DFS Alerts
Trae Young (ankle) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) game-time decisions Friday; Clint Capela (heel) and Tony Snell (ankle) available to play
The Hawks had four players they were uncertain for, and will get at least two back as they prepare to play the Philadelphia 76ers. Although Trae and Bogdanovic are both game-time decisions, Capela was upgraded from questionable with his heel injury and will play. Snell was upgraded from probable with an ankle injury, and will return after a 10 game absence. If both Trae and Bogdanovic sit, it’s likely to be the Lou Williams and Brandon Goodwin show again, but it’s possible with Snell back that both guards don’t get the same run that they did last game. If only one of them sit, it’s likely that the other would be a good play; Young and Bogdanovic show good splits when the other is off the floor. It’s a tough matchup against the 76ers, but they’re still viable. With Capela in, that removes Onyeka Okongwu from consideration, and makes John Collins a worse play. With no Kevin Huerter, the Young and Bogdanovic news looms large; we should get the news as they are the first game on the slate.
As reported by: Brad Rowland via Twitter Other tagged players: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Tony Snell, Clint Capela
Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) and Donte DiVincenzo (toe) ruled out Friday
As expected, Giannis was ruled out with an ankle injury and will miss the game against the Chicago Bulls. DiVincenzo joins him and will miss the game with a toe injury. As we’ve seen all year, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are both great players with no Giannis, and no DiVincenzo only helps this. Holiday sees a bump up to 1.35 FPM, up from his 1.12 average, while Middleton jumps up to 1.26, up from his 1.09 average. This also should mean more minutes for Bobby Portis and PJ Tucker; Portis produces at a great rate per minute usually, and could be a great value. DiVincenzo out should open up more minutes for Pat Connaughton and Bryn Forbes as well. Still, the best plays will be Jrue and Middleton as we’ve seen; they both crush with no Giannis, and should continue to do so.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Donte DiVincenzo LeBron James (ankle) expected to play Friday
Lebron was upgraded from out to questionable, and is on track to play tonight if he has no issues with warmups as the Lakers play the Sacramento Kings. Lebron has missed 21 games with his ankle sprain, and should reclaim his spot in the starting lineup. He likely won’t play heavy minutes in his first game back, as he should be limited after such a long absence. It’s likely that Kyle Kuzma moves to the bench, while he and Dennis Schroder lose the most from a usage perspective. It’s too risky to play Lebron tonight, but it’s more likely the rest of the Lakers lose value despite the great matchup.
As reported by: Shams Charania via Twitter Lebron James (ankle) a game-time decision Friday
An afternoon Woj Bomb has possibly shaken up the slate, as Lebron James will be a game-time decision ahead of the game against the Sacramento Kings. Lebron was listed as out last night, but according to Woj will be upgraded to questionable and will test out his ankle after missing 21 games. Anthony Davis returned a few games ago, and he only played 15 minutes in his first game back, so it’s likely that Lebron would be limited if he played on his first game back. Lebron wouldn’t be worth playing obviously, but his return would take away usage from the entire team. Kyle Kuzma would lose some minutes and possibly his starting lineup spot, while Schroder and Davis will lose some usage as well. If he sits again, the Lakers will be much better plays, as they face the worst defense in the league in the Kings.
As reported by: Adrian Wojnarowski via Twitter Kevin Durant (rest), Bruce Brown (knee), and Nic Claxton (protocols) ruled out Friday; Kyrie Irving (groin) not on injury report
The Nets will get one of their big three back, but lose another as they prepare to play the Portland Trail Blazers. Durant was ruled out due to injury management, as the Nets want to take it easy on him on back-to-backs. Bruce Brown remains out with his knee injury, and Claxton will miss his seventh game due to the health and safety protocols. Irving will return after missing last game due to a groin injury. Irving should dominate the usage for the team; he averages 1.51 FPM with a 34.5% usage with no Harden, Durant, or LeVert on the floor per CourtIQ, up from his 1.33 FPM average and 30.6% usage. Blake Griffin, Landry Shamet, and Joe Harris show big bumps as well, and all will likely have to play heavy minutes. DeAndre Jordan may get the start to matchup with Jusuf Nurkic, and could be a viable cheap play as well. Overall though, Kyrie will be one of the most popular plays on the slate.
As reported by: Malika Andrews via Twitter Other tagged players: Bruce Brown, Nic Claxton, Kyrie Irving Kemba Walker (oblique) ruled out Friday
Kemba was listed as doubtful with an oblique injury, and was downgraded this afternoon as the Celtics prepare to play the San Antonio Spurs. Kemba will miss his third straight game with the injury, opening up minutes and production for a few players. Last game, Marcus Smart sat as well, and the Celtics started Tremont Waters and Evan Fournier; they ended up only playing an eight man rotation as a result. Those seem to be the two likeliest options to start; Fournier will get minutes even if he comes off the bench, while Waters could start and not play too many minutes. Payton Pritchard is another option to start, or also to play the 6th man role and play heavy minutes. From a production standpoint, it’s the same winners; Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both see boosts up with Kemba off the floor, and will be the top two options for the team.
As reported by: Tim Bontemps via Twitter Lineup update: Malachi Flynn will start for Fred VanVleet Thursday
The Raptors decided to start Flynn in place of VanVleet Thursday. His minutes should be a little more secure now that he’s starting, but he still will defer to the other starters likely. DeAndre Bembry loses some value, as he was an option to start, but it will be Flynn instead.
As reported by: the Toronto Raptors via Twitter Lineup update: Kent Bazemore will start Thursday
As expected, Bazemore will get the start for the Warriors after missing five games due to the health and safety protocols. He should be in line to play heavy minutes, as the Warriors remain depleted with no Kelly Oubre, Damion Lee, and James Wiseman.
As reported by: the Golden State Warriors via Twitter Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) will both start Thursday
There’s always a bit of a fear with the Bucks and pulling some last minute injuries, but Giannis and DiVincenzo were both cleared to play against the Houston Rockets. Tomorrow has the Bucks playing again, so maybe minutes get curtailed, but it’s always difficult to assess blowout risk and Giannis should be an elite play with all the value available.
As reported by: Eric Nehm via Twitter Other tagged players: Donte DiVincenzo Lineup update: Willy Hernangomez will start at center Thursday
Hernangomez will get the start at center as expected, as the Pelicans prepare to play the OKC Thunder. Hernangomez is one of the best value plays on the slate; he usually produces at 1.07 FPM, and is in a dream matchup against the Thunder. Jaxson Hayes should back him up and pick up the rest of the center minutes.
As reported by: Jim Eichenhofer via Twitter Status update: Kenrich Williams will have his minutes replaced by Gabriel Deck and Charlie Brown Jr. Thursday
Coach Daigneault was very blunt in his pregame news conference about his rotation; Williams will be out of the rotation, and will have his minutes replaced by Deck and Brown Jr. against the Pelicans. Kenrich usually plays minutes in the mid 20’s, but now those minutes will be split by these two players. This simply means that nobody is in consideration of this trio.
As reported by: Brandon Rahbar via Twitter Other tagged players: Gabriel Deck, Charlie Brown Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) available to play Thursday
As expected, Porter Jr. was upgraded from probable with an ankle injury to available and will play against the Toronto Raptors. MPJ played 40 minutes last night, and should be in line for heavy minutes again as coach Malone is low on options as injuries get to their lineup.
As reported by: Mike Singer via Twitter Lineup update: Mavs will start Brunson, Richardson, Hardaway Jr., Porzingis, Powell on Thursday; JJ Redick will play off the bench
There was an earlier lineup posted that said Redick would start, but he will come off the bench, and Richardson will start as originally expected. Richardson and Brunson will be two top values at the guard, with Brunson one of the best on the slate. Powell gets the start, while Maxi Kleber will come off the bench; neither is likely to be a good play with how much value there is on the slate.
As reported by: Brad Townsend via Twitter Other tagged players: Josh Richardson, J.J. Redick Lineup update: Pistons will start Hayes, Josh Jackson, Bey, Doumbouya, and Stewart Thursday
This was the expected lineup, but it was worth confirming; Hayes will get the starting spot at point guard, while Sekou gets the nod at PF over Tyler Cook.
As reported by: Brad Townsend via Twitter Other tagged players: Sekou Doumbouya Lineup update: Nets will start Tyler Johnson, Shamet, Durant, Harris and Green Thursday
Tyler Johnson will get the start at point guard, making him one of the top values on the slate tonight. Also, Green will get the start as a small-ball center again, and will likely play 30 minutes or so in a competitive game.
As reported by: Alex Schiffer via Twitter Other tagged players: Jeff Green