DFS Alerts

DaQuan Jeffries (ankle) ruled out Wednesday

The Rockets will only have the eight minimum players needed as Jeffries was ruled out due to an ankle injury of his own. This should lead to more minutes for Anthony Lamb, Khyri Thomas, and Armoni Brooks, as they’ll fill in at the shooting guard position. With only eight bodies, all players will have to get some minutes, especially the younger players (KJ Martin, Thomas, Brooks, and Lamb).

Lineup update: Lakers will start Horton-Tucker, Caldwell-Pope, Matthews, Morris, and Drummond Wednesday

The Lakers gave us a change in the starting lineup, as Wesley Matthews gets the start, while Kuzma will come off the bench. Coach Vogel was raving about Wes Matthews beforehand, so it’s likely he gets a longer leash. THT will get the start at point guard, and will be one of the best values of the slate. Morris gets the start at power forward, and is also viable as a cheap salary. Kuzma should get run off the bench, and still be a value due to the sheer amount of usage and playmaking he’ll have to provide for the team.

Danuel House (ankle) and Christian Wood (ankle) ruled out Wednesday; DaQuan Jeffries (ankle) a game-time decision

Wood and House were both ruled downgraded from questionable with ankle injuries to out, and will miss the game against the Lakers. Jeffries is a game-time decision with his own ankle injury. The Rockets have nine available bodies, and would only have eight if Jeffries can’t go. Olynyk and KJ Martin should start at the frontcourt, while Jae’Sean Tate, DJ Augustin, and Khryi Thomas round out the starters. Armoni Brooks and Cam Oliver should close out the rotation along with Anthony Lamb. The Rockets prices have all elevated, but there will be value for the players who get heavy minutes: Olynyk, Martin, and Khryi are most likely to pay off their salary.

Lineup update: Mavs will start Doncic, Hardaway Jr., Finney-Smith, Porzingis, and Powell Wednesday

The Mavs are changing things up with their starting lineup. Porzingis will start next to Powell, as they go back to the two frontcourt members. Josh Richardson will move to the bench, a big loss for his value, while Tim Hardaway Jr. will stay in the starting lineup. Cauley-Stein moves to the bench, as Powell has been outplaying WCS the last few games. Powell may be valuable, but unlikely, as his minutes are extremely volatile.

Alex Caruso (foot) ruled out Wednesday

The Lakers will be without Caruso as well as they prepare to play the Houston Rockets. With no LeBron, AD, Schroder, or Caruso, the Lakers will be giving minutes and usage to players that certainly aren’t used to it. Talen Horton-Tucker is the biggest winner, as he should have to facilitate the offense, and is extremely cheap across the industry. Kyle Kuzma and Andre Drummond will be the other top options; Drummond should lead the team in fantasy points, while Kuzma will see a big increase in usage and will have to play heavy minutes. Caldwell-Pope, Wesley Matthews, and Ben McLemore will all see more time with no Caruso.

Kristaps Porzingis (knee) will play Wednesday; will be on a minutes restriction

Porzingis is available to make his return as the Mavs prepare to play the New Orleans Pelicans. Coach Carlisle mentioned that Porzingis would be on an unspecified minutes restriction; no number was given, but it’s likely that he doesn’t approach past 30 or so. He should start, and take Dwight Powell and Willie Cauley-Stein largely out of consideration. Tim Hardaway Jr. will also lose some value as a result; he had been putting up far more shots in the last few games with no KP, but will likely go back to being the third option on the team.

Lineup update: Celtics will start Waters, Nesmith, Fournier, Tatum, and Thompson Wednesday

Waters will get the start at point guard for the Celtics; he had started in a few weeks ago with no Smart and no Fournier, and ultimately played 24 minutes, with Payton Pritchard coming off the bench and playing 28. Pritchard should continue to get more minutes, but is certainly a riskier play again coming off the bench. Waters is tough to trust, but should be viable as a punt due to his minimum priced salary. Nesmith will remain in the starting lineup, and should produce well per minute.

Lineup update: Nickeil Alexander-Walker will start Wednesday; will not be on a minutes limit

In his pregame news conference, coach Van Gundy mentioned that NAW would get the start against the Dallas Mavericks, in place of the injured Lonzo Ball. Van Gundy also mentioned that there’s no hard minutes limit on NAW; they will “watch his minutes” but there’s nothing definitive on a number, and this certainly makes him an interesting play. NAW averages 1.24 FPM per CourtIQ with no Lonzo, Zion, and Ingram on the floor. He was on a minutes limit of around 24 for the Pelicans last game, but now may have to play closer to 31-34 minutes with no Lonzo. Eric Bledsoe averages 1.15 FPM in the same split, but his minutes ceiling may be reduced as the Pelicans look to the future, and could give Kira Lewis Jr. some more minutes

Lineup update: Nets will start Mike James, Shamet, Durant, Brown, and Griffin Wednesday; James Harden will play off of bench

The Nets will be very cautious with Harden, as they’ll have him come off the bench in his return from a lengthy absence. They did the same with Durant when he returned, and he played 18 minutes in that game, so it’s likely that he’ll be very limited as a result. The key news is that Mike James makes his first start of the year; he produces well per minute, and is now a viable play. Shamet gets the start for Harris, while Brown has a chance to be a popular value play, as he’ll be in line for heavy minutes now with no Irving and Harris.

Lineup update: Dean Wade will remain in starting lineup Wednesday

Cedi Osman (ankle) ruled out Wednesday

Osman was downgraded from questionable to out and will miss his third straight game with an ankle injury as the Cavs prepare to play the Boston Celtics. This should lead to another start for Dean Wade, while Brodric Thomas and Damyean Dotson will both pick up a few more minutes as well. Wade may not show the same upside now that Kevin Love is back, but he should have to play more minutes, along with Issac Okoro. The usage will certainly still flow through Collin Sexton.

Lineup update: Hawks will start Young, Bogdanovic, Huerter, Collins, and Capela Wednesday

Despite Snell being cleared to play, Huerter will remain in the starting lineup for the Hawks. This certainly increases his upside, as his minutes floor and ceiling are elevated. Snell shouldn’t have been in consideration, but certainly isn’t now coming off the bench.

Trey Lyles (ankle) ruled out Wednesday

Lyles was downgraded from questionable with an ankle injury to out, and will miss the Spurs game against the Brooklyn Nets. Lyles hasn’t played in about two months, and this should continue to give Drew Eubanks the backup center minutes.

James Harden (hamstring) will play Wednesday; will be on a minutes limit

As expected, Harden is available to play and make his return from a lengthy absence as the Nets play the San Antonio Spurs. Coach Nash mentioned that Harden would be on a minutes limit, which was the expectation heading into the day. He should be able to join the starting lineup, and will likely not exceed thirty minutes as the Nets take it easy on him now, but Nash did not commit to Harden starting. Durant came off the bench in the first game after his lengthy absence, so that’s something to look out for. Still, Harden may not be in play right away, but will be taking away usage from his teammates.

Anthony Davis (adductor) ruled out Wednesday

Davis will join LeBron on the sidelines against the Houston Rockets, as he was downgraded from questionable with an adductor injury he suffered last night to out. With no LeBron, AD, Schroder, and possibly Alex Caruso (who is questionable with a foot injury he suffered last night), the Lakers will be incredibly shorthanded. Kyle Kuzma and Markieff Morris should jump into the starting lineup, while Talen Horton-Tucker is another option. From a production standpoint, Drummond should be the biggest winner, as he has a higher upside for rebound and usage with no AD on the floor. THT is another winner; he averages 1.08 FPM, up from his 0.94 average per CourtIQ. Kuzma and KCP should both need to put up a higher usage as well, and the Rockets are fast-paced team who is horrendous on defense. The starting lineup will be key for the Lakers, as that should help solidify the minutes for a few key pieces. Drummond and THT should be the best plays overall.