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

HacheMan · Mar 20, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Al Jefferson (personal) will return to action against the Thunder on Tuesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Jefferson sat out two games to attend his grandmother's funeral, but he's ready to get back on the court on Tuesday against Oklahoma City. Owners should ensure that he's in the lineup, as he's averaging 19 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season. Derrick Favors will go back to the bench.
Mar. 20 - 9:55 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 20, 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) is "slowly working his way back," but acknowledged that the pain is "still there."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"Getting better every day," said Hamilton. "I think that's the key thing that we want, to get better every day and not have any setbacks and we've been doing that so far." Hamilton is now able to lift his hand over his head after being unable to do so, but as long as the pain remains, he's not going to see the court. The Bulls won't rush him back, and owners shouldn't bank on him returning in the regular season.
Mar. 20 - 8:53 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 20, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Metta World Peace - G/F - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Metta World Peace (hip) is uncertain to play in Tuesday's game against the Rockets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The artist formerly known as Ron Artest left Sunday's game after just 18 minutes due to the injury and did not return. Matt Barnes would likely draw the start in World Peace's play if he can't go, and has averaged 7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks in 16 games in that role.
Mar. 20 - 8:15 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 20, 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 (knee) still has no timetable for his return.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Hornets have provided very little detail or updates on Okafor's knee injury, but he remains sidelined with what is being called a "sore left knee" and has missed 18 straight games because of it. It wouldn't be surprising to see Okafor shut down for the season before long, and owners still holding onto him should look to move on for a hot free agent during this pivotal time of the fantasy season.
Mar. 20 - 8:03 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 20, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Metta World Peace - G/F - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Metta World Peace (hip bursitis) is expected to start in Tuesday's game against the Rockets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">World Peace participated in shootaround and appears ready to go without limitation. He's playing 30.9 minutes over the last 10 games, but averaging just 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists during that span.
Mar. 20 - 5:55 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 20, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Wilson Chandler - G/F - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Wilson Chandler is in line to start at small forward with Danilo Gallinari (thumb) out indefinitely.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Chandler is getting thrown right into the fire. With Gallinari, Andre Miller (shoulder) and Rudy Fernandez (back) all sidelined, the Nuggets are suddenly in dire need of Chandler's services. He played 28 minutes in his season debut on Monday and will push for significantly more as the starter. There's plenty of upside here.
Mar. 20 - 6:00 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 20, 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 will not play against the Lakers on Tuesday due to a shoulder injury, marking his fifth straight missed game.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This is not surprising and it remains to be seen when he'll be back in action. Courtney Lee and Chase Budinger get a boost for as long as Martin remains out.
Mar. 20 - 7:04 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 20, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Joel Anthony - F/C - Heat </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Joel Anthony (ankle) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Suns.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Anthony had started all 44 of the Heat's games this season, providing a defensive presence at 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per night. He sprained his left ankle during Sunday's win over the Magic. Seldom-used Dexter Pittman will make his first career start, while Udonis Haslem figures to see a little boost in minutes.
Mar. 20 - 6:56 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 21, 2012

NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/21/12)

<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 may not play again this season, but he has been ramping up his activity and could possibly return as soon as the beginning of April.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Hornets aren't going to make the playoffs but Gordon seems determined to play again this year, not least because he's up for a new contract in the summer. Watch for updates throughout the week, but there's far too much uncertainty to pick him up at this point.
Mar. 21 - 4:41 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 · Mar 21, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andre Miller - G - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andre Miller will miss one game due to doctor's orders, but he vowed to return for Friday's game at Utah.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Asked about limitations on the court, Miller replied, "I can do everything. I don’t know what [the doctors] need to see ... I’m sitting out one game, and that’s it." Ty Lawson will play all the minutes he can handle on Wednesday, especially with Rudy Fernandez (back) also out of commission.
Mar. 21 - 3:35 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 21, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Charlie Villanueva - F - Pistons </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Charlie Villanueva is a game-time decision on Wednesday due to a sore ankle.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">If you're surprised by this news, you haven't been paying attention. The injury is to CV's "other" ankle, not the one that sidelined him to start the season. He might return to the rotation at some point, but he's not a fantasy option over the final weeks of the season.
Mar. 21 - 2:39 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 21, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rodney Stuckey (toe) said he "won't go" on Wednesday against the Nuggets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Ben Gordon is in line for some big minutes as the starting shooting guard. Stuckey's injury is a day-to-day item, and Gordon has averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 assists and 1.3 treys in 15 starts this year.
Mar. 21 - 2:06 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 21, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andris Biedrins - C - Warriors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Updating a previous item, Andris Biedrins (groin) has been ruled out for Wednesday against the Hornets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">David Lee is expected to start at center with Dominic McGuire seeing time as well, and we could even see some of Jeremy Tyler without Biedrins int he lineup. Lee is the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy standpoint as he'll play all the minutes he can handle.
Mar. 21 - 1:35 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 21, 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 could be lost for an entire month with his fractured thumb, but hinted on Tuesday that he would like to play through the injury.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gallinari said a doctor told him it will take four weeks for his left thumb to heal, "but I'm pretty sure I can come back and put something on it before the four weeks is up...We got to see day by day."
Mar. 21 - 1:29 p.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 21, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Updating a previous item, Daniel Gibson (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Hawks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">There was an earlier report that Gibson probably wouldn't play in the next two games, so his ankle must be feeling much better. He's averaging 7.5 points and 1.6 treys this season in 26 minutes per game.
Mar. 21 - 1:23 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 21, 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) will be out for the next two games.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Pekovic will miss matchups against the Spurs and Thunder, and it's a tough break for owners who needed him to play at a critical time of the season. Darko Milicic will be thrust into a larger role, but he's averaged just 5.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and one block in 23 games as a starter.
Mar. 21 - 1:13 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 21, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Michael Beasley - F - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Michael Beasley (toe) will play on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Beasley's toe cramped up during Monday's prolonged halftime ceremony, but he's good to go on Wednesday.
Mar. 21 - 1:10 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 21, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Shawn Marion (knee) went through shootaround on Wednesday and is shaping up to be a game-time decision against the Lakers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Mavericks could certainly use Marion's defense back in the lineup, but his status will be determined later on Wednesday. Lamar Odom will see a larger role against his former team if Marion can't give it a go.
Mar. 21 - 1:08 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 21, 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) will not play on Wednesday against the Raptors and has still not yet started running with the injury.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rose is listed as a game-time call, but K.C. Johnson is a trusted source for all things related to the Bulls and he's confident that Rose won't play as we previously suspected. The fact that he hasn't started running yet indicates that Rose never had a realistic chance to play on Wednesday, and owners should still be targeting a weekend return as the best-case scenario for Rose. C.J. Watson will start in Rose's place.
Mar. 21 - 12:02 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 21, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Carl Landry - F - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Carl Landry (knee) is being listed as a game-time decision on Wednesday against the Warriors.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Landry has been out since February 4 and will be eased into action when he does return. With averages of just 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds, owners in search of waiver-wire adds with upside should look elsewhere.
Mar. 21 - 11:54 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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