FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Rodney Stuckey: Doubtful Saturday
Update: Stuckey (head) is expected to miss Saturday's game against the Hawks, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis: No surprise here as the Pistons still haven't released a timetable for Stuckey's return. The Pistons have three games in four nights, so there won't be much practice time available for Stuckey to be evaluated. Owners should be prepared to have the young guard sit out all three games.
Ben Wallace: On the Mend
Update: Pistons coach John Kuester said Wallace (knee) is getting closer to a return, Mlive.com reports. "It's day-to-day," Kuester said. "I'm not sure what day it's going to be, but he's moving around better."
Analysis: The Pistons have three games in four days starting with Saturday's tilt against the Hawks. Hopefully Big Ben is able to return to the court during that stretch. Continue to go with another option until Wallace's name appears in the box score.
Austin Daye: Minutes Slowly Increasing
Update: Daye finished with seven points and seven rebounds in Friday's win over the Wizards.
Analysis: Daye has seen his playing time slowly pick up this month, reaching the double-digit mark in four of the Pistons six games. Even more minutes could be headed his way down the stretch once the Pistons get officially eliminated from the playoff race.
Jodie Meeks: Increased Playing Time Looming?
Update: Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said Meeks could see an increase in playing time soon, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: The rookie out of Kentucky has averaged just three minutes per game in his five appearances since being traded to Philadelphia. His scoring average of 3.8 points isn't very tempting to fantasy owners, but Meeks is one of numerous young players who could have a fantasy impact down the stretch if their teams go into tank mode. Remember to keep an eye on these types of situations during your fantasy playoffs.
Jonas Jerebko: Continues Solid Rookie Season
Update: Jerebko scored 18 points (7-of-13 FG, 4-of-5 FT) and grabbed eight boards in Friday's 101-87 win over the Wizards.
Analysis: The Swedish rookie also added three steals. Jerebko is averaging 13 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals for the month of March, making him a solid play in almost any format.
Ben Gordon: Scores 17 in Win
Update: Gordon had his best game in weeks on Friday, finishing with 17 points (7-of-13 FG, 2-of-5 3Pt, 1-of-1 ST) in a win over the Wizards.
Analysis: The 17 points were Gordon's highest total since pouring in 21 on Feb. 21. His hot shooting on Friday led to more playing time, as Gordon played 30 minutes for only the second time in the past 21 games. Hopefully this is a sign Gordon will finish the season strong, but owners may want to see him string together a couple of solid performances before reinserting him into the lineup.
Jason Maxiell: Another Double-Double
Update: Maxiell picked up his second straight double-double on Friday night, totaling 12 points and 10 rebounds in a win over the Wizards.
Analysis: Maxiell continues to play well while subbing for the injured Ben Wallace, who's out with a knee injury. A return date for Wallace still hasn't been announced so continue to run Mad Max out there in the interim.
George Hill: Scores 19 in Blowout Win
Update: Hill had 19 points and eight assists in Friday's win over the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Hill's role is more as a distributor now that Tony Parker is out, though he still should score between 15-20 points a game.
Manu Ginobili: Will See Limited Minutes Despite New Role
Update: Ginobili will see roughly 30 minutes per game, despite his new starting role, coach Greg Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News.
Analysis: The Spurs keep Tim Duncan on a similar minute leash, and he's responded with his best season in years, so this will probably work out best for Ginobili owners in the long run.
O.J. Mayo: Scores 22 Against Knicks
Update: Mayo had 22 points (9-16 FG, 2-6 3pt, 2-2 FT) to go with three rebounds, two assists and a steal in the Grizzlies' win over the Knicks Friday.
Analysis: This was Mayo's third game over 20 points in his last five contests. He has gone over 50-percent shooting from the field in all three of those games.
CJ Miles: Four Steals
Update: Miles played over 30 minutes Friday and scored 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting. He also grabbed four rebounds, made four steals and dished out three assists.
Analysis: Miles has scored double-figure points in four of the six games in March. If Andrei Kirilenko (calf) is unable to play in any upcoming games, Miles may start in his place.
Carlos Boozer: Game-highs
Update: Boozer scored game-highs of 26 points and 14 rebounds in a loss to the Bucks.
Analysis: Boozer extended his double-double streak to five games with the effort.
Rafer Alston: Done for the Season
Update: The Heat have upgraded Alston's indefinite suspension to the rest of the season, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: Miami needs to move on from Alston and focus on the matter at hand -- qualifying for the playoffs. Carlos Arroyo will continue to start at point guard while Mario Chalmers comes off the bench. There has been some talk about bringing in another veteran, like Mike James, but Alston is definitely out of the equation.
Nene Hilario: Registers Double-Double on Friday
Update: Nene posted 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and one steal during Denver's win over New Orleans on Friday night.
Analysis: Nene is rarely aggressive on the offensive end but he came out firing on Friday night, scoring eight of the club's first 10 points. He was also much more aggressive on the glass and seems to have finally figured out what he needs to do for this club to succeed while Kenyon Martin is sidelined.
Quentin Richardson: Peaks and Valleys
Update: Richardson had the hot hand Friday night, scoring 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including seven 3-pointers, in Miami's win over Chicago.
Analysis: With Kirk Hinrich aggressively defending Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley sidelined by a bruised thigh, the Heat needed its tertiary scorers to fill the void. Richardson hasn't always been there for the Heat in situations like this, but he's riding a hot streak right now. He's made 25 3-pointers in the past six games, while averaging 16.7 points during that run.
Johan Petro: Double-Double on Friday Night
Update: Petro had 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Hornets on Friday night.
Analysis: It was the third straight start for Petro, who has been getting the majority of Kenyon Martin's minutes while Martin has been out with severe knee tendinitis. Petro has averaged just 20 minutes a game over that span, but he's managed to post two double-figure rebounding games. We still wouldn't recommend him unless you're absolutely desperate for boards and even then you need to look at match-ups as the club usually leans on Joey Graham or Malik Allen more against smaller front lines.
Udonis Haslem: Usual Minutes Without Beasley
Update: Haslem had six points and nine rebounds in 31 minutes in Friday's win over the Bulls.
Analysis: The Heat were playing without starting power forward Michael Beasley, so it looked like a good game to target for Haslem. However, Joel Anthony was effective (10 rebounds, three blocks, 26 minutes) and grabbed more minutes than we had anticipated.
Jermaine O'Neal: Season-High Scoring
Update: O'Neal scored a season-high 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting in Friday's win over the Bulls.
Analysis: The Heat were playing without Michael Beasley (thigh) and Dwyane Wade was getting squeezed by Kirk Hinrich, opening things up for O'Neal's offense. O'Neal has picked up his scoring since the All-Star break, averaging 16 points per game.
Kirk Hinrich: Two Technicals
Update: Hinrich received two technical fouls and was ejected from Friday night's game against the Heat, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Hinrich actually brushed up against an official, so he may receive a suspension from the league.
James Johnson: Productive Replacement
Update: Johnson started in place of the injured Luol Deng (calf) Friday night and scored 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting with two three-pointers in the Bulls' loss to the Heat.
Analysis: That's two straight starts for Johnson, who has a combined 33 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks in the two games. The Bulls are off until Tuesday at Memphis, giving Deng a few days to recover.
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