L.A. Clippers
Games - @dal, @hou, LAL
Quinton Ross (back) - Return after All-Star break
Corey Maggette (foot) – Out indefinitely
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| Vladimir Radmanovic could be a very important addition to the Clippers the second half of the year. (Rocky Widner / Getty Images) |
Vladimir Radmanovic came through with 14 points and eight boards in his Clippers debut this week and will get the brunt of the minutes at small forward. He's a risky play with Week 17's three-game period, but the Clippers go four times the following week, so he's worth using then. Elton Brand, Cuttino Mobley, Sam Cassell and Chris Kaman are all good options for the Western Conference's No. 5 seed this week.
L.A. Lakers
Games - POR, SAC, @lac, BOS
Chris Mihm (shoulder) - Return after All-Star break
Kobe Bryant will face off against the other L.A. team, the self-proclaimed "Kobe Stopper" Ron Artest and Paul Pierce this week. He's an obvious must-start, while Lamar Odom is also a fine play. Brian Cook is getting 18.0 PPG the past five games. He's been starting lately and is somebody to keep an eye on. Mihm hopes to return shortly and should be a decent No. 2 option. Kwame Brown and Smush Parker should only be used in the deepest of leagues.
Memphis Grizzlies
Games - TOR, @dal, SA, @min
Mike Miller (ankle) – Out indefinitely
Pau Gasol is a superstar in Memphis, averaging career-highs 19.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.3 APG and 2.0 BPG in the first half. He's a must-start with four games this week, and even with three contests next week. Miller remains out indefinitely, so make sure he's absolutely returning before you put him in your starting lineup. Shane Battier is worth using in deeper leagues, thanks to his all-around stat capability.
Miami Heat
Games - @ny, SEA
James Posey (flu) - Return after All-Star break
The Heat only play twice this week, so the only two guys worth using are Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal. Flash is getting 37.0 PPG the past three contests. Keep an eye on Antoine Walker as well, since coach Pat Riley hinted he could stay in the starting lineup if he continues to play well. He matched a season-high with 26 Wednesday, including six 3-pointers.
Milwaukee Bucks
Games - NJ, @chi, PHI, @atl
Mo Williams (ankle) - Return after All-Star break
Michael Redd's numbers are down a bit lately, but he still enters the All-Star break averaging a career-best 24.9 PPG. He's a great play. Milwaukee is full of a bunch of decent middle of the line players like Andrew Bogut (9.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG), Jamaal Magloire (10.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG), T.J. Ford (12.1 PPG, 6.4 APG) and Bobby Simmons (13.1 PPG, 47 3-pointers). Williams should return right after the All-Star break.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Games - @was, DEN, MEM
Marko Jaric (knee) – day-to-day
Troy Hudson (ankle) – Might be out for the season
Hudson is currently considering season-ending ankle surgery. He'll make a decision in the next day or two. Kevin Garnett will go toe to toe with Gasol, Jamison and K-Mart this week after entertaining us in this weekend's All-Star festivities. Anthony Carter and Marcus Banks continue to split the minutes down the middle at the point, hurting each of their fantasy values. Marko Jaric remains out and who knows how much of a role he'd have anyways. Ricky Davis is always a strong play.
New Orleans Hornets
Games - @ind, UTA, @uta, @por
Chris Paul (ribs) – day-to-day
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| Kirk Snyder has come on strong for the Hornets in the past month. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images) |
Paul should be a safe play this week, despite dealing with tailbone, shoulder, ribs and thumb injuries. We'll get to see how he looks during the All-Star festivities before we make a choice on using him. David West is a strong play with four games. He's been one of the most improved players of the season on the team's most pleasant surprise. Kirk Snyder has come of strong lately as well and is a strong pickup in fantasy leagues. All of a sudden, he's getting 15.4 PPG with 3.0 RPG and 3.0 APG on 53 percent shooting in the month of February. Speedy Claxton and Desmond Mason have value in deeper leagues.
New Jersey Nets
Games - @mil, ORL, @ny, IND
Roll with Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Nenad Krstic, who are all very solid plays. They will take on their tri-state rival at The Garden this week, and have completely owned them in their recent rivalry.
New York Knicks
Games - MIA, NJ, @was
Stephon Marbury (shoulder) - Return after All-Star break
It's sad when you win just two of your last 18 games, but actually go into the break on a bit of a high note. The Knicks snapped a 10-game losing streak Wednesday against Toronto and are hoping to build off that victory in the second half. Stephon Marbury is expecting to return on Wednesday against Miami and is a high-risk, high-reward option. If he does sit a game, he'll only have a two-game week. Eddy Curry, Channing Frye and Jalen Rose are each worth using in deeper leagues, while Anferne Hardaway is likely to be traded in the next week. His tenure in the Big Apple was very forgettable. Quentin Richardson is staring to heat up a little, scoring in double figures in his past four games, matching his total over the previous 21 contests. With the deadline approaching, only Curry and Frye are the only two safe players on the roster.
Orlando Magic
Games - @cle, @nj, SEA, HOU
Jameer Nelson (foot) – Out at least three more weeks
The Darko Milicic experiment starts in Orlando now, after scoring a mere 152 points in his two and half seasons with the Pistons. Expect him to surpass that total in the next 20 games or so with Orlando. Steve Francis will likely be moved, possibly making him a risky pick. Regardless, he's only getting 9.7 PPG and 5.0 APG over the past six games. Grant Hill will gradually get more minutes in what could be his final year in the league, but will cap out at around 30 from now on. Dwight Howard has become a must-start, while Carlos Arroyo is worth the roster spot in deeper leagues, but should be left on bench this week.
Philadelphia 76ers
Games - CLE, @mil, CHI
Willie Green (knee) – Out until early March
Allen Iverson, Chris Webber and Samuel Dalembert need to stay in your active lineups, while Kyle Korver and John Salmons should be kept reserved.
Phoenix Suns
Games - BOS, CHA
Amare Stoudemire (knee surgery) – Return in mid-March
With two games, Steve Nash and Shawn Marion are still great options. They rank in the top-five in most leagues. The Suns have a slew of other quality players, but they should be left on your bench with the short schedule.
Portland Trailblazers
Games - @lal, CHA, BOS, IND
Theo Ratliff (ankle) – Return after All-Star break
Joel Przybilla (knee) - Return after All-Star break
The Blazers expect to get both centers back this upcoming week. When healthy, they are only No. 2 center options, though. Darius Miles is back after making a surprise return Wednesday. With four games, he's worth giving a go. He should get around 15 PPG and 8 RPG. Zach Randolph is the strongest option, while Juan Dixon's numbers have been dropping recently.
Sacramento Kings
Games - GS, @lal
Bonzi Wells (groin) – Out indefinitely
Ron Artest is averaging 18.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.0 APG and 3.1 SPG in February. His shooting numbers are down a bit, but they'll only get better as the season goes on. Kenny Thomas has racked up four straight double-doubles, but with two games is a dangerous play, as are Mike Bibby and Brad Miller. Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kevin Martin are worth using in larger leagues next week when Sac-town has four games.
San Antonio Spurs
Games - SEA, @mem, GS
Robert Horry (abdomen) - Return after All-Star break
Tim Duncan will go head-up with Rashard Lewis, Pau Gasol and Troy Murphy this week. He's the best option, with Tony Parker a quality No. 2 choice. Manu Ginobili could start in deeper leagues as well. Keep an eye on Nazr Mohammed, who's getting 8.6 PPG and 8.4 RPG in February.
Seattle Sonics
Games - @sa, @atl, @orl, @mia
Danny Fortson (knee) – Out indefinitely
The Sonics will head Southeast this week in a four-game road slate. Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and Luke Ridnour should all be starting, while Robert Swift has come on to become a decent No. 2 center. Chris Wilcox is worth stashing on your reserves. He could make a nice fit in the Emerald City.
Toronto Raptors
Games - @mem, @dal
Rafael Araujo (shoulder) – Out indefinitely
Mike James, Chris Bosh and Morris Peterson should all be starting. Each can score 20 on any night.
Utah Jazz
Games - BOS, @no, NO
Keith McLeod (chest) - Return after All-Star break
Gordan Giricek (Achilles') – day-to-day
The Jazz have no All-Stars again this season. Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur are fantasy All-Stars, though. Keep them active with three games on tap. McLeod should rejoin the team very soon after missing a couple with chest pains.
Washington Wizards
Games - MIN, @cle, NY
Jarvis Hayes (knee surgery) – Out for the season
Commissioner David Stern chose Gilbert Arenas as Jermaine O'Neal's replacement in this year's All-Star Game, and he is well deserved. He's coming off his worst game of the season, shooting 4-for-22 against Dallas, but still ranks fourth in the league in scoring. Along with Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, Arenas should be kept in your active roster.
Matt Lawrence contributes with Rotoworld's fantasy football, basketball and baseball coverage. His feature columns include NFL Last Minute Decisions, NBA the Week Ahead and the Daily Dose for each sport.
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