NBA Blogcast: Friday Production Notes

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Published on November 9, 2012

Blogcast notes by Eric Caturia (@ETCat30) and Kyle McKeown @RotoWireKyleNBA.

Before we get too deep into all the specifics of the games, we're going to go through the . . .

Top News of the Day

Injuries

Andrew Bogut will be rested for the next 7-10 days as the Warriors try to get his ankle issues under control. What does this mean for Bogut's status in fantasy going forward, and who should we be adding in fantasy, Festus Ezeli (who will start at center with Bogut out) or Carl Landry (who has been a very effective scorer off the bench so far this season)?
Hey look! It's a John Wall update! Wall was given positive news on the progress of his return from the knee injury that has sidelined him thus far. We still don't have a firm return date, but the team said the near stress injury in Wall's knee has shown progress in its healing. I guess we're still looking at him being ready to return around the end of November.
Al Jefferson missed Thursday's practice with a stomach virus. He's traveling with the team, but he may be a game-time decision for Friday.
Kyle Lowry is no longer wearing the walking boot that he was given to support his sprained ankle, but he remains day-to-day going toward Saturday's game.
Marcus Camby will play in Friday's game. Coach Mike Woodson has decided that Camby is finally healthy enough to be a part of the rotation.
Now, with a frontcourt rotation of Tyson Chandler, Kurt Thomas, Rasheed Wallace, and Camby, how does this affect Carmelo Anthony's minutes at the four? Do you think he'll remain the starting power forward? And if he does, will coach Mike Woodson rotate players in so Carmelo is manning the perimeter a bit more?
Gerald Wallace will miss Friday's game, and Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears reported that his source believes Wallace won't return until next Tuesday or Thursday, with Thursday being the expected date.
Wallace is working his way back from an ankle injury. Hopefully we'll know more about his status before Sunday's podcast, but right now, you're looking at him missing at least two more games Friday and Sunday. And then with the Nets having three games next week, you're looking at the probability that he'll miss at least Tuesday's game. If you have to set your weekly lineups early Sunday or before, it might be a good idea to leave Wallace on your bench.
Jason Richardson is doubtful for Friday's game. His ankle is getting better, but this will be the third game Richardson will miss if he can't go. With another game on Saturday, it's possible the Sixers will simply look to have him sit Friday with an eye toward playing Saturday, but that's speculation at this point.
Dorell Wright (who has started in J-Rich's place) has impressed, but Nick Young hasn't not grown into his reserve role with the Sixers yet. DW - 10.7 points, 8 rebounds, 1.7 three-pointers, 1.3 steals, 1 block in 30.7 minutes ; NY - 6.3 points, 1 trey, 1 rebound in 26.3 minutes.
Jermaine O'Neal had not returned to the Suns in time for Thursday's practice. He's been away from the team for a personal matter, and it's unknown if O'Neal will be available to play Friday.
Anthony Davis hasn't had any concussion symptoms the last couple days, and it appears he'll be able to return to the Hornets' lineup Friday. We should get official word on the situation sometime Friday morning.
Austin Rivers has a sprained left index finger. He's considered a game-time decision for Friday.
Kyrie Irving played through food poisoning Wednesday. He sat out Thursday's practice, but it appears he'll be ready to play Friday. Consider him probable.
C.J. Miles is also dealing with a bout of food poisoning, but he's being considered questionable for Friday.
Dion Waiters sustained a bruise to his thigh in Wednesday's game. He's considered questionable for Friday.
Anderson Varejao sat out Wednesday's game with a bruised knee, but he's considered probable for Friday.
J.J. Barea suffered a mid-foot sprain Wednesday when he was chasing down a ball going out of bounds. He's questionable for Friday's game.
With Ricky Rubio absent, the facilitating role has been spread out among Brandon Roy (5.5), Barea (4.3), Kirilenko (3.5), Luke Ridnour (2.8), and Alexey Shved (2.5). And they're surprisingly 3-1 without Rubio and K-Love.
Jordan Crawford's ankle injury is still sore, and the team is considering him a game-time decision. One of the Wizards beat writers said he asked Crawford how his ankle was, and Crawford said, "Gravy. Gravy."
Kobe Bryant's bruised foot is getting better, and he'll continue to play on it, so no worries here.
Mickael Pietrus has said that his knee is 100 percent recovered from offseason surgery, but he still needs to sign with a team and prove he's healthy before he'll generate authentic fantasy value.
Thoughts on him potentially joining Indiana with Danny Granger (knee) out for at least three months? Would he start over Sam Young as a defensive presence in the starting lineup? How would this affect Gerald Green's bench role? Finally, are there any other teams that could utilize his services?
Josh Childress participated in practice Thursday, but he's still questionable to be available Friday. He's working his way back from an ankle injury.
Chauncey Billups is working his way back from surgery to repair a torn Achilles. He hopes to be back in about a month.
Beno Udrih missed the Bucks' last game with a thigh contusion. He returned to practice Thursday and is probable for Friday's game.
Jameer Nelson is questionable for Friday's game. He's dealing with groin and hamstring issues that have kept him out of the Magic's last three games.
In three starts, E'Twaun Moore is averaging 13 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 three-pointers, and 1.3 steals in 35.7 minutes. Meanwhile, J.J. Redick is recording 16.7 points, 4.7 assists, 2 treys, and 1.7 rebounds in 29.3 minutes per game off the bench.

Game Notes and Other Rigamarole

Thomas Robinson has been suspended for two games after throwing an elbow into Jonas Jerebko's neck in Wednesday's game.

Thursday's Games

Thunder vs Bulls

Kevin Durant posted 24 points (11-19 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, three steals, three blocks, and one assist (versus six turnovers) in 38 minutes in Oklahoma City's victory at Chicago.
He has just 10 boards over his past two games, as the rebounds have become distributed among his teammates. Still, he's tallied at least two steals in four of five outings, with at least two blocks in three contests, but failed to knock down a three-pointer for the first time this season.
Russell Westbrook recorded his first double-double of the season with 16 points (7-22 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and 12 assists (versus two turnovers) in 36 minutes during Oklahoma City's win in Chicago.
Thursday's game marked his third game shooting less than 32 percent from the floor, as he now boasts a field-goal percentage of 37.1 percent. While it's not far off his career mark of 43 percent, we, as fans, always expect more from him. Expect him to write the ship over time. Also to note: Westbrook has just two steals after five games, well below his 1.8 per game over the previous two seasons.
Serge Ibaka narrowly missed a double-double, notching a season-high 21 points (8-15 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT) and nine rebounds in 37 minutes, as Oklahoma City held off Chicago.
He added a steal and four blocks, and now has at least two swats in every game this season. He also knocked down his first three-pointer of the year. After hitting four during the preseason, we thought this trend may continue into the regular season, esp after he hit just 2-of-6 from beyond the arc over his first three seasons. No matter, it's encouraging to see him increase his scoring in each game this season (4 - 7 - 14 - 17 - 21).
Kevin Martin contributed 15 points (3-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 8-9 FT), six rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 31 reserve minutes during Oklahoma City's win in Chicago.
He continues to be one of the early season's most efficient shooters, posting 52.1/63.6/93.8 splits through five contests. He also has at least 15 points and one steal in every game, while playing 29 minutes per.
Luol Deng poured in a season-best 27 points (11-21 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT) in 42 minutes as Chicago lost to Oklahoma City.
Outside of the offensive end, he notched just two assists, a season-low one rebound, one block, and one steal. After a 3-for-13 performance in the season opener, he's hit 31-of-60 (51.7 percent).
Richard Hamilton scored 20 points (7-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT) to go with eight rebounds, two steals, and one block in 34 minutes as Chicago fell to Oklahoma City.
His point and rebound totals were both season highs, as he shot 50 percent or better for the second time in five contests this season. Don't expect this output from the 34-year-old shooting guard going forward, but it's encouraging to see him help ease the offensive burden that has mostly fallen on Luol Deng's shoulders this season.

Clippers vs Trail Blazers

DeAndre Jordan scored 21 points to go with eight rebounds and a block Thursday.
This is the second straight game Jordan has scored 20 or more points. He was a surprising 5-of-7 from the line Thursday, and this increased production on the offensive end could make him the consistent fantasy option we've been hoping he'd become. It's unlikely to continue, but it we have to admit that Jordan looked a lot more competent trying to score the ball Thursday than we've ever seen him before.
Blake Griffin put up seven points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steal in 26 minutes.
His stiff neck and sore elbow held down his output as he recorded seven points (3-9 FG, 1-4 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 26 minutes as he sat much of the second half.
Jamal Crawford reclaimed the scoring narrative that has been his story this season, putting up 25 points in 28 minutes off the bench Thursday.
While he wasn't crisp from three-point range (1-for-6), he scored in an array of ways Thursday. Without the pressure of having to facilitate this season -- you know, having Chris Paul as a teammate and all -- he is concentrating on scoring and thriving, averaging 20.4 points with 48.5/41.9/92.6 splits in 28.6 minutes per game.
J.J. Hickson put up five points and five rebounds in 23 minutes Thursday.
Hickson has now played 26 minutes or less in four of the Trail Blazers' five games. Coming into Thursday, he was averaging 10.8 points and 11.2 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. It's unlikely he'll continue to put up that level of production if he can't get more than 25 mpg.

I think that wraps us up here. If you would like to get in touch with us, you can e-mail us at NBApodcast@rotowire.com.