DFS Alerts

Lineup Update: Suns will start Payne, Carter, Bridges, Smith, Saric on Sunday

The key takeaway from this lineup is that Jae Crowder is coming off the bench, and Jalen Smith will get his first start. With a veteran like Crowder, it’s more likely than not that he gets the rest, just like the Suns other starters (other than Mikal Bridges). Smith should be in line for big minutes as they Suns appear to be giving their youth some major run.

Darius Garland and Kevin Love listed out Sunday

Garland and Love were both listed out as the Cavs try to tank their way against the Brooklyn Nets. Garland played 12 minutes yesterday, but will be held out today, while Love will miss today’s game as well. With both players out, it should be heavy minutes once again for Issac Okoro, Dean Wade, and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt, while Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman play in the backcourt. Kabengele and Brodric Thomas should both be key reserves off the bench.

Anthony Davis and LeBron James listed questionable Sunday; Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, and Marc Gasol listed probable

The Lakers have their two key cogs questionable ahead of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans. LeBron and AD are questionable; both players played for the Lakers yesterday, as they each played 28 minutes. They likely will be watching the Nuggets Blazers game; if the Blazers end up winning, the Lakers will be locked into the 7 seeds. It’s possible that the Lakers start both players, while giving them rest in the second half once they realize that they are locked in. If they do end up sitting, it would be more production for Andre Drummond, Dennis Schroder, and Kyle Kuzma (assuming Kuzma plays).

Khris Middleton (ankle) listed out Sunday

The Bucks ruled out Middleton as they prepare to play the Chicago Bulls. The Bucks will be playing after the Nets game has started, so there’s a chance that they see the Nets are winning and then decide to rest more players, as they would be locked into the three seed otherwise. If the remaining starters play, it’ll likely be Pat Connaughton starting in his place, with Bryn Forbes and Bobby Portis playing a few more minutes as a result.

Zach LaVine, Daniel Theis, Nikola Vucevic, Troy Brown Jr., and Tomas Satoransky listed out Sunday

The Bulls will be without their key contributors as they prepare to play the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bulls are likely trying to lose to better their lottery odds, and their injury report confirms that. LaVine and Vucevic are both out for the Bulls, along with Satoransky, Theis and Brown Jr. Assuming the rest of their players play, it’ll likely be Coby White, Patrick Williams, and Lauri Markkanen getting the most run. There’s a chance that players such as Garrett Temple and Thaddeus Young also get rested later in the day, as the Bulls try to play more youth for their future. Players such as Javonte Green, Denzel Valentine, and Adam Mokoka may get more run. Once the starting lineup is released, it’ll be more clear for who gets more playing time for the team.

Jimmy Butler (back) listed out Sunday; Goran Dragic questionable

Jimmy Butler has officially been listed as out Sunday while Goran Dragic has been listed as questionable. Butler will remain out after missing last night’s game against the Bucks where Nemanja Bjelica got the surprise start for him and saw 20 minutes of action, Andre Iguodala saw 23 minutes off the bench and it will likely be a similar split tonight. If Dragic were to miss Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn would likely see a few more minutes and Gabe Vincent or Max Strus could as well. When we look at CourtIQ with Butler off the floor we see that the biggest benefactors from an FPM boost perspective are Bam Adebayo (.10), Goran Dragic (.09), Iguodala (.06), and Nunn (.06). With Butler out most of the offense should run through Nunn, Robinson, and Adebayo.

Trae Young and Tony Snell probable Sunday; Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela, Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter questionable; Kris Dunn and Brandon Goodwin out; Onyeka Okongwu available

The Hawks have put a bunch of players on their injury report, which was expected as they prepare to play the Houston Rockets. If the Knicks win this afternoon, the Hawks will be locked into the five seed, rendering their game meaningless. This may be why Bogdanovic, Capela, Gallo, and Huerter were listed as questionable; it feels like they may be more doubtful than anything if the Knicks do end up winning their game. Trae and Snell were listed as probable, so perhaps they may get the start and then have their minutes limited. If the Knicks do end up losing the game, it could be a full go ahead for the Hawks in order to get the four seed. If the injured players sit, it would likely be plenty of minutes for reserves like Skylar Mays, Nathan Knight, and Okongwu. Once a starting lineup comes out, it’ll give more clarity, but there’s certainly volatility behind the Hawks minutes, especially if the Knicks win.

Lineup Update: Wizards will start Westbrook, Beal, Bertans, Hachimura, Len on Sunday

Raul Neto (hamstring) ruled out Sunday

Raul Neto (hamstring) ruled out Sunday

Lineup Update: Celtics will start Pritchard, Langford, Ojeleye, Grant Williams, Kornet on Sunday

Lineup Update: Raptors will start Flynn, Bembry, Johnson, Gillespie, Birch on Sunday

Status Note: Nuggets expected to limit minutes of key players Sunday

Lineup Update: Hornets will start Ball, Rozier, McDaniels, Bridges, Washington on Sunday

Devin Booker and Chris Paul ruled out Sunday; Mikal Bridges will have minutes restriction

Devin Booker and Chris Paul have both been ruled out Sunday while Mikal Bridges will have minutes restriction (to keep his consecutive games played streak alive) when the Suns take on the San Antonio Spurs. With three of their top guys out (Ayton was ruled out earlier) the Suns will turn to Cameron Payne and Torrey Craig for most of their offensive production. The Suns who are resting their stars ahead of the playoffs will likely tackle this game by committee making it tough to pinpoint exactly where most of the minutes will go but Payne and Craig are probably the best guesses.

Domantas Sabonis will play Sunday; Malcolm Brogdon ruled out

Domantas Sabonis will play Sunday while Malcolm Brogdon and Aaron Holiday have been ruled out. Sabonis was out yesterday against the Lakers but makes his return tonight and will likely see heavy minutes. This game is extremely important for the Pacers as a win locks them in as the 9th seed. Sabonis and Caris LeVert should lead the team in production and usage for as long as this game remains close with McConnell and Justin Holiday seeing increased minutes with booth Brogdon and Aaron Holiday out.