By Andrew Bohardt
Fantasy Sports 101 Basketball

As the NBA’s regular season hits the homestretch, there are quite a few key situations unfolding and intriguing events taking place. Topping the list is the announcement that Heat guard Dwyane Wade will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury and the Rockets' 19-game winning streak continuing the absence of injured center Yao Ming.

Wade, who had been playing with a sore left knee all season, has decided to sit out the remainder of the year. This is obviously a smart decision considering the Miami Heat are a dreadful 11-51, good enough for last place in the Eastern Conference. Wade now has plenty of time to rehab and should be ready for the Olympics this summer. However, fantasy owners will take a huge blow, as Wade was averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Sitting in the exact opposite position of the Heat are the Houston Rockets, who have cruised to 19 straight wins, 10 straight by double digits, and seven straight without the injured Yao Ming. The tear has moved the Rockets within one game of the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers for the top seed in the Western Conference. The play of Tracy McGrady, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, has been a huge factor in the team’s success. Rafer Alston also has helped fill Yao’s void, averaging 15 points and 7 assists during the winning streak.

Another scorching team is the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have won nine straight games and have reached 50 wins for the first time in 16 years. The return of a healthy Kevin Garnett has fueled Boston’s recent surge and helped open up a four and a half game cushion over the Detroit Pistons for top seed in the East.

Gerald Wallace, who suffered a concussion back on Feb. 22, should be ready to play on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Wallace and Jason Richardson have led the Charlotte Bobcats to a 24-39 record this season, just two games back of the final playoff spot in the East. Charlotte has won five straight games, and the return of Wallace’s 21 points and 6 rebounds per game can only improve the Bobcats chances during their playoff push.

The Washington Wizards also received some good news this week when they found out Caron Butler is nearing a return to the lineup. Butler has missed the last 16 games with a bum left hip. The Wizards have been trying to hold on to a playoff spot while Butler and Gilbert Arenas recover from injuries, and they currently sit sixth in the East. Butler’s 21.4 points and 6.8 rebounds will certainly help out Antawn Jamison, who has been carrying the team.

While some teams are getting healthy, others are suffering potentially devastating injuries. Earlier this week, the Denver Nuggets learned that Allen Iverson has a fractured right ring finger. It didn’t seem to affect Iverson on Monday, as he posted 28 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, but if the finger worsens, the pain may force the fearless guard to miss some time. The Nuggets currently sit ninth in the Western Conference, two and a half games back of the final playoff spot.

When the Sacramento Kings decided to trade Mike Bibby, they knew it would give other players an opportunity to showcase their skills. Beno Udrih has taken full advantage. The young point guard has been on a tear recently, scoring 23 or more points in five of his last seven games. He’s also dished out seven or more assists in four of those games. The Kings will not make the playoffs this year, but it appears they have found their point guard of the future.