Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

The final playoff push starts Tuesday; Antawn back in action?; Beno a go on Tuesday?; Maggette to miss time?; Przybilla done for the season; Big Brad limping; Artest's thumb affecting his shot?; and more...

CRAZY EIGHTS 
The NBA season is often called a marathon, and it is just that. But as the league gets back into action after taking Monday off, things have suddenly become a 40-yard dash. Over the next nine days, NBA teams will decide who gets into the playoffs and who doesn't. And it's still actually a race, in both the Eastern and Western conferences.

In the East, the Atlanta Hawks are currently holding down the eighth and final playoff spot. But not far behind them are the Indiana Pacers, with the New Jersey Nets and Chicago Bulls also still in it. Veteran point guard Mike Bibby has really helped Atlanta come together down the stretch, but they are far from a lock for the postseason. The Hawks face a critical test Tuesday in Indiana, with just three games separating the two teams in the race.

Meanwhile in the West, two playoff spots are still up for grabs, with Dallas and Denver in the Nos.7 and 8 spots. At least one of the two will get in, but Golden State has the same record as Denver and so still have a chance to squeak in. All three play Tuesday, with the Mavs hosting Seattle, the Warriors at home to Sacramento, and the suddenly-strugging Nuggets visiting the Clippers. With the playoffs on the line, which of these seven teams can nail down at least a No.8 spot?

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JAMISON RETURNING WEDNESDAY? 
The Associated Press reports Wizards' star power forward Antawn Jamison is expecting to be in the lineup on Wednesday as Washington takes on the Celtics. Jamison has missed two straight games due to a sprained right shoulder. INTEL: Jamison has been the heart and soul of the Wizards this season as the team has dealt with injuries to Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler. He averages 38.9 minutes per game, so when he returns expect Darius Songaila to see a big drop in playing time as he heads back to the bench. Songaila was very solid filling in, averaging 13 points, eight boards, four assists, and 1.5 steals during his two starts.

BENO A GO ON TUESDAY? 
The Sacramento Bee reports Kings point guard Beno Udrih hopes to return Tuesday after sitting out most of the past 11 games because of a strained back. INTEL: It will be interesting to see how well Udrih plays on his return. He tried to return on Mar.24 against the Rockets, but managed to play for only 10 minutes. When healthy he is proving to be one of the better point guards in the NBA this season and was averaging 15.7 points and 5.6 assists per game in March games before getting injured. When he comes back, look for John Salmons, Francisco Garcia, and Anthony Johnson to play less.

MAGGETTE TO MISS TIME? 
On Sunday against the Rockets, Clippers' star swingman Corey Maggette lasted only six minutes before pulling his hamstring. He appears day-to-day. INTEL: The Clips' leading scorer, 'Maximus' is averaging 22.2 points per game to go along with 5.6 boards and 2.8 assists. He has played 67 games so far this year, fairly typical of his injury-riddled career. When he is in the lineup he is a great source of points and free-throw numbers (since he gets to the line so much and hits 81.6 percent of his freebies), but he may be limited for the rest of the way.

PRZYBILLA OUT THE REST OF THE WAY 
After playing 17 minutes of the Blazers' game Sunday versus the Spurs, center Joel Przybilla hit his right hand on the rim and broke a bone in it. He is expected to sit out the team's final five contests. INTEL: A tough break for Przybilla, who is no Dwight Howard but does have his moments. He was averaging 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game this season, to go along with 4.8 points per outing. With him on the shelf, the Trail Blazers may go to a small-ball lineup with LaMarcus Aldridge moving to center from power forward and either Travis Outlaw or James Jones becoming a starter. That said, do expect backup pivots Raef LaFrentz and Channing Frye to see boosts in playing time as well.

BIG BRAD LIMPING 
On Sunday against the Lakers, veteran center Brad Miller sat out his second consecutive contest because of a strained lower leg. He is considered day-to-day. Over two April outings, Miller is averaging just 8.7 points per game, but his other production (8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.7 steals) have stayed solid. INTEL: It�s clear the strain is affecting Big Brad, who may not be terribly productive the rest of the season. On Sunday rookie middle-man Spencer Hawes got the start filling in, which is appropriate since he has a very similar game to his older teammate (although he�s obviously much more raw). Hawes posted a solid 10 points, 11 boards, two blocks, and a steal in the 114-92 loss. At soon-to-be just 20 years old, he may be a future star

ARTEST AFFECTED BY THUMB? 
Sunday night saw Kings' small forward Ron Artest return to action after a sore thumb kept him out for one game. Artest struggled from the field, going just 7-for-20 to finish with 19 points. INTEL: Artest still managed two steals and four boards, and he did hit 3-of-5 on three pointers. So maybe he was just rusty in the game. But do keep an eye on the injury, as there is also evidence that it is affecting his shooting stroke.

J-WILL BACK IN ACTION 
Veteran Miami point guard Jason Williams played roughly eight minutes Sunday against the Pistons, after sitting out seven straight contests due to a sprained right thumb. INTEL: We'll see how much Williams plays the rest of the way. He is worth keeping an eye on because he could lead the injury-ravaged Heat during their final games, but by the same token they may want to be cautious with him in a lost season. Top backup Chris Quinn has been very good filling in lately, and is averaging 17 points and seven assists over his past five outings.

VLAD RAD HAS SEASON-BESTS 
In a somewhat surprising outburst of production, on Sunday forward Vladimir Radmanovic went off for season highs of 21 points (including 5-of-8 from three-point land) and 14 rebounds to lead the Lakers to a 114-92 win over the Kings. He played 35 minutes. INTEL: Vlad Rad has been starting at small forward lately and showed his talent Sunday. That said, he is probably the fourth or fifth scoring option for the Lakers, and is not very likely to continue this level of play. On the season he�s averaging 8.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Day-to-day forward Luke Walton sat out Sunday�s game to rest a strained hamstring, which may have led to more minutes for Radmanovic.

KNICKS' CHANDLER STEPS UP 
Continuing his strong recent run, Knicks's rookie forward Wilson Chandler on Sunday hit for a career-high 23 points to go along with eight boards and an assist in 44 minutes of New York's 100-90 upset of Orlando. INTEL: Chandler has been seeing major minutes lately and started Sunday in place of the ailing Quentin Richardson (who was out with a head injury). Head coach Isiah Thomas appears intent on seeing what his first-year forward can do down the stretch. Chandler was selected No.23 overall in last year's draft, so he obviously has talent.

BOONE BACK SOON? 
The Newark Star-Ledger reports Nets' center Josh Boone suffered a minor sprain to the MCL in his right knee on Saturday versus the Raptors. The Star-Ledger reports Boone hopes to be back in action during the team's next game, which is Wednesday in Cleveland. INTEL: The Nets are still technically alive in the East's playoff race, so look for Boone to at least give his knee a try. He is quietly enjoying a breakout season for the Nets, averaging 8.2 points, 7.2 boards, and 0.8 blocks per game. If he can't play much then the talented-but-underachieving Stromile Swift should see most of the minutes in the middle for Jersey. Stro Show has averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 boards per game over his past two.

CRITTENTON ON THE SHELF? 
The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports rookie guard Javaris Crittenton sprained his right thumb Sunday versus the Timberwolves. He played just seven mintues in the game, and appears day-to-day. INTEL: A tough development for the talented 20-year-old, who has posted a handful of very nice outings for the Grizz since being traded in midseason from the Lakers. He isn't likely to be terribly productive the rest of the way, but it will be interesting to see how big a role the Grizzlies give him next season with fellow promising youngsters Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry also competing for playing time.

ALMOND HEADS BACK TO D-LEAGUE 
On Monday the Jazz re-sent shooting guard Morris Almond to the Utah Flash of the NBA's Development League. He is averaging just 1.4 points per game for the Jazz this season, but leads the D-League this season at 25.0 points per game. INTEL: Almond has been up and down with the Jazz this season, and might be a regular scorer for several other NBA teams. But with Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, and C.J. Miles ahead of him on the big club's depth chart, he will have to keep doing his thing in the D-League. His time there has been very impressive, so he's one to watch for next season.