Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen is expected to play in game six of the NBA finals on Tuesday night after tending to his son in Los Angeles.

BOTTOM LINE: This is good news for the Celtics, who have benefited from Allen’s exceptional play in the championship round. In even better news, Allen's son is recovering well.

Los Angeles Clippers small forward Corey Maggette is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. Head coach Mike Dunleavy expects him to remain with the team on a new multi-year deal.

BOTTOM LINE: There is a chance that teammate Elton Brand will do the same, and the Clippers need to retain both of these players if they want to have any chance at making the playoffs next season.

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Shaun Livingston has been cleared to resume basketball activities after a year and a half of rehabilitation.

BOTTOM LINE: Livingston is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and it will be interesting to see if anyone is willing to take a gamble on him. At a workout, he was said to be doing so well that he can dunk. We will have to wait and see how this goes.

Los Angeles Lakers small forward Lamar Odom and center Pau Gasol combined for 39 points and 24 rebounds in Sunday's game five win against the Celtics.

BOTTOM LINE: This fact is a clear indication that the Lakers need these two to excel if they want to have any chance of taking the final two games of this series. Gasol needs to use his body more and Odom needs to continue to drive to the line and draw fouls.

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen was forced to leave immediately following game five due to a health issue with one of his children. As of now, we have no update on his status for game six.

BOTTOM LINE: Allen left almost simultaneously with the buzzer. Hopefully, this is just a minor issue and he will be back shortly, but if it's serious, our prayers are with his family.

Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo was limited to three points and three assists in Sunday’s game five loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He hasn't exceeded ten points since game one.

BOTTOM LINE: The Celtics do not have much depth at the point guard position as it is, so Rondo really needs to step it up and start playing well. If the Lakers win game six, they will have the advantage heading into the final showdown.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic scored 20 points on 7-10 shooting in the Lakers game three victory at home against the Celtics.

BOTTOM LINE: It was a huge performance for Sasha, considering the fact that Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom were pretty much invisible in game three. The Lakers will look to tie the series up in game four, and they will be looking for more production out of Gasol and Odom.

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo suffered a sprained left ankle in Tuesday's loss to the Lakers. He did return in the game, but the Celtics are awaiting X-Ray results.

BOTTOM LINE: The loss of Rondo would be a huge blow to the Celtics, because he is kind of the unsung hero in their successes. Most likely, it seems like Rondo dodged a major bullet and will be suitable to play in game four in Los Angeles.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson underwent successful surgery on the ankle that he injured on February 20. He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp.

BOTTOM LINE: Gibson was way too streaky of a fantasy player this season. He had a handful of stellar games, but they would too often be followed by three straight subpar efforts. Gibson is worthy of a mid to late round pick in fantasy drafts next season, as long as the ankle is healed.

Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas has opted out of his contract and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, according to the Washington Times.

BOTTOM LINE: Arenas is set to become an unrestricted free agent as of July 1. Odds are that he will remain in Washington under a huge deal. He is seeking a six year, $120 million contract. No matter how this all plays out, a healthy Arenas means that he will be near the top on draft boards this season.

Denver Nuggets center Nene Hilario has told the Brazilian Basketball Confederation that he will not be playing in the FIBA Qualifying Tournament.

BOTTOM LINE: Nene hasn't emerged as a fantasy presence just yet, but he has some potential if he solidifies his low post game. He is a perfect example of someone who needs to be coached.

Boston Celtics forward Leon Powe was the unsung hero for the Celtics in game two, finishing with 21 points in just 15 minutes of play.

BOTTOM LINE: Powe has never been too consistent a contributor, but it doesn't surprise us to see him perform like this from time to time. It is nice to have some scoring from someone who is not in the big three, and Powe will continue to come off of the bench in this series. If he continues to provide this kind of spark off of the bench, the Celtics are going to be tough to beat.

Sacramento Kings guard Ron Artest is unlikely to opt out of his contract by the June 30 deadline due to the fact that he would have to take a substantial pay cut in free agency.

BOTTOM LINE: We have yet to see Artest on a team in which he has been happy, but that doesn't seem to affect his production. He is one of the better all-around guards in fantasy, and he is worthy of a third to fourth round pick in fantasy leagues.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd was informed by the coaching staff that they have not initiated trade talks regarding their best player. Recent rumors had Redd going to Cleveland.

BOTTOM LINE: Many have speculated that the Bucks would love to get Redd and his huge contract off of the books so that they could continue their rebuilding process, but the more likely scenario has redd staying in Milwaukee and the Bucks building their team around him.

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce scored 28 points on 9-16 shooting in game two to help the the Celtics take a commanding 2-0 series lead. He also had 8 assists and 4 rebounds.

BOTTOM LINE: Pierce has been up and down at times in the post season, but he has had several breakout games. This 28 point effort helped the Celtics maintain their lead despite a 31-5 run by the Lakers in the fourth quarter. The Celtics are going to need Pierce to keep producing if they want to hoist the championship at season's end.

Indiana Pacers center Jermaine O'Neal's name has come up in trade rumors with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but Larry Bird may have to send the No. 11 overall pick as well.

BOTTOM LINE: After another injury plagued season, management has had enough waiting for O'Neal to finally be healthy and they want to move him. The most recent talk suggests that the Pacers and Cavaliers have talked about a deal that would send Jermaine O'Neal and the No. 11 overall pick to Cleveland for Wally Szczerbiak and Eric Snow. They wou be practically giving O'Neal away, but losing his $23 million cap figure seems to be at the top of their priorities,

Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson has been given a vote of confidence as the team's starting point guard. Carlos Arroyo and Kenyon Dooling are free agents

BOTTOM LINE: Dooling and Arroyo are likely going to leave to the highest bidders, which the Magic seem to be alright with. There are also rumors circulating that the Magic could target a point guard with their No. 22 pick in this year's draft. Nelson is a speedy playmaker who has his good nights and his bad, and he could develop into a solid player. Look for him in the late rounds.

Pacers center Jermaine O'Neal has informed the Indiana PAcers that he will not be opting out of the final two years and $44 million he has left on his current contract.

BOTTOM LINE: The Pacers are looking to deal O'Neal after he had yet another injury-riddled season. He only averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds this year, and that is certainly not satisfactor for the money the Pacers are paying him. The reason he is not opting out is because he knows he won't get superior money with his knees being such an issue.

Retired shooting guard Allan Houston may be attempting another comeback. He spoke with Grant Hill recently about the Suns' medical staff and asked if they could help him get into shape.

BOTTOM LINE: Houston last tried to come back last season with the Knicks, but was released after only one pre-season game. Even if his return is successful, Houston would be nothing more than a part time player, and he will not have any fantasy value.

Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas has made it clear that he will be opting out of the final year of his contract to become a free agent.

BOTTOM LINE: The general concensus around basketball is that Arenas wants to stay with the Wizards and is just trying to fill up his pockets a little bit more. It will be interesting to see how this situation develops with Arenas coming off of an injury. I say there is an 80 percent chance he remains with the Wizards, and he will still be one of the best point guards in fantasy next season.

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James' struggles continued Thursday in a 89-73 loss to the Boston Celtics. James shot just 6-of-24, although he was 9-of-13 from the charity stripe, and committed seven turnovers. Ben Wallace saw just three minutes of action after complaining of dizziness early in the first quarter. The Celtics took a 2-0 series lead.

BOTTOM LINE: James has shot a combined 8-of-42 in two games against the Celtics to go along with 17 turnovers. It has not been his finest hour and he should be glad to get back to Cleveland. He won't struggle this way for long, but against the Celtics it should be a five game series.

Kobe Bryant was handed the NBA's MVP award moments before recording 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists in a 120-110 win over the Utah Jazz to take a 2-0 series lead on Wednesday. The Lakers starting lineup accounted for 94 points, inlcuding 22 from Derek Fisher and 19 points and 16 rebounds from Lamar Odom. The Lakers shot 57 percent from the floor.

BOTTOM LINE: It looks like the Western Conference is a battle between the Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets. With Kobe high on his MVP award, think Lakers in five.

Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups injured his hamstring in the first quarter of Wednesday's 111-96 loss to the Orlando Magic and did not return. The Pistons are hopeful Billups can return to lineup for Game 4 on Saturday. Billups played just four minutes before leaving. The Pistons hold a 2-1 series lead despite the loss.

BOTTOM LINE: With the series headed back to Orlando, the Pistons are in big trouble if Billups can't play. He averaged 23.5 points and 5.5 assists in the first two games of the series and is a major part of the Pistons offense. Keep an eye on his status.

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James was held to just 12 points on 2-of-18 shooting Tuesday in a 76-72 loss to the Boston Celtics in the series opener. King James did record nine assists and nine rebounds, but he also totaled 10 turnovers. The Cavs shot just .307 from the floor and could not escape Boston's pressure defense.

BOTTOM LINE: Can anyone remember the last time James had a night like this? It won't last, but it is dissapointing to see. This was a game the Cavs could have stolen. Still, look for him to rebound.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard scored 22 points and pulled down 18 boards in a 100-93 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Howard has taken his playoff game to another level, averaging 21 points, 16.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks. He didn't appear bothered by a thumb injury suffered in Game 1.

BOTTOM LINE: The Pistons have taken a 2-0 series lead despite Howard's best efforts. The rest of the magic shot just .387 without Howard. They need to find a way around Detroit's defense if they want to have a chance.

The New Orleans Hornets took a 2-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs behind a 30-point, 12-assist effort from point guard Chris Paul on Monday. Peja Stojakovic added 25 points, including five three's, and Tyson Chandler and David West combined for 21 rebounds.

BOTTOM LINE: The young Hornets look like the team to beat right now. Paul is playing out of his mind and the whole team is clicking.

Rip Hamilton scored 24 points on Thursday as the Detroit Pistons defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 100-77 to complete a 4-2 series win. Chauncey Billups added 20 points and seven assists and Tayshaun Prince added 12 points and seven board for the Pistons, who will face the Orlando Magic in the next round.

BOTTOM LINE: Hamilton averaged a svelte 19.6 points, five rebounds and 4.5 assists against the 76ers, numbers that weren't there during the regular season. Against Dwight Howard and the Magic, he might have a tougher time scoring easy buckets, but he's still a top fantasy playoff play.

The Los Angeles Lakers completed their four-game sweep of the Denver Nuggets on Monday, defeating them 107-101 to advance to the next round of the playoffs. Kobe Bryant scored 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Pau Gasol added 21 points and four blocks for the Lakers, who came into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed ahead of the New Orleans Hornets.

BOTTOM LINE: Bryant is well on his way to his first MVP. He's got a veteran supporting cast that he trusts and a true scorer in Gasol. The Lakers will likely face the Utah Jazz, who hold a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets, in the next round.

Atlanta Hawks go-to guy, Joe Johnson, scored 35 points on Monday, sparking an unexpected 97-92 win against league leading Boston Celtics, and evened the series at 2-2. The high flying Josh Smith added 28 points and seven blocks for the Hawks, who got just four points from their bench. The Hawks outscored the Celtics 32-17 in the fourth quarter and held them to just 41 percent from the floor on the day.

BOTTOM LINE: Mike Bibby will need to step up his play if the Hawks are to have a chance. He's averaged just 11.8 points and three assists so far this series. Still, no one expected the Hawks to be in this series right now and they are winning.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard topped 20 points and 20 rebounds for the third time in his last five games on Monday in a 102-92 win over the Toronto Raptors. The Magic won the series 4-1 and will advance to the next round, facing either the Detroit Pistons or Philadelphia 76ers. Howard averaged 22.6 points and 18.2 rebounds in the series.

BOTTOM LINE: The Magic's big man is a beast. He shot 64 percent from the field and averaged nearly five blocks in the series. If only he could improve his atrocious free throw clip -- 56.8 percent against Toronto -- he would be a No. 1 fantasy contender.

The New Orleans Hornets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 97-84 on Sunday behind a near triple-double from Chris Paul and a solid defense that limited the Mavs to just 32 percent shooting from the floor. Paul recorded 16 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in another solid playoff effort. David West led the team with 24 points and nine rebounds.

BOTTOM LINE: The Mavericks look like they're headed for a first-round exit for the second consecutive year. The gamble for Jason Kidd hasn't payed off and it looks like another long off-season for Mark Cuban is just around the corner.

Detroit Pistons veteran Rasheed Wallace scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 93-84 win over the Philadelphia 76ers to take a 3-1 series lead. Wallace sank four three's and made key plays down the stretch for the Pistons. Tayshaun Prince added 23 and Rip Hamilton added 18 points and seven assists.

BOTTOM LINE: 'Sheed took this one over from the start. He's a playoff veteran that knows how to produce. He's averaging 15.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and two three-pointer's a game. He's a solid start in all formats.

Raja Bell scored 27 points on Sunday as the Phoenix Suns orchestrated a 105-86 rout of the San Antonio Spurs and earn their first win in the 3-1 series. Boris Diaw nearly had a triple-double, recording 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and the Suns were 9-of-20 from behind the arc. Grant Hill sat again with a sore groin that has bothered him since the final weeks of the regular season.

BOTTOM LINE: The Suns have caught some bad breaks and watched Tim Duncan and Tony Parker dominate in this series. That doesn't mean they can't force a Game 6 though. If the Suns take Tuesday's Game 5 in San Antonio, they would bring the series back to Phoenix, where they were 30-11 this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Delonte West scored 21 points and doled out five assists in a 100-97 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday, giving them a 3-1 series lead. With the Wizards bent on stopping LeBron James, West was given open shots all over the court. He sank five three's and hit the game-winner. He's played just sporadically with the Cavs, but he has the talent and know-how to succeed.

BOTTOM LINE: With thin depth at the point position, those in playoff pools might consider West, who can rebound and pass. He's averaging 11 points and 3.8 assists in four playoff games.

Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady scored 27 points and handed out seven assists in a 94-92 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Rafer Alston, back from an injury, scored 20 and sank four three's as the Rockets outscored the Jazz by eight in the final quarter to secure the win. Bobby Jackson returned to the bench where he had eight points.

BOTTOM LINE: The Rockets are a better team with Alston running the point. There also a different team, which is why it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to see the Rockets claw back and steal this one from the Jazz.

Toronto Raptors point guard T.J. Ford scored 21 points and Chris Bosh added 15 in a 108-94 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday. Jose Calderon added 18 points and 13 assists off the bench for the Magic, who shot 12-of-34 from behind the arc and 49 percent from the floor. Dwight Howard was held to just 12 rebounds after two consecutive 20-plus games.

BOTTOM LINE: The Raptors climbed into the win column and cut the Magic's series lead to 2-1. Bosh still isn't assertive enough on the offensive end and they need to find a way to limit Howard, but the Raptors have a start in a series expected to go six or seven.

Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler scored 17 points to lead a 108-72 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, cutting the Cavs series lead to 2-1. Roger Mason scored 18 and DeShawn Stevenson added 19 for the Wizards, who only saw 10 minutes of action out of Gilbert Arenas. The Wizards placed five players in double figures and shot 52 percent from the floor.

BOTTOM LINE: The Wizards held everybody, even LeBron James, in check. James led all scorers with 22, but no other Cavs player got it going offensively. The Wizards will have to win out in Washington and steal a game in Cleveland if they hope to advance.

Detroit Pistons guard Rip Hamilton recorded 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a 105-88 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, tying the series at one game apiece. Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess all scored 16 points as the Pistons shot over 50 percent from the floor. McDyess led the team with 12 rebounds, and Wallace added three blocks and a pair of three's.

BOTTOM LINE: The Pistons dominated this one from the begining, refusing to allow the 76ers to claw back into their lead as in Game 1. Flip Saunders' team possesses strong balance. On any given night, any of the five starters can step up and make a big impact. Expect a Pistons win in six.

The Atlanta Hawks shot just .383 from the field and went 0-for-5 from behind the arc in Wednesday's 96-77 loss to the Boston Celtics. No Hawks starter made half of his shots, and the Celtics tough defense forced 21 turnovers. Marvin Williams and Josh Smith both led the Hawks with 13 points. Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby scored 11 and 12 respectively.

BOTTOM LINE: Nobody thought the Hawks had the slightest chance of prayer coming into this season. Still, the Celtics are putting on a clinic in defense. Expect the Hawks to fall in four as the Celtics cruise to the Eastern Conference finals.

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant scored 49 points and handed out 10 assists in a 122-107 win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday to take a 2-0 series lead. Luke Walton continued his strong post-season play adding 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Pau Gasol notched a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Lakers had 11 turnovers to 33 assists -- an astounding ratio.

BOTTOM LINE: Bryant played like a madman this post-season, but we all knew that was coming. The real surprise is Walton, who took a step back with an injury plagued regular season. He's averaging 17 points, 5.5 rebounds and five assists in two games against Denver this post-season.

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul scored 32 points and added 17 assists in a 127-103 rout of the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. Paul is now averaging 33.5 points and 13.5 assists on 64 percent shooting in the playoffs. David West added 27 and Tyson Chandler recorded a double-double.

BOTTOM LINE: The Hornets are for real. Paul is doing unheard of things and he's making his team better. Look for a win in five.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard recorded 29 points and 20 rebounds, his second consecutive 20-20 game, in a 104-103 win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Howard recorded 25 points and 22 rebounds in Game 1. Howard continues to dominate in the post and command the paint. He added three blocks on Tuesday.

BOTTOM LINE: Howard is a monster that can dominate and change games even when the rest of the team is struggling. After taking a 2-0 series lead heading into Toronto, expect the Magic to wrap this one up in five.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili accounted for 79 of the San Antonio Spurs 102 points Tuesday in a 102-96 win over the Phoenix Suns. Duncan followed his impressive Game 1 performance with 17 rebounds, and Parker led the Spurs with 32.

BOTTOM LINE: Parker scored almost at will, and the Suns were powerless to halt the Spurs offense (.492 from the field). The Spurs limited the Suns to just 11 third quarter points and dominated during the second half.

Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists on Monday but came up short in a 90-84 loss to the Utah Jazz. Despite losing by just six, the Rockets shot .416 from the floor and had trouble scoring down the stretch. Bobby Jackson, who sat most of the season with injury, recorded 18 points behind McGrady.

BOTTOM LINE: The Rockets had an incredible run of success this season, but without Yao Ming they're a one trick pony. Defenses are clamping down on McGrady and forcing his teammates to make shots. Utah in five.

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James narrowly missed a playoff triple-double on Monday, registering 30 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists in a 116-86 win over the Washington Wizards. James was the only Cavs starter to record more than 30 minutes of court-time, but Wally Szczerbiak (15 points) and Zyrdrunas Ilgauskas (16 points) both managed to make contributions.

BOTTOM LINE: Szczerbiak figures to be a vital part of Clevaland's playoff plans despite a spotty end to the regular season. He has seen starters minutes in Game 1 and 2. Even more surprising, however, was the strong play of center Ben Wallace who pulled down seven boards and scored eight points in under 20 minutes.

The Milwaukee Bucks fired coach Larry Krystkowiak after a dissapointing 26-56 finish to the regular season. It was just Krystkowiak's first full season as an NBA head coach. In an interview with the Racine Journal Times newspaper, Krystkowiak said, “I am not the coach anymore. I am going to sit at home the next couple of days and decompress.”

BOTTOM LINE: This move was expected, especially after the upper management change in Milwaukee. John Hammond, the former Pistons' vice president of basketball operations, takes over for Krystkowiak. The Bucks will be in the draft lottery for the second straight season.

The Chicago Bulls fired interim coach Jim Boylan on Thursday -- the first of what will probably be many off-season changes after a dissapointing end to the regular season. The Bulls finished in 11th place with a 33-49 record. Boylan began the season as the Bulls assistant coach and stepped in to fill the void after Scott Skiles was fired.

BOTTOM LINE: Ben Gorden and Luol Deng refused contract extensions worth nearly $50 million. Change is on the way for the Bulls, who missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season when Skiles took over.

Seattle SuperSonics rookie Kevin Durant scored 42 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in a 126-121 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. It was a career high night in both points and rebounds for the talented rookie. The Sonics end their season on a modest two game winning streak.

BOTTOM LINE: Golden State's expulsion from the playoffs may have had something to do with their lackluster effort. Durant finished the season on a high note and should be a strong pick in next season's fantasy draft along with fellow rookie Jeff Green.

Detroit Pistons guard Rip Hamilton returned to action Wednesday after missing several games with a bruised hip, scoring two points on 1-of-8 shooting in a 84-74 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pistons played their starters just 12 minutes before turning the game over to the bench. Rip has averaged just over 10 points in four games since his return.

BOTTOM LINE: The Pistons have been resting their starters the last few games and haven't really been tested in a month. It will be interesting to see how quickly they can ramp up to playoff intensity. Expect Hamilton to be in fine form for the playoffs.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Zyrdunas Ilgauskas scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Monday's controversial 91-90 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Officials reviewed the Cavs final play -- a clanker from Devin Brown -- before deciding that Samuel Dalembert had fouled Brown with 0.2 seconds remaining, allowing the Cavs game winning free throws. LeBron James scored 27 for the Cavs, a solid showing despite dealing with back spasms.

BOTTOM LINE: James has been limited of late, and Wally Szczerbiak has fallen out of the rotation completely. That leaves Ilgauskas to pick up the slack. The lanky big man has averaged 17.5 points over his last 13 games and is set for a monster post-season.

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers opted to rest his big three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce and still manage to pull out a 99-93 win over the hapless New York Knicks on Monday. Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 23 points, while his veteran understudy, Sam Cassell, chipped in with 22. No word yet on whether or not the big three will in the lineup Wednesday against the New Jersey Nets.

BOTTOM LINE: Garnett has had such an easy time in the Eastern Conference that he's been given too much rest for fantasy owners relying on his mega rebounding. In fact, all three Celtics stars have seen a decline in production. There's no arguing with the results though; the Celtics wrapped up the NBA's best record, and home court throughout the playoffs, a long time ago.

Phoenix Suns small forward Grant Hill tweaked his groin in Monday's 112-116 win over the Golden State Warriors and will be held out of the Suns final regular season game as a precaution. Shaquille O'Neal registered 19 points and 15 rebounds and Amare Stoudemire scored 28 for the Suns, who have gone 4-3 this month.

BOTTOM LINE: Hill had an otherwise spectacular season marred by injuries down the stretch to the chagrin of fantasy owners. Those in playoff brackets, take hope; Hill should be active throughout the playoffs barring any unusual setbacks.

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony was arrested early Monday on suspicion of drunken driving, according to an Associated Press release. The NBA All Star was pulled over for weaving and failing to dim his lights. After failing a series of sobriety tests, he was charged with a DUI. The Nuggets refused to comment on the situation.

BOTTOM LINE: This is not what a Denver team struggling for the eighth seed needs right now. It will be interesting to see if Anthony gets suspended by the team or league for his actions. If so, don't expect a heavy suspension.

Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady continued his shooting woes, scoring 16 points in a 111-94 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. McGrady has shot the ball erratically the past month and a half as he deals with back and shoulder issues. He is averaging 21.8 points and shooting 36.7 percent in his last nine contests.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite the loss of his shooting touch, McGrady has contributed strongly in other categories. He's averaged 5.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists over his last nine appearances. Continue to start the Houston star. He's the Rockets only true scorer with Yao Ming out for the season.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom recorded 17 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in Sunday's 106-85 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The win, coupled with a New Orleans loss, gives the Lakers a 1/2 game lead for first place in the crowded Western Conference. Odom has averaged 16.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in seven games this month.

BOTTOM LINE: Odom has played out of his mind since the All Star Break. He's scoring more, rebounding like a madman and handing out assists in bunches. If he hadn't gotten off to such a slow scoring start, this would be his best statistical season.

Seattle SuperSonics point guard Earl Watson recorded 21 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in a 99-95 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in what could possibly have been the last game for the Sonics in Seattle. The diminuitive point guard recorded his sixth double-double of the season and has played his best stretch of basketball of late. Watson is averaging 18.4 points and shooting 48.7 percent from the field in his last five games.

BOTTOM LINE: Watson has played strong enough to consider him a viable fantasy option. He's a solid source of assists and his shooting has come around lately. Start him or make a waiver wire bid for him if he's available.

Los Angeles Clippers power forward Elton Brand scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Thursday's 106-78 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Brand has averaged 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in five games since his return. Tim Thomas also returned to action after missing five games with a sore Achilles' tendon. He scored just three points on 1-of-11 shooting.

BOTTOM LINE: Hopefully, some patient owner is reaping the rewards down the stretch with Brand. It's encouraging to see the Clippers give him extended minutes after missing so much time in a lost season. He'll be a high draft pick again next season.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd recorded seven points, six rebounds and seven assists in Thursday's 97-4 win over the Utah Jazz. While these numbers are hardly upsetting, fantasy owners have taken a hit since Kidd's return to Dallas. Kidd has averaged 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists in 26 games with his new team -- a significant dropoff from his New Jersey numbers.

BOTTOM LINE: Some good has come with the bad. Kidd is shooting nearly 47 percent from behind the arc and nabbing 2.3 steals a night. Whether those numbers are worth the dip in other statistics is up to you, but he remains a must start down the stretch.

Denver Nuggets sixth man J.R. Smith scored 24 points and sunk four three-pointers in Thursday's crucial 114-105 win against the Golden State Warriors. After a tumultuous and indifferent start, Smith has turned his season around. He's averaging 17.6 points and has shot 48.4 percent from the floor over his last nine games. The Nuggets broke a virtual tie with Golden State for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference with the win and look like playoff locks.

BOTTOM LINE: Smith has been scoring enough to consider starting him as a flex or utility player in most leagues, especially if you need three's. He's not going to get you 20 a game, but he score enough that you don't regret your decision.

New Orleans Hornets sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic scored 24 points, including five three-pointers, in a 122-90 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Stojakovic has been sharp over his last four games. He has averaged 21.5 points on 49.8 percent shooting from the floor.

BOTTOM LINE: Injuries have slowed Stojakovic down the past few season's, but he's averaging a career best 45 percent from three-point range and has stayed relatively healthy after missing 69 games last season. Playing with Chris Paul no doubt has a positive effect on Stojakovic and owners are reaping the benefits.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard recorded 30 points and 14 rebounds in a 115-83 trouncing of the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Howard connected on 12-of-15 shots from the field and snapped a brief three game slump in which he failed to record more than 17 points. Rashard Lewis added 21 points, including four three-pointers.

BOTTOM LINE: Howard hasn't recorded a single-digit rebounding game since Feb. 19 -- a span of 23 games. He's been a monster on the boards and one of the best fantasy players in the league, discounting his atrocious free throw shooting. Lewis, however, has turned into a spot-up three-point shooter and is averaging a career best 6.8 attempts from behind the arc.

Cleveland Cavaliers stars LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas combined to score 46 points in a 104-83 rout of the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday. Since returning from a back injury on March 16, Ilgauskas has averaged 16.7 points and emerged as Clevelands definitive No. 2 scorer behind James.

BOTTOM LINE: Ilgauskas looks heatlhy and primed for a big post-season, which is good news for fantasy owners worried about the oft-injured big man. James, meanwhile, is playing his best basketball yet. Just check out his line from Wednesday's game: 33 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 0 turnovers, 1 steal and 2 blocks.

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal overcame early foul trouble to score 16 points and grab nine rebounds in a 96-79 win over the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday in a possible playoff preview. If the playoffs started today, the No. 6 Suns would face the No. 3 Spurs in the first round. There's little guarantee that these standings will hold though. Just a half a game seperate the Suns from the second seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the loaded Western Conference.

BOTTOM LINE: Shaq played masterful down the stretch despite his early foul trouble. He dominated Tim Duncan on the block and filled in the middle on defense. He's a 15 and 10 guy to start if you can stomach his free throw percentage.

Rookie Wilson Chandler scored a season high 23 points as the New York Knicks snapped a five game losing streak, defeating the Orlando Magic 100-90 on Sunday. Chandler has seen a noticeable increase in minutes in March and April and has played well enough to warrant consideration in deeper fantasy leagues. He has started 13 of the last 16 games for the Knicks.

BOTTOM LINE: Chandler has averaged 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds over the past 16 games for the Knicks. With Eddy Curry out for the season, Chandler continues to log heavy minutes and can be a useful fantasy add in deep leagues.

The Houston Rockets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 105-79 on Sunday to clinch a playoff berth, but Tracy McGrady remained mired in a awful shooting slump. McGrady scored 13 points on just 5-of-16 shooting, though he did add eight rebounds and nine assists. McGrady has shot just 35.2 percent from the field over his last 12 games -- a span over which the Rockets have gone 7-5.

BOTTOM LINE: The Rockets haven't flatlined since their 22-game win streak was snapped, but they haven't excelled either. McGrady has shot poorly, but he continues to do other things well. He's playing through considerable pain in his shoulder. With Rafer Alston out, however, McGrady must remain the focal point on the offense.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks erased a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Phoenix Suns 105-98 on Sunday. The win gives the Mavericks a two game lead over the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors for the seventh seed in the Western Conference, virtually ensuring them a playoff spot. Dallas is now 2-10 in games against teams with winning records since acquiring point guard Jason Kidd at the trade deadline.

BOTTOM LINE: Prior to the game coach Avery Johnson said that he would play Nowitzki in six minute spurts until he regained his conditioning. That plan went out the window, and Nowitzki played 38 minutes. The good news, though, is that his ankle held up fine and he hasn't lost his shooting touch. Keep him active down the stretch.

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul recorded his first career triple-double Sunday in a 108-96 win over the Golden State Warriors. Paul recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and five steals, while Peja Stojakovic and David West led the team with 25 points apiece. The Hornets have won 10 of their last 11 contests and own the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

BOTTOM LINE: Paul has averaged 22.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 12.7 assists and 2.6 steals over his last 11 games, making him one of the top fantasy players out there. There's not a weak part to his game and he's only 22-years-old. He's an MVP candidate and a must start.

Denver Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin was suspended for one game without pay for exceeding the NBA's flagrant foul limit. Any player that records more than four flagrant points is automatically suspended for one game. Martin topped that number after striking Boris Diaw in Tuesday's win over the Phoenix Suns. He will serve an additional one-game suspension for each additional flagrant foul he receives.

BOTTOM LINE: While Martin's overall numbers aren't great, consider how slowly he started his season. He's averaging 17.7 points over his last 10 games and both knees appear to be healthy. He's a strong No. 2 fantasy forward option.

Houston Rockets small forward Tracy McGrady continued his recent scoring burst with a 35-point, six-rebound, five-assist effort in a 95-86 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. McGrady had been slumping the latter half of March, bothered by a sore back,.He has appeared unaffected the past two games however, averaging 33.5 points on 43 percent shooting.

BOTTOM LINE: McGrady hasn't exploded like everybody expected with Yao Ming out. He's still playing well though and averaging 22 points, five rebounds and nearly six assists this season. Like every other team in the Western Conference, the Rockets are still battling for playoff position. Don't expect McGrady to get much rest before the playoffs.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in his second game back from a season long injury in a 110-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. Brand played 27 minutes and shot well enough from the field (7-for-15). Cuttino Mobley, Tim Thomas and Chris Kaman all missed the game with injury.

BOTTOM LINE: Well, if you hung onto Brand the whole season, now is the time to soak it in. Hopefully, he gets some more minutes and can put your fantasy team over the edge.

Chicago Bulls guard Larry Hughes scored 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting against the Cleveland Cavaliers, his former team, on Thursday in a 101-98 win. Hughes also recorded eight rebounds, five assists and two steals in the win. Former Cavaliers forward Drew Gooden miss the game, his third straight, with an abdominal strain.

BOTTOM LINE: Hughes' fortunes haven't changed much in Chicago. He's averaging an inconsistent 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 20 games with the Bulls. Gooden was the real steal in this trade. His value has rocketed with the Bulls.

Atlanta Hawks swingman Josh Smith recorded 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks on Wednesday in a 127-120 overtime win over the Toronto Raptors. Smith, one of the most underrated fantasy stars in the league, has picked up his intensity over the past two games after a brief lull in his play. The Hawks are on a five game winning streak and have won nine of their last 11 to secure the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

BOTTOM LINE: The Hawks might ride their hot streak into the playoffs. They've beaten a bunch of bad teams, but confidence in a young squad makes a big difference. Expect Smith to continue his hot play.

Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol returned from an ankle injury that had sidelined him since March 14 and record 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a 104-91 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Gasol's ankle had swelled noticeably after the game and he admitted to feeling limited, but it was a strong overall performance, especially considering he missed 10 games.

BOTTOM LINE: The Lakers don't play a back-to-back until April 10 and 11, so Gasol should be fine moving forward. He returns to his role as a No. 2 forward on all fantasy squad's down the stretch. Start him.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand scored 19 points in his season debut on Wednesday, scoring 19 points and grabbing five rebounds in a 102-84 win over the Seattle SuperSonics. Brand had missed virtually the entire season with a torn left Achilles tendon, but his return might come to late to help fantasy owners. Brand finished 7-of-15 from the floor and 5-of-5 from the line. He had 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Clippers pulled away.

BOTTOM LINE: Brand's return comes a month too late. Fantasy ball is probably well into the playoffs right now, meaning unless your one of the few lucky GMs still playing, you're out of luck. Still, his return is exciting for Clippers fans.

Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki scored 18 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in his first game back from a bad ankle sprain in a 111-86 rout of the Golden State Warriors Wednesday. Nowitzki fell hard in a loss to the Spurs on March 23, and the Mavs struggled to play without him, going 2-2 in his absence. The Mavericks moved a game ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the seventh seed in the Western Conference.

BOTTOM LINE: Now that Nowitzki's back, look for the Mavs to make a run. They might not play him 40 minutes, but the Mavs will have the balance to keep compete again.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd scored a season high 27 points in a 93-86 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. It was just the third time this season Kidd has reached the 20-point mark, though he has averaged 17.3 points and shot 47.6 percent from the field over his last four games. Josh Howard continued his machine-like production with Dirk Nowitzki out of the lineup and scored 25 points on 8-of-20 shooting.

BOTTOM LINE: Kidd is longer the daily triple-double threat he was in New Jersey. He just can't grab as many rebounds with so many big men in the lineup. Still, he's a valuable fantasy producer if you ignore his poor shooting. Keep him active.

Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal returned after missing more than two months with a knee injury, scoring nine points in 18 minutes of a 105-85 win over the Miami Heat on Monday. O'Neal missed 33 games and had not seen action since Jan. 16 after suffering a bad bone bruise. He's averaging 15 points and seven rebounds this season.

BOTTOM LINE: The Pacers are just three games removed from a playoff berth, but it seems unlikely that they'll make any sort of run at it. O'Neal will see a steady increase of minutes. However, the Pacers won't be in any rush to leave the oft-injured big man on the floor. O'Neal has missed 105 games over the past four seasons. He's a boarderline start in deep leagues at best.

Atlanta Hawks point guard Mike Bibby scored 17 points and handed out seven assists in a 116-99 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. The Hawks have won a season best four consecutive games, and Bibby has averaged 19.8 points and 6.8 assists over this span. Atlanta currently possesses the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference.

BOTTOM LINE: The Hawks are playing good basketball, even if they are beating bad teams. Expect strong performances down the stretch from Bibby and Joe Johnson as they gear up for the playoffs. Bibby's sore thumb doesn't seem to be a problem.

Amare Stoudemire scored 41 points and pulled down 14 boards on Monday, and the Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 132-117 to move into a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for first place in the Pacific Division. Steve Nash totaled 36 points, including eight three's, and eight assists, and Shaquille O'Neal added 20 points and 12 boards. Grant Hill sat out with a strained right groin and is day-to-day.

BOTTOM LINE: The Suns are playing their best ball since acquiring O'Neal at the trade deadline and their record proves it. They are 10-2 over their last 12 games with Stoudemire averaging 30.1 points over this span. The Suns were no doubt feasting on the Nuggets atrocious defense.

Toronto Raptors forward-center Chris Bosh scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 29 minutes on Sunday in a 118-111 loss to the New Orleans Hornets. Bosh has averaged 22.4 points over his last five games. His numbers are down a bit, but he's battled injury all season.

BOTTOM LINE: Bosh should continue his powerhouse ways down the stretch. More dissapointing is the T.J. Ford-Jose Calderon combo in the backcourt. The platoon robs them both of fantasy relevance and hurts owners relying on Calderon's dishing ability.

Dallas Mavericks small forward Josh Howard scored 36 points in Sunday's 114-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors, falling to eighth place in the tough Western Conference. Howard has averaged 32.6 points in three games without Dirk Nowitzki, but the Mavs have won just once over that stretch.

BOTTOM LINE: Zero games seperate Dallas, Denver and Golden State, so expect all three teams to play hard down the stretch. Howard should continue to score like a madman while Dirk's out, and Jason Terry should increase his output as well.

Seattle SuperSonics forward Jeff Green scored 21 points in a 120-107 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. The rookie out of Georgetown has played particularly well of late, averaging 16.2 points over his last five games and 12.8 in 16 games this month, though the Sonics have won just two of those contests.

BOTTOM LINE: While Green isn't scoring at Kevin Durant's level, he is playing decent basketball and is a solid start in deep leagues down the stretch. Eye Green in the later rounds of drafts next season. He could be big.

New York Knicks forward David Lee recorded his fifth consecutive double-double in a 114-109 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. The Knicks have lost 14 of their last 16 games and are heading for the draft lottery, but there's some fantasy goodness to be found. Lee has averaged 14.6 points and 12.4 rebounds over his last five games and is one of the few Knicks with consistent fantasy appeal.

BOTTOM LINE: With Eddy Curry done for the season and Zach Randolph playing like a dog, coach Isiah Thomas seems content to play his youngsters. Lee benefits most and should be a walking double-double from here on out. He shoots high percentages and will pick up the odd assist and steal. How can you go wrong starting him?

Seattle SuperSonics forward Chris Wilcox will miss the remainder of the season with a dislocated right pinky. He averaged 13.4 points and seven rebounds through 62 games this season and was one of the few Sonics that possessed daily fantasy value. He originally suffered the injury in early Jan., but aggravated it against the Suns earlier this month.

BOTTOM LINE: Nick Collison will be the main beneficiary of Wilcox's absence. Collison recorded a career high 21 rebounds the other night and should see plenty time with Wilcox gone.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Jarret Jack had another solid scoring effort on Thursday, dropping 19 points in a 111-95 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Jack should remain the leading scorer on the Blazers for at least a little while. The team announced Brandon Roy would miss the next four games with a strained groin. He's averaging 18 points the past two games with Roy out of the lineup.

BOTTOM LINE: Jack has always been a boarderline start. You might look like a genius inserting him into your fantasy lineup now though. He'll be the go-to guard while Roy is out, and if its a serious injury, that might be a while.

Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a 118-105 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. The Nuggets remained just a half-game behind the Golden State Warriors and a full game behind the Dallas Mavericks in the standings with the win. The Nuggets have won four straight.

BOTTOM LINE: Anthony has averaged 26.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists over his last four games. He's also shooting 54.2 percent from the floor over this span. Anthony is a roto star right now and should be started in all formats.

Guard Chris Quinn has become the Miami Heats' go-to guy with Shawn Marion nursing a sore back and Jason Williams resting a sprained thumb. Quinn recorded 11 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals in a 85-69 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday. He's averaging 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and two steals over his last seven games.

BOTTOM LINE: You've probably never heard of Quinn, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't start for your fantasy team. He's the only live body producing for the Heat and he's probably available. If he keeps getting minutes down the stretch, he could be an underrated steal.

New York Knicks rookie Wilson Chandler started and recorded his first career double-double on Wednesday, totaling 10 points and 10 rebounds in a 103-96 overtime win against the Miami Heat. Chandler has played well as a starter and is averaging 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds over his last five games.

BOTTOM LINE: With the Knicks headed towards the lottery, Chandler has seen starters minutes. He's a decent source of rebounds and points as long as he sees court time.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 29 points and pulled down 15 rebounds in a 100-99 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. The lanky big man has averaged 17.5 points and 9.7 rebounds in five games since returning from a back injury. Wally Szczerbiak, meanwhile, continued his struggles with the Cavs, scoring just two points on 1-of-5 shooting in 16 minutes.

BOTTOM LINE: Ilgauskas is the only Cavs player scoring with regularity other than LeBron James. Expect him to be big down the stretch. And for those of you hoping that Wally World would find his shooting touch, you're in for a dissapointment. The normally reliable sharpshooter has seen his value plummet on the Cavs. He's not worth the roster space.

Phoenix Suns swingman Gordan Giricek recorded 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal in Wednesday's 117-97 loss to the Boston Celtics. The veteran guard has averaged nearly 12 points and more than a three-pointer a game over his last seven contests. He's quietly worked his way into the Suns rotation and is eating away at Boris Diaw's minutes.

BOTTOM LINE: While his numbers won't pop out at you, if you need three's down the stretch then Giricek could be your man. He's regained some value with the Suns and is a solid late season fantasy addition.

Golden State Warriors forward Chris Webber officially ended his comeback attempt and announced his retirement after 15 years Wednesday. Webber played just nine games for the Warriors in a failed experiment that ended when he re-injured his knee. He averaged just 3.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14 minutes this season.

BOTTOM LINE: In the odd case that Webber is still hanging around your roster, it's officially ok to cut him. Knee and back injuries derailed an already promising career. He finishes his career as just one of a handful of players to average 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists a game.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard recorded 24 points and 21 rebounds -- his eighth 20-20 game this season -- in a 107-97 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. Howard has topped 20 rebounds 11 times this season and is averaging 14.8 rebounds this month. He leads the league in double-doubles and rebounding.

BOTTOM LINE: Howard has been a fantasy monster of late. Unfortunately, that 60 percent clip from the charity stripe keeps him from a top fantasy billing.

Chicago Bulls power forward Drew Gooden scored 31 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in a 103-94 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday -- his best performance since joining the Bulls. He's averaging 15 points and just under 10 rebounds in 16 games with his new team. The Bulls are just two games behind the Hawks for the eigth seed in the Eastern Conference.

BOTTOM LINE: Gooden's move to Chicago has boosted his fantasy value. The team is just 5-7 this month, but they're hot on Atlanta's heels and have a good shot at making the playoffs as the eight seed.

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard picked up the slack with Dirk Nowitzki sidelined, scoring 32 points in a 103-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. Despite the absence of Nowitzki, Mavs guard Jason Terry saw just 24 minutes of action. He totaled four points on 1-of-5 shooting and has not seen more than 30 minutes since March 6 against Houston -- a span of nine games.

BOTTOM LINE: With Nowitzki out, someone has to step up. Terry, who was instrumental in the Mavs regular season run last season, looks lost playing with Jason Kidd. Don't expect consistency from him. Instead, look at Howard and Kidd for your fantasy points.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy was forced to leave Tuesday's 102-82 win over the Washington Wizards with a sore groin. He tried to return midway through the second quarter, but left the court after less than two minutes. He's currently listed day-to-day. In his absence Jarret Jack had 17 points, five rebounds and six assists.

BOTTOM LINE: Roy's status for Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors is uncertain, though he'll play if he can. The team was also without LaMarcus Aldridge, who sprained his ankle the previous day. If these guys can't go, expect Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster to pick up the slack.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom recorded his second consecutive 20-plus rebound game in a 123-119 win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday. He finished with 23 points, 21 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and two steals. He's averaging 17.7 points and 13.4 rebounds over his last 11 games. BOTTOM LINE: Odom has systematically improved each month after a slow start. He's posting herculean fantasy numbers right now and has benefited more than anyone from the Pau Gasol trade. He's a must start down the stretch.

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds in a 110-105 overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, ending a seven game win streak. O'Neal has played well of late, averaging 15.4 points and 10.8 rebounds over his last five games. Amare Stoudemire added a game-high 33 points, and Grant Hill totaled 15 and nine.

BOTTOM LINE: O'Neal has settled into his role with the Suns and emerged as a key role player. Gone are the massive 30-point efforts of his youth. But he still has enough to average 15 and 10 the rest of the way. If you can stomach the embarrassing free throw percentage, start him.

Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki sustained a high ankle sprain during Sunday's game against the San Antonio Spurs and announced on Monday that he would remain out of the lineup indefinitely. Nowitzki is averaging 22.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and a career-best 3.6 assists this season. The Mavericks have lost three straight and fallen to the seventh spot in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

BOTTOM LINE: With 12 games remaining and the Mavs fighting for a higher seed, Nowitzki's return during the regular season might seem probable. But he's wearing a protective boot and on crutches right now. If your season depends on it, drop him and hit the waiver wire. Don't expect more than two or three games out of him until the playoffs.

New York Knicks forward Wilson Chandler has seen thirty-plus minutes in three straight games, including Friday's 120-106 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Chandler scored 17 points and seven rebounds in the contest and has averaged 12 points and 7.6 rebounds over this span. BOTTOM LINE: With the Knicks season all but over, consider going for Chandler. He'll see minutes and is a capable producer.

Houston Rockets guard Bobby Jackson scored 16 points off the bench in a 109-16 win over the Golde State Warriors, snapping a two-game losing streak. He sank five three pointers, and Tracy McGrady added 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Rockets.

BOTTOM LINE: Jackson has played well of late and may see increased minutes. Until he does though, don't start him.

Toronto Raptors big man Chris Bosh returned on Friday, scoring 24 points on 7-of-18 shooting in a 90-83 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rasho Nestorovich added 16 points and T.J. Ford scored seven off the bench for the Raptors.

BOTTOM LINE: Bosh becomes an immediate starter now that he's healthy. He's too good to waste on the bench. Activate him now.

Chicago Bulls power forward Drew Gooden registered 16 points, four rebounds, a block and a steal in Thursday's 102-80 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Gooden has hit his stride with the Bulls, averaging 19.6 points and 9.2 rebounds over his last five games with the Bulls. He's quickly become their No. 2 scoring option behind Ben Gorden.

BOTTOM LINE: Gooden has seen a nice increase in value since the trade deadline. Expect 15 and 10 from him from here on out. He's now a must start.

Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry played just 15 minutes in a 94-90 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday, recording three points, three rebounds and two assists. Terry has seen his playing time decrease to just over 22 minutes the past seven games. Over this span he has averaged 12 points, 2.5 rebounds and two assists --hardly a fantasy feast. The Mavericks are 5-2 over this span, though they have yet to beat a team over .500 since acquiring Jason Kidd at the trade deadline.

BOTTOM LINE: With Kidd in the fold and a healthy Jerry Stackhouse playing well, Terry has seen a decreased role in the Mavs offense. His fantasy value has hit the dirt, and the Mavs haven't really put things together against better teams. Expect him to rebound, but not until he starts seeing the minutes again.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Vladimir Radmanovic registered 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting, including three three-pointers, in a 106-95 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Radmanovic has averaged 13 points, six rebounds and over a steal over his last four contests -- all without Pau Gasol in the lineup. The Lakers play the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday and the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

BOTTOM LINE: As long as Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are out, Radmonovic will see the lion's share of minutes at power forward. There's no pressure to hurry Gasol back while the Lakers are the top seed in the Western Conference, so expect a few more games of solid production out of Radmanovic.

Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a 125-117 loss to the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday. Joe Johnson added 20 and Mike Bibby 15 for the Hawks, who had won three straight prior to the loss.

BOTTOM LINE: Horford is a credible fantasy pick down the stretch. He's averaging 13 rebounds and four assists over his past three contests, as well as a block. Keep him active in all formats.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilguaskas scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 89-73 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. Ilguaskas has averaged 13 points and eight rebounds in three games since returning from injury.

BOTTOM LINE: Ilguaskas is even more important to the Cavs now that Larry Hughes is gone. He's the No. 2 scorer on the team and a must start center.

The Houston Rockets lost 90-69 to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday for the second consecutive time since their 22 game winning streak was snapped. Tracy McGrady scored 15 to lead the Rockets, and Rafer Alston added 10. McGrady has averaged just 12 points over his past three games.

BOTTOM LINE: The Rockets weren't as good as their streak indicated. Now that it's over, we'll see how they fare without Yao Ming and the emotional drive to complete their streak.

Phoenix Suns small forward Grant Hill scored just seven points in a 110-98 win over the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday. Hill has averaged just 6.3 points over the past four games, topping double-digit scoring only once.

BOTTOM LINE: Hill is an important piece of the Suns. Continue to start him. He'll rebound before long.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd registered just one point and seven assists in a 102-100 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. The Mavericks have yet to beat a plus-.500 team with Kidd on the roster. He's averaging nine points, six rebounds and nearly 10 assists with the Mavs -- numbers below his New Jersey averages. He hasn't hit double-digit scoring since March 3 (a span of seven games).

BOTTOM LINE: Fantasy owners jumping for joy when the Kidd trade was announced are now probably cursing their luck. Kidd hasn't delivered, but he's still productive. Ignore the slip-shod point totals and enjoy the rebounding and assist numbers...even if they are less than they were at the start of the season.

Kevin Garnett recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics snapped the Houston Rockets 22-game winning streak with a 94-74 win on Tuesday. Ray Allen missed the game with a sore left ankle and is listed day-to-day. Newly acquired point guard Sam Cassell played 21 minutes, but posted just two points, one assists and six turnovers.

BOTTOM LINE: Forget about Cassell on the Celtics; they have too many weapons and he's too old to be useful. Rajon Rondo's numbers could see a hit though if Cassell continues to eat his minutes. Owners should be disturbed by Garnett's five double-digit rebounding efforts in his last 17 games. The Celtics are just too good for him to have to work a full 48 minutes every night.

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin scored 34 points in a 122-105 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. The Kings have won four of their last five contests since dropping seven of eight in Feb. and March. Martin has averaged 26.2 points over his last six games, shooting 49.6 percent over this span.

BOTTOM LINE: Martin won't fill up a box score like Brad Miller or Ron Artest, but he can sure score. He's not a big fantasy name, but he's a guy to keep an eye on. Right now, he's a definite starter.

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal recorded 16 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks in a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. O'Neal played his most complete game in a Suns uniform, and the team won their fifth straight constest. The Suns have a tough upcoming schedule with games against Seattle, Houston, Detroit, Boston and Philadelphia on the horizon.

BOTTOM LINE: Shaq has rewarded owners who have stuck with him. If you ignore his pitiful free throw percentage, he's producing across the board. Expect 12-and-10 from him down the stretch.

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili scored 32 points, including four three-pointers, but despite his best efforts, the Boston Celtics won 93-91 on Monday. Ginobili has played well this montn, though the Spurs have lost six of their last seven games and plummeted to sixth in the Western Conference. Tony Parker is still slow coming off that heel injury, and Tim Duncan is never 100 percent until the playoffs.

BOTTOM LINE: Greg Popovich won't be resting his starters until they work the kinks out. This means no drop in production from Parker, Duncan & Co. heading into the playoffs.

Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur left Monday's 96-79 win over the Toronto Raptors early in the first quarter due to a stomach flu. There's no word on whether or not he'll miss Thursday's game yet, but it seems likely that he'll see shortened court time if he does play. He's having his best month in March, averaging 19.3 points and 11 rebounds in nine games prior to Monday.

BOTTOM LINE: Okur has played so well of late that Carlos Boozer has seen a decrease in value. Either way, the Jazz are playing their best ball of the season (8-2 in March) and are still barely clinging to home court advantage in the playoffs. Expect them to play their starters the length of the season.

Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooter Wally Szczerbiak continued his prolonged slump, playing just six minutes and scoring two points in a 104-90 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday. Szczerbiak is now shooting 31.3 percent and averaging nine points in 12 games with the Cavs and has seen his playing time substantially decrease of late.

BOTTOM LINE: Szczerbiak figured to be the main beneficiary in his move to Cleveland. Playing with LeBron James was suppossed to supply him with plenty of open looks in a winning atmosphere. Instead, he has struggled so mightily that he's fallen out of the rotation entirely. If you can stash him on your bench, it might be worthwhile holding onto him to see if he rebounds. If not, then dump him without qualms.

New York Knicks point guard Nate Robinson scored 23 points in a 109-98 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. With the news that Eddy Curry is done for the season, Robinson will likely become the No. 2 scorer on the Knicks, immediately boosting his fantasy value. Ditto David Lee, who recorded 12 points and nine rebounds on Sunday. BOTTOM LINE: Consider taking a flyer on Wilson Chandler in deeper leagues. The rookie should see a substantial increase in minutes with Curry gone. What he does with these minutes, however, is anybody's guess.

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin scored 32 points and forward Ron Artest added a double-double to help beat the Toronto Raptors 106-100 on Sunday. Artest recorded 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals in one of his best games this season. The Kings have won three of their last four games.

BOTTOM LINE: Fantasy GMs in roto-leagues must love Artests production. He has 107 steals in just 47 games this season. Martin, meanwhile, is one of the most consistent young scorers in the NBA.

Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston scored a career-high 31 points, and the Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 104-92 to extend their league-leading winning streak to 22 games. Alston connected on eight three-pointers, and Bobby Jackson added 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting for the Rockets, who were largely without Tracy McGrady for three quarters. The Rockets play the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.

BOTTOM LINE: Alston has been a fantasy stalwart since Yao Ming ended his season. It's a different set of players every night for the Rockets, though Shane Battier and Louis Scola are getting monster minutes. Start them all and ride the Rockets hot streak.

The Denver Nuggets set NBA season highs with 84 points in the first half and total points with 168-116 blowout over the Seattle SuperSonics on Sunday. All 12 active Nuggets scored and eight recorded double-digits. Carmelo Anthony led the team with 26, and Kenyon Martin added 23 points and eight rebounds. No Denver player saw more than 26 minutes of court time.

BOTTOM LINE: The Nuggets have never had a problem scoring. In fact, they've been accused of running up the score in the past. But this is fantasy basketball, so all is forgiven. The Nuggets open a five-game Eastern Conference road trip on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.

Sacramento Kings point guard Beno Udrih recorded 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a 96-85 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. Ron Artest added a team high 22 points and six steals. The Kings have won two straight but are just 3-7 over their last 10 games.

BOTTOM LINE: "We still have goals we're trying to meet. I'm very banged up, and not as bad as last year (with a foot injury). But everybody's banged up at this point," Kings center Brad Miller said. At some point, the Kings will pack it in for the season. Udrih should remain unaffected though, he's young and needs the playing time. Guys like Miller, however, should be shopped before it' too late.

Cleveland Cavaliers newly acquire sharpshooter, Wally Szcerbiak, played just 12 minutes in a 101-99 loss to the Washington Wizards on Thursday. Szcerbiak has shot a woeful 32 percent in 10 games with his new team. He scored just six on 2-of-9 shooting against the Wizards. For a guy who has shot 50 percent for his career this is horrible fantasy news.

BOTTOM LINE: Playing with LeBron James was suppossed to open up the floor for Wally, allowing him easy jumpers. Instead, Szcerbiak is rushing his shot without much success. Bench him until he figures things out.

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal sat for most of the 123-115 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. Shaq picked up five fouls in just 16 minutes, recording nine points and four rebounds over that span. Warriors coach Don Nelson used a combination of small-ball and double-teams to limit O'Neal.

BOTTOM LINE: Don't worry about this type of performance from O'Neal. Keep him active if you can stomach his free throw percentage. He will be a 10-10 guy down the stretch -- a strong No. 2 center.

Washington Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig won his 300th career game on Wednesday, a 3-2 defeat of the Calgary Flames. Kolzig made 24 saves and allowed both goals. He's now 3-1-0 in his last four starts and 24-20-6 this season.

BOTTOM LINE: Kolzig isn't the strongest fantasy option but he has played well of late. With Cristobal Huet now his teammate he will get less starts, but he has improved on his numbers lately. Consider him a high No. 2 goalie.

New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul recorded 26 points and 17 rebounds in a 100-75 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. Forward David West also added 29 points and 10 rebounds. No other Hornets player cracked double-digits, but they held the Spurs to just .429 from the field while shooting nearly 59 percent.

BOTTOM LINE: Paul must rightly be considered a top five fantasy player. He does everything except block shots and is averaging 27.8 points and 15.5 assists in his last four games.

Philadelpia 76ers forward Andre Iguadala scored 22 points and five assists, and Samuel Dalembert pulled down 15 rebounds in a 83-82 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The 76ers have become a surprise team in the East, winning seven of their last nine contests and 13 of their last 16 after battling mediocrity the first half of the season. Both Dalembert and Iguadala are solid, consistent fantasy sources.

BOTTOM LINE: There are few fantasy surprises on this team, but Dalembert, Iguadala and Andre Miller are all fantastic options. Ride them while the team is hot.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Ben Wallace missed Wednesday's 104-99 loss to the New Jersey Nets with leg spams and is listed day-to-day. Wallace has averaged 5.7 points and eight rebounds in nine games with the Cavs this season. With Zydrunas Ilguaskas out with a strained back, the Cavs are thin up front.

BOTTOM LINE: The Cavs are playing smaller ball, but no one has taken advantage. Wally Sczerbiak is still ice cold, and the Cavs role players have done little. Witness LeBron James' 42-point explosion against the Nets. Just two other players scored more than 10 points.

Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson recorded 28 points and eight rebounds, and Josh Smith added 16 points and 22 rebounds in a 83-75 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Although Mike Bibby hasn't been lighting up the scoreboard, he has deflected attention away from Johnson, who has averaged 29.3 points over his last six games. He's shot 49.7 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range over this span, though the Hawks are just 1-5 during this time.

BOTTOM LINE: Johnson is one of the more underrated fantasy guards in the game. He's been rock-solid since the Mike Bibby trade. Start him without worry.

Indiana Pacers small forward Mike Dunleavy scored 32 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 114-107 win over the Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday. Dunleavy has averaged 21 points in five games this month and is the teams leading scorer with Jermaine O'Neal out. Dunleavy left the second quarter after spraining his ankle, but returned to finish the game.

BOTTOM LINE: Dunleavy has taken a beating this season. Despite his great performance this year, now might be the time to shop him. As the season wears on, he'll sit more and more to rest the nagging injuries he's accumulated.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Al Jefferson recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 103-96 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Jefferson has averaged 21.6 points and 11.3 rebounds in six games this month -- right in line with his season averages. Jefferson has taken a big step forward this season, averaging nearly 5.5 more points a game.

BOTTOM LINE: Jefferson might be the only T'Wolves player worthy of much fantasy notice right now. The team is 'rebuilding' around Jefferson and won't be good for two or three more years.

Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon came off the bench Tuesday in a 117-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, recording two points and six assists. This was the fourth time in the last six games that Calderon failed to score double-digits. With T.J. Ford's return from injury, Calderon is coming off the bench again and has less of a role in the offense.

BOTTOM LINE: Don't expect the sparkling 12-point, 10-assist games from Calderon that we saw when T.J Ford was out. At best he's a utility player and an injury reserve. In shallow leagues, he might not even be roster worthy.

Chicago Bulls power forward Drew Gooden scored 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in a 108-96 win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Gooden also added five assists, and the Bulls are now 4-6 since acquiring him at the trade deadline.

BOTTOM LINEL: Although Gooden's numbers in Chicago are only slightly better than his Cleveland Cavaliers numbers, he's still a strong fantasy option now. As he grows more comfortable in Chicago, expect him to approach 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooter Wally Sczerbiak misfired again with his new team, scoring just eight points in a 88-80 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. He's shooting just 32.2 percent from the floor and scoring just over 11 points with the Cavs. Wally is a career 49 percent shooter from the floor.

BOTTOM LINE: Chalk up his poor start to a bad week and offensive adjustments. He's too good a shooter to stay out of the box score for long. Plus, LeBron James should open up the floor for him.

New Jersey Nets star Vince Carter scored just 13 points in a 91-73 blowout loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday. Carter is averaging 16.2 points in six games this month -- well below his season average. Not surprisingly, the Nets have lost six straight.

BOTTOM LINE: Carter is feeling the effects from the Jason Kidd trade on the offensive end of the floor. Still, 20-5-5 is pretty good from a fantasy guard, and Carter won't stay in the doldrums for long.

Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler returned to practice Monday for the first time since Feb. 5. Gilbert Arenas also returned to practice, giving the team hope its two stars could be on the court for the remainder of the season. Butler was diagnosed with a tear in his left hip joint, while teammate Gilbert Arenas underwent knee surgery just eight games into the season.

BOTTOM LINE: Keep an eye on them, especially Butler. He will be back starting before long and should be an immediate start in fantasy basketball once again. The Wizards are clinging to the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Miami Heat announced that Dwyane Wade will miss the rest of the season in order to rest his surgically repaired left knee, which had been bothering him for some time. The Heat are an NBA worst 11-51 this season, so Wade's decision to end the season was bound to come before long.

BOTTOM LINE: Fantasy owners have to be miffed. This was a top five pick heading into the season. Expect to see bumps in production from Ricky Davis and Marcus Banks.

New York Knicks center Eddy Curry has torn cartiladge in his right knee and will miss several games before deciding if surgery is neccessary. Curry missed Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers after hurting his knee against the Detroit Pistons the night before. The Knicks are also without power forward Zach Randolph, who has missed time with a bruised right foot.

BOTTOM LINE: While we'd advise dropping Curry just yet, there is a chance he'll undergo surgery which would end his season. His numbers are down, but he's still an occassional contributor. For fantasy purposes, he's a strong No. 2 center when healthy.

Philadelphia 76ers points guard Andre Miller recorded 16 points, nine assists, five rebounds and two steals in a 119-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. About the only thing Miller doesn't do is sink three-pointers, but given his all-around healthy roto-game it's forgiveable. Miller continued his strong pay leading the 76ers to their sixth win in seven games.

BOTTOM LINE: Miller might be the most underrated point guard in the NBA. He shouldn't slow down anytime soon. The 76ers are fighting for home court advantage.

Sacramento Kings point guard Beno Udrih scored 26 points and doled out 10 assists in a close 114-113 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Despite winning just two of their last nine games, the Kings have played a reasonably high level of basketball thanks in part to Udrih, who has taken over the team since Mike Bibby's departure.

BOTTOM LINE: Udrih has averaged 21.6 points and 6.6 assists over his last seven games. He's the Kings only real option at the point and should continue to produce the rest of the season.

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal played his best game as a Sun, scoring 14 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in a 94-87 win against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. Coach Mike D'Antoni has altered his offense in order to get O'Neal deeper into the paint. As a result, he's having an easier time scoring.

BOTTOM LINE: Right now Shaq can safely be considered a low end No. 1 center. He's chipping in offensively and giving fantasy owners 11.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks with his new team.

Charlotte Bobcats guard Jason Richardson scored 34 points in a 100-97 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Matt Carrollcontinued his strong play in Gerald Wallace's absence, adding 23. Richardson is averaging 29 points over his last six games.

BOTTOM LINE: With Wallace still recovering from a bad concussion, Richardson and Carrol have stepped up their games. Charlotte has won five straight in their longest win streak of the season.

Atlanta Hawks points guard Mike Bibby continued his struggles on Saturday, scoring just eight points on 3-of-12 shooting in a 97-94 win over the Miami Heat. Bibby has averaged 12.8 points in 12 games since being acquired at the trade deadline by the Hawks. He has shot just .376 from the field since joining the team.

BOTTOM LINE: Fantasy owners were expecting more out of Bibby, especially after stashing him away on their benches while he nursed a prolonged thumb injury. Hope his accuracy improves as he acclimates himself to the Hawks offense, but don't pretend he's going to return to Sacramento glory days anytime soon.

The Houston Rockets won their 18th consecutive victory on Saturday, topping the New Orleans Hornets 106-96, and the Rockets backcourt combined for 61 points. Tracy McGrady scored 41, and Rafer Alston added 21 for the Rockets, who are now 6-0 without Yao Ming (stress fracture). Alston has averaged 17.5 points with Ming out of the lineup.

BOTTOM LINE: Alston might benefit most from Yao's absence, but don't overlook Louis Scola and Shane Battier. They will combine to eat up Yao's minutes.

New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson scored a career high 45 points in a 120-114 overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. Robinson was 16-of-28 from the floor and added six rebounds and six assists. David Lee added 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks, who were without starting power forward Zach Randolph for the fifth straight game.

BOTTOM LINE: Robinson has been shooting well lately and dropping in a lot of points, but his suspect rebounding and dishing skills leave him with limited fantasy value. He's a strong spot starter while he's hot and a nice option in deeper leagues, otherwise stay away.

Cleveland Cavaliers recently acquired guard Wally Sczerbiak continued his shooting woes, connecting on 4-of-11 field goal attempts in a 107-96 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Long regarded as one of the NBA's premier shooters, Wally World has shot just 32 percent from the floor in six games with Cleveland.

BOTTOM LINE: Sczerbiak should be a productive producer alongside LeBron James...if he could sink he shots. He should get open looks, and considering he's a career 49 percent shooter (40.7 from beyond the arc), there's no reason Wally can't score more than 15 points a night.

Indiana Pacers forward Troy Murphy collected 13 points and six rebounds in a 108-97 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Murphy has averaged 14.2 points and six rebounds over his last nine games. After a poor start to the season, Murphy has found some consistency in Indiana.

BOTTOM LINE: With Jermaine O'Neal out, Murphy has been one of Indiana's true offensive threats. Continue to expect these numbers from Murphy through the rest of the season, making him a useful fantasy player in deeper leagues.

Rafer Alston scored 24 points, and the Houston Rockets won their 17th consecutive game on Thursday after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 113-98. Tracy McGrady led the Rockets with 31 points and nine assists, and Carl Landry added 17 points. The Rockets host the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday.

BOTTOM LINE: Rookie Landry has seen his minutes and value increase over the last 20 games or so. He's averaged 14.8 points and five rebounds over his last five games. Scoop him up in all fantasy leagues; with Yao Ming out, he'll continue to produce. Ditto Alston.

Chicago Bulls general manager Bill Paxton suspended Tyrus Thomas for two games for unexpectedly missing practice on Wednesday. The suspension began on Thursday when the Bulls took on the Cleveland Cavaliers and continues Friday against the Boston Celtics. Thomas gave no reason for missing practice, but his playing time had been cut since the trade deadline.

BOTTOM LINE: With Thomas out of the lineup, expect Drew Gooden to receive substantial minutes. Gooden is averaging 12.6 points and 10 rebounds in seven games with the Bulls this season. As for Thomas, he has played too eratically to be a fantasy option.

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James posted a 50-points, eight-rebound, 10-assists night in 119-105 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. It was James' second 50-point game this season, and the Cavs have won six of their last eight games. James leads the NBA in scoring.

BOTTOM LINE: King James reigns supreme once again. He loves playing in New York and always plays hard there. He still needs to work on his three-point shot, but that's just nit-picking. James is an MVP candidate and top three fantasy pick.

Denver Nuggets oft-troubled guard J.R. Smith scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting in a 126-113 win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. He has averaged nearly 18 points over his last seven games though, and has picked up his intensity level since the trade deadline.

BOTTOM LINE: Anyone considering Smith a boarderline start should get him active in fantasy leagues. His play is picking up and he's getting more minutes. He's only 22 and he's been in this league four-years. Hard to believe!

New Orleans Hornets sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic scored 29 points, including seven three pointers, in a 116-101 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Stojakovic also added nine rebounds and four assists, and Tyson Chandler added 14 points and 16 rebounds.

BOTTOM LINE: Stojakovic has had an up-and-down season. Hopefully he turns it on during the final stretch; his three-point shooting is a fantasy god-send. He has sunk 19 long-balls over his last five games.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki has been suspended one game for committing a hard foul on Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko on Wednesday. Nowitzki will be forced to sit out of Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets, who have won 16 straight. Kirilenko left the game after the foul with a bruised hip. X-rays were negative, though he did not return.

BOTTOM LINE: Unless you're playing in a daily league, there's not much you can do here. Sit Dirk if at all possible, otherwise you're going to have to take the fantasy hit.

Rafer Alston scored 21 points and dished out seven assists, and the Houston Rockets won their NBA-leading 16th consecutive game after a 117-99 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Luis Scola added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Chuck Hayes added nine points, 12 rebounds and five assists. The Rockets lost big-man Yao Ming for the season but have yet to slow down.

BOTTOM LINE: The Rockets aren't good enough to keep winning in the West without Yao, but some fantasy good can come out of this situation. Scola should see a nice spike in production, as should Luther Head and Shane Battier.

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant scrored 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 117-105 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Bryant has played out of his mind of late. He's averaged 39.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and four assists over his last three games.

BOTTOM LINE: With the Dallas Mavericks struggling to adjust to Jason Kidd's style at the point and Shaquille O'Neal still out of shape, the Lakers have to be the title contender in the West. Kobe might be the best player since Michael Jordan. Sorry, LeBron.

Golden State Warriors G/F Mickael Pietrus recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds in a 135-118 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Pietrus had seen his fantasy value plummet after last season, but with the trade deadline passing he seems to have relaxed. He's averaged 15.3 points and 4.5 rebounds over his last four games.

BOTTOM LINE: Pietrus has worked his way back into coach Don Nelson's lineup. Keep an eye on him. If he gets 20-25 minutes a night, he could be a solid back-end fantasy contributor.

The New Orleans Hornets welcomed back Chris Anderson on Wednesday after he completed a two-year suspension stemming from drug abuse. He averaged 5.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks during a little more than four seasons in the NBA. Anderson was the first player handed a long-term ban from drug use since Stanley Roberts in 1999. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

BOTTOM LINE: Anderson's playing time will likely be limited on the surprising Hornets. He was a fan favorite though, so it will be interesting to see how he fares in his return. He has no fantasy value as of now.

Samuel Dalembert recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and two blocks as the Philadelphia 76ers won for their fourth time in five games with a 106-80 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. The 76ers are vying for their first playoff berth since 2005 and sit one game ahead of the No. 8 seed New Jersey Nets and two ahead of the No. 9 seed Atlanta Hawks.

BOTTOM LINE: Dalembert's numbers have been down a bit, but not enough to warrant any concern. He's a low end No. 1 or high end No. 2 center and a solid source of blocks.

Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko sustained a hip injury early in the first quarter of Monday's 116-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks after being knocked to the floor attempting a layup. X-rays were negative, and the injury is being called day-to-day. He will be re-evaluated Tuesday, but it's safe to assume Kirilenko will miss several games and should be benched until further notice.

BOTTOM LINE: Although he's improved on his numbers after last season's injury plagued disaster, Kirilenko has yet to live up to his nickname this season. Matt Harpring will likely start in Kirilenko's place, though he has limited value.

New York Knicks power forward Zach Randolph has missed the past two games, including Monday's 100-88 loss to the New Orleans Hornets, with a sore right foot. He first injured the foot in the fourth quarter of Friday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks and he was a last minute scratch on Saturday against the Orlando Magic. No word yet on whether Randolph will be in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

BOTTOM LINE: Bench Randolph unless his status clears up before Wednesday's game. Eddy Curry broke out of his month long slump in Randolph's absence on Monday. Malik Rose got the start in Randolph's place, though he is not a fantasy option.

New Jersey Nets point guard Devin Harris made his debut with his new team and recorded 21 points and five assists to lead the team to a 120-106 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Acquired in the blockbuster trade that sent Jason Kidd to Dallas, Harris had sat out while recovering from an ankle sprain. He had previously averaged 14.5 points and five assists in forty games with the Mavericks.

BOTTOM LINE: Expect Harris to improve his production with the Nets. Not only is he playing in the weaker Eastern Conference, but he's also in a low-pressure environment where he'll be given more room offensively. This trade increases his value.

San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker continued his shooting troubles, scoring just 10 points in a 97-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. In four games since returning from the heel injury that forced Parker to miss nine games, he has averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 assists and shot 39 percent from the floor -- well below his season numbers. Thursday's game was the first he has played more than 30 minutes since his injury.

BOTTOM LINE: Parker is not 100 percent healthy yet, but he's getting there. There's no need to bench him though; his next four games are all against Eastern Conference opponents.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmer scored 24 points and connected on four three-pointers in a 106-88 rout of the Miami Heat on Thursday. The second-year guard man out of UCLA has been solid since the All Star Break, totaling double-digit scoring in five of six games. He's averaging over two three-pointers a game over this span.

BOTTOM LINE: Farmar is still coming off the bench, but he's making the most of his minutes. While he's not exactly a fantasy goldmine, he could be useful if you're lacking in the three-point department. He has played and shot the ball well since the All Star Break.