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

HacheMan · Mar 27, 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">Coach Kaleb Canales said Tuesday night he expects Raymond Felton to return to Portland on Wednesday and should be available for Thursday's game.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It likely all depends on how his mother's heart surgery goes, but as of now, the Blazers expect Felton to be back and ready to go on Thursday.
Mar. 27 - 8:58 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Ben Golliver on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 27, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Stephen Jackson - G/F - Spurs </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rumors are floating that Stephen Jackson will get a night of rest from Gregg Popovich on Tuesday night.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">That's the only name we've heard thus far, and while it hasn't been confirmed, we're guessing he won't play tonight.
Mar. 27 - 8:54 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jeff McDonald on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 27, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Stephen Jackson - G/F - Spurs </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Stephen Jackson (rest) and Tiago Splitter (back) will get the night off on Tuesday, but guard Gary Neal is available to play.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Neal's been out with a foot injury, but should see some action tonight, while it looks like Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan should all play tonight.
Mar. 27 - 9:03 p.m. ET</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2012

NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/28/12)

<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 (back spasms) did not practice on Wednesday -- he is feeling better but is questionable for Thursday's game against the Pacers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">He's a true gamble until we get an update on Thursday, but at least his ailment isn't related to the heel that's bothered him all year. Kevin Seraphin has played very well as a fill-in starter, and will likely start again if Nene can't suit up.
Mar. 28 - 4:33 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Eric Gordon - G - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Eric Gordon (knee) will not return to action on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gordon continues to increase his activity and could return "in a matter of days," but owners will have to wait a while longer -- New Orleans plays three more road games on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, before returning home to play the Nuggets next Wednesday.
Mar. 28 - 3:49 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jim Eichenhofer on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 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">As expected, Raymond Felton (personal) was not at practice on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Per beat writer Jason Quick, the plan is for Felton to return to shootaround Thursday (and then play in Thursday evening's game), but the team has told him to take as much time as he needs. Quick writes that a decision on Felton's status for Thursday is expected "shortly." Nolan Smith started in Felton's absence on Tuesday, but had just three points and three assists on 1-of-9 shooting.
Mar. 28 - 3:23 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jason Quick on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Chris Kaman - F/C - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Chris Kaman (illness) is being called questionable to play against the Warriors on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Kaman has now been sidelined since Saturday, so this is beginning to look like more than just a light case of the flu. With Gustavo Ayon (wife giving birth) also away from the team, Carl Landry (14.5 ppg) should see plenty of run if Kaman is indeed unable to go.
Mar. 28 - 3:17 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jim Eichenhofer on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Trevor Ariza - G/F - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Trevor Ariza (ankle) is not expected to play on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Ariza was able to play through his ankle injury on Monday. Al-Farouq Aminu and Xavier Henry should see increased run in his absence, but neither is a strong spot-start option in standard-sized leagues.
Mar. 28 - 3:13 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jim Eichenhofer on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 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 (ankle) will miss at least two more weeks, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Curry met with a specialist in Los Angeles last week, and doctors will "re-examine and make (a) decision about clearing him." The fact that he's out for another two weeks and is uncertain to return this season makes it highly unlikely he'll be 100 percent again this season.
Mar. 28 - 12:48 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td> LeBron James - F - Heat </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">LeBron James had his finger popped back into place on the sidelines after initially dislocating it in Monday's loss to the Pacers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">There was a dislocation, but it was immediately popped back into place. There was also an x-ray taken which revealed no break whatsoever, so James should be fine moving forward. There has been nothing to suggest he'll miss any time at all, and he's fully expected to play against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Mar. 28 - 12:44 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Tom Haberstroh on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jameer Nelson - G - Magic </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Jameer Nelson (illness) skipped practice on Wednesday but is expected to play against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nelson said he "felt sick" but expects to play against the Knicks. Owners should keep him locked into the lineup unless it's revealed that he won't play. He's fully expected to take the court and this sounds like more of a precaution than anything else.
Mar. 28 - 12:00 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Joshua Robbins on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 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">Ray Allen (ankle) participated in shootaround but is a game-time decision on Wednesday against the Jazz.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Allen has missed the last three straight games with the injury. If Allen can't go on Wednesday, Avery Bradley would once again draw the start in his place. Bradley has averaged 17 points and 3.5 rebounds in his two starts in place of Allen.
Mar. 28 - 11:38 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Gary Washburn on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Ben Gordon - G - Pistons </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ben Gordon (groin) has been ruled out for Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gordon hurt his groin in Monday's game and never returned to the floor. With Rodney Stuckey (toe) back in action, owners can move on from Gordon for a hot free agent at this critical juncture in the fantasy season.
Mar. 28 - 11:36 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: David Mayo on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 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) is expected to start on Wednesday against the Nuggets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">After practicing and not experiencing any setbacks on Tuesday, DeRozan is set to roll on Wednesday.
Mar. 28 - 11:28 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 28, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Tyrus Thomas - F - Bobcats </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Tyrus Thomas has a sore elbow and the Bobcats are "hopeful" he'll play on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Thomas has managed eight points over his last two games and hasn't cracked 22 minutes in either one. He's averaging just 5.9 points in 18 minutes per game in March, and he's not going to come into consistent fantasy value while playing limited minutes.
Mar. 28 - 11:21 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Rick Bonnell on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Carmelo Anthony - F - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Carmelo Anthony (groin) will play against the Magic on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">As expected. Anthony was never thought to be in serious danger of missing tonight's game, and the Knicks will need him on the floor with both Amare Stoudemire (back) and Jeremy Lin (knee) out.
Mar. 28 - 11:16 a.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Al Iannazzone on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 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) has been ruled out of Wednesday's game against the Magic.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's the Baron Davis show for the Knicks. New York will take on Dwight Howard's Magic without Lin or Amare Stoudemire (back), meaning Carmelo Anthony should have a monster night as long as his sore groin allows him to play. Davis had 13 points, five rebounds, seven assists and nine turnovers on Monday when he started in Lin's place.
Mar. 28 - 10:21 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Ian Begley on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 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">Derrick Rose (groin) is still not doing contact work and is "likely out" on Wednesday against the Hawks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Tom Thibodeau loves to call Rose a game-time decision, but it would be a miracle if he played Wednesday. Rose's return is not imminent, and the Bulls certainly won't rush him back before he clears every test along the way. C.J. Watson will continue to start in Rose's place, and has averaged 13.7 points, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.0 treys in 15 games as a starter.
Mar. 28 - 10:11 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Nick Friedell on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Richard Hamilton - G/F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Richard Hamilton (shoulder) went through a full contact practice and is a real game-time decision against the Hawks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This isn't one of those scenarios where Tom Thibodeau says Hamilton is a game-time decision but he doesn't play, and it sounds like the veteran is making real progress. K.C. Johnson writes that Hamilton is "close either way," so his return should be on the horizon even if it doesn't come against the Hawks.
Mar. 28 - 10:08 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: K.C. Johnson on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 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">Amar'e Stoudemire (back) will undergo "non-surgical" treatment and will be out for 2-4 weeks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The non-surgical treatment includes an epidural. The timetable comes after Stoudemire met with a Miami doctor, and this is good news considering Stoudemire is not facing surgery at this time. He still has to overcome several hurdles to meet his timetable to return while not experiencing any setbacks, and he's really not worth holding onto in most formats considering how much time is left in the regular season.
Mar. 28 - 8:54 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Frank Isola on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>