News: According to NBA.com, Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni is expecting forward
Carmelo Anthony to return to the lineup by the end of the week. New York hosts New Orleans on Friday night and then face the Mavericks and Nets on Sunday and Monday. Anthony has not played since Feb. 6 when he suffered his groin injury. Anthony did some running on Wednesday to test his injury.
Analysis: Fantasy owners are definitely not happy with Anthony not playing, but hopefully he returns 100 percent. He was originally expected to miss one to two weeks. Anthony is averaging a team-high 22.3 points per game this season. He's also averaging 6.0 boards and 4.2 assists per game, but with Jeremy Lin playing well, Anthony may see his point totals go up. When healthy, Anthony is a must-start forward option so stay tuned for when he returns.
News: Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau told the media Wednesday that guard
Derrick Rose is getting treatment and rehabbing with a back specialist off-site. The team still doesn't know his status for Thursday's game against the Celtics. "He’s still not quite ready," Thibodeau said. "We’ll see where he is. Each day he’s gotten better. So we’re encouraged by that." Rose has missed the last three games and is day to day.
C.J. Watson has started in his absence.
Analysis: Rose said Tuesday that he expects to be past the back pain in a few days, but only time will tell if that happens. The Bulls need Rose for the long run, so don't be surprised if they are a little cautious with their star player. We will keep you posted on Rose's status, but keep him reserved in Fantasy until further notice.
News: Pacers F
Danny Granger has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Cavs because he sprained his right ankle Tuesday.
Dahntay Jones got the start in his place. After Tuesday's game against Miami, coach Frank Vogel said Granger would likely sit out Wednesday. "Yeah, that's my anticipation," Vogel said Tuesday. "I don't think he can play (Wednesday at Cleveland)."
Analysis: Granger is averaging a season-high 19.5 points per game in February, so this is a tough time for him to go down with an injury. Sprained ankles can definitely be problematic, so there is no telling how long Granger will be sidelined. No word yet on how long he is expected to be out so daily league owners should keep an eye on his status going forward. When healthy, Granger should be considered a must-start Fantasy forward.
Irving cleared to play for Cavs
Kyrie Irving, PG, CLE
11:12 AM
News: The Cavs received some good news prior to their game Wednesday against the Pacers. Rookie guard
Kyrie Irving has been cleared to return after missing three games with a concussion. He is in the lineup for Wednesday's game. "It is good to see him out here, especially yesterday he was in great spirits and he really missed being on the floor with his teammates," coach Byron Scott said. "Today was no different, just going through everything and getting his shots up and everything, it seemed like he was back to normal."
Analysis: Most Fantasy owners decided to take Irving out of their lineup for Week 8 (Feb. 13-19) not knowing if he would return to action. But for those Fantasy owners in weekly formats that took the gamble, then it seems it will pay off. Irving is a viable Fantasy start when healthy, so start putting him back into active lineups.
Nets to take it slow with Lopez
Brook Lopez, C, NJ
7:40 PM
News: Nets coach Avery Johnson said on Wednesday that while C
Brook Lopez has started practicing again, the team will take it slow with the 23-year-old. Lopez has yet to play this season after having surgery on his foot in December. ”He’s just getting back in shape," Johnson said. "Obviously he’s not in game shape but he’s stronger. We’ll just keep working him out and at some point down the line see if we can get him in the game.”
Analysis: Lopez has been on track with his recovery thus far but it looks as though he will not be able to return until after the All-Star break at the earliest. “There’s a chance,' Johnson said. "But we just want to keep working him out, see how he recovers, because we don’t want any setback.” Keep an eye on his progress going forward to see when he might be able to make it back on the court. Until then, keep Lopez reserved in all Fantasy formats.
News: The Mavericks reported that guard
Jason Terry would miss Wednesday's game with a right quad strain and Friday's outing versus the 76ers due to a personal matter. Coach Rick Carlisle made the announcement prior to Wednesday's outing versus the Nuggets.
Analysis: Terry had been dealing with a hip issue earlier in the week too, so the veteran is definitely feeling the strain of the condensed season. He's been averaging 13.2 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 boards per game over his last five outings. Fantasy owners that started him in Week 8 (Feb. 13-19) didn't get much out of him as he'll play in just two of his four games. When healthy, Terry is a viable guard option in the majority of formats. Keep tabs on him to make sure he doesn't miss more than just two games this week.
News: According to NBA.com, Thunder guard
Thabo Sefolosha missed his 10th straight game on Wednesday night with a nagging foot injury. The team is still considering him day to day.
Analysis: Sefolosha has missed a lot of time and his team really isn't missing him too much. he 27-year-old is averaging just 5.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game this season and should not be considered a worthwhile Fantasy at this stage of the season.
News: Nets G
Jordan Farmar did not play in Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies due to a right groin strain. He is averaging 11.1 points with 3.6 assists and 1.7 rebounds through 27 games this season.
Analysis: Farmar has been playing better of late so hopefully this injury will not keep him out for long. He is averaging 15.6 points with 4.2 assists in his last five games, and is shooting 50 percent over that span. When healthy, Farmar should be considered a viable option in deeper Fantasy formats.
News: New Orleans C
Emeka Okafor missed his second-straight game on Wednesday against the Bucks with a knee injury. Okafor had played in the team's 27 games prior to missing the last two.
Analysis: Okafor had played in all 27 games for the Hornets this season, posting averages of 9.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. The 29-year-old has improved his scoring recently and posted double figures during four of his six games this month. However, he has not recorded a double-double since Jan. 21, although he has just missed hitting that mark recently. Fantasy owners should monitor his status moving forward, as he's a useful No. 2 Fantasy center when healthy.
News: Nuggets coach George Karl said on Wednesday that C
Timofey Mozgov will likely miss a few more games as he continues to deal with an ankle injury. "He’s going to return in the near future, just not in the next three-or-four-day future," said Karl.
Kosta Koufos is expected to start in Mozgov's absence.
Analysis: Mozgov is averaging 5.7 points with 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks so far this season and usually starts for Denver. The Nuggets might elect to keep him out until after the All-Star break to make sure he is 100 percent healthy so keep an eye on his status going forward. Mozgov should be considered a low-end Fantasy C when active.
