Jonathan Lee    AccuScore Analyst
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GOLDEN STATE @ PHOENIX
Favorite:  Phoenix  [67%]
Average Score: 123 – 116 

What to watch for:  Has the Shaq experiment finally paid dividends?  Sure it was just Memphis, but the Suns finally looked like they had their swagger back in their last game running and gunning to a 132-111 victory.  Shaq played just 17 minutes, but that was more a function of the blowout and he still grabbed 8 rebounds to go along with 6 assists.  He’s averaging 10.5 points and 11 rebounds for Phoenix, and his teammates seem to finally be adjusting to his presence.  Tonight will certainly be a good litmus test to see how the adjustment process is coming as maybe the only team to play an even more small-ball style than the Suns visits in the Warriors.

Fantasy Impact:  Monta Ellis has amazingly built on his “Most Improved” status from a year ago, and has gotten even better.  He is nearly impossible to keep from getting to the rim as evidenced by his career low 0.6 three point attempts per game.  Instead of settling for jumpers Ellis is instead using his amazing quicks to get to the basket, and it is reflecting in his amazingly high field goal percentage (53.3%!).  Add in 1.4 steals and just 1.9 turnovers and you have a fantasy stud.
 

PORTLAND @ SACRAMENTO
Favorite:  Sacramento  [65%]
Average Score: 104-99

What to watch for:  While the Blazers may have fallen off from their torrid pace earlier in the year they certainly proved they will be a force in the very near future.  The core of the team is very young and will only continue to get better.  General Manager Kevin Pritchard has shown he has an eye for talent, and if you can swap a few of his more expendable parts into one higher caliber player he will have a legitimate playoff team as early as next season even in the ultra-competitive West.  Imagine a core of Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldrige, Greg Oden, and one more piece to be determined over the summer.  Scary good. 

Fantasy Impact:  Kings rookie Spencer Hawes hasn’t been on anybody’s radar, but his minutes have been increasing in the past weeks and he’s making the most of his opportunities.  The center has 12 blocks in his last 4 games, and notched 14 points and 8 rebounds against Lakers and 10 and 8 against the Clippers recently.  With the Kings having nothing to play for the rest of the way expect Reggie Theus to keep playing the kid to see what he has and prepare for next season.  With those kind of block totals it would be unwise for fantasy owners to keep ignoring this kid.

CLEVELAND @ WASHINGTON
Favorite:  Wizards  [55%]
Average Score:  99-97

What to watch for:  Washington is favored, but tonight’s game really matters little in the grand scheme of things.  The Wizards are locked in for a playoff spot in the weak East, and needs only to finish ahead of the Sixers to avoid playing Detroit in the first round.  What is really important is the return of Caron Butler to the lineup after a lengthy absence due to a hip injury.  Butler has missed the past 16 games and his team won just seven times without him.  Of course as is always the case with the Cavs is the chance that LeBron James decides to take over and completely dominate.  That chance almost makes up for the fact that Cleveland is unwatchable whenever James doesn’t have the ball in his hands.  Almost. 

Fantasy Impact:  Butler returning is big news as he had been averaging better than 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals for fantasy owners.  There is enough time left in the season for him to impact his and your teams.  Butler’s presence means less shots for Antawn Jamison and rookie Nick Young.  If you were depending on Young to win your league you probably have more problems than can be fixed, but Jamison had been averaging 25 points over his last 5.  Butler will probably be a bit rusty coming back so expect Jamison to keep up his scoring for at least the next few games.

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