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| Tracy McGrady hoisted 31 shots at the rim in Houston’s troublesome 98-99 loss to Sacramento, hitting just 12 of those attempts (also hitting just 1-of-4 three-point attempts) for 32 points. McGrady also added seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal. We’ve come to expect a better variety from McGrady, but the point total doesn’t hurt by any means. |
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| Elton Brand, F, Philadelphia 76ers | Tuesday 4/1, 11:28 PM CT |
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| With medical clearance achieved and several positive practice sessions in the books, Elton Brand is ready to return to action for the LA Clippers, according to ESPN.com. Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said that Brand, who has missed the entire season with an Achilles tendon injury, definitely will play Sunday against the Rockets, but the forward might return as soon as Thursday against the Kings. Brand, who averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds last season, tore his left Achilles tendon Aug. 3 during a workout. Without Brand, the Clippers are 22-52. Last season with Brand, the Clippers were 40-42 and missed out on qualifying for the playoffs by two games. |
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| Gilbert Arenas has been cleared to play, but his return to the court lacks solid details, according to the Washington Post. Arenas was told that he was cleared during a phone conversation with team doctor Marc Connell on Saturday, one day before the Wizards lost to the Lakers in Los Angeles in the fourth game of five-game trip that concluded with a loss at Utah on Monday night. Arenas will also be withheld from the Wednesday night game versus Milwaukee, but the team anticipates he will be in action sometime during the coming week. Stay tuned. |
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| Leandro Barbosa did what he could to push the Phoenix Suns to better results, but his team fell short, losing 120-126 to the Denver Nuggets. Barbosa logged nearly 41 minutes of playing time, shooting an impressive 11-of-16 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point land to score 27 points on the evening. This is Barbosa’s top point total since February 4th, marking a good evening at the office but also noting the drastic disappointment he’s been dishing for over a month. |
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| The Answer, aka Allen Iverson , helped his Denver Nuggets avenge last night's loss to Phoenix with a 126-120 win at the homestead this evening. Iverson shot 9-of-18 from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the charity stripe to score 31 points. His other stats suffered, posting just three assists and two steals, but without the surge from Iverson, the Nuggets would have fallen short and, more importantly, fallen off the pace for the 8th and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. |
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| With the bulk of the offensive power getting the night off for the Pistons, rookie Rodney Stuckey took full advantage of the opportunity and playing time, going 7-of-14 from the floor and an amazing 12-of-13 from the free-throw line to finish with 27 points in Detroit's 94-90 win over the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves. Stuckey comes out of the powerhouse program that is Eastern Washington, so his massive explosion this evening should shock no one. Seriously, while we should keep in mind this was Minnesota, we should also note the impressive depth Detroit brings to the game. The teams in the Eastern Conference playoffs should too. |
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| Tony Parker, G, San Antonio Spurs | Tuesday 4/1, 10:18 PM CT |
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| Tony Parker was the weapon of choice in the Spurs’ 116-92 win over the Golden State Warriors, going 12-of-19 from the field to score a team-high 26 points, adding seven assists on one of the better nights Parker has enjoyed in recent weeks. With Manu Ginobili (7-of-14 FGM, 16 points) taking the lead on most nights, Parker has fallen into the shadows a bit. Tonight serves as a reminder that he is still capable of leading the charge and that the Spurs are still the favorite in the clubhouse. |
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| Ray Allen, G, Boston Celtics | Tuesday 4/1, 10:09 PM CT |
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| Ray Allen took the lead in Boston’s 106-92 win over Chicago this evening, going 7-of-14 from the field and a strong 5-of-7 from three-point land to score a team-leading 22 points with six assists (2nd only to Rajon Rondo with 10). Allen has that great touch from long range and can blow up for big numbers on any given night, making him a perfect fit on this roster bloated with offensive leaders. |
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| Michael Redd continues to prove his mettle as one of the best scoring guards in the NBA, tonight shooting 12-of-22 from the field and 4-of-9 from the three-point line (as well as 8-of-11 from the charity stripe) to post 36 points in the Bucks’ exciting 119-115 victory over the Knickerbockers of New York. Redd added nine assists, six rebounds, and two steals to seal a wonderful night for fantasy owners, proving his value as one of the top fantasy commodities in the game. |
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| Andre Miller enjoyed a strong evening at the free-throw line, going 6-of-6 to help overcome a poor night shooting from the floor (9-of-21), all culminating in 24 points for the veteran point guard in Philadelphia’s 108-99 win over the New Jersey Nets, adding 11 assists to complete the double-double for the evening. Miller has also been a strong contributor, and while his statistical offerings are not as consistent as the top dogs in the league, these rewards are not terribly surprising from the savvy veteran. |
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| Dwight Howard was as efficient as ever in the Magic’s 97-98 loss to the New Orleans Hornets this evening, going 7-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line to finish with 17 points with an impressive 15 rebounds (all on the defensive end of the floor). Howard’s recent improvements at the charity stripe are both refreshing and somewhat alarming. If he keeps it up, his fantasy value will skyrocket next season. |
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| Rashard Lewis scored 20+ for just the second time in five games, doing what he could to avoid the 97-98 loss to the New Orleans Hornets. Lewis hit 9-of-12 from the floor and a whopping 6-of-8 from three-point land to post 24 points. Unfortunately, the other numbers failed to impress: One rebound, four assists, two steals. Lewis has struggled to justify the big dollars he got this offseason and, as we saw this evening, scoring big isn’t enough (for fantasy owners or the Magic). |
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| Hedo Turkoglu put his best foot forward in hopes of finding a much-needed win for the Orlando Magic, but his efforts fell short in the 97-98 loss to the Hornets. Turkoglu went 10-of-19 from the field, 2-of-3 from the three-point line, and 4-of-6 from the charity stripe to score 26 points with seven assists. Turkoglu has been hit-or-miss throughout his career, but performances like this show he has the potential to do so much more. |
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| David West, F, New Orleans Hornets | Tuesday 4/1, 8:42 PM CT |
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| David West continues to strive as Chris Paul’s riding partner, shooting 6-of-16 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line to score 18 points, matched with 11 rebounds. By comparison, it was a slow night for West, coming in below his seasonal scoring average. However, his star continues to rise and you can bet he’ll come off fantasy draft boards early next season. |
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| Chris Paul, G, New Orleans Hornets | Tuesday 4/1, 8:36 PM CT |
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| Chris Paul has once again led his New Orleans Hornets to an impressive road win, beating the Orlando Magic 98-97. Paul posted his fifth consecutive double-double (his 12th this month), going 6-of-19 from the field and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line to score 19 points with 12 assists, four rebounds, and two steals. At this point, it must be getting difficult for MVP voters to ignore Paul. The Hornets would struggle for half as many wins without him and he’s enjoying a campaign that could become the measuring stick for point guards down the line. |
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| Pau Gasol, F, Los Angeles Lakers | Tuesday 4/1, 6:29 PM CT |
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| The Lakers are reportedly expecting forward/center Pau Gasol to return to action on the hardwood on Wednesday, according to the LA Times. Gasol has been out for the bulk of the last month, missing the last nine games for the Lakers, and the team has struggled without him (going 5-4). Getting him back in action will boost Kobe and get the team back in positive momentum heading towards the playoffs. |
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| Rasheed Wallace was deactivated for Tuesday's game against Minnesota, according to the Detroit Free Press. He doesn't have an injury we're aware of, so it's possible Detroit is just resting him before the postseason. Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups also sat out. |
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| Chauncey Billups was deactivated for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves, according to the Detroit Free Press. Billips doesn't have an injury we're aware of, so the Pistons could just be resting him before the playoffs. We'll fill you in on his situation when more is known. |
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| Richard Hamilton was deactivated for Tuesday's game against Minnesota, according to the Detroit Free Press. Hamilton has been dealing with a hip injury. His status going forward is unclear at the moment. Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace were also deactivated for the game. |
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| Brandon Roy, G, Portland Trailblazers | Tuesday 4/1, 5:50 PM CT |
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| Brandon Roy is scheduled to have an MRI on his right groin sometime in the next 24 hours, according to The Oregonian. After that his availability for the rest of the season will be better determined. Roy has missed the past two games with the strained groin and bruised right hip. If the MRI shows any damage or no signs of healing, Roy said he will probably shut himself down for the remaining eight games. He will sit out a minimum of two more games, and given that the Blazers are out of the playoff race, it would behoove them to not rush their star back into the lineup. We're betting that he's done. |
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| Dirk Nowitzki worked out with his Mavs teammates for about 45 minutes today and is now being listed as day-to-day, according to the Dallas Morning News. The reigning MVP is coming back from an ankle injury. The Morning News' Tim MacMahon speculates that Nowitzki will be in the lineup Wednesday night against the Warriors. Be ready to stick the big man back in your lineup. |
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| Kyle Korver had a perfect shooting night against Washington on Monday as he hit all six of his shots, including all three from long range. He ended with 15 points. He holds a solid .381 percentage from long range this season. |
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| Antawn Jamison paced Washington with 22 points in their 129-87 loss to Utah on Monday. He also contributed two rebounds and a steal, and hit 2-of-3 shots from long range. He tied his lowest rebounding total of the season. |
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| Joe Johnson enjoyed a solid game in a winning effort against Memphis on Monday, as he chipped in 19 points, seven assists, one rebound, and hit 4-of-9 shots from long range, with only one turnover. He is averaging 22.7 points and nine assists over his last four games. |
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| Richard Hamilton is questionable to play on Tuesday due to his hip injury, according to the Detroit Free Press. Hamilton sat out of Monday's practice to further rest his sore hip, and the team is expected to rest their starters a bit with only nine regular season games remaining, which none are seen as big games.
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| Jameer Nelson will return to action tonight, according to the Orlando Sentinel. He has been nursing a bruised jaw and concussion-like symptons but he is ready to return to the court, and will lend solid support to the Magic as he averages 10.9 points and 5.7 assists per game. |
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| Jeff Foster only scored six points against Miami on Monday night, but he held his own on the glass as he hauled in a game-high 11 boards. That was the fourth time that he reached double digits in rebounds in the month of March. |
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| Gerald Wallace played well in a tough 104-100 loss to Toronto on Monday, as he racked up 20 points, eight boards, three assists, and two steals. He should continue to roll as the regular season winds down. |
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| Tracy McGrady is nursing a sore left shoulder, but isn't expected to miss Tuesday's game against the Kings, according to the Houston Chronicle. T-Mac is averaging 21.6 points over 58 games this season. |
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| Andrew Bogut is expected back in action on Tuesday against the Knicks, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He was nursing a broken nose and is going to wear a protective mask. He should remain a big part of the Bucks' offense as he averages 13.9 points and 9.5 boards per contest. |
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| Al Thornton, F, Los Angeles Clippers | Tuesday 4/1, 11:31 AM CT |
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| Al Thornton led the Clippers with 26 points in a losing effort against Dallas on Monday night, as they fell 93-86. He also contributed seven rebounds, one assist, two steals, and a block. He is averaging 32.5 points over his last two games. |
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| Jason Kidd, G, Dallas Mavericks | Tuesday 4/1, 11:26 AM CT |
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| Jason Kidd scored a game-high 27 points in Monday's 93-86 win over the Clippers. He also generated four assists, three boards, four steals, one block, and hit 2-of-3 shots from long range. That was his highest point total of this season. |
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| Rudy Gay, G, Memphis Grizzlies | Tuesday 4/1, 9:59 AM CT |
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| Rudy Gay scored a game-high 29 points in Monday's 116-99 loss to Atlanta on Monday. He also chipped in five boards, four assists, and two steals. He is now averaging 26.6 points over his last three games. |
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| Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks | Tuesday 4/1, 9:55 AM CT |
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| Josh Smith led the Hawks with 26 points and eight boards in Monday night's win over Memphis (116-99). He also chipped in six assists, three steals, and a block. That was his highest scoring outing since February 23, when he poured in 30 points against Utah. |
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| Steve Nash, G, Phoenix Suns | Tuesday 4/1, 8:58 AM CT |
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| Steve Nash poured in a game-high 36 points in a 132-117 win over Denver on Monday night. He also dished out eight assists, with three boards and a steal, while hitting 8-of-12 from long range. That was his highest scoring total since January 22, when he hit 37 points against Milwaukee. |
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| Roger Mason Jr performed well against Utah on Monday night as he scored 16 points with six assists and four boards, while hitting 2-of-5 shots from long range. He has made 18 three-pointers over his last seven games. |
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| Cedric Simmons has been recalled to the Bulls from the Iowa Energy of the D-League, according to the Sun Times. He has only played in 11 games this season and holds no fantasy value. |
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| Shannon Brown has been recalled to the Bulls from the Iowa Energy of the D-League, according to the Sun Times. He averages six points over 12.4 minutes per game with Chicago. |
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| Aaron Gray, C, Chicago Bulls | Tuesday 4/1, 7:57 AM CT |
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| Backup center Aaron Gray remains questionable for Tuesday due to back spasms, according to the Sun Times. He is averaging 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds over 9.3 minutes of action per contest. |
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| Drew Gooden could miss his second straight game due to his abdominal strain, according to the Chicago Sun Times. He has been playing well as of late and hopefully he can return and bounce back soon. |
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| Carmelo Anthony was off target against Phoenix on Monday night as he only shot 7-of-18 from the field (and missed both from long range), but he still had a productive night as he scored 18 points with 11 boards, and four asssists. Great players always find a way to help their team when one part of their game isn't working, and Anthony did just that as his 11 boards were above his season average of 7.4. |
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