Motiejunas (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Wolves, Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston reports.

Motiejunas is battling some lower-back pain after playing at least 37 minutes in each of the last four games. He turned in a strong performance Wednesday, posting 21 points and eight rebounds in a win over New Orleans. If he's held out Friday, Josh Smith should pick up a few extra minutes, and he could be a strong daily play against a very weak Minnesota defense.

Motiejunas scored a team-high 23 points (8-12 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 5-8 FT) with seven rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes in the win over Orlando on Tuesday.

Motiejunas had only averaged 11.8 points in his previous eight games in March. He has been getting plenty of shot attempts and got them to fall against the Magic. The Rocket forward should not be started every game in smaller leagues, but is getting consistent playing time.

Motiejunas scored 18 points (7-11 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT) with nine rebounds and a block in 34 minutes during Wednesday's win over the Clippers.

Even with Terrence Jones moving into the starting lineup, Motiejunas has been able to retain his fantasy value. He's not an elite frontcourt option by any means, but he should still provide rosterable numbers until Dwight Howard (knee) gets healthy.

Motiejunas scored 15 points (7-15 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT) with 10 rebounds and one assist in 31 minutes during Wednesday's win over the Bulls.

This was Motiejunas's sixth double-double of the season. He is getting consistent minutes and contributing in a number of ways. With Dwight Howard out for the foreseeable future, Motiejunas should be owned in all leagues.

Motiejunas scored 18 points (8-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT) with 11 rebounds in 37 minutes during Monday's win over the Nets.

Kevin Garnett was ejected early in the first quarter, and Motiejunas took advantage of the various defensively-challenged power forward replacements the Nets trotted out instead. It's his second straight double-double and eighth straight game scoring in double digits, as Motiejunas continues to solidify his spot in the Rockets' starting lineup.

Motiejunas scored 14 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) with 10 rebounds, one assists and three steals in 36 minutes against the Jazz on Saturday.

Motiejunas has now scored in double-digits in seven straight games and appears to be locked into the starting power forward role over Josh Smith. While the minutes are plentiful, Motiejunas has value in most leagues, but the situation is always tenuous with Smith lurking.

Motiejunas returned to the starting lineup and provided 12 points (5-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT) and three assists in 34 minutes in the win over Miami on Saturday.

Motiejunas' fantasy value was hurt when the Rockets signed Josh Smith. Even as a starter with a big complement of minutes, he did not put up useful fantasy numbers (and just one rebound).

Motiejunas will return to the starting lineup Saturday against the Heat, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Motiejunas was bumped from the first unit after the team acquired Josh Smith late last month, but Smith has played so poorly in five games with the club that he's forced coach Kevin McHale's hand. Look for Motiejunas to remain a starter until his or Smith's performance dictates otherwise.

Motiejunas moved into a bench role Sunday with the Rockets' recently-signed Josh Smith taking over the starting power forward position for what is believed to be a permanent move. Motiejunas put up 11 points (3-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-6 FT), five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 25 minutes.

Motiejunas could still get decent minutes off the bench backing up the two frontcourt positions, but as long as Smith and Dwight Howard are healthy, it's hard to see how Motiejunas could get more than 18-22 minutes most nights, and that size of a role won't be enough to keep him relevant in standard leagues all season.

Motiejunas will be replaced in the starting lineup by the newly-acquired Josh Smith on Sunday against the Spurs.

Motiejunas had been seeing consistent time in the starting lineup with Terrance Jones (leg) on the shelf, but it looks as if he'll be displaced (at least temporarily) by the newcomer. Smith was able to provide the Rockets with a spark off the bench Friday against Memphis, so coach Kevin McHale will simply roll with the hot hand for the time being.

Motiejunas scored 18 points (7-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-3 FT) and added six rebounds, one steal and one block in 42 minutes of action against the Nuggets on Wednesday.

Other than Motiejunas' free throw percentage (63.2 percent), there is little to complain about. He went undrafted in most ESPN leagues, but he has been a gem for fantasy owners this season - particularly his play of late has been enlightening. In his last three games, two of which Dwight Howard played, Motiejunas is averaging 19.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.0 steal, 0.7 blocks and 1.7 3PM while shooting 55.8 percent from the field.

Motiejunas continued to play well, despite the presence of Dwight Howard, scoring 25 points (11-19 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT) with five rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 32 minutes Saturday.

There is still some concern that Howard's return will cut into Motiejunas' production, but on the back on this one game, owners don't have much to worry about. Let's see if there is any down turn over the next three to four games, but regardless, Motiejunas is in the midst of the best season of his career and remains an intriguing fantasy player for the near future.

Motiejunas scored 18 points (8-17 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT) and added six rebounds, two assists and one block in 35 minutes of play against the red hot Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

Over the last two weeks Motiejunas has been hovering around a double-double each night. He has been playing well and receiving minutes as a result - Motiejunas has averaged 37 minutes a game over his last three games. He should remain in your lineup as he is averaging 16 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one block per game over his last five games.

Motiejunas scored 20 points (9-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT) with six rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes Saturday.

THis was Motiejunas' four night with double digit scoring in his last five games and has grabbed at least six rebounds in that stretch. As long as Terrence Jones (leg) remains out, Motiejunas should start and out up reliable fantasy numbers, although his production will be reduced when Dwight Howard (knee) returns.

Motiejunas scored 21 points (10-15 FG, 1-2 3P) with six rebounds, three assists and three steals in 37 minutes during Wednesday's win over the Kings.

The third-year Lithuanian is averaging 35.6 minutes, 16.0 points and 8.7 boards over the last three games. Terrence Jones (leg) isn't going to be back on the court any time soon, so snap up Motiejunas if you're looking for some help in the front court.

Motiejunas scored 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-2 3P) with eight rebounds, a steal and a block in 32 minutes during Monday's win over the Knicks.

He's not putting up huge numbers, but Motiejunas is proving to be a serviceable fantasy asset while Dwight Howard (knee) and Terrence Jones (leg) are sidelined.

Motiejunas scored 14 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT) with 12 rebounds and two assists in 38 minutes Wednesday.

Motiejunas clearly benefited from the loss of big men Dwight Howard (knee) and Terrance Jones (leg). In three games without those two players, Motiejunas is averaging 12.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in 28.7 minutes. While the 14 and 12 that he posted on Saturday should not be expected, Motiejunas offers reliable fantasy value as long as Howard is out.

Motiejunas started for the Rockets on Sunday, playing 32 minutes, scoring 7 points (3-9 FG, 1-2 FT), but grabbed nine rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds.

Ever since moving back into the starting lineup, Motiejunas has shown that he can contribute in non-traditional ways. Although his points total is not enough to amaze some owners, the fact that he was able to grab seven offensive rebounds while starting next to Dwight Howard is worth noting. In Sunday's historically bad game against the Thunder, the points were going to come from extra possessions so Motiejunas's efforts did not go unnoticed in this grind it out game.

Motiejunas scored three points (1-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and added seven rebounds, one assist, two steals, and two blocks in 31 minutes against the 76ers Friday.

This marks the third game in a row that Motiejunas has played more minutes than Kostas Papanikolaou. Before that, even though Motiejunas had been starting, it was Papanikolaou who was seeing more action almost every night. Terrance Jones (leg) will likely reclaim his starting role when he returns, but the apparent reemergence of Motiejunas as Jones' true backup is a significant development.

Motiejunas will start at power forward Wednesday against the Timberwolves.

Motiejunas played off the bench in the Rockets' last game and had his best game of the season, so he will move back into the starting lineup Wednesday night and send Kostas Papanikolaou to the bench.