Dose: C'mon, Dwight!
The NBA injury train rolled again on Monday night as Kobe Bryant, Eric Gordon, Andrea Bargnani, Dwight Howard, Nicolas Batum, Jarrett Jack, Darren Collison, Rodney Stuckey, Al Harrington, Trevor Ariza, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all missed time. Some were injured, and some were Popoviched, but any way you slice it, trying to field a fantasy lineup right now is tricky business. Here’s what we know.
Dwight - The Great Cardician
Dwight Howard missed Monday’s game with a bad back and sounds doubtful to play on Tuesday night. This comes on the heels of his “I’m a warrior…I’m going to find a way to get through it all” speech after Saturday’s game, which is a devastating blow to fantasy owners. A cardician is a “card manipulator,” and Howard apparently has taken the name of his team to heart. Glen Davis went nuts again with 16 points, 16 boards and five dimes last night, and should have another big game tonight if Howard sits. Ryan Anderson returned from his ankle injury and had 14 points, seven boards and two 3-pointers, and it looks safe to get him back in lineups. J.J. Redick played well again with 20 points and four threes in another start, and could stick in the starting five the rest of the way for the Magic, while Jason Richardson was solid with 22 points and six treys as the starting small forward.
Shin of Kobe
Kobe Bryant was out again on Monday due to his shin injury and remains day-to-day. I can’t imagine Kobe missing much more time, but he’s questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Spurs. Devin Ebanks had six points on 2-of-7 shooting in another start on Monday, but has no fantasy value, with or without Kobe. Ramon Sessions played through a shoulder injury and had 17 points, six boards and six assists in the win over New Orleans, so keep him in your lineup.
Welcome Back Wade?
Dwyane Wade is expected back against the Celtics tonight after missing his last game with a “tweaked ankle.” Go ahead and run him out there, but I still think there’s an excellent chance he’ll sit on Friday against the Bobcats, no matter how healthy or banged up he is. After all, Kentucky could beat the Bobcats right now, right?
Every Rose Has It’s…
Derrick Rose apparently hurt an ankle during Sunday’s game and is now a game-time decision for Tuesday night against the Knicks. I’m guessing he plays, but missing tonight’s game would make this a two-game week for Rose, which is bad news during the fantasy playoffs. Watch for updates on Tuesday afternoon.
Bargnani Done For the Year?
Andrea Bargnani was out on Monday with his calf injury as Amir Johnson had 16 points and seven rebounds in a start. It’s unclear when Bargnani, who could be done for the season, will return, making Johnson worth a look in most leagues. Ed Davis added 11 points, 10 boards, a steal and a block off the bench, but the two big men should be inconsistent, even without Bargnani around.
The Rest of Monday’s News
Nicolas Batum missed Monday’s game with a quad/knee injury and will be questionable going forward. Jamal Crawford, who started and had 18 points on 4-of-14 shooting would be the guy to pick up if Batum is shut down.
Darren Collison was a surprise scratch for Monday with a groin injury, but it doesn’t sound like a serious injury. Consider him questionable for Wednesday against Cleveland. George Hill started and had 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and should be a strong play for as long as Collison is out. Roy Hibbert tweaked an ankle in the first half last night, but returned to play through it. We’ll have to see if there are lingering effects, leaving him a little iffy for Wednesday’s game. Consider him a go for now, but watch for updates.
Jarrett Jack has been shut down for the season with a stress fracture in his right foot. This opens the door for Greivis Vasquez the rest of the way and he went off to the tune of 18 points, 11 assists, two steals and five assists last night. Go get him.
Eric Gordon missed Monday’s game, not with a bad knee, but a balky back instead. He’s day-to-day, again, and Marco Belinelli stepped up with 20 points and four 3-pointers on Monday night. Bello would possibly be a sound pickup if Gordon is shut down again, but at this point, we just don’t know. Carl Landry got hot off the Hornets bench with 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, but you never know what you’re going to get from him or Jason Smith. Trevor Ariza was a DNP-CD, and I have no idea what he did to draw the ire of Monty Williams. But if you can, get Ariza out of your lineup ASAP.
Rodney Stuckey started again on Monday, but left with a right knee injury in the first half. Another tough blow in fantasy, and owners have to just hope he’s ready to go on Thursday at Charlotte. If he’s out, Ben Gordon will quickly become relevant again.<!--RW-->
Brandon Jennings tweaked his knee on Monday night but stayed in the game to finish with 13 points, as he was dominated by Russell Westbrook. Jennings should be OK going forward, but watch for updates in case his knee is still hurting on Tuesday. The Bucks host the Knicks on Wednesday. Ersan Ilyasova led the way with 18 points in last night’s loss to the Thunder, but he was the only bright spot for Scott Skiles’ island of misfit toys.
Tony Allen missed his third straight game with a mouth laceration on Monday and remains day-to-day. That ruins his five-game week and makes O.J. Mayo look that much more attractive. Mayo had 13 points and five assists last night. Marreese Speights had 12 points and eight boards as he continues to start for Zach Randolph, who shook off a minor car accident on Monday for 10 points and 12 boards in 30 minutes.
Danilo Gallinari returned to action from a broken thumb last night and had 15 points, five rebounds, six assists and four 3-pointers. Congratulations are in order if you had the guts to put him in your weekly lineup this week. Kenneth Faried torched the Warriors for 27 points, 17 rebounds, two steals and a block on 12-of-18 shooting, while Al Harrington left the game after just 12 minutes with a torn meniscus in his knee. Faried is now a must-own player, while Harrington can probably be dropped in most leagues. JaVale McGee had 13 points, eight boards and four blocks off the bench, while Kosta Koufos started and had four points, eight boards and a block. McGee is still a better option than Koufos despite coming off the bench.
Marcus Thornton could finally be back in action tonight after missing most of his last five games with a calf injury. He wanted to play on Sunday but trainers held him out, so if you rolled the dice on him in a weekly league, it looks like the move could pay off. It will also be interesting to see how Terrence Williams fairs if Thornton is back in the lineup tonight. And while I don’t own Tyreke Evans, I do hope he bounces back tonight for those of you who do own him. He was a mess in his last game.
Anthony Parker could play through a bruised sternum tonight as the Cavs kick off their five-game week. Parker exploded for 27 points in his last game, and it will be interesting to see how Lester Hudson fares if Parker plays tonight. Both players are probably worth running out there if you need games played this week, as Hudson was signed to another 10-day after his strong play of late. Anderson Varejao (wrist) could return to action this week, although it’s not clear as to whether or not it will happen.
Nene is hoping to return at some point this week from his bout with plantar fasciitis, which should limit Kevin Seraphin’s minutes a bit. I’d keep Seraphin active until we know for sure when Nene will return. James Singleton (on a 10-day contract) came out of nowhere for 18 points and 12 rebounds on Monday night for the Wizards, and has played well in two straight games. I don’t trust him, but he’s certainly worth keeping an eye on going forward. Jan Vesely started and had 11 points and 11 boards last night, Cartier Martin had 19 points, six boards and four 3-pointers, and Roger Mason Jr. added 17 points, five boards and five 3-pointers in a blowout win over Charlotte. All are worth a look, but are shaky fantasy adds coming off Washington’s bench.
Corey Maggette played through his Achilles problem and had 23 points off the Bobcats bench on Monday. Who knows how long he’ll stay healthy, but if he does, he could be a solid addition with four games left this week. D.J. Augustin was out again with a sore knee and Kemba Walker hit 5-of-14 shots for 16 points, two 3-pointers, seven rebounds, seven assists and a steal to kick off his five-game week. Byron Mullens got off to a shaky start last night with just nine points and five boards in 26 minutes, but still has four games to make up for the lackluster line.
The Spurs benched Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker on Monday, and promptly lost to the Jazz, snapping an 11-game winning streak. I have no idea how Gregg Popovich does it, as he continues to be the worst manager in fantasy, and probably the best coach in reality. The Spurs go back-to-back again on Wednesday and Thursday, and then play Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the following week, meaning more surprise DNPs are coming – although I’m hesitant to call them surprises any longer. Gary Neal and Tiago Splitter had 14 points, DeJuan Blair returned to the starting lineup and had 13 points and eight boards, and Danny Green had seven points in 35 minutes. If you’re looking ahead to next week, Green looks like a solid add for the five-game week, but will be inconsistent, along with the rest of his teammates.
Lamar Odom and the Mavericks have agreed to shut him down for the rest of the season so that he can get his “beep” together. Demanding that trade out of L.A. proved to be the worst move possible for Odom and the Mavs, and now Dallas will simply try to trade him this summer. Good luck with that one. Jason Kidd (groin) is expected back for limited minutes on Tuesday, which will hurt Delonte West's minutes.
DeMarre Carroll started for the Jazz on Monday, as expected, but played just 11 minutes and failed to score. He played well in his previous game and could bounce back in the next one, but Monday’s line was a huge disappointment considering he’s the only small forward available in Utah. Paul Millsap bounced back from an off night with 18 points and 10 boards, while Devin Harris stayed hot with 25 points, three more 3-pointers, six rebounds and six assists in the win. He’s on fire, and likely leading owners to the fantasy promised last with his strong play of late.
Kyle Lowry had 13 points in 23 minutes for the Rockets on Monday, as his return will crunch the minutes of both Goran Dragic and Courtney Lee. Dragic came through with 22 points and seven assists in 41 minutes, and remains a strong start for the remainder of the week, despite the return of Lowry.
</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ray Allen (ankle) will return to action vs. the Spurs on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>
