Our weekly digest of everything fantasy basketball. Facts don't lie and the Hoop Scoop is full of 'em. Projections for the week of April 14-20. Stats through April 12:


Seattle Sonics, PG
Comment: Watson has been on an absolute tear as of late, including a 16-point, eight assist effort on Wednesday.Watson now has double-digit scoring in five of his last six games and he has finished with at least five assists in five of those games as well. Watson will continue to get minutes and is a solid option coming down the stretch.

Denver Nuggets, SG
Comment: Smith has been remarkably consistent over his last 20 games. He has reached double figures 18 times and is averaging over 17 points over his last 10 games. Start him in all formats while he continues this torrid pace.

New York Knicks, SF
Comment: The Knicks actually have a mini winning streak going and it is in big part thanks to Wilson Chandler, who has averaged 18 points over the past four games. This Knicks team is going to be completely renovated over the summer; Chandler is one of the few guys who has a chance to stay. Keep him in your lineup while he gets consistent minutes.

New York Knicks, PF
Comment: Randolph's season was up and down to say the least, but he is closing it out on a high note, which is good for the Knicks. Randolph has averaged 17.9 points per game over his last ten games,. Maybe this late season surge will able the Knicks to trade him for something valuable. Only time will tell.

Utah Jazz, C
Comment: While Okur was an awful fantasy producer in Nov. and Dec., he has been a force ever recently. In his last five games, his lowest point output was 16. His excellent rebounding has been a major reason why Utah has been successful. Of course, having Deron Williams doesn't hurt.
Toronto Raptors, PG
Comment: Fantasy owners must be frustrated with the recent production of the Toronto guard. He has had single digits in scoring in six of the last seven games. He continues to produce assists, but his scoring has been woeful coming down the stretch. Start someone else right now, unless you are absolutely desperate for assists. His passing is the only positive thing about him right now.

Minnesota Timberwolves, SG
Comment: McCants has been rather inconsistent as of late, and his last game may have been his worst performance of the season. After committing two fouls in three first quarter minutes, McCants watched the rest of the game from the bench, which is something that must have had fantasy owners livid. Bench him.

Houston Rockets, SF
Comment: I felt the need to discuss Novak, because I know that a lot of fantasy owners are going to be compelled to pick him up after his 17-point performance on Wednesday night. He would be an obvious recommendation if Shane Battier and Tracy McGrady had injuries that would keep them out for the rest of the year. But that isn't the case. Don't be conned into taking him, because it will not benefit your team this season.

Golden State Warriors, PF
Comment: What a scrub Marshall has been in fantasy recently. In his last ten games, he is averaging only three points per game and has been nursing a sore knee. It is time to dump him as soon as humanly possible.

Charlotte Bobcats, C
Comment: People who got excited about Mohammad's big turnout on Tuesday night were most definitely disappointed by his showing on Wednesday against the Knicks. In just 19 minutes of play, Mohammad managed a mere three points and six rebounds. Many others on the Bobcats played well, but the big man just wasn't able to consistently get it going tonight. There are plenty of better options.


Washington Wizards, PG
Comment: Arenas has been a nice help since he returned from the injury that shelved him for much of the season, and he has been playing well enough to warrant a spot in most fantasy lineups. One thing to play close attention to is the fact that he misses a game here or there with his injury, so you may want to check up on him before starting him.

Houston Rockets, PG
Comment: After missing three games with an injury, Alston returned with a bang on Wednesday, finishing the game with 18 points and five assists. He has been a relatively good contributor in fantasy basketball this season, and he could be a guy worthy of starting for the rest of the season, as long as he stays healthy and produces in multiple categories.

Miami Heat, SG
Comment: We can all agree on one fact. It must really be hard to play for the Miami Heat when they are as terrible as they are. If there was one bright spot on the team, it's Ricky Davis, who leads the team in scoring. Over his last ten games, he has averaged over 14 points per game and he continues to give his all even though his team loses every night. Start him.

New York Knicks, SG
Comment: Crawford has had a career year on the underachieving Knicks.He's shot the ball well of late and handed out plenty of assists with Stephon Marbury AWOL. Keep him active. He's one of the few Knicks worth owning.

Washington Wizards, SF
Comment: The injury that Jamison suffered looked scary to the naked eye, but Jamison returned on Wednesday night and showed no ill effects. He finished with 27 points in an impressive showing against the Boston Celtics. This is an obvious start, and he will be beneficial to fantasy teams everywhere.

Los Angeles Lakers, SF
Comment: Walton made his return from a two game absence due to a strained hamstring and he looked like a healthy man on a mission. In his return effort, Walton scored 18 points, five rebounds and four assists in an easy victory over the Clippers. If you were worried about his health in the last week of the season, don't be. He's fine and good to activate.

Sacramento Kings, F
Comment: Garcia has been a godsend for the Kings so far this season, averaging over 12 points per game while playing stellar. His play has picked up recently, as he had over 20 points in three of his last six games, including a 38-point performance on Tuesday. If he's out there, go get him, and if you have him, start him now.

Memphis Grizzlies, PF
Comment: Warrick has really been on top of his game since Paul Gasol got traded to the Lakers. In his last six games, Warrick has finished in double figures in scoring. Warrick has turned in a solid season with a couple of bumps along the way, but he projects to be a good fantasy player moving forward.

Toronto Raptors, C
Comment: He continues to be on fire, just as he was last week. Nesterovic has averaged just less than 17 points per game in his last ten, and has been a force to be reckoned with. Fantasy owners need to grab him if he is available, but most likely he isn't. Keep your eyes open for him and monitor him closely.

Chicago Bulls, C
Comment: What a pickup this guy has been for the owners that may have given him a chance two weeks ago. In his last 18 games, dating back to March 2, Nesterovic has finished in double digits in scoring in 15 of them, a staggering number considering his production prior to that time. If you need a center, he is an excellent option right now. Start him.


Milwaukee Bucks, PG
Comment: Congrats goes to Williams for his second straight week on the list. Sessions has played very well as his replacement since he got hurt, but even with Williams slated to return soon, no one is really expecting much out of him. Don't bother putting him in your lineup. You are better off taking a chance on someone who gets a lot of minutes.

Memphis Grizzlies, PG
Comment: The Grizzlies are high on this rookie point guard and they should be. His recent 25-point outbreak against the Minnesota Timberwolves more than proves he can be a capable scorer. Don't be fooled though. More often than not, Conley won't provide owners with any reasonable sort of production.

Cleveland Cavaliers, SG
Comment: Brown finished with just four points in Wednesday's game, and is beginning to anger fantasy owners everywhere with his inconsistent play. It's impossible to know when he is going to do well and when he is going to fall flat on his face. I think he is too inconsistent to have a spot on your team, so take a chance on someone else for the time being.

Detroit Pistons, SG
Comment: As of right now, Hamilton is day to day with a hip injury, but Pistons coach Flip Saunders was quoted as saying that he has no intent of increasing Hamilton's minutes before the end of the season. They are likely going to baby Hamilton in anticipation of making sure that he is alright for the playoffs. Look at other options.

Los Angeles Clippers, SF
Comment: Maggette was very passionate about the thought of playing on Thursday night, but that just was not in the cards due to his health. Maggette once again missed the game due to an injured leg, and is likely done for the season. There is no reason for the Clippers to take any chances when they have nothing left to play for. Cut him if needed.

Sacramento Kings, SF
Comment: Artest is having a rough time recovering from his thumb injury and he continues to suggest that he will play again this season. I just don't buy it. Also, Artest revealed that his four-year-old daughter is having recurrences of cancer, so his mind and body are just in another place right now. My guess is that he is done for the season.

Sacramento Kings, PF
Comment: Brad Miller had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow and is obviously done for the season. He was again one of the better fantasy players at his position, and he should be a good mid round pick again next season.

Indiana Pacers, PF
Comment: Yi was scheduled to have an MRI today to see what the severity of his right knee sprain is. Fantasy players expected more out of him this season, but were let down by his lack of production. There is no reason to wait him out. Throw him into free agency, and maybe think about using a late round pick on him next season.

Los Angeles Lakers, C
Comment: I have thought all along that the owners who were patient with Bynum's status would be rewarded in the long run, but that doesn't look like the case with the latest news on his status. Bynum saw a knee specialist in New York on Thursday, and not only was he not cleared to join the Lakers, but he also wasn't cleared to participate in contact drills. It pains me to say this to all the people who were patient, but drop him if you need to.

New Jersey Nets, C
Comment: Boone had a stretch in which he was a nice sleeper option for fantasy owners, but it looks like he has been bitten by the injury bug. He is supposed to be back soon, but with the Nets being practically out of playoff contention, they are not going to rush him. I think it is time for everyone to try someone else on for size and see if they are more beneficial for your team.



Michael Ganci is UPDATE! Basketball Editor.

18 Denver Nuggets sharpshooter J.R. Smith has reached 20 points 18 times in his last 20 games.

7 Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard's mother miscarried seven times before his birth.

3 New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul has finished with less than three assists just three times this season.

1 The Miami Heat have defeated just one team in their division this season.


Milwaukee Bucks, SF
Comment: Sessions has scored at least eight points in four of his last five games and he appears to be the Bucks starting point guard for the rest of the season. It looks like Mo Williams can return, but there is no reason to rush him. If you need a decent point guard for the rest of the campaign, this may very well be your man.

Tuesday, April 15 Magic @ Hawks 7 p.m. ET
This should be a good, hardnosed affair. It should be interesting to see what Atlanta does about Dwight Howard, and what Orlando does about all of Atlanta's powerful scorers. I think Orlando has the advantage, but only time will tell to see what happens.

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