DFS Alerts
Lineup update: Celtics will start Walker, Smart, Fournier, Tatum, and Robert Williams Wednesday
Fournier will get the start for Jaylen Brown, while Williams will get the start for Tristan Thompson. This was expected with both players out, and Williams is likely to be a great play now that he is starting and doesn’t have to compete for minutes at center. He’s a good center play, with upside to be great.
As reported by: the Boston Celtics via Twitter Other tagged players: Robert Williams III
Status update: Louis King available to make Kings debut Wednesday
According to coach Walton, King will be available to play after signing a two-way deal with the team a few days ago. It’s unclear how many minutes he’d play, if at all, but he may take a few minutes away from Justin James and Terrence Davis, but it’s certainly not clear how Walton wants to play it.
As reported by: Jason Anderson via Twitter Harrison Barnes (adductor) and Chimezie Metu (back) ruled out Wednesday
The Kings will have the same players available today as they will yesterday, as Barnes and Metu were both ruled out against the Indiana Pacers. Barnes was downgraded from doubtful with an adductor injury, while Metu was listed as questionable with a back injury. Barnes has missed the last fourgames with the injury, so we know that Maurice Harkless will start for him. Marvin Bagley will once again be one of the most popular options on tonight’s slate, as he played 30 minutes last game despite foul trouble and will have to continue to play big minutes as Metu’s absence further limits the frontcourt depth. Delon Wright should be the top option once again for the team, as he had a monster performance yesterday and should continue to produce, along with Bagley and Buddy Hield.
As reported by: Jason Anderson via Twitter Other tagged players: Chimezie Metu Khris Middleton (knee) ruled out Wednesday
Middleton was downgraded from doubtful with a knee injury to out and will miss the Bucks game against the Washington Wizards. Pat Connaughton will likely start in his place, although there’s a chance that it could be PJ Tucker. With no Middleton, Giannis and Jrue see good bumps per CourtIQ. Giannis averages 1.71 FPM with no Middleton on the floor, up from his 1.63 average, while Holiday averages 1.26 FPM, up from his 1.12 average. The extra minutes could help Connaughton, Donte DiVincenzo, and possibly Jeff Teague, but if Giannis and Jrue both play despite their probable tags, they’ll be the top options for the team.
As reported by: Eric Nehm via Twitter DJ Augustin (ankle) will play Wednesday; Christian Wood (ankle) and Danuel House Jr. (ankle) ruled out
The Rockets will be getting one player back, but losing two, as they will only have eight healthy bodies against the Philadelphia 76ers. Wood and House were both downgraded from doubtful with their respective ankle injuries to out, while Augustin was upgraded from questionable with his ankle injury to available, and will play. With no Wood, House, and Jae’Sean Tate, as well as DJ Wilson ruled out due to the protocols, the Rockets will be even more decimated than they have been all year. Kelly Olynyk will start at center, while KJ Martin and DaQuan Jeffries should join the starting lineup in place of Tate and Wood. Due to the amount of bodies out, there’s no CourtIQ data with all the bodies out for the team. But the team will certainly run through Kevin Porter Jr. and Olynyk, with Martin likely playing the next most minutes for the team. KJ Martin is certainly the best value, but KPJ and Olynyk will both have to play heavy minutes and should be able to produce.
As reported by: Cayleigh Griffin via Twitter Other tagged players: Christian Wood, Danuel House Jr. Goga Bitadze (ankle) will play Wednesday; Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring), Edmond Sumner (knee), and Jeremy Lamb (knee) ruled out Wednesday
The Pacers had four players listed as questionable against the Sacramento Kings, but will only be getting one of them back. Goga will make his return after missing seven games with an ankle injury, and should help bolster a shorthanded frontcourt. Brogdon was ruled out due to a hamstring injury that cost him the last two games, Lamb will miss his ninth straight with a knee injury, while Sumner will miss the game with a knee injury after getting hurt last game for the Pacers. The backcourt will be severely shorthnaded with no Brogdon and Sumner, so it’ll likely be big minutes for TJ McConnell, whether he starts or not. Caris LeVert will also continue to get big minutes, while showing an increase in usage with no Brogdon. Aaron Holiday will also have to play a few more minutes also; he’s played 24 minutes in the last three games, and now may have upside for more now that Sumner is out. If Goga ends up getting the start, he could be a good play, as he averages 1.25 FPM per CourtIQ with no Turner on the floor, so he could produce at a good rate if he starts. Sabonis should still be a great play, but not as elite now that he won’t have the same minutes upside. Oshae Brissett will be difficult to prioritize now that Goga is back.
As reported by: Tony East via Twitter Other tagged players: Goga Bitadze, Jeremy Lamb, Edmond Sumner Damian Lillard (foot) planning on playing Wednesday; Norman Powell (knee) a game-time decision
In his pre-game news conference, coach Stotts mentioned that Lillard was planning on playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s listed as probable with a foot injury, but he should be fine to go. Powell remains questionable with a knee injury, and his status will likely come closer to game-time. He was questionable last game before playing, so hopefully he’s able to play. If he sits, it would be likely a start for Derrick Jones, with more minutes for him and Carmelo Anthony.
As reported by: Jamie Hudson via Twitter Other tagged players: Norman Powell Khris Middleton (knee) listed doubtful Wednesday; Jrue Holiday (hip) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (thigh) listed probable
The Bucks will likely be without one of their big three ahead of their game against the Washington Wizards. Middleton was listed as doubtful with knee soreness, while Giannis and Holiday were listed as probable with their respective thigh and hip injuries. Assuming Middleton sits, Pat Connaughton will likely start in his place, although there’s a chance that it could be PJ Tucker. With no Middleton, Giannis and Jrue see good bumps per CourtIQ. Giannis averages 1.71 FPM with no Middleton on the floor, up from his 1.63 average, while Holiday averages 1.26 FPM, up from his 1.12 average. The extra minutes could help Connaughton, Donte DiVincenzo, and possibly Jeff Teague, but if Giannis and Jrue both play despite their probable tags, they’ll be the top options for the team.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo Status update: Sindarius Thornwell available to make Magic debut Wednesday
According to coach Clifford, “all nine available players will play” against the Boston Celtics. Thornwell was recently signed to the team, and it was unclear that he would make his debut, but this confirms that he should. He may not play many minutes, but he’s likely to dig into the minutes of Gary Harris, Dwayne Bacon, and RJ Hampton.
As reported by: Josh Robbins via Twitter Lineup update: Magic will start Anthony, Harris, Bacon, Wagner, and Bamba Wednesday
As expected, Bamba will get the start in place of Wendell Carter against the Celtics. This makes him an elite play, as the floor for his minutes is significantly raised, while his ceiling is even higher as the Magic don’t have any other center options other than Moe Wagner, who has been playing at the power forward. Bamba should be a lock and load play.
As reported by: Josh Robbins via Twitter Wendell Carter Jr. (eye) ruled out Wednesday
Wendell was downgraded from questionable with a left eye abrasion to out, and will miss the Magic’s game against the Boston Celtics. The Magic are running out of bodies, as they have only nine healthy bodies, and possibly eight if the newly signed Sindarius Thornwell is unable to make his debut. Should he get the start, Mo Bamba is a clear winner and should be one of the best plays on the entire slate. Bamba has averaged 1.25 FPM with all the injured Magic off the floor per CourtIQ. He’s been able to produce in limited minutes, including last game when he had a season high 48 DK points. Moe Wagner and Ignas Brazdeikis should pick up a few more minutes in the frontcourt as well, but the biggest winner is certainly Bamba (assuming he starts).
As reported by: the Orlando Magic via Twitter Romeo Langford (concussion) ruled out Wednesday
Lanford was placed in the concussion protocol, and was ultimately ruled out for the game against the Orlando Magic. Langford has played sparingly over the last few games, but may have had a role with Jaylen Brown unable to play. His minutes should be taken over by a combination of Payton Pritchard, Jabari Parker, and Aaron Nesmith.
As reported by: Tom Westerholm via Twitter Isaiah Hartenstein (concussion) available to play Wednesday; Anderson Varejao available to make season debut
The Cavs will be getting two additional frontcourt players available as they prepare to play the Portland Trail Blazers. Hartenstein was upgraded from probable with a concussion to available, and should return to his usual position of backup center, helping to spell Jarrett Allen. Varejao was signed to a contract for the rest of the year, but it’s likely that this was just a tribute signing, and he shouldn’t be projected to see minutes unless coach Bickerstaff mentions he’ll be available in his pre-game media session. Neither player is DFS viable, but this may reduce the ceiling of Allen and Kevin Love in the frontcourt.
As reported by: Chris Fedor via cleveland.com Other tagged players: Anderson Varejao Nerlens Noel (ankle) expected to play Wednesday
According to Woj, Noel is expected to return against the Denver Nuggets tonight. Noel missed the Knicks last game, which led to Taj Gibson being a popular value play. With Noel back, Gibson should move to the bench; although he played 32 minutes the last two games, he’d likely return to his role of bench big who’d play minutes in the teens. If Noel has no minutes restriction, he’ll likely play 30 or so minutes, but he may be eased back into game shape.
As reported by: Adrian Wojnarowski via Twitter Rui Hachimura (illness) ruled out Wednesday
Hachimura was ruled out due to an illness, and will miss the game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Hachimura’s minutes were slowly increasing as he worked his way back from his previous injury; he played 31 minutes in the last game for the Wizards. Davis Bertans should start in his place, with Chandler Hutchinson and Anthony Gill the only other options to play the power forward position. With Rui off the court, Bradley Beal is a surprising winner; he’s averaged 1.42 FPM with Rui off the floor per CourtIQ, up from his 1.29 average. Bertans should also see a boost in both minutes and production; his FPM is at 0.88 with no Rui, up from his 0.77 average. He should be in line for more minutes as well, and is a big winner in the news. Westbrook and Beal will continue to lead them, with Bertans a viable ancillary piece.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter