Fantasy Related But Great Info............
Is Duncan Going To Play?
If you're wondering why there weren't many (well, actually none) news blurbs this morning, it wasn't for a lack of trying. NBA news has just started to dry up, at least the morning variety. But there was enough injury news, along with strong performances, on Tuesday, to fill up an entire Daily Dose. And did you notice that I accidentally called yesterday's Dose the "Daily Does" in the tease? I kind of like it, but doubt we can officially call it that. In addition, it really would be more appropriate to title this column the "Daily Doesn't," as so much of what we report is bad news regarding guys sitting due to injury. Like…
Tim Duncan bounced back from a terrible game with 25 points, 15 boards and three blocks in last night's win over the Thunder. The Spurs go again tonight against the Blazers, and there's a decent chance Duncan won't play in order to rest his sore knees. Gregg Popovich said last night that he's yet to make a decision on Duncan, and you can bet he won't show his hand until just before game time. If Duncan does sit, it will be a curious decision to have played him against the Thunder instead of the Blazers, but then again, they needed everything he gave them on Tuesday night. My prediction is Duncan will miss at least one, and possibly two of the team's remaining five games.
Kings' shooting guard
Kevin Martin had X-rays on his sore left ankle and a bone spur was revealed. Whether Martin plays again this year or not is a hot topic for debate, although he says he really doesn't want to shut it down. However, it's unclear if he'll play Thursday against the Rockets, and with the Kings season long over, I'm not sure why Martin and the team want him to continue to play through this. Add in the fact that he's probably going to need some minor surgery to remove the spur, along with the Kings' dismal record, and it just doesn't make sense for him to power on. While he hasn't been ruled out as of yet, my
guess is he's going to be convinced to shut it down between now and Thursday night.
Spencer Hawes played for the Kings despite an eye injury and was fantastic, finishing with 21 points, 15 boards, three assists, a steal, two blocks and a 3-pointer. As long as his knee holds up long term, he's going to be a fantasy stud (and solid keeper option) with those threes and blocks.
Al Thornton's shoulder recently popped out of place for the second time and he is shutting it down for the year. He was a surprise DNP on Tuesday and is not expected to play another game for the Clippers this year.
Chris Kaman, who has missed two straight, should be back from the flu on Friday.
DeAndre Jordan went down last night with a strained Achilles, so the rest of his season is in doubt, and you have to think we've seen the last of
Marcus Camby.
Baron Davis appeared to tweak a hamstring last night, but stayed in the game, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting, although he did fill the stat sheet up nicely. Big man
Brian Skinner had 16 points, 14 boards and three blocks, and is worth a look if you can still make moves.
The Timberwolves will likely finish the season without
Randy Foye (hip), while
Rodney Carney missed Tuesday's game with a hip injury of his own.
Ryan Gomes answered the call with 24 points, 13 boards and two threes, while
Craig Smith returned from a calf injury for 16 points and seven rebounds. As long as Carney's out, Gomes should be a very safe play.
Kevin Love returned from missing his first game of the year with the flu for 13 points, 15 boards and a block on 5-of-13 shooting.
Speculation in Oakland is that
Monta Ellis has been 'closed for the season' and won't play again after hurting his surgically repaired ankle last week. He hasn't been heard from since, but it does sound like
Andris Biedrins will be back in action tonight against Minnesota after missing almost a month with a sprained ankle. As most of you know, I was pretty down on Ellis all year and didn't even think he was really worth a pick up. I must admit that I was surprised at how good he looked upon his return, as well as by how many minutes the crazy Warriors were playing him. But the fact of the matter is that he was really only worth having in fantasy lineups from March 11 to April 1. So if that helped you win a championship, I stand corrected.
Anderson Varejao (wrist) and
Ben Wallace (leg) are both expected to return for the Cavaliers on Wednesday against the Wizards. However, coach Mike Brown indicated on Tuesday that
Zydrunas Ilgauskas,
Mo Williams,
Wally Szczerbiak, and yes, even
LeBron James, may be getting a day (as in 'game') off in the near future. It sounds like they're going full bore against the Wiz tonight, but anything is possible after that.
Josh Howard looked good in his last game, but the Mavs are still pretty concerned about his ankle injury. I will be surprised if he plays in all five of their remaining regular-season games, and my guess is he misses Monday's game against the Timberwolves, if any.
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Here's the rest of the injury run down in 'quick hits' form.
Raja Bell's season for the Bobcats may be over due to a calf injury.
Carl Landry returned from missing about a month after being shot in the leg and had eight points, five boards and a couple blocks for the Rockets.
Jared Jeffries took six stitches in the head and returned to the game, but let his owners and the Knicks down with four boards, three dimes and zero points.
Darko Milicic sat out the Grizzlies' loss with a right hamstring injury.
Andrea Bargnani played through the flu and had 15 points, two blocks and two threes for the Raptors, but was in foul trouble early and often in a loss to the Hawks.
Luol Deng's season is likely over due to a fractured tibia, although I'm not sure that qualifies as either a surprise or news.
Anthony Johnson missed Tuesday's loss to the Rockets with a scratched cornea, but it does sound like he'll return to action soon.
Mickael Pietrus was also out with a sore knee and wrist.
Daequan Cook was a surprise DNP with a shoulder injury as the Heat fell to the Hornets in overtime.
The Washington Post is promising an update on
Gilbert Arenas later today. Arenas, as usual, seems to have a different story and game plan every day, leaving his status for tonight's game against the Cavaliers completely up in the air. Stay tuned.
Tuesday's Game Studs and Duds
Nate Robinson was a full-fledged dud, hitting just 2-of-9 shots for six points and four assists as the Knicks crumbled down the stretch in a loss to the Bulls. Robinson appears to be back in the doghouse and the chances of them re-signing him appear to be slim. I benched Nate in favor of
Beno Udrih this week, and feel pretty good about it after one game.
O.J. Mayo hit five 3-pointers for 31 points, four boards, four assists and two steals as the Grizzlies lost a tough one to the Blazers. While it looked for a minute like Mayo had hit the wall, he's on fire again, so make sure he's in your lineup.
Michael Beasley blew up for 25 points and nine boards off the Heat bench Tuesday. There has been a lot of chatter about why Beasley is still coming off the bench, but you have to think he becomes a starter next year. On the dud side of things, Jermaine O'Neal hit just 1-of-3 shots for two points and seven boards despite playing 35 minutes. What a bust, as JO hasn't hauled in more than eight boards in a single game in March or April. Yeah, I know he's playing on one leg, but still.
Dwyane Wade had 32 points and a bunch of goodies before being ejected at the end of an overtime loss, and could get some discipline for his post-game comments, although not in the form of a suspension.
Peja Stojakovic moved back into the starting lineup last night and hit five 3-pointers for 24 points, six boards and four steals. He had really been struggling prior to last night's game, so congratulations if you somehow had him in your lineup.
Chris Paul had 26 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and six steals for another stellar night. He was a little rough to own in those first few months when the Hornets weren't playing many games, but he's the main reason I have a 50-50 chance to steal the League Freak championship this week over the LeBron owner.
Raymond Felton had a career-high 32 points to go along with six boards, five assists and three 3-pointers as the Bobcats beat the Sixers last night.
Josh Smith's strong late-season play continued in a win over the Raptors, as he finished with 25 points, seven boards, two assists, two blocks and three 3-pointers. I'm not sure where they came from, but Smith has hit seven treys in his last four games.
Enjoy tonight's 11-game slate and good luck winning your league this week.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Kings' Martin could be shut down with spur </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Kevin Martin - G - SAC - Apr. 8 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Kevin Martin had an X-ray on his left ankle on Monday which revealed a bone spur.
