is improving but he won’t play Friday. … A sore right shoulder kept Danio Gallinari out of contract drills Wednesday, but he will be in the starting lineup Thursday. … Kevin Love(notes) left Wednesday’s game with a left knee injury that looked bad at the time but was eventually diagnosed as just a bruise. … Troy Murphy(notes) (ankle) could return to the lineup on Friday.

—

Photos via Getty Images

Roy Hibbert’s(notes) game log says that he’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.

• If there’s one thing you can usually count on from Roy Hibbert, it’s inconsistency. He took it to Dwight Howard(notes) on Tuesday to the tune of a career-high 26 points, eight boards, four blocks, and three assists in 35 minutes, while Howard delivered an uneven line (11 points, 2-of-6 FG, 7-of-12 FT, 15 boards, 0 assists, 5 turnovers, 1 steal, 2 blocks) and fouled out in 28 minutes. While Hibbert has reached the 20-point plateau five times in the past 15 games, he’s only reached double-figures in scoring two additional times during the same stretch. In those same 15 games, he’s blocked six shots in a game twice, while blocking zero shots four times.

Two things you can’t deny: the Pacers desperately need his production and he’s got some ability. His season per-game rank is 127th, so he’s been worth carrying in standard leagues through the ups-and-downs (per-game averages include 10.9 points, 49% FG, 5.9 boards, and 1.7 blocks). His current ownership level of 55 percent will (and should) spike a bit after Tuesday’s performance – a hypothetical scenario where he shows gradual improvements as the season progresses shouldn’t be thought of as impossible. Over the past five games, he’s averaged 19.4 points, 7.4 boards, 3.6 assists, 2 turnovers, and 2 blocks in 29 minutes.

• The Pacers got it done with defense against the Magic, who shot just 43 percent and had 12 assists versus 19 turnovers. That made up for another poor offensive night for Mike Dunleavy (4-of-13 FG, 1-of-5 3PT) and Earl Watson(notes) (6 points, 4 assists). Luther Head(notes) scored 18 points in 31 minutes (averaging 21.8 over the past four games), while Brandon Rush(notes) was strong as a reserve (33 minutes, 12 points, 2 threes, 7 boards, 4 steals). It may be a coincidence, but the team is now 2-1 in three games since deactivating T.J. Ford(notes).

• Maybe it would have been a better idea for Vince Carter(notes) to sit out
Tuesday’s game and let his ankle sprain heal. He went 2-for-15 in his
24 minutes and was a -14 in the 97-90 loss to the Pacers.

• The Kirk Hinrich(notes)/John Salmons role swap has been a mixed bag for fantasy purposes. Hinrich’s shot was off Tuesday (4-of-13) but the couting stats were good (35 minutes, 12 points, 2 threes, 7 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal), while Salmons had a nice overall line (30 minutes, 19 points, 3 threes, 7 boards, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 steal). That’s been the story for Hinrich in general in six games since the switch, while Salmons has sacrificed an overall line for a spike in his shooting percentage.

Hinrich: 34 minutes, 10.8 pts (38% FG), 1.8 3pt, 4.3 reb, 5.7 ast, 1.2 to, 1.3 stl
Salmons: 26 minutes, 12.3 pts (48% FG), 1.8 3pt, 2.3 reb, 2 ast, 1 to, 0.7 stl, 0.2 blk

Salmons isn’t likely to top 30 minutes often as a reserve, with Derrick Rose(notes) and Luol Deng(notes) locked in at the one and three. It’s not an ideal situation, but he’s still going to be useful for fantasy and a Hinrich trade isn’t out of the question as the trade deadline approaches. Of course, a trade would have to not net a starting shooting guard for Salmons to be positively affected.

• I’m fine with Boris Diaw(notes) only scoring five points when he supports it with four boards, six assists, two steals, and five blocks, but Tuesday’s performance has quite clearly been the exception since Stephen Jackson(notes) arrived. Diaw had a recent six-game stretch where he didn’t record a steal or block, he failed to score in 38 minutes on Sunday, and hasn’t reached double-figures since December 11 (13 games).

• Meanwhile, Raymond Felton(notes) continues to be an absolute fantasy monster, and Tuesday’s stellar line (17 points, 2 threes, 4 boards, 6 assists, 4 turnovers, 2 steals) was par for the recent course. He’s posted a top-20 impact over his past 20 games, averaging 14.8 points on 54-percent shooting, 1 three, 86-percent foul shooting, 3.4 boards, 5.3 assists, 2.1 turnovers, and 2.2 steals in 35 minutes. Clearly S-Jax is creating turnover situations on defense and better looks for Felton, a career 41-percent shooter (32% 3PT).

• Gilbert Arenas(notes) won the battle of the NBA headline generators Tuesday, scoring 19 points and dishing a season-high 14 assists in the 104-97 win over Allen Iverson(notes) and the 76ers. Iverson went 2-for-6 from the floor (4 points) and had seven turnovers in 34 minutes. Not much new to report on the Arenas suspension-or-not front other than that he pretended to shoot his teammates during pregame festivities Tuesday and said David "Stern is mean" after the game. 

• As for other notable Wizards, Mike Miller(notes) wasn’t quite ready to return Tuesday and Brendan Haywood(notes) missed the game because of is thought to be a stomach flu. He should recover fairly quickly. Andray Blatche(notes) made his second consecutive start (38 points, 12 points, 3 boards, 3 assists, 5 turnovers, 1 steal, 2 blocks) but will likely give way to Miller in the starting five in fairly short order.

• Samuel Dalembert(notes) took full advantage of Hawood’s absence, but was not in an active roster spot in rougly half of Yahoo! leagues for his 20-point, 20-rebound performance Tuesday. He entered the contest having averaged 5.2 points and 7.3 boards in 19 minutes over his previous nine games. As you might expect, Elton Brand(notes) (24 minutes, 9 points, 1 board, 1 block) and Marreese Speights(notes) (12 minutes, 5 points, 5 boards) were largely spectators as Eddie Jordan deferred to the hot hand. Speights has been consistently marginalized of late, averaging just 16 minutes over the past seven games (7.1 points, 2.7 boards). 

• Milwaukee’s bench did the heavy lifting in the 98-76 win over the Nets, as the starters averaged 21 minutes and scored 45 total points. Carlos Delfino(notes) showed his first signs of life in a few weeks, scoring 17 points and adding five boards, three assists, and three steals in 37 minutes. Luke Ridnour(notes) reached double figures for the fifth consecutive game (24 minutes, 11 points, 1 three, 5 assists, 2 steals).

• Yi Jianlian(notes) was the lone bright spot for the Nets, making seven of 12 shots (58%) while his teammates combined to make 18 of 54 (33%). In six games since returning from injury, Yi has averaged 20.5 points on 49-percent shooting, 0.8 threes, 7.2 free throws, 6.3 boards, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 37 minutes. He’s also totaled just one assist (10 turnovers) in the six games, something of a trend for the Nets in general.

• Charlie Villanueva(notes) played significantly more minutes than Jonas Jerebko(notes) for the second consecutive night, scoring 17 points (4 threes) and grabbing nine boards in 28 minutes against the Mavs. If Charlie V can get and stay healthy, he’s going to produce fantasy numbers, and this game is certainly a good sign.The same can’t be said for the Pistons in general, as they’ve now dropped 10 games in a row.

• Drew Gooden(notes) had 10 points and a season-high 18 boards in 33 minutes, his second consecutive start in place of the injured Erick Dampier(notes). Damp has been sidelined by left knee inflammation, although the injury is not considered serious.

• It’s hard to find a more fantasy-friendly box score than the one that resulted from Denver’s 123-122 win over the Warriors. Andris Biedrins’(notes) fantasy owners might disagree, but they need to keep in mind that it’s an uphill battle coming back from his type of injury (osteitis pubis). A bit more patience in the present should be rewarded over the long term.

• This just in: Ty Lawson(notes) can play. Over his past six starts, he’s averaged 18.5 points on 58-percent shooting, 1 three, 6.8 assists, 1.8 turnovers, and 1.3 steals. Chauncey Billups(notes) is currently questionable for Friday (as is Carmelo Anthony(notes)). Lawson sprained his left ankle Tuesday and is day-to-day. Chris Andersen(notes) (ankle) is likely out for a few more games.

• O.J. Mayo(notes) put the fallout from his stint at USC behind him Tuesday, going for 27 points and four threes in the 109-105 win over the Blazers. His scoring has been trending upward, and he’s averaged 20.1 points and 1.9 threes over the past month.

• Andre Miller(notes) has been logging heavy minutes since Steve Blake(notes) went down with pneumonia, and the production has followed suit. He went for another double-double Tuesday (16 points, 10 boards, 4 assists, 4 turnovers) and has averaged 20.3 points, 6 boards, 8.7 assists, 4 turnovers, and 1.3 steals in 39 minutes over the past three games. Martell Webster(notes) has been filling it up from long range in Blake’s absence – he made five of 11 threes Tuesday (21 points) and has averaged 22.3 points on 56-percent shooting, 4.7 threes, 6.7 boards, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 42 minutes over the past three games.

• LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) jumped back into the fray after two games off to deal with an ankle injury, playing 41 minutes Tuesday (11 points, 7 boards, 1 block).

• Juwan Howard(notes) has at least been useful since Joel Przybilla(notes) was lost to injury. Over the past eight games, he’s averaged 10.4 points on 59-percent shooting, 7 boards, and 1.1 steals-plus-blocks. The specifics regarding the Blazers’ plans around the trade deadline (trade Andre Miller? acquire a center?) remain a mystery, however. 

• The Kings got big games from Tyreke Evans(notes) (27 points, 11 boards, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block), Omir Casspi (24 points, 3 threes, 7 boards), and Jason Thompson(notes) (14 points, 10 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks) but fell just short against the Suns (113-109).

• Francisco Garcia(notes) practiced for the first time since breaking his
wrist Monday, although he’s still not slated to return to game action
until late January at the earliest.
Things won’t be huge bench minutes available at the 2/3 for the Kings and the damage was to his
shooting wrist, so I’m not overly-confident that he’s going to make a
substantial impact this season, but his status is absolutely worth
monitoring.

• Jason Richardson(notes) scored 20 points (2 threes) and added nine boards in 33 minutes against the Kings. He’s been losing playing time and scoring opportunities to the Suns’ deep bench in recent weeks, but he’s also been dealing with a hand injury that has limited his effectiveness. I have faith in his showing a bit more consistency once he gets back to 100 percent.

• There weren’t a lot of pretty numbers in the Lakers’ 88-79 win over the Rockets, but a few nice lines can be found in the rough. The highlights were Lamar Odom(notes) nearly notching for a triple-double (17 points, 19 boards, 9 assists), Andrew Bynum(notes) having a big game in Pau Gasol’s(notes) absence (24 points, 8 boards, 2 steal, 1 block), and Carl Landry(notes) delivering his usual level of production (31 minutes, 19 points, 6 boards, 1 steal, 1 block). Gasol is almost certainly out Wednesday, as well.

• Celtics updates: Paul Pierce(notes) (knee) was a participant in most of Tuesday’s practice and, barring a setback, should be in the lineup Wednesday. Rajon Rondo(notes) (hamstring) is "merely possible" for the game. Kevin Garnett(notes) (knee) remains out.

• Jermaine O’Neal(notes) missed Monday’s game with nagging groin and hip flexor issues that have been bothering him the last couple of weeks.
He was undergoing treatments Tuesday with the hope that he’d be back in
the lineup Wednesday, but his status won’t be known until closer to
game time.

• Deron Williams(notes) will be a game-time decision Wednesday
after suffering a bruised and sprained right wrist on Monday night.
X-rays were negative but he missed Tuesday’s practice and was scheduled
to undergo an MRI. Look for updates Wednesday – Ronnie Price(notes) would
likely get the start if Deron can’t go.

• Jose Calderon(notes) practiced Tuesday and will return to the Raptors’ active roster Wednesday as a reserve.
Jay Triano said he’ll stick with Jarrett Jack(notes) as the starter for now
and monitor Calderon to "see where he’s at" before considering any
changes to the current starting five. Jack averaged just over 25
minutes in his 22 games as a reserve, a pretty good estimate for
Calderon’s initial role.

• Rafer Alston(notes) has been bought out by the Nets and will sign with the Heat,
where it is assumed he will take over as the starter (at least
eventually). Although he won’t be able to sign until Thursday (after he
clears waivers), we could get a clearer picture of the Heat’s plans at
point guard before that, as Carlos Arroyo’s(notes) contract will become
guaranteed for the remainder of the season if he is not released by 5pm
Wednesday. Alston certainly deserves immediate deep-league
consideration, but standard leaguers should take note that he’s a
career 38-percent shooter and is down to 34 percent so far this season.
He should provide some threes, assists, and steals with steady minutes
for the Heat, but efficiency has never been a strong point for the
33-year-old.

• Marc Spears is reporting that the Clippers are targeting January 20 for the season debut of Blake Griffin(notes).

—

Photos via Getty Images

A look ahead to Week 11 of the fantasy basketball season.

Schedule Breakdown

Four-game teams: ATL, CHI, LAL, MEM, MIA, NJN, NOR, ORL, POR, UTH, WAS

Three-game teams: BOS, CHA, CLE, DAL, DEN DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, MIL, MIN, OKC, PHI, PHO, SAC, SAS, TOR

Two-game teams: NYK

Also see: Basketball Monster’s ease rankings and Rotowire’s value meter

Pickups/Plug-ins – Players owned in less than 40% of Yahoo! leagues

• Mike Miller(notes) – Miller has returned to practice
for the Wizards and could return to the active roster for one or both
of the team’s upcoming back-to-back games (Tuesday/Wednesday). He may take some time to get back to game speed but should eventually reclaim his spot as the starting shooting guard – in nine starts this season, he averaged 9.8 points on 59-percent shooting, 1.4 threes, 6.1 boards, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 29 minutes. Miller could also emerge with an even more substantial role for the Wizards (or elsewhere?) if there is a roster shake-up. Week 11: @PHI, @CLE, ORL, NOR

• Matt Barnes(notes) – Barnes has rejoined the Magic’s starting five in a big
way, going for 23 points with five threes and a double-double (17
points, 11 boards) over the past two games. Stan Van Gundy made the
switch because he likes Barnes’ versatility with the first unit and
wants to free up Mickael Pietrus(notes) for a bit more usage with the team’s
reserves, and it should stick moving forward. In his 10 starts on the
season, Barnes has averaged 13.1 points, 1.2 threes, 7.9 boards, and
1.9 steals-plus-blocks in 33 minutes. Week 11: @IND, TOR, @WAS, ATL

• Luther Head(notes) – Head has stepped into the void at shooting guard for
the Pacers and delivered solid back-to-back performances, averaging
25.5 points, 2.5 threes, 5.5 boards, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5
blocks over the past two games. Given the massive struggles up and down
the Pacers’ roster, the opportunity for numbers here, and Head’s
history (13.5 points, 1.9 threes, 3.7 boards, 3.4 assists, 1.8
turnovers, 1.4 steals in 60 career starts), a speculative add makes
sense in all but the shallowest of leagues. Week 11: ORL, @MIN, @OKC

• Omri Casspi(notes) – Casspi’s role and subsequent production have been increasing as the season has gone on. Over the past 10 games, he’s averaged 16.8 points, 1.9 threes, 4.9 free throws, 6 boards, and 1.3 steals plus blocks in 35 minutes. Week 11: PHO, @GSW, DEN

• Kirk Hinrich(notes) – Hinrich has been reasonably productive since being promoted to the starting lineup (9.5 points, 1.8 threes, 5 boards, 5 assists, 1 turnover, 0.8 steals in four games) and a key for the move having staying power is that the Bulls have gone 4-0 since making the switch. Week 11: OKC, @CHA, @MIL, MIN

• C.J. Watson(notes) – Watson’s production is something of a well-kept secret,
as he’s rostered in 20 percent of leagues despite a per-game rank of
71st on the season and 55th over the past month. Averages over the past
month include 10.2 points, 1.1 threes, 3 assists, 1.1 turnovers, and
2.1 steals in 33 minutes. Week 11: @DEN, @MIN, SAC

• Luke Ridnour(notes) – Ridnour’s playing time has been in flux for most of December, but he’s back in the mix now that Carlos Delfino(notes) has fallen out of Scott Skiles’ good graces. Delfino has logged a total of nine minutes over the past two games, while Ridnour has averaged 23 minutes, 14.5 points on 59-percent shooting and 1.5 threes over the past four. Week 11: @NJN, CHI, @LAL

• Kyle Lowry(notes) – Lowry has quietly emerged as a integral part of the
Rockets’ rotation, packing production into ever-increasing minutes. His
averages over the past 13 games include 9.7 points, 0.7 threes, 4
boards, 4.9 assists, 1.3 turnovers, and 1.4 steals in 27 minutes. Week 11: @LAL, @PHO, NYK

• Rasual Butler(notes) – Butler has been seeing consistent minutes for the Clippers, averaging 30 over the past 10 games and seeing no less than 24 in any of those contests. Shots have been falling for the most part, as well, as he’s averaged 13.1 points on 49-percent shooting, 2.4 threes, 3.2 boards, and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks during that stretch. Week 11: POR, LAL, MIA

• DeJuan Blair(notes) – Blair is still dealing with ups-and-downs but the team has won five straight with him in the starting lineup, and (deep-leaguers take note) that should bode well for his long-term prospects this season. Over the past five games, he’s averaged 8.6 points, 7.6 boards, and 1.8 steals-plus-blocks in 25 minutes. Week 11: DET, DAL, NJN

• Earl Watson(notes) – The production hasn’t been stellar since Watson became the starter in Indiana, but at least we know he has some job security. In seven starts thus far, he’s averaged 7.6 points, 0.9 threes, 5.1 assists, 1.7 turnovers, and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks in 28 minutes. Week 11: ORL, @MIN, @OKC

• Devin Brown(notes) – Clearly Brown’s name isn’t inspring oohs and aahs, but the production at least warrants a bit more ownership than he’s currently seeing (5%). He’s the starter in New Orleans and plays alongside Chris Paul(notes), and over the past eight games has averaged 12.8 points, 2.3 threes, and 1.4 steals in 30 minutes. Week 11: @UTH, @OKC, NJN, @WAS

Status Updates

• LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) – Aldridge’s left ankle sprain kept him out of Saturday’s game and is expected to sideline him on Monday, as well. 

• Carmelo Anthony(notes) – Anthony missed Saturday’s game with a bruised right knee and he’ll be a game-time decision Sunday. 

• Ron Artest(notes) – Artest’s Sunday availability remains up in the air after he was a non-contact participant in practice Saturday, under the watchful eye of a neurologist. 

• Chauncey Billups(notes) – Billups’ left groin strain is expected to sideline him for the fourth consecutive game Sunday. 

• Steve Blake(notes) – Blake remains hospitalized with pneumonia and could be out for at least another week. 

• Jose Calderon(notes) – Calderon won’t play Sunday, but Jay Triano is hoping to have him in uniform for the Raptors’ following game, Wednesday at Orlando.

• Marcus Camby(notes) – Camby’s knee is still an issue but is getting better and the hope is that the team’s current stretch of only two games in nine days will allow him to get back to 100 percent.

• Vince Carter(notes) – VC’s left ankle sprain is not considered serious and he expects to be in the lineup for the Magic’s next game (Tuesday, @IND).

• Tyson Chandler(notes) – Chandler remains out due to a stress reaction in his left foot, something that had been giving him pain for a while before he shut it down. 

• Kevin Garnett(notes) – KG could be out for another 10 days because of a hyper-extended right knee, with the team taking every precaution to make sure he’s 100% well before he returns.

• Danny Granger(notes)
– Granger (plantar fasciitis) has started light activities like shooting but has yet to resume running. He’s clearly not ahead of schedule, but we have yet to hear anything to make it seem as though he won’t meet projections of a return sometime in mid-January.

• Blake Griffin(notes)
– Griffin remains sidelined by a stress fracture on his left kneecap but could
resume basketball-related activities within the next two weeks.

• Kevin Martin(notes) – Martin’s latest CT scan (December 30) showed improvement in his wrist but he remains on an indefinite timetable. He’ll be examined again on January 12 and might not be long for the active roster afterward if it’s another successful check-up.

• Troy Murphy(notes) – Murphy (ankle) will miss his third consecutive game Sunday and will be questionable for Tuesday.

• Paul Pierce(notes) – Pierce is still dealing with swelling and can’t fully bend his knee in the wake of two procedures to clean up an infection. He’s officially day-to-day but won’t be rushed back, so consider him questionable for most of Week 11.

• Rajon Rondo(notes) – Rondo missed Saturday’s game because of a sore right hamstring, but he’s expected to be able to return for the team’s next game (Wednesday, @MIA). 

• Rodney Stuckey(notes) – Stuckey’s sprained left ankle kept him out of Saturday’s practice but he does not anticipate missing any game action. His status should be a bit more clear leading up to Tuesday (@DAL).

—

Photos via Getty Images

Nate Robinson’s(notes) return to the court was the major highlight on a Friday night with just six teams in action.

• After Friday’s morning shootaround, Mike D’Antoni was mulling whether or not to reintroduce Nate Robinson into the Knicks’ rotation to see if he could give the Knicks "an offensive spark." He did and he did. Robinson returned to the active roster Friday after 14 consecutive DNP-CDs and rallied the Knicks to a 112-108 overtime win on the road in Atlanta. He scored 41 points on 18-of-24 shooting in 38 minutes, adding three treys, six boards, and eight assists. Robinson scored 11 of his points in the overtime, personally outscoring the Hawks by two in the period, and scored 19 of the Knicks’ final 21 points in the game. Mike D’Antoni provided the following quotes after the game:

"We were kind of like ‘Everybody get out of his way’" … "We’ve just been trying to get him focused on winning, and he obviously was
focused on that tonight."

If you haven’t already checked your free agent list to see if Robinson is available, then now would be a good time to do so. What remains to be seen is what happens from here, although clearly D’Antoni’s reference to Nate’s focus is a key for continued playing time. Larry Hughes(notes) was a DNP-CD Friday – after averaging just 14 minutes over the past five games – and Toney Douglas(notes) didn’t leave the bench either, as D’Antoni stuck to essentially a seven-man rotation. Chris Duhon(notes) played 27 minutes (6 points, 2 threes, 6 assists), the first time he’s been under 34 minutes since Dec. 2. Maybe the Knicks are trying to up Robinson’s trade value, and maybe D’Antoni simply wanted to see if one of his most dynamic players was ready to get back in the mix. Either way, fantasy owners need to get (back) on board, if possible.

• Matt Barnes(notes) has replaced Mickael Pietrus(notes) in the Magic starting lineup, with Stan Van Gundy saying that he likes Barnes’ versatile game with the first unit and that he hopes Pietrus can see a bit more usage while playing with the team’s reserves. Barnes was very solid in the 106-94 win over the T-Wolves Friday (35 minutes, 17 points, 11 boards, 1 steal) and has averaged 12 points, 0.8 threes, 8.3 boards, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 33 minutes during his nine starts on the season.

• Jameer Nelson’s(notes) left knee held up well Friday (30 minutes, 16 points, 2 threes, 6 assists, 2 steals), but a truer test of where he’s at will come Saturday in the second game of a back-to-back.

• I’m not going to speculate on the Gilbert Arenas(notes) situation at this point, but here’s some info from an Adrian Wojnarowski piece:

The NBA is expected to wait to see if the law enforcement agencies
file charges before the league acts. NBA security has been working with
the Wizards to investigate the matter. Team officials had immediately
reported the incident to the league office, and have been cooperating
with law enforcement authorities. Several league sources believe NBA commissioner David Stern
ultimately will mete out stiff penalties in the matter. Both Arenas and
Crittenton could be subject to suspensions and fines.

For what it’s worth, Arenas said that what is being widely reported is not the real story. We can only stay tuned here.

• Tyreke Evans(notes) missed his fourth straight game Friday because of a right ankle injury, but he’s likely to be back in action when the Kings return to the court Tuesday (PHO).

• Ron Artest(notes) missed his fourth consecutive game Friday and is also unlikely to play Sunday. Although his post-concussion symptoms are improving, he’s not yet ready for full contact.

• Look for Andre Miller(notes) and Jerryd Bayless(notes) to get extended run on Saturday (GSW) and a bit further into the immediate future. Steve Blake(notes) was hospitalized Friday morning with pneumonia and is out indefinitely.

• Saturday status updates: Kevin Garnett(notes) (knee), Paul Pierce(notes) (knee), and Rajon Rondo(notes) (hamstring) are out for the Celtics. … Chauncey Billups(notes) (groin) is questionable, Carmelo Anthony(notes) (knee) is probable. … LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) (ankle) is doubtful. … Peja Stojakovic(notes) (back) expects to play. … Troy Murphy(notes) (ankle) is out. … Hedo Turkoglu(notes) (knee) is doubtful.

—

Photos via Getty Images

Kevin Martin’s(notes) wrist is healing, Jameer Nelson(notes) is hurting,
and Luther Head(notes) could be looking at expanded minutes.

• Kevin Martin’s fractured left wrist is making progress:

"Splint is off," Martin said. "Just rehab to work on range of motion.
So when that’s good I’m good. I got cleared to do all basketball
activities without contact until my motion is good. And I’m not putting
any dates on anything."

That last statement isn’t going to make fantasy owners happy, but just let the fact that he’s had no setbacks act as a silver lining. One date that we do have is Jan. 12, which will be the next time he visits with doctors. He won’t play before that day, but may not be out much past it if all goes well.

Tyreke Evans’(notes) fantasy owners (and the Kings) are waiting with bated breath to see how K-Mart and ‘Reke interact once Martin returns. The Kings were 1-4 when they lost Martin, with Evans having averaged 11.2 points on 35-percent shooting, 0.2 threes, 3 boards, 3.6 assists, 2.4 turnovers, and 1.6 steals. They’ve gone 12-11 in the 23 games Evans has played since the injury, with Evans’ averages including 22.3 points on 48-percent shooting, 0.6 threes, 5.6 boards, 5.2 assists, 3.2 turnovers, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks.

Speaking of Evans … he’s missed the past two games after a serious aggravation of a right ankle injury that has been bothering him since early October, and he’s questionable for Friday’s game (@LAL).

• LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) played just six minutes Wednesday because of a sprained left ankle. The injury is not thought to have long-term implications, although he was fitted with a walking boot Wednesday night. His status for Saturday is in doubt at this point, and we should get a clearer picture of the extent of the injury leading up to that game. Juwan Howard(notes) (38 minutes, 10 points, 9 boards, 2 steals Wednesday) and Jeff Pendergraph(notes) (25 minutes, 8 points, 14 boards, 2 blocks) will see the "big" minutes for the Blazers if LMA is out, in addition to the newly signed Shavlik Randolph(notes).

• Keep an eye on Jameer Nelson and the Magic in the coming days, particularly if you are in a deep league. Nelson’s knee swelled up after the team’s Christmas Day game, during which he played 32 minutes, and he’s been limited in recent practices. Stan Van Gundy had the following to say:

"We’re going to have to go back and evaluate where we are with Jameer. There’s medical concerns and people don’t want him to
get re-injured."

Jason Williams(notes) was huge Wednesday (25 minutes, 16 points, 5 threes, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal) while Nelson struggled (23 minutes, 4 points, 1-of-7 FG) and would obviously step in (again) if Nelson were to miss time. In 17 starts this season, J-Will has averaged 8.5 points on 45-percent shooting, 1.5 threes, 5.1 assists, 1.3 turnovers, and 1 steal in 29 minutes. There’s not massive standard-league upside here, but he would be relevant in more than 11% of leagues (his current ownership level) as the starter.

• Tyson Chandler(notes) is out at least another week as he deals with a stress reaction in his left foot. Nazr Mohammed(notes) [game log] has had one solid game and two stinkers since Chandler went down, but he still deserves deep-league consideration in the event that this injury eventually turns into a long-term situation.

• Nothing is working for the Pacers these days, all the more reason to
take note of Luther Head’s Wednesday line (30 points, 4 threes, 7
boards, 2 steals, 1 block). He replaced Brandon Rush(notes) in the starting
lineup and played 40 minutes, while the other four starters combined for just 62 minutes
in the 121-110 loss, the team’s eighth straight and 19th in 23 games.
Production as a starter is nothing new for Head – he’s averaged 13.4
points, 1.9 threes, 3.7 boards, 3.4 assists, 1.8 turnovers, and 1.4
steals in 59 career starts – and some numbers are ripe for the picking
here.  

• Chauncey Billups’(notes) injured groin isn’t progressing quite as well as hoped, and his status for Saturday is now in doubt.

"It doesn’t hurt to walk around or even jog
— I feel good — it’s the cutting, trying to get by a defender. That’s my problem most of the times."

Ty Lawson(notes) has started three of the past four games for the Nuggets in Billups’ absence, averaging 14.7 points on 51-percent shooting, 0.3 threes, 4.3 boards, 5 assists, 1.7 turnovers, and 1.3 steals in 31 minutes.

• Charlie Villanueva(notes) has averaged 14 minutes over the past three games, and it’s no secret that he’s been dealing with plantar fasciitis. Charlie V isn’t interested in having his minutes limited, however, saying that he doesn’t want his minutes monitored when he’s on the active roster. He met with John Kuester on Wednesday to clear the air, with both parties coming away in good spirits, and Kuester challenging Charlie V to play with more energy on defense. The Pistons are currently mired in a seven-game losing streak, during which they’ve averaged just 86 points, so his turning things around on offense are equally as important.

• Our first Jose Calderon(notes) update of substance came Wednesday, with Jay Triano saying that he is hopeful that Calderon will be able to return to the lineup on Jan. 6. 

• Ronnie Brewer(notes) reached the 20-point mark for just the second time on the season Wednesday, scoring 20 in 39 minutes and adding four steals. He had totaled just 12 points in his previous three games and has been very inconsistent with C.J. Miles(notes) back and Wesley Matthews(notes) stil involved in the rotation. Matthews played just seven minutes Wednesday. Brewer’s averages have fallen to 32 minutes and 9.3 points in December, but his 2.4 steals during that time still should have him on all fantasy radars.

• Channing Frye’s(notes) up-and-down fantasy impact is currently on the "up" side. He was huge in the Suns’ 116-98 win over the Celtics Wednesday (26 points, 6 threes, 10 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks), and over the past nine games he’s averaged 15.7 points on 49-percent shooting, 2.8 threes, 6.4 boards, and 1.7 steals-plus-blocks. In 20 games between November 3 and December 11, Frye averaged 10.7 points on 42-percent shooting, and 2.2 threes.

• Celtics updates: Kevin
Garnett(notes) didn’t play Wednesday because of a hyper-extended right knee and
almost certainly will miss Saturday, as well. Doc Rivers said that the
team would rather be safe than sorry and the Celtics are then off until
Wednesday (@MIA). … Rivers also said that he "can’t imagine" that Paul
Pierce(notes) (right knee infection) will play Saturday, but called the
chances of his returning for the matchup with Miami "realistic." Tony Allen(notes) has averaged 11 points, 6 boards, 3.3 assists, 3 turnovers, 2.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks in four starts while filling in for Pierce.

• Troy Murphy(notes) is expected to shed his walking boot Friday but will be sidelined an additional five to seven days as he recovers from a sprained left ankle. 

• Ron Artest(notes) (concussion) had limited work in Friday’s practice but still experienced dizziness and is very doubtful for Friday.

—

Photos via Getty Images

Delonte West(notes) and DeJuan Blair(notes) are making cases for more widespread ownership, while Mike Bibby(notes) and Charlie Villanueva(notes) are struggling. And can/will anything slow Kobe Bryant’s(notes) roll?

• Kobe Bryant suffered the fracture in his right index finger on
December 11, and has also dealt with the stomach flu, a tweaked knee,
and a strained right elbow in the 10 games since the injury. Check out
his averages in those 10 games: 42 minutes, 34.5 points, 48% FG (26.5
FGA), 1.3 threes, 87% FT (9.2 FTA), 6.3 boards, 5.2 assists, 3.6
turnovers, and 2 steals. In a word, wow.

• Any time Andrew Bynum(notes) is having a problem with his knee, it’s notable, so take note.
Bynum
has been dealing with discomfort in his right knee that he
described as tightness around where the kneecap meets the quad muscle.
While all indications are that this is not a major or structural issue,
it’s also notable in a morbid way that Bynum has suffered major knee
injuries during the month of January in each of the past two seasons.
He turned in another "okay" line Tuesday (24 minutes, 11 points, 7
boards, 0 assists, 4 turnovers, 2 steals, 0 blocks), while Pau Gasol(notes)
was big-time (27 points, 12 boards, 3 blocks).

• Ron Artest(notes) missed his third consecutive game because of a concussion. He’ll run on a treadmill Wednesday to see whether or not he might be able to rejoin the active roster Friday.

• Corey Maggette(notes) keeps getting it done for the Warriors. His 25
points Tuesday game him 20-plus in nine of the past 10 games, a stretch
in which he’s averaged 23.2 points on 65-percent shooting,85-percent foul shooting (9.4 attempts) and 5.8 boards in 34 minutes.
He started at small forward for the second consecutive game, ahead of
Anthony Morrow(notes), with Andris Biedrins(notes) (26 minutes, 6 points, 8 boards, 6
fouls) and Anthony Randolph(notes) (19 minutes, 6 points, 6 boards, 5 assists,
1 steal, 5 blocks) forming the starting frontcourt. Could this be the
Don Nelson’s "standard" starting five moving forward, along with Monta
Ellis(notes) and Stephen Curry(notes)? (Yes, that’s a rhetorical question.)

• Another solid game for Delonte West Tuesday (29 minutes, 17 points, 1 three, 5 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, +24 in an 11-point win), pushing his averages over the past seven games to 11 points on 55-percent shooting, 0.3 threes, 3.4 boards, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 26 minutes. You’re going to want him on your roster(s) if/when the offense catches up with those great supporting numbers.

• The tough month for Mike Bibby’s fantasy owners continued Tuesday, with the usual mash-up of numbers (27 minutes, 2 points, 0 threes, 3 boards, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals). He’s averaged just 25 minutes in 12 December games, thanks to Jamal Crawford(notes) seeing a steady 30-plus minutes (34 Tuesday) and Maurice Evans(notes) earning more playing time (averaging 20 minutes in December). Bibby’s line in December hasn’t been all bad, but it’s certainly not been all good: 7.5 points on 36-percent shooting, 1.5 threes, 4.5 assists, 1 turnover, and 1.3 steals. That’s some terrible offense with pretty solid supporting stats, the reason he’s clocking in at 100th in per-game rank over the past month. If you aren’t already lacking in terms of scoring, then he’s at least been a serviceable option on most nights.

• The Wizards loss to the Thunder Tuesday (110-98) was their 10th in 13 games, a stretch in which they’ve allowed 107 points per game to the opposition. Flip Saunders was incensed during and after the game and let fly with a few choice quotes:

"Spots will be open. If guys don’t like it, that’s fine but that’s the way
it’s going to be. I’m not going to sit there, stand there and look
at that any more. You evaluate for 30 games where you’re at. Right now, where
it’s going, it ain’t getting done … I can go out there on that floor and take anybody on our team on
one-on-one at 52 years old and drive right around them. We’ve
got to wake up. As I told them: Don’t think it can’t get any worse, because it
can."

That’s strong language, and it’s true that the Wizards are a mess, but what can Saunders really do at this point? None of the big three are going to lose minutes, and benching Brendan Haywood(notes) certainly won’t improve their team defense. That leaves shooting guard, where it’s already been musical chairs all season. The phrase "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" seems to be applicable here.

• The Knicks’ box score was a thing of beauty Tuesday, with numbers you would hope for right down the line. Wilson Chandler(notes) (23 points, 9 boards, 3 steals, 1 block), Chris Duhon(notes) (13 points, 3 threes, 7 assists), David Lee(notes) (30 points, 12 boards, 5 assists), Jared Jeffries(notes) (8 boards, 2 steals, 3 blocks), and Danilo Gallinari(notes) (16 points, 4 threes) all turned in excellent lines in the 104-87 victory. Al Harrington(notes) was even useful (13 points, 1 three, 6 boards, 4 assists, 0 turnovers, 1 steal) despite dealing with foul trouble (24 minutes, 5 fouls).

• The Pistons’ offense, on the other hand, continues to sputter as they attempt to get everyone back to 100 percent and establish a set rotation. They’ve averaged 81 points as a team over the past five games and aren’t likely to work out the kinks in the immediate future. 

• Charlie Villanueva played through flu-like symptoms and his continued battle with plantar fasciitis, making none of his four shots in 12 minutes. Over the past six games, Charlie V has made 12 of 52 shot attempts (23%).

• The Pacers switched their starting lineup (again) in advance of their matchup with the Bulls – with T.J. Ford(notes), Dahntay Jones(notes), and Solomon Jones(notes) replacing Earl Watson(notes), Brandon Rush(notes), and Roy Hibbert(notes) – and then went on to fall behind 34-15 after one quarter in an eventual 104-95 loss. The Pacers’ team situation got a mention in Monday’s Skinny (as did the Bulls’), so I’ll save the bandwidth here, as this loss obviously didn’t do anything to help the situation.

• The Bulls got a combined 55 points on 20-of-35 shooting (57%) from Derrick Rose(notes) (28 points, 6 assists), Kirk Hinrich(notes) (10 points, 2 threes, 5 assists), and John Salmons(notes) (17 points, 3 threes, 5 assists), exactly the kind of production the Hinrich/Salmons role swap was intended to produce.

• Luol Deng(notes) has been dealing with a left thumb fracture that is quite painful, but he’s been able to play through it since it’s his non-shooting hand. He scored 15 points (6-of-10 FG, 1 three) and grabbed eight boards in 37 minutes Tuesday.

• It’s good to see Tyrus Thomas(notes) back in action, as he has the skill-set to deliver among the most dynamic fantasy lines in the game [insert proverbial big "if" about consistency and health]. In two games, he’s totaled 29 points, 24 boards, two steals, and five blocks in 63 minutes. Thomas is going to play big minutes regardless, but a few more games like these and Vinny Del Negro (or whoever is the Bulls’ coach) will have no choice but to move him into the starting lineup.

• DeJuan Blair was limited a bit by foul trouble Tuesday (24 minutes, 4 fouls), but still turned in a serviceable line in his fifth start (11 points, 6 boards, 1 block). Another reason to consider adding Blair to your fantasy roster(s): Antonio McDyess(notes) (21 minutes, 4 points, 8 boards, 2 blocks) says that coming off the bench is his comfort zone,
so Blair could hang on to the starting spot even when Matt Bonner(notes)
returns from his hand injury. If the Spurs continue their strong play
for the next few weeks (9-2 over the past 11 games), there will be little motivation to make a
change to the starting five.

• Manu Ginobili’s(notes) massive line (14 points, 3 threes, 9 boards, 10 assists, 1 turnover, 3 steals) is certainly a welcome sight, but what has to currently be at the top of his fantasy owners’ wish list is some consistency of production.

• David West(notes) (44) and Chris Paul(notes) (16) combined for 60 of the Hornets’ 100 points Tuesday, although the two-man show fell short in the 108-100 loss to the Rockets. West added 12 boards, four assists, two steals, and made two threes in a game (on four attempts) for the third time in his career. Paul registered the 11th triple-double of his career (11 boards, 10 assists) and also had two steals and two blocks. Strangely enough, Paul was a -11 in his 42 minutes, while Peja Stojakovic(notes) was a +12 in 29 minutes, despite all zeros outside of four boards.

• Shane Battier(notes) had one of his better performances of the season Tuesday (20 points, 5 threes) and has been in something of a groove of late. Over the past eight games, he’s averaged 10 points on 50-percent shooting, 2.4 threes, 3.9 boards, 2.8 assists, 1.4 turnovers, and 1.8 steals-plus-blocks. Given his current ownership level (53%), a quick check of the wire isn’t a terrible idea, particularly if you are in a roto league.

• File this under "we all saw it coming": Tracy McGrady(notes) has been granted an indefinite leave of absence while the Rockets seek a trade, with T-Mac adding, "I don’t care if I go to the damn moon." To paraphrase some discussion from Monday’s Skinny,
don’t expect anything to happen much before the February 18 trade
deadline and don’t be surprised if the two parties end up parting ways
via a buyout shortly after the deadline expires.

• Some early updates for Wednesday’s games: Paul Pierce(notes) (knee) is out; Marcus Camby(notes) (knee) is questionable; Rudy Gay(notes) (ankle) is expected to play; Tyreke Evans(notes) is doubtful; Chris Douglas-Roberts(notes) (ankle) will be a game-time decision; and Troy Murphy(notes) (ankle) is not expected to play.

—

Photos via Getty Images

A look ahead to Week 10 of the fantasy basketball season.

Schedule Breakdown

Four-game teams: CHA, CLE, IND, LAL, MIN, NYK, OKC, PHI, SAC, SAS

Three-game teams: ATL, BOS, CHI, DAL, DEN, GSW, HOU, MEM, MIA, MIL, NJN, NOR, ORL, PHO, POR, TOR, UTH, WAS

Two-game teams: DET, LAC

Also see: Basketball Monster’s ease rankings and Rotowire’s value meter

Pickups/Plug-ins – Players owned in less than 40% of Yahoo! leagues

• Yi Jianlian(notes) – Yi has totaled 39 points, four threes, and 14 boards in two games since returning from knee and lip injuries, and he’s once again looking at an unlimited opportunity to prove himself for the Nets. While struggles with inconsistency may remain, a natural progression of skills could mean he improves on career per-35 minute averages of 12.6 points and 7.7 boards while making a push for the one three/steal/block club. Week 10: OKC, NYK, CLE

• Kirk Hinrich(notes) – Tyrus Thomas’(notes) return to the active roster nabbed the headlines during the
Bulls’ 96-85 win over the Hornets Saturday, but Hinrich’s promotion to
the starting five was also key in the victory (36 minutes, 14 points, 3
threes, 6 boards, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal). Hinrich’s solid
numbers, the team’s win, and John Salmons’(notes) continued poor play (23
minutes, 3 points on Saturday) bode well for Hinrich receiving
consistent starter’s minutes moving forward. Week 10: IND, @DET, ORL 

• James Harden(notes) – It took some time, but Harden has adjusted to his reserve role and carved out more and more consistent minutes for himself in the process. He’s averaging 26 minutes per game in December and over the past 18 games – going back to Nov. 18 – he’s averaged 12.6 points, 1.3 threes, 84-percent foul shooting, 3.8 boards, 2.5 assists, 1.5 turnovers, and 1.2 steals. Thabo Sefolosha’s(notes) defense will keep him with the starting five, but Harden should only continue to improve as the season goes on. Week 10: @NJN, @WAS, UTH, @MIL

• Ryan Gomes(notes) – Gomes returned to the T-Wolves’ active roster Saturday
after missing six games with a high ankle sprain (16 minutes, 5 points,
5 boards). He should replace Damien Wilkins(notes) as the team’s starting
small forward in fairly short order and be back to posting solid glue
guy numbers. He was playing very well before hitting the inactive list,
averaging 20.3 points on 59-percent shooting, 1.2 threes, 4.8 boards,
and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks in seven games prior to the injury. Week 10: @SAS, UTH, ORL, @IND

• Marreese Speights(notes) – Speights has only needed 23 minutes per game to put up reasonable season averages (13.2 points, 6.3 boards, 1.2 steals-plus-blocks), a good thing given the fact that there are only so many minutes to go around for the 76ers’ bigs (Speights, Elton Brand(notes), Samuel Dalembert(notes)) in their small lineup and Princeton offense. While you shouldn’t expect consistency or significant upside if the 76ers aren’t able to move Dalembert, his season averages should at least stay steady overall. Week 10: @POR, @SAC, @LAC, @DEN

• Delonte West(notes) – West has been regaining his confidence and the trust of his teammates, and it’s been translating to the box score. Over the past five games, West has averaged 9.5 points on 54-percent shooting, 3 boards, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 25 minutes. He also made his second three of the season Friday, a good sign for the career 37-percent shooter from long-range. Nothing is guaranteed as West continues his personal battle with a mood disorder, but he’s certainly worth a speculative add given the fantasy potential and his emerging game. Week 10: @ATL, ATL, @NJN, CHA

• DeJuan Blair(notes) – Blair has moved into the starting lineup in the wake of Matt Bonner’s(notes) hand injury,
and he turned in a big line Saturday (26 minutes, 8 points, 12 boards,
3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block). At the very least, there should be some
very solid value here over the next few weeks, as his per-25 minute averages on the
season include 10.5 points, 9.2 boards, and 1.5 steals-plus-blocks. Week 10: MIN, MIA, @WAS, TOR

• Jerryd Bayless(notes) – I went into some detail regarding the Blazers’ backcourt in a post here,
but the upshot is that Bayless won’t lose minutes any time soon and has
some upside if he can get his shot to start falling more consistently. Week 10: PHI, LAC, GSW

• Omri Casspi(notes) – Casspi came off the bench Saturday but it did not affect his production negatively (32 minutes, 15 points, 1 three, 10 boards, 1 steal). His overall line is a bit lacking, but there is some production to be had here. Over the past 17 games, he’s averaged 14.1 points on 47-percent shooting, 1.5 threes, and 4.6 boards, and his minutes should remain largely unchanged at least until Kevin Martin(notes) returns. Week 10: DEN, PHI, @LAL, DAL

• Jose Juan Barea(notes) – Barea has played very well in nine games since joining the Mavs’ starting lineup, averaging 14.3 points on 52-percent shooting, 1.8 threes, 4.2 assists, and 0.8 steals in 30 minutes. Barea’s strong play and the team’s record in those games (7-2) has removed any urgency from Josh Howard(notes) rejoining the starting five, so there’s more fantasy value to be had here. Week 10: @HOU, @SAC, @LAL

• Earl Watson(notes) – Watson hasn’t exactly been fantastic in five game since replacing T.J. Ford(notes) as the Pacers’ starting point guard, but he’s been serviceable for deep-league purposes (8.2 points, 41% FG, 1 three, 3.8 boards, 4.8 assists, 1.2 turnover, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks), the Pacers have Week 10’s most friendly schedule (@CHI, MEM, MIN, @NYK), and they play four games in four of the next five weeks.

• Juwan Howard(notes) – Injuries have pushed Howard into a starting role for
the Blazers, and he’s averaged 8.7 points on 54-percent shooting, 10
boards, and 2.7 assists in 34 minutesof three games since Joel
Przybilla(notes) was lost for the season. There’s not significant upside here
and there’s a decent chance that the team will eventually look to add a
true center to the roster, but deep-league owners should make a move in
the interim. Week 10: PHI, LAC, GSW

• Devin Brown(notes) – Deep-leaguers should note that Brown has been showing a bit of chemistry with Chris Paul(notes) lately, averaging 13.2 points, 2.8 threes, and 1.8 steals in 30 minutes over the past five games. Marcus Thornton(notes) is the future at shooting guard for the Hornets, but Brown is the present. Week 10: @HOU, MIA, HOU

• Nazr Mohammed(notes) – Mohammed deserves a deep-league look and is a Watch
List candidate for most formats, given Tyson Chandler’s(notes) current foot issues and his
injury history. In Mohammed’s first start filling in for Chandler
(Saturday, @OKC), he totaled 16 points, 8 boards, 1 steal, and 1 block
in 27 minutes. Week 10: MIL, @TOR, @MIA, @CLE

• Tony Allen(notes) – While it’s true that Allen only has relevance for as
long as Paul Pierce(notes) is sidelined, that’s expected to be at least
another week, during which the Celtics have three fantastic matchups
(@GSW, @PHO, TOR).

Status Updates

• Ron Artest(notes) – Artest missed Saturday’s game after suffering a concussion at his home Friday. Phil Jackson said he anticipates Artest being back in the lineup Monday, but his official status likely won’t be determined until gameday.

• Andris Biedrins(notes) – Biedrins was projected to return to the lineup Saturday, but his return was pushed to Monday to give him more practice time with the team. He’ll play limited minutes initially after missing seven weeks due to back and abdominal issues.

• Chauncey Billups(notes) – While he’s had no setbacks in his recovery from a groin strain, Billups will sit out both of the team’s back-to-back games Sunday/Monday in an effort to let the injury fully heal and avoid any long-term issues. After Monday’s game, the Nuggets are off until Saturday.

• Tyson Chandler – Chandler was expected to be out at least a week after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left foot this past Wednesday. Nazr Mohammed is likely to get another start Monday (MIL), and Chandler’s status could be updated in advance of the Bobcats’ Wednesday game (@TOR).

• Jose Calderon(notes) – Calderon is scheduled to meet with team doctors Monday, after which we may have an update regarding his return from a hip flexor strain. The hope has been that he’d be able to return shortly after Christmas (allegedly), but as of this point it’s still something of a mystery. Calderon was not a participant in the team’s most recent practice (Saturday).

• Marcus Camby(notes) – an MRI on Camby’s injured left knee came back negative, but he remains questionable for Sunday’s game.

• Chris Douglas-Roberts(notes) – while CDR is hoping to return from his right ankle sprain Monday, he’s officially questionable at this point.

• Rudy Fernandez(notes) – Fernandez has an "optimistic" goal of returning to practice in two weeks and joining the team sometime around January 18. His original time frame has him coming back towards the end of January at the earliest.

• Kevin Garnett(notes) – KG left Friday’s game late in the fourth quarter after a hard fall to the floor but is expected to be in the lineup Sunday.

• Ben Gordon(notes) – Gordon returned to the lineup Sunday after missing 10 games due to a sprained left ankle.

• Danny Granger(notes) – there have been no substantive updates regarding Granger’s torn right plantar fascia since he was shelved, but he is expected to return sometime in mid-January.

• Blake Griffin(notes) – Griffin remains sidelined by a stress fracture on his left kneecap. While he’s had no setbacks, his scheduled return has steadily been pushed back. He’s scheduled to begin work on an anti-gravity treadmill soon and, if all goes well, he could resume basketball-related activities in roughly three weeks, meaning he could make his debut sometime in late January.

• Richard Hamilton(notes) – Hamilton was back in the lineup Sunday after missing five games due to a hamstring strain.

• Allen Iverson(notes)
– AI has missed the past four games because of arthritis in his left knee, but is expected to return to the active roster on Monday.

• Kevin Martin – Martin has been going through dribbling and shooting drills without incident and is scheduled to undergo a CT scan on December 30 to determine how well the hairline fracture in his left wrist has healed. If everything checks out, an early January return is not out of the question.

• Tracy McGrady(notes) – T-Mac has been removed from the Rockets’ active roster for each of their two weekend games, with Rick Adelman saying he is unsure how to move forward with McGrady because he doesn’t want to take minutes from other players and he doesn’t want to change player roles to accomodate McGrady’s expected usage needs. How and when this will be resolved is anyone’s guess.

"A player of his caliber, he’s smart; he’s got skills other people
don’t have," Adelman said. "They’re in him. All the things he did
before that came easy, suddenly, they’re harder. When you try to incorporate that into your game as a team,
that’s the thing I’m struggling with. I’m trying to figure it out. As
talented as he is and as smart as he is, once he gets going, he’s going
to find a way. I don’t know how long it’s going to take."

• Mike Miller(notes)
– Miller has been doing some running and shooting and could be back in the lineup for the Wizards sometime around January 1.

• Paul Pierce – Pierce is not expected to return to the Celtics’ active roster before January 2, as the team is exercising caution in dealing with his return from an infection in his right knee. Tony Allen will get the starts in Pierce’s place for as long as he’s out.

• Tayshaun Prince(notes) – Prince was back in the lineup for the Pistons Sunday, after missing 26 games with a ruptured disk in his lower back.

• Charlie Villanueva(notes) – Charlie V has been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot; he was in the lineup Sunday after being a game-time decision and is likely to be limited in the short term at the very least.

—

Photos via Getty Images

Your post-Christmas update looks at the Blazers’ backcourt and updates injuries for Camby, Billups, KG, Tyrus, and Artest among others.

• The Jerryd Bayless(notes) roller coaster continued Friday, as he followed up
31 points in 42 minutes on Wednesday with eight points on 2-of-10
shooting in 30 minutes on Christmas Day. It wasn’t all negative,
however, as he also had seven assists and played the entire fourth quarter
in an impressive 107-96 win over the Nuggets. Bayless’ promotion within
the rotation has coincided with the team winning six of seven games,
but his overall numbers haven’t exactly been stellar for fantasy
purposes – in the seven games, he’s averaged 15.3 points on 39-percent
shooting, 1 three, 80 percent foul shooting (6.4 FTA), 2.4 boards, 3.6
assists, 1.4 turnovers, and 0.3 steals in 28 minutes. With that said,
he’s certainly worth rostering in most formats in the event that he can
get his shot to fall more consistently.

By necessity (thanks to injuries), the Blazers have been utilizing a small lineup in recent games, meaning Bayless, Andre Miller(notes), and Steve Blake(notes) have all been seeing around 30 minutes per game. Miller’s averages over
the past seven games include 27 minutes, 10.9 points on 38-percent
shooting, 84-percent foul shooting, 2 boards, 4 assists, 1.1 turnovers,
and 0.9 steals. Blake’s include 28 minutes, 8.7 points on
50-percent shooting, 2.3 threes, 2 boards, 2.4 assists, 0.9 turnovers,
and 0.6 steals. Miller isn’t likely to get demoted any time soon, but he’s also not likely to take back many fourth quarter minutes from Bayless or Blake. A trade seems like the path of least resistance in terms of helping everyone’s fantasy impacts, but there are only so many teams that need a veteran point guard (signed through next season at ~$7M per) and only so many centers available. Brad Miller(notes) seems like a great option, but his salary ($12.3M) and the Bulls having little use for Miller would necessitate a third team getting involved.

• Marcus Camby(notes) played only 10 minutes Friday because of his sore left knee. He hyper-extended it on Tuesday and tried to give it a go despite some lingering soreness and swelling, and he’ll have an MRI Saturday to determine the specifics of the injury. There’s a decent chance he’ll be out for at least Sunday’s game (BOS), and Craig Smith(notes) would likely be the recipient of surplus run for however long Camby would be out.

• Chauncey Billups(notes) played 20 minutes – all in the first half – in his return from a groin injury Friday. He had no setbacks and his not playing in the second half of the 107-96 loss was strictly precautionary, as the team has a set of back-to-backs on Sunday/Monday (DAL, @SAC).

• Kevin Garnett(notes) left Friday’s game late in the fourth quarter after a hard fall to the floor. He’ll be checked by the team before they travel for Sunday’s game (@LAC), but KG said he could have re-entered the game if it were necessary and a headache is expected to be the worst of it.

• Leandro Barbosa(notes) returned Friday, after nearly a month off because of an ankle sprain, and scored 12 points in 21 minutes during the 124-93 blowout of the Clippers. What remains to be seen is how the minutes break down for the Suns’ reserves with Barbosa back in the mix and if Barbosa can get enough consistent run to warrant universal ownership (he’s currently at 60%). Goran Dragic(notes) has performed admirably while Barbosa has missed time (19 minutes, 47% FG, 41% 3PT in December) and Jared Dudley(notes) has been very solid all season (24 minutes, 9.1 points, 50% 3PT).

• Two notes for the Bulls on Saturday: Tyrus Thomas(notes) was a full participant in practice Thursday and is expected to return to the active roster. His minutes will come from Brad Miller and Taj Gibson(notes), although he’ll need some time to get back to game shape … Kirk Hinrich(notes) will replace John Salmons(notes) as the starting shooting guard for at least Saturday’s game, in an effort to provide some kind of spark to the 10-17 Bulls. The move should mean a few less minutes for Salmons, but it won’t exactly hurt his fantasy impact if it helps him get untracked (38% FG). Hinrich has also struggled (36% FG, 70% FT) and should be monitored in the event that the move is mutually beneficial.

• Ron Artest(notes) suffered injuries to his head and left elbow after tripping and falling down a flight of stairs at his home on Friday night. He won’t be in the lineup Saturday and we should have a specific update regarding his further availability by Sunday morning.

• Tracy McGrady(notes) won’t play in either of the Rockets’ back-to-back games this weekend (Saturday @NJN, Sunday @CLE), with team general manager Daryl Morey saying it was because "Tracy didn’t feel like this is working in terms of working him back in" and adding that they’ll try to work with McGrady in terms of "what’s next" once the team returns to Houston. It’s no coincidence that the move comes on the heels of T-Mac saying his minutes need to increase "over the next couple of games." What is fairly obvious is that the team has no interest in his taking on a role of any significance at any time, but what remains to be seen is if there is a trade opportunity out there or if the team would consider a buyout.

• Ryan Gomes(notes) will return to the active roster for the T-Wolves Saturday, after missing six games with a high ankle sprain. In seven games prior to the injury, Gomes averaged 20.3 points on 59-percent shooting, 1.2 threes, 93-percent foul shooting, 4.8 boards, and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks in 35 minutes.

• Both Andris Biedrins(notes) (groin/abdomen) and Ronny Turiaf(notes) (knee) are slated to return to the active roster for the Warriors Saturday.

• Chris Douglas-Roberts(notes) missed Wednesday’s game and is not expected to play Saturday because of a right ankle sprain. 

• And no, still nothing specific regarding Jose Calderon’s(notes) availability. The best we’ve got is still speculation from a beat reporter that he could return on December 30.

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Photos via Getty Images

Here are a few of the more notable fantasy NBA developments over the past few days…

• Paul Pierce(notes) will miss the next two weeks after having an infection drained from his right knee Wednesday. He complained of swelling of soreness in the morning, and an MRI revealved the infection (while also showing no structural issues). Tony Allen(notes), J.R. Giddens(notes), and Bill Walker(notes) will see extra time while Pierce is out, with Allen deserving some attention in super-deep leagues. If the two-week timeframe plays out, he’ll miss five or six games.

• Kevin Garnett(notes) was not in the lineup Tuesday because of right thigh bruise, but his injury is not considered serious and he’s likely to be back in the lineup for the team’s next game (Friday, @ORL).

• Joel Przybilla(notes) is yet another Blazer to be lost to a major injury, as he suffered a ruptured right patella tendon and dislocated patella Tuesday. How long he’ll be gone will be determined after he undergoes tests Thursday, but it’s not a minor injury. Juwan Howard(notes) was effective after replacing Przybilla Tuesday (34 minutes, 10 points, 10 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal), started for the team Wednesday, and should see major minutes on most nights, barring a transaction that brings in another big man. Howard’s most recent run of significant playing time came in 2006-07, when he averaged 12.8 points and 6.5 boards in 38 starts. Brandon Roy was also out of the lineup for the Blazers Wednesday because of a sore shoulder. At least in his case, the injury is not expected to be long-term.

• Roy Hibbert(notes) has averaged 14 points, 5.7 boards, and 4.3 blocks in 32 minutes over the past three games, with the extensive playing time being the key. With Jeff Foster’s(notes) recurring back issues having shelved him indefinitely, the playing time will (once again) be there for Hibbert if he can avoid significant foul trouble, and he could be heading for another productive streak like we saw earlier in the season.

• In four games since returning from a one-game stint on the inactive list, Delonte West(notes) has averaged 11.5 points on 50-percent shooting, 4 boards, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 27 minutes. His teammates and coach have noticed his play and, at the risk of sounding overly-optimistic, he could be on the verge of settling back in with this team. Given the fantasy potential here, a speculative add is starting to look more and more appealing, although clearly nothing is assured when it comes to West.

• T.J. Ford(notes) has lost his starting job to Earl Watson(notes) for the foreseeable future, with problems playing within Jim O’Brien’s system being cited as the main cause. O’Brien thinks Ford’s tendency to dominate the ball and look to create his own shot is a better fit with the second unit, but he still called him a "key scorer" for the Pacers. Before you see it as the death knell for Ford’s already dismal fantasy impact, consider that he averaged 13.4 points, 5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25 games as a reserve last season (27 minutes). What Ford has yet to do this season is get comfortable, and perhaps this move will help him do just that (but maybe that’s just me being overly-optimistic again).

"It’s more of a come down and pass it scenario. That’s not the style where I’m effective as far as passing. I’ve got to go back to doing what I know how to do best, and that’s attacking."

Watson certainly becomes more useful for fantasy purposes as the team’s starter, and he’s averaged 9.3 points, 1.3 threes, 4.3 boards, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in his three starts (29 minutes).

• Tyson Chandler(notes) will miss at least a week due to a stress reaction in his left foot, the same foot the needed offseason procedures to deal with turf toe and a sprained ankle. Nazr Mohammed(notes) will get the starts for Chandler in the interim, and deep-league owners should seriously consider an add here, given Chandler’s extensive injury history. In 276 career starts, Mohammed has averaged 9.8 points on 50-percent shooting, 7.6 boards, 0.8 steals, and 1 block in 25 minutes.

A look ahead to Week 9 of the fantasy basketball season.

Schedule Breakdown

Four-game teams: CLE, HOU, IND, LAC, PHO, SAS

Three-game teams: ATL, BOS, CHI, DAL, DEN, DET, GSW, LAL, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYK, OKC, ORL, POR, SAC, UTH, WAS

Two-game teams: CHA, MEM, NJN, NOR, PHI, TOR

Also see: Basketball Monster’s ease rankings and Rotowire’s value meter

Pickups/Plug-ins – players owned in less than 40% of Yahoo! leagues

• Omri Casspi – Casspi has averaged 18 points, 1.3 threes, 86-percent
foul shooting, 3.7 boards, 1 block, and 1 steal in 34 minutes in three
games since joining the Kings’ starting lineup. The move should stick,
giving Casspi some long-term potential – looking ahead, I’d anticipate
Andres Nocioni hitting the bench once Kevin Martin makes his eventual
return. Week 9: @CHI, CLE, LAL

• Marreese Speights – Speights has picked up right where he left off,
and then some. In three games since returning from a partially torn
MCL, he’s averaged 19.7 points on 47-percent shooting and 7.7 boards in
27 minutes. While it’s hard to envision consistency for any of Eddie
Jordan’s bigs, Speights’ numbers should continue to be solid overall. Week 9: @WAS, @UTH

• Joel Przybilla – need a center? Przybilla has double-digit rebounds in five straight games and has averages of 5.7 points on 57-percent shooting, 9.8 boards, and 2.2 blocks over the past six games. Week 9: @DAL, @SAS, DEN

• C.J. Watson – Watson continues to play plenty for the short-handed
Warriors, and he’s produced averages of 12.5 points on 51-percent
shooting, 1.1 threes, 4 boards, 3.1 assists, 1.3 turnovers, and 2
steals over the past 11 games. Week 9: @MEM, @NOR, PHO

• Jarrett Jack – Jack has been up and down as the starter but solid overall (12 points, 51% FG, 0.6 threes, 3.9 boards, 5.7 assists, 3 turnovers, 1.3 steals) and Jose Calderon remains out. The downside here is that the Raptors only play twice in Week 9 (@DET, DET).

• DeJuan Blair – Matt Bonner’s broken hand will keep him out for at least a month,
meaning an expanded role for Blair in the interim, who saw 20 minutes
of playing time himself for just the second time in a month Saturday (8
boards, 1 steal). Blair’s per-25 minute averages on the season include
10.7 points, 9.3 boards, 0.6 steals, and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks. Week 9: LAC, POR, @MIL, @NYK

• Jerryd Bayless – Bayless has been earning more playing time for the short-handed Blazers, setting season-highs in minutes in three consecutive games. His production is almost completely limited to offense, but the offense should be there as long as the minutes are. In the five games where he’s seen at least 20 minutes of playing time, he’s averaged 16 points on 47-percent shooting, 0.4 threes, and 8.6 free throw attempts. Week 9: @DAL, @SAS, DEN

• Dorell Wright – Quentin Richardson’s injury gave Wright an opportunity to rejoin the Heat rotation, and he’s played well enough in recent games to keep a solid role now that Richardson has returned. Over the past five games, Wright has averaged 13.2 points on 58-percent shooting, 1 three, 5 boards, 2.2 assists, 0.4 turnovers, and 1.4 steals-plus-blocks, and Q-Rich’s availability is always tenuous at best. Week 9: UTH, @NYK, IND

Status Updates

• Leandro Barbosa – Barbosa will step up his practice activities Sunday with the hopes of fully practicing with the team Wednesday and then returning to the active roster Friday.

• Andris Biedrins – Biedrins has begun light workouts and may fully practice with the team in advance of their back-to-backs on Tuesday/Wednesday. The San Francisco Chronicle’s beat reporter goes as far as to speculate that Biedrins "could return" for the two-game road trip, but that may be overly-optimistic.

• Chauncey Billups –  Billups is not expected to be in the lineup Sunday, instead giving his injured groin a few extra days to heal before returning on Wednesday.

• Jose Calderon – The Raptors have yet to provide any official update on Calderon’s hip flexor, so the best I can offer is speculation from the Toronto Star‘s Raptors beat reporter:

"No one’s got a timetable but if I had to guess, I’d say the 30th here would be when we see him back. Just a guess though."

• Chris Douglas-Roberts – CDR suffered a grade 1 ankle sprain Saturday and his status for Wednesday’s game is up in the air at this point.

• Rudy Fernandez – Rudy underwent a microdiscectomy on December 8 and is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-January.

• Ryan Gomes
– Gomes has yet to return to practice and is probably a week or more away from playing because of a high ankle sprain.

• Ben Gordon – Gordon’s sprained ankle has progressed to the point that he will be a game-time decision Sunday.

• Danny Granger – Granger’s torn right plantar fascia is expected to keep him sidelined until sometime in mid-January.

• Blake Griffin – Griffin remains sidelined by a stress fracture on his left kneecap and isn’t expected to return until sometime after January 1. He’ll undergo a series of tests sometime in the coming days, and a more exact timeline should emerge after they take place.

• Richard Hamilton – Hamilton will miss his third straight game Sunday due to a strained right hamstring, and is considered day-to-day.

• Allen Iverson
– AI has missed the past two games because of a collection of issues (left knee arthritis, right leg stress reaction, left shoulder bruise), and he’s also scheduled to sit out Philly’s game on Tuesday. According to Eddie Jordan, he "might" be back in the lineup on Saturday.

• Yi Jianlian – barring another unforeseen circumstance, Yi is set to rejoin the Nets at practice Monday and is likely to be on the team’s active roster Wednesday.

• Carl Landry – Landry underwent nearly five hours of dental procedures Saturday to repair damage to five teeth, suffered when he collided with Dirk Nowitzki during Friday’s game. Rick Adelman said that doctors thought "by next week he should be fine," but go on the assumption that he’ll be a game-time decision Tuesday.

• Kevin Martin – Martin had surgery on his broken left wrist on November 9 and is expected to return sometime in mid-January. 

• Mike Miller
– Miller is progressing and expected to resume running this week.

• Jameer Nelson – Nelson is set to go through his first full practice Sunday, and the team’s medical staff has designated Wednesday’s game as the earliest possible return to the active roster.

• Dirk Nowitzki – Dirkdid not practice Saturday and is questionable for Sunday’s game in the wake of his elbow-to-mouth collision with Carl Landry.

• Tayshaun Prince – Prince remains, in a word, out, and there continues to be a lack of substantive updates in terms of his specific level of readiness.

• Tyrus Thomas
– Thomas will participate in a full-contact practice Sunday and, if he has no setbacks, the team is targeting Saturday’s matchup with the Hornets as a possible return date.

• Dwyane Wade – Add back spasms to Wade’s list of recent ailments, but he’s not expected to miss any game action due to the injury, just like with the others.

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Photos via Getty Images