DFS Alerts

Raptors will start VanVleet, Anunoby, Barnes, Siakam, Birch on Saturday. As expected after Trent was ruled out, Khem Birch will enter the starting lineup for Toronto tonight. Birch is expected to see a few more minutes but still not full starter run. Chris Boucher and Armoni Brooks should see the bulk of Trent’s minutes off the bench.

Goga Bitadze (foot) ruled out Saturday

Goga Bitadze (foot) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. With Bitadze ruled out, Terry Taylor seems to be the most likely candidate to join the starting lineup for the Pacers. He should see increased minutes and will be worth consideration in DFS contests. Along with Taylor, both Jalen Smith and Oshae Brissett should play a larger role for Indiana who once again finds themselves shorthanded (8 available players).

Khris Middleton (wrist) will play Saturday; Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is a game-time decision but "trending in the right direction"

Khris Middleton (wrist) will play Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies, while Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) will be a game-time decision but is “trending in the right direction” according to HC Mike Budenholzer. Middleton should return to the starting lineup for the Bucks and should play an increased role with Jrue Holiday ruled out. This role could further be increased if Giannis were to be ruled out but it sounds like he will be able to play. If available, Giannis should start and play his normal minutes with increased expected production with Holiday out. Giannis and Middleton can be considered on most slates and tonight is no different.

DeMar DeRozan (adductor) and Alex Caruso (back) listed available to play Saturday

DeMar DeRozan (adductor) and Alex Caruso (back) listed available to play Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This was expected as both players were listed as probable coming into tonight’s game. Both Caruso and DeRozan should start and see their usual run in an important eastern conference game that could impact seeding. This game should be competitive and both DeRozan and Caruso are playable tonight at their respective price points.

Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, PJ Tucker, Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson, and Caleb Martin will all play Saturday

Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, PJ Tucker, Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson, and Caleb Martin will all play Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets despite all being listed as questionable on the injury report earlier in the day. The Heat will be at relatively full strength, only missing Gabe Vincent who is out due to a toe injury. All Heat players should remain in their usual roles with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo worth consideration as mid range options on tonight’s slate.

Malcolm Brogdon (conditioning) and Duane Washington (hip) ruled out Saturday; Jalen Smith (illness) available; Goga Bitadze (foot) will be a game-time decision

Malcolm Brogdon (conditioning) and Duane Washington (hip) have been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Toronto Raptors while Jalen Smith (illness) will be available. Goga Bitadze (foot) will be a game-time decision. With Brogdon and Washington officially ruled out, Justin Anderson will likely start again and should be considered as a value option on tonight’s slate. Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield should continue to shoulder the bulk of the offense of the Pacers. The backup guard minutes should be handled by Lance Stephenson and Keifer Sykes with Stephenson entering value consideration. Jalen Smith should play a decent sized role off the bench for the Pacers and could see this role increased if Goga is ultimately ruled out. If this were to be the case Terry Taylor would likely get the start and would also need to be considered in DFS contests tonight.

Gary Trent Jr. (toe) ruled out Saturday

Gary Trent Jr. (toe) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Indiana Pacers. With Trent out, the Raptors will likely elect to go with a larger starting five adding Khem Birch to the starting lineup. Birch will still likely not see more than about 20 minutes or so with Chris Boucher actually picking up most of Trent’s vacated minutes. Boucher will be a better play and worth consideration tonight in DFS contests. The rest of Trent’s minutes should be spread across the available members of the Toronto bench with no singular benefactor.

Wendell Carter Jr. (wrist) ruled out Saturday; Magic will start Anthony, Hampton, Franz Wagner, Okeke, Bamba

Wendell Carter Jr. (wrist) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Sacramento kings. With Carter out, the Magic will start Anthony, Hampton, Franz Wagner, Okeke, and Bamba. Okeke should see increased run filling in for Carter and can be considered a better play. Off the bench, Moe Wagner should see the bulk of the backup four minutes with Robin Lopez likely joining the rotation to pick up some backup center minutes. The Magic could elect to go smaller however and have Wagner backup the center position with Ignas Brazdeikas and Admiral Schofield split time backing up the power forward position.

Spurs will start Murray, Primo, Richardson, Johnson, Poeltl on Saturday. As expected, Josh Richardson will join the starting lineup for the Spurs in Devin Vassell’s absence. Richardson will be worth considering on the showdown slate as he is priced according to his usual role off the bench.

Serge Ibaka (illness) listed out Saturday

Serge Ibaka (illness) has been added to the injury report and listed out for Saturday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. We are still waiting on news regarding Giannis’s status which will determine how impactful Ibaka’s absence. If Giannis is available it shouldn’t mean much as Bobby Portis should cover the bulk of the backup big man minutes behind Brook Lopez and Connaughton could be flexed to the backup four position. If Giannis is out Portis would get the start at the four with Connaughton and Jordan Nwora able to back him up. Sandro Mamukelashvili or Thanasis Antetokounmpo could join the rotation to soak up the remaining big man minutes.

Pelicans will start McCollum, Graham, Jones, Hayes, Valanciunas on Saturday. As expected with Brandon Ingram still out, Devonte’ Graham will remain in the starting lineup for the Pelicans. He will be in line to see more minutes than in his bench role and should be considered a better play than normal on the showdown slate.

Eric Gordon (rest) ruled out Saturday

Eric Gordon (rest) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. As expected, Gordon will get the second leg of a back-to-back off after playing last night. Garrison Matthews is expected to join the starting lineup for the Rockets and can be considered as a value option on tonight’s slate at just 3.2K on DK. Josh Christopher and Daishen Nix should also see a few more minutes off the bench for Houston with Christopher entering value play territory as well.

Brandon Ingram (hamstring) ruled out Saturday

Brandon Ingram (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs. With Ingram ruled out, Devonte’ Graham will likely remain in the starting lineup and should continue to see an increased role. This can also be said for the other members of the starting lineup who should benefit from Ingram’s continued absence. Off the bench, Naji Marshall and Larry Nance should continue to see the bulk of the backup forward minutes making them better plays on the showdown slate.

Josh Hart (knee) and Justise Winslow (calf) listed out Saturday

Josh Hart (knee) and Justise Winslow (calf) have both been listed out for Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets. With both Hart and Winslow still out (among others) the Trail Blazers will remain shorthanded with 10 available bodies. Keon Johnson (who drew the start last night) projects to be a good value option again tonight, while Trendon Watford will be a good midrange play on DK. Kris Dunn, Ben McLemore, and Drew Eubanks will all also be worth consideration at their respective price points and positions.

Malcolm Brogdon (conditioning) listed questionable Saturday

Malcolm Brogdon (conditioning) has been listed questionable for Saturday’s game against the Toronto Raptors. Brogdon joins Duane Washington, Jalen Smith, and Goga Bitadze as questionable on the Pacers injury report. Brogdon who has been “resting” since the 18th could be set to miss another game meaning another start for Justin Anderson and more bench minutes for guards like Duane Washington and Lance Stephenson. If Brogdon were to miss, Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield would continue to shoulder the bulk of the offensive load for the Pacers becoming better plays.