News: The
Newark Star-Ledger reports that Nets guard
Deron Williams is out for Monday's game against Milwaukee. Williams was forced to leave Friday's game against the Bobcats with a sore right calf. He also missed Saturday's game against Houston.
Analysis: Fantasy owners in all leagues should use caution when setting your lineup with Williams since this calf injury could linger. The Nets have four games during Fantasy Week 12, and Williams' status is now in doubt for the next three games against Toronto on Wednesday, Orlando on Friday or New Orleans on Saturday. Jordan Farmar would be a great replacement option, but continue to monitor what happens with Williams this week.
News: Chicago forward
Luol Deng was ruled out for Monday's game against New York as he continues to deal with a troublesome wrist injury, the team announced. Deng, who also missed Saturday's contest against Utah, is averaging 15.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this season.
Analysis: Deng said last week he could miss a couple games as he continues to feel the effects of a torn ligament in his wrist that occurred in January. With the Bulls currently boasting the best record in the NBA, the team could decide to keep Deng sidelined to keep him healthy for the postseason. Fantasy owners should consider Deng a risky start in Week 12 (March 12-18) despite Chicago scheduled for four games.
News: New York guard
Jeremy Lin recorded 14 points and seven assists during the Knicks' 106-94 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday night. Lin connected on just 27.8 percent of his attempts from the field (5 of 18) to finish under 40 percent for the third time over his past five games. He also committed six turnovers and is averaging 4.0 per contest in that five-game span -- all New York losses. "He's getting hit a lot, he's taking a beating and his body is probably banged up a little bit," backup guard
Baron Davis told the
New York Post. "But overall he's a fighter, has a lot of heart and we'll stick with him and he'll turn it around. They wore him down."
Analysis: The good feelings created last month by Lin's emergence -- along with the 23-year-old's sterling best play -- seem long gone now. The Knicks have struggled since the return of Carmelo Anthony, going 2-7 and essentially crippling Lin's production. Still, coach Mike D'Antoni remains committed to Lin. "Jeremy has to play a certain way," D'Antoni said. "The floor has to be open. He has to play with energy and he has to go. We have to get to that way and we aren't there. ... He is going to be a very good point guard. This guy is going to be good. He is good." New York plays four games during Fantasy Week 12 (March 12-18) and Linn should still be viewed as a starter in most leagues.
News: Miami guard
Mike Miller (ankle) will not travel with the team for its upcoming three-game road trip, according to the
Sun Sentinel. Miller is expected to miss Tuesday's game at Orlando, Wednesday's showdown at Chicago and Friday's outing at Philadelphia with a sprained left ankle. He suffered the injury during the first half of Saturday's game against Indiana when he managed only seven minutes.
Analysis: Miller has struggled to remain healthy during his tenure with the Heat and will now be sidelined for at least the next three games. The 32-year-old has been efficient while on the court and is netting 49.3 percent of his attempts from 3-point range this season -- the best clip of his career when playing at least 20 games. Fantasy owners should keep him reserved only in deeper formats at this point of the season.
News: The
Orlando Sentinel reports that Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said a left-ankle sprain will force guard
Jason Richardson to miss the next two games, but Richardson sounds more optimistic. Richardson, who missed Sunday's game against the Pacers, will likely be out Tuesday against the Heat and Wednesday against the Spurs. "My expectation is to come back on Tuesday," Richardson said. "I want to be ready for the Miami game and play Tuesday and get back there on the court."
Analysis: We'll see if Richardson is able to play against the Heat, but the Magic might want to rest him as a precaution. When healthy and active, Richardson is a quality Fantasy option in the majority of leagues.
News: Chicago guard
C.J. Watson was inactive for Monday's game against New York due to a troublesome ankle injury, according to the team. It was the fifth consecutive game Watson has missed with a sprained left ankle and he continues to be considered day to day.
Analysis: Watson has now missed more than a week of action as he last took the court on March 4 when he suffered the injury against Philadelphia. The 27-year-old isn't a key Fantasy contributor when Derrick Rose is healthy and should be left untouched in most formats for now.
News: Despite the possibility of being traded (primarily for Orlando center
Dwight Howard) New Jersey guard
MarShon Brooks has shined during
Brook Lopez's absence. Brooks has regained the scoring touch he displayed earlier this season -- also when Lopez was out -- and is averaging 15.5 points in the past four games Lopez has missed. "It's all a learning experience," Brooks told
The Star-Ledger. "I've just got to learn how to adjust. Things happen on the fly. At one point in this season, we were playing with eight people, so I was playing 35-40 minutes a game. ... I've just got to go out there and play hard, and play with energy, and then everything else will fall into place."
Analysis: Brooks said he is unfazed by the rumors surrounding him as Thursday's NBA trade deadline approaches. "Nah, I actually just bought a couch," Brooks told
The Star-Ledger. "I think I'll be around, but who knows? Seriously, I'm not nervous. ... I just go out and play and do my job. I haven't been doing the best, so I don't need any extra on my mind." The 23-year-old rookie is now averaging 14.0 points per game this season, second-best on the team behind Deron Williams at 22.0 ppg (minimum 10 games). Fantasy owners should consider Brooks a mid-range option in most formats for Week 12 (March 12-18) as the Nets play four times.
News: The
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Bucks center
Andrew Bogut, who is the subject of trade speculation, might not be able to return during the regular season with his ankle injury. "It's a frustrating injury because you don't know the extent of it," said Bogut, who will have another ankle scan in two or three weeks. "If we made the playoffs, I would like to be back. But at the same time, with these injuries you have to be 100 percent. You come back at 80 percent, then you have an Achilles' problem or a calf problem."
Analysis: We hope Bogut can return before the end of the season, but Fantasy owners should continue to monitor his status and stash him if possible. When healthy and active he is a must-start Fantasy center in all leagues. As for the trade possibility, just stay tuned and see what happens with Thursday's deadline.
News: San Antonio guard
T.J. Ford will take an indefinite leave of absence from basketball due to neck and spine injuries, the team announced Monday. The issues are so troublesome that Ford is contemplating retirement as a result. He has played just 14 games this season. "I avoided doctors orders for years, and dodged a lot of bullets," Ford told reporters. "I thought I needed to get out while I still had a chance."
Analysis: It appears Ford's injury-plagued career may be over at just 28 years old. The former Texas standout was a top-10 draft pick in 2003 by Milwaukee, the first of Ford's four NBA teams. The hard-nosed guard played more than 70 games in a season only three times and averaged 11.2 points and 5.8 assists during his career. Fantasy owners should continue to ignore him in all formats regardless of his retirement decision.
News: Indiana guard
Paul George led the team in points (22) and rebounds (eight) during the Pacers' 107-94 loss to Orlando on Sunday night. George took advantage of his matchup against the Magic's
J.J. Redick and drained 10 of 17 attempts, including 1 of 2 from long range. He has now hit at least one trey in each of his past three games (4 for 6). "He had the best matchup," Pacers coach Frank Vogel told the
Indianapolis Star. "Redick is a heck of an offensive weapon, but certain shooting guards give him problems and Paul was able to get it going against him."
Analysis: George continues to serve as the team's best all-around player and is averaging a season-best 15.4 points per game during the month of March. Overall, he is netting 12.5 ppg for the season. "It makes you feel good that your number is called," George said. "I'm out there defending, trying to get extra possessions, trying to get offense for myself. ... I felt the confidence tonight." The 21-year-old has been proficient from downtown this season (40.5 percent) and should be considered a quality option in most Fantasy formats for Week 12 (March 12-18).
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