DFS Alerts
Tomas Satoransky (illness) available to play Saturday
After missing yesterday’s game due to an illness and back spasms, Satoransky was upgraded from questionable to available and will play against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Satoransky will likely start, pushing Coby White to the bench after his big performance yesterday. There’s no minutes limit mentioned on Sato, so he should be in line for his usual minutes, although it’s unclear if Zach Lavine’s absence will change anything for the Bulls rotation. Sato had been playing minutes in the upper 20’s, and should be in line for a similar role. Nicola Vucevic should command the highest usage for the team, as they try to make their playoff push without Lavine.
As reported by: Cody Westerlund via Twitter
DeMar DeRozan (rest), Patty Mills (rest), and Jakob Poetl (rest) ruled out Saturday
The Spurs will be resting a few of their regulars as they play the Phoenix Suns on the second half of a back-to-back. DeRozan, Mills, and Poetl will all sit out due to rest, as they make up three of the nine players the Spurs played yesterday. Poetl hasn’t missed a game all season, but we do have some samples without DeRozan and Mills. DeRozan should be replaced by Lonnie Walker IV in the starting lineup, although Luka Samanic has started a few times on occasion. Mills minutes should be taken up by Devin Vassell, who has been out of the rotation but will likely play to help out fill out backcourt depth. As for Poetl, it’s likely that Drew Eubanks gets the start and plays most of the center minutes, backed up by Gorgui Dieng. CourtIQ doesn’t have too much data with all the players off the court, but there are a few trends. Derrick White shows the biggest boost with no Mills or DeRozan; in 116 minutes, he averages 1.10 FPM, up from his 0.93 average per CourtIQ. Walker shows some boosts up as well. Surprisingly, Dejounte Murray doesn’t show any boosts in any split with Mills or DeRozan off the floor; he’s still a good play, but perhaps not as good as first glance. As for Poetl, his absence will help Keldon Johnson a bit, but it’ll mostly just lead to more minutes for Eubanks. White, Eubanks, and Walker are likely the biggest beneficiaries of the Spurs resting some regulars.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Patty Mills, Jakob Poeltl Sekou Doumbouya (neck) now doubtful Saturday
Doumbouya was listed as probable earlier in the day with a neck injury, but was downgraded to doubtful to play against the Washington Wizards. With a lot of the Pistons frontcourt returning, Doumbouya was unlikely to play heavy minutes anyways. If he sits, Josh Jackson and Saddiq Bey may play an extra few minutes.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Lineup update: Jazz will start Ingles, Clarkson, Bogdanovic, O'Neale, and Ilyasova on Saturday
Two mild surprises for the Jazz starting lineup. The first is that Clarkson was starting as opposed to Miye Oni or Matt Thomas; usually the Jazz have kept Clarkson in his sixth man role. The other surprise is that Ilyasova gets the start over Juwan Morgan; Morgan played the second half last game, whereas Ilyasova played the first. This is a slight bump up to Ilyasova for sure.
As reported by: Harrison Faigen via Twitter Other tagged players: Ersan Ilyasova Dennis Schroder (foot) and Markieff Morris (ankle) available to play Saturday
After being game-time decisions, both Schroder and Morris were cleared to play against the Utah Jazz. Both players should reclaim their starting roles at point guard and power forward, making the Lakers the healthiest they’ve been since losing Lebron. This should put Talen Horton-Tucker and Alex Caruso from good values to bench players hoping to get run; the same goes for Wesley Matthews even more so. Drummond, Schroder, Morris, and Kyle Kuzma should be the top producers for the Lakers.
As reported by: Mike Trudell via Twitter Other tagged players: Markieff Morris Andre Drummond (toe) will start Saturday; Dennis Schroder (foot) and Markieff Morris (ankle) game-time decisions; Wes Matthews (Achilles), Kyle Kuzma (calf), and Marc Gasol (finger) available to play
Although many of the players on the Lakers were probable, it was a relief to see them ruled in as they prepare to play the Jazz. Drummond was cleared to play and will start, while Matthews, Kuzma, and Gasol are all available (although the Lakers are not looking to play him according to coach Vogel). Schroder and Morris are both game-time decisions; Schroder played the last game through his foot infection, while Morris sat due to an ankle. Morris appears to be a bit more questionable due to him missing the last game, but the status of Schroder and Morris will need to be confirmed closer to tipoff. With Drummond back, Montrezl Harrell will move to the bench and back him up, removing Gasol from the rotation. Drummond will likely lead the team in usage and rebounding, while Kuzma and Schroder follow up. The Jazz are a tough matchup, but won’t be as stout without Rudy Gobert, so the Lakers could be able to feast on the interior more than expected.
As reported by: Michael Duarte via Twitter Other tagged players: Dennis Schroder, Markieff Morris, Wesley Matthews, Kyle Kuzma, Marc Gasol Brandon Clarke (hip), De'Anthony Melton (leg), and Justise Winslow (thigh) doubtful Saturday
It appears that the Grizzlies will not be able to get any of their injured players back today, as they prepare to take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Clarke missed last game with a hip injury, Melton has missed the last seven games with a leg injury, and Winslow has missed eleven due to a thigh injury. They all are doubtful to return today, which means we should expect a similar rotation today as they had last game. Kyle Anderson should pick up a few more minutes at the power forward position, while Killian Tillie will stay in the rotation and play 14-16 minutes as Anderson’s backup. JoVal is the biggest winner in Clarke’s absence, as he averages 1.40 FPM with Clarke off the floor per CourtIQ, up from his average of 1.33. This makes sense, as Clarke has always been a good rebounder, and the less they share the court, the more opportunities for JoVal. Anderson will also get a boost in his rates, and will likely play more minutes, making him the biggest beneficiary of Clarke’s absence. With no Melton and Winslow, Grayson Allen should continue to start and play good minutes, while John Konchar will stay in the rotation and play low teens minutes off the bench. Coach Taylor Jenkins loves to run a ten man rotation, so if all three doubtful players sit, we should have a good idea of what to expect.
As reported by: the Memphis Grizzlies via Twitter Other tagged players: De'Anthony Melton, Justise Winslow Davis Bertans (personal) ruled out Saturday
Bertans was ruled out yesterday due to personal reasons, and will miss today’s game against the Detroit Pistons as well. In yesterday’s game that went to OT, the biggest winner was Raul Neto; he played 17 minutes in regulation and ended up closing for the team as well. Issac Bonga also re-entered the rotation, and played 21 minutes in regulation. Otherwise, Deni Avdija should pick up a few more minutes, but it’s tough to prioritize anyone on the Wizards outside Westbrook, Beal, and possibly hitting on one of their centers. Bertans will open up a few minutes again, but it’ll be difficult to predict who capitalizes the most.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Killian Hayes (injury management), Dennis Smith Jr. (knee), and Rodney McGruder (elbow) listed out Saturday; Frank Jackson (knee) questionable; Sekou Doumbouya (neck) probable
On the second half of a back-to-back, the Pistons submitted a lengthy injury report ahead of their game against the Washington Wizards. Hayes was ruled out due to rest after playing 27 minutes yesterday, while DSJ and McGruder remain out due to their respective knee and elbow injuries. Frank Jackson was listed as questionable due to a knee injury; he played 23 minutes yesterday. Doumbouya is listed as probable due to a neck injury. The Pistons will be getting a few players back however, as Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Cory Joseph, and Hamidou Diallo are all off the injury report, and should be available to play. Much of the value the Pistons had yesterday was due to them being without key pieces, but on today’s slate, plays such as Isaiah Stewart, Josh Jackson, and Saddiq Bey won’t be as valuable as they won’t be thrust into the same minutes they were needed for yesterday. The only key news here is that with no Hayes and DSJ, Cory Joseph may be more valuable as he has the PG role to (mostly) himself.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Dennis Smith Jr., Rodney McGruder, Frank Jackson, Sekou Doumbouya Tomas Satoransky (illness) listed questionable Saturday
After missing last night’s game due to back spasms and an illness, Satoransky is listed as questionable with an illness as the Bulls prepare to play the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls are also without Zach Lavine, who’s been ruled out for at least a week due to the health and safety protocols. In last night’s game, Coby White and Garrett Temple both started in place of Sato and Lavine, and likely would again if Sato was ruled out again. White played 33 minutes and had a 26% usage, easily making value at his cheap salary. Temple played 25 minutes, so it appears his minutes restriction has gone up, but he still shouldn’t be expected to produce at a high rate. Ryan Arcidiacono and Denzel Valentine played a few more minutes off the bench as a result of Sato sitting, but if he were to return, they’d likely lose the bulk of their minutes. It’s likely to be Coby White and Nicola Vucevic as the best plays if Sato sits again.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Jaylen Brown (illness) questionable Saturday
Brown was added to the injury report with an illness, and is questionable to face off against the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics remain without Robert Williams and Evan Fournier, so they could have to dig into their bench a bit more if Brown sits. Romeo Langford would likely start in Brown’s place should he sit, while Payton Pritchard could pick up a few more minutes off the bench as well. Jayson Tatum would be the biggest winner from a production standpoint; he averages 1.39 FPM with Brown off the court per CourtIQ, up from his average of 1.26. Kemba’s usage also goes up, as does Marcus Smart’s. With no Williams, Tristan Thompson should continue to start, while last game it was Luke Kornet who backed him up.
As reported by: Jay King via Twitter Rudy Gobert (rest), Mike Conley (rest), and Derrick Favors (knee) ruled out Saturday
After a big comeback victory yesterday against the Pacers, the Jazz will be resting a few players for their day game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Woj reported that Gobert and Conley would both miss the game for rest; Conley has usually missed back-to-backs all year, but Gobert will miss his first game of the year. Favors was also ruled out due to a knee injury that caused him to miss yesterday’s game. This is on top of Donovan Mitchell missing the game, who’s been ruled out for a few games as he deals with his ankle sprain. The Jazz have a few different options to replace three of their starters. Joe Ingles will almost certainly start for Conley, as he has all year when Conley has sat. For Mitchell, it’s likely that one of Miye Oni or Matt Thomas gets the nod, but Jordan Clarkson will play more minutes off the bench as coach Snyder prefers to keep him in that role. As for the frontcourt, with no Gobert or Favors, the Jazz will likely resort to Juwan Morgan or possibly Ersan Ilyasova getting the start. With how healthy the Jazz have been all year, there’s not too much CourtIQ data with Mitchell, Conley, and Gobert off the floor. If the game stays competitive, it’s likely that the usage will flow through Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson, and Ingles. Royce O’Neale and Georges Niang may end up playing big minutes, as well as whoever starts at center to matchup with the Lakers bigger frontcourt. Once the starting lineup is released, there’ll be even more value to be gleaned for the Jazz in the showdown slate.
As reported by: Adrian Wojnarowski via Twitter Other tagged players: Mike Conley, Derrick Favors Nerlens Noel (ankle) available to play Friday
Noel was a late scratch in the Knicks last game due to an ankle injury, but was cleared to play tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Noel should get the start and split center minutes with Taj Gibson, and likely play between 26-30 minutes.
As reported by: the New York Knicks via Twitter Lineup update: Bulls will start White, Temple, Williams, Theis, and Vucevic on Friday
Two mild surprises for the Bulls, as Temple gets the start in place of Lavine, and Theis in place of Thad Young. Temple was previously on a minutes restriction of around 15-20 minutes, so it’s likely that he doesn’t play too many minutes and Troy Brown Jr. ends up closing. Theis gets the start after playing 28 minutes the last two games. Young’s minutes were on the decline, so this cements Theis has a good value play.
As reported by: Daniel Greenberg via Twitter Other tagged players: Daniel Theis Lineup update: Hornets will start Rozier, Cody Martin, McDaniels, Bridges, Vernon Carey Jr on Friday
A big surprise with the Hornets starting lineup. Cody (not his brother Caleb) will get the start at shooting guard, which puts him in line to play the heavy minutes that Caleb did last game. Vernon Carey makes his first start at center, a huge shock as Bismack Biyombo has been starting, and Carey hasn’t played other than garbage time all year. He may not get heavy minutes, but he will likely get at least 15 as he gets a few rotations.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Other tagged players: Vernon Carey Jr.