Is LeBron going to get a rest?
Things are quiet around the NBA with last night's NCAA Finals giving the Association a day off. And what a game that was, eh? Hopefully you didn't tune out with Memphis up nine with two minutes to play.
As for your fantasy team, most of the questions you're asking are tough, and I'm not sure anyone has the answers you're looking for. Setting lineups is tricky business these days, but the best thing to do is weigh your options carefully, read between the lines and go with your gut. There are 11 games tonight, so let's take a quick look.
Atlanta @ Indiana - It may not feel like it, but this might be the game of the night. If the Pacers win, they'll creep to within two games of the Hawks for the No. 8 see in the East, while the Hawks would just about seal the deal with a win. From a fantasy perspective, we should all be rooting for the Pacers, as that will keep players from both teams on the court for as long as possible, and would likely even have a trickle down effect on the Nets. A Hawks win tonight could mean the end of the line for guys like Jermaine O'Neal and
Vince Carter, and the earlier the Hawks clinch, the sooner
Joe Johnson,
Josh Smith and
Mike Bibby are going to get a night or two off. But in reality, you guys know who I want to see win this one, even though it simply means a first-round exit at the hands of the Celtics.
indianapacers.com Minnesota @ Charlotte - Must see TV? Um, no. For the Wolves,
Al Jefferson says his body is wearing down at the end of his breakout season. He's not lying, after producing just two double-doubles in his last nine games. Due to the loss of
Corey Maggette, I've got Minnesota's
Craig Smith in a lineup this week, which should be interesting, if nothing else. The Bobcats will be without
Gerald Wallace, and I'm 95% certain he's done for the year with a groin injury.
Matt Carroll,
Jared Dudley,
Jermareo Davidson and
Earl Boykins will all see a boost. If I had to pick two of the four, I'd go with Carroll and Boykins. Oh, and for what it's worth, the Cats will also likely be without
Derek Anderson tonight, not that anyone outside of his mom will notice.
Chicago @ Miami - Must see TV, Part II? Um, no. I'm guessing
Drew Gooden's season is over due to an abdominal injury, although that's not official.
Tyrus Thomas should continue to get plenty of run in his place. The Heat will once again run a bunch of guys out there you've never heard of, and it's possible that
Blake Ahearn could win someone a fantasy championship. As someone once said – "That ain't right."
New York @ Detroit - There is nothing coming out of New York about the Knicks right now. But you can tell by the tone of Marc Berman's blogs and columns that he's done. Not done as in quitting, but no one is as ready for the Knicks season to be over as Berman. As for whether or not you should have
Wilson Chandler in your lineup tonight? I'm leaning toward "no." Dude blew up for 23 points the other night and played 30 seconds in his previous game. Maybe if the Knicks were playing the Heat I'd be game. But Detroit, even when playing backups, plays solid defense.
Richard Hamilton isn't likely to play for the Pistons tonight, but is hoping to return tomorrow.
Chauncey Billups,
Rasheed Wallace,
Tayshaun Prince and
Antonio McDyess are all going to be day-to-day, and won't play more than 20-ish minutes anyway, making
Rodney Stuckey look automatic, and giving
Jason Maxiell,
Jarvis Hayes and company hope of having some fantasy value.
Utah @ New Orleans –
Deron Williams missed Monday's practice with an upset stomach, but should play tonight. Outside of that, all is quiet for both of these teams.
utahjazz.com Boston @ Milwaukee –
Paul Pierce is very unlikely to play tonight, especially since he skipped the trip to Milwaukee on Monday to stay home with his new baby. He could travel today and they're not ruling him out, but it would be shocking to see him play.
Kevin Garnett also sounds doubtful to me at this point, but he has a better chance of playing than Pierce. Of the Big 3,
Ray Allen has the best chance of playing tonight because of his history with the Bucks. This is all speculation from Marc Spears, but what he's saying makes sense and I'm on board. Either way,
Leon Powe,
James Posey,
Tony Allen and
Eddie House are all likely to hit double digits tonight. For the Bucks,
Mo Williams has yet to be officially shut down for the season and is listed as day-to-day with his abdominal strain. With nothing to play for and the team getting a good look at
Ramon Sessions, I don't see Mo-Will coming back this season. We'll see.
bostonceltics.ws Phoenix @ Memphis - No news out of Phoenix, and things are actually quiet in Memphis, as well.
Javaris Crittenton has a sprained right thumb, but should play through it. If healthy, he should have one or two big games before this is over, but there's no way to know when they're coming.
Seattle @ Dallas - No late-breaking news on this one, but I'm guessing
Damien Wilkins has a nice line tonight. Just a hunch.
Brandon Bass was nice in his last game, and could do it again tonight, although I'm just not sure.
Dirk Nowitzki's not at 100% so if the Mavericks manage to blow the Sonics out, he'll sit. But given the fact the Sonics are enjoying their role as spoiler after beating the Nuggets on Sunday, the Mavs could have their hands full. Also look for another nice line from
Jeff Green.
dallasmavericks.com Lakers @ Portland - Not much going on here, although
Josh McRoberts could actually get a little run with
Joel Przybilla out with a broken hand. However,
Channing Frye and
Raef LaFrentz are more likely to cover his minutes.
Martell Webster should be cleared to play tonight despite an irregular heartbeat.
Luke Walton is out again with a hamstring injury, meaning
Vladimir Radmanovic should have another big game.
Denver @ Clippers - Nene isn't likely to play with a groin injury and
Linas Kleiza has been playing well. If you need a player and your waiver wire is dead, he's worth a look. For the Clippers,
Chris Kaman said he's done for the season. He had a great first half, but turned out to be a great sell-high guy.
Corey Maggette is out with a hamstring injury and I'm guessing he's done for the year, although that's not official.
Tim Thomas has been cleared to play after missing five games with Achilles' inflammation, but I'm not seeing a ton of minutes for him.
Josh Powell and
Al Thornton are basically must starts right now, while
Cuttino Mobley and
Elton Brand should also be nice. Deep sleepers here include
Nick Fazekas and
Dan Dickau – And I mean deep.
Sacramento @ Golden State - Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee thinks
Brad Miller (leg) and
Beno Udrih (back) will play tonight, so start them at your own risk.
Francisco Garcia is iffy with a sprained right ankle, but the guy seems to always play hurt, so I'm guessing he'll play. The return of Miller should hurt
Spencer Hawes, but he'll still get at least 20 minutes or so. The Kings want to finish 5-0 to end the season at .500, but with games against the Warriors, Hornets, Spurs and Lakers, that's a pretty lofty goal.
Mickael Pietrus is hoping to play tonight and is a game-time decision with a groin injury. Will
Andris Biedrins and
Al Harrington start again? Probably, but you never know.
sacramentokings.com Loose Ends LeBron James – Skipped Monday's practice with a bad back and could sit out some games if and when the Cavs lock up the No. 4 seed. You have to start him, but it could end up backfiring on you. With LeBron hurting,
Devin Brown should have some big games the rest of the way for the Cavs.
Rafer Alston – Should practice today and wants to play tomorrow through hamstring. Start him at your own risk.
Antawn Jamison – Practiced Monday and wants to play through shoulder injury Wednesday.
Gilbert Arenas – Practiced Monday and should play tomorrow. But beware that he could sit on Friday or Saturday, as he took last Saturday off due to having back-to-back games.
Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy doesn't believe in resting his stars even though the Magic have clinched the No. 3 seed in the East.
Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and
Hedo Turkoglu aren't likely to play more than 30-35 mintues per game, but at least we know they aren't likely to miss games down the stretch.