Player News

Mickael Pietrus: Almost Perfect

Update: Pietrus knocked down all seven of his shots from the field (including three 3-pointers) and also went 6-for-7 from the line Friday night on his way to 23 points in 22 minutes off the bench. Analysis: A television announcer during the game Friday night suggested that Pietrus' good play may be in part due to relief at the trade deadline passing, putting an end to the pressure that he might be traded soon. Whether this is true or not, he must string together a few good games in row before he regains fantasy value.

Amir Johnson: Still in Rotation

Update: Johnson was a DNP-CD Thursday, causing quite the tizzy with the Detroit faithful, the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Coach Flip Saunders heard the complaints over the benching of the popular Johnson, but assures that Johnson's place in the rotation is safe. Game matchups and Jason Maxiell's strong early play conpired to keep Johnson out of the game.

Rodney Carney: Solid Game Off Bench

Update: Carney (foot) scored 18 points (8-for-11 FG) with eight boards and a steal in 26 minutes off the bench Friday night. Analysis: Carney rarely gets minutes these days, so consider this game an exception.

Rodney Stuckey: First Start of Career

Update: With Chauncey Billups in Detroit due to a personal matter, Stuckey will get his first-career start Saturday night against the Clippers, the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Stuckey has some family and friends in the Los Angeles area, so it's nice for him that this worked out. No word yet on how long Billups will be gone.

Chauncey Billups: Will Miss Saturday's Game

Update: Billups is expected to miss Saturday's game against the Clippers due to a personal matter, the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Rodney Stuckey will get the first start of his career. No word from Pistons officials yet on how much time Billups is expected to miss.

Marcus Camby: Dominates the Interior Again

Update: Camby pulled down 17 boards and blocked six shots to go with 12 points and a steal on Friday night. Analysis: Camby posts video game rebound and block numbers so often that games like this have become the norm.

Carmelo Anthony: Big Double-Double

Update: Anthony had a big all-around game Friday night, scoring 30 points (13-for-25 FG, 4-for-5 FT) with 14 boards, six assists, two blocks and a steal. Analysis: The points are a given for Anthony, but it is the contribution to other categories that makes this game stand out for him.

Al Thornton: Career Night for Rookie

Update: Thornton exploded for 33 points (13-for-22 FG, 5-for-6 FT) with 12 boards, four assists and two treys in 35 minutes off the bench Friday night. Analysis: Thornton is averaging more than 19 points and seven boards per over his last five games, and continues to make a late season surge in the rookie of the year race.

Javaris Crittenton: Big Game Off the Bench

Update: Crittenton came off the bench Friday night to record 22 points, three assists, three boards and a steal in 34 minutes of action. Analysis: Crittenton got most of his minutes Friday at the shooting guard position playing next to either Kyle Lowry or Mike Conley. This was the first time he has played more than 18 minutes in his last five games, though, so take this game as an exception unless he follows it up with more minutes next game.

Kyle Lowry: Outplays Conley Off the Bench

Update: Lowry scored 18 points (6-for-11 FG) with six assists, four boards and three steals in 32 minutes off the bench Friday night. Analysis: Meanwhile Conley scored only nine points with one assist in 17 minutes. This was the third time in the last four games that Lowry has played at least 28 minutes and scored in double figures.

Jerry Stackhouse: Catch 23

Update: Stackhouse knocked down all 11 of his free throws on his way to 23 points and four assists in 33 minutes off the bench Friday night. Analysis: This was the second time in the last three games that Stackhouse has scored 23 points, as he has been scoring better than starter Jason Terry this week.

Jason Kidd: Flirted with Triple-Double

Update: Kidd had his best game since re-joining the Mavs Friday night, scoring 21 points (9-for-18 FG) with 11 boards, nine assists, a steal, a block and a trey. Analysis: Kidd had it all working on Friday night, and with this performance his averages have increased to 11.8 assists, 10.6 points, 7.2 boards and 3.0 steals over the last five games.

Darius Songaila: Moves Into Starting Line-up

Update: Songaila moved into the starting line-up Friday night for the Wizards, and responded with 14 points (6-for-7 FG), four assists, three boards, three steals and two blocked shots in 31 minutes. Analysis: Songaila is worth keeping an eye on in deeper leagues if he can hold his spot in the line-up. That is not a given, though, since his competition Andray Blatche also played well Friday night.

Antonio Daniels: Plays Well Through Ankle Injury

Update: Daniels (ankle) scored 16 points with six boards, five assists and a steal in 37 minutes against the Bulls Friday night. Analysis: Daniels has slowed down his pace since first moving into the starting line-up earlier in the season, and the ankle injury may have been a part of that. Perhaps his game on Friday was an indication that he is starting to get a little healthier.

Andray Blatche: Double-double Off the Bench

Update: Blatche scored 17 points (7-for-13 FG, 3-for-3 FT) with 10 boards, two blocks, two assists and a steal in 26 minutes off the bench Friday. Analysis: Despite coming off the bench, Blatche bounced back strong from two consecutive disappointing performances.

James Jones: Scores Eight in Return

Update: Jones, who missed 12 games with a sore left knee, returned to action Friday night against the Lakers. Analysis: Jones played 18 minutes off the bench and scored eight points on 3-of-4 shooting. He'll likely gradually return to see the 25 minutes a night he saw before the injury, and he's a good option in deeper leagues for those in need of 3-pointers.

Deron Williams: Good Game Despite Loss

Update: Williams scored 22 points (8-of-14 FG) and handed out 10 assists in Friday night's game against the Hornets. Analysis: Despite the solid night, Williams was still outplayed by Chris Paul, who had 24 points and 16 assists. Nonetheless, Williams finished February with outstanding numbers -- in 13 games he averaged 19.7 points and 10.5 assists.

Joel Przybilla: Snags 12 Boards in Big Win

Update: Przybilla pulled down 12 rebounds in a win over the Lakers Friday night. Analysis: Przybilla has been a force on the boards lately as he's averaged 10.3 rebounds a game over his last 10.

Jarrett Jack: Strong Game Off Bench

Update: Despite coming off the bench again in Friday's game versus the Lakers, Jack was a major factor in the win. He contributed 21 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in 27 minutes of play. Analysis: Make that two consecutive games with 21 points for Jack, who has made the most of his on-and-off reserve role. In the past two games, he's shot a staggering 69.6 percent (16-of-23) and has only turned the ball over three times.

LaMarcus Aldridge: Big Part in Win

Update: Aldridge had a team-high 22 points with eight rebounds in Friday night's win over the Lakers. Analysis: Aldrige shot 10-of-18 from the floor and added two assists and three steals in 36 minutes of action.

Brandon Roy: Active And Productive

Update: Roy, who missed two games with a sprained ankle, returned to the starting lineup Friday. He finished with 20 points (6-of-15 shooting), 12 assists and five rebounds in a win over the Lakers. Analysis: The assist total was a career-high for Roy. Make sure you get him back in your lineup in time for Sunday's game against the Warriors.

Ronnie Brewer: Solid Game

Update: Brewer scored 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 32 minutes Friday against the Hornets. Analysis: Brewer added four rebounds in the loss. He's seen 30-plus minutes in two consecutive games, a trend that needs to continue if Brewer is to become a viable fantasy option.

Dikembe Mutombo: Big Game for Mutombo

Update: Mutombo had four points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in 18 minutes Friday. Analysis: He's not likely to play consistent minutes even with Yao Ming out, so we'd probably hold off on picking him up except in very deep leagues.