NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/4/12)

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>DeMar DeRozan - G/F - Raptors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">DeMar DeRozan (ankle) will not play in Monday's game against the Magic.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Raptors often list players as game-time calls, so the fact that DeRozan has already been ruled out is concerning. Consider him very questionable for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets. With Jerryd Bayless (hip) and James Johnson (flu) game-time decisions, the Raptors' rotation looks like it will be short once again Monday. Gary Forbes logged 47 minutes as the starting shooting guard Saturday.
Mar. 26 - 11:37 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Raptors PR on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jeremy Lin - G - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Jeremy Lin (knee) is participating in Monday's morning shootaround.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Lin is officially listed as questionable, but he said he'll be good to go. The shootaround participation is a strong sign that Lin won't be limited.
Mar. 26 - 11:21 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Alan Hahn on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jason Thompson - F/C - Kings </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Jason Thompson (ankle) is expected to start in Monday's game against the Rockets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Thompson mildly rolled his right ankle on Thursday and was held out of Saturday's game as a precaution. He practiced Sunday night and appears prepared for a full complement of minutes. In the five games before going down, Thompson was averaging 17.6 points, 13.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals while logging 34.8 minutes per night.
Mar. 26 - 11:12 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Sacramento Bee</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Nene Hilario - F/C - Wizards </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Nene said his back had "shut down" when he woke up Sunday morning and he was still feeling soreness Sunday night.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nene admitted that he isn't sure if he'll be available for Monday's game against the Pistons. "Let's see how I feel, how I wake up. You know, back is a little different. If you don't feel good, solid to do your movement, that can be worse," he said. We'll know Nene's official status around 6 p.m. ET.
Mar. 26 - 11:01 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Washington Post</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Monta Ellis - G - Bucks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Monta Ellis (finger) will play in Monday's game against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Ellis participated in the morning shootaround and his finger is reportedly "fine." The bigger concern is how Ellis has adjusted to his new surroundings in Milwaukee. He's averaging just 12.4 shot attempts per game, down from the 19.0 he was getting up as a Warrior this season.
Mar. 26 - 10:56 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Ted Davis on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Antawn Jamison - F - Cavaliers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Coach Byron Scott confirmed that Antawn Jamison is "fine" despite a leg contusion sustained Sunday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Jamison posted a season-low two points in a season-low 19 minutes during Sunday's loss to the Suns. He's expected to start Tuesday's game in Philadelphia.
Mar. 26 - 10:41 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: News-Herald</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Ray Allen - G - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Beat writer Chris Forsberg believes Ray Allen's ankle injury truly is a day-to-day situation.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Allen underwent an MRI on Saturday, which was negative. By holding the 36-year-old veteran out of the Sunday/Monday back-to-back, the Celtics are giving him a chance to get near 100 percent for Wednesday's game against the Jazz.
Mar. 26 - 10:18 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: ESPN Boston</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kevin Martin - G - Rockets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kevin Martin (shoulder) still hasn't practiced or played since March 11.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Martin can only be considered doubtful for Monday's game against the Kings. A tear was found in his shoulder last week and beat writer Jonathan Feigen says Martin does not "seem close to a return." Backup Courtney Lee has racked up 13.8 points, 1.8 3-pointers and 1.4 steals in nine starts this year.
Mar. 26 - 10:04 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Houston Chronicle</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Stephen Curry - G - Warriors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The results from Stephen Curry's latest foot/ankle examination are expected Wednesday or Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Curry visited a specialist, Dr. Richard Ferkel, last Thursday. Once the Warriors have Ferkel's recommendation, they will decide if Curry will play again this season. With the team currently 13th in the 15-team Western Conference, pushing the oft-injured franchise player wouldn't make much sense.
Mar. 26 - 9:43 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Contra Costa Times</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Nikola Pekovic - C - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Nikola Pekovic (ankles) is hoping to return Friday, but admitted he will consider surgery after the season if his condition doesn't improve.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Pekovic has already been ruled out of the Tuesday/Wednesday back-to-back. He's been overcompensating for the bone spurs in his right ankle, thus leading to soreness in his left ankle. "I really can't go into next season with this thing," Pekovic said Sunday. "It's been too painful." Coach Rick Adelman said Pekovic "hopefully" can come back.
Mar. 26 - 9:36 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Spencer Hawes - C - 76ers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Spencer Hawes (Achilles) is hoping to have all limitations removed by the middle of this week.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Sixers' medical staff is still instructing coach Doug Collins to play Hawes in seven-minute bursts and be careful with him on back-to-back games. Those restrictions could be lifted following Tuesday's game against the Cavs. Hawes has managed 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while playing just 23.2 minutes since returning from his injury.
Mar. 26 - 9:27 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Gary Neal - G - Spurs </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Gary Neal (sprained foot) was not able to suit up for the Spurs on Sunday, and he is questionable to play on Tuesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Spurs are using Justin Dentmon as their backup PG until Neal gets healthy and/or Patty Mills arrives, and the Spurs at full strength are suddenly a very deep team.
Mar. 26 - 1:41 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Stephen Curry - G - Warriors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Stephen Curry apparently took some shots in practice on Monday, as noted by beat writer Marcus Thompson.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Thompson wrote that Curry made 12 consecutive threes, and in a game where the goal is to not miss two threes in a row -- that he made it to 77. This innocuous update is a bit tricky, as Curry can make threes in his sleep and we don't know how hard he was going at it. But hearing that he hasn't been locked out of the gym is better than the alternatives as we await the results from his examination on Wednesday or Thursday.
Mar. 26 - 4:24 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Marcus Thompson on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jose Juan Barea - G - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">J.J. Barea (thigh) will not travel with the Wolves on their upcoming road trip including games on Tuesday in Memphis and on Wednesday in Charlotte.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rick Adelman decided that three flights in as many days was too much for Barea, and Luke Ridnour's back and groin soreness probably made Adelman a bit gun-shy, too. Owners shouldn't totally write off Barea, though, as he's clearly going to be a preferred option on offense for the Wolves -- and we wouldn't be surprised to see Barea return to spell Ridnour in addition to his current duties. Barea's absence opens the door for Wayne Ellington to build off his 17-point, three trey performance from Monday, Martell Webster to play a solid 25-plus minutes, and guys like Anthony Tolliver to be needed on offense.
Mar. 26 - 4:36 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Raymond Felton - G - Trail Blazers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Blazers coach Kaleb Canales said that he hasn't talked with Raymond Felton about his plans to be with his mother during heart surgery, and he expects Felton to play on Tuesday against the Thunder.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">We're not so sure about the lack of communication there, but we'll half-heartedly take Canales at his word that his expectation is rooted in reality.
Mar. 26 - 5:13 p.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Blazers Edge on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jordan Farmar - G - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Jordan Farmar (groin) will not play on Monday against the Jazz.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Anthony Morrow (shoulder) is also out, leaving the backup guard slots in a pickle. Gerald Green will get a chance to heat back up and Sundiata Gaines will also pick up minutes.
Mar. 26 - 5:03 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Luke Ridnour - G - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Luke Ridnour is dealing with groin, back, and nose issues, but is with the Wolves on their current road trip and is set to play in games on Tuesday and Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">If things continue on this trajectory for Ridnour, don't be surprised if J.J. Barea's rest is actually a plan to give Ridnour some rest starting on Friday. We're not saying he will miss Friday's game, but a decrease in minutes or touches makes sense if he's gutting it out right now while the team is banged up.
Mar. 26 - 4:59 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jerry Zgoda on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 26, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Amare Stoudemire - F/C - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Amare Stoudemire is out indefinitely with a bulging back disc, and Jeremy Lin (knee) will miss Monday’s game and is listed as day-to-day.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Uh oh. This doesn’t sound good at all and we’re hearing reports that his regular season is in question. Josh Harrellson is now on the fantasy radar, but it’s likely that the team limits his minutes and turns to a smaller lineup with Carmelo Anthony at PF. We’ll get a bit of skewed look at this against the now up-tempo Bucks, not to mention Jeremy Lin being out, but the glut of wings including Landry Fields, J.R. Smith, and Iman Shumpert now have an opening. We’ll see who breaks out, while Toney Douglas and Baron Davis, who is on a minutes-limit, will vie for value at the point.
Mar. 26 - 7:59 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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HacheMan · Mar 27, 2012

NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/27/12)

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Amare Stoudemire - F/C - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Amare Stoudemire (back) will be out four weeks in a best-case scenario, a source tells the Daily News.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This report is from Monday night, so we're not taking it as gospel. On Tuesday, Stoudemire was scheduled to meet with a specialist in Miami to receive a second opinion. There's still no word on if this consultant recommended surgery. Either way, Amare's season is in real jeopardy as the Daily News' report suggests he'll need a month off even without surgery.
Mar. 27 - 4:25 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: New York Daily News</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 27, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Derrick Rose - G - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The only running Derrick Rose (groin) has done since his injury is on the treadmill.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rose is taking some set shots, but looks "hesitant" while doing so according to ESPN Chicago. The Bulls were off on Tuesday, so Rose didn't even have a chance to graduate to running on the floor. A return is not imminent and Richard Hamilton (shoulder) is expected back before the reigning MVP.
Mar. 27 - 3:58 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: ESPN Chicago</td></tr></tbody></table>