FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Jermaine O'Neal: Halftime I.V.
Update: O'Neal needed I.V. during half time of Miami's game Thursday night, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Analysis: O'Neal returned to the start the second half.
Derrick Rose: Out Friday
Update: Rose (wrist) will not play Friday against the Cavaliers, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst reports.
Analysis: Rose will miss his fourth consecutive game while the Bulls fall further out of the playoff race. Jannero Pargo and Acie Law can be considered short-term plug-ins in deeper leagues on Friday if you need the point guard help.
Luol Deng: Ruled Out Friday
Update: Deng (calf) will not play Friday against the Cavaliers, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst reports.
Analysis: Deng aggravated the injury before Wednesday's game and seems like he's still at least a few days away from returning. James Johnson will continue to start, probably both Friday and Saturday at Philadelphia.
Andray Blatche: (Ankle) Misses Thursday's Practice
Update: Blatche (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
Analysis: Blatche contends that he'll play Friday against Portland, but coach Flip Saunders has him at "50-50."
Joe Johnson: (Achilles) Questionable Friday
Update: Johnson (Achilles' tendon) is listed as questionable for Friday night's game against Charlotte, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: Johnson has missed the Hawks' previous two games because of the injury. Mo Evans is the probable starter at shooting guard Friday if Johnson can't go.
Pau Gasol: Misses Thursday's Practice
Update: Gasol missed Thursday's practice because of tonsillitis, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: He is listed as day-to-day and might be a game-time decision for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.
Derek Fisher: Misses Thursday's Practice
Update: Fisher did not practice Thursday because of a hip/groin injury, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: Fisher is expected to play Friday against Minnesota.
Michaela Pavlickova: Injured Calf
Update: Pavlovic is suffering from a strained left calf, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Pavlovic has been inactive for the Timberwovles' previous two games because of the injury.
Stephen Curry: (Ankle) MRI Reveals Sprain Only
Update: Results of an MRI of Curry's sore left ankle confirmed a sprain and no evidence of a fracture or stress reaction, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Curry, who sat out Wednesday's win over the Hornets, will travel with the team for its two-game road trip on Friday (San Antonio) and Saturday (Memphis.)
DeSagana Diop: (Dizziness) Could Return Friday
Update: Diop (dizziness) could return to the lineup Friday night against the Hawks, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Diop's missed the last four games after suffering from dizzy spells following a workout last week.
Deron Williams: (Ankle) Game-time Decision for Friday
Update: Williams (ankle, shoulder) is a game-time decision for Friday's game against Phoenix, NBA.com reports.
Analysis: Utah is getting chased by two teams for its current position as the second-best team in the Northwest, so Williams will play if he's at all able.
Wesley Matthews: (Knee) Game-time Decision for Friday
Update: Matthews (knee) will be a game-time decision for Friday's game against Phoenix, NBA.com reports.
Analysis: Matthews played most of the second half with the injury Wednesday and wasn't effective, scoring 10 points and shooting just 3-of-9 from the field (0-for-2 3pt) for the game.
Chris Andersen: (Ankle) Will Play Thursday
Update: Andersen (ankle) is expected to play against New Orleans Thursday, Fanhouse writer Chris Tomasson reports.
Analysis: Andersen is a bit too inconsistent to warrant regular fantasy use, but he is always capable of providing a good amount of rebounds and blocks.
Rodney Stuckey: (Head) Will Play Friday
Update: Stuckey (head) is expected to play against Indiana Friday, Mlive.com reports.
Analysis: It's hard to see Stuckey resuming his normal workload right away, so you might want to consider other options until he shows he's back at full-speed.
Ben Wallace: (Knee) Expected to Play Friday
Update: Wallace (knee) practiced Thursday and is expected to play against Indianapolis Friday, Mlive.com reports.
Analysis: Previous reports didn't expect Wallace to practice Thursday or play any earlier than Tuesday, so he's probably still a bit sore. Since he hasn't played since March 2, he's almost undoubtedly rusty, but he'll still probably get his rebounds if he plays.
Ty Lawson: (Shoulder) Out Thursday
Update: Lawson (shoulder) won't play Thursday against New Orleans, Fanhouse writer Chris Tomasson reports.
Analysis: This marks the 10th game in a row that Lawson has missed, and it's hard to tell how soon he might be back. Denver next plays on Saturday against Milwaukee, but there's no word on whether Lawson expects to be ready by then.
Thaddeus Young: (Thumb) Expected to Miss at Least a Week
Update: Young (thumb) is expected to miss at least one week, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: That would leave his earliest potential return date as the contest against Atlanta on March 26. A more conservative guess would the game against Oklahoma City on the 30.
Mickael Pietrus: (Ankle) Will Not Play Thursday
Update: Pietrus (ankle) will not play against Miami Thursday, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: This figures to result in more minutes for Matt Barnes, who is battling a sore left big toe. There's no word at the moment on Pietrus' availability for Monday's game against Philadelphia.
Danny Granger: (Face) Out Indefinitely
Update: Granger (face) is out indefinitely, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: The Pacers don't have anything to play for in their remaining games, and there's no real reason for Granger to hurry back into the lineup. Don't assume he'll be back this year.
Gerald Wallace: (Ankle) Will Play Against Atlanta Friday
Update: Wallace (ankle) will play against Atlanta Friday, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Wallace hasn't played in three games and isn't fully healed, but he has played fairly well while injured this year. Although the ankle is still sore, he said it's neither weak nor stiff at this point. You probably need to play him, even if he won't necessarily be at his best.
Ben Wallace: Weekend Return Unlikely
Update: Wallace (right patella tendon strain) isn't expected to return to action this weekend, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis: Wallace hasn't played since March 2 against the Celtics. The Pistons continue to list him as day-to-day. Jason Maxiell remains a solid play while Big Ben is sidelined.
Wayne Ellington: Scores 13 Points
Update: Ellington scored 13 points and was 3-of-4 from three-point range in 21 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Utah. He's averaging 11.6 points per game in his last five games since returning from a sprained ankle.
Analysis: While Minnesota's season is seeing the wheels come off with a 11-game losing streak and players complaining about head coach Kurt Rambis' triangle offense, Ellington has seen his role grow. He could help those in deep leagues in the final weeks.
Darko Milicic: Remains In Starting Lineup
Update: Milicic started at center and scored nine points with three rebounds and a blocked shot in 30 minutes in Tuesday's loss to Utah.
Analysis: He started in place of Ryan Hollins, so it looks like the T-Wolves will continue to give Milicic significant minutes as they evaluate him for next season.
Ryan Hollins: Comes Off Bench
Update: Hollins came off the bench and scored six points with six rebounds in 15 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Utah.
Analysis: He's out of the starting lineup as the T-Wolves continue to audition Darko Milicic for next season.
DeMar DeRozan: Another Good Scoring Night Wednesday
Update: DeRozan scored 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting, with three rebounds, in Wednesday's win over the Hawks.
Analysis: After starting March off in miserable fashion DeRozan has found another gear, averaging 14.8 points over his last five games while shooting .630 (29-for-46) from the floor and .800 (16-for-20) from the free throw line. He still has nothing to offer fantasy owners but scoring, however, averaging just 2.2 rebounds over that stretch.
Hedo Turkoglu: Looks Better Wednesday
Update: Turkoglu scored 16 points Wednesday with five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Analysis: He looked like he was finally over his ankle injury, attacking the basket aggressively down the stretch and getting to the line. The Raptors are trying to hang onto a playoff spot and will need Turkoglu to keep playing at this level (if not better) to get to the postseason.
Chris Bosh: Comes Up Big Wednesday
Update: Bosh had a quiet game numbers-wise on Wednesday, scoring 14 points on 6-for-19 shooting with 10 rebounds and four assists, but he sank the game-winning basket with 2.1 seconds left on the clock in a 106-105 victory over the Hawks.
Analysis: Bosh schooled Al Horford with a jab step then calmly sank the fadeaway to give the Raptors a desperately needed win. He also scored his 10,000th career NBA point, so there was a lot to celebrate Wednesday night for Bosh.
Andray Blatche: (Ankle) Should Be Able to Play Friday
Update: Blatche (ankle) has said he should be able to play Friday against Portland, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Bear in mind that this is the player talking and not the team. For now, Blatche owners can assume he will probably play Friday, but keep an eye on his status as he could wind up being a game-time decision.
George Hill: Quiet Against Magic
Update: Hill had two points and four assists in the Spurs' loss to the Magic on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Hill shot 1-of-5 from the field against Orlando and now seems to be ceding shots not only to Manu Ginobili but Richard Jefferson as well.
Tim Duncan: Worst Shooting Night of Career
Update: Duncan had five points (1-10 FG) and six rebounds in the Spurs' loss to the Magic on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Wednesday was the worst shooting night of Duncan's career, as he missed his last nine shots. Duncan is clearly tired and we wouldn't be shocked to see the Spurs give him a game or two off in the near future.
Marc Gasol: Out Through the Weekend
Update: Gasol (neck) will probably be out at least through the weekend, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Analysis: "Every time I try to stretch with my arm and reach, it hurts pretty bad," Gasol said. "Hopefully, it's not (season-ending). It's a very painful thing, but we're going to see how it feels from day to day." Coach Lionel Hollins echoed Gasol's statements, saying Gasol would have probably played if they were still in the thick of the playoff race. Hasheem Thabeet should continue to start at center while Gasol sits.
Charlie Bell: Can't Come Through in Spot Start
Update: Bell scored three points on 1-of-6 shooting in 24 minutes during Wednesday's game.
Analysis: Bell was starting in place of an injured Carlos Delfino, but didn't play well and got replaced by Royal Ivey in the second half. Delfino shouldn't be out long and Bell didn't play well enough to garner any additional playing time.
Ty Lawson: Questionable for Thursday
Update: Lawson (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Thursday's home game against New Orleans, according to the Nuggets' media notes.
Analysis: Lawson has missed nine straight games with the shoulder strain and we haven't seen or heard anything that would suggest he'll be in the lineup Thursday. His replacement, Anthony Carter, has actually been fairly productive in Lawson's absence, having averaged 6.0 ppg, 6.1 apg, 2.5 rpg, and 1.0 spg over the last eight games.
Chris Andersen: Game-Time Decision on Thursday
Update: Andersen (ankle) has been listed as a game-time decision for Thursday's game against New Orleans according to the Nuggets' media notes.
Analysis: Andersen is the epitome of "walking wounded" right now as his sprained ankle kept him out of Tuesday's win over Washington, but he's also dealing with a broken left ring finger and knee tendinitis. We highly recommend you keep him on your bench and go with a different option until you see him play AND finish a complete game without any setbacks.
Jermaine Taylor: Sent Back to the D-League
Update: Taylor was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' NBA Development League affiliate, on Wednesday to get playing time he was not getting with the Rockets, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: There were simply no minutes for Taylor in Houston.
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