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

HacheMan · Apr 2, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Lamar Odom - F - Mavericks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Lamar Odom (illness) will not play on Monday against the Clippers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Odom has been struggling with the flu for a few days now, and his absence will free up about 20 minutes for the Mavs' frontcourt rotation.
Apr. 2 - 7:28 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Earl Sneed on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

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

<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 expected to practice "some" on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rose didn't take any contact on Tuesday, but did increase his workout. Barring a setback, it's reasonable that he could return at some point this week. Beat writer K.C. Johnson says Thursday's game against the Celtics hasn't been ruled out, but Sunday's game against the Knicks is "more likely." We'll know more if Rose is able to practice with contact Wednesday.
Apr. 3 - 5:59 p.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 · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Dwyane Wade - G - Heat </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Dwyane Wade (knee) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Sixers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Wade apparently banged his left knee in Sunday's loss to the Celtics and is still feeling soreness. He's day-to-day and questionable for Wednesday's showdown with the Thunder. Look for Shane Battier to get the nod at shooting guard, but there's not much spot-start appeal there. Battier has averaged just 7.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in his six starts this season.
Apr. 3 - 5:48 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rockets GM Daryl Morey said he thinks Kyle Lowry (bacterial infection) could be back "quicker than people may think."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Morey made the comments in an interview with the team's official site. However, he did not provide any specifics and admitted that Lowry is still susceptible to a setback as he slowly resumes exercise. "I hope, but maybe I'm just being optimistic," Morey said. Lowry was tentatively scheduled to have a reevaluation on Saturday.
Apr. 3 - 5:35 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: NBA.com</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 3, 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 (back) is expected to miss 2-4 weeks from the time he got his epidural shot.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Stoudemire got the shot five days ago. Mike Woodson referred to Amare as "day-to-day" on Tuesday, but that was just the coach's way of saying his starting power forward is still out. Amare is traveling with the team for moral support purposes. He has not practiced since getting shut down on March 24.
Apr. 3 - 4:57 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andrew Bynum - C - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andrew Bynum (ankle) reportedly said he won't play in Tuesday's game against the Nets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Lakers have officially listed Bynum as a game-time call, but ESPN Los Angeles caught up with him at his car after shootaround. "I can't play," Bynum said while wearing tape around his left ankle. "Hopefully (Wednesday against the Clippers)." Look for either Troy Murphy or Josh McRoberts to draw the start Tuesday, with Pau Gasol also getting a boost in minutes.
Apr. 3 - 4:37 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 3, 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">Wizards coach Randy Wittman said he doesn't know when Nene (foot) or Trevor Booker (foot) will return.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Wittman is "hopeful" that his starting frontcourt will be ready for Wednesday's game against the Pacers. But considering that's the start of a back-to-back-to-back, the chances of either playing in all three of those games seems slim. Plantar fasciitis is an injury that gets worse with overuse. Kevin Seraphin and Jan Vesely are the starters whenever Nene and Booker sit.
Apr. 3 - 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 · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Marcus Thornton - G - Kings </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Marcus Thornton (calf) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Suns.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Thornton was inadvertently kicked in the left calf by Luke Ridnour on Monday night. Afterward, he said "it feels like my leg is about to explode." Considering how early Thornton was ruled out for Tuesday, we can only consider him very questionable for Thursdays game against the Clippers. Terrence Williams is tentatively expected to fill in as the starting shooting guard, with Jimmer Fredette also getting a boost in minutes.
Apr. 3 - 3:15 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Marcus Thornton - G - Kings </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Marcus Thornton (calf) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Suns.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Thornton was inadvertently kicked in the left calf by Luke Ridnour on Monday night. Afterward, he said "it feels like my leg is about to explode." Considering how early Thornton was ruled out for Tuesday, we can only consider him very questionable for Thursdays game against the Clippers. Terrence Williams is tentatively expected to fill in as the starting shooting guard, with Jimmer Fredette also getting a boost in minutes.
Apr. 3 - 3:15 p.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Emeka Okafor - C - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Emeka Okafor underwent an MRI on his troublesome left knee Tuesday morning.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The purpose of this MRI was to see if Okafor's knee has shown any improvement. He hasn't played since February 10 and doesn't appear close to a return. The Hornets still haven't disclosed the exact issue going on inside their center's knee.
Apr. 3 - 3:01 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 3, 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">Coach Monty Williams did not say that Eric Gordon (knee) will definitely make his return Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gordon went through a physical practice on Tuesday and said he fully expects to play Wednesday. But Williams took a more cautious stance. "We'll see; he had a good practice today. ... It' s always the next day, whether or not he feels sore. But he's been feeling good after his workouts." Williams said the team will take one more look at Gordon on Wednesday morning before a final decision is made. Note that it's going to take some time before Gordon ramps up to a full workload. He hasn't played in three full months.
Apr. 3 - 2:58 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 3, 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">Coach Rick Adelman said that Luke Ridnour will "probably" be out "for a while."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The ankle sprain that Ridnour sustained on Monday night is not minor. He left the arena on crutches and the organization is showing real concern. Meanwhile, the Wolves are "hopeful" that J.J. Barea (thigh) will be able to play Wednesday. If he can, he'll be staring at heavy minutes as the likely starting point guard.
Apr. 3 - 2:21 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Danilo Gallinari - F - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Danilo Gallinari (thumb) is not expected to play in Wednesday's game against the Hornets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gallinari is just starting to get back in the swing of things after fracturing his thumb on March 19. There's no firm target date for his return right now, but he previously hoped to get cleared for Friday's home game against the Suns.
Apr. 3 - 2:17 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Benjamin Hochman on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jason Kidd - G - Mavericks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Coach Rick Carlisle said that Jason Kidd's groin injury has been lingering.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Mavs are going to give Kidd at least three more games off. "It's been something that's been an issue and we have to get resolved," Carlisle said. At age 39, Kidd needs the rest in order to get ready for the playoffs. Delonte West is locked in as the starting point guard for now.
Apr. 3 - 2:10 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Al Horford - F/C - Hawks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Al Horford (torn pectoral) did non-contact work at practice on Tuesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Horford had said that he could return in time for the playoffs, but he wouldn't be full strength. He will not return during the regular season, rendering him irrelevant for fantasy owners. A potential Horford return in the postseason would give the Hawks a major boost, but he won't help owners in need of a big man down the stretch.
Apr. 3 - 1:56 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Michael Cunningham on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 3, 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) had a cortisone shot with the "long needle" on Sunday to expedite the healing process.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Allen practiced in full on Tuesday and is expected to return on Wednesday. The fact that he had a cortisone shot for the healing indicates that Allen was certainly hurting, but he appears to be all systems go moving forward barring a setback.
Apr. 3 - 1:35 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Mike Petraglia on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Devin Harris - G - Jazz </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Devin Harris (ankle) will not practice on Tuesday and is listed as a game-time decision for Wednesday against the Suns.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Harris left Monday's game in the first quarter with the injury and did not return. Earl Watson has been Harris' backup, but both he and Jamaal Tinsley would likely split time on Wednesday if Harris is unable to suit up.
Apr. 3 - 1:02 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jon Rinehart on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Ryan Anderson - F - Magic </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ryan Anderson said that his ankle looks like a "softball" and was seen wearing a walking boot.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Despite Anderson saying the sprain was in a "good spot," he's been ruled out of Tuesday's game and the fact that it's so swollen is a concern. He's likely wearing a walking boot in order to prevent any further aggravation, but it sounds like he's further away from playing in a game than the team had let on previously. Glen Davis is expected to start at power forward if Dwight Howard (back) can play, but if Howard is also out, Earl Clark will see a healthy dose as minutes as well on Tuesday.
Apr. 3 - 12:08 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 · Apr 3, 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">As expected, Ben Gordon (groin) will play on Tuesday while Rodney Stuckey (hamstring) will not.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This confirms an earlier report that Gordon would be in and Stuckey would be out, so owners shouldn't be surprised with the news on either player. Gordon should start in Stuckey's place at shooting guard, where he's averaged 16.1 points and 1.8 treys in that role.
Apr. 3 - 11:53 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Vincent Goodwill on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 3, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kyrie Irving - G - Cavaliers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kyrie Irving (shoulder) is expected to play against the Spurs on Tuesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Irving was listed as questionable following Monday's practice, and after Byron Scott had said that it will depend on how Irving felt, the exciting rookie obviously feels well enough to play. If it was a serious injury, the Cavs wouldn't be risking it by sending him out to play. Owners need to ensure he's locked into all lineups.
Apr. 3 - 11:40 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Plain Dealer on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>