NBA News/Injuries/etc. (5/5/11)

[HacheMan]

Ron Artest - G/F - Lakers

Ron Artest has been suspended for Friday's Game 3 against the Mavericks for striking the face of J.J. Barea late in Wednesday's loss.
Artest's play was dirty by all accounts as he essentially clotheslined Barea WWF style. With the Lakers down 2-0, they are in search of a spark anyway. Perhaps getting the sluggish Artest out of the lineup will help. High energy reserve Matt Barnes is tentatively expected to draw the start at small forward. May. 5 - 3:57 p.m. ET
Source: Kevin Ding on Twitter

 

[HacheMan]

Matt Barnes - G/F - Lakers

Matt Barnes is tentatively expected to start in place of Ron Artest (suspension) Friday.
The Lakers don't like to mess with their big man rotation, so Lamar Odom's sixth man role will stay intact. Barnes did not start a single game this year for the Lakers, but will provide energy on defense and 3-point range. Shannon Brown will also get a bump in minutes. May. 5 - 4:07 p.m. ET
Source: Mike Trudell on Twitter

 

[HacheMan]

Paul Pierce - G/F - Celtics

Paul Pierce (Achilles) will be fine for Saturday's Game 3 against the Heat, as expected.
Pierce was dealing with some pain after tweaking his heel in Game 2, but there's no way he'll miss Saturday's must win. May. 5 - 2:55 p.m. ET
Source: Celtics on Twitter

 

[HacheMan]

Ray Allen - G - Celtics

Ray Allen (bruised chest) will be fine for Saturday's Game 3, as expected.
Allen did not break a rib when he took an elbow from LeBron James in Game 2. He's ready for a full complement of minutes. May. 5 - 2:53 p.m. ET
Source: Gary Washburn on Twitter

 

[HacheMan]

Shaquille O'Neal - C - Celtics

Coach Doc Rivers said he expects Shaquille O'Neal (calf, Achilles) to play in Saturday's Game 3 against the Heat.
It's now or never for Shaq as the Celtics are down two games to none. Although he's likely in poor physical condition, Rivers said only a setback will keep Shaq from playing Saturday. Considering the Diesel has played in one game since Feb. 1, we're not expecting much. Anything more than 15-20 minutes would be a shock. May. 5 - 2:48 p.m. ET
Source: A. Sherrod Blakely on Twitter

 

[HacheMan]

Serge Ibaka - F/C - Thunder

Serge Ibaka (ankle) is listed as probable for Saturday's Game 3 against the Grizzlies.
Ibaka did not practice Thursday as a precaution. He'll likely resume a light workout Friday before playing a full complement of minutes on Saturday. Ibaka is averaging 10.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game in the playoffs so far. May. 5 - 2:24 p.m. ET
Source: Darnell Mayberry on Twitter

 

[HacheMan]

Udonis Haslem - F/C - Heat

Udonis Haslem (foot) went through practice Thursday but his status for Saturday's Game 3 is still unknown.
With the Heat holding a 2-0 lead, they may be even more cautious with Haslem. But he has been practicing for over a week now and appears very close to a return. We'll know more after Friday's workout. May. 5 - 1:08 p.m. ET
Source: Ethan Skolnick on Twitter

 

[HacheMan]

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Pau Gasol - F/C - Lakers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Following Game 2, coach Phil Jackson said that Pau Gasol was "one of the players who looked tired out there."</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>It's hard to put a finger on exactly what is wrong with Gasol. After averaging 18.8 points and 10.2 boards in the regular season, he's at 13.6 points and 7.8 boards in the playoffs. Without a return to elite status from Gasol, the Lakers have little chance of coming back to beat the Mavs.
May. 5 - 11:53 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Los Angeles Times</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

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Chris Paul - G - Hornets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Hornets GM Dell Demps said he can begin negotiations with Chris Paul on a contract extension in July.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Demps will only be allowed to talk to Paul if there is no lockout. CP3 can opt out of his deal after next season and become an unrestricted free agent, a move that would cripple the Hornets' franchise. Demps must do everything he can to make Paul a happy man this summer.
May. 5 - 10:54 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>