Amir (leg) posts 20 & 8; Jonas hits 14 & 13 - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson played through a leg injury in Friday's win over the Pistons, scoring 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting with eight rebounds and two blocks in 38 minutes.

Update: Amir Johnson expects to play Friday - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Updating a previous item, Amir Johnson (leg) went through shootaround and expects to play on Friday.

Amir Johnson sore, expects to play Friday - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson (leg) said that he was "sore, but fine," and he expects to play on Friday despite being a game-time decision.

Amir Johnson will be game-time call Friday - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson (leg) is traveling with the Raptors on their two-game road trip and will be a game-time decision against the Pistons on Friday.

Amir Johnson (leg) out for game Wednesday - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson was diagnosed with a left leg contusion and he will not return to Wednesday's game.

Amir Johnson leaves with left leg injury - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson, who is already on "wobbly" ankles, appeared to take a shot to his left knee in a collision with Josh Smith on Wednesday.

Waiver Wired: Wired: Top NBA Pickups

Source: Rotoworld Basketball Articles

Waiver Wired takes a look at guys like Martell Webster, Amir Johnson and Spencer Hawes, all of which are on fire.

Amir grabs career-high 21 rebounds vs. CHA - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds in the Raptors' 92-78 win over the Bobcats on Friday, and also chipped in with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, two steals and three blocks.

Amir Johnson hits 10-of-10 FGs; posts 23 & 15 - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson hit all 10 of his field goal attempts in Monday's loss to the Warriors, scoring 23 points with 15 rebounds (12 offensive) and two blocks.

Amir Johnson will start at PF, Fields benched - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson will start at PF vs. the Wizards on Monday, moving Landry Fields to the bench.

Amir Johnson posts 19 and 16 in blowout win - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson scored 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting with a career-high tying 16 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in the Raptors' 98-73 blowout win over the Clippers on Friday.

Amir Johnson scores 21 points with 10 boards - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson had his sixth double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 boards, adding one steal and three blocks in 37 minutes against the Magic on Thursday.

Amir Johnson expected to play on Tuesday - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson went through practice on Monday despite spraining his ankle and playing 44 minutes on Sunday.

Amir Johnson scores a season-high 22 points - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson scored a season-high 22 points to go with 14 boards, four assists, three steals and two blocks in 44 minutes against the Bucks on Sunday.

Amir Johnson hurts right ankle Sunday - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson landed on Ersan Ilyasova's foot and sprained his right ankle in the second quarter of Sunday's game.

Amir Johnson goes off in another start - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson hit 6-of-11 shots on his way to 19 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block in 40 minutes in another start at center for the Raptors.

Mostly NBA Notes: Dwyane Wade’s changing game

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Dwyane Wade has averaged 20.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 1.2 spg and 0.6 bpg, which are all career lows since his rookie season (expect for steals, which is his lowest mark ever). He’s actually shooting a personal best 51.1 percent from the field while committing the fewest turnovers per game of his career, but he’s followed last year’s trend of getting to the line far less (this is no fluke, as he’s attempted the fewest shots at the rim ever, although he’s countered that with easily his best mark there at 76.2 percent), and the biggest decrease in production has been in the defensive stats. Maybe it’s a sign of him entering a slight decline phase now on the wrong side of 30, and he’s taken a ton of punishment

Amir Johnson to get start Wednesday night - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson will start again on Wednesday with Aaron Gray still sidelined by the flu.

Amir Johnson: Plays Well in First Start of Season

Source: RotoWire.com NBA

Amir Johnson: Johnson got the start and had a season-high 19 points (8-11 FG, 3-4 FT) to go with nine boards and three blocks in 38 minutes Sunday against the Thunder. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Amir Johnson scores 19 points on Sunday - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson started against the Thunder on Sunday and had 19 points, nine boards and three blocks in 38 minutes.

Mostly NBA Notes: Steve Nash still helpful

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Over five games since returning from his leg injury, Steve Nash has shot 58.7 percent from the floor while adding 9.6 apg. Despite turning 39 years old next month, it appears he still has plenty to offer while back to health. In fact, his assist:turnover ratio (3.73) is the best of his career, and Nash hasn‘t averaged more than his current 0.7 spg mark since 2006/07. As one of the best free throw shooters in NBA history (he ranks second all time, behind only Mark Price), he hasn’t helped fantasy owners as much as usual thanks to just three attempts on the year, a ridiculously low number that should rise moving forward (Kobe Bryant letting him attempt technical fouls would help). Nash has

Amir, Davis in the spotlight with Jonas hurt - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson scored 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting with seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 35 minutes off the bench on Friday.

Amir Johnson leaves with ankle injury - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johhnson suffered an apparent left ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game and went to the locker room.

Mostly NBA Notes: Tim Duncan defying the odds

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Tim Duncan will turn 37 years old later this season and has accrued 1,324 games during his career (including the postseason). To put this in perspective, a deep playoff run would already have Duncan already approaching Shaquille O'Neal's total games played (speaking of Shaq, how crazy is it that he never once led the NBA in rebounding or blocks in a season throughout his career?). Before this year, Duncan's mpg had decreased in nine of the past 10 seasons, including each of his past six campaigns. This career trajectory isn't unexpected, especially with the Spurs far more worried about a postseason run than finishing with the best possible regular season record, so it was safe to expect more of

Toronto's Amir Johnson suspended one game - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson has been suspended for one game for throwing his mouthpiece at a referee while being ejected from Monday's game.

Amir ejected, throws mouthpiece at referee - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson was ejected in the third quarter of Monday's game for arguing calls, but decided to chuck his mouthpiece at the ref that ejected him while being held back by teammates.

Report: Valanciunas could come off bench Fri. - Jonas Valanciunas | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Jonas Valanciunas could come off the bench on Friday, with Amir Johnson replacing him in the starting rotation.

Andrea Bargnani, Amir Johnson playing for TOR - Andrea Bargnani | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Andrea Bargnani (ankle) and Amir Johnson (ankle) will play against the Suns on Friday.

Day 20: Kevin Durant’s First Triple-Double

Source: Give Me The Rock by Erik

Line of the Night: Kevin Durant (2.75) finally got his first triple-double of his career. We’re all sure his momma would be proud. I, on the other hand, was actually surprised to find out that this was his first trip-dub. Over the past few seasons Durant has been wowing us with his amazing fantasy performances that it didn’t really occur to me (and not that it really mattered) that he didn’t register a triple-double. His scoring, shooting percentages and contributions in peripheral categories have been amazing enough. This milestone is just gravy for his fans and fantasy owners alike. Perfect

Day 14: This Overtime Goes to Three

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

Alternate Title: Andrew Bynum Sadface

Line of the Night: It’s time to accept that Brandon Jennings (3.54) is an elite fantasy PG in this league. He might not be in the top 3, but he should at least be in the discussion when you talk about the top 5. Jennings led all fantasy performances last night as the Bucks took down the Sixers with a stat filling 33 points, 4 threes, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and even a couple blocks in 36 minutes. Nice to see this game after he got completely shut down by the Celtics on Saturday.

Honorable Mentions: The Jazz and Raptors

Day 9: The First Triple-Double of the Season

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

Line of the Night: There was a triple-double last night (more on that later) but Marcin Gortat’s (2.67) 7 blocked shots to go with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a 117-110 win over the Bobcats was the real fantasy gold last night. I heard rumblings before the season that Gortat might be in for a down year due to the departure of Steve Nash; although what that argument failed to take into account is that Goran Dragic is a pretty damn good PG himself. Gortat – with averages of 16.3 points and 12.5 rebounds – has been great to start the season and should continue to be one of the league’s elite fantasy

Rodney Stuckey hurts his right leg Wednesday - Rodney Stuckey | DET

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Rodney Stuckey (right leg) ran into Amir Johnson and limped off the floor under his own power on Wednesday.

Give Me The Rock 2012 Fantasy Basketball Awards Ceremony

Source: Give Me The Rock by Nels

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the annual Give Me The Rock 2012 Fantasy Basketball Awards (The Rockies? The Gimmes? Other suggestions? Leave a comment!). While a normal awards show would being with some sort of red carpet special, I have simply substituted something you’ll find just as entertaining (above). The show would then carry on with some sort of musical number by the host, but since this is just a written article that will have to wait for our video podcast (Ed. note: There will be no video podcast).

So, with that out of the way, let’s

Court Report: Gregg Popovich sits his studs

Source: Roto Arcade by Matt Buser

Gregg Popovich called holding Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker out of Monday's matchup with the Jazz "a no-breainer" because it was the single road game in a set of four games in five nights [schedule]. The Spurs have two more sets of four games in five days, which should mean at least two more games off for the Spurs' veteran trio. Expect them to sit either the first or last game of next week's back-to-back-to-back (Mon @GSW, Wed @SAC), as well as one or both of the Spurs' final two games of the season (Apr 25 @PHO, Apr 26 @GSW).

• Magic updates: Dwight Howard is

Court Report: Bismack Biyombo’s time to shine

Source: Roto Arcade by Matt Buser

Bismack Biyombo returned from a two-game absence because of a sore shoulder and posted his best line of the season in an improbable win over Magic on Tuesday, logging a double-double (10 points, 15 boards) and blocking seven shots, the second time he's done so this season. Biyombo played more than 30 minutes (32) for just the fourth time on the season, with his chances of truly consistent minutes the rest of the way being seriously strengthened by the Boris Diaw situation. Diaw had averaged 30 minutes per game since

Amir Johnson scratched, Ed Davis gets the nod - Amir Johnson | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Amir Johnson (knee) will not play in Monday's game against the Magic.

Day 67 of 124: Happy Leap Day

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

Line of the Night: Jamal Crawford (2.39) is making a case to remain in the Blazers starting lineup permanently over Raymond Felton. In his second start for the team, Crawford scored 21 points on 5-9 from three, adding 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a couple blocks against the Nuggets.

Honorable Mentions: A huge game for Marc Gasol (2.15) in a win over the Mavs. He finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks and seems to be enjoying his run without Zach Randolph in the lineup. Mike Conley (1.78) added 20 points, 10 assists and 4 steals in the game.

Ryan Anderson (2.04) started off the second half of the season exactly

Day 55 of 124: Can’t Win ‘Em All

Source: Give Me The Rock by Nels

Line of the Night: Al Jefferson (2.95) must have been lying in wait like a lion, ready to attack the next team that strayed near his den. He tore apart the Wizards – JaVale McGee or no – for 34 points (16-23 from the field), 12 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, and 0 turnovers. It’s kind of ironic, because I just saw this article in a Google Alert today about how Greg Monroe is a better value pick than Al Jefferson in daily fantasy leagues. That’s probably true in general, but you would have been very disappointed if you’d made that decision last night, with

Day 48 of 124: Mission Linpossible

Source: Give Me The Rock by Nels

I mean, it had to be something about Jeremy Lin, right?

Line of the Night: Dirk Nowitzki (2.62) has started playing like a first round pick again these last 4 games, and gets his first Line of the Night of the season by finally making some threes and blocking some shots. Last night he had 33 points (11-19 FG, 7-10 FT) with 4 threes and 3 blocks.

Honorable Mentions: Marc Gasol (2.10) had another strong defensive game as the Grizzlies got the win over the Pacers: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks. Meanwhile, Antawn Jamison (2.07) took advantage of overtime against the Bucks to a season-high score 34 points (14-21 from the field),

Day 41 of 124: Anthony Morose

Source: Give Me The Rock by Nels

Or: Where is John Ringo?

We had a little bit of a conversation going last night on Twitter about which three-point bomber would get the Line of the Night:. Well, despite Anthony Morrow‘s (2.97) 8 threes on 13-20 from the field and 8-8 from the line to end up with 42 points, his lack of peripheral stats means that Erik was right in calling Paul George (4.29) as the winner of the three-point fantasy basketball player rater shootout. George ended up with 30 points (7 threes, 11-19 from the field, 1-1 free throws), 9 rebounds, 5

Court Report: Where have you gone, Dirk Nowitzki?

Source: Roto Arcade by Matt Buser

Dirk Nowitzki's protracted offensive issues continued Wednesday - and arguably hit a low point - as he scored eight points on 2-of-15 shooting and missed all five of his threes in 38 minutes of a 95-86 loss to the Thunder. Nowitzki has now averaged 9.3 points on 28-percent shooting in three games since returning from his rest period and has missed all 11 of his long-range attempts. Dirk says the swelling in his knee is gone, and now it's just a matter of working to get his shooting rhythm back and find confidence in his shooting stroke. We're in a situation where he have to take him at his word that he's feeling fine

Court Report: Zach Randolph remains “on schedule”

Source: Roto Arcade by Matt Buser

Zach Randolph had another MRI on Wednesday and all signs point to his still being on schedule as he returns from a torn right MCL, suffered on January 1. His approximate return date remains March 1, with eight weeks remaining in the regular season (~29 team games). Notable for h2h: a March 1 return would be just over three weeks before the start of the default playoffs (March 26), and the Grizzlies are the only team with five games in both the default semifinals and finals (weeks of April 2 and April 9). Z-Bo wouldn't play big minutes in the early stages, no matter when he returns, but could certainly

Day 39 of 124: Efficiency Wins The Night

Source: Give Me The Rock by Nels

Line of the Night:/Waiver Wire Line of the Night: Carmelo Anythony returned for the Knicks after missing two games, but it was Landry Fields (3.04) continuing his recent string of strong performances who took both the overall LotN and by virtue of his 43% ownership, the WWLotN. Fields had 18 points (4 threes, 7-10 from the field, 0-0 from the line), 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 0 turnovers. The Give Me The Rock fantasy basketball player rater always loves it when a guy can make a few threes, get a huge

Court Report: Bad news for MarShon Brooks

Source: Roto Arcade by Matt Buser

A Monday X-ray revealed that MarShon Brooks has a broken right pinky toe, and he's now on the shelf indefinitely. The Nets aren't sure when or how the injury happened and won't establish a specific timetable until after team doctors have a look at him. It's been all bad for Brooks lately, who also has been dealing with Achilles tendinitis and was looking at having his minutes limited in any case. This injury news means Anthony Morrow is locked in at shooting guard, Jordan Farmar will see

Court Report: Bargnani, Bogut headed for MRIs

Source: Roto Arcade by Matt Buser

Andrea Bargnani called Wednesday's calf injury "much worse" than the the first one, which cost him six games. Bargnani is due for an MRI on Thursday but figures to be lost for a while in any case. As we saw during his first stretch of missed games, the Raptors will struggle mightily on offense for as long as he's out. Aaron Gary will likely remain as the starter center by default, but will top out at 20 minutes on most nights. That leaves a combined 124 minutes behind Gray at center and between the two forward spots, which will be divided between James Johnson (SF/PF), Linas Kleiza (SF/PF), Amir Johnson (PF/C), and Ed Davis (PF/C). That means regular playing time for all four players - Johnson deserves near-universal roster

Court Report: The Knicks finally get a win

Source: Roto Arcade by Matt Buser

No, we're not going to see the Knicks win like this on most nights. Carmelo Anthony and Iman Shumpert combined for 1-of-16 shooting, six assists, and four turnovers, while Landry Fields, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Tyson Chandler combined for 22-of-34 shooting, nine assists, and no turnovers. The Knicks pounded the hapless Bobcats to the point that Mike D'Antoni saw fit to give playing time to all 13 of his active players - his five starters averaged 29 minutes. New York out-rebounded Charlotte by 20 (53 to 33) and out-assisted them by 16 (26 to 10). A win is a win, and the Knicks sure needed this one, but what will be more notable is how they follow up this

Day 31 of 124: Bargnani is Back

Source: Give Me The Rock by Nels

or: Timing is Everything and My Timing Sucks
or: Attack of the Big Men

Line of the Night: Andrea Bargnani (3.17) played 42 minutes in his first game back and proved why he is one of the greatest Small Ball Centers ever to have played the game of fantasy basketball (because you know that’s what the players are all really thinking about when they’re out there). Bargnani had 36 points on 4 threes, and 12-12 from the line, to go with 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block. The subtitle of the post refers to the fact that I left Derrick Rose and Andrea Bargnani on my bench this week in favor of Nate Robinson and Channing Frye. Do remember that Nels is the Conservative One (at

Aaron Gray replaces Amir Johnson for Raps - Aaron Gray | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Aaron Gray will start over Amir Johnson for the Raptors on Tuesday against the Suns.

Court Report: Luol Deng out for “a while”

Source: Roto Arcade by Matt Buser

Luol Deng has been shut down with a torn ligament in his left wrist. He's being called week-to-week and Tom Thibodeau acknowledged that "he's going to be out for a while." The plan as of now is to avoid surgery and return to play through the pain, likely after a couple of weeks. Deng opted for surgery after suffering the same injury to his right wrist at the end of the 2004-05 season - he's choosing the "pain management" route this go-around, given the Bulls' title aspirations and

Day 29 of 124: Washington Can’t Handle The Truth

Source: Give Me The Rock by Erik

 

“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”

- Winston Churchill

 

No Rajon Rondo (wrist), no Ray Allen (sprained ankle), No problem! Paul “The Truth” Pierce (2.84) was there to explode for our Line of the Night. He did do it against the lowly Washington Wizards, but hey, the man virtually did it alone (sorry Mr.