News: New York F
Amar'e Stoudemire returned to practice Monday after spending the past week in Florida to mourn the death of his brother, according to
Newsday. Stoudemire is expected to play in Tuesday's game at Toronto. "I can't wait to get him back," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We should go to another level, no doubt about it." Stoudemire is averaging 18.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season.
Analysis: Stoudemire returns to the team at an interesting time as G Jeremy Lin has created tremendous buzz with his sterling production while Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony have been sidelined. But Stoudemire could benefit from Lin's pick-and-roll ability and improve on his average of 7.0 field goals a game -- his lowest total since his rookie season (minimum 10 games). Consider Stoudemire a must-start in all Fantasy formats.
News: New Jersey C
Brook Lopez said he is prepared to return to practice after being sidelined all season because of a broken foot. Lopez has been kept to minimal participation after having surgery in December to repair a stress fracture in his foot. There is no timetable for his return. "I don’t really think there’s anything (left to do)," Lopez told
The Star-Ledger. "We just have to keep putting it together and keep trying to get into shape and the next opportunity at practice, hopefully I’ll be able to participate."
Analysis: That opportunity to practice could come as early as this week after Nets general manager Billy King said Lopez has been "on schedule" with his recovery. Still, New Jersey will continue to be cautious with Lopez, who is approaching the two-month mark on the bench since having surgery on Dec. 23. "Patience is the key when you’re talking about a small bone in a 7-foot guy’s foot," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "We’d like to not have any setbacks." Fantasy owners should monitor Lopez's status, but keep him benched for Week 8 (Feb. 13-19).
News: Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said Monday he is "hoping" 76ers C
Spencer Hawes (back) will be able to return for Friday's game against Dallas, according to the team. Hawes did not accompany the team on its three-game road trip that concludes Wednesday at Orlando.
Analysis: Hawes has become an increasingly frustrating Fantasy player recently and has missed 13 of the past 15 games because of persistent injuries. He started the season with three double-doubles in his first four outings, but his season averages have dipped to 10.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. With the possibility of only playing two games, Fantasy owners should consider sitting Hawes again for Week 8 (Feb. 13-19).
Coach wants best of West
David West, PF, IND
2:07 PM
News: Pacers coach Frank Vogel is hoping F
David West can continue his recent assertive play on offense. After a discussion with Vogel last week, West has scored 22 points in each of his past two games and registered his first double-double since Jan. 9 last Friday at Memphis. "His greatest strength since he's gotten here is his desire to just fit in and be a part of this team and do whatever is going to help this team be a team-first team," Vogel told the
Indianapolis Star. "He's our best ball mover. ... The more aggressive that he is, the more the defense is going to come to him so it's going to free up his passing even more."
Analysis: Vogel lauded West's unselfish nature, but that has affected his production and limited him to an average of 12.4 points per game this season -- his lowest mark since his second year in the league (6.2). "I just think if you're selfish and you're only thinking about what you need to do, you're not going to help the team," West said. "If you're good to the game, the game will be good to you. I've always lived by that motto." Fantasy owners should consider utilizing West in most formats for Week 8 (Feb. 13-19) as the Pacers battle Miami, Cleveland, New Jersey and Charlotte.
News: Bobcats G
Kemba Walker is expected to serve as the backup point guard once G
D.J. Augustin returns from a toe injury, according to the
Charlotte Observer. Walker has been the starting point guard since Augustin went down with the injury in mid-January and topped double figures in scoring during eight of the 11 games. He also recorded the third triple-double in franchise history against Washington on Jan. 28.
Analysis: There was the possibility Walker could shift back to the two-guard once Augustin returned, but Bobcats coach Paul Silas apparently likes his recent production at the point. Walker has remained steady with his passing and is averaging 3.6 assists per game this season. Augustin could return to action as early as Wednesday so Fantasy owners should be aware of a possible dip in playing time for Walker in Week 8 (Feb. 13-19).
News: Hornets G
Marco Belinelli currently leads the team with 37 3-pointers made this season. He also has fired twice as many attempts as anyone else with a whopping 107 shots for a career-low 34.6 percent clip from beyond the arc this season. "I know that’s not really good for me because I knew this year I needed to score more," Belinelli told the New Orleans
Times-Picayune. "I think the last couple of games were pretty good, but I need to be more aggressive every game." Belinelli is averaging 9.7 points per game overall this season.
Analysis: Belinelli netted 41 percent of his attempts from long range last season, but has been unable to duplicate the steady production. However, he has drained two treys in two of his past three outings to improve his accuracy to 40.9 this month. "We have to keep him confident and don’t let him go through a shell or get bashed for it," Hornets G Jarrett Jack said. "He’s a gunslinger, and he’s got to come out with that kind of mentality every night." Fantasy owners should continue to track Belinelli's progress and consider him a low-end option in deeper formats for now.
News: New York F
Carmelo Anthony was unable to return to practice Monday as he continues to be bothered by a strained right groin, according to
Newsday. Anthony has missed the past three games with the issue and is unlikely to play against Toronto on Tuesday.
Analysis: Anthony was originally expected to miss one to two weeks with the injury and it appears he will be sidelined for the longer side of the timetable. The Knicks play four times during Fantasy Week 8 (Feb. 13-19), including a back-to-back set Tuesday and Wednesday, but Anthony seems to be a risky option for the scoring period. He is averaging a team-high 22.3 points per game this season and should be viewed as a must-start when active.
News: Despite a decrease in minutes recently, 76ers G
Evan Turner said Monday he does not have a concern over his playing time. Turner has been held to less than 20 minutes in two of his past three games while netting just 16 points over that span. "It's just one of those situations and we have to do what's best for the team and certain situations coach tries to do what's best out there and that's it." Turner told the
Philadelphia Daily News.
Analysis: Turner saw a rise in playing time last Saturday when he logged 23 minutes at Cleveland, but that total is still below his average of 24.7 for the year. "You just have to move on with each game," said Turner, who is posting 9.2 points per game. "We have so many games coming up. ... You have to just be prepared." With no reports of the 23-year-old being in trouble, Fantasy owners should view Turner as a low-end Fantasy option for now.
News: Washington C
JaVale McGee has credited an unlikely source for his recent strong play: a new asthma medicine. McGee visited a doctor last week and has make a solid impact since, combining for 46 points and 24 rebounds in his past two games. "They said I was breathing at like 75 percent," McGee told the
Washington Post. "I feel a lot better. I feel I can stay out there longer now. I got to just take my medicine."
Analysis: McGee has overcome a sluggish start to open February when he scored just 34 points combined in the first five games of the month. But he has now posted back-to-back double-doubles for just the second time this season and is also contributing on the defensive side for the Wizards (2.9 blocks per game). With Portland, Clippers and Utah on tap in Fantasy Week 8 (Feb. 13-19), consider utilizing McGee in most formats.
News: New Orleans C
Emeka Okafor is listed as questionable for Monday's game against Utah with a sore left knee, according to the team's official website. Okafor has played in all 27 games for the Hornets this season and is averaging 9.9 points and 7.9 rebounds a night.
Analysis: It's unclear when Okafor started experiencing soreness and it could sideline him for the first time this season. 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, but has just missed hitting the mark recently. Fantasy owners should monitor his status as he could be a risky play in Week 8 (Feb. 13-19).
