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| Nash scores 16 | Saturday 10/11, 11:58 PM CT |
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Guard Steve Nash paced the Suns with 16 points in Saturday's preseason game against the Nuggets. He also chipped in two assists and two rebounds.
Our View: Both the Suns and Nuggets has terrible shooting nights in the outdoor air. Don't those guys know they have to adjust for the wind? Nash should be highly regarded in fantasy leagues no matter what happens this preseason. |
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| Odom works with second team | Saturday 10/11, 10:38 PM CT |
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Forward Lamar Odom practiced mainly with the second unit during Saturday's practice. "We're having Lamar come in and play off the bench so that he can start thinking about how he can help the team and what he can do when he does that," head coach Phil Jackson tells the Los Angeles Times. "But I don't know if I'll experiment with it in a game yet."
Our View: We have to figure Odom will get his minutes even if he's coming off the bench, but the Zen Master seems to be messing with a good thing. Fantasy owners should still like what Odom brings to the table, but can he average over 10 boards alongside both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum? |
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| Mason out with sore knee | Saturday 10/11, 10:27 PM CT |
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Swingman Desmond Mason will miss Saturday's preseason game due to a left knee contusion suffered on Friday, the Oklahoman reports.
Our View: The injury shouldn't keep Mason from celebrating his birthday on Saturday night. Or at least we hope. He doesn't have any fantasy value heading into 2008-09. |
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| Smith has busted nose | Saturday 10/11, 10:25 PM CT |
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Forward Joe Smith is unavailable on Saturday night due to a busted nose. He suffered the injury on Friday, and he will need to have his nose reset next week, the Oklahoman reports.
Our View: Smith's nose is apparently leaning to the left. Does that mean his nose is voting for Barack Obama? Joe should be back in time for the regular season. |
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| Billups sprains ankle | Saturday 10/11, 10:22 PM CT |
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Guard Chauncey Billups sprained his right ankle during Saturday's preseason win over the Bucks. The injury is not considered to be serious, MLive.com reports.
Our View: We'll follow up on Chauncey's status when more is known. His ailment could open up minutes for Rodney Stuckey, whom we're led to believe is the greatest thing to hit Motown since Smokey Robinson. |
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| Villanueva scores 26 | Saturday 10/11, 10:18 PM CT |
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Forward Charlie Villanueva scored 26 points and added eight rebounds in Saturday's preseason loss to the Pistons. He also managed five fouls and five turnovers. Villanueva shot 10-of-20 from the floor.
Our View: Hmm, 20 shots and no assists. Good work, Chaz. Villanueva seems to have this preseason thing down. Too bad we can't count on him to be consistent during the regular campaign. |
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| Afflalo pours in 28 | Saturday 10/11, 10:15 PM CT |
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Guard Arron Afflalo led the Pistons with 28 points in Saturday's preseason win over the Bucks. He hit 10-of-12 shots from the floor (including two threes) and sunk 6-of-7 at the line. Afflalo added two rebounds, two assists, and two steals over 25 minutes.
Our View: It looks like the Bucks defense is already in midseason form. Afflalo could see increased minutes this season, but he won't have any fantasy value unless an injury takes out Rip Hamilton. |
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| Efficient night for Pierce | Saturday 10/11, 10:12 PM CT |
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Forward Paul Pierce managed 15 points, four assists, and three rebounds in under 22 minutes against the Rockets on Saturday night. He hit 5-of-6 shots from the floor and went 5-for-7 at the line.
Our View: Pierce's scoring dropped off last season, but fantasy owners all know he is a very solid all-around contributor. We expect nothing less in 2008-09. |
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| McGrady tests knee for a quarter | Saturday 10/11, 10:09 PM CT |
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Tracy McGrady played the entire first quarter in Saturday's preseason game against the Celtics. He scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds. "I just wanted to come out here and work hard, get a nice little sweat going and see how I felt," McGrady informs the Houston Chronicle. "I was experiencing some pain in my knee, but it’s more of a mental thing. Sometimes I find myself favoring it. I get off balance, especially when I push off (the right) leg. I find myself favoring it and it gives out on me."
Our View: McGrady's post-game words won't make fantasy owners sleep easy, but it was good to see him on the floor and getting into the flow. As usual, McGrady is likely to post good numbers this season, when he plays. He is always an injury risk and seems especially vulnerable heading into this season. |
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| Iverson sits with swollen knee | Saturday 10/11, 7:36 PM CT |
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Guard Allen Iverson will miss Saturday's preseason game against the Suns due to a swollen left knee. He aggravated his contusion on Friday. "It swelled up on me. I might have came back a little too fast after I got it drained," Iverson informs the Denver Post. "I look at the bigger picture. I can't start off the season struggling with an injury. I was blessed to play every game last season, and I want to do that this season."
Our View: Iverson has nothing to prove by fighting through injuries in the preseason. We expect him to be ready for the season opener, but we'll continue to follow his progress. |
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| Williams still on the mend | Saturday 10/11, 6:25 PM CT |
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Guard Mo Williams was limited in practice on Saturday because he is still recovering from hernia surgery, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Our View: The recovery process didn't stop Mo from playing 27 minutes in a preseason game earlier this week, so we figure the Cavs are just being overly cautious. |
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| Wallace misses practice | Saturday 10/11, 6:23 PM CT |
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Center Ben Wallace did not practice on Saturday due to a sprained ankle and a sore back, the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes.
Our View: Wallace is a warrior, and we imagine he'll be ready for the regular season, even if he's battling some pain. His fantasy value dipped noticeably the last few seasons, and he shouldn't be drafted in most leagues. |
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| Carter practices | Saturday 10/11, 5:46 PM CT |
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Vince Carter participated fully in practice on Saturday, the New York Daily News reports. He is listed as questionable for Sunday's preseason tilt against the Heat due to a sore hamstring.
Our View: Fantasy owners shouldn't be worried if Vince sits out another preseason game. There's no reason for the Nets to push the injury. We expect him to be 100 percent for the start of the regular season. |
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| Ellis suspended 30 games | Saturday 10/11, 3:57 PM CT |
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The Golden State Warriors have suspended Monta Ellis 30 games without pay for lying about how he injured his ankle, according to the AP.
Our View: The suspension may not really hurt the Warriors that much, because they are counting preseason games - including the four they have already played - and he likely would not be able to play until December anyway. He'll be eligible to return December 17. |
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| Haslem practices, moves to center | Saturday 10/11, 12:49 PM CT |
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Udonis Haslem practiced on Saturday, despite battling a sprained foot, according to the Miami Herald. He is also going to play center for the the team with the injury to Jamal Magloire.
Our View: Haslem will be an option for fantasy owners should he become eligible at center. However, the team wants to see how he performs at the position before committing to the move. |
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| Magloire out at least 6-8 weeks | Saturday 10/11, 10:45 AM CT |
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Jamaal Magloire is expected to be out at least 6-8 weeks, but if he undergoes surgery on his wrist, he could miss most of the season, according to the Miami Herald.
Our View: For now, the team will go with Udonis Haslem at center, and divide the rest of the minutes between Mark Blount, Joel Anthony and David Padgett. Magloire will have an MRI on his broken left hand to determine how long he will be out. |
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| McGrady close to return | Saturday 10/11, 10:30 AM CT |
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Rockets swingman Tracy McGrady isn't sure when he will play exhibition games, but says his knee is feeling better, accoridng to the Houston Chronicle. "It’s more of a mental thing because my leg is weak and it’s the first surgery I have ever had to deal with. It’s kind of a mental thing more than anything," McGrady said.
Our View: Houston coach Rick Adelman wants McGrady to get in some exhibition contests before the season begins in late October, but that will be up to how McGrady feels. Clearly, he adds value to fantasy teams, but he is obviously a big injury risk. |
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| Coach wants Love in better shape | Saturday 10/11, 9:33 AM CT |
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Timberwolves rookie forward Kevin Love was noticeably out of gas in the team's exhibition loss to Denver, which displeased his coach, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "He [Love] was dead. Both those guys [Jefferson and Love] ... they need to get in better shape," said coach Randy Wittman.
Our View: Love scored nine points and pulled down 11 rebounds while starting next to center Al Jefferson. The preseason is still young, so there is plenty of time for both to get in better shape. |
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| Williams cuts chin | Saturday 10/11, 9:27 AM CT |
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76ers guard Lou Williams had to leave the team's loss to the Knicks after cutting his chin and receiving three stitches, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Our View: The injury is not serious, and Williams will continue to be an important piece of Philadelphia's bench as Andre Miller's backup. |
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| Young leaves game | Saturday 10/11, 9:25 AM CT |
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Thaddeus Young was forced to leave the 76ers exhibition game against the Knicks after receiving a corneal abrasion to his left eye, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Our View: Young should be fine, and he is expected to see increased minutes this season. He started off the preseason by putting up 21 points while stealing five passes. |
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| Yue could play in D-League | Saturday 10/11, 8:51 AM CT |
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It is possible that Lakers rookie Sun Yue could play in the NBA's Developmental League if he does not look ready for the rigors of the NBA, according to the L.A. Times.
Our View: Yue, an import from China, played nine minutes in the team's first exhibition game and scored no points. It will be tough for him to crack the lineup, though the 6-foot-9 guard is very skilled for his size. |
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| Fisher sits out of practice | Saturday 10/11, 8:49 AM CT |
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Lakers guard Derek Fisher did not practice with the team on Friday due to a sore knee, according to the L.A. Times.
Our View: The injury is not thought to be serious, and Fisher may have been lucky because Phil Jackson put the team through extensive running drills, at least in part due to their poor performance against the Clippers. |
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| Harrison looking to prove people wrong | Saturday 10/11, 8:40 AM CT |
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New Minnesota center David Harrison has at least one thing to prove for this upcoming season after signing a one-year deal with the team, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. What would that be? "That I'm not a pothead, I guess," he said.
Our View: Harrison was suspended five games for violating the anti-drug policy. His deal with the T'Wolves is not guaranteed, so any slip-up would not cost the organization much. |
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| Green leads Thunder with 19 points | Saturday 10/11, 12:30 AM CT |
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Jeff Green led the Thunder with 19 points in Friday's 94-85 preseason loss to the Kings, to go along with seven boards, three assists, two steals, and one block. He played a little over 27 minutes.
Our View: Green averaged 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over 80 games as a rookie in 2007, and the talented small forward should build upon those numbers this season, hence making him a favorable fantasy option. |
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| Brown scores game-high 22 points | Saturday 10/11, 12:23 AM CT |
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Bobby Brown scored a game-high 22 points in Friday's 94-85 win over the Thunder. He also registered two rebounds, four assists, and two steals over 31 minutes of action.
Our View: The rookie out of Cal State-Fullerton saw extended minutes with Beno Udrih out with a hamstring ailment, and Brown seized the opportunity with a strong performance. |
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| Jefferson records double-double | Saturday 10/11, 12:16 AM CT |
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Al Jefferson recorded a double-double in Friday's 118-95 loss to Denver, with 10 points and 11 boards. He also chipped in two assists and three blocks, over close to 33 minutes of action.
Our View: Jefferson averaged 21 points and 11.1 rebounds per game last season, and looks to stay on par in 2008, making him a strong fantasy option among power forwards. |
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| Smith scores game-high 21 points | Saturday 10/11, 12:11 AM CT |
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J.R. Smith scored a game-high 21 points in Friday's 118-95 preseason win over Minnesota, to go along with two rebounds, two assists, and four steals. He played just under 26 minutes, which also led the team.
Our View: Smith is battling for the starting guard spot opposite Allen Iverson, and tonight's performance helped improve his odds. |
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| Sessions productive in loss | Saturday 10/11, 12:05 AM CT |
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Ramon Sessions just missed a double-double in Friday's 105-79 preseason loss to the Mavericks, as he registered 11 points with nine boards. He also collected three assists, while playing just under 26 minutes.
Our View: Tonight's performance will help his chances to earn a starting role at point guard. |
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| Nowitzki chips in 11 points in win | Saturday 10/11, 12:01 AM CT |
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Dirk Nowitzki chipped in 11 points and seven boards in Friday's 105-79 preseason win over Milwaukee. He played a little over 18 minutes, and hit both of his shots from long range.
Our View: The 30-year-old vet shall remain a worthy first-round pick in fantasy drafts. |
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