DFS Alerts
Brandon Clarke (hip) ruled out Friday
After being listed as questionable due to a hip injury, Clarke was downgraded to out and will miss the game against the Chicago Bulls. This should mean more minutes for Kyle Anderson, who Clarke usually subs in for to start the game, along with Killian Tillie re-entering the rotation. Jonas Valunciunas is a big winner, as he averages 1.39 FPM with Clarke off the floor per CourtIQ, up from his average of 1.32. 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.
As reported by: the Memphis Grizzlies via Twitter
Gorgui Dieng (shoulder) available to play Friday
After missing the last four games due to a shoulder injury, Dieng was upgraded from questionable to available and will play against the Portland Trail Blazers. Dieng will compete with Drew Eubanks for the backup center minutes behind Jakob Poetl, but likely won’t play enough to make an impact on this DFS slate.
As reported by: Paul Garcia via Twitter Status update: Hamidou Diallo (knee) now ruled out Friday
Diallo was ruled in, but then back out with his knee injury. The Pistons gave minimal clarity on what happened, but beat reporters mentioned that he won’t play after declaring him in. This will lead to a few more minutes for Killian Hayes, Josh Jackson, and Frank Jackson off the bench.
As reported by: Rod Beard via Twitter Damian Lillard (hamstring) ruled out Friday; Derrick Jones will start in place
Lillard was downgraded from questionable with a hamstring injury to out and will miss the Blazers game against the San Antonio Spurs. Lillard’s absence is huge; he’s one of the league leaders in minutes per game, and is the Blazers top option on the team. Just like the last game he missed, the Blazers will start Derrick Jones, while CJ McCollum and Norman Powell each slide down a position. CJ McCollum is the most obvious winner; per CourtIQ, he averages a team leading 31.4% usage and a 32% assist percentage, up from his averages of 28% usage and 23% assist. Carmelo Anthony and Jusuf Nurkic show big improvements from a FPM perspective as well, as they both have a higher usage and assist percentage as well. Jones will get a few more minutes, but overall, this will be the McCollum show; he becomes one of the best pay-up options on the entire slate.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter Other tagged players: Derrick Jones Jr. Mo Bamba (hip) ruled out Friday
Bamba was questionable due to a hip injury, but was ultimately downgraded to out as the Magic prepare to play against the Toronto Raptors. Bamba was going to play the bench minutes behind Wendell Carter, but now won’t be able to. In his absence, Donta Hall will likely play the backup minutes as he did last game, with Robert Franks competing for those minutes. The biggest boost will ultimately go to Carter, as he should pick up a few more minutes and may end up being a good play, despite a loaded center slate.
As reported by: Roy Parry via Twitter Lineup update: Pistons will start Hayes, Josh Jackson, Bey, Doumbouya and Stewart Friday
Hayes gets the start for the Pistons over Saben Lee, and will be one of the top values on the slate. Doumbouya is a surprise start, but will likely play a few more minutes than originally projected; he doesn’t produce at great rates, and makes Hayes, Jackson, Stewart, and Bey better plays as a result.
As reported by: James Edwards via Twitter Lineup update: Sixers will start Simmons, Green, Korkmaz, Scott, and Embiid Friday
Korkmaz and Scott are both surprise starters for the 76ers, and Korkmaz in particular has a good chance to make value as he will get decent minutes at the wing, and will be able to fill in for the usage that Harris and Curry left behind.
Other tagged players: Mike Scott Andre Iguodala (hip) ruled out Friday
Iguodala was questionable due to a hip injury, but was downgraded to out and will miss the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Iguodala usually plays around 20 minutes off the bench, and doesn’t produce well. This should lead to a few more minutes for Trevor Ariza and Duncan Robinson, as well as Tyler Herro; overall, his absence won’t change anything for the nature of the slate.
As reported by: Ira Winderman via Twitter Paul George (illness) available to play Friday
Despite, the scare, PG-13 is available to play and will start against the Philadelphia 76ers. Luke Kennard will remain in the starting lineup, with Terrence Mann moving to the bench. With no Kawhi, George will be a great play; he averages 1.49 FPM with no Kawhi and Ibaka, up from his 1.20 average. He should be an elite play, but there’s certainly risk due to how he’s been feeling. Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac should be good plays as well.
As reported by: Andrew Greif via Twitter Lineup update: Raptors will start Flynn, VanVleet, Watson Jr, Boucher, and Birch Friday
Paul Watson was a surprise mention in the starting lineup, and he will likely play a few more minutes than expected, but doesn’t produce at high rates usually. VanVleet should dominate in this lineup most likely.
As reported by: the Toronto Raptors via Twitter Tobias Harris (knee), Seth Curry (hip), and Dwight Howard (knee) ruled out Friday
The 76ers had two questionable players for their game against the Clippers, but somehow ended up with three out. Harris and Howard were both questionable with knee injuries, but were downgraded to out. Curry is a surprise inactive, as he was ruled out due to a hip injury. The Sixers are going to start Furkhan Korkmaz in place of Curry, and Mike Scott in place of Harris. With all the players out, Embiid averages 1.98 FPM per a 114 minute sample per CourtIQ, which is truly an astonishing sample. It’s impossible to project him at that rate, but with no Harris and Curry, he should eat up all the usage. Korkmaz and Shake Milton are both big winners, as they can play out the minutes at the wings and will have good usage. But this will be Embiid’s team and he should dominate tonight, while Scott could be a good value as well.
As reported by: Noah Levick via Twitter Other tagged players: Seth Curry, Dwight Howard Hamidou Diallo (knee) available to play Friday
Diallo was upgraded from Pistons vs the OKC Thunder. The Pistons are already without half of their team: Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Rodney McGruder, Dennis Smith Jr., Cory Joseph, and Wayne Ellington have all been ruled out due to various ailments and resting. With all the injuries, the Pistons currently have eleven bodies, The best play looks to be Isaiah Stewart, who should get the start at center; at a cheap salary across the industry, he’ll have a great opportunity to make value. Josh Jackson, Saddiq Bey, and Killian Hayes will all likely have to play big minutes. CourtIQ doesn’t have too much data with all the Pistons off the floor, but the minutes will definitely go to Stewart, Jackson, Bey, and probably Hayes.
As reported by: Omari Sanfoka via Twitter Tomas Satoransky (back) ruled out Friday; Coby White will start in place
Satoransky was downgraded from questionable to out due to back spasms, and will miss the Bulls game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Coby White will get the start in his place, and will likely be thrust into heavy minutes. Sato missing isbe a big deal, as the Bulls are already without Zach Lavine due to the health and safety protocols. Troy Brown Jr. will likely join the starting lineup ifor the place. The Bulls have been playing bigger lineups lately, as Daniel Theis has played 28 minutes the last two games. The Bulls do play a lot of bodies regularly, but with Sato and Lavine out, White, Brown Jr., and Garrett Temple would likely pick up the minutes, with Denzel Valentine also chipping in as well. White is definitely the best play though, as he usually averages around 0.92 FPM with Lavine off the floor per CourtIQ, and will likely have to play 30 plus minutes. The usage should flow through White and Nicola Vucevic, and will be the primary top options for the team.
As reported by: Darnell Mayberry via Twitter Other tagged players: Coby White Jaylen Nowell (tibia) out Friday
Nowell was downgraded from questionable to out, and will not return against the Miami Heat. Nowell only played 10 minutes last game off the bench, and now that D’Angelo Russell and Ricky Rubio are healthy, Nowell’s absence won’t be felt. Jordan McLaughlin may get a few more minutes as a result, but not enough to be DFS worthy.
As reported by: Jace Frederick via Twitter PJ Washington (ankle) ruled out Friday; Brad Wanamaker (ankle) available to play
The Hornets will be severely shorthanded as they prepare to play the Brooklyn Nets. Washington was downgraded from doubtful to out and will miss his third straight game with an ankle injury. Wanamaker was upgraded from questionable to available, and will end up playing through an ankle injury of his own. The Hornets are already without Devonte Graham, LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Malik Monk, and Nate Darling. With all the players out, Terry Rozier will likely dominate production for the team, as he will start in a lineup with four other players who don’t come close to his usage percentage. Rozier will likely play big minutes, as the only other ballhandlers are Wanamaker and Caleb Martin. Miles Bridges, Jalen McDaniels, and Bismack Biyombo should all start and have to play big minutes, but there is certainly risk as the Hornets could get blown out as the biggest underdog of the slate.
As reported by: the Charlotte Hornets via Twitter Other tagged players: Brad Wanamaker