Fantasy NBA - Every Day Coverage Starting Today!

To add more expansive basketball coverage here at FakeTeams, I’ve decided to put some emphasis on various topics each weekday. Each day I will highlight the important topics pertaining to that subject. The days going forward will be as follows:

Make a Move Mondays – I will give a quick weekly rundown on which players to target the week ahead, who has been hot and cold and any injuries that will affect the weekly schedule.

Tarnished Tuesdays – Key injuries will be focused on as well as players coming back from any ailments.

Waiver Wire Wednesdays – I will focus on players that may be free agents in your leagues. Also will recommend which players can be safely dropped.

The Box Score Thursdays – I will browse through the nightly box scores and point out key stat lines you should be paying attention to.

Free for All Fridays – Exactly what the name says. Any and all topics will be covered. Reader suggestions welcome.

Additionally, any breaking news will be reported as soon as I hear. To get started, let’s discuss key injuries around the NBA after the jump…

Amar’e Stoudemire, New York Knicks – The All-Star PF/C did not practice on New York because of a sprained big toe, but he is expected to play on Wednesday. Keep an eye on Stoudemire’s status as Wilson Chandler shined against the Nets on Saturday with the big man out of the lineup.

Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors – Ellis sprained his thumb and was left out of practice on Monday. He should be able to play tonight as the Warriors reportedly were simply letting him rest his thumb.

Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics – Bothered by foot and hand injuries, Pierce had one of the worst games of his career against the Heat on Sunday. After his ghastly 0-for-10 performance, Pierce had an MRI on his foot. The good news is the results came back negative. He may be able to play in the team’s game Wednesday against the Nets, the last game before the All Star Break. The bad news is we may see another 0-for-10 performance and Pierce may not rest over the break as he is slated to play for the East in the All Star Game. Pierce has been apparently been bothered for weeks, so keep close tabs on his performance Wednesday.

Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls – The big man from Florida is expected to return from his thumb surgery after the All Star Break. Noah will play on February 23^rd against the Raptors, and owners couldn’t ask for a better team to return against as Toronto gives up 104.5 points/game.

Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz – The injury-prone Kirilenko is currently nursing an ankle injury. His owners shouldn’t be surprised. Kirilenko is currently out on Tuesday, and chances are he will not play Wednesday.

Corey Maggette, Milwaukee Bucks – I highlighted Maggette not because of his own talents, but because of his reserves that seemingly out-play him in his absence. In Saturday’s game against the Pacers, Maggette went down with a back injury early in the first quarter forcing him to miss last night’s game. In his stead, underrated fantasy guard/forward Carlos Delfino dropped 26 points including a career-high seven threes. Delfino also contributed to fantasy squads with three steals and nine rebounds. This also opened up minutes for John Salmons who contributed a career-high 12 assists. We know Salmons has game and Delfino needs the minutes. Hopefully Bucks Coach Scott Skiles understands the win can be attributed to these two players and more PT should be on the way.