4/9 Notes

Ronald Murray is now in favor of Travis Diener as the Pacers make a last gasp effort for the playoffs.  Yesterday he had 20 points and 10 assists.  This is only the second time this season he has achieved double digit assists.  He may provide support in assists and points during the last week of the season but his steals and three pointers are low for a guard.

Mo Williams missed yesterday's game and his return is unknown.  Rookie Ramon Sessions had 13 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals as a starter.  Williams could miss the remainder of the season and allow Sessions to have some final week value.

Joel Przybilla is out for the year with a broken hand.  Channing Frye  got the start yesterday and had 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals in a Trail Blazer win over the Lakers.

Brad Miller will miss the remainder of the season giving Spencer Hawes more playing time.  Over his last four games, Hawes is averaging 10.5 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 0.8 blocks.

Over his last two games Wilson Chandler has averaged 21 points and 8.5 rebounds.  He is currently in favor as he played 10 more minutes than any other Knick in yesterday's game.

Yesterday Jason Maxiell had 10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal.  He could provide some value in the last week as the Pistons rest their regular players.

Earl Watson has been solid for the Sonics despite their lost cause season.  Over the past four games he has averaged 13.5 points and 7 assists. 

Despite the return of Jermaine O'Neal, Jeff Foster continues to have some deep league appeal averaging 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in his last four games.

Gerald Wallace is likely out for the season because of a groin injury.

4/6 Notes

The Celtics rested Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett with their playoff position set.  Leon Powe had 22 pts and 9 reb and James Posey had 19 pts and 3 treys as starters.  It could be a rough week for those who need to rely on the Celtics stars in the last week of the season.

Delonte West has been quietly filling out the stat sheet over the last four games averaging 14.5 pts, 1.8 treys, 6.8 ast, 3.5 reb, 2 st, and 1 bl.  He should be a solid fantasy player over the last week of the season.

Rasho Nesterovic has averaged 22 pts, 9 reb, and 1.7 blocks over his last three games.  He has scored in double figures in his last thirteen games.  Nesterovic's second half emergence has contributed to Andrea Bargnani not being a factor.

Rodney Carney has hit 11 treys over his last six games showing that next season he could develop into a reliable three point specialist. 

Linas Kleiza started for the Nuggets and had 28 pts including 13-15 FT.  Kenyon Martin was suspended for this game so Kleiza can be expected to return to a bench role. 

Francisco Garcia had 29 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, 10 FT, and 1 st.  Ron Artest is day to day with a sprained thumb and Brad Miller is day to day with a leg injury.

4/1 Notes

Over his last two games rookie Nick Young has averaged 22.5 pts as a result of being hot from the field. Note that Antonio Daniels could return soon. As of now he has shown the potential to grow into an effective scorer next season as he is shooting 40% from three point territory.  If Gilbert Arenas signs elsewhere during the offseason it could provide him with more opportunity to develop. 

With TJ Ford starting, Jose Calderon has come off the bench the past four games and averaged only 24 minutes per game which is 7 minutes below his season average.  In those games he has averaged 5.5 assists which is 3 below his season average.  Since the Raptors have won three of the last four games (losing only to New Orleans) do not expect a shakeup in the playing rotation.

Al Horford still has an opportunity to complete his rookie season averaging a double double as he is currently as 10 ppg and 9.6 rpg however lately his rebounding as been off getting 6 or less in three of his last four games.  He has shown the ability to contribute in rounds, blocks, and steals and should be a desirable player on draft day next season.

CJ Miles has started the last three games for the Jazz and yesterday had 29 pts and 5 ast. Andrei Kirilenko did not play in this game.  He could easily go back to playing limited minutes when Kirilenko returns (could be Wednesday).

Rookie Jeff Green has averaged 16 ppg in his last five games and has been experimenting with the three point shot taking a season high 5 yesterday. He had been averaging less than 1 three point attempt per game.

Francisco Garcia has played at least 27 minutes in his last five games.  He has been making contributions in the steal and three point category even when Ron Artest is in the lineup.

Brandon Bass teased fantasy owners with a 21 point game two games ago but Malik Allen remains a barrier to Bass having consistent value in the absence of Dirk Nowitzki.

Rookie Al Thornton has been trying to stuff the stat sheet recently averaging 25 ppg and getting plenty of steals and three pointers.  He still appears safe from the return of Elton Brand.

Having already put a dent in many fantasy seasons, Jermaine O'Neal returned to play 18 min and score 9 points.  The lesson learned is to avoid O'Neal regardless of any good health reports next season.

Pau Gasol is expected to return Wednesday giving Ronnie Turiaf a reduction in playing time.

Caron Butler may return to action on Wednesday after missing a game with a strained hamstring.

Drew Gooden is day to day with a strained abdomen.

3/27 Notes

Ronald Murray has started the last seven games for the Pacers.  However he is not a true point guard and Travis Diener has been playing more minutes off the bench.  Over his past two games Diener has averaged 8 assists. 

For the only time this season Martell Webster has scored over 20 points in two consecutive games.  He has hit 9 treys in these games.  In three of his last four games he has played over 33 minutes.  LaMarcus Aldridge is day to day with a sprained ankle.  Travis Outlaw will play increased minutes until he returns and Webster will be counted on to provide offense.

Jeff Green has played over 40 minutes in the past two games.  Over his past three games he has averaged 17.3 ppg which is over his 9.8 ppg season average.  Over his last 14 games he is making 0.8 treys per game and shooting 48% from three point range.  His number of three point attempts has been gradually increasing. 

3/25 Notes

Chris Quinn is taking advantage of the situation in Miami where all reserve players are basically playing out the season for them.  Yesterday he had 24 pts, 4 ast, 4 reb, 3 treys, and 4 steals. Similarly, Daequan Cook has started the past nine games and played over 30 minutes regularly.  However he has not been showing too much fantasy potential.

Nenad Kristic has scored in double figures in two consecutive games for only the second time this season.  He should get regular minutes for the remainder of the season as the Nets fight for a playoff spot.

Rookie Wilson Chandler has started the last nine games for the Knicks and has scored in double figures the past four games.  Note that he has been contributing some threes, steals, and rebounds as well. 

Leon Powe had 16 pts, 7 reb, and 1 bl yesterday.  If the Celtics decide to give Garnett some rest at the end of the season with their playoff seed firmed up, Powe could see some regular playing time late in the season.

Make a note that rookie Thaddues Young has shown decent potential in the steal category averaging 1 per game on the season in only 20 minutes per game.

Hakim Warrick had a season high 29 points yesterday to go along with 7 rebounds and 3 steals.  He also hit two treys in a game for the first time this season.  He should continue to get regular playing time for the remainder of the season.

While Earl Watson is slowed by a calf strain Luke Ridnour will see increased playing time.  Yesterday, Ridnour had 15 pts and 9 ast.

Nick Collison has started the past three games for the Sonics and has averaged 11.5 pts, 12 reb, and 1 bl.

Daniel Gibson is close to returning.  He will likely take away playing time from Delonte West making him a free agent again in many deeper leagues.

If Ron Artest is not able to play Francisco Garcia will see additional playing time. Garcia has scored in double figures the past two games and can contribute threes and steals.

3/21 Notes

Kirk Hinrich sat out yesterday's game with a sprained ankle. Ben Gordon moved into the starting lineup to replace Hinrich.  Hinrich is considered day to day - while he is out Larry Hughes and Ben Gordon will see more playing time. Gordon played 40 minutes yesterday and Hughes played 28 in the blowout loss to the Spurs.

For the first time since Sam Cassell joined the Celtics, he played more minutes than Rajon Rondo who played only 22 against the Mavericks.  Rondo played less as a result of being cold from the field and committing numerous turnovers.

Jason Terry played only 16 minutes as the Mavericks decided to stay with Jerry Stackhouse with Terry being cold from the field.  Owners of Terry should consider resting him until he is back in favor.  Dallas is only 5-5 in their last ten games and may want to shake up their rotation.

Vladimir Radmanovic has hit seven treys in his last two games.  He has also been contributing some three's and steals in recent games.  Pau Gasol remains out without an expected return date. 

After scoring in single digits for four consecutive games, Juan Carlos Navarro has reached double figures in four consecutive games for Memphis.  In those four games he has made 11 three pointers and has 6 steals.

Over his last five games, Tim Thomas has averaged 18 pts, 5.6 reb, and 1.4 bl.  This comes during a period where Chris Kaman has not played due to a back condition.  A return date for Kaman has not been established.

Chris Wilcox has a sprained finger and could miss some games.  He missed games earlier in the season with the same injury. Johan Petro and Nick Collison could see additional playing time.

3/17 Notes

Jarvis Hayes got hot and hit 7 of 8 treys going for 29 points.  It had been ten games since he had reached double figures scoring.  It could be another ten games before he does it again.

Ronnie Turiaf started for Pau Gasol and played 29 minutes getting 13 pts, 8 reb, and 3 bl. Gasol remains out with a sprained ankle that has improved but a date for his return has not been set.  Until Gasol returns, Turiaf will have increased value.

The return of Z. Ilgauskas resulted in Anderson Varejao playing only 16 minutes.  Those who obtained Varejao may want to start looking elsewhere.

Gerald Wallace has returned to action playing substantial minutes but not as a starter.  Matt Carroll and Jared Dudley will likely see less playing time now that Wallace has returned.

Nate Robinson has been averaging 34 minutes over his last eight games but is providing mostly just points and some treys.

Since scoring in single digits for two consecutive games, Josh Childress has averaged 18 pts, 9 reb, and 3 stls.  The Hawks are currently tied for the eight playoff seed and will be playing meaningful games in the near future.

In the Western Conference, the top nine teams will likely be playing meaningful games for the remainder of the season giving players on those teams some security in their fantasy value later in the season.

Seattle and Miami continue to lose and have unstable rotations.  The Heat in particular have a number of players who are recently getting playing time such as D. Cook but the fantasy manager should not count on them for much consistency.

Over his last nine games R. Nesterovic has averaged 13 pts and 7 reb as Chris Bosh has been out with knee pain. Bosh could return as early as Wednesday though.

3/12 Notes

In his last four games, T. Outlaw has not played more than 18 minutes whereas for the month of February he had averaged nearly 29 minutes.  This reduction in playing time has cut his productivity to the point where he is not playable in many leagues.

Over his last 6 games C. Smith has averaged 14.2 pts and 1.3 stls in only 21 mpg as a result of shooting 72% from the field.  He has scored at least 11 points in each of these games but remains only an option in deep leagues as once his shooting backs down to a normal level he will have little value.  What would change this would be him earning more playing time as a result of his recent efficiency.

Yesterday D. Gooden played 43 minutes and had 24 pts, 10 reb, 3 bl, and 5 ast.  It looks as if he will have more value for the remainder of the season than he would have had as a member of the Cavaliers.

D. Granger has turned into a very well rounded fantasy player averaging 18.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 2 treys, 1.1, and 1 blocks.  This combination of stats I am sure is not matched by many.

Rookie N. Young has scored in double figures in his last four games including 22 pts yesterday.  He has hit 2 treys in each of his last four games.  Normally you would expect a rookie such as him to finish strong but the return of Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas could reduce his value.  Butler should return this Thursday.

3/10 Notes

Dwyane Wade will now miss the rest of the regular season.  Most knew going in to the season that Wade had risk involved since he had offseason surgery.  Sometimes it works out and in this case the discount received on draft day was probably not big enough.  Marcus Banks, Chris Quinn, Daequan Cook, and Jason Williams are candidates to see more playing time.  Banks is currently day to day with a hamstring injury. Ricky Davis should also have more fantasy value.

Over his last four games Anderson Varejao has averaged 8 pts, 10.3 reb, and 1.8 stls however his shooting percentage has been low.  The potential is there that Ilgauskas could miss the rest of the regular season due to a bad back giving Varejao more opportunities to play.

Kirk Hinrich has once again returned to inconsistent production having scored in single digits over his past three games.  His owners will likely need to cope with this for the remainder of the season.  Larry Hughes owners will likely experience the same.

Over his last four games Thaddues Young is shooting 77% FG and averaging 16 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 1.8 spg.  He is getting consistent minutes although not always starting.

Over his last five games Charlie Villaneuva is averaging 15.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, and 0.8 bpg.  Yi Jianlian has been out with a wrist injury and a timetable for his return has not been set.

Over his last five games, Shaq has been averaging 12 pts, 12 reb, and 1.6 bls.  The rebound numbers are an improvement for him.  As he adjusts further to the Suns, his scoring could improve.

With the Kings out of the playoffs, rookie Spencer Hawes has been getting more playing time.  Yesterday he had 14 pts, 8 reb, and 4 bl in 23 min.  The starter Brad Miller has also been struggling recently.

Over his last three games, Derek Fisher has hit 9 treys and he continues to be a regular starter for the Lakers.

Over his last four games, Steve Blake has averaged 14 pts and 6.5 ast - both over his season averages.

Theo Ratliff has blocked 5 shots in his past two games as Rasheed Wallace has sat out with a sprained ankle.  Ratliff will likely go back to having no value soon.

3/5 Notes

Sam Cassell has signed with the Boston Celtics.  Although he is expected to mostly take the minutes of Eddie House, he may nip enough of Rajon Rondo's minutes to make a fantasy impact.

Over his past six games Mickael Pietrus has received over his season's average in playing time and yesterday had 19 pts and 12 reb.

Monta Ellis continues to be hot averaging 25.6 ppg on 57% FG over his past 10 games.  He has taken only 4 three point attempts over the period.  He also contributes assists and limits turnovers however his 72% FT is below average.

Mike Bibby took only seven FG attempts, his fewest since his first game with the Hawks.  Over his last three games he is shooting only 34%.  Joe Johnson bounced back from a 9 pt game to score 38 pts but has at least 4 TO in five of his last six games.

Jose Calderon had only 3 assists in 33 minutes while TJ Ford packed 20 pts into only 16 minutes.  Ford has been quite productive in his limited minutes over the past six games.  Owners of Calderon should note this.

Earl Watson continues to do a fine job as the Sonics point guard.  Over his past two games he is averaging 19 pts and 8 ast.

Over his past ten games Jeff Green is averaging 31 minutes which is 5 minutes over his season average, but he is not a desirable fantasy player yet unless you are in a deeper league.

Mike Conley has been in single digit scoring the past three games and played only 16 minutes yesterday as the Grizzlies lost their 9^th straight game.  Kyle Lowry received additional playing time and had 24 pts, 4 ast, and 2 stls.

Darko Milicic enjoyed his match up with the Chicago big men going for 21 pts and 7 reb.  The 21 pts was a season high for him.

Kirk Hinrich had 19 pts, 12 ast, and 4 bl and looks to be safe to start again after playing less than 20 minutes in three of his previous four games.

Devin Harris started his first game for the Nets and had 13 pts, 7 ast, and 3 stls.  His three points attempts are significantly higher since joining New Jersey.  Marcus Williams played 28 minutes in this game after playing only 18 minutes in the game before that.

3/1 Notes

After going through a cold spell before the all-star break, Mike Dunleavy has heated up scoring at least 17 pts in his last five games.  Yesterday he had 36 pts including 6 treys however he does not have a steal in his last 4 games.

After two games in single digits, Anthony Parker had 25 pts on 11-14 shooting. Bosh played limited minutes due to a sore knee and is expected to miss a couple games.  Bargnani also picked up the scoring slack with 27 pts although the Raptors still lost.

Rajon Rondo had 16 assists, which was a season high and represents the fourth time he has reached double figure assist totals.  Note he is going through one of his customary offensive dry spells with single digit scoring in the last three games.

Corey Brewer had 15 pts, his highest total since January 11^th.  He has started the last 10 games and averaged about 23 mpg but with generally modest fantasy output.  At least yesterday he got 38 minutes of playing time.

Kirk Hinrich and Larry Hughes each started for the Bulls and Ben Gordon played only 27 min which is lower than usual.  The negative impact of Larry Hughes on Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon has yet to be determined and will likely fluctuate the remainder of the season.

Caron Butler is expected to miss at least an additional week with his injury.  Expect Andray Blatche to have fantasy potential in the meantime.

Kyle Korver's playing time has dried up as of late meaning in most leagues alternatives should be sought.

Jerry Stackhouse has scored 23 pts in two of his last three games but I think it best to do your best to ignore this.

With Sam Cassell out of the picture, Brevin Knight should be a good source of assists best suited for daily leagues since he often sits out games.

Luke Walton has started the last four games for the Lakers and yesterday had 17 pts, 7 reb, and 4 ast however the Lakers lost.  If he is healed he could have some fantasy value in deeper leagues as a starter.

Lou Williams has scored over his season average in three of his last four games including 17 pts yesterday.  He also chipped in 6 ast yesterday.

Note that Brandon Wright has started for the Warriors the last two games and yesterday had 12 pts, 7 ast, and 3 bl.  By the time you get him in your lineup, he could be back to DNP's.

D. Wade continues to log heavy minutes and some may be concern he is shut down at some point.  But the key person in this discussion is Wade who wants to keep playing.  So owners of Wade should keep their fingers crossed.