Fantasy related but good info...
Rock On, Rajon Rondo
Monday featured six games, a surprise start from Rajon Rondo, surprise DNPs from Tony Parker and Antonio McDyess, and losses for the Celtics, Jazz, Magic and Spurs. And yes, the Wizards got another road win, just their second of the year.
Rock On, Rondo
Rajon Rondo was a surprise play on Monday night, but despite his return and a nice stat line, the Pacers were still able to beat the Celtics. Monitor Rondo's status on Rotoworld daily, as his finger could cause him to sit out another game or two down the stretch. Glen Davis added 20 points and five boards, but has been very inconsistent. And when Shaquille and Jermaine O'Neal are finally back, he'll take a hit.
The Pacers got 26 points, four boards and a block on 12-of-17 shooting in the win, while Tyler Hansbrough struggled against Kevin Garnett, as usual. Darren Collison hit 8-of-9 shots for 17 points, three assists and two steals, and should remain in starting fantasy lineups as the Pacers try to clinch the No. 8 seed in the East. Paul George started again, but failed to score, while Brandon Rush scored eight off the bench to cool off. Mike Dunleavy is expected back from a broken thumb this week and could easily replace George in the starting five soon.
Jazz's Ship Be Sinking
Andrei Kirilenko is still on crutches and, in my opinion, has probably played his last game of the season, and maybe of his career with the Jazz. Devin Harris is in the same boat as AK, as his hamstring injury is still not allowing him to play. And with the free fall happening in Utah, Harris may not suit up again this year. Paul Millsap is now dealing with a hip injury, and while he's probably not in the same ballpark as those other two guys as far as shutdown candidates go, he's a player owners will have to keep a close eye on going forward. Additionally, Al Jefferson was benched for the fourth quarter last night and left without speaking to reporters. He also didn't participate in the team huddles late and is clearly frustrated. The Jazz's ship be sinking, so to speak, but unless you hear Millsap and Jefferson are out, you have to keep playing them.
Gordon Hayward played 37 minutes last night, while Derrick Favors double-doubled with 11 points, 10 boards and three blocks. These are the type of players who could provide a fantasy spark once the Jazz are officially eliminated from the postseason. It's almost time, as the magic number sits at 2. Lastly, Earl Watson finally showed up last night, finishing with 13 points, seven boards and nine assists. Maybe he still has some skills left, but this is the first time he's shown them off this season.
Wizards Get Road Win
The Wizards got 11 points, 17 boards and three blocks out of JaVale McGee, along with 25 points (9-of-25 shooting) from Jordan Crawford and 28 points, six boards and seven dimes out of John Wall as the Wizards stunned the Jazz for their second road win of the year. These three remain must-starts going forward, although you have to hope Crawford, who was 1-of-10 from downtown, doesn't wreck your field goal percentage along the way. As for Andray Blatche? Remember him? He's still tweeting that he plans to play on Wednesday, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Bobcats Win Again
The Bobcats refuse to go away quietly and got 18 points, five boards and two 3-pointers from gimpy Stephen Jackson, who continues to play through a nasty hamstring injury. The Cats are still just a game behind the Pacers after last night's win over the Bucks, so it looks like Jackson will continue to play, despite earlier reports that he was on the verge of being shut down. Tyrus Thomas was back from a rib injury and had seven points, six boards and a block in the win, but sat out the fourth quarter with his injury, leaving him day-to-day. while D.J. Augustin added 10 points and eight assists, despite suffering a bruised knee and sprained left ankle during the game. Shaun Livingston is also banged up with a sore back, meaning Garrett Temple could be forced into action if the other two are going to miss time. Gerald Henderson hit the game-winner and had 16 points and five boards, but would only reach must-start territory if Jackson were to shut it down (which is still likely to happen at some point). Kwame Brown was out for personal reasons, allowing Thomas to get the start, and remains questionable for Wednesday.
The Bucks got just five points on 1-of-7 shooting from Carlos Delfino, which was a painful fantasy playoffs line, while John Salmons wasn't much better with nine points on 3-of-11 shooting. Brandon Jennings was big with 26 points, nine boards and five assists, but hit just 9-of-27 shots and missed the game-winner, while Andrew Bogut stepped up with 26 points, nine boards and two blocks on 13-of-19 shooting. Bogut is another shutdown candidate once the Bucks are eliminated (and they're getting close). Michael Redd finally played in a game, but failed to score in 15 minutes. No fantasy value there. Drew Gooden also returned, but hit just 1-of-6 shots for two points and eight boards.
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Knicks Show Heart, Take Out Magic
Carmelo Anthony dropped 39 points on the Magic as the Knicks got a much needed win in overtime by beating the Magic. He also had 10 boards and a couple threes, while Toney Douglas, who has been a mystery lately, added 16 points and three 3-pointers off the bench. Landry Fields struggled last night, while Amare Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups combined for 37 points, 15 points and nine assists.
Jameer Nelson was out with his knee injury, but is expected to play on Wednesday against the Hawks. Dwight Howard, as usual, had a big night with 29 points and 18 boards, but also picked up a late technical foul, putting him one away from another suspension. Gilbert Arenas started for Nelson, but hit just 2-of-11 shots for nine points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a three, but also committed five turnovers. Maybe he's worth using if Nelson misses anymore games, but those missed shots and TOs are a little scary. Jason Richardson broke out of a funk with 24 points, four steals and four 3-pointers, so he was hopefully in your lineup.
San Antonio Shutdowns Lose Again
The Spurs are in a state of disarray right now, as starters Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Antonio McDyess all sat out with injuries last night. Duncan and Manu are out for the week, while Parker and McDyess are day-to-day. George Hill blew up for 27 points and six assists, while Gary Neal hit just 3-of-14 shots for eight points. Tiago Splitter started for McDyess and had 14 points and nine rebounds in the loss. DeJuan Blair just can't get any run from Gregg Popovich, as James Anderson and Matt Bonner started in front of him last night. Hill and Neal are both worth grabbing in most leagues.
Blazers Take Out Spurs
Brandon Roy played through a back injury and scored his standard 11 points, Nicolas Batum played through a quad injury and double-doubled with 10 points and 13 rebounds, LaMarcus Aldridge wasn't really needed against the Spurs B Team, and Andre Miller proved he's still capable of scoring points with 26 points. Wesley Matthews added 19, while Batum is now must-start material again after his injury scare.
Bulls Fall To Sixers
Derrick Rose committed 10 turnovers as the Sixers beat the Bulls on Monday. Rose had a great game if you take away the TOs, while Joakim Noah double-doubled, and Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng just missed one in the loss.
For the Sixers, Thaddeus Young finally showed up again with 21 points, and will be a guy you'll want to grab if Andre Iguodala were to go down with his shaky knee. He looked great last night though, with 19 points, seven boards and seven assists, and should remain in lineups until you hear he's not going to play in a game.
Deron Williams Still Not Ready
Deron Williams, who was supposedly going to return from his wrist injury on Friday, has now been ruled out for Tuesday night. I still don't see the point in bringing him back, so just keep sitting on Jordan Farmar if you own him.
Suns Sets In Phoenix
With the Suns officially out of the playoff hunt, Steve Nash and Grant Hill won't play their normal minutes on most nights the rest of the way. I doubt that means you should bench Nash, but we'll have to keep a close eye on him from here on out. Aaron Brooks is a great player to own right now. Jared Dudley should continue to start and looks like a great pick up if you were able to get him on Sunday.
Chandler To Play For Nuggets
Wilson Chandler is expected to play through his sprained ankle for the Nuggets on Wednesday, while Arron Afflalo remains very iffy with a hamstring injury.
Raptors Injuries Piling Up
Reggie Evans practiced on Monday and it sounds like he'll play on Wednesday, fighting Amir Johnson, Ed Davis and James Johnson for minutes and rebounds. Andrea Bargnani missed practice with his ankle injury and is very iffy for Wednesday. Watch for updates on these guys throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Baron To Start Over Sessions
Baron Davis was expected to come off the bench for the next couple games, leaving Ramon Sessions as the starter, but the latest news is that Baron will start over Sessions on Tuesday. Both are worth using in fantasy, but Davis is now a must-start, while owners of Sessions have to hope he continues to get at least 25 minutes off the bench.
Joe Johnson Ready
Joe Johnson practiced Tuesday and now sounds likely to play for the Hawks on Wednesday after missing his last game with a sprained thumb.
Lowry Still Iffy
Kyle Lowry, who was last seen in a walking boot, remains a game-time decision for Tuesday's game. If he's locked into your lineup, here's hoping he plays tonight. Goran Dragic will be worth an add if it's determined that Lowry will miss games.
Matrix's Finger In Bad Shape
Pictures of Shawn Marion's dislocated pinky finger are not pretty, but it's not his shooting hand and he says it doesn't affect him. Keep rolling him out there.
Samardo Out
Samardo Samuels has been ruled out for Tuesday with a sprained wrist, which just means more minutes for J.J. Hickson, who should be in all lineups.
Mike Miller Out
Mike Miller will miss Tuesday's game with a knee injury. Talk about a lost season, Miller hasn't been able to stay healthy enough to get on a roll.
Devin Harris - G - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>A Monday meeting with a doctor revealed nothing new about Devin Harris' hamstring.</TD></TR><TR><TD>
