Atlanta Hawks -- Anthony Johnson continues to be an adequate veteran fill-in for the Hawks at the point, but the team is slowly giving rookie Acie Law more playing time and more of an increased role. He likely won't be used in heavy minutes for a while, though. With the team in position for a run at the playoffs, they'll likely keep turning to their veterans (Johnson and Tyronn Lue) to get them as far as they can go this year.
Boston Celtics -- Rajon Rondo sat out Sunday's game at the L.A. Lakers because of tightness in his right hamstring. He said he was willing to play, but head coach Doc Rivers preferred him to rest rather than risking a more serious injury. With the C's very comfortable in the standings, it is likely that any little twinge will get their players sidelined for a game or two. Fantasy owners have to worry a bit about the way this team is seemingly in cruise control. A little more of a challenge would mean better overall numbers for even their three superstars, who have almost looked bored on the court.
Charlotte Bobcats -- The Bobcats are in a big funk and head coach Sam Vincent is going to make some changes to his lineup to try to shake things up, according to the Charlotte Observer. Vincent chose not to play Emeka Okafor and Nazr Mohammed together at any time Saturday at Orlando and he even moved Raymond Felton to shooting guard for a game with Jeff McInnis starting at the point. This makes McInnis worth a flier in deeper leagues because Vincent believes Felton may play better off the ball and he could give this experiment some extended run before deciding against it.
Chicago Bulls -- Ben Gordon scored 31 points in his return to a sixth man role Friday vs. the Bucks. He followed that with 25 points Sunday at the Knicks and has shown the form he had when he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year during the 2004-05 season. This move seems to have given him a solid boost to his Fantasy value and it could also end up helping Chris Duhon, who has been given the role of starting shooting guard for now.
Cleveland Cavaliers -- Anderson Varejao's presence, much like it did a season ago, has limited the production of Drew Gooden. After averaging 14.9 points and 10.3 rebounds in November with Varejao still holding out for a contract, Gooden's numbers have dipped to 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in December. Zydrunas Ilgauskas has also been affected, but mostly just in the rebounding category. He averaged 10.8 rebounds in November and has seen that production dip to 8.5 per game in December.
Dallas Mavericks -- After filling in nicely for Erick Dampier while he was injured in November, DeSagana Diop has been fazed out of the rotation in December. He hasn't played 20 minutes in a game since doing so for the first three games this month and hasn't scored a point in six games. He is averaging just 3.3 rebounds in December after managing 7.3 in the first month of the regular season. He's useless again in Fantasy.
Denver Nuggets -- Once again, Kenyon Martin is unable to play due to an injury. His latest ailment, a right hamstring strain, has forced him out of three of the team's last four games. He's day to day, but should be reserved in Fantasy play until he proves both healthy and productive. It seems he'll only be helpful in small doses in Fantasy play.
Detroit Pistons -- So far, the trade that sent Nazr Mohammed to the Bobcats in exchange for Primoz Brezec and Walter Herrmann has done very little for the Pistons. Brezec has played sparingly off the bench, scoring a combined 12 points in five appearances while Herrmann has appeared in only one game. Mohammed, meanwhile, is averaging 11.7 points and 9.4 rebounds during his brief time with the Bobcats.
Golden State Warriors -- The Contra Costa Times reports that disgruntled swingman Mickael Pietrus would welcome a trade if it means more playing time for him somewhere else. After signing Pietrus to a one-year qualifying offer, the Warriors have been unable to deal him for three months. That limitation ends Tuesday, though. "If a trade is offered, I'll go," said Pietrus, who has the right to veto any deal because he would have to relinquish his "Larry Bird rights," potentially costing himself money on the free agent market next summer. "I'll give up my 'Bird rights' for 35 minutes (per game)."
Houston Rockets -- The Houston Chronicle reports that Tracy McGrady said his time away to rehabilitate a sore left knee will likely be measured in "weeks rather than days". McGrady said Sunday he was told after his exam early last week that he could miss as much as three weeks because of a "deep bone bruise." For that reason, Bonzi Wells should be scooped up immediately in Fantasy leagues, as he'll get most of T-Mac's starts and minutes in the meantime. He'll be a decent short-term stopgap option.
Indiana Pacers -- The Indianapolis Star reports that Jamaal Tinsley will miss at least a week with a hamstring injury. After watching Tinsley try to play through the pain in his left hamstring, the Pacers have decided to shut the point guard down for now. "Unfortunately, I have allowed him to play at less than his best over the last five games," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said. "To his credit, he wants to play, will play injured, but it's really hampering his ability to play at his best. ... If it takes seven-to-10 days to get that right, that's what we'll do." This should mean more playing time for Andre Owens.
Los Angeles Clippers -- The Sports Xchange notes that Sam Cassell is averaging 20.8 points in games that he's played at least 30 minutes this season. Unfortunately, that's only happened five times. He is back, however, after a 12-game absence due to injury and should be able to play 25-30 minutes per night while healthy.
Los Angeles Lakers -- Lamar Odom is playing very well in December. He's averaging 15.4 points and 10.6 rebounds after averaging 12.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in December while he was still getting over the shoulder injury that sidelined him for the preseason and the first four games of the regular season.
Memphis Grizzlies -- Slumping Darko Milicic has been replaced in the starting lineup by Stromile Swift. The team has not announced their plans for the future of their lineup, though, and this could only be a temporary move. This has to be one of the biggest swaps of Fantasy busts in recent memory, with neither player being worth much these days.
Miami Heat -- It's that time of year again. Shaquille O'Neal is taking one of his built-in vacations and Fantasy owners have to start using that Shaq insurance we've been asking you take the past few years. His latest injury is a hip flexor that's been bothering him and was only supposed to keep him out on a day-to-day basis. He's missed the team's last two games and could very well keep him out Wednesday vs. Milwaukee. Earl Barron has been starting in his place, but he isn't much help. Mark Blount is an outcast in Miami. So Shaq owners will be looking to players like Jeff Foster, Stromile Swift and Erick Dampier off the waiver wire. Good luck with that.
Milwaukee Bucks -- While it has been Bobby Simmons getting the starts in place of the injured Desmond Mason, it has been Charlie Villanueva who has benefitted the most. Playing the "energy" role off the bench, he's averaged 12.7 points and 20.3 minutes over his last three games. Simmons is averaging just 5.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg over his last five games.
Minnesota Timberwolves -- Ryan Gomes is back to being a relevant Fantasy option. He's scored in double figures in five straight and seven of his last eight games, taking over for Craig Smith as the primary power forward. He's averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 rebounds over that span and he's a player that is available in 71 percent of leagues. Go add him.
New Jersey Nets -- Josh Boone is officially on center eligibility watch. He's now started six games there and needs just four more starts at center to gain eligibility there in leagues that use multiple positions. Fantasy owners can't wait for that, considering he's averaging 11.0 points and 9.2 rebounds over his last five games.
New Orleans Hornets -- Chris Paul has already reached the elite level of Fantasy guards, thanks in part to the way he's been able to fill up the box score. He's had at least one steal in 18 straight games and he had seven on Saturday vs. Cleveland. His seven steals were the highest single game total in the NBA this season.
New York Knicks -- Stephon Marbury returned a few days early to Knicks practice on Saturday after nine days away from the team. Marbury participated in all of the team's drills and stayed after practice to shoot jump shots and layups to try to get back in game shape. He did not play in Sunday's game vs. Chicago, but should return this week. It will be his third return to the team since his father, Don, died on Dec. 2. On Thursday, Marbury told a Knicks public relations official that he planned to return to the team some time after the New Year. He is expected to play Wednesday vs. Sacramento, but should be reserved for Fantasy purposes if at all possible until he proves stable.
Orlando Magic -- Struggling Magic PG Jameer Nelson missed Saturday's game against the Bobcats with a strained back. The team considers him day to day. Carlos Arroyo took his place in the lineup and had 16 points, four rebounds and six assists. Despite Nelson's recent struggles, GM Otis Smith spoke up in support of Nelson. "When Jameer is right, he's our best point guard, period. Period," Smith told the Orlando Sentinel.
Philadelphia 76ers -- In a salary cap move, Kyle Korver was sent to the Utah Jazz this week. For the Sixers, that means the team will get a better look at rookie Thaddeus Young. Louis Williams, Willie Green and Rodney Carney should also get more minutes.
Phoenix Suns -- The Suns came out of Friday’s game with some nagging injuries, according to the East Valley Tribune. Grant Hill strained a groin and skipped practice on Saturday. Steve Nash is also experiencing some neck and shoulder issues but made it through practice. Neither player is expected to miss any time, though.
Portland Trail Blazers -- Brandon Roy has gone from being last year's Rookie of the Year to getting chants of "M-V-P" during home games this season. He got off to a good start in November, averaging 17.9 ppg, 4.8 apg and 3.8 rpg, but he's really taken off in December and has been the primary reason for the team's 12-game win streak going into the week. He's averaging 21.5 points, 6.5 assists and 5.4 rebounds in December.
Sacramento Kings -- Prior to Sunday's game against the Suns, the Kings learned that Ron Artest could face possible surgery this week to remove chipped bone fragments from his right elbow. "They are thinking it might be two or three weeks (Artest) will be out, but they are not sure yet," Kings coach Reggie Theus said. "I didn't know that he wasn't going to go tonight. I actually thought he was planning on trying (to play). I haven't officially talked to him or anybody about what's exactly going to happen." In his absence, John Salmons should continue to see a big load, especially with Kevin Martin and Mike Bibby also out with injuries. Francisco Garcia could also see a boost once again.
San Antonio Spurs -- First it was Tim Duncan, then it was Tony Parker and now it's Manu Ginobili. All three of the team's primary Fantasy stars have missed time this season due to injuries and they've taken turns doing so. Ginobili has missed three straight games, but he won't play until at least Thursday at Denver, with Wednesday's practice determining his status for that game. Michael Finley has played well in his place.
Seattle SuperSonics -- Rookie Kevin Durant suffered his first significant NBA injury when he sprained his left index finger in Saturday's game vs. Minnesota. He's scheduled to have another X-ray on Monday and should be a game-time decision for Monday night vs. Philadelphia. LeBron James missed five games with a similar injury.
Toronto Raptors -- Andrea Bargnani has been a virtual non factor for Fantasy owners in December. He's scored in double digits just twice and is averaging just 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds during the month. His stock is at an all-time low in Fantasy hoops and now is as good a time as any to try to get him at a very low price and stash him away on your bench, hoping for a revival of his promising talent at some point down the line.
Utah Jazz -- The Jazz traded for Kyle Korver and he will likely serve in sixth-man type role off the bench the way he did in Philadelphia. That could mean he would cut into Ronnie Brewer's minutes. Brewer, who started the season off strong has tailed off a bit of late. He's averaging just 9.2 ppg over his last five games and he doesn't do much else.
Washington Wizards -- Antonio Daniels worked out prior to Saturday's game against the Heat and he said his knee felt good afterward, according to the Washington Post. He was originally given a 2-4 week timetable to return, but could play as soon as Wednesday.
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