Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace was in the starting lineup for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night and will attempt to play despite occasional dizziness caused by an inner ear infection. Wallace missed the morning shootaround, and following the workout coach Mike Brown said his best interior defender "most likely will not" play against the Celtics. However, Wallace had no problems while warming up, and about one hour before tipoff said he would try to play. (Updated 05/10/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/17/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Cavs coach Mike Brown said if Wallace can't go, Anderson Varejao would likely start up front alongside LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas as Cleveland tries to climb back from an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series. Wallace joined the Cavaliers in a trade from Chicago in February. He missed several regular-season games because of back spasms. Wallace is a solid defensive presence for the Cavaliers, but he unfortunately keeps doing less and less for Fantasy owners. For the first time in seven seasons, Wallace averaged under 10 rebounds per game. His scoring, already pedestrian, also keeps declining and Fantasy owners should no longer consider him a very solid No. 2 Fantasy center. (Updated 05/10/2008).
Wallace started Game 3 of the Cavaliers' Eastern Conference semifinal series with Boston despite occasional dizziness from an inner ear infection and had one of his best performances since joining Cleveland in a midseason trade. His defensive presence inside was a major factor in the Cavaliers' 108-84 win, which pulled them within 2-1 in the series. (Updated 05/11/2008)
Advice
Wallace helped hold Kevin Garnett to 17 points, blocked shots and drew offensive fouls as the frustrated Celtics never could overcome a 13-point first quarter. Wallace finished with nine points - a season playoff high - along with nine rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds, two blocks, a steal and two assists.
Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace was in the starting lineup for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night and will attempt to play despite occasional dizziness caused by an inner ear infection. Wallace missed the morning shootaround, and following the workout coach Mike Brown said his best interior defender "most likely will not" play against the Celtics. However, Wallace had no problems while warming up, and about one hour before tipoff said he would try to play. (Updated 05/10/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/17/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Cavs coach Mike Brown said if Wallace can't go, Anderson Varejao would likely start up front alongside LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas as Cleveland tries to climb back from an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series. Wallace joined the Cavaliers in a trade from Chicago in February. He missed several regular-season games because of back spasms. Wallace is a solid defensive presence for the Cavaliers, but he unfortunately keeps doing less and less for Fantasy owners. For the first time in seven seasons, Wallace averaged under 10 rebounds per game. His scoring, already pedestrian, also keeps declining and Fantasy owners should no longer consider him a very solid No. 2 Fantasy center. (Updated 05/10/2008).
