News: According to The Denver Post, Carmelo Anthony (ankle) says that he will play Tuesday night against Dallas. Anthony has missed the team's last eight games. The team's official Web site says that he was able to go through shootaround and is on track to return against the Mavericks.
Analysis: Anthony has come close to returning a couple of times over the course of the last two weeks and Fantasy owners have been burned each time. Again, it sounds like he should play Tuesday night and Fantasy owners everywhere should be looking to activate him immediately where possible.
News: According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Monta Ellis is not overly concerned with the knee injury he suffered in Monday's game against Dallas. Ellis appeared to be in a lot of pain, rolling around after he sprained knee while driving through the lane with just under four minutes left in the game. "It was really scary, but it's just a little sore," said Ellis. "It's not as bad as it looked or as I made it seem."
Analysis: Ellis had the same knee surgically repaired in high school. His status for Wednesday's game against the L.A. Clippers remains questionable, but it does appear that he has averted a serious injury which is obviously great news for his Fantasy owners. The Warriors have one game remaining prior to the All-Star break.
News: According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Allen Iverson will miss Tuesday's game against Minnesota and Wednesday's game against Toronto, putting him out through the All-Star break. Iverson has missed the 76ers' last three games to be with his 3-year-old daughter in Atlanta, who is dealing with health issues.
Analysis: Coach Eddie Jordan has said there is still no timetable for Iverson. There are reports that say he could still play in Sunday's All-Star game if his daughter's health improves, but his status for Fantasy Week 17 (Feb. 15-21) remains questionable.
News: According to the Bergen County Record, Nets G Devin Harris said Tuesday afternoon that he "probably won't" play against the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Tuesday night. Harris has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder.
Analysis: Harris will still likely be a game-time decision for Tuesday's game. It’s the same shoulder Harris injured last year that forced him to miss seven games. He doesn't think it is nearly as bad, however, and is expecting to be back fairly soon. He was on his best run of the season prior to the injury and is averaging 19.3 points and 9.3 assists in four February games since returning from his wrist injury and looks to be in for a strong second half if he can stay healthy after posting numbers below his expectations in the first half.
News: According to The Denver Post, Chauncey Billups (ankle) is expected to play Tuesday night against Dallas. He is dealing sprained left and right ankles.
Analysis: Billups scored 39 points with eight assists in his last game against the Lakers before being forced to sit out Saturday in Utah. He has averaged around 24 points per game with seven assists over the last month and is playing at a very high level. Start him in all leagues as long as he remains healthy, but monitor his stat lines to see if the ankles slow him down at all.
News: Charlotte Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton expects to play against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. Felton didn't participate in Tuesday morning's shootaround, but hoped to play despite twisting his ankle in practice a day earlier.
Analysis: Felton is not currently on one of his better stretches of the season, averaging just 9.4 points, 4.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds over his last five games. But the Bobcats have a pair of favorable matchups in Week 16 (Feb. 8-14) prior to the All-Star break and Felton should be considered a viable No. 3 guard in most formats since he is healthy enough to play.
News: According to the Washington Post, Wizards F Antawn Jamison was fined for missing practice in Orlando Monday. Jamison was unable to catch his early morning flight out of Miami and missed the Wizards' practice on Monday in Orlando. He had a suite at Sun Life Stadium to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday night.
Analysis: The good news here is that it appears Jamison is in the clear of any further disciplinary action from the team, which means he won't be missing any games due to suspension. It is safe to keep him active in all formats as a No. 1 or high-end No. 2 forward.
News: According to the Boston Herald, Celtics coach Doc Rivers expects injured F Paul Pierce (foot) to play Wednesday in New Orleans. His status remains questionable, however. “Paul didn’t do a lot (yesterday in practice),” Rivers said. “We actually pulled him out early. He was practicing and wasn’t moving very well, so we just took him out.”
Analysis: Pierce injured the foot Feb. 1 in Washington and missed two games before returning and scoring 13 points in 30 minutes against the Magic Sunday. The Celtics have just the one game Wednesday prior to the All-Star break and it appears he will be a game-time decision.
News: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant isn't sure if he'll play in this weekend's NBA All-Star Game in Dallas because of his sore left ankle. Bryant missed his second consecutive game Monday night against San Antonio, a 101-89 victory by the Los Angeles Lakers. "If I'm not able to play, I won't play. But [if] I'm healthy, I will," he said. Bryant said he can't push off on his left foot. "I can't move to play. Can't go," he said, adding he would be a game-time decision Wednesday at Utah. "If I'm ready to go, I'll play." Lakers trainer Gary Vitti would like Bryant to rest through All-Star weekend, capped by Sunday's game. Bryant said he couldn't commit either way. "I don't know what it's going to look like on Sunday. I'm not clairvoyant," he said, laughing. "It's frustrating. I'm not used to this. I don't know what the hell players are supposed to do back here," he said. "I don't know what's going on half the time."
Analysis: Bryant's streak of 235 consecutive games played ended Saturday when he sat out the Lakers' first win at Portland since 2005. He said his reputation for being a warrior who refuses to shut it down is overblown. "I'm not an idiot. I'm not going to run through a wall just to run through a wall," he said. "If it's an injury where I feel like I can play through it and have it heal while I'm playing, then I'll play. But if it's the type of injury where it's going to get worse when I play, then I won't." Asked what percentage he needed to be at to play again, Bryant said, "If I can move, I'm good. If I can move and get to the basket, I'm good." Keep an eye on what happens with Bryant against the Jazz and what he decides to do for the All-Star Game. Hopefully he will return soon, and he's a must-start guard in all leagues when healthy.
News:Allen Iverson has missed his team's last three games while at home taking care of his daughter, who is dealing with an illness. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said Sunday there was "no timetable" for Iverson's return. In his absence, Jrue Holiday and Willie Green have seen a boost in minutes and touches.
Analysis: Obviously, Iverson has bigger concerns than basketball at the moment. Fantasy owners should consider him too risky to play in most weekly format scenarios as he could easily miss both of the team's games in All-Star shortened Week 16 (Feb. 8-14). As for Holiday and Green, their appeal is limited to that of short-term stopgap measures in deeper formats.
News: According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Allen Iverson will miss Tuesday's game against Minnesota and Wednesday's game against Toronto, putting him out through the All-Star break. Iverson has missed the 76ers' last three games to be with his 3-year-old daughter in Atlanta, who is dealing with health issues. In his absence, Jrue Holiday and Willie Green have seen a boost in minutes and touches.
Analysis: Coach Eddie Jordan has said there is still no timetable for Iverson. There are reports that say he could still play in Sunday's All-Star game if his daughter's health improves, but his status for Fantasy Week 17 (Feb. 15-21) remains questionable. As for Holiday and Green, their appeal is limited to that of short-term stopgap measures in deeper formats.
News: According to The Denver Post, Nuggets F Chris Andersen missed practice Monday due to a knee issue. He is listed as probable for Tuesday's game against Dallas, however.
Analysis: Andersen, despite his popularity, is really just a role player for the Nuggets. Outside of around six boards per game and a block or two per game, he won't help much. He is at best a reserve option in larger leagues or in category-based formats.
News: According to The Denver Post, Kenyon Martin did not practice Monday due to a knee issue. He is listed as probable for Tuesday night's game against Dallas, however.
Analysis: K-Mart is posting a resurgent season in Denver and has been able to do that mainly because he has stayed healthy. Expect the team to do everything in their power in order to keep that going, which means he might miss a practice here and there. He remains a very strong start in all Fantasy leagues as long as he is healthy enough to play and continues to produce the way he has been this season.
News: According to The Denver Post, Nuggets G Arron Afflalo is dealing with a sprained left ankle. However, he was able to do some court work Monday -- against the wishes of the team's training staff -- and says he will be able to play Tuesday against Dallas.
Analysis: Afflalo may play, but with Carmelo Anthony expected to return Tuesday his limited Fantasy appeal will take a hit. He will see erratic minutes off the bench and is not a viable option in most formats.
News: Charlotte Bobcats point center Tyson Chandler expects to play against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. Chandler participated in Tuesday morning's shootaround and said he feels fine after missing the past 22 games with a stress reaction in his left foot. He returned to practice on Monday.
Analysis: Coach Larry Brown said he would play Chandler some off the bench Tuesday night as he works his way back into shape and that Nazr Mohammed will continue to start at center. Chandler could have some appeal down the line if he re-enters the starting lineup and is put in a position to contribute, but it appears he may have to battle his way back into a significant role with Nazr Mohammed playing well.
News: According to The Oregonian, Trail Blazers G Nicolas Batum will get his first start of the season on Tuesday night, when the Trail Blazers host the Oklahoma City Thunder. Batum said he will start at small forward and Martell Webster will slide over to shooting guard, which means Jerryd Bayless — who had been starting in place of the injured Brandon Roy — will move to the second unit.
Analysis: Bayless was headed back to the bench soon anyway with Roy expected back after the All-Star break. He will likely continue to see 20 minutes per game one way or another and remains a viable stopgap measure in deeper Head-to-Head leagues as a cheap source for double-digit scoring. He doesn't offer much outside of that right now.
