Zach Randolph notched a double-double and was one rebound away from another in his two games this week prior to sitting out Sunday with a minor ankle injury. The Grizzlies power forward picked up 22 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday in a 90-84 win over Dallas before spraining his left ankle on the opening possession of Friday’s matchup with the Heat. According to Memphis Commercial Appeal, Randolph “landed awkwardly after attempting a runner in the lane. Randolph immediately grabbed his left ankle and writhed in pain. He tried to jog and shake off the injury but was clearly hobbled the rest of the game.” Despite the affliction, Randolph managed 14 points and nine rebounds in the 98-91 loss to Miami. The veteran underwent MRIs to the ankle, but the tests came out negative. Memphis rested the star against Orlando on Sunday to give the big man time to rest. He should return for the Grizzlies on Wednesday against the Trail Blazers. To read Memphis Commercial Appeal’s full report, check it out here: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/mar/02/grizzlies-zach-randolph-day-to-day-with-sprained/.
Toronto shooting guard Alan Anderson’s inconsistency became visible again this week. He had four points apiece in losses to the Wizards and Cavaliers on Monday and Wednesday, but broke out for 14 against the Pacers and 21 against the Bucks. Anderson shot 50% from the field on Friday in a 91-83 loss to Indiana in his 14-point night. The next day against Milwaukee, he tallied 21 on 8 of 20 shooting in a 122-114 loss. Anderson’s pattern has been a stellar performance spelled by a few rough nights. His primary problem is his performance from behind the arc. Since Valentine’s Day, Anderson is shooting 23% from deep. Despite his struggles, Anderson has the talent to be a big contributor off the bench for the Raptors.
Draymond Green saw limited playing time for the Warriors this week as the team dropped each of its four matches. The small forward recorded two points and four rebounds in a 107-98 loss to the Pacers on Tuesday. Green saw 27 minutes the next day against the Knicks, the most number of minutes he has seen since the rookie played 29 minutes against the Heat on January 16. The Golden State forward contributed four points and five boards in the 109-105 loss to host New York. Green then played only eight minutes in a 94-86 loss to the Celtics on Friday. He converted on a pair of free throws, but had a quiet day otherwise. Green again logged eight minutes on Saturday, but didn’t record any stats in a 107-94 loss to the Sixers.
Shannon Brown did not play in any of Phoenix’s three contests this week. Suns head coach Lindsey Hunter has not played the point guard since February 12. The team is in rebuilding mode, so Hunter is attempting to give other, untested players more court time. As quoted on NBCSports.com’s Pro Basketball Talk, Brown told Craig Grialou of ArizonaSports.com: “It bothers me every night. It bothers me from when the first time I didn’t play…It hurts. It is what it is, though. I understand it’s a business and I can’t take it too personal…It ain’t easy. I definitely think it’s undeserved. There’s a lot of things I could say but I’m going to just stay professional about the whole situation and let the season play out.” For the full article, check it out here: http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/26/shannon-brown-not-happy-about-recent-string-of-dnp-cds/
