Rose to visit back specialist
Derrick Rose, PG, CHI
2/12/2012
News: Chicago PG
Derrick Rose (back) had to miss Sunday's game at Boston, reports the
Chicago Tribune. Rose gave an ominous sign on Saturday saying he was unsure if he would be able to play Sunday. He was correct as he had to miss a second straight game. Rose's back continues to be stiff and sore for the superstar and he will visit a back specialist on Monday. Rose could miss a few more games before his return. "You're always concerned," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "It's something he has had before. He had it when he was in high school. We're hopeful it will get cleared up quickly but we're not sure."
Analysis: Rose has now missed seven games this season due to toe and back injuries. He was thought to have entered the season in the best shape of his career, but has continued to come up with nagging bumps and bruises. "This is the most I've ever been injured," he said. "It's frustrating knowing I worked so hard. I hate missing games, especially when we're playing against great teams. I hate missing any game." The good news is that Rose truly does hate missing games. Owners can feel good knowing that he'll be out there if he can play at all. That said, he could miss some more time going forward, so owners might consider sitting him for the upcoming scoring period. Rose remains a must-start Fantasy option, when healthy.
Rondo has monster triple-double
Rajon Rondo, PG, BOS
2/12/2012
News: Boston PG
Rajon Rondo had a monster performance on Sunday afternoon to help beat the Chicago Bulls. Rondo did his damage as
Derrick Rose missed the game for Chicago, but the results were still incredible as he scored 32 points, dished out 15 assists and grabbed 10 rebounds for a triple-double. Rondo went 11 of 22 from the field and 10 of 13 from the line in the win. He added two steals and had five turnovers for the Celtics in the win. It was just the 10th time since 1986 that an NBA player recorded at least 30 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds.
Analysis: Rondo had another silly performance on Sunday. When he wants to score, he can score with anyone and could be a 20-plus point-per-game scorer. As it stands, Rondo is averaging around 13 points per game on the year. Still, that comes with around 10 assists per game with a couple steals. He's not having his all-around awesome usual season, but Rondo remains a must-start Fantasy PG for use at all times for games just like the one he put up on Sunday.
Bass to miss two weeks due to knee
Brandon Bass, PF, BOS
2/12/2012
News: Boston PF
Brandon Bass will miss two weeks of action due to his sore knee, reports the
Boston Globe on Sunday. Bass missed Sunday's game against the Bulls. Bass played 30 minutes on Friday at Toronto and scored 10 points with seven rebounds.
Analysis: Bass was trying to play through his knee injury and apparently that caused a setback that will keep him out for at least two weeks now. That will see Bass out until at least the end of February. Bass was averaging 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game over 29 minutes for the Celtics on the year. When healthy, he has plenty of value in deeper Fantasy formats.
Ellis still racking up the points
Monta Ellis, PG, GS
12:00 AM
News: Warriors G
Monta Ellis scored 30-plus points for the third time in his last five games on Sunday against the Rockets. He finished with 33 points and seven assists in the 106-97 win. He went 13 for 23 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from downtown, and made 6 of 9 free throws. Ellis also chipped in with five rebounds, two steals and a block while playing 41 minutes.
Analysis: Ellis has been carrying the Warriors on his back for the last week or so and is two games removed from scoring a career-high 48 points. He is averaging 29.2 points with 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals in his last five contests, and is shooting nearly 55 percent over that span. The 26-year-old has the ability to go off like few others in the NBA and he appears to be catching fire just in time for Week 8 (Feb. 13-19). Ellis will face off against the Suns, Trail Blazers, Thunder and Grizzlies during the upcoming scoring period so be sure to keep him active in all Fantasy formats.
Scola picking up the pace
Luis Scola, PF, HOU
2/12/2012
News: Rockets F
Luis Scola was able to remain hot in Sunday's game against the Warriors. He scored 14 points and hauled in a season-high 13 rebounds in the 106-97 loss. He went 3 for 6 from the floor and made all eight of his free throws while playing 32 minutes. Scola also chipped in with three assists in the defeat. He is averaging 18.2 points with 7.4 rebounds and two assists in his last five contests.
Analysis: Scola recorded his first double-double since Jan. 14 on Sunday and has really picked up the pace in his scoring and rebounding of late. He is shooting 53 percent in his last five games and has scored in double figures in six straight. He plays extremely well for an undersized power forward and continues to get his numbers on a nightly basis. With the Grizzlies, Thunder, Timberwolves and Jazz on the schedule for Week 8 (Feb. 13-19), keep Scola active in the majority of Fantasy leagues.
Flynn dealing with back injury
Jonny Flynn, PG, HOU
12:44 AM
News: Rockets G
Jonny Flynn sat out Sunday's game against the Warriors with a lower back injury. He has played in just seven games so far this season.
Analysis: Flynn has not been able to see much time on the court this season and this injury does not bode well for that changing anytime soon. Teams have contacted the Rockets about the 23-year-old but there does not appear to be a deal imminent. Until he receives a larger role, continue to ignore Flynn in all Fantasy formats.
News: Jazz C
Enes Kanter continues to rebound well in limited minutes in his rookie season, as he had five boards in just 11 minutes of playing time on Sunday against the Grizzlies. He also added four points on 2 of 5 shooting and had a steal as the Jazz won 98-88 over Memphis.
Analysis: Kanter has been a rebounding machine in his rookie season, grabbing almost 20 percent of his team’s available boards when he’s on the floor. However, he is averaging just 14.5 minutes per game on the season, as the Jazz are deep in the front court and bringing their first-round pick along slowly. If he could get full-time minutes, Kanter would be an excellent Fantasy option at the center position, however as long as the Jazz limit his minutes, he should be looked at as more of a long-term keeper with minimal value for this season.
Lee adds another double-double
David Lee, C, GS
12:35 AM
News: Warriors F
David Lee posted his third double-double of February on Sunday against the Rockets. He scored 15 points and hauled in 13 rebounds in the 106-97 win. He went 7 for 12 from the floor and made his lone attempt from the charity stripe while playing 43 minutes. Lee also chipped in with six assists and a block in the victory.
Analysis: Lee, who posted a triple-double two games ago, is having another solid campaign for the Warriors and is putting up a double-double for the year. He is averaging 17 points with 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his last five contests, and is shooting 46 percent over that span. He has become adept at filling up the stat sheet on a nightly basis and should be able to keep things going heading into Week 8 (Feb. 13-19). With Phoenix, Portland, Oklahoma City and Memphis due up, keep Lee active in all Fantasy formats.
News: Jazz F
Gordon Hayward’s big fourth quarter propelled the team to a big 99-88 win over the Grizzlies on Sunday night, as he scored seven points in the quarter en route to a season-high 23 points. Hayward had two assists in the fourth quarter and five overall, to go along with two assists, one rebound and two three-pointers in the game, while shooting 8 of 12 from the field.
Analysis: Hayward has stepped his game up recently averaging 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game over his last 10 games, and has bumped his scoring up over the 10-point per game mark for the first time. He now sits at 10.4 points per game in just 28.2 minutes. The second-year forward has a lot of potential and should be considered a low-end forward option in deeper Fantasy formats.
Monroe picking up his scoring
Greg Monroe, C, DET
2/12/2012
News: Greg Monroe was one of the few bright spots on Detroit in Sunday's contest against Washington. He scored a game-high 27 points and hauled in six rebounds in the 98-77 loss. He went 9 for 19 from the floor and made all nine of his free throws while playing 33 minutes. Monroe also chipped in with three assists, a steal and a block in the defeat.
Analysis: Monroe is having a breakout campaign in his sophomore year and has really picked up his scoring of late. He is averaging 21.4 points with 11.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals in his last five contests, and is shooting a solid 58 percent over that span. The 21-year-old has some favorable matchups during Week 8 (Feb. 13-19) and should be able to keep things going for owners. With the Spurs, Celtics (twice) and Kings on the schedule for the upcoming scoring period, continue to roll with Monroe as a must-start Fantasy option.
