Fantasy related but good info.....
Rudy's Waiting Game
Tuesday night only featured six games and news throughout the day was slow going, but a couple big injuries, as well as a fantastic Heat – Pacers game brought things back into focus.
Grizzlies Win, But Lose Rudy Gay
Rudy Gay's injury was the biggest disaster of the night, suffering what's being termed a left shoulder subluxation, which is reportedly some sort of mild separation. This could lead to surgery, Gay could miss a couple weeks, or it could be a minor injury and he'll be back relatively soon. But he couldn't lift his arm after the game and while X-rays were negative, a lot is hanging on the results of his pending MRI. If you own Gay, cross your fingers, and think about adding Sam Young or Tony Allen, who are going to get a boost if Gay is going to be out for multiple games.
Mike Conley scored all 22 of his points in the second half and added five steals, two blocks and four 3-pointers to his massive line, and it probably wasn't a coincidence that Gay was out when it happened. Zach Randolph double-doubled, while Young and Allen each logged well over 30 minutes on the night. The Sixers were led by Thaddeus Young's 23 points, and he scored 18 in his previous game. But before you think about grabbing him, keep in mind he had 4 & 7 points in his previous two games.
Heat Beat Pacers In Thriller, Lose Miller
Dwyane Wade had possibly the best first quarter of his career last night, starting off 8-of-8, scoring 16 points in five minutes (on Mike Dunleavy), giving his team a 24-point first-half lead, and throwing the best basketball pass I have ever seen to LeBron James. Wade finished with 41 and a full stat line, while LeBron and Chris Bosh were also very solid in the win, but the news is not so good for Mike Miller. Miller took an elbow near his eye socket last night, left the arena in a wheel chair and spent the night in Indy for tests. This is not his first head injury of the season and my guess is Miller's about to get some time off. And if you've got him in one of those ESPN leagues where lineups are locked until a week from Monday, good luck. As for a replacement from the Heat? LeBron, Wade and Bosh combined to score 90 or the team's 110 points last night, which doesn't leave much for the other nine players.
Thunder Blister Tyreke-less Kings
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were relatively quiet last night as the Thunder crushed the Kings in a blowout. The Thunder only had one game this week, so this is all you get: 17 points on 5-of-18 shooting from Durant, and 10 points and 11 assists in 25 minutes for Westbrook. Jeff Green played a solid game, as did Serge Ibaka, while Daequan Cook caught fire off the bench for 20 points and five threes. Again, this was a blowout and that might be the first time I've written the words Daequan Cook since last year. Ignore him.
DeMarcus Cousins returned for the Kings and had a big night off the bench, finishing with 21 points, 13 boards and two blocks, while Samuel Dalembert was largely ignored by coach Paul Westphal. Tyreke Evans was a surprise DNP after his plantar fasciitis acted up and it doesn't sound like he'll play tonight, either. The Kings ran all kinds of guards out there last night in Evans' place, but only Pooh Jeter and Donte Greene did anything. If you are looking for a one-time guy to grab and plug into your lineup tonight in place of Evans, Jeter would be my pick.
Bulls Bounce Bobcats
The Bulls beat Charlotte last night in a ho-hum game, as Derrick Rose double-doubled and Luol Deng led the way with 24 points. Kyle Korver was a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor and 2-of-2 from the line with three 3-pointers made and 15 points.
For the Bobcats, D.J. Augustin started, but Shaun Livingston played more minutes and had the better game. The timeshare is on in Charlotte, making both players tough starts in fantasy. Augustin's left wrist was heavily wrapped last night and he will use the All-Star break to try to get healthy. Kwame Brown is fading fast and had just two points and four boards last night, while Gerald Wallace crashed to earth with six points on 3-of-9 shooting. He'll bounce back in his next one. Gerald Henderson hit 6-of-9 shots and 10 free throws on his way to 22 points, five boards and two assists, and has become worth keeping a close eye on. He scored 18 in his previous game, but is still a bit too inconsistent for my blood.
Suns Nip Jazz
Forget Deron Williams vs. Steve Nash, this game was all about Channing Frye vs. Al Jefferson. Frye caught fire to finish with 12-of-16 shooting, six 3-pointers, a career-high 31 points, 11 boards and a steal in the one-point win. When he's rolling, he's a fantasy game changer. Jefferson hit 14-of-23 shots for a season-high 32 points, adding 10 rebounds and two blocks, while C.J. Miles showed up with 19 points. The clash of the point guards was won by Steve Nash and his 20 points, 14 assists and two steals, while Williams hit just 2-of-11 shots for 11 points, six boards, 11 assists, two steals and six TOs.
Vince Carter was awful again, hitting 3-of-9 shots for 10 points. Every time owners get ready to drop him, he turns around and has a big game. The Suns also said recently that they expect him to score in bunches and that much of their offense should flow through Carter. I guess that means you hang onto him until after the break, but he's scored 10 or less points in six of his last seven games and hasn't looked right since being traded to the Suns. In other words, I don't think anyone would be mad at you for dropping him, but keep in mind he was slumping badly last year before catching fire in February.
Warriors Sting Hornets
It's surprisingly easy to figure out who won the Chris Paul vs. Stephen Curry battle last night. Curry was in early foul trouble and played just 24 minutes, but still finished with 14 points, eight assists and three 3-pointers on 5-of-5 shooting, while Paul hit just 4-of-12 shots for 11 points and 10 assists. And given the fact the Warriors walked away with this one pretty easily in the end, Curry wins. David West hurt his leg but played through it for the Hornets, who had six players score between 11 and 15 points. Yuck. Monta Ellis, David Lee and Dorell Wright all played well for GSW, while Andris Biedrins stunk it up for 17 minutes. Keep an eye on Ekpe Udoh going forward, as he played 19 minutes and had two points, seven rebounds and two blocks backing up Biedrins.
Injury Roundup
Paul Pierce is expected to play tonight despite a foot injury that helped produce the worst game of his entire career on Sunday. As of now he sounds like a go and I fully expect him to bounce back, but watch for an update in the afternoon.
Amare Stoudemire's toe is feeling a little better and all indications are that he will play against the Hawks tonight. He's been talking trash about Al Horford, saying "He don't want to see me," and still isn't very happy with how things went down when the two teams got into a scrum in late January. Get Stoudemire in your lineup for now, but watch for news throughout the day.
Carmelo Anthony is dealing with a sore shoulder, but in no way does it sound serious like Gay's. He could have returned to Monday's game had it been close so it sounds like he's a go for tonight. In other Melo news the Knicks and Nuggets are expected to intensify talks for Melo over the All-Star break, although a deal is not yet "close." Any volunteers to wake me when it's over?
Michael Beasley has all but been ruled out for tonight's game with his sprained ankle, but should be back just after the break. Keep him benched until next week.
Emeka Okafor is also done until the All-Star break, and while the plan is to bring him back as soon as it's over, it's not set in stone. He's got a strained oblique and while I think there's a good chance he'll be ready sooner than later, there's still a chance he could miss time after the break.
Rashard Lewis won't play tonight in Orlando against his former team, but is hoping to come back after the break from his knee tendinitis. Bench him until further notice.
Nick Young is also dealing with a sore knee and missed Tuesday's practice, but sounds like a go for tonight. He's not a lock to play, but after scoring 31 on Sunday, should be in all lineups for now.
Marcus Camby has already been ruled out for Wednesday with his knee injury, while Brandon Roy is a game-time decision. I'm not sure why the Blazers would run Roy out there tonight instead of giving him another week of rest, but they're talking about doing it. If I owned Roy, he would be on my bench if I had any other options tonight. In other Roy news, a doctor came out on Tuesday and said he probably has only one or two years left in the league, and that he should no longer practice or start games, which is pretty sad news.
Chris Kaman is a game-time decision for tonight, and while I don't expect him to look all that great, he is going to hurt DeAndre Jordan when he returns. This has the feel of an audition in an effort to trade him, but you never know. I'm not rushing out to pick Kaman up, but you can if you need a center.
Ersan Ilyasova has a black eye and is listed as day-to-day, which tells us nothing about whether or not he's going to play tonight against the Nuggets. Corey Maggette says his back is feeling better and while nothing is ever certain in Milwaukee, I'm guessing both players are game-time decisions. If Maggette's out again, Carlos Delfino should have another big night.
Michael Redd is due to rejoin the Bucks just after the break as he attempts to come back from his second major knee surgery in two years. But don't pick him up, as there is still no target date for him to actually appear in a game.
Courtney Lee is out for the Rockets with pneumonia, which should help Shane Battier and Aaron Brooks.
Troy Murphy is still sitting at home for the Nets, who are in "all hands on deck" mode in an effort to trade him. It's going to happen, but Murphy's still not a must-own guy until we find out where he's going to land. If you've got room on the end of your bench, add him. The Nets say this is the only trade they plan on making.
Daniel Gibson is day-to-day again with a quad injury and just can't seem to stay healthy this season. Bench him until further notice.
Jose Juan Barea left Tuesday's practice with the flu and after originally being ruled out, he is now expected to be play tonight. And that hurts the outlook for Roddy Beaubois, who is expected to make his season debut tonight. Roddy B is not a must-own player right now and even Rick Carlisle is saying people need to set realistic expectations for him, but if you have someone you've been wanting to cut, taking a flier on Beaubois is not a bad idea.
