DFS Alerts
Lineup update: Raptors will start VanVleet, Trent, Johnson, Siakam, and Birch Thursday
The Raptors will have a different starting lineup than expected; Malachi Flynn will come off the bench, while Gary Trent gets the start. This severely reduces the floor and ceiling of Flynn, while Stanley Johnson getting the start at minimum salary makes him a viable play. Stanley doesn’t produce at a great per minute rate, but he is bound for minutes and is incredibly cheap. Trent is a good play as well, while Flynn is extremely risky.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter
Lineup update: Nets will start Irving, Harris, Shamet, Durant, and Griffin Thursday
Coach Nash has not been shy about changing up his lineup from game-to-game, and today is no exception. Blake starts at center, while Shamet joins the starting lineup in place of Jeff Green. The Mavs don’t have an imposing frontcourt, so this makes sense; Griffin can match up with whoever the Mavs start at center, while Shamet and Harris can matchup with the Mavs and their smaller wings. There’s still a big chance that Green ends up closing, but this is certainly a bump down for him and a bump up for Shamet.
As reported by: Billy Reinhardt via Twitter Other tagged players: Landry Shamet Lineup update: Anthony Gill will remain in starting lineup Thursday
Gill will remain in the starting lineup Thursday, which was expected, but still makes him a risky play. He only played 18 minutes last game despite getting the start, and is a risky play as a result.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Lineup update: Hornets will start Ball, Rozier, McDaniels, Washington, and Biyombo Thursday
The Hornets gave us a mild surprise for their starting lineup, electing to play PJ Washington at power forward instead of center. Biyombo stays in the starting lineup, while Caleb Martin moves to the bench. This makes Martin very difficult to prioritize, while Biyombo and Cody Zeller have a higher upside now that they’ll be likely splitting more of the center minutes. The floor is certainly still low for the centers, as coach Borrego’s rotations are usually tight but do change game to game.
As reported by: Chuck Swirsky via Twitter Other tagged players: Jalen McDaniels Lineup update: Bulls will start White, LaVine, Williams, Theis, and Vucevic Thursday
As expected, LaVine and Vucevic both jump back into the starting lineup after their absences. Garrett Temple and Thad Young both move to the bench. White stays in the starting lineup as well; there was a chance that they bench him to stagger him with LaVine, but he stays in the starting lineup.
As reported by: Chuck Swirsky via Twitter Xavier Tillman (illness) ruled out Thursday
Tillman was ruled out due to an illness and will miss the game against the Detroit Pistons. He usually plays backup center, but now he’ll likely be replaced by Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke; both players will get a few more minutes, while Jonas Valanciunas has the chance for a few more minutes as well now that his primary backup isn’t playing.
As reported by: the Memphis Grizzlies via Twitter Killian Hayes (illness) ruled out Thursday
Hayes was downgraded from questionable with an illness to out, and will miss the Pistons game against the Memphis Grizzlies. With Cory Joseph listed as probable, he should be the biggest benefactor as he’ll likely get the start and get the bulk of the PG minutes. Saben Lee and Frank Jackson should play a few more as a result as well, but Joseph should be the biggest winner, assuming he starts.
As reported by: Rod Beard via Twitter Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring), Jeremy Lamb (knee), and Edmond Sumner (knee) ruled out Thursday; Goga Bitadze (ankle) available to play
The Pacers had the same four players listed as questionable as they did yesterday, and they’ll have the same rotation yesterday as they will today against the Atlanta Hawks. Brogdon, Lamb, and Sumner were all ruled out, while Goga will play after playing 20 minutes yesterday. This should mean another start for Aaron Holiday at guard, while TJ McConnell should play more minutes; he only played 22 yesterday, but lost a few minutes due to a blowout. Caris LeVert and Domantas Sabonis should be the top options for the team again, with Sabonis playing heavy minutes and showing good splits without Brogdon. Oshae Brissett got the start yesterday but does have a lower minutes ceiling with Goga back. Sabonis, LeVert, and McConnell will be the best plays if the game is competitive against the Hawks.
As reported by: Tony East via Twitter Other tagged players: Jeremy Lamb, Edmond Sumner, Goga Bitadze Chandler Hutchison (knee) a game-time decision Thursday
Hutchinson will be a game-time decision as the Wizards play the Toronto Raptors. If he does end up sitting, it should be a few more minutes for Davis Bertans, Issac Bonga, and Anthony Gill.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Cory Joseph (ankle) and Wayne Ellington (calf) upgraded to probable Thursday; Killian Hayes (illness) remains questionable
Joseph and Ellington were both upgraded to probable, and are expected to return to the lineup against the Memphis Grizzlies. Joseph will likely be back from a four game absence due to an ankle injury, while Ellington should return from his four game absence due to calf injury. Hayes remains questionable, but even if he ends up playing, he’ll be tough to prioritize with Joseph expected to be back. If he sits, Joseph would be an even greater play, while Saben Lee and Frank Jackson would have some more upside. Overall, the Pistons are a much riskier ask now that they have a few more bodies, but Joseph is likely the best play for the team.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Wayne Ellington, Killian Hayes Zach LaVine (protocols) and Nikola Vucevic (adductor) available to play Thursday
The Bulls two key cogs are officially available to return as the Bulls prepare to play the Charlotte Hornets. Vucevic will return after missing two games due to his adductor injury, while LaVine makes his return after missing eleven games due to the health and safety protocols. Both players should slot back into the starting lineup, likely moving Thad Young and Garrett Temple back to the bench. Coach Donovan mentioned that neither player would be on any official minutes restrictions, but that LaVine may have to play in shorter stints, as he gets worked back into shape. This basically puts everyone else out of play, as the Bulls usage will flow through these two players, while the remainder of the Bulls have had their salaries come up with no LaVine. Overall, the Bulls will be better with their two stars back, but likely won’t have many valuable DFS plays as a result.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Nikola Vucevic Gary Trent (leg) will play Thursday
As expected, Trent was upgraded from probable with a leg injury to available, and will return to the lineup against the Washington Wizards. Trent has missed six games with his injury, so he may be eased into action. With no Lowry, Anunoby, or Yuta Watanabe for the team, he may get his usual run if he gets the start, but if he comes off the bench he becomes a much riskier play.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Devonte' Graham (knee) ruled out Thursday
As expected, Graham was downgraded from doubtful with a knee injury to out, and will miss the game against the Chicago Bulls. Graham missed the last game for the Hornets as well, which led to Terry Rozier playing 39 minutes, while Brad Wanamkaer got up to 30 minutes himself off the bench. It should be Rozier and LaMelo Ball starting at the guard positions once again, with Wanamker and Malik Monk off the bench supporting them. Caleb Martin and Jalen McDaniels will likely start at the forward positions again and have to play big minutes, while PJ Washington should return and start at center for the team.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Kyle Lowry (rest) and Yuta Watanabe (ankle) ruled out Thursday
Yuta was downgraded from questionable with an ankle injury to out, and will miss the game against the Washington Wizards. Lowry was a late addition to the injury report, and was scratched due to rest despite not being listed on the injury report earlier in the day. Lowry missed the last game for the Raptors as well, which lead to Yuta playing 30 minutes last game in a surprise start. With both players out, there are substantial minutes to be filled with no Anunoby as well. It’s likely that Stanley Johnson and Malachi Flynn jump into the starting lineup, while Gary Trent is an option as well as he’s listed as probable to return from his six game absence. With no Lowry and Anunoby on the floor, Fred VanVleet averages 1.27 FPM, up from his his 1.08 average per CourtIQ. Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent would see some bumps as well, but VanVleet should be one of the best plays on the team and the slate.
As reported by: Eric Koreen via Twitter Other tagged players: Yuta Watanabe Kelly Oubre Jr. (wrist) and Eric Paschall (hip) remain out Thursday
The Warriors will be shorthanded once again as they prepare to play the OKC Thunder. Oubre will miss his fifth game in a row with a wrist injury, while Paschall will miss his eighteenth in a row due to a hip injury. The Warriors have been playing an eight man rotation under Steve Kerr, and should do the same again tonight. Kent Bazemore will get the start in place of Oubre once again, while Juan Toscano-Anderson and Mychal Mulder chip in for frontcourt minutes as well.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Eric Paschall