DFS Alerts
Lineup update: Avery Bradley will now start over Armoni Brooks Sunday
The Rockets made a last-minute switch for their lineup; after reporting Brooks would start over Bradley, they flip-flopped back and decided to keep the same lineup they’ve been running with. Brooks will play off the bench and may lose a minute or two as a result.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen via Twitter Other tagged players: Armoni Brooks
Lu Dort (hip) active Sunday
A game-time decision, Dort will start Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. Dort should be in line for his usual minutes, but the Thunder do have Pokusevski back, so it may be slightly more crowded for Dort.
As reported by: Joe Mussatto via Twitter Terrence Ross (back) ruled out Sunday; Mo Bamba (hip) will play
Ross was ruled out late for the Magic due to back spasms, and will miss the game against the Toronto Raptors. Mo Bamba was questionable due to a hip injury, but was ultimately cleared to play and should play his backup center minutes behind Wendell Carter Jr. The Magic are going to be very shorthanded, as they’re down to 11 healthy bodies, 3 of whom are centers. There is limited data in CourtIQ with all the injured players, but the minutes should be open in the backcourt. Already without James Ennis, Gary Harris, Dwayne Bacon, and RJ Hampton will all be playing big minutes. Cole Anthony will likely pick up more usage as well, as in 81 minutes with most of the injured Magic off the floor, he averages 1.28 FPM and a 32% usage, per CourtIQ. Chuma Okeke and Wendell Carter will fill out the starters, and both will be good plays as the Magic try to take advantage of the depleted Raptors with a roster that is shorthanded as well.
As reported by: the Orlando Magic via Twitter Other tagged players: Mo Bamba Lineup update: Hornets will start Rozier, Cody Martin, McDaniels, Bridges, and Carey on Sunday
Cody Martin will get the start at shooting guard for the Hornets, while Carey Jr. will continue to start. PJ Washington will come off the bench now, and is a much bigger risk in his first game back.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Other tagged players: Vernon Carey Jr. Lineup update: Rockets will start Porter Jr., Brooks, Tate, Olynyk, and Wood on Sunday
Brooks will make his first start Sunday, as he’ll replace Avery Bradley in the lineup. Brooks is on a two-way contract, and as the Rockets go through their youth movement, are looking to give him a go. He should get a few more minutes, while Bradley loses a few as a result.
As reported by: Mark Berman via Twitter Devonte' Graham (quad) ruled out Sunday; PJ Washington (ankle) available to play
The Hornets had two players questionable ahead of their matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, and will get one back. Washington was upgraded to available and will return after missing three games with an ankle sprain, while Graham will miss his second straight game with a quad injury. With Washington returning, he’ll likely start at the center position, moving Vernon Carey Jr to the bench, and possibly out of the rotation, as he and Bismack Biyombo will likely split the backup center minutes. With Graham sitting out, one of the Martin twins will likely start in his place; Caleb started one game, with Cody the next. The biggest winner with Graham’s absence is likely Terry Rozier; he averages 1.22 FPM with Graham, LaMelo, Hayward, and Monk off the floor per CourtIQ, up from his 1.05 FPM average. He leads the team with 30% usage, and will put up plenty of shots for the Hornets. Assuming Washington starts, he will be a good play, as well as Jalen McDaniels, and whichever Martin twin starts.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Other tagged players: PJ Washington Aleksej Pokusevski (arm) will play Sunday
As expected, Pokusevski is available to play and will return from his three game absence with an arm injury against the Toronto Raptors. Poku will start in his return, and if Dort ends up playing, he will start also, while Isaiah Roby will move to the bench.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Status update: Lu Dort and Aleksej Pokusevski are game-time decisions Sunday; both will start if they are able to play
In his pre-game news conference, coach Daigneault mentioned that both Dort and Pokusevski would start if they were cleared to play against the Toronto Raptors. Isaiah Roby would move to the bench if both ended up playing. Dort is still questionable, while Poku is still probable, but the status of both should be confirmed before lock.
As reported by: Rylan Stiles via Twitter Other tagged players: Aleksej Pokusevski Lineup update: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will start for Blazers Sunday
In a big surprise, RHJ will get the start for the Blazers, after signing his second 10 day contract. It hasn’t been announced who he will start for, but it feels likely to be Derrick Jones Jr. It’s unclear how many minutes RHJ will play, but he should probably be expected to have around 16-22 minutes. If Jones Jr. moves to the bench, he’s going to the biggest loser for the Lillard-less Blazers.
As reported by: Travis Demers via Twitter Lineup update: Dwayne Bacon will start in place of James Ennis (calf) Sunday
As expected, Bacon will get the start for Ennis Sunday. He had been losing some minutes as the Magic have gotten healthier, but now will have a chance to get some more minutes and could be a viable punt today.
As reported by: the Orlando Magic via Twitter James Ennis (calf) ruled out Sunday
Ennis was listed as questionable due to a calf injury, but was ultimately downgraded to out and will miss the game against the Houston Rockets. Dwayne Bacon willprobably start in his place, with Terrence Ross getting a few more minutes along with RJ Hampton. Ennis has averaged 29 minutes over the last five games, and has been a consistent starter for the team. Ennis doesn’t usually produce at a high rate; he’s around 0.75 FPM per CourtIQ. It’s more that the extra minutes that Ross, Gary Harris, and Hampton play that should make them more valuable.
As reported by: the Orlando Magic via Twitter Lineup update: Nets will start Irving, Brown, Harris, Durant, and Griffin Sunday
Two changes to the Nets lineup as they play the Heat. Blake Griffin gets the start in place of Deandre Jordan, as they hope he can match up with Adebayo better. Bruce Brown enters the lineup in place of Jeff Green, as they elect to play smaller to matchup with the Heat guards better. Blake and Brown will get a few bumps, while Jordan is the biggest loser; Green could still play his usual minutes off the bench.
As reported by: Brian Lewis via Twitter Other tagged players: Bruce Brown Lineup update: Heat will start Nunn, Robinson, Iguodala, Ariza, and Adebayo Sunday
Iguodala gets the start in place of Butler for the Heat Sunday. Iggy is not the highest usage player, so this should mean more shots for Adebayo, Robinson, and Nunn in the starting lineup.
As reported by: Ira Winderman via Twitter Lu Dort (hip) questionable Sunday; Aleksej Pokusevski (arm) now probable Sunday
The Thunder had two big updates on their afternoon injury report as they prepare to play the Toronto Raptors. Pokuseveski was originally listed as out, but now is listed as probable to play through his arm injury. Lu Dort was added today, and is questionable to play due to a hip injury. With Poku expected back, it’ll be interested to see how he slots in to the lineup, as he could jump back into the starting lineup and replace either Darius Bazley or Isaiah Roby. Poku might come off the bench as well. If Dort ends up sitting, there’s a chance they start Poku in his place and just play a massive lineup, but it’s unclear how the Thunder will approach it. If Dort sits, Svi Mykhailuk will get more minutes, while Theo Maledon should see a slight increase in his rates.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Aleksej Pokusevski James Ennis III (calf) questionable Sunday
Ennis was added to the injury report with a calf injury, and is questionable to play against the Houston Rockets. Ennis has averaged 29 minutes over the last five games, and has been a consistent starter for the team. Ennis doesn’t usually produce at a high rate; he’s around 0.75 FPM per CourtIQ. The value in Ennis sitting would come from who picks up his minutes. Dwayne Bacon would probably start in his place, with Terrence Ross getting a few more minutes along with RJ Hampton. Mo Bamba remains questionable; his absence would continue to be a few more minutes for Wendell Carter, and Donta Hall to continue to play as the backup center.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report