DFS Alerts
Status update: Monte Morris will remain on an "increased" minutes restriction Wednesday
Coach Malone mentioned pre-game that Monte Morris would still be on a minutes restriction, but that it would be increased from what it was before. Monte has played up to 25 minutes since his return, so it’s possible this gets up to around 28-30 minutes. Malone did not disclose if Morris or Facundo Campazzo would start, but it’s a good sign that Morris has the ability to play more minutes.
As reported by: Mike Singer via Twitter
Buddy Hield (illness) expected to play Wednesday
In his pre-game media session, coach Walton mentioned that Hield will “probably give it a go” against the Washington Wizards tonight. Hield has been struggling with an illness and had an IV yesterday, but Hield will try to give it a go. Hield will have a fantastic matchup if he can play, as the Kings-Wizards game has the highest implied total on the slate. If Hield ends up sitting, Delon Wright, Maurice Harkless, and Terrence Davis would help pick up his minutes, and could be viable punts.
As reported by: James Ham via Twitter Nerlens Noel (ankle) a late scratch Wednesday
Noel was listed as the starter for the Knicks before the game, but shortly after the game locked, was ruled out due to a sore ankle. Taj Gibson will get the start in his place as the Knicks play the Pelicans. Obi Toppin may be in line for more minutes as the backup center, although Julius Randle may play some small-ball five.
As reported by: the New York Knicks via Twitter Richaun Holmes (hamstring) ruled out Wednesday; Damian Jones will start in his place
Holmes was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain after underdoing an MRI, and will be out three games. As the Kings prepare to play the Washington Wizards, Damian Jones will get the start. In the Kings last game, Jones started the second half after Holmes left the game, so it makes sense that he would continue to do so. Hassan Whiteside may also join the rotation off the bench, while Chimezie Metu is likely the first one off the bench to replace Jones. Nobody shows major splits with Holmes off the court, but it’s likely that Fox, Haliburton, and Barnes all have a chance to get a few more shots, while Jones will be a good play at minimum salary across the industry.
As reported by: James Ham via Twitter Jimmy Butler (ankle) available to play Wednesday
Butler was questionable with an ankle injury, but was upgraded to available to play as the Heat prepare to play the Denver Nuggets. The Heat ruled out Goran Dragic earlier in the day, along with Victor Oladipo. With no Dragic and no Victor Oladipo, the Heat will have some guard minutes that need to be filled. Kendrick Nunn has been starting in place of Oladipo, and should have to again. Dragic has been playing off the bench, so those minutes will likely go to Tyler Herro, along with a few to Nunn. Gabe Vincent may re-enter the rotation and play a few spot minutes as well. From a production standpoint, Bam Adebayo gets a slight bump; he averages 1.33 FPM per CourtIQ with Dragic and Oladipo (and Kelly Olynyk) off the floor. Herro and Nunn would be good plays also. Butler doesn’t appear to be on any minutes restrictions, so he should play his usual 33-37 minutes and try to take over for the Heat.
As reported by: Barry Jackson via Twitter Lineup update: Pistons will start Joseph, Josh Jackson, Bey, Grant, and Plumlee on Wednesday
Josh Jackson gets the start next to Joseph, as the Pistons play the clippers. This should lead to a few more minutes for Jackson, and less for Wayne Ellington, who was the projected starter before this lineup was announced.
As reported by: Tomer Azarly via Twitter Other tagged players: Cory Joseph Lineup update: Clippers will start Jackson, Kennard, Mann, Patterson, and Zubac on Wednesday
Patterson will get the start in place of the scratched Marcus Morris. Nic Batum will likely play more minutes than him off the bench, as Patterson has only played more than 19 minutes once all year.
As reported by: Tomer Azarly via Twitter Lineup update: Svi Mykhailuk will start for Lu Dort (shoulder) Wednesday
As expected, Svi will get the start in place of Dort. The Thunder have a few more bodies than they did the last time Mykahiliuk was chalk, but he should still be in line for minutes in the thirties, in a fast paced matchup against the Golden State Warriors.
As reported by: Joe Mussatto via Twitter Myles Turner (ankle) and Doug McDermott (ankle) ruled out Wednesday
The Pacers had two questionable players against the Houston Rockets, and will now be without both of them as they were both downgraded to out due to ankle injuries. Turner will miss his fifth game in a row, while McDermott hurt his ankle playing yesterday. The Pacers have been starting Domantas Sabonis at center in the games Turner has missed, with Justin Holiday as a small-ball power forward, and Goga Bitadze backing up Turner. McDermott has been coming off the bench since the Pacers went to the new lineup. With no Turner, Sabonis and Caris LeVert show big bumps in production; per CourtIQ, LeVert averages 1.18 FPM, up from his 1.03 average, while Sabonis is at 1.33 FPM, up from his 1.24 average. With no McDermott, it should be more minutes for Justin Holiday, Edmond Sumner, and Jeremy Lamb off the bench. As the Pacers try to make their playoff push, they likely will rely on their main cogs in Sabonis, LeVert, and Malcolm Brogdon.
As reported by: Scott Agness via Twitter Other tagged players: Doug McDermott Lineup update: Pelicans will start Bledsoe, Marshall, Ingram, Williamson, and Adams on Wednesday
Despite Wes Iwundu starting last game, Marshall will get the start at the shooting guard position today. Coach Van Gundy has mentioned he likes Marshall’s defense, and decided to trust him in the lineup. He should pay a few more minutes now, while Iwundu will play a few less.
As reported by: Daniel Sallerson via Twitter Marcus Morris (rest) ruled out Wednesday
Despite no mention of it earlier in the day, or in coach Lue’s pregame comments, Morris was a late scratch due to rest as the Clippers play the Detroit Pistons. Already without Kawhi and Paul George, the Clippers will be shorthanded at the wings and will need to play some big minutes to some players. Nicolas Batum should likely play more minutes, but Patrick Patterson may start in place and play around 18-20 minutes. It’s most likely that the usage will run through Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, and Terrance Mann, with Batum a good chance at making value as well.
As reported by: Shane Young via Twitter Status update: Chuma Okeke (hip) will have a minutes restriction Wednesday; Donta Hall expected to make Magic debut
Coach Clifford mentioned pregame that Okeke will be on a minute restriction as the Magic play the Bulls. He is starting, but likely won’t go past the mid twenties in minutes. Hall is also available to make his debut according to Clifford, so he may play some minutes off the bench behind Wendell Carter Jr., but not enough to be a worthwhile DFS play.
As reported by: Roy Parry via Twitter Other tagged players: Donta Hall Lineup update: Raptors will start Flynn, Anunoby, Siakam, Boucher, and Birch on Wednesday
The Raptors are going with a mega big lineup, so Birch will get the start alongside Boucher. This likely reduces the rebound chances for Boucher, Siakam, and Anunoby, but Siakam will still handle the ball plenty along with Flynn. Freddie Gillepsie will play as the backup center, according to coach Nurse.
As reported by: Josh Lewenberg via Twitter Lineup note: Magic will start Carter-Williams, Harris, Ennis, Okeke, and Carter Jr. on Wednesday
Okeke was listed as questionable, but will end being okay to play and will start. The big news is Gary Harris getting a start after missing the Magic’s last game. He’s played 26 and 18 minutes in his two games, so he should be able to play minutes in the low twenties. Dwayne Bacon moves to the bench and is the biggest loser.
As reported by: the Orlando Magic via Twitter Other tagged players: Gary Harris Lineup update: Clippers will start Jackson, Mann, Kennard, Morris, and Zubac on Wednesday
As expected, both Kennard and Mann will start in place of Kawhi and George. Both players will be good values as they look to replace the dearth of usage, along with Marcus Morris.
As reported by: Farbod Esnaashari via Twitter Other tagged players: Terance Mann