NBA News/Injuries/etc. (4/6/11)

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Caron Butler - G/F - Mavericks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Caron Butler (knee) is "extremely unlikely" to play in the first round of the playoffs, according to Rick Carlisle.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Carlisle offered an overall positive report on Butler's status, saying that "He's doing great and he's way ahead of schedule," but the coach admits that he doesn't have a timetable for Butler's return.
Apr. 6 - 3:40 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: ESPN.com</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Jason Kidd - G - Mavericks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jason Kidd didn't take part in Wednesday's shootaround, leading to speculation that he might sit out against Denver.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Beat writer Eddie Sefko says official word on Kidd is expected to come down about 20 minutes before tipoff, so owners will have to check back this evening for confirmation on Kidd's status. Roddy Beaubois and J.J. Barea will both see a boost if Kidd is out.
Apr. 6 - 3:20 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Dallas Morning News</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD> Grant Hill - G/F - Suns </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Grant Hill reportedly had to be restrained on Tuesday after a fan cursed and spit at him in Chicago.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>"He said some profanity and spit in my direction," Hill told the Arizona Republic. "I'm not going to let somebody spit at me. He knew he did wrong because he took off running." The 38-year-old Hill is averaging 13.1 points per game this year.
Apr. 6 - 5:33 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: FOXSports.com</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

LeBron James - F - Heat </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>LeBron James has reached a deal to become part-owner of the Liverpool FC soccer club.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>An unexpected alliance between two of the sports world's biggest brands. Also of note, the Fenway Sports Group (majority owner of Liverpool and the Red Sox) "is partnering with Mr. James’s sports-marketing firm, LRMR Branding & Marketing to become the exclusive world-wide representative for Mr. James," according to the Wall Street Journal. As ProBasketballTalk points out, "Right now there are a handful of very conflicted Liverpool fans in Cleveland."
Apr. 6 - 5:24 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD> Marcus Camby - F/C - Trail Blazers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Marcus Camby (neck) will not travel with the team to Utah and is out for Thursday night's contest against the Jazz.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>We were expecting the brittle big man to miss some time, and that's exactly what is going to happen. Look for Nicolas Batum to slide into the starting five for as long as Camby is sidelined, and the team will lean heavily on LaMarcus Aldridge to man the middle.
Apr. 6 - 2:20 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 · Apr 6, 2011

Tyson Chandler - C - Mavericks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Tyson Chandler (back) was able to go through Wednesday's shootaround for the Mavs, but still remains a game-time decision against Denver.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>It's good news that he was able to go through practices in back to back days, but the big man acknowledged that it's important that he doesn't return until he's 100% healthy. Brendan Haywood is not a desirable fantasy value despite Chandler's absence.
Apr. 6 - 3:00 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Earl K. Sneed on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Andrei Kirilenko - F - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Andrei Kirilenko (knee) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against the Blazers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Kirilenko is almost certainly done for the season. The Jazz have nothing to play for and he's an impending free agent.
Apr. 6 - 12:49 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Raja Bell - G/F - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Raja Bell (foot) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against the Blazers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Bell will almost certainly be held out as the Jazz get a look at their young players. Gordon Hayward is going to keep getting a ton of burn.
Apr. 6 - 12:46 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

<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 (hamstring) remains a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Blazers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Harris is planning on going through practice Wednesday and taking it from there. Signs point toward him being close to full strength, but note that the Jazz have no shot at making the playoffs. We should know more after practice.
Apr. 6 - 12:43 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

<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 (thigh) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The Heat are saying that Wade is a game-time call, but there is almost no chance he will play through a doubtful tag at this point in the season. We'd even consider him very questionable for Friday's game against the Bobcats. Coach Erik Spoelstra has not decided on a starter, but it will either be James Jones or Mike Miller. Both are desperation spot-starts at best.
Apr. 6 - 11:06 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Amare Stoudemire - F/C - Knicks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Mike D'Antoni reiterated that he has no intention of resting Amare Stoudemire or any other veterans over the final week.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Stoudemire's knees are always a concern, but D'Antoni isn't worried. "I think he's fine," said the coach. Even though a little rollback in minutes is likely, owners can feel safe getting Stoudemire in all lineups.
Apr. 6 - 10:54 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Bergen Record</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD> Marcus Camby - F/C - Trail Blazers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Nate McMillan said he does not consider the neck injury Marcus Camby suffered Tuesday night serious.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Camby got his legs tangled up with Rudy Fernandez and smashed his head against the court. It looked bad, but the Blazers don't seem concerned at all. McMillan called the injury "whiplash" and Andre Miller said Camby "probably got a little headache. He'll be all right." Still, we'd expect the shot-blocker to miss some time. Look for Nicolas Batum to get back in the start five for Thursday's game in Utah.
Apr. 6 - 10:38 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: The Oregonian</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Elton Brand - F/C - 76ers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Sixers coach Doug Collins said he would love to get Elton Brand some rest before the playoffs.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Collins' desire to get Brand some time off isn't really about the tiny fracture in the power forward's hand. It's just about getting Brand's legs fresh for the playoffs. Brand will be fine for full minutes tonight, but very well could end up sitting out the final game or two.
Apr. 6 - 10:17 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Rodney Stuckey - G - Pistons

The status of Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon (knee) and Ben Wallace (knee) is "up in the air" for Wednesday, according to beat writer Chris Iott.
Stuckey has been benched for two straight games, and remains a wildly risky fantasy play for obvious reasons. And for obvious reasons, fantasy owners shouldn't be counting on Gordon or Wallace for value given their lack of production down the stretch. Apr. 6 - 6:24 p.m. ET
Source: Chris Iott on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Darko Milicic - F/C - Timberwolves

Darko Milicic (ankle) is being called a game-time decision for Wednesday.
There's a chance that he could play and produce a solid line, but fantasy owners shouldn't count on much given that he's missed most of the last three games due to his ankle injury and remains a considerable risk for in-game aggravation. Apr. 6 - 6:18 p.m. ET
Source: Timberwolves PR on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Andrea Bargnani - F/C - Raptors

Andrea Bargnani (ankle) and Leandro Barbosa (finger) will both sit on Wednesday, but Jose Calderon will get the start at point guard.
Bad news for Bargnani's fantasy owners, but this wasn't too tough to see coming after he lasted just eight minutes on Tuesday. Ed Davis gets the start in Bargnani's place and is a worthwhile play in most formats. Meanwhile, Calderon starting does hurt Bayless' value somewhat, but the absence of Barbosa should give Bayless enough opportunity to produce. Apr. 6 - 6:11 p.m. ET
Source: Matt Devlin on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Dwight Howard - C - Magic

Stan Van Gundy said on Wednesday that limiting his players' minutes for Wednesday's matchup with the Bobcats will depend on how the game is going.
In other words, Van Gundy isn't tipping his hand either way, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Dwight Howard and other key Orlando players seeing diminished run on Wednesday. That said, it's extremely difficult to advise benching Howard given that he could easily post a big line even if playing somewhat limited minutes. Apr. 6 - 6:05 p.m. ET
Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Tyrus Thomas - F - Bobcats

Tyrus Thomas (knee) won't play again on Wednesday.
This will mark the fifth straight missed game for Thomas, who has been unable to capitalize on potential opportunities in the Charlotte frontcourt due to his own lingering knee trouble. Apr. 6 - 5:56 p.m. ET
Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Jason Richardson - G/F - Magic

Jason Richardson (knee) won't play against the Bobcats on Wednesday.
We doubt there's anything serious happening with Richardson's knee, but Stan Van Gundy is trying to get his players some rest now that the Magic are locked into the No. 4 seed. Gilbert Arenas is expected to start, with Quentin Richardson also likely seeing additional run in J-Rich's absence. Apr. 6 - 5:54 p.m. ET
Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 6, 2011

Stephen Jackson - G/F - Bobcats

Stephen Jackson (hamstring) will attempt to play in Wednesday night's game, according to Paul Silas.
This comes just two days after a report that Jackson could be shut down for the season, but it sounds like he's got a shot to suit up at least one more time. Fantasy owners in daily leagues should check back prior to tipoff before making any final lineup decisions. Apr. 6 - 5:50 p.m. ET
Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter