Player Notes
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(SA - SG) 
Fri, May 16Recent News
- Ginobili (left ankle) had 25 points (9-of-15 FG, 6-of-9 3-PT, 1-of-2 FT), four rebounds and two assists in the Spurs' win over the Hornets on Thursday in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: The Spurs were 11-of-21 from the 3-point line and will need this type of shooting in Game 7 to win the series. San Antonio has never won a series after trailing 2-0 and have never won a series in the Tim Duncan era after trailing 3-2. The Spurs hope to end that streak Monday night.
Wed, May 14
- Ginobili had team highs of 20 points and seven assists, but was held to 5-for-15 shooting from the field as the Spurs lost 101-79 to the Hornets on Tuesday night to fall behind 3-2 in the series.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Ginobili is averaging 19.6 points and 7.0 assists in the series, but is shooting an unimpressive 43.2 percent from the field - down from 46.0 during the regular season. - Ginobili (left ankle) led the Spurs with 20 points but scored just five points in the second half in the Spurs' loss to the Hornets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Ginobili, like all the Spurs, struggled in the second half. Third quarters have been especially bad for the Spurs in New Orleans. The Spurs have led every game in New Orleans at the half, only to get blown out in the third quarter. On Tuesday, it was a 28-11 third quarter that did the Spurs in. Game 6 is Thursday in San Antonio.
Mon, May 12
- Ginobili (left ankle) had 15 points on just 5-of-13 shooting but did contribute eight assists in the Spurs' win over the Hornets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: The Spurs were able to survive Ginobili's off-night because of the stellar 10-of-13 shooting of Tim Duncan, and the boost of the 10-of-15 combined performances from Michael Finley and Ime Udoka. Game 5 is Tuesday in New Orleans with the series tied at two.
(Uta - SF,PF)
Fri, May 16Recent News
- Kirilenko missed practice Thursday because of a travel visa, a day before Utah faced the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Agent Marc Fleisher said Kirilenko had to finalize a travel visa for a family trip to France this summer and Thursday was the only day he could do it without having to wait another month. Fleisher said Kirilenko, who
Thu, May 15Recent News
- Kirilenko missed Thursday's practice so that he could take care of an issue related to a travel visa, the Associated Press reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Kirilenko received permission from the team and is expected to play Friday's Game 6 against the Lakers.
(Hou - C)
Fri, May 16Recent News
- Mutombo said he would like to return for at least one more season, the Houston Chronicle reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Mutombo, who turns 42 next month, had pondered retirement each of the last two offseasons. He had a successful season filling in for Yao Ming, averaging 3.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game. "I'm going to consider to keep playing basketball," said Mutombo, saying his return will depend on reaching a contract agreement with the Rockets. "The next part will be to tell my lawyer, David Falk. My body and my mind is responding to the thrill of the game. The coaches and the fans and everyone are in there." - Mutombo still isn't ready to retire. ``I'm going to consider to keep playing basketball. The next part will be to tell my lawyer, David Falk,'' Mutombo said in Thursday's online edition of the Houston Chronicle. ``My body and my mind is responding to the thrill of the game. The coaches and the fans and everyone are in there.''(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Mutombo, listed at 42 years old, had considered retiring last year and then decided to play one more season. During the season, he said he would wait until the offseason to discuss his options. His return would depend on a contract agreement with the Rockets. Mutombo averaged three points and 5.1 rebounds last season.
(SA - C)
Fri, May 16Recent News
- Oberto started and had four points and four rebounds in San Antonio's 99-80 win over New Orleans in Game 6 of the teams' Western Conference semifinal series.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Oberto started the first two playoff games before Spurs coach Gregg Popovich switched to Kurt Thomas for the next eight.
(SA - PF,C)
Fri, May 16Recent News
- Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds in San Antonio's 99-80 win over New Orleans in Game 6 of the teams' Western Conference semifinal series.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: It was Duncan's fourth straight double-double and ninth in 11 playoff games this season. He is averaging 19.5 points and 13.3 rebounds in the - Duncan had 20 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and two blocks in the Spurs' win over the Hornets in Game 6 of the Western Confernece Semifinals on Thursday.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Duncan has played much better at home averaging 19.3 points and 14.3 rebounds as opposed to 11 points and 11.3 rebounds in New Orleans. The Spurs will need the San Antonio Duncan if they hope to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Wed, May 14
- Duncan was held to 10 points but did have 23 rebounds in the Spurs' loss to the Hornets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Duncan was just 5-of-18, as the Hornets' defense made him uncomfortable all night. Game 6 is Thursday in San Antonio. - Duncan had 23 rebounds, but was held to 10 points and 5-for-18 shooting from the field as the Spurs lost 101-79 to the Hornets on Tuesday night to fall behind 3-2 in the series.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: The 23 rebounds were the most for Duncan in a playoff game since he had 24 in a win over Dallas on May 23, 2003. However, Duncan's offensive game was held in check by Tyson Chandler's defense. After shooting 49.5 percent
Mon, May 12
- Duncan had 22 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in the Spurs' win over the Hornets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Duncan has gotten better in each game of the series, as San Antonio was able to make the Hornets pay for doubling Duncan. Duncan also appears to be fully recovered from the illness he suffered in Games 1 and 2. Game 5 is Tuesday in New Orleans with the series tied at two.
(NO - PF) INJ
Fri, May 16Recent News
- West aggravated his back injury and was forced to leave Thursday night's Game 6 against San Antonio, the Associated Press reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: The Hornets lost Game 6, leaving the series tied at 3-3 as it heads back to New Orleans for Game 7 on Monday. "It’s sore right now. Good thing we have two or three days here to get rest and treatment. It’s the way it happens sometimes," West said. He finished with 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting. - West left the court after aggravating a back injury Thursday night in the fourth quarter of Game 6 against the San Antonio Spurs.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: West, who played with back pain in Game 5, fell to the floor with 10:11 left after being picked from behind by Spurs forward Robert Horry, who was
Wed, May 14
- West played through back pain Tuesday night and scored 38 points with 14 rebounds and five blocked shots in New Orleans' victory over San Antonio in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series, the Associated Press reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: West was in pain as he walked to the bench in the final minutes of the game when a trainer applied an ice pack to his back. "He wasn’t 100 percent, but we couldn’t tell. He was a beast out there," Hornets guard Morris Peterson said. "He played probably the best game of his career. His back was a little sore today, and I think it was carrying us so much during this game. He had us on his back all day." The Hornets lead the series 3-2 as it heads back to San Antonio for Game 6. - West had career playoff highs of 38 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots, lifting New Orleans to a 101-79 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night and a 3-2 series lead.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: The best playoff performance of West's young career came in spite of back pain that bothered the All-Star forward throughout the game. A trainer put an ice pack on West's back after he left the game in the final minutes.
(SA - SF)
Fri, May 16Recent News
- Udoka had 13 points in 21 minutes including 5-of-5 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the 3-point line in the Spurs' win over the Hornets on Thursday in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Udoka was a big key off the Spurs bench and helped extend the lead and put the game away. The Spurs will need help from their bench if they hope to win the series in New Orleans on Monday.
(Det - PG) INJ
Thu, May 15Recent News
- Billups has practiced with the Detroit Pistons and is expected to be ready to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Detroit coach Flip Saunders says Billups looked good enough in practice Thursday that he could have played if there was a game. Billups missed the - Billups (hamstring) has been practicing with the team and is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Associated Press reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Billups sat out the last two games of the last series against Orlando. Head coach Flip Saunders said Billups looked good enough in practice on Thursday that he could have played had the Magic extended the series. Billups' presence in the lineup will be key as the Pistons try to get back to the NBA finals for the first time since 2005.
Tue, May 13
- Billups (hamstring) will not play Tuesday, Mlive.com reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: "I'm making some strides," Billups said Tuesday. "My improvement from yesterday to today, is amazing. But I'm still not able to sprint full court, and that's a concern. I'm getting better. I'm just not quite ready yet." In his absence, Rodney Stuckey will get another start. - Billups said his right hamstring was not healthy enough to help the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of their second-round series with the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: "My improvement from yesterday to today was amazing, but I still haven't been able to sprint full court and that's a concern,"Billups said. "I'm getting better, but I'm not quite ready yet." Detroit replaced Billups in
(Orl - PG,SG)
Thu, May 15Recent News
- Redick reiterated his desire to be traded out of Orlando if he cannot secure more playing time with the team, the Orlando Sentinel reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: The third-stringer Redick could be in line for more playing time in Orlando with the pending unrestricted free agency of starter Mo Evans and with backup Keith Bogans in an option year, though Bogans is expected to return. Redick averaged only eight minutes on the floor a night for the Magic this season.
(Tor - SF)
Thu, May 15Recent News
- The Raptors exercised Moon's contract option on Wednesday.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Moon averaged 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.38 blocks in 78 games during his rookie season. Moon was signed last July following stints in the NBA D-League and the Continental Basketball Association.
(Bos - PG,SG)
Thu, May 15Recent News
- Rondo scored 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including two 3-pointers, with 13 assists and two steals in 42 minutes Wednesday night in Boston's victory over Cleveland in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference playoff series.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Rondo made a couple of big 3s toward the end of the first half, cutting Cleveland's lead and giving the Celtics momentum heading into the break. From there, Boston put the defensive clampdown on the Cavs and gained a 3-2 series advantage as it heads to Cleveland for Game 6 Friday.
Mon, May 12
- Rondo had 15 points as the Celtics lost Game 4 against the Cavaliers 88-77 on Monday night to fall into a 2-2 tie in their second-round playoff series.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Rondo matched his playoff high after being held to 14 total points on 3-for-16 shooting in the previous two games in the series. Overall, the second-year point guard is averaging 11.4 points and shooting 43.6 percent
(LAL - SG)
Thu, May 15Recent News
- Bryant (back) scored 26 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field and 13-of-17 from the free-throw line Wednesday night in the Lakers' victory over Utah in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Bryant had sat out practice on Monday and Tuesday, receiving treatment instead, but was still not 100 percent. He added six rebounds, seven assists and two steals to his stat line.
Mon, May 12
- Bryant battled through back spasms Sunday in the Lakers' loss to Utah in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series, the Associated Press reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Bryant finished with 33 points on 13-of-33 shooting and 10 assists. The series is tied 2-2 with Game 5 in L.A. on Wednesday.
(Cle - PG,SG) INJ
Thu, May 15Recent News
- Gibson is expected to miss two weeks after separating his shoulder Wednesday night in the Cavs' Game 5 loss to Boston, the team's official site reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Gibson is shooting over 45 percent from the floor this postseason, and his presence will be missed against the Celtics and their young point guard Rajon Rondo. If the Cavs are able to advance, Gibson may be available sometime during the Conference Finals. - Gibson will miss Game 6 of Cleveland's playoff against the Boston Celtics after separating his left shoulder during the second half Wednesday night.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Gibson, one of the Cavs' best perimeter shooters, left early in the fourth quarter following a collision and did not return. The team estimated he
Mon, May 12
- Gibson had 14 points, six rebounds and four assists as the Cavaliers beat the Celtics 88-77 in Game 4 on Monday night to tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Gibson had totaled only 12 points, two rebounds and four assists in the first three games of this series. He averaged 11.8 points in the first round against the Wizards.
(NO - PG) 
Wed, May 14
- Paul had 22 points and 14 assists, overcoming shooting struggles to help lift the Hornets to a 101-79 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night and a 3-2 series lead.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Though he was 6-for-18 from the field, Paul delivered his seventh double-double of the postseason. He's clearly the catalyst for the New Orleans offense, but the Hornets have gone 3-1 in the playoffs in games in
(SA - PG)
Wed, May 14
- Parker had 18 points and four assists in the Spurs' loss to the Hornets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Parker was the only one of the Spurs big three to shoot 50 percent as both Tim Duncan and Emmanuel Ginobili struggled. All three will need to play well in Game 6 on Thursday, or the season will be over for San Antonio.
Mon, May 12
- Parker had 21 points, six rebounds and eight assists in the Spurs' win over the Hornets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Parker is leading the Spurs in this series at 21.5 ppg and is shooting over 50 percent. Parker and the Spurs will need to find the shooting touch in New Orleans, if they hope to win the series. Game 5 is Tuesday in New Orleans with the series tied at two.
(Orl - C)
Wed, May 14
- Howard had 14 points, 17 rebounds and three blocked shots, but was just 6-for-15 from the free-throw line as the Magic were eliminated from the playoffs with a 91-86 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series on Tuesday night.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Howard had a breakout 2007-08 season, averaging career highs in scoring (20.7), rebounds (14.2) and blocks (2.1). However, his poor shooting from the line continues to haunt him. He shot 59.0 percent during the regular season, and made just 45 of 83 attempts (54.2 percent) in the playoffs.
Sun, May 11
- Howard managed only eight points and 12 rebounds as the Magic lost 90-89 to Detroit to fall behind 3-1 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: The Pistons held Howard in check all game, forcing several turnovers on Magic passes inside and largely preventing the All-Star from getting the
(Orl - SG,SF)
Wed, May 14
- Turkoglu had 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as the Magic were eliminated from the playoffs with a 91-86 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series on Tuesday night.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Turkoglu averaged 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists during the playoffs - right on par with his regular-season statistics that earned him the NBA's Most Improved Player award.
(NO - C)
Wed, May 14
- Chandler left Tuesday's game early in the fourth quarter with a bruised left foot, the Associated Press reports.(Rotowire.com)
Recommendation: Hornets coach Byron Scott does not expect Chandler to miss Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal playoff series Thursday in San Antonio. The Hornets beat the Spurs Tuesday night to grab a 3-2 lead. - Chandler had to be helped to the bench after dropping to the floor with a bruised left foot in the fourth quarter of New Orleans' 101-79 playoff victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Chandler's leg appeared to buckle as he came out to the perimeter on the Hornets' defensive end. He stayed down while Manu Ginobili made a driving layup and the Hornets had to call timeout after getting the ball back with
(Orl - SF,PF)
Wed, May 14
- Lewis was held to 14 points and 4-for-13 shooting while committing six turnovers as the Magic were eliminated from the playoffs with a 91-86 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series on Tuesday night.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: The Magic agreed to give Lewis a max contract in a sign-and-trade deal with Seattle in the offseason, hoping his perimeter shooting ability would help prevent another early playoff exit. While the Magic advanced to the second round for the first time since 1996, Lewis shot only 43.6 percent
(Sea - SG,SF)
Tue, May 13
- Durant and Atlanta's Al Horford headlined the NBA All-Rookie team announced Tuesday.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Horford was the only unanimous choice with 58 votes, followed by Seattle's Durant with 57 in balloting by the league's head coaches. The NBA Rookie
(Atl - PF,C)
Tue, May 13
- Horford and league Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant headlined the NBA All-Rookie team announced Tuesday.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Horford was the only unanimous choice with 58 votes, followed by Seattle's Durant with 57 in balloting by the league's head coaches. Horford ranked
(Sea - SF,PF)
Tue, May 13
- Green was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team on Tuesday.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Green averaged 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds, while starting 52 of 80
(Det - PF)
Tue, May 13
- McDyess had 17 points and 11 rebounds as the Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth consecutive season with a 91-86 win over the Magic on Tuesday night.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Moved into the starting lineup for the last two games of the series as part of Detroit's adjustment to the absence of injured point guard Chauncey Billups, McDyess totaled 25 points and 25 rebounds while going
(Bos - PG)
Tue, May 13
- Cassell was held to four points and 0-for-5 shooting from the field as the Celtics lost Game 4 against the Cavaliers 88-77 on Monday night to fall into a 2-2 tie in their second-round playoff series. It was their fifth loss in as many road playoff games.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Cassell, who was acquired midseason to bring some veteran stability to the point guard position, is averaging 6.2 points and 1.4 assists while shooting 34.7 percent from the field in the playoffs. He's been particularly ineffective on the road, scoring 2.2 points per game and
(Bos - SG,SF)
Tue, May 13
- Pierce was held to 13 points and 6-for-17 shooting as the Celtics lost Game 4 against the Cavaliers 88-77 on Monday night to fall into a 2-2 tie in their second-round playoff series. It was their fifth loss in as many road playoff games.(STATS, Inc.)
Advice: Pierce is averaging 13.0 points and shooting 35.9 percent from the field in eight meetings with the Cavaliers in 2007-08, including 12.5 points and 34.6 percent shooting in this series.