NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/5/11)

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Chauncey Billups - G - Knicks

Chauncey Billups (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Atlanta but he "sounded doubtful" after being limited in practice.
"I can't get it to where I can push off,'' Billups said. "Stopping is kind of tough. I know even when I do come back I won't be pain-free but I still want to be effective.'' Mar. 5 - 3:05 p.m. ET
Source: NY Post

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Tayshaun Prince - F - Pistons </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Tayshaun Prince (back) is expected to start for the Pistons on Sunday, bumping Austin Daye to the bench.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The Pistons' rotation is up for grabs, as John Kuester has implemented a 'clean slate' and demanded that his players earn their roles. Pri
Mar. 5 - 1:55 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Vincent Goodwill on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Josh Smith - F - Hawks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Josh Smith (knee) practiced on Saturday and seems ready to return vs. the Knicks on Sunday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Smoov's knee was sprained but he sustained no further damage, though he may wear a knee brace as a precaution.
Mar. 5 - 1:17 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Ronnie Price - G - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Ronnie Price (toe) will not return for the Jazz on Sunday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Price had an MRI recently but we haven't heard the results -- presumably if there was any structural damage we'd have heard about it. Consider Utah's backup guard day-to-day.
Mar. 5 - 12:43 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Jonathan Rinehart on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Earl Watson - G - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Earl Watson (lip) remains a game-time decision on Saturday vs. the Kings.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Watson needed six stitches to close a laceration, but it's not an injury that will keep him out for very long (if at all).
Mar. 5 - 12:42 p.m. ET
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Jonathan Rinehart on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Michael Beasley - F - Timberwolves </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Since injuring his ankle back on January 7th, Michael Beasley is averaging 15 points and four rebounds, while shooting 41% from the field (23% from downtown).</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Beasley is playing big minutes but his production has yet to return to pre-injury levels -- 22 points and six rebounds, with 48% shooting (44% from downtown). The Wolves need more of those stats if they're hoping to play .500 ball and take some positive momentum into the offseason.
Mar. 5 - 11:49 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: WolvesRadio on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Daniel Gibson - G - Cavaliers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Daniel Gibson (bruised quad) is questionable for Sunday's game against the visiting Hornets.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>It seems unlikely that he'll play since the Cavs wanted to give him "three or four days with no contact to try and get [his quad] to calm down." Don't think about using him until we hear a concrete report that he'll be active.
Mar. 5 - 10:33 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Blake Griffin - F - Clippers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Blake Griffin is the only player in the NBA averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are the only other players to accomplish a 20-10-3 line since 2001-02, yet another angle from which to appreciate Griffin's stellar rookie season.
Mar. 5 - 10:25 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Denver Post</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

David West - F - Hornets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>David West said that X-rays on his sprained ankle were negative, and he expects to play Sunday vs. the Cavaliers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>"I can get through ankle sprains,,’’ said West. "Nothing was done to the bone, so I’m good. But pain is pain.’’ This makes Carl Landry a far less appealing pickup, and West's owners can take a deep breath -- the sprain is still being called "severe" but doesn't sound likely to keep West out for very long.
Mar. 5 - 10:04 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 5, 2011

Dwight Howard - C - Magic </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Dwight Howard has officially been suspended for Monday's game after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season on Friday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Dwight will still play three times next week, making him a safe play in weekly fantasy leagues. He'll get another suspension for every two technicals that he picks up from now until the end of the regular season -- let's hope he can control his temper whether or not he's getting the foul calls he thinks he deserves.
Mar. 5 - 4:24 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Howard Beck on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Deron Williams - G - Nets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Deron Williams fell on his wrist at the end of the first quarter on Sunday -- he left briefly but has since returned.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>D-Will wasn't out very long, but this is an ominous reminder of his existing wrist and hand issues, and the threat of him shutting it down. If it ever happens, Jordan Farmar would be the most obvious beneficiary of a prolonged absence for Deron.
Mar. 5 - 3:50 p.m. ET</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

parrotbay · Mar 5, 2011

Wizard's Nick Young is out tonight vs Minn with flu.

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Josh Howard - G/F - Wizards

Josh Howard is out for Sunday's game due to a hamstring injury.
No word yet on what exactly is wrong, but Howard is in perpetual danger of random DNPs. With Nick Young also sidelined, the Wizards will likely turn to Al Thornton, Jordan Crawford, and Maurice Evans. Mar. 5 - 6:07 p.m. ET
Source: Jerry Zgoda on Twitter

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Nick Young - G/F - Wizards

Wizards SG Nick Young will not play on Saturday due to the flu.
Young has emerged as a dynamic scoring threat for the rebuilding Wizards, who will likely struggle to replace his contributions. Mar. 5 - 5:59 p.m. ET
Source: Washington Wizards on Twitter

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

parrotbay said:
Wizard's Nick Young is out tonight vs Minn with flu.

Thanks Parrot

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Darko Milicic - F/C - Timberwolves

Darko Milicic (birth of child) and Martell Webster (back) are both expected to practice on Sunday and should play against the Mavericks on Monday.
Mar. 5 - 7:24 p.m. ET
Source: Jerry Zgoda on Twitter

ebok · Mar 5, 2011

any word on SJAX?

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Trevor Ariza - G/F - Hornets

Trevor Ariza's groin injury may keep him out against the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Consider him a game-time decision for now, and watch for an update on Sunday. Mar. 5 - 8:20 p.m. ET
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

David West - F - Hornets

David West's status is up in the air for Sunday against the Cavs after he sprained his ankle on Friday night.
X-rays were negative and West would like to play, but Carl Landry is listed as the tentative starter as of now. Consider him a game-time decision for Sunday. Mar. 5 - 8:19 p.m. ET
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2011

Stephen Jackson - G/F - Bobcats

Stephen Jackson is out again on Saturday due to his lingering hamstring injury.
This is not surprising, and it sounds like he could miss more games, as Paul Silas said he could be out for "a little while" with the injury. Dominic McGuire could start in his place, but we haven't seen a lineup yet. Mar. 5 - 7:57 p.m. ET
Source: Jason Quick on Twitter