Spurs' Pau Gasol: Posts double-double in return

Gasol (finger) posted 17 points (5-7 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT) to go with 11 rebounds, two assists and one block across 27 minutes off the bench in Friday's 105-97 win against the Clippers.

Analysis:

The Spurs elected to bring Gasol off the bench following a 15-game absence due to a fractured finger, and the veteran didn't seem to show much rust, as he efficient from the floor, especially beyond the arc. The three treys tied a career high for Gasol, who figures to wrestle the starting center job away from Dewayne Dedmon sooner rather than later. Even so, a healthy Gasol looks poised to see a slight drop in his fantasy value over the final third of the season, as coach Gregg Popovich will likely monitor the 36-year-old's minutes carefully and perhaps even hold him out of games entirely as the Spurs brace for a deep postseason run.