Fred

Jones

He was all set to go in both, until he aggravated knee tendinitis in practice on Tuesday. He made a last-minute decision to participate in the dunk contest this weekend, but now that is in jeopardy too. We’d play it safe and bench him, although he has added incentive to play against the Blazers since he’s from the Portland area and even upgraded himself from doubtful to questionable.

''I’m just now getting back on my feet. I’m not in the best shape I could be in right now. I’ve got to get healthy first and then get my game right. All I can do now is try and get back up to speed and be ready when the time comes,’' Jones said.

His status for tonight’s game is questionable.

Jones missed Saturday’s game with a strained left shoulder. “It’s real painful,” he said. “But it’s gotten a lot better in the last few days. I feel like I’ll be able to play.”

By making Jones a qualifying offer, the Pacers will have the right to match an offer sheet Jones receives when the signing of free agents begin July 12. With the future of Stephen Jackson and Peja Stojakovic in question, Jones could end up starting for the Pacers this fall.

Jones is due $2.328 million in 2005-06. He averaged 4.2 points in his first two seasons with Indiana.

James Jones is getting the starts, but Fred is the guy with the fantasy value. James finished with just 10 points, one rebound and two threes.

He’s day-to-day and has no value as long as Ron Artest is playing.

Jones had been out with a strained quad.

He has no fantasy value, but he played a good game when the Pacers needed him.