The matchups for the first round of the 2009 NBA playoffs have been decided. If you are going to play playoff fantasy basketball, here’s a look at what you can expect in the first round of the 2009 NBA playoffs.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8) Utah Jazz
The Lakers are the overwhelming favorites and should have an easy time against the slumping Jazz.
2) Denver Nuggets vs. 7) New Orleans Hornets
If the Hornets can get healthy, they could pull the upset against the good but not great Nuggets.
3) San Antonio Spurs vs. 6) Dallas Mavericks
These two Texas teams are …read more

Los Angeles Lakers – 3
Denver Nuggets – 0
The Lakers are dominating the Nuggets and the Nuggets seem to be splintering. This could very likely end in a sweep.
New Orleans Hornets – 3
Dallas Mavericks – 1
The Hornets got a big win in Game 4. It’s looking like the end of the Mavs is near.
San Antonio Spurs – 3
Phoenix Suns – 1
The Suns avoided getting swept by winning Game 4. However, the Spurs remain in control of this series.
Houston Rockets – 1
Utah Jazz – 3
The Rockets have fought hard despite being undermanned. That said, the Jazz advancing is just a formality.
Boston Celtics …read more

Josh Howard of the Dallas Mavericks admitted to smoking marijuana in the offseason while on Michael Irvin’s radio show in Dallas. While Howard isn’t expected to be penalized by either the NBA or the Mavs for his comments, could there be an impact on his fantasy basketball worth?
It’s doubtful Howard will lose significant fantasy value but he may be put under the microscope. I’m sure David Stern wasn’t happy with the comments and may try to make an example out of Howard. A really random drug test for Howard may be in the cards.
Overall though, if you have Howard on …read more

Bad news for Gilbert Arenas. Although the Washington Wizards were able to win Game 3, Arenas seemingly suffered another setback. Arenas left the game with an injury to his surgically repaired knee.
It’s the same knee that forced Arenas to miss last year’s playoffs and almost the entire regular season. The good news is that the injury is being called a bruised knee. Currently, it isn’t believed that Arenas suffered any structural damage.
Down 0-2 in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Wizards blew out the Cavs 108-72. Before leaving with injury, Arenas played ten minutes …read more

If you have Rafer Alston in your fantasy basketball lineup for the final game of the Houston Rockets regular season, take him out. Alston suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for at least a week.
With the playoffs starting this weekend, this is horrible timing for an injury. It sounds like Alston will miss the first two games of the playoffs, if not more. His surprisingly effective fantasy basketball season is all but over.
In Alston’s place, Bobby Jackson will get the start. As a spot starter, you may get good production out of Jackson. …read more

If you are still playing in your fantasy basketball league, you should keep a close eye on the NBA playoff picture. At this point in the season, stars on teams that aren’t playing meaningful games will play a lot less minutes. Conversely, stars on teams fighting for playoff positioning will play more minutes than usual.
Here is a list of teams still fighting for playoff positioning:
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers need another win to clinch the fourth seed in the East.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards are trying to catch the Cavs at four, while also trying to avoid slipping to sixth.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are still …read more