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Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, April 17

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay, Caron Butler, Amir Johnson, Will Barton, and Blake Griffin. There were just two games.

CBS Sports reports: Raptors forward Rudy Gay turned in another solid performance during Tuesday's contest against the Hawks. Gay finished with 22 points in the 113-96 win on 9 of 14 shooting from the field. He went 3 of 7 from downtown and added five assists and four rebounds to his stat line, while logging 27 minutes of game action. Analysis: Gay's 2012-13 season has been an intriguing one as he was finally shipped out of Memphis and placed on a very talented but raw Raptors squad. While Gay has had limited problems putting the ball in the basket up in Canada, his shooting woes have followed him up north. In fact, the 26-year-old entered Tuesday's tilt shooting just 41.3 percent on the year -- the lowest shooting percentage of his career. However, he did show some improvement in recent weeks as he has connected on 48 percent of his shots over his last 10 tilts. Despite all of his ups and downs, Gay still managed to put up 18-plus points and 6.0-plus rebounds for the third straight season and should be considered a high-end option in the majority of formats heading into next year.

CBS Sports reports: Raptors guard Kyle Lowry's shooting struggles continued during Tuesday's contest against the Hawks. Lowry finished with eight points in the 113-96 win on just 2 of 6 shooting from the field. Both of his makes did come from the 3-point line and he also added 11 assists and three steals to his stat line, while logging 27 minutes of game action. Analysis: Lowry has been in quite a shooting slump of late. He entered Tuesday's tilt shooting just 37 percent from the field over his last 10 contests and is averaging 9.0 points and 8.6 assists over that span. While the 27-year-old was able to maintain his assist and rebounding numbers, his scoring dropped off by nearly three points per game during his first full season in Toronto. Part of that could the result of the strained relationship he and coach Dwane Casey have as the two have had some disagreements in recent weeks regarding philosophy. While Lowery is one of the better stat-sheet fillers at guard, his poor shooting number do limit his value a bit. Still, owners should plan on targeting him in the middle rounds in most formats next season.

CBS Sports reports: Suns guard Steve Nash was ruled out for Wednesday's season finale against the Rockets, reports the Los Angeles Times. Nash has felt soreness in his hip and hamstring since the Lakers' loss to the Bucks back on March 28 and has missed the past seven games with his injuries. An MRI taken Tuesday confirmed Nash is dealing with “several preexisting issues related to his hip and back, which are causing nerve irritation and contributing to his hamstring pain and weakness," according to the report. The veteran also received an epidural injection Tuesday in the hopes that he will be available for the start of the postseason. Analysis: Nash's first season in L.A. has been an injury plagued one as he has appeared in just 50 games -- his fewest amount since the start of the 1998-99 campaign. The veteran has dealt with a fractured fibula in addition to his hip and hamstring issues as Father Time may finally be catching up to the 38-year-old. Nash also seemed to struggle to adjust to playing with Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard as he averaged just 12.7 points and 6.7 assists per game, the first time in the past four seasons he has not topped double-digits in helpers. Nash is under contract with the Lakers next season, but there is a good chance the team's roster could look a whole lot different than it does right now. Despite his disappointing season, Fantasy owners should plan on targeting Nash in the middle rounds of most draft formats next fall, assuming he is healthy.

CBS Sports reports: Clippers guard Chauncey Billups was finally able to get back on the court for Tuesday's contest against the Trail Blazers. Billups, who had missed nine of the past 10 games due to a groin injury, finished with just four points in the 93-77 win. He missed on all five of his field-goal attempts and also added five assists, one rebound and one steal to his stat line, while logging 18 minutes of game action. Analysis: Injuries have really put a damper on the Billups first two seasons in Los Angeles as he has appeared in just 41 games since the start of the 2011-12 campaign. The veteran is slated to be a free agent over the summer, but his recent injury history could make some teams cautious about signing him. While Billups may still have another productive season or two left in him, he will first have to prove he can stay healthy and produce before we consider him a reliable Fantasy option moving forward.

CBS Sports reports: Hawks center Al Horford was ruled out for Tuesday's contest against the Raptors due to a sore left shoulder, reports the team's official website. According to the report, Horford will travel with the team to New York in the hopes of playing in Wednesday's season finale against the Knicks. Analysis: Horford has been outstanding this season as he has posted career highs in points (17.4), rebounds (10.2) and steals (1.1). He has also averaged a career-best 34.4 Fantasy points per week, which ranked first among all players eligible at the center position this year in standard formats. Horford's solid all-around production makes him one of the top Fantasy centers in the game, so owners should plan on spending an early-round pick on the 26-year-old in all draft formats next fall.

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Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Tuesday, April 16

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Stephen Curry, Greg Monroe, Kevin Durant, Monta Ellis, Luis Scola, Kemba Walker, Goran Dragic, Chris Copeland, Gerald Henderson, and Markieff Morris.

CBS Sports reports: The Miami Heat are resting star Big Three players forwards Chris Bosh and LeBron James and guard Dwyane Wade for Monday's game in Cleveland, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. “These are all legitimate injuries,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Obviously, this is a special place for LeBron, but we’re focusing on being healthy for the playoffs.” Analysis: Wade has been dealing with an ankle injury but scored 22 points on Sunday against the Bulls. He's missing time Monday more to rest for the playoffs than because of the injury. Wade averaged 21.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this season with 1.9 steals and almost a block per game. He also shot almost 52 percent from the field. Wade is a solid must-start Fantasy option in all leagues, when active.

CBS Sports reports: Warriors center Andrew Bogut was held out of Monday's contest against the Spurs as he continues to rest his troublesome left ankle. He has now missed two straight games with his injury and an MRI taken revealed a bone bruise in his ankle. “It’s just the right decision,” coach Mark Jackson told the team's official website regarding Bogut's status. “When you think about it, he means too much to us moving forward, and we want to make sure he’s as close to 100 percent as possible [for the playoffs].” Analysis: Bogut will likely be held out of Wednesday's season finale at Portland as there is really no reason to get him on the court before the playoffs start. While Bogut was able to enjoy a relatively healthy stretch there for a while (March 4-April 2), injuries have once again limited him to just 31 games this season. The 7-footer has only appeared in more than 70 games twice over his entire eight-year career and we really aren't sure he will ever be able to shake his injury history. Bogut averaged just 5.9 points and 7.6 rebounds over his limited action this season, so owners should consider him more of a low-end option heading into the 2013-14 campaign.

CBS Sports reports: Suns guard Jared Dudley turned in another underwhelming performance during Monday's contest against the Rockets. Dudley finished with just seven points in the 119-112 win on 3 of 7 shooting from the field. He went 1 of 4 from downtown and also added two assists, one steal and one rebound to his stat line, while logging 28 minutes off the bench. Analysis: Dudley's production has been all over the place this season, but to be fair, the Suns were one of the most unstable teams in the league this year. Interim coach Lindsey Hunter was constantly mixing and matching his starting lineup and rotations as Phoenix wanted to get some of its younger players some run. Unfortunately that led to a decrease in playing time for Dudley, who averaged just 27 minutes per game on the year 31.1 last season. While Dudley can be considered a decent source for 3-pointers, he only owners in deeper formats should plan on targeting on Draft Day next fall.

CBS Sports reports: Pistons center Greg Monroe notched his 36th double-double of the season during Monday's contest against the 76ers. Monroe finished with 27 points and 16 rebounds in the 109-101 win on 10 of 14 shooting from the field. He made all seven of his free throws and also added four assists and one block to his stat line. Analysis: Monroe's 36 double-doubles are the most Piston since Grant Hill had 44 back in 1995-96. The 22-year-old turned in another productive season as he is averaging a career-best 16.1 points and 9.9 rebounds on the year. However, we expected a bit more from Monroe -- at least in the scoring department -- but most feel he has not even come close to reaching his full potential yet. Even if this is as good as it gets for Monroe, he should considered a high-end option option heading into the 2013-14 campaign.

CBS Sports reports: Bucks guard Brandon Jennings was able to get back on the court for Monday's contest against the Nuggets. Jennings, who had missed Milwaukee's last two games in order to rest his sore left Achilles, finished with just four points in the 112-111 defeat. He went 1 of 11 from the field, including going 0 for 5 from downtown, to go along with four assists and three rebounds. Analysis: Jennings' scoring did take a slight dip in his first full season playing alongside Monta Ellis, but that was to be expected. He still was able to put up a a career-best 6.6 assists and 2.1 made treys per game while giving owners an average of 33 Fantasy points per week, in all standard formats. The 23-year-old is slated to be a restricted free agent over the summer, so it will be interesting to see if the Bucks plan on bringing him back. Still, Jennings will be considered a high-end option in all formats no matter where he lands next year.

Rotoworld reports: Suns: Goran Dragic was terrific in a 119-112 win over the Rockets on Monday, scoring 21 points with 14 assists, five boards, three steals and two 3-pointers in 36 minutes. He suffered a cut over his left eye and received three stitches. The Dragon has been on fire since the All-Star break, averaging 15.9 points, 9.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.1 triples on 45 percent shooting. This is his second strong finish in a row with his outstanding second half with the Rockets last year, so he's shaping up as a nice player to target in the second or third round next season.

Rotoworld reports: Warriors: Stephen Curry scored 35 points on 13-of-23 shooting (including seven threes) with eight rebounds, five assists and two steals in the Warriors' 116-106 win over the Spurs on Monday. Curry is one triple away from Ray Allen's single season record and he'll get a shot at it on Wednesday against the Blazers. The Warriors will break their necks trying to get him that record, and they're also still in the playoff seeding mix. Barring a change, they should run their normal guys out there at least until the game is decided.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, April 15

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Andre Iguodala, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Damian Lillard, Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, Rudy Gay, Shawn Marion, Tim Duncan, and LeBron James.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers center Dwight Howard turned in another monster stat line during Sunday's contest against the Spurs. Howard finished with 26 points and 17 rebounds in the 91-86 win on 9 of 15 shooting from the field. He went 8 of 17 from the free-throw line and also added three blocks and two steals to his stat line, while logging 36 minutes of game action. Analysis: Howard will be counted on to get the Lakers into the playoffs now that Kobe Bryant is out, which could also play a huge factor in where he winds up next season. The 27-year-old is set to be an unrestricted free agent over the summer and there are plenty of teams who will be interested in making a run at him. While Howard got off to a slow start this season, his health and production have improved down the stretch. In fact, Howard is averaging 19.6 points and 12.1 rebounds over his last 15 games on 60 percent shooting from the field. No matter where Howard ends up next season, he should be one of the first players to come off the draft board in all formats on Draft Day next fall.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers guard Steve Blake found his scoring touch during Sunday's contest against the Spurs. Blake dropped in a season-high 23 points in the 91-86 defeat on 8 of 16 shooting from the field. He went 4 of 8 from downtown and also added five rebounds, four assists and two steals to his stat line, while logging 36 minutes of game action. Analysis: Blake was able to turn back the clock a bit Sunday night, but those types of performances have been rare lately. The veteran has only appeared in 44 games due to injuries and entered Sunday's tilt averaging 6.5 points and 3.7 assists on the year. While the Lakers roster could look a whole lot different than it does right now, we don't see many scenarios in which Blake would have a ton of Fantasy value heading into the 2013-14 campaign.

CBS Sports reports: Kings forward Tyreke Evans turned in another underwhelming stat line during Sunday's contest against the Rockets. Evans finished with just 10 points in the 121-100 defeat on 4 of 10 shooting from the field. He went 1 of 3 from downtown and also added three rebounds, one assist and one block to his stat line, while logging 18 minutes of game action. Analysis: Evans was once again a bit of a disappointment this season as the 23-year-old struggled with his consistency and saw his scoring drop off for the fourth straight. Whether it be injuries or just bad luck, Evans has been unable to duplicate the success he enjoyed during his rookie campaign. In fact, he has seen not only his scoring tail off, but his rebounding and assist totals have also decreased in each of the last three seasons. Evans is slated to be a restricted free agent over the summer, so there is a chance he could be lured away from the Kings if his price tag becomes too rich. Still, owners should plan on targeting him in the middle rounds of most formats next season, no matter where he winds up.

CBS Sports reports: Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony was held out of the fourth quarter during Sunday's win over the Pacers after sustaining a bruised left shoulder. Anthony was hit on the left shoulder by Sam Young in the third quarter of the 90-80 victory and was taken out of the game. He went to check back in later in the period, but was called back to the bench by coach Mike Woodson. However, after the game Woodson and Anthony both said his shoulder is fine, but 'Melo added he likely won't play in New York's final two regular season games. "I always said today was a real important game for us to come in and lock down (the No. 2 seed)," Anthony said. "It was a big game for us so now guys can get their rest, I can get my rest and come back full speed ready for the playoffs." Analysis: Anthony's injury is not being considered anything serious, but there is no reason for him to risk further hurting himself by playing on it at this point. The 28-year-old has been on quite a run over the final few weeks of the season as he entered Sunday's tilt having scored at least 30 points in each of his last seven games.

CBS Sports reports: Rockets forward Chandler Parsons was finally able to get back on the court for Sunday's contest against the Kings. Parsons, who had missed five of the past six games while nursing a strained left calf, finished with 13 points in the 121-100 win. He 5 of 7 from the field, including 2 of 3 from downtown, and also added five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block to his stat line. Analysis: After putting together a surprising rookie campaign, Chandler broke out during the 2012-13 season. He entered Sunday's contest averaging 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists and a steal on the season, while also giving owners two made treys per contest (38.3 percent from behind the arc on the year). Parsons will be worth scooping up in the early rounds next fall.

Rotoworld reports: Pacers: David West may be rested for one or both of the Pacers' final games now that they have locked up the No. 3 seed. The Pacers play in Boston on Tuesday and at home vs. the 76ers on Wednesday. Frank Vogel has already ruled out George Hill (groin) for the final two games, Paul George may be done for the regular season, and West and Roy Hibbert are also prime candidates for rest. Check back on Monday for updates.

Rotoworld reports: Cavs: Dion Waiters still has a loose fragment of cartilage in his knee and the Cavaliers haven't ruled out arthroscopic surgery this summer. Waiters missed 10 games due to the injury but he's since returned to play in the Cavs' two past games, and it sounds as though he'll play the rest of the way. "It feels good," Waiters said about his knee. "I'm jumping and dunking. If I can do that, then I'm ready to go." Even if he does require minor surgery, he'll be fine for training camp.

Rotoworld reports: Spurs: Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 23 points on 11-of-22 shooting, 10 boards, four assists, one steal and three blocks on Sunday, but it wasn't enough to defeat the playoff-hungry Lakers. Duncan's old-school post game was clicking tonight, but the rest of his teammates combined to shoot 22-of-67 from the field. Fantasy owners should already be checking daily for updates on Duncan's status, and the risk of a DNP remains sky-high for the second of back-to-back games on Monday.

Rotoworld reports: Raptors: Amir Johnson just missed a double-double on Sunday with 10 points and nine boards in a 93-87 win over the Nets. In true Amir fashion, he picked up his first foul with two seconds off the clock on the game's opening tip. Amir is tied with Dwight Howard for the lead in fouls per game with 3.8 despite averaging 7.1 fewer minutes. Fouling aside, he has several tools to be a fantasy stud and is worth starting in all leagues.

Rotoworld reports: Mavs: Shawn Marion's torrid play continued with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, one block and zero turnovers in Sunday's win vs. the Hornets, which improved the Mavs' record to 40-40. Marion has missed 15 games due to injury this season, but when active he's been a versatile force for Dallas and a solid fantasy option -- he's averaging 12.0 points on 51.2 percent shooting, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. It's a virtual certainty that he'll play out the final year of his contract with Dallas in 2013-14, worth $9.3 million.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Sunday, April 14

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Ricky Rubio, Josh McRoberts, Marc Gasol, Markieff Morris, DeAndre Jordan, Courtney Lee, and Kevin Garnett. There were just four games.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will miss 6-9 months of action with a third-degree tear of his Achilles, the Los Angeles Times reports. Bryant underwent successful surgery for the Achilles on Saturday and the team believes there is a chance he can be ready for the beginning of next season, according to trainer Gary Vitti. "It's a third-degree tear," Vitti said. "It's gone. Completely torn." Analysis: This is devastating news for Bryant, who knew Friday night what was coming. He is done for the season and possibly his career. Bryant sent out a Facebook rant early Saturday morning in which he vowed to work hard to return. He could conceivably be back to start the year next year, so Fantasy owners will want to keep monitoring the situation.

CBS Sports reports: Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio dropped in a career-high 24 points during Saturday's win over the Suns. Rubio, who recently went through a terrible 6-for-41 stretch, made six of his first nine shots and finished 8 of 18. He went 1 of 3 from downtown and also added 10 assists, five rebounds and five assists to his stat line, while logging 36 minutes of game action. "It's a lot," Rubio said when asked about his field-goal attempts. Analysis: Despite his 24-point effort Saturday night, Rubio continues to struggle shooting the ball. While he is averaging 13 points per game over his last 33 tilts, he is shooting just 37 percent from the field over that span and 33 percent from downtown. There is no doubt about Rubio's ability to rack up the assists and steals and he is even a decent rebounder for a guard. However, his poor shooting numbers continue to be a major concern for owners -- especially those in Rotisserie formats. Still at just 22, Rubio still has a ton of upside and we would expect his shooting to improve with age. With all of his injury concerns behind him, owners should plan on targeting him in the early rounds next fall.

CBS Sports reports: Minnesota center Nikola Pekovic was ruled out for Saturday's contest against the Suns due to a left calf contusion. Pekovic has now missed two consecutive games with his issue, but remains listed as day to day, according to the team's official website. Analysis: Pekovic has had some injury troubles of late as he has missed 11 of the team's past 25 games due to a variety of different ailments. However, he has been extremely productive when has been on the court -- especially recently. The 27-year-old is averaging 21 points and 8.7 rebounds over his last seven games on 59 percent shooting from the field. He is slated to be a restricted free agent over the summer, so the T'Wolves may have to fork over a pretty penny to keep him. Fantasy owners should plan on spending an early-to mid-round pick for his services next fall.

CBS Sports reports: Clippers forward Caron Butler was forced to leave Saturday's contest against the Grizzlies due to a sore right knee. Butler, who has battled knee issues earlier in the year, failed to score in his nine minutes of game action. He did add two steals and one rebound to his stat line prior to leaving the game and is being listed as day to day. Analysis: While Butler has had his moments this season, his overall production was all over the place. Part of the reason for this was Butler's role as he was not needed to be one of the team's primary scoring options. The 33-year-old only averaged 15.5 Fantasy points per week -- in all standard formats -- but he did remain a viable source for 3-pointers as he averaged 1.6 makes from behind the arc per game. Butler will be back with the Clippers next season, but unless he is asked to do more, he will only have low-end appeal heading into the 2013-14 campaign.

Rotoworld reports: Clippers: DeAndre Jordan blew up for 16 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in 36 minutes vs. Memphis, showing no signs of the minor knee injury he suffered on Friday. Tonight's performance was crucial, as it helped to expand the Clippers' narrow lead over Memphis for the No. 4 seed. Even if you ignore Jordan's 39 percent free throw shooting, however, his role doesn't lend itself to reliable value. He's playing just 24 minutes per game, enough to average a career-high 8.7 points on just 5.9 shot attempts per game, with 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. Those are low-end numbers which are unlikely to budge until his minutes increase.

Rotoworld reports: Suns: Markieff Morris scored a team-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting vs. the Wolves, including three 3-pointers, but it wasn't enough to prevent another road loss. Kieff also grabbed nine rebounds with three dimes, two steals and a block. He's been playing very well for the past few weeks, absorbing heavy minutes for his short-handed team. Forward-thinking fantasy owners should keep in mind that Channing Frye is still under contract, and Frye is "95 percent positive" that he'll play next year.

Rotoworld reports: Bucks: John Henson had eight points, 11 rebounds and one block in 28 foul-plagued minutes as the Bucks' starting center on Saturday. We hoped for more with Larry Sanders out and the Bobcats' woeful frontcourt as the opposition, but the fouls really did him in tonight. He had four turnovers without any assists or steals, but we'd still keep him active if Larry Sanders is ruled out for Monday's home game.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Saturday, April 13

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Stephen Curry, Al Jefferson, Monta Ellis, Deron Williams, Pau Gasol, JR Smith, Carmelo Anthony, David West, Vince Carter, Josh Smith, and Kyrie Irving.

CBS Sports reports: The Lakers announced guard Kobe Bryant most likely tore his left Achilles following Friday's win over the Warriors. Bryant's left foot seemed to give out on him late in the fourth quarter of the 118-116 defeat and he immediately took himself out of the game. He finished with 34 points, five rebounds and four assists prior to leaving the contest and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday. "I can't walk. I've never had to deal with something like this," Bryant said. He then responded with "MRI, surgery and then recovery," when asked what the next step would be for him. Analysis: We figured something was up with Bryant when he saw him leave the game with the score tied, but this could be devastating blow to his career. Obviously Fantasy owners will have to keep an eye out for the results of the MRI when they become available. The 34-year-old has once again been outstanding this season as he entered Friday's tilt averaging 29.4 points, 7.6 assists, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals over his last nine games and he was ranked third in scoring at 27.3 points per game. Bryant can be considered a must-start when healthy, but that may not be the case for a while.

CBS Sports reports: Jazz center Al Jefferson dropped in a career-best 40 points during Friday's contest -against the Timberwolves. Jefferson went 19 of 27 from the field in the 10 win and also added 13 rebounds and six assists to his stat line, while logging 41 minutes of game action. "I've been in that type of zone many times before. But tonight it was all about the playoffs," he said. Analysis: Jefferson's time in Utah may be coming to an end as he is slated to be a free agent over the summer. The 28-year-old has enjoyed another productive campaign with the Jazz this year as he entered Friday's tilt averaging 17.4 points and 9.1 rebounds on the year. Jefferson has averaged 30-plus Fantasy points per week in each of the last six seasons, so he will be considered a high-end option next seasons, regardless of where he ends up playing.

CBS Sports reports: Nuggets guard Ty Lawson looked sharp in his return to the court during Friday's contest against the Mavericks. Lawson, who had missed eight of the past nine games due to a torn plantar fascia in his right foot, finished with 13 points in the 108-105 overtime loss. He went 5 of 7 from the field and also added three assists and two rebounds to his stat line, while logging 19 minutes off the bench. Coach George Karl told reporters after the game that Lawson was "better than expected," in the loss. Analysis: The Nuggets wanted to get Lawson some work in before the playoffs started, and both Lawson and the Nuggets seemed to be very pleased with the way things went Friday. However, Karl could still opt to rest him a bit over the final few games of the regular season just to be on the safe side. Lawson got off to a slow start this year, but entered his latest tilt averaging 19.4 points and 6.3 assists after the All-Star break. Lawson can be considered high-end option in all formats when healthy.

CBS Sports reports: The Spurs have waived guard Stephen Jackson, the team announced Friday. Jackson, who had missed two of the last three games due to an ankle injury, averaged 6.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 55 games with the Spurs this season. Teams have until Sunday evening to put in a claim for Jackson, but since he was waived after March 1, he is not eligible for the postseason. Analysis: This certainly comes as a bit of a surprise as Jackson must have done something to get under coach Gregg Popovich's skin. However, Jackson hasn't been relevant in Fantasy ever since he landed in San Antonio, so maybe a change in scenery will help him find his game again. While Jackson obviously won't have any Fantasy value for the rest of this season, owners should keep an eye on where he lands over the summer. Don't forget, Jackson is only two years removed from averaging 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals when he was in Charlotte.

CBS Sports reports: The Chicago Tribune reports that Bulls guard Derrick Rose is not expected to play this season at all because of his torn ACL. The report said "Rose sitting out all season is all but a certainty." Rose was cleared for full scrimmaging on Feb. 18. He has practiced well but has given no signs of playing in games. "Derrick has put a ton into his rehab. He really has," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He gives you maximum effort every day. There's nothing more he could really do. Once he feels ready, he'll go." Thibodeau reiterated there is no drop-dead date for Rose to return, leaving the possibility open he could play in the playoffs after missing the regular season. Nobody expects that scenario to transpire, however, which means Rose likely would return next training camp. Analysis: At this point, from a Fantasy perspective, you'd rather see Rose sit out all year and come back in 2013-14 ready to dominate and prove he's back as an elite Fantasy option. If he makes a full recovery as expected he should return as a must-start Fantasy option in all leagues and a No. 1 guard. He could even return as a first-round pick in all leagues. Continue to monitor what happens, and we still value Rose as an elite Fantasy option when healthy.

Rotoworld reports: Tony Parker (neck) returned to action in the Spurs' 108-101 win over the Kings on Friday, scoring 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting with three rebounds and 10 assists in 34 minutes. Pop picked a patsy to get Parker back on the floor against, but regardless of the solid outing we're still going to be skeptical about his chances to play every night. We won't put him on the injured list for now, but owners should be checking his status before deploying him going forward.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Friday, April 12

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Nate Robinson, Jimmy Butler and JR Smith. There were just two games.

CBS Sports reports: Hornets forward Anthony Davis has dealt with a handful of injuries through his rookie season, and his most recent one will bring his season to and end. Davis injured his knee Wednesday against the Kings, and an MRI revealed a strained MCL and bone bruise that will cost him the final three games of the season. Fortunately, no further structural damage was found in the knee, and he is expected to be fine in time for offseason training. Analysis: Davis has enjoyed a solid rookie season, but he will end up missing 18 games due to injury. Fortunately, his injuries have mostly been unrelated, so it does not seem like they will be something to worry about next season. Davis averaged 13.5, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per game as a rookie, despite being on a relatively short leash that kept him to 28.8 minutes per game. Last season's No. 1 pick will have a full offseason to train and add bulk, so expect him to be able to play a bigger role next season. Davis is already a solid Fantasy option, and he should be worth targeting beginning in the fifth round in most Fantasy formats next season.

CBS Sports reports: Knicks guard Jason Kidd played 37 minutes in an overtime loss to the Bulls Thursday, but he struggled to make much of an impact. He missed all four of his field-goal tries in the game, added six rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot. The Knicks lost the game, 118-111. Analysis: Kidd has been scoreless in three of his last six games, as he continues to struggle as the season goes on. Kidd is averaging 6.1 points and 3.3 assists per game on the season, his lowest totals in a 19-year career. Kidd is not going to improve any over this offseason, so Fantasy owners should consider him only at the end of deeper drafts next season.

CBS Sports reports: Thunder forward Serge Ibaka played 28 minutes Thursday against the Warriors and had a fine offensive showing in blowout win. Ibaka scored 17 points on 7 of 11 shooting, with a 3-pointer made. He added seven rebounds, one steal and three blocks, in a 116-97 victory. Analysis: Ibaka took a solid step forward this season, scoring a career-high 13.2 points per game despite seeing just a small increase in playing time. Ibaka shot a career-high 57.4 percent from the field and added a three-point shot, making 20 3-points on 36.4 percent shooting. Ibaka tossed in a solid 3.1 blocks and 7.8 rebounds per game, making him a solid Fantasy option across the board. He is just 24 on opening night next season, so there is plenty of room for further development. At this point, Ibaka should be targeted in the early rounds in most Fantasy formats on Draft Day next season.

CBS Sports reports: Warriors center Andrew Bogut has overcome his ankle issues in the second half of the season, but he appeared to suffer a setback Thursday against the Thunder. Bogut was forced to leave the game in the first half with a sprained left ankle, the same one that required surgery a year ago. He played just nine minutes in the game prior to leaving. Bogut has already been ruled out for Friday against the Lakers, however the team does not expect the injury to be serious enough to require X-rays. Analysis: Bogut had not missed a game since the beginning of March, so hopefully the team is just being careful with him. Given his injury history and the fact that the Warriors clinched a playoff spot earlier in the week, there would be no reason for him to rush back. Bogut might opt to sit out the final three games of the season, however he is just a low-end Fantasy option, even when healthy.

Rotoworld reports: Bulls: Nate Robinson was on fire off the bench in Thursday's win over the Knicks, scoring 35 points with three boards, two assists, one block and five 3-pointers. He shot 10-of-18 from the field and hit all 10 free throws. Nate was fired up most of the game and was doing Steve Novak's championship-belt celebration after hitting his huge 3-pointers. His 35 points off the bench tonight were the most for a Bulls player since Ben Gordon's 37 back in 2008. Robinson will have his bad plays and he was burned in the post all night by J.R. Smith, but the Bulls won't be missing Derrick Rose too bad with nights like these from Nate.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Thursday, April 11

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Kobe Bryant, Tobias Harris, Nikola Vucevic, Damian Lillard, Deron Williams, John Henson (Bucks), Josh Smith, Chris Paul, Pau Gasol, and Wilson Chandler.

CBS Sports reports: Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard went shot for shot with Lakers legend Kobe Bryant for most of Wednesday's game, but ultimately fell short late. Lillard scored a career-high 38 points on 12 of 25 shooting, including a 5 of 11 mark on 3-pointers and a perfect 9-for-9 showing from the free-throw line. Lillard added nine assists and three steals in 43 minutes, but the Blazers failed to pull out the win, in a 113-106 loss. After the game, Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni had nothing but praise for the rookie who nearly foiled his playoff aspirations. "That's about as good as you can get", D'Antoni told reporters. "That's about as good a rookie as I've ever seen." Analysis: Since starting with a trio of 20-point games, Lillard has been the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award, and he will likely run away with it. Lillard has played a huge role for the Trail Blazers while showing maturity beyond his years. Lillard is just the seventh rookie to play more than 3000 minutes in a season since 2000-01, a milestone he passed Wednesday. Lillard is averaging 18.8 points and 6.5 assists per game on the season, and should be considered a high-end Fantasy guard entering his second season in the league. Plan on targeting him in the early rounds on Draft Day.

CBS Sports reports: With the Lakers' playoff hopes still in the balance, Kobe Bryant has been taking it upon himself to will the team to victories down the stretch. Bryant played 48 minutes Wednesday against the Trail Blazers, the fourth time in the last six games that he has played at least 47 minutes. Bryant had arguably his finest performance of the season, scoring a season-high 47 points, while filling up the stat sheet well. Bryant added eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and four blocks, while turning the ball over just once, in a 113-106 win. Analysis: Bryant has put the Lakers on his back all season long, and he has taken it to another level down the stretch. The 35-year-old is averaging 28.0 points, 9.2 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game over the last six. Bryant has no intentions of fading off into the sunset late in his career, as he scoring 27.0 points per game on the season, while posting a career-high 6.1 assists per game. It would be unwise to bet against him at this point, so Fantasy owners in all formats have to consider Bryant a must-start option in all formats moving forward. He should be a first-round pick in all Fantasy formats next season on Draft Day.

CBS Sports reports: Hornets center Anthony Davis was forced to leave Wednesday's game against the Kings in the fourth quarter, after suffering an apparently left knee injury. He had to be helped to the locker room after suffering the injury in a collision with Marcus Thornton. Reports out of the locker room indicate that he was initially diagnosed with a sprained knee, though he will likely undergo further testing Thursday with the team on an off day. David finished the game with 13 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 32 minutes prior to the injury. After the game, coach Monty Williams told reporters that Davis will likely have an MRI Thursday, but that the injury does not seem too serious. “I think he’s OK," Williams said. "I don’t want to jump the gun. I didn't see the play yet, but he said Marcus (Thortnon) landed on his knee. He said he’s a little sore." Analysis: Davis looked to be in a lot of pain when he initially went down, but the initial diagnosis is as positive as you could hope. Davis has been somewhat injury-prone as a rookie, but a lot of the injuries have just been bad luck. We will keep an eye on his status moving forward, though it would not be a surprise to see Davis take the final three games of the season off even if the injury does not prove serious. Davis is averaging 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game on the season, and emerged as a solid Fantasy option in all formats as a rookie. He should be a worth an early-to-mid round selection on Draft Day next season.

CBS Sports reports: Despite making improvements in recent days, Mavericks forward Elton Brand was unable to play Wednesday against the Suns due to a sore right calf. Brand has missed the team's last four games due to the injury, and it is not clear when he will be able to return Analysis: Brand seems adamant that he will be able to return this season, but his body may not cooperate. Brand was averaging just 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game over the previous 10, and is not much of a Fantasy option, even when healthy.

CBS Sports reports: The Knicks reported Wednesday that center Tyson Chandler will not play Thursday night at Chicago. Chandler missed Tuesday's game against the Wizards as he continues to be plagued by a bulging disc in his neck. Chandler has now missed four of the past five games with his injury heading into Thursday's game. Analysis: Fantasy owners should keep Chandler reserved in all leagues, and hopefully he can return prior to the end of the regular season. But since the Knicks are headed for the playoffs they will likely be cautious with Chandler, and he could continue to rest. When healthy and active, Chandler is a solid Fantasy option in all leagues, but this neck injury has ruined the end of his regular season.

Rotoworld reports: Pistons: Andre Drummond is taking a new approach in order to build his confidence at the free throw line. Drummond finished 9-of-17 on Wednesday, and that's noteworthy considering he's shooting just 36.5 percent from the stripe this season. "I've just got to build confidence. So that's what I did today," he said. "When they fouled me, I was like, 'All right, you know you're going to make these, don't trip." Drummond went for 29 points and 11 boards, and his sky-high fantasy ceiling will be on full display the rest of the season.

Rotoworld reports: Clippers: Chauncey Billups (groin) is without a timetable for his return. Billups returned to practice on Tuesday and Vinny Del Negro said the veteran could play as early as Wednesday, but Billups wound up sitting out and there is now no timetable for his return. "I really don't know. It's a day to day thing," Del Negro said. Billups isn't a lock to return before the postseason, meaning Willie Green will keep his starting spot until Mr. Big Shot is back.

Rotoworld reports: Nuggets: Wilson Chandler had 29 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, a block and three 3-pointers on 11-of-20 shooting in a start for Danilo Gallinari on Wednesday, while Corey Brewer came off the bench for 28 points, a steal and two threes in 34 minutes. Chandler looks like the guy to add here, as Gallo's season is over, while Brewer should also be a decent option despite coming off the bench. Congratulations if you had either in your starting lineup tonight.

Rotoworld reports: Spurs: Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting Wednesday, but added just three rebounds, two assists and a block in 27 minutes as the Spurs lost to the Nuggets. The Spurs are reeling, losing four of their last six games, and now are now looking likely to fall behind the Thunder and finish as the No. 2 seed in the West. That would mean they'll face the Rockets instead of (potentially) the Lakers, which could be a blessing in disguise. But with Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw all banged up, and the Spurs limping home, it will be interesting to see if Gregg Popovich throws in the towel and gives Duncan a rest before the playoffs.

Rotoworld reports: Wolves: Ricky Rubio hit just 2-of-8 shots for six points and seven assists in 23 minutes in Wednesday's loss. He was 0-for-10 on Tuesday and may be hitting a wall as he deals with a sore left shoulder. All signs point to him continuing to play through it, but with the Wolves having nothing left to play for, it wouldn't be all that surprising if he misses a game or two in the final week of the season.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, April 10

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Brook Lopez, Kobe Bryant, Jimmy Butler, James Harden, Klay Thompson, Reggie Evans, and Pau Gasol.

CBS Sports reports: Bulls guard Jimmy Butler played a huge role in Tuesday's game against the Raptors, as Luol Deng was forced to sit with an injury. Butler played 48 minutes in the game, his fifth game in a row playing at least 40. He scored a career-high 28 points on 10 of 12 shooting in the game, including 3 of 3 on 3-pointers. He added seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, in a 101-98 loss. Analysis: Butler is playing simply huge minutes recently, averaging 44.2 per game over the last five. As a result, he has been able to put up 16.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. The Bulls are relying on him heavily down the stretch, as the second-year wing had proven to be a capable player. He is averaging 8.1 points per game on 46.0 percent shooting on the season, and can be worth using down the stretch in many Fantasy formats.

CBS Sports reports: Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez was forced to leave Tuesday's contest against the Lakers after turning in his ankle in the waning moments of the 104-96 defeat. Vasquez looked to roll his ankle while driving to the basket on a layup attempt and immediately was taken off the floor. He finished with 11 points and 11 assists prior to leaving the game on 5 of 14 shooting from the field. Analysis: Vasquez just returned from a two-game absence after turning his left ankle and now his right one could cost him most, if not all, of the Hornets remaining four games. The 26-year-old has shown some nice growth in his game during his second year in the league as he entered Tuesday's tilt averaging a career-best 14.1 points and 9.2 dimes on the year. Vasquez has developed into a high-end Fantasy option and would be worthy of an early-to-mid round pick in most formats next season.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers forward Metta World Peace, who underwent surgery to repair a torn a lateral meniscus tear on his left knee back on March 28, was able to get back on the court for Tuesday's contest against the Hornets. World Peace finished with four points on 1 of 4 shooting from the field and also added one assist to his stat line, while logging 15 minutes off the bench. Analysis: The original timetable for World Peace's return was first listed at 4-6 weeks and then amended to four. However, he returned in just 12 days, which is pretty awesome. Still, the veteran will likely be eased back into action, so owners should expect to see him come off the bench in limited minutes over the next few days. The veteran entered his most recent outing averaging 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds on the year, making him a viable start in deeper formats when he is at 100 percent.

CBS Sports reports: Warriors forward Harrison Barnes has enjoyed a solid rookie season, and he is closing the year strong. Barnes scored 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting Tuesday against the Timberwolves, his fourth game in the last five in double figures. He added 10 rebounds in 26 minutes, for his fourth double-double of the season. The Warriors won the game, 105-89. Analysis: Barnes is averaging 10.2 points per game over the last five, up slightly from his season average of 9.2. He clearly has a bright future, but the Warriors have a crowded rotation that leaves them asking little of him. Barnes is a solid player, but he seems to be more advanced on the defensive side of the floor at the end of his rookie season. He has minimal Fantasy value heading into the offseason.

CBS Sports reports: Thunder guard Kevin Martin had another rough shooting night during Tuesday's contest against the Jazz. Martin finished with five points in the 90-80 win 2 of 9 shooting from the field. He went 1 of 4 from downtown and also added one rebound to his stat line, while logging 28 minutes off the bench. Analysis: Martin continues to be mired in a shooting slump as he has connected on just 18 of his last 50 shots from the field (36 percent) and he is averaging 9.3 points over that stretch. Despite his recent shooting slump, Martin is shooting a career-best 42 percent from behind the arc, but is still averaging just 13.9 points per game -- his lowest scoring output since the 2005-06 campaign. Fantasy owners should consider Martin more of a mid-range option overt the final games of the regular season.

Rotoworld reports: Bulls: Richard Hamilton confirmed that he felt good after returning from his back injury on Tuesday. It was the first time Hamilton took contact since he was sidelined in late February, so it's a positive sign he didn't have any issues. "My conditioning won't be a problem," he said. "It's just timing and rhythm." His playing time will gradually increase but the Bulls will do everything necessary to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

Rotoworld reports: Nuggets: Ty Lawson (heel) called his injury a "work-in-progress," but did say it was feeling "a little bit" better. Lawson, who is questionable to play on Wednesday against the Spurs, went through practice on Tuesday, but George Karl deemed his performance "nothing much more than OK." Karl said that it "doesn't seem like he was confident," and said that if Lawson does play Wednesday, it won't be for more than 15-20 minutes. The Nuggets don't want to risk Lawson's long-term health before the playoffs, so expect to see more of Andre Miller and Evan Fournier down the stretch.

Rotoworld reports: Wizards: Trevor Ariza will meet with Wizards doctors on Wednesday to determine the root of soreness in his knee. Ariza's knee has apparently been bothering him for "weeks," but it worsened during Washington's game against the Celtics on Sunday and then admitted that his knee is "bothering me a little bit." "It was just sore. Kind of sore. Hurts pretty bad." It wouldn't be a surprise if Ariza shut it down for the season, and if that happens, Martell Webster would have a clear path to major minutes at small forward.

Rotoworld reports: Hornets: The Hornets are still operating with Eric Gordon playing limited minutes. Gordon hasn't exceeded 35 minutes all season and the team will continue with its long-term plan in order to keep Gordon as healthy as possible. It's just a reminder that Gordon's fantasy ceiling is capped by his health, and he'll enter next season as a gamble once again, but at least owners now have some baseline expectations for him in New Orleans. Of course, it's entirely possible he's traded in the offseason.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, April 8

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Nikola Vucevic, Will Barton (Blazers), Chris Paul, Tobias Harris (Magic), Chris Kaman, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, and Al Jefferson.

CBS Sports reports: Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki was forced to leave Sunday's win over the Trail Blazers due to a sore left ankle. Nowitzki said he came down funny on his left ankle during the second quarter of the 96-91 win, but he was initially able to stay in the game. He got his ankle re-taped at halftime, but decided to shut himself down after struggling in the third quarter. “I said at the start of the fourth it’s a little stiff, and I decided to just sit this one,” Nowitzki told the Dallas Morning News. “Obviously, it got a lot closer than we were hoping for so we had to grind it out down the stretch. I think I jumped for a rebound in the second quarter and must have landed wrong or something. I must have irritated my bone spurs.“

CBS Sports reports: Magic center Nikola Vucevic registered his third 20-20 game of the season during Sunday's contest against the Cavaliers. Vucevic finished with 21 points and 21 rebounds in the 91-85 win on 10 of 20 shooting from the field. He went 1 of 3 from the charity stripe and also added six assists and two blocks to his stat line, while logging 42 minutes of game action. Analysis: Vucevic has been one of the more pleasant surprises in all of Fantasy this season. The 22-year-old entered Sunday's contest averaging 12.6 points and 11.6 rebounds on 51.6 percent shooting from the field. He has also posted 41 double-doubles on the year and is currently the 10th highest scoring center, in terms of Fantasy points, in all CBSSports.com standard formats. Not bad for a guy whose average draft position was 142.8 last season. We have a feeling that will much lower next year as Vucevic will be considered a high-end center in all formats heading into the 2013-14 campaign.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers guard Steve Nash missed his third consecutive game Sunday against the Clippers as he continues to nurse hip and hamstring injuries. Nash has now missed four straight games with his ailments, but remains listed as day to day, according to the team's official website. Steve Blake will continue to run the point in his absence. Analysis: While the Lakers continue to say Nash is getting closer to getting back on the court, the veteran is running out of time. Fantasy owners who are in leagues that are playing through Fantasy Week 24 (April 8-14) have no choice but to consider Nash an injury risk heading into the upcoming scoring period. While the 39-year-old can be considered a high-end option when healthy, owners should start him at their own peril this week.

CBS Sports reports: Portland guard Will Barton had the finest performance of his young career on Sunday night against Dallas. He led the Trail Blazers with 22 points and hauled in 13 rebounds -- both career highs -- while playing 32 minutes off the bench. Barton was an efficient 7 of 11 from the floor, missing both of his attempts from downtown, and made 8 of 9 free throws. He also chipped in with six assists and three steals in the 96-91 win. "Everyone on the team says I've got a special talent," said Barton, who was a second-round pick by the Blazers out of Memphis. "You've just got to wait your turn sometimes." Analysis: Barton scored in double figures for the fourth time during his rookie campaign on Sunday and appears to have some decent upside. This performance should earn him some more playing time going forward so keep an eye on his progress. The 22-year-old has low-end Fantasy appeal for the rest of this season but keep an eye on his status over the summer to see how he's looking heading into 2013.

CBS Sports reports: Dallas forward Shawn Marion scored 20-plus points for the second straight contest on Sunday against Portland. He finished with 20 points on 10-of-14 shooting in the 96-91 win. Marion also posted seven rebounds, two assists and a block while playing 35 minutes. Analysis: Marion entered Sunday averaging 12.4 points on nearly 53 percent shooting in the previous five contests. He also put up 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and a steal during that stretch. The 34-year-old can be valuable in Fantasy during hot stretches -- like his current one -- so keep Marion active in deeper formats.

Rotoworld reports: Pacers: Paul George has shot 3-of-19 from the field in the past two games, but he's not concerned about his brief slump. "I have to get my legs back under me and get my mental focus back," said George. "We have just been sluggish and the energy from this team just hasn't been there." Frank Vogel noted that his team is 5-of-41 from downtown in the past two games, a sign that they are "tired," so it's helpful that they only play once in the next five days.

Rotoworld reports: Hornets: Eric Gordon, who was benched on Friday after yelling at Monty Williams, started Sunday's game and had 17 points, two 3-pointers, six assists and two steals in 31 minutes. Friday's incident doesn't seem likely to impede Gordon's role this season, but it does nothing to thaw his relationship with the team's fans, not to mention Monty. New Orleans will assuredly try to trade him this summer, but it's a Herculean task given his knee problems and onerous contract ($45 million over the next three seasons).

Rotoworld reports: Suns: Michael Beasley, who averaged 15.5 points in his previous four games, finished Sunday's home loss with three points on 1-of-11 shooting. Beasley had hit 50+ percent of his shots in seven consecutive games, yet this atrocious game doesn't surprise us in the least. With negligible assists, steals and blocks, Beasley needs his jumper to fall to offer any semblance of fantasy value.

Rotoworld reports: Jazz: Derrick Favors had 12 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks off the bench vs. Golden State, marking his second straight double-double. In addition to solid scoring and rebounds, Favors has nine blocks in the past two games. His efforts helped Utah win Sunday's game, which restores their slight edge over the Lakers, and he should continue to see close to 30 minutes in the final four games of the season. The bad news is that Utah plays twice next week.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Sunday, April 7

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Tim Duncan, John Wall, Deron Williams, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Roy Hibbert, Kawai Leonard, Monta Ellis, and Brandon Knight.

CBS Sports reports: Wizards guard John Wall continued his hot play during Saturday's contest against the Pacers. Wall looked like the best player on the court in the 104-85 win as he finished with a game-high 37 points. He went 16 of 25 from the field and even threw his palms up in the air after making an improbable 14-foot sideways runner. He also flexed his muscles to the crowd after making a fast-break layup and added five rebounds, four assists and two blocks to his stat line, including swatting a layup attempt from the 7-foot-2 Roy Hibbert. Analysis: While we have seen flashes of Wall's potential over his first two years in the league, we have never seen him play like this. The 22-year-old is playing with a certain swagger that is normally only seen in superstars and his recent play has many Fantasy owners excited about next season already. Wall has scored at least 20 points in 10 of his last 15 games and he is averaging 27.3 points over that span. He is also giving owners 8.4 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals during his hot streak on 49 percent (130 of 264) shooting from the field. Wall should be considered a must-start option in all formats for the remainder of this season as well as the start of the 2013-14 campaign.

CBS Sports reports: Hawks center Al Horford was ruled out for Saturday's contest against the Spurs due to a hamstring injury. Horford, who missed some time earlier this season with hamstring trouble, is being listed as day to day, according to the team's official website. Johan Petro will start in his place at center. “I missed the two games last week because of my stomach but that was actually convenient for me because I was able to rest (the hamstring). I still don’t feel like I’m all there so these days are going to be good," Horford said. Analysis: Horford has dealt with the some hamstring troubles earlier in the year and with the Hawks all but locked into the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, the club isn't going to take any chances. Unfortunately this will make him an injury risk heading into Week 24 (April 8-14), so owners will have to keep an eye on his status over the next few days. Horford has been putting up career numbers for Atlanta this season, so consider him a must-start option in all formats when healthy.

CBS Sports reports: Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (heel) participated in light drills with the team on Saturday in his quest to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season, the Denver Post reports. Lawson said his heel "felt alright" after the workout, but did not provide a timetable for his return to the lineup. "I’m going to keep doing this for the next couple of days and try and figure out what I’m going to do," said Lawson, who leads the team with 16.7 points per game this year. "(I want to play in) at least two, three games so I can get a feel for the game back, get some game-time repetitions in." Analysis: With the Nuggets losing Danilo Gallinari for the rest of the season, coach George Karl said he would also like to see Lawson return in order to shake any rust before the playoffs. "I think he should play," Karl said. "I think how he plays, it might not be 100 percent but he’s got to learn how to play on it when he’s 70 percent, 80 percent. Maybe we can’t get 35 minutes a game out of him, but can we get 25 minutes out of him?" With Lawson reporting some improvement, Fantasy owners should keep track of his status for the remaining five games of the season after he sits Saturday.

CBS Sports reports: Spurs forward Tim Duncan turned in another monster stat line during Saturday's contest against the Hawks. Duncan finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds in the 99-97 win on 12 of 21 shooting from the field. He also added four blocks and three assists to his stat line, while logging 33 minutes of game action. "I'm old, but I'm slow," Duncan said. "So I think I trick people into kind of coming into a certain territory and I've gotten a couple (of blocked shots)." Analysis: Duncan continues to quietly post big-time numbers with the Spurs, but somehow never gets the attention he deserves. Maybe it is because he isn't as flashy or outspoken as some of his counterparts or maybe it is because he plays down in San Antonio, but either way he seems to always fly under the radar. The 36-year-old entered Saturday's tilt averaging 17.5 points and 10 rebounds on the year on 50 percent shooting from the field to go along with 2.6 blocks. He is also the 10th highest scoring forward, in terms of Fantasy points in all CBSSports.com formats, so leave him active all formats for the remainder of the year.

Rotoworld reports: Rockets: Jeremy Lin led the Rockets with 23 points and eight assists on Saturday, making 8-of-15 FGs with two 3-pointers, but it wasn't enough to beat the Nuggets in Denver. Lin has elevated his game lately, averaging 19.8 points, 2.3 threes, 2.5 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 0.8 steals in the Rockets last four games. Backup PG Patrick Beverley added seven points and nine assists of his own tonight, playing 22 minutes, and both guys were able to co-exist because the Rockets deployed an array of small lineups.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Saturday, April 6

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Carmelo Anthony, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tristan Thompson, James Harden, Kevin Durant, JR Smith, Tyreke Evans, Goran Dragic, and Beno Udrih.

CBS Sports reports: The Nuggets announced Friday that an MRI exam revealed that forward Danilo Gallinari suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Thursday night’s game against the Mavericks. The MRI showed no signs of other ligament or meniscus damage. He will miss the remainder of the season. Gallinari, 24, averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 71 games this season. “We’re extremely disappointed for Gallo. He was having a career year in scoring and rebounding and was a huge reason for our success,” Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said. “We will obviously support him and be there for him throughout his recovery. Knowing his work ethic and commitment to getting back on the floor, we are confident he will come back stronger than ever next season.” Surgery will be scheduled at a later date, and a prognosis for a full recovery is excellent.

CBS Sports reports: Warriors guard Stephen Curry was able to get his teammates involved early and often during Friday's win over the Suns. Curry, who is averaging 6.8 assists on the year, dished out 15 dimes -- matching his career high -- in the 111-107 win. He also finished with 18 points on 6 of 15 shooting from the field to go along with four steals and one rebound. Analysis: Curry has now posted double-digit assist totals in three of his last five games as he has been trying to get him teammates going. Despite some on-going ankle issues, Curry has been excellent in Golden State this season. He entered Friday's tilt averaging a career-best 22.6 points and 6.8 dimes and he is once again shooting 45 percent from downtown. Fantasy owners should continue to roll with Curry as a must-start option in all formats moving forward.

CBS Sports reports: Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson posted a monster stat line during Cleveland's win over the Celtics on Friday night. Thompson poured in a career-high 29 points in the 97-91 victory on 10 of 17 shooting from the field. He scored 21 of his points in the first half and also added a career-best 17 rebounds to his stat line to go along with one block and an assist. Analysis: Thompson has been in a bit of a lull lately as he was averaging just 7.5 points and 7.7 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from the field over his previous five games. However, he busted out Friday night as the Celtics had no answer for the 22-year-old in the paint. After getting off to a bit of a slow start, Thompson has really shown some nice development in his game during his second year in the league. Fantasy owners should continue to roll Thompson as a viable low-end start for the remainder of the season.

CBS Sports reports: Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony continued his recent scoring surge during Friday's contest against the Bucks. Anthony dropped in a game-high 41 points in the 101-83 win -- his third straight contest scoring 40-plus points. He went 17 of 28 from the field, including 3 of 7 from downtown, to go along with 14 rebounds, one block and one assist. Anthony is now averaging 43.6 points over his last three tilts. Analysis: Anthony has been lighting up the scoreboard over the past few weeks as he seems to be making a serious run at Kevin Durant's scoring title. 'Melo has now scored at least 22 points in each of his last nine contests and is averaging 33.6 points and 7.8 rebounds over that span on 49 percent shooting from the field. Anthony remains one of the elite options in all of Fantasy , so continue to view him as such whenever he steps on the court.

CBS Sports reports: Bulls center Joakim Noah missed his eighth straight games Friday against the Magic as he continues to deal with a lingering plantar fasciitis issue. Noah, who remains listed as day to day, told ESPN earlier this week that he hopes to get back in the lineup sometime over the next few games. Analysis: Noah appears close to be getting close to getting back on the court, but he is still not ready yet. The Bulls are not going to rush him back on the floor while they are simply jockeying for the fourth or fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, so there is a chance he is held out until the playoffs start. However, because there is a still a chance he could return, owners should leave him stashed heading into Week 24 (April 8-14).


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Friday, April 5

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams, Kawai Leonard, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. There were just three games.

CBS Sports reports: Spurs guard Tony Parker was back in the lineup Thursday against the Thunder, but he was clearly not fully recovered from the ankle injury that forced him to sit out the team's previous game. Parker scored just two points on 1 of 6 shooting in 25 minutes, with four assists in 100-88 loss. After the game, coach Gregg Popovich told reporters that Parker is also dealing with a shin issue, possibly tendinitis, on top of his ankle injury. If Parker is still affected by the injury, he would not give many details after the game. "I just have to get healthy," he told the San Antonio Express-News. "I'm not going to give you any other answers than that." Analysis: Parker has been limited to just seven games since the start of month due to his ankle injury, and now it looks like the injury has been exacerbated by playing on it Thursday. Popovich is not sure whether Parker will play Saturday against the Hawks due to the injury, so we have to consider him questionable until more details emerge. Given the Spurs' tendencies, it would not be a surprise to see Parker take a few games off just to make sure he is 100-percent healthy. At this point, Parker is a risky Fantasy option down the stretch.

CBS Sports reports: The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that Heat forward LeBron James could remain out for Friday's game at Charlotte. James has missed the past two games against the Spurs and Knicks with "heaviness" in his legs and no specific injury. The report does say that James did participate in at least some portion of Thursday's practice and will travel to Charlotte. Analysis: Fantasy owners should continue to monitor what happens with James, and hopefully he's able to play against the Bobcats. While the Heat are giving James time off for injury, he's really just resting for the postseason. Keep an eye on what happens, and if James plays against Charlotte he should be active in all leagues.

CBS Sports reports: Mavericks guard Mike James remained in the starting lineup Thursday against the Nuggets, but he continued to have a minimal impact. He played 25 minutes in a 95-94 loss, scoring six points on 3 of 7 shooting, while adding five assists and four rebounds. James turned the ball over three times in the game, as well. Analysis: James has been in the starting lineup and playing solid minutes, but his production has been consistently lacking for a starter. James is averaging 4.2 points and 5.2 assists per game over the last five, despite averaging 24.2 minutes per game. Despite his role, James should be considered little more than a low-end Fantasy option down the stretch.

CBS Sports reports: Nuggets forward Corey Brewer came up big Thursday against the Mavericks, and the Nuggets will likely need him to continue to do so down the stretch. Brewer scored 23 points on 7 of 17 shooting with two 3-pointers, in 35 minutes, in a 95-94 win. He added two rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block. Brewer was playing with the starters at the beginning of the second half, after Danilo Gallinari suffered a knee injury that could cost him the remainder of the season. If Gallinari is forced to miss time, Brewer could step into the starting lineup. Analysis: Brewer is enjoying arguably the best season of his career, as he is scoring in double-figures for the first time since 2009-10. He has been a perfect fit for the Nuggets' fast-break attack, and it looks like they might need to rely on him down the stretch and in the playoffs. He is averaging 11.8 points per game on 43.0 percent shooting. Brewer remains a solid low-end Fantasy option, with the potential for the occasional big scoring game when he gets going.

CBS Sports reports: The Celtics report Thursday that forward Paul Pierce told reporters if the team had a game Thursday night he probably wouldn't play due to pain in his left ankle/foot. Pierce apparently hurt himself during Wednesday's game against Detroit. He played 33 minutes against the Pistons, scoring 17 points on 5 of 14 shooting. He added three rebounds and five assists. The Celtics next play Friday against the Cavs. Analysis: Pierce returned Wednesday to the Celtics after missing Monday's game because of the birth of his son. He could sit out Friday to rest his ankle, but we should find out the news prior to Friday's game. If Pierce does play against the Cavs then keep him active in all leagues, but stay tuned prior to tip off.

CBS Sports reports: Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari was forced to leave Thursday's game against the Mavericks in the second quarter, with what appeared to be a left knee injury. Gallinari suffered the injury after driving the lane, and he went down without a contact. He had to be wheeled off the floor. Yahoo.com reported after the game that preliminary tests indicate that Gallinari has a torn ACL in the knee, with a source saying that the ligament was loose. Gallinari will have an MRI Friday, and the team will give an update on the injury at that point. Analysis: While we have to wait for the results of the MRI, it was certainly not good to see him go down like that. Anytime you see a player's knee give out without contact, that tends to be a bad sign, but we will avoid speculating on the exact nature of his injury for now. Gallinari was averaging 17.4 points per game in his five prior to the injury, and is a solid Fantasy option in all formats when healthy. Keep an eye on his status down the stretch.

Rotoworld reports: Kawhi Leonard was active in his return from a knee injury on Thursday, scoring 24 points with 14 boards, six assists, one steal and three 3-pointers in 42 minutes. He missed two games to rest his sore right knee and the rest obviously did him some good. Kawhi had quadriceps tendinitis back in December and has needed some maintenance days, but he's a beast when he's active. He might get another day off, but he'll be worth starting in all leagues as long as Coach Pop doesn't rest him.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Thursday, April 4

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Carmelo Anthony, Jeff Green, Ersan Ilyasova, David Lee, Marshon Brooks, Chandler Parsons, Nikola Pekovic, Ricky Rubio, Greg Monroe, and Deron Williams.

CBS Sports reports: The Wizards announced Wednesday that rookie guard Bradley Beal will miss the remainder of the season with a stress injury in his right fibula. He is expected to resume basketball-related activities in approximately six weeks. Beal, who was selected with the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, has averaged 13.9 points, 3.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range in 56 games (46 starts) this season and currently ranks third among all rookies in scoring and 3-point percentage and second in minutes per game (31.2 mpg). He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December and January and set the Wizards rookie franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season with 91.

CBS Sports reports: Celtics coach Doc Rivers knows he has a decision coming, with Kevin Garnett set to return from injury and Jeff Green thriving in a starter's role. Green started his seventh game in a row Wednesday against the Pistons, scoring a team-high 34 points. He shot 13 of 19 from the field and 3 of 4 from three-point range, with six rebounds and four blocked shots. Green played 43 minutes, in a 93-93 win. Analysis: The Celtics are just 3-4 in Green's seven start run, but he is thriving personally. He is averaging 21.4 points, 3.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game in that stretch. Rivers indicated after the game that he may try to keep Green in the starting lineup even when Garnett returns. Either way, Green remains worth starting in most Fantasy formats down the stretch.

CBS Sports reports: Rockets forward Chandler Parsons looked fine Wednesday against the Kings, two days after sitting out a game due to food poisoning. Parsons scored 29 points on 12 of 18 shooting in 40 minutes of action, and he told reporters after the game that he felt fine. He added five rebounds and four assists in the game, while going 3 of 6 on three-point attempts. The Rockets won the game, 112-102. Analysis: Parsons has thrived in the Rockets' wide-open offense, so the only thing that seems able to slow him down is illness or injury. He is averaging 17.6 points per game since the All-Star break, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from three-point range. As long as Parsons is healthy and active, there is little reason for Fantasy owners to not have him active down the stretch.

CBS Sports reports: With another trip to the lottery assured, the Raptors have begun to invest heavily in their future in recent weeks. The big beneficiary has been rookie big man Jonas Valanciunas, who has become a focal point of the offense. Valanciunas scored in double figures for the 10th game in a row Wednesday, against the Wizards, and he was incredibly efficient in establishing a new career high in scoring. Valanciunas scored 24 points on 4 of 7 shooting, as he continued to impress at the free-throw line. Valanciunas went 16 of 18 at the charity stripe, and added 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks, in an 88-78 win. Analysis: Valanciunas has taken full advantage of the Raptors' new reliance on him, averaging 15.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game during his 10-game double-digit scoring streak. The Raptors have plenty of reason to keep going to Valanciunas, and he is showing a lot of skill on the offensive end. He is averaging 4.9 free-throw attempts and is shooting 83.7 percent from the line during this streak. Valanciunas has emerged as a viable starting Fantasy center down the stretch.

CBS Sports reports: 76ers guard Jrue Holiday suffered through the worst shooting game of his career Wednesday, in a loss to the Bobcats. Holiday attempted 24 shots in the game and made just two of them, the first time in his career he has attempted at least 20 shots and not made at least five. He finished the game with just five points in 37 minutes, his second lowest scoring total of the season. Holiday did add six rebounds, eight assists and three steals to his line, in an 88-83 loss. Analysis: Holiday has been in a major slump since making his first All-Star game, as he is shooting just 39.7 percent from the field over the last 23 games. He is still putting up 16.5 points and 7.7 assists per game in that span, but he has not lived up to the lofty expectations set by his first half. Despite the struggles, the Sixers lean on Holiday heavily, so he remains a worthwhile starting Fantasy option.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, April 3

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, John Wall, Earl Clark, Carlos Boozer and Mike Miller. There were just a few games.

CBS Sports reports: Wizards guard Bradley Beal appeared to re-aggravate his left ankle injury during Tuesday's contest against the Bulls. Beal, who had missed 11 of the team's last 16 games due to his injury, told reporters he was favoring his injury for most of the second half of the 90-86 win. "It was bothering me. It was hurting when I was warming up," said Beal, who scored eight points. "When I had the fall in the second half, that's when it started hurting the most. I was definitely favoring it in the second half." Analysis: Beal's return to the court last Sunday came as a bit of a surprise and it may have come too soon as he is still dealing with some pain. The rookie has been plagued by ankle issues for almost a month now, so the Wizards could opt to sit him down as a precaution. Fantasy owners -- especially in daily formats -- should keep an eye on his status moving forward. While Beal can be considered a viable option in when healthy, owners may want to think about sitting him down while he is not 100 percent.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant notched his 19th career-triple double during Tuesday's contest against the Mavericks. Bryant finished with 23 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds in the 101-81 win on 8 of 18 shooting from the field. He did miss on all three of his attempts from downtown, but did add four steals and two blocks to his stat line, while logging 47 minutes. Bryant's last triple-double came back on November 18 against the Rockets. Analysis: Kobe once again proved he can play though his foot injury as he played all but 56 seconds of the Lakers' most recent win. That means Bryant has now logged 47-plus minutes in each of his last two games after alerting the media that he has been dealing with a bone spur in his left foot and was seen leaving the arena on crutches. No matter what kind of obstacles pop up, Bryant always seems to find a way to get his numbers and continues to prove he can not only play, but still produce when he is not at 100 percent. Fantasy owners should continue to roll with Bryant in all formats over the final few scoring periods of the season.

CBS Sports reports: Mavericks guard Darren Collison enjoyed a solid performance off the bench in Tuesday's contest against the Lakers. Collison went 5 of 12 shooting from the field, including 1 of 4 from downtown as he finished with 11 points and six assists in a 101-81 defeat. He also chipped in with a rebound and three steals while logging 29 minutes of game action. Analysis: Collison has scored in double figures in four of the last five games and is averaging 11.0 points and 5.2 assists over that span. After averaging 12.6 points and 5.7 assists as a starter, Collison's production has taken a slight dip since moving to the bench. In fact, he is averaging 11.1 points and 4.4 assists in his last 14 games. That said, the 25-year-old is still playing at a productive level, so consider him a solid option in deeper formats down the final stretch of the regular season.

CBS Sports reports: Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony went off again Tuesday night against the Heat. Anthony tied his career-high with 50 points on 18 of 26 shooting from the field, including 7 of 10 from downtown, and 7 of 8 from the free throw line in a 102-90 victory. He also chipped in with two rebounds, two assists, a steal and a blocked shot while logging 40 minutes of game action. Anthony, who scored all his points outside the paint, became the first player in the last five years to score 50 points without a turnover. Analysis: Anthony dropped 50 points for the first time since 2011. Despite not being able to contribute much elsewhere Tuesday, the 28-year-old is at the prime of his career and has been lighting it up this season. He is averaging 27.5 point, 6.5 boards and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field this season. Fantasy owners should continue to view him as an obvious must-start option in all formats down the final stretch of the season.

CBS Sports reports: Bucks guard J.J. Redick told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he is still adjusting after spending his first six-plus season in Orlando. Redick is averaging 12.3 points over his first 10 games with the Bucks on 42.3 percent shooting from the field. "Finding a comfort level with your teammates, all that stuff. The frustrating part has been picking my spots. When you have four or five games where the ball didn't go in the way I normally shoot the ball, that's frustrating, he said." Analysis: Redick has been mired in shooting slump over the past few weeks as he had connected on just 32 percent of his shots before going 8 of 12 from the field during Milwaukee's blowout win over the Bobcats last Saturday. Maybe that will get him going again as Fantasy owners and the Bucks will need his production down the stretch. Despite Redick's recent struggles, he continues to see 25-plus minutes most nights and has the ability to heat up at any point. Continue to roll with the 28-year-old as a viable low-end option over the final few scoring periods of the season.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Tuesday, April 2

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Rudy Gay, Monta Ellis, Omer Asik, Paul George, Roy Hibbert, Nikoka Pekovic, Al Jefferson, and Kemba Walker.

CBS Sports reports: As expected, Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving was held out of Monday's contest against the Hawks as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury. Irving, who scored 31 points in his return to the court, will not play in back-to-back sets. However, coach Bryon Scott said that could change if Irving's health holds up. “He didn’t lobby [to play] this time,” Scott told the team's official website. “I think he understands we’re just looking out for him. We want him to finish the season on a good note, and healthy going into next season.” Analysis: This was the plan all along, as Irving was ruled out for Monday's tilt before he even stepped on the court Sunday night. However, the Cavaliers not have any other back-to-backs scheduled during Week 23 (April 1-7), meaning Irving should be able to suit up for three games. The 20-year-old has performed like a must-start option all season along, including in his return to the court against the Hornets. Fantasy owners should have Irving active in all formats now that he is playing again.

CBS Sports reports: Nuggets guard Ty Lawson is not expected to be available for Wednesday's contest against the Jazz as well as Thursday's tilt versus Dallas due to a plantar fascia tear in his right heel, reports the Denver Post. Lawson has already missed four of Denver's last five games with the injury and coach George Karl thinks it will be weeks before he is pain free. “I’m optimistic that this injury was kind of a blessing – I have a feel that he had somewhat of a tear, that’s untreatable. You can rest it, rest it, and that doesn't work. But popping it creates a situation where once the soreness goes away and it stretches it, you probably should be pain-free and it could come in a couple weeks. That’s our job – his job and our job – to get him feeling 100 percent and having confidence playing. I think it’s a situation to where it’s going to work it’s way out," Karl said.

CBS Sports reports: Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after the team officially listed his timetable to return from a right hamstring strain at three to four weeks, the San Antonio Express-News reports. Ginobili, who missed Sunday's showdown against Miami because of the issue, will be sidelined for the Spurs' last nine games and his availability for the start of the NBA playoffs is in doubt. Analysis: Ginobili has been plagued by a hamstring issue for most of the year and will now finish with fewer than 60 games played for the second straight season. The shooting guard, who will turn 36 during the offseason, has experienced a drop in accuracy this season and is averaging just 42.6 percent from the field -- his lowest clip since 2003-04. Fantasy owners should discard Ginobili in all seasonal formats at this point.

CBS Sports reports: Bucks center Larry Sanders turned in his best offensive game of the season during Monday's blowout win over the Bobcats. Sanders finished with a career-high 24 points in the 131-102 win on 11 of 19 shooting from the field. He went 2 of 4 from the charity stripe and also added 13 rebounds and two assists to his stat line, while logging 31 minutes of game action. Analysis: Sanders continues to play at a high level for the Bucks as he has now notched a double-double in four of his last five contests. He is averaging 17.4 points and 11.4 rebounds over that span on 60 percent shooting from the field and seems poised to finish out the season on a high note.

CBS Sports reports: Raptors forward Rudy Gay was able to deliver a bounce-back performance during Monday's contest against the Pistons. Gay, who scored just 11 points the last time he was on the court, finished with a season-high 34 points in the 108-98 defeat. He went 13 of 18 from the field, including making all four of his attempts from downtown, and also added six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block to his stat line, while logging 40 minutes of game action. Analysis: Gay's 2012-13 season has been an interesting one to say the least. The 26-year-old ended up switching conferences after being dealt to the Raptors and has been playing through some back discomfort in recent weeks. While Gay continues to have no problem putting the ball in the basket (18 ppg), he could never seem to find his range this season. In fact, Gay entered his latest tilt shooting a career-worst 40.8 percent from the field, including 29.3 percent from downtown. However, he still managed to put up 18 points and 6-plus rebounds for the third straight and can be considered a high-end option in all formats whenever he steps on the court.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, April 1

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Greivis Vasquez, Kyrie Irving, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, John Wall and Ryan Anderson.

CBS Sports reports: Coach Doc Rivers told reporters following Sunday's loss to the Knicks that he would likely keep forward Paul Pierce out of the lineup Monday against the Timberwolves. Pierce, who has been playing through a neck injury, tweaked his right ankle in the first quarter of the 108-89 loss to New York. Pierce finished with 24 points on 6 of 16 shooting from the field to go along with a 15 rebounds and five assists. "It's just a little sore," Pierce said. "I turned it in the first quarter. It shouldn't be a problem." Analysis: Pierce insisted that his ankle was fine after the game, but it sounds like Rivers was planning to give him a day off anyway. Boston is slated to play four times during Fantasy Week 23 (April 1-7), so Pierce would still be in line to suit up for three games, assuming he returns by Wednesday.

CBS Sports reports: Wizards guard Bradley Beal was able to get back on the court for Sunday's contest against the Raptors. Beal, who had missed the past five games after re-aggravating a previous left ankle injury, finished with a team-high 24 points in the 109-92 win on 8 of 14 shooting from the field. He matched a career high with six 3-pointers and also added four assists and two rebounds to his stat line, while logging 30 minutes off the bench. Analysis: Coach Randy Wittman told reporters on Friday that Beal would need another week before he was even ready to test out his injured ankle, which apparently meant he would be available for Sunday's tilt. However, we will take it as Beal will be a welcome addition to many Fantasy rosters this week. While the rookie may continue to come off the bench at first, he has obviously shown the ability to still get his numbers as a reserve. Beal is averaging 14 points and 1.6 made treys per game, so owners should plan on getting him active heading into Week 23 (April 1-7). The Wizards are slated to play four times in the upcoming scoring period.

CBS Sports reports: Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving scored 31 points in his return to the court during Sunday's contest against the Hornets. Irving, who had missed the previous eight games due to a sprained left shoulder, scored 17 points in the first half, with 15 of those coming in the second quarter. He went 11 of 20 from the field, including 3 of 5 from downtown, and also added six assists and two rebounds to his stat line, while logging 29 minutes of game action. "I feel good," Irving said. "My body is holding up right now. I hit a few shots bit I just wanted to win." Analysis: Irving's return to the court is certainly a welcome surprise for Fantasy owners, but there is a bit of a catch. It appears Irving will not play in any back-to-back sets as he has already been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Hawks. However, Cleveland does not have any other back-to-backs scheduled during Week 23 (April 1-7), meaning Irving should be able to suit up for three games. The 20-year-old is averaging 23 points and 5.7 assists on the season and did not show any ill-effects from his shoulder injury Sunday night. Fantasy owners should plan on getting him active during the upcoming scoring period.

CBS Sports reports: Coach Gregg Popovich told reporters Sunday that guard Manu Ginobili (hamstring) could be out weeks rather than days with his strained right hamstring. Ginobili strained his right hamstring during the first quarter of Friday's contest against the Clippers and was ruled out for Sunday's tilt versus Miami. “It’s a huge blow for us,” Popovich told the San Antonio Express, “because he’s the guy that allows our second team to do what they've been doing all year long." Analysis: Popvich said he isn't sure if Ginobili's injury would stretch into the postseason, which would be a huge blow for San Antonio's title hopes. Unfortunately we saw the writing on the wall with Ginobili when he first went down on Friday and it appears the veteran will be sidelined for at least the next few weeks. As always, we will bring you the latest details regarding his status when they become available, but owners should plan on being without Ginobili for a while. The 35-year-old is averaging 11.9 points, 4.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds on the year and can be considered a viable start in most formats when healthy.

CBS Sports reports: Knicks center Tyson Chandler, who has now missed 10 straight games due to a neck issue, told reporters he is hoping to return to the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Heat. Chandler was able to partake in a light workout prior to Sunday's game against the Celtics. "That is the first time I've been able to lift my arms above my shoulders without feeling the pinch and spasm," Chandler told the Bergen Record. Analysis: It sounds like Chandler is slowly but surely starting to feel better, but that doesn't mean he will be able to play Tuesday. Fantasy owners should will have to continue to monitor his status leading up to when lineups lock on Monday night to see if there is any new information regarding his status. Chandler can be considered a must-start option in all formats when healthy, but he remains a huge injury risk heading into Week 23 (April 1-7).


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Saturday, March 30

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Gerald henderson, Tobias Harris (Magic), JR Smith, Paul Pierce, John Wall, Mo Williams, Evan Turner and Jeff Green.

CBS Sports reports: Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson was once again the lone bright spot for him team during Friday's contest against the Knicks. Henderson matched his career high with 35 points in the 111-102 defeat on 9 of 16 shooting from the field. He went 15 of 17 from the free-throw line and also added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals to his stat line, while logging 46 minutes of game action. Analysis: Henderson has been very quietly putting up big-time numbers of late, but no one talks about it because he is in Charlotte. The 25-year-old is now averaging 24.7 points over his last nine contests to go along with 5.0 rebounds,3.2 assists and 1.1 steals on 52 percent shooting from the field. Despite playing for the Bobcats, Henderson should be active in all formats while he is playing like this.

CBS Sports reports: Knicks guard J.R. Smith posted his third straight 30-point outing during Friday's contest against the Bobcats. Smith poured in a season-high 37 points in the 111-102 win on 12 of 18 shooting from the field. He made both of his attempts from downtown and also added two rebounds, one steal and one assist to his stat line, while logging 37 minutes off the bench. "Last run I was on like this was in high school and that was too easy," Smith said. Analysis: Smith has really stepped up his production in recent weeks as he has become a scoring machine off the bench. The 27-year-old has now scored at least 20 points in seven of his last 10 games and he is averaging 25 points over that span on 48.8 percent shooting from the field. He is also giving owners nearly two made 3-pointers per game during his most recent run as well as 5.1 rebounds. Smith has always been known as a streaky player throughout his career, so owners should take advantage and leave him active while he is scorching.

CBS Sports reports: Celtics forward Paul Pierce messed around and got a triple-double during Friday's contest against the Hawks. Pierce finished with 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in the 118-107 win on 8 of 18 shooting from the field. He also added one steal and one block to his stat line, while earning ringing endorsements from his teammates. "Paul just gets everybody involved," guard Avery Bradley said. "I love playing with him. He just wants to win." Analysis: Pierce did seem to get a bit nicked up Friday night as well, but that is nothing new. The veteran has taken his share of bumps and bruises this season and has been playing through a neck issue for weeks. However, he has only missed two games all year along and entered Friday's tilt averaging 21 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists over his last five games. As long as Pierce can keep himself on the court, owners should keep him active in all formats moving forward.

CBS Sports reports: Magic forward Tobias Harris continued his recent scoring surge during Friday's contest against the Wizards. Harris finished with a career-high 30 points in the 97-92 win, hitting three free throws in the final 14 seconds of the game. He 11 of 21 from the field and also added 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks to his stat line, while logging 45 minutes of game action. Analysis: Harris continues to thrive with the Magic and he has become quite the pickup off the waiver wire as well. The 20-year-old is now averaging 20.6 points and 9.0 rebounds over his last five games and is shooting 48 percent shooting from the field over that stretch. Harris should continue to see major minutes with the Magic going young down the stretch, so continue to roll with the second-year forward in all formats moving forward.

CBS Sports reports: The Denver Nuggets report that guard Ty Lawson has a plantar fascia tear in his right heel and will miss Friday's game against the Nets. No surgery is required for Lawson, but his status is day to day. Lawson was able to play Wednesday against the Spurs, but he was clearly not at 100 percent because of the heel injury. Analysis: This news comes at the worst time for Fantasy owners who were hoping Lawson would be back at full strength during the playoffs. With the Nuggets headed for the NBA playoffs they will be cautious with Lawson, so we might not see him much during the rest of the regular season. Keep an eye on what develops, but Fantasy owners should prepare to be without Lawson for the near future.

Rotoworld reports: Blazers: Meyers Leonard started on Friday for injured LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle), scoring 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting with three rebounds and one assist over 33 minutes in the Blazers' 105-95 home loss to the Jazz. Leonard did not have a steal or block and when you get past the athleticism there's not much there. He has a decent outlook when it comes to playing time, as the Blazers will be out of the playoff hunt soon and it will make sense to develop him, but he could struggle to maintain any real fantasy value.

Rotoworld reports: Jazz: Derrick Favors started the second half of Friday's game, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and no steals or blocks in 27 minutes. Favors hit 6-of-8 shots and after the game Ty Corbin said he made the switch between he and Paul Millsap because Millsap had three fouls. Yes, it could be the start of something new, but it could also be nothing and the duo's value will likely remain similar regardless of who starts.

Rotoworld reports: Nuggets: Danilo Gallinari was rested on Thursday but played 32 minutes in the Nuggets' 109-87 win over the Nets on Friday, scoring 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting (no threes) with five rebounds and six assists. Gallo's status was never in doubt and he can be used as you normally would use him. Andre Iguodala scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting with three rebounds, eight assists, two steals, a block and a three, and Andre Miller was quiet despite Ty Lawson's absence with 12 points and three assists in 27 minutes.

Rotoworld reports: Nets: Reggie Evans scored 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting with 16 rebounds in 33 minutes on Friday against the Nuggets. Evans went nuts with 22 points and 26 boards on Wednesday, but it's hard to see him bucking a season-long trend of disappearing on offense. He's playing well enough to be owned in most formats right now, and keep in mind that in the season's last meaningful week he will have four games.



Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Friday, March 29

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, Larry Sanders, Luis Scola, Isaiah Thomas and Monta Ellis. There were just three games.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was not available for comment after Thursday's loss to the Bucks, and it shortly became clear why that was the case. The team announced after the game that Bryant was receiving treatment for a bone spur in his left foot that has been bothering him for a while. Bryant will be forced to see a foot specialist when the team gets to Sacramento Friday. The extent of the injury is not currently known, however he was spotted on crutches leaving the arena after the game. Analysis: The obvious question here is whether Bryant's foot injury is at all related to the ankle injury that cost him some time last week. Bryant returned quickly from that ankle injury, but it is not clear how long this will cost him. For the time being, we have to assume that Bryant is questionable for Saturday's game against the Kings, until more details emerge. We know it takes a lot to keep Bryant off the floor, so we will see how this one affects him. When healthy, Bryant is obviously one of the top Fantasy options in the game.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers guard Steve Nash got off to a quick start to Thursday's game against the Bucks, but his night came to a quick end due to a variety of injuries. According to coach Mike D'Antoni, Nash injured his back, hamstring and hip in the team's previous game Wednesday but was initially able to play through it. He scored 16 points and had six assists in just 23 minutes, but he stiffened up at halftime. Nash began the third quarter with three turnovers and was eventually pulled from the game. He went to the locker room to try to stretch, but the injuries ultimately kept him out of the game for good. D'Antoni expects Nash to be ready to play in Sacramento Saturday, despite the issues. Analysis: Given Nash's age and recent injury history, these kinds of minor injuries are not out of the ordinary. Nash should be able to get loose in time for Saturday's game, but it would not be completely surprising if he dealt with issues in the next few days. This injury comes at a bad time, as Nash is starting to round into form late in the season. Nash is averaging 16.2 points and 6.4 assists per game over the last five. Assuming Nash is able to play as expected Saturday, he should remain a solid Fantasy option in all formats.

CBS Sports reports: Pacers forward Danny Granger has reportedly been making progress in recent days in his recover from a lingering knee injury, but he hit a season-ending snag Thursday. The Pacers announced that Granger has been re-evaluated and will require surgery to repair the knee, ending his season for good. Granger visited with surgeon Dr. James Andrews and surgery was recommended, as less invasive treatment options have proven ineffective. Granger will be ready for the start of next season, after appearing in just five games due to the injury. Analysis: This is a surprising turn of events, as the team has given every indication in recent days that they expected Granger to return on their current road trip. Now, they will have to fight through the playoffs without their highest-paid player. Granger did not look right in his brief return in February, and the team never really seemed confident that he would be able to play a big role this season anyways -- now we know why. The good news is this is not expected to be a long-term issue and he has an entire offseason to recover, but he obviously has no Fantasy value his season. Granger can be cut in all Fantasy formats.

CBS Sports reports: Suns forward Michael Beasley remains inscrutable, as he scored 14 points off the bench against the Kings Thursday, just one night after scoring just two points. Beasley played 24 minutes off the bench in the game, scoring his 14 on 7 of 14 shooting. He added eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block, while turning the ball over just once in a 114-103 loss. Analysis: If you feel comfortable relying on Beasley, go ahead, but his performance this season is not deserving of that trust. Beasley is averaging 9.9 points per game in the month of March, but has reached double figures just eight times in 14 games. We expected a breakout from Beasley as a possible focal point in Phoenix, but they have clearly had no interest in featuring him consistently. The former No. 2 overall pick is averaging 10.0 points per game on the season, and can be left for just the deepest Fantasy formats down the stretch.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Thursday, March 28

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Kemba Walker, Tobias Harris (Magic), LeBron James, Reggie Evans (Nets), Jeff Teague, Roy Hibbert, Gerald Henderson, and JR Smith.

CBS Sports reports: Nets forward Reggie Evans' strong run of play might have peaked Wednesday against the Trail Blazers, as he absolutely dominated the game. Evans scored a season-high 22 points, with much of his offense coming as a result of his activity on the boards. Evans controlled the glass all game long, snagging a career-high 26 rebounds, including 12 on the offensive end of the court. Evans shot 9 of 13 from the field, and added three assists and a steal in 35 minutes, in a 111-93 win. Analysis: Evans is anything but a prototypical Fantasy option, but his production is starting to be hard to ignore. He is averaging just 7.3 points per game in the month of March, but he has been incredible on the boards. Evans is adding 15.5 rebounds per game in that span, more than making up for his lacking offense. Evans has four 20-rebound games in the month. At this point, Evans is worth getting active in most deeper Fantasy formats down the stretch.

CBS Sports reports: Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge was briefly sidelined Wednesday against he Nets, as he suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of the game. He was able to return, but ultimately left the game for good in the fourth quarter due to the injury. He played well prior to leaving, scoring 24 points on 11 of 14 shooting in 32 minutes. He added four rebounds and three assists, in a game the Blazers would go on to lose, 111-93. Analysis: Hopefully this injury does not prove to be a lingering one that forces him to miss time, as Aldridge has been playing at an exceptionally-high level recently. Aldridge is averaging 21.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in the month of March, with nine double-doubles in 14 games. We will keep an eye on Aldridge's status moving forward, as he remains a must-start Fantasy option in all formats.

CBS Sports reports: 76ers guard Jrue Holiday had another poor shooting performance Wednesday against the Bucks, a recurring theme in the month of March. Holiday shot just 6 of 17 from the field, however he added two 3-pointers and was 4 of 4 at the free-throw line to wind up with 18 points. He added six assists and four rebounds, while turning the ball over six times in 37 minutes, in a 100-92 win. Analysis: Holiday is shooting just 39.2 percent from the field in the month of March, but is still putting up 16.1 points per game, largely thanks to a season-best 43.4 percent mark on 3-pointers. He has already hit a season-high 23 threes in the month. Holiday is adding 8.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game in the month, so Fantasy owners cannot complain too much about a dip in his shooting. At this point in the season, he remains a high-end Fantasy option in all formats down the stretch.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant turned in his third straight solid performance since returning from his ankle injury on Wednesday night against the Timberwolves. He led Los Angeles with 31 points and dished out seven assists in the 120-117 win. He went 12 for 21 from the floor, including 3 for 7 from downtown, and made 4 of 6 free throws. Bryant, who played 38 minutes, also chipped in with three rebounds, a steal and a block in the victory. Analysis: Bryant is averaging 29.3 points with seven assists, five rebounds and a steal in the last three games and has shown no signs of his sprained ankle. He continues to be one of the better scoring options in Fantasy and has picked up his other production as well. The 34-year-old remains an elite guard so keep Bryant active in all formats.

CBS Sports reports: Jazz forward Derrick Favors came just one point shot of his second double-double in a row Wednesday, as he continues to see a decent amount of minutes off the bench. Favors snagged 13 rebounds and added nine points in 25 minutes against the Suns, while adding two blocks and two steals. The Jazz would go on to win the game, 103-88. Favors might see a boost in playing time in the next few games, as reserve center Enes Kanter was forced to leave the game with a shoulder injury. Analysis: Favors has actually seen more playing time than Paul Millsap at times recently, though he is still very much in a timeshare. Favors is averaging 8.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game over the last five games, and remains more of a low-end Fantasy option in his current role down the stretch.

Rotoworld reports: Nets: Gerald Wallace had 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals on 5-of-12 shooting on a night the Nets couldn't do much wrong. They got an easy win at Portland and while Wallace's play was encouraging, especially when you consider he has been nursing sore feet, he's been too inconsistent to be trusted in fantasy leagues. Maybe this is a sign he's about to get hot, so just keep an eye on him.

Rotoworld reports: Kings: Isaiah Thomas came through with 31 points, three boards, seven assists, a steal and a career-high seven 3-pointers on 10-of-18 shooting in Wednesday's win over the Warriors. Thomas was likely motivated to play well against Stephen Curry, and certainly answered the call tonight. The Kings win the season series 3-1 and the Warriors are thankful they won't have to see the Kings in the playoffs. Thomas had 25 points and four treys on Sunday, and should be in all lineups until further notice. It took some time, but he's finally become the player we were expecting to see back in November, when Keith Smart decided to make things far too difficult before finally jumping on board with IT2.

Rotoworld reports: Nuggets: Wilson Chandler played 34 minutes off the bench on Wednesday, scoring 15 points with five boards, three assists and one steal against the Spurs. He picked up some extra playing time with Ty Lawson dealing with a heel injury and Andre Miller playing almost all of his minutes at point guard. Chandler dropped a career-high 35 points with Lawson in the lineup last week and is worth an add in standard leagues. Although, the Nuggets are off until Wednesday following Friday's game.

Rotoworld reports: Pacers: Roy Hibbert was dominant against the Rockets on Wednesday with 28 points, 13 boards, three assists and three blocks on 11-of-17 shooting 37 minutes. It was his second game in a row with 37 minutes, which is fairly high since he's averaging just 28.6 per game on the season. In fact, he hadn't played 37 minutes in any game that ended in regulation all year. Hibbert was on the short list of flops earlier this year, but he's done a terrific job turning it around.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Wednesday, March 27

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Chris Paul, JR Smith, Dirk Nowitzki, Jeff Green, Nikola Pekovic, and Ricky Rubio. There were just three games.

CBS Sports reports: Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki continued his hot shooting during Tuesday's contest against the Clippers. Nowitzki, who has now made at least 50 percent of his shots in each of his last six games, went 12 of 21 from the field in the 109-102 win. He did miss on all three of his attempts from behind the arc, but still finished with 33 points. Nowitzki also added nine rebounds and one assist to his stat line, while logging 39 minutes of game action. Analysis: Nowitzki has been in a quite a groove of late as he is averaging 21.8 points over his last six games and is shooting a whooping 59 percent from the field over that span. Despite dealing with a sinus infection, this is the healthiest Dirk has looked in some time and he is finally starting to produce the way most owners have been expecting him too. Fantasy owners should make sure to get Nowitzki active in all formats during the final few scoring periods of the season.

CBS Sports reports: Clippers forward Lamar Odom came off the bench Tuesday against the Mavericks, in the same role he has been in all season. He scored six points on 3 of 5 shooting in 19 minutes. Odom, who endured boos from the Mavericks' fans after a disastrous stint with the team last season, added six rebounds, and one assist, while turning the ball over once in a 109-102 overtime loss. Analysis: Odom has been less disappointing this season than last, largely because our expectations have grown so low. He has actually been worse offensively, averaging just 4.1 points per game, with 5.8 rebounds. Odom was once one of the top Fantasy options around due to his all-around excellence, but he is clearly no longer the same player. At 33, Odom can safely be ignored outside of the deepest of Fantasy formats.

CBS Sports reports: As expected, Pistons center Andre Drummond was ruled out for Tuesday's contest against the Timberwolves as he continues to work his way back from a back injury. Drummond, who has been sidelined since early February with his injury, has been able to practice with the team and could be back in the lineup as early as this weekend, reports the team's official website. Analysis: Drummond continues to make strides toward getting back on the floor and he may be able to return sometime over the weekend. That would be a welcome sight for Fantasy owners as the rookie was putting up 7.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals in the 11 games prior to his injury. Keep an eye on his status moving forward. If Drummond can get himself back on the court over the weekend, he would be a great addition for owners heading into Week 23 (April 1-7).

CBS Sports reports: Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo did not have one of his better shooting nights during Tuesday's contest against the Clippers. Mayo went 5 of 15 from the field in the 109-102 win to finish with 11 points. He missed one all four of his attempts from behind the arc and also added five rebounds, four assists and three steals, while logging 44 minutes of game action. Analysis: Mayo's scoring has been on the decline over the past few weeks as he entered Tuesday's tilt averaging a season-low 12.8 points during the month of March. Despite his poor shooting night against the Clippers, Mayo's decline as been the result of taking less shots rather than any kind of prolonged shooting slump.

Rotoworld reports: Mavs: Brandan Wright started at center on Tuesday and had 11 points, seven rebounds, a steal and two blocks in 31 minutes in an overtime win over the Clippers. Rick Carlisle can't make his mind up on his starting center, but it was Wright tonight and he's been consistently better than Elton Brand and Chris Kaman for some time now. He can disappear at any time, but if you're desperate for a center, he looks like the best one to own from the Mavericks.

Rotoworld reports: Clippers: Chris Paul played through his balky knee and went off, hitting 12-of-15 shots for 33 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and three 3-pointers as the Clippers lost a heartbreaker in overtime in Dallas. He committed seven turnovers, but the fact he played so well as a game-time decision says a lot. The Clippers still have three games left this week and owners have to hope Paul's knee is feeling good when he wakes up in the morning. The fact he played at all and played so well has to be frustrating, as he could have gotten some much needed rest and the Clippers would have had the same result - a loss.

Rotoworld reports: Pistons: Rodney Stuckey played just 21 minutes and hit 2-of-7 shots for seven points, two rebounds and two assists in Tuesday's loss to the Wolves. He had 13 points, eight dimes and two 3-pointers off the bench on Saturday, but will likely be an inconsistent fantasy option now that Brandon Knight is back in action (and struggling) from his ankle injury. Stuckey also took a hard fall on his back tonight, but played through it and looked OK afterwards.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Tuesday, March 26

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were John Wall, Jameer Nelson, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Brian Roberts (Hornets), Steve Nash, Stephen Curry, David Lee, Mike Conley, and Roy Hibbert.

CBS Sports reports: Warriors guard Stephen Curry was able to play through an ankle injury during Monday's contest against the Lakers. Curry, who was being considered a game-time decision entering the contest after rolling his right ankle last Saturday versus the Wizards, finished with a team-high 25 points in the 109-103 win. He went 9 of 24 from the field, including 3 of 9 from downtown, and also added 10 assists and seven rebounds to his stat line, while logging 43 minutes of game action. Analysis: Curry was able to play through his ankle issue Monday night, and while he didn't have his best shooting night, he did not seem to show any ill-effects from his ankle ailment. However, Fantasy owners are well aware of Curry's ankle issues by now and this likely won't be the last time he has troubles there. Still, the 25-year-old has been putting up career numbers when he has been on the court as he entered Monday's tilt averaging a career-best 22.4 points and 6.6 assists. As long as Curry can stay healthy, he should remain a must-start option in all formats.

CBS Sports reports: Wizards guard John Wall scored a career-high 47 points during Monday's contest against the Grizzlies. Wall shot 13 of 22 from the field in the 107-94 win and made a career-high 19 free throws on 24 attempts. Wall scored 26 of his points in the first half, including eight straight at one point in the first quarter, and also added eight assists, seven rebounds, one steal and one block to his stat line, while logging 45 minutes of game action. "I was just in a zone. I made my first couple of shots and I knew I was in a great rhythm. Ten points in the first quarter, I knew I had it going," Wall said. Analysis: While it took longer than most owners would have liked, Wall has been playing of out his mind of late. The 22-year-old continues to post big numbers for the Wizards as he is now averaging 26.1 points, 10.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals over his last eight games. Wall is also shooting 55 percent (80 of 144) over that span as all the work he put in over the summer on his jump shot seems to be paying off. Keep in mind it was during one of his shooting sessions over the summer when Wall hurt his knee. However, owners should continue to roll with the third-year guard as a must-start option in all formats right now.

CBS Sports reports: Grizzlies guard Mike Conley recorded a team-high 23 points and seven assists during Memphis' 107-94 loss at Washington on Monday night. Conley, who logged 40 minutes of playing time, drained 7 of 14 attempts (50 percent) from the field to halt a three-game stretch shooting less than 43 percent. He was also a perfect 8 for 8 from the free-throw line. He added four rebounds and three steals, but also committed six turnovers. Analysis: Conley had been mired in a poor shooting stretch recently as he had gone 9 for 26 (34.6 percent) from the field over his past two games. The Ohio State product has still managed at least 20 points in four of his past five outings to maintain a career high in scoring. Conley is still a solid source for assists -- 6.2 helpers per game -- and should be viewed as a high-end Fantasy option for the remainder of the season.

CBS Sports reports: Lakers forward Metta World Peace was forced to leave Monday's contest against the Warriors due to a strained left knee. World Peace sustained the injury in the third quarter of the 109-103 defeat and did not return to the contest. He finished with seven points on 2 of 3 shooting from the field prior to leaving. Analysis: Just when the Lakers get Pau Gasol back in the lineup, it looks like World Peace could end up missing some time. However, the veteran has proved to be very durable throughout his career as, so we wouldn't be surprised if he winds away to stay in the lineup. World Peace has been heating up lately as he was averaging 16.4 points on 49.3 percent shooting from the field over his five games. World Peace can be a useful option in deeper formats when healthy.

CBS Sports reports: Jazz guard Mo Williams' scoring woes continued during Monday's contest against the 76ers. Williams finished with just nine points in the 107-91 win on 4 of 8 shooting from the field. He did make his lone attempt from behind the arc and also added five assists, two steals and two rebounds to his stat line, while logging 25 minutes of game action. Analysis: Williams continues to struggle to put the ball in the basket as he has only scored in double figures in four of the 11 games he has been back in the lineup for. The 30-year-old is averaging 10.1 points and 5.5 assists over that span on 39 percent shooting from the field. Williams was averaging 12.9 points and 6.7 assists on 44 percent shooting prior to his injury, which is a fairly significant drop in production. However, at this point in the season, owners don't have much choice but to ride out the storm. Unless you have another option at the guard spot, owners should continue to roll with Williams in the the hopes he can turn things around.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Monday, March 25

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were LeBron James, Goran Dragic, James Harden, Al Horford, Josh Smith, Tony Parker, Kevin Durant, Derrick Williams (Timberwolves), and Jrue Holiday.

CBS Sports reports: Suns guard Wesley Johnson enjoyed one of his best performances of the season as he knocked down five treys in Sunday's game against the Nets. Johnson went 7 of 18 shooting from the field, including 5 of 9 from downtown, and 2 of 3 from the free throw line. He finished with a season-high 21 points and five rebounds in a 102-100 defeat. He also chipped in with two steals and an assist while logging 36 minutes of game action. Analysis: Johnson has stepped his scoring up as of late and has scored in double figures in seven of 12 games in March. He is averaging 12.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game over that span. Fantasy owners should view him as a low-end option in deeper formats heading into Week 22 (March 25-31).

CBS Sports reports: Nets guard Deron Williams enjoyed another quality performance as he picked up his 17th double-double of the season Sunday night against the Suns. Williams went 8 of 15 shooting from the field, including 2 of 4 from downtown, and 2 of 2 from the free throw line. He finished with 20 points and 11 assists in a 102-100 victory. He also chipped in with a rebound and two steals while logging 37 minutes of game action. Analysis: Williams has been noticeably better of late as he continues to get back into shape. In fact, the 28-year-old has lost 10-15 pounds since the All-Star break, according to an ESPN report earlier in the week. He is averaging 23.9 points and 7.4 assists on 48.4 percent shooting in March. Consider him a must-start Fantasy option in all formats heading into Week 22 (March 25-31).

CBS Sports reports: Mavericks power forward Elton Brand scored in double figures for the first time since March 10 on Sunday night against the Jazz. He finished with 10 points and hauled in five rebounds in the 113-108 win. He went a perfect 5 for 5 from the field while playing 18 minutes off the bench. Brand also posted three assists, two blocks and a steal in the victory. Analysis: Brand is on pace for the worst campaign of his career and does not contribute consistently enough to be considered a reliable option in Fantasy. Continue to ignore the 34-year-old in all but deeper formats.

CBS Sports reports: Jazz power forward Paul Millsap nearly recorded his first double-double since March 4 on Sunday night against the Mavericks. He scored 15 points and hauled in nine rebounds in the 113-108 loss. He went 7 for 11 from the floor and made his lone free throw while playing 27 minutes. Millsap also posted two blocks, two steals and an assist in the defeat. Analysis: Millsap has had a down campaign thus far and is not doing a ton of work on the boards of late. He entered Sunday averaging 11.8 points with six rebounds and 2.4 steals in the previous five contests. Still, Millsap remains productive enough to keep active in the majority of Fantasy formats.

Rotoworld reports: Kings: Isaiah Thomas scored 25 points in a futile effort vs. the Sixers on Sunday, knocking down 10-of-15 field goals with four 3-pointers. He only played 29 minutes, which makes the scoring even more impressive, though he also finished with zero assists, zero steals and three turnovers. His playing time was impinged by Toney Douglas (scoreless in 21 minutes) tonight, as Keith Smart continues to fiddle with his rotations while Rome burns.

Rotoworld reports: Suns: Luis Scola made another start at center on Sunday, but he played only 25 minutes and finished with eight points, one rebound, one assist and one block. It's been a tough season for Scola, who has done his best to adjust to a bench role, wild swings in playing time, a rookie head coach, and the Suns' litany of losses. He averaged 14.0 points in his previous three games but he's been inconsistent all month, and he may not even start Wednesday's game with Jermaine O'Neal (calf) listed as day-to-day.

Rotoworld reports: Jrue Holiday finished Sunday's rare road win in Sacramento with 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, five steals and one block. The Sixers hadn't won a game on the road since January 1st, but they racked up 117 points against the Kings tonight, while dominating the rebound battle and piling up 31 assists vs. nine turnovers. Philly doesn't have a realistic chance to make the playoffs, as they trail the eighth-place Bucks by seven games, but Jrue is still playing like a ring is at stake.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Sunday, March 24

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins, Jerryd Bayless, Carmelo Anthony, Paul Pierce, Paul George, JR Smith, Kemba Walker, and Cartier Martin (Wizards).

CBS Sports reports: Warriors guard Stephen Curry was on his way to another terrific game Saturday, as he was hot from three-point range from the beginning. Unfortunately, he was forced to leave game midway through the fourth quarter, after he stepped awkwardly on his surgically-repaired right ankle after being fouled by Cartier Martin. Curry stayed in the game to shoot his free throws, but immediately left for the locker room. He would not return to the game, finishing with 35 points and eight assists in just 32 minutes. Nothing is known about his status at this time. Analysis: We've been holding our breath every time Curry went down this season, after he essentially lost last season in order to finally get that ankle surgically repaired. Curry broke out this season and has been mostly able to keep the ankle healthy, so this would be a horrible time for him to succumb to another serious injury. We will keep an eye on Curry's status, as the Warriors are off Sunday. Hopefully we will get some good news prior to the start of Week 22 (March 25-31), as he is currently a risky start for the period.

CBS Sports reports: Raptors forward Rudy Gay did not travel with the team Saturday for their game in New York, after suffering a back injury Friday. He was forced to leave Friday's game after just 14 minutes before leaving the game. He is day to day with a sore back, but coach Dwane Casey dropped a bomb prior to the game, in discussing Gay's status with the Toronto Star. Casey said that the team might consider shutting Gay down for the rest of the season, if his back continues to be an issue. "That's something that will be talked about," he said. Analysis: The back to back games ultimately cost Gay, though this injury might end up being more serious than initially thought. He has been dealing with back issues for a few weeks, so we will have to see what happens moving forward. At this point, Gay is a bit of a risky start for Fantasy Week 22 (Mach 25-31), but he should still be in most lineups, when healthy.

CBS Sports reports: Orlando leading scorer Arron Afflalo will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right hamstring on Friday, reports the Orlando Sentinel Saturday. Afflalo has a strained hamstring and the Magic doctors prescribed rest and physical therapy. Analysis: Afflalo was averaging a team-high 16.5 points per game and was taking more shots than anyone else on the roster. This will give the Magic's younger guys a shot to play more. Afflalo has no more Fantasy value remaining on the season.

CBS Sports reports: Nets power forward Kris Humphries returned to action Saturday night against the Clippers despite dealing with a back injury. Humphries, who made his first appearance since March 2, logged 10 minutes off the bench and went 0 of 1 shooting from the field. He finished scoreless with two rebounds, an assist and a steal in a 101-95 defeat. Analysis: Humphries continues his disappointing season as he has been buried at the back-end of the rotation as of late. In fact, the 28-year-old has only scored in double figures once in the last 20 games played. It seems as if he put his back issues behind him, which is encouraging for his team down the stretch and leading up to the playoffs. Still, Humphries is way too inconsistent for Fantasy owners to trust, so continue to ignore him in all formats moving forward.

CBS Sports reports: Kings center DeMarcus Cousins recorded his sixth double-double in his last seven games on Saturday night against the Nuggets. He led Sacramento with 24 points and hauled in 15 rebounds in the 101-95 loss. He went 10 for 16 from the floor and made 4 of 8 free throws while playing 36 minutes. Cousins also chipped in with five blocks and three assists in the defeat. Analysis: Cousins had his best performance since returning from a quad injury earlier in the week and continues to serve as a solid option in Fantasy. While his scoring and rebounding have gone slightly down this season, few players average a double-double on a nightly basis. The 22-year-old is shaping up to be a reliable option for years to come so keep Cousins active in the majority of Fantasy formats.

Rotoworld reports: Clippers: Willie Green started at SG and scored 15 points in Saturday's home victory, hitting 6-of-8 FGs with three 3-pointers, three rebounds and two steals. Most impressively, Green did all that in 21 minutes, while Jamal Crawford pitched in 13 points in 24 minutes, and Matt Barnes added five points and six boards in 23 minutes. Chauncey Billups is day-to-day with a groin injury and he went through some non-contact drills on Thursday, so Green's starting gig may be short-lived.

Rotoworld reports: Wizards: John Wall was ejected midway through the third quarter on Saturday after jawing with Klay Thompson. He finished with 14 points (6-of-12 FGs), three rebounds, three assists and one steal. The Wizards went on to outscore the Warriors by nine points without him in the fourth quarter, but it was still a bone-headed move for the team captain -- his language and stance toward Thompson was so aggressive that the referees had little choice but to give him a second technical. At least he'll be rested for Monday's game vs. the Grizzlies.

Rotoworld reports: Nuggets: Kenneth Faried piled up 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 38 minutes vs. the Kings, while sinking 7-of-12 FGs and 3-of-4 FTs. It's amazing what Wilson Chandler's absence can do for Faried, who hadn't played this many minutes in over six weeks. Chandler is out again on Monday, taking some of the sting out of Denver's three-game week for Faried's owners.


Fantasy Basketball Notes, Tips and Advice for Friday, March 22

In yesterday's NBA games, some standout fantasy basketball players were Jrue Holiday, LaMarcus Aldridge, Spencer Hawes, Corey Brewer, Isaiah Thomas, and Damian Lillard. There were just three games.

CBS Sports reports: The Spurs might be getting guard Tony Parker back sooner than expected. According to the San Antonio Express-News, Parker could possibly play Friday against the Jazz. Parker deferred an update on his sprained left ankle to coach Gregg Popovich, who said it's “possible” he could return then after missing an eighth straight game. Parker returned to practice earlier this week and participated in shootaround before Wednesday's game. Parker's initial timetable was four weeks with a Grade 2 ankle sprain, which would've had him returning in early April, but he's obviously progressing much quicker than that. It's not really a big surprise, though, as Parker has a history of returning sooner than expected from injuries. Analysis: Fantasy owners should continue to monitor what happens with Parker, and hopefully he can play against the Jazz. When healthy and active, Parker is a must-start Fantasy option in the majority of leagues

CBS Sports reports: Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger was able to play Thursday against the Kings, his first appearance in a game since suffering a knee injury Nov. 10. Budinger scored nine points in 18 minutes off the bench, shooting 3 of 7 from the field. Budinger made the team's lone 3-pointer in the game, while adding four rebounds and a steal, in a 101-98 loss. Analysis: Budinger was averaging 11.8 points per game prior to the injury, and will likely be the only reliable floor spreader the Timberwolves can put on the floor. He will likely be on a minutes limit moving forward, but might be worth adding in deeper, category-based Fantasy formats down the stretch.

CBS Sports reports: Kings guard Isaiah Thomas bounced back Thursday from a poor showing in his previous game, scoring 24 points in a 101-98 win over the Timberwolves. Thomas scored his 24 points on 8 of 15 shooting, including a 3 of 6 mark from three-point range. He added six assists and just one turnover in 35 minutes as well. Analysis: Thomas has now scored in double figures eight times in 10 games in the month of March, averaging 18.0 points per game in that span. The Kings' offense has taken off in the second half of the season, so Thomas is putting up those big scoring numbers despite averaging fewer than 30 minutes per game. He might frustrate you on a night to night basis, but Thomas' overall production makes him a worthy Fantasy option in most formats down the stretch.

CBS Sports reports: The Nuggets were missing some key players Thursday against the 76ers, which forced them to look for offense from some different places than normal. Guard Corey Brewer came up huge for them, scoring a team-high 29 points in 33 minutes off he bench. Brewer hit three clutch free throws at the end of the game, to give the Nuggets a 101-100 win. He added five steals and a rebound in the game, while shooting 10 of 18 from the field and 5 of 6 on 3-pointers. Analysis: Brewer continues to fit perfectly in the Nuggets system, scoring 15.0 points per game over the last 10. He does not do much else besides score, but he has scored in double figures in 17 of his last 20 games. Brewer remains a reliable low-end Fantasy option moving forward.

CBS Sports reports: Bulls guard Jimmy Butler scored in double figures for the second game in a row Thursday against the Blazers, as he continues to play a solid role off the bench. Butler put in 12 points in 27 minutes off the bench, shooting 4 of 7 from the field with one 3-pointer made. He filled up the box score well, with four rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block, in a 99-89 loss. Analysis: Butler has scored in double figures in four games in the month of March, with a five-game stretch in single figures between outings. He is not consistent in his reserve role, but is still averaging 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He remains a viable, low-end Fantasy option down the stretch.

Rotoworld reports: Kings: DeMarcus Cousins had a double-double on Thursday with 15 points and 14 boards in a 101-98 win over the Wolves, adding two assists and one block in 28 minutes. He got into a bit of foul trouble early in the game, but he was still able to turn in a solid line. Cousins did play just 28 minutes in his return from a quad injury on Tuesday and he looks to be ready to go the rest of the way as long as he avoids a suspension.

Rotoworld reports: Wolves: Nikola Pekovic scored 18 points with 12 boards and one steal in 34 minutes against the Kings on Thursday. It was his first productive game since returning from an abdomen injury, averaging just 11.0 points and 5.5 boards in 24.0 minutes in those two games. Pekovic has battled injuries for a large chunk of the year, but he's a must-start center as long as he's healthy.

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