DFS Alerts
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) officially out Saturday
On the second night of a back-to-back, the Bucks will be without Giannis as he was downgraded from doubtful to out due to a knee injury as the Bucks take on the Sacramento Kings. Fortunately, we have a decent sample with Giannis off the floor, as the biggest winners are by far Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton. Jrue averages 1.35 FPM, up from 1.09, while Middleton averages 1.36 FPM, up from 1.14 per CourtIQ. Both players are also priced to be playing with Giannis in, so they both look to be clear values. From a minutes perspective, this should open up playing time for Pat Connaughton, Bobby Portis, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, especially with PJ Tucker still out. Jeff Teague made his debut yesterday with the team, and may be in line for a few extra minutes as the Bucks need the playmaking without their superstar. Still, Holiday and Middelton are the biggest beneficiaries without Giannis.
As reported by: Eric Nehm via Twitter
Malcolm Brogdon (hip) and Jeremy Lamb (toe) ruled out Saturday
Brogdon and Lamb were downgraded from questionable to out and will notplay against the San Antonio Spurs. Already without Domantas Sabonis for the first time all year, the Pacers will be without two other cogs as well. Although the Pacers have a few options to fill Sabonis’ spot, Doug McDermott seems most likely to start in his place as coach Bjorkgren usually sticks with his regular rotation for as far as it can go. Edmond Sumner should get the start again, but TJ McConnell will play most of the minutes off the bench. Lamb has only been averaging fifteen minutes or so, and his minutes would likely be picked up by Justin Holiday and McConnell as well. CourtIQ shows us some major splits with Sabonis off the court. The biggest winner is certainly Myles Turner; in 313 minutes with Sabonis off the floor, his FPM goes from 0.99 FPM to 1.31, and his usage increases from 17.1% to 24.4% per CourtIQ. Justin Holiday, TJ McConnell, and Brogdon also show major boosts with Sabonis off the floor. With Brogdon off the floor, Justin Holiday is the biggest winner; his FPM jumps from a paltry 0.71 FPM to 1.05 FPM in a 158 minute sample. He should be in for big minutes along with McConnell who has a team-leading 1.24 FPM with Sabonis and Brogdon off the floor. Caris Levert hasn’t played many minutes with both of them off the floor, but should also be a big winner as he would need to handle the ball more.
As reported by: the Indiana Pacers via Twitter Other tagged players: Jeremy Lamb Nassir Little (thumb) available to play Saturday
After being listed as questionable earlier in the day due to a thumb injury, Little has been upgraded to available and will play against the OKC Thunder. With Derrick Jones Jr. ruled out earlier in the day, Little should play his usual role of bench wing, and play around 14-18 minutes off the bench.
As reported by: Casey Holdahl via Twitter Joel Embiid (knee) will start Saturday
As expected, Embiid is available to make his return to the lineup and will start against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Embiid is not any specified minutes limit, but will likely be eased back as the 76ers will be cautious with their superstar. Mike Scott and Dwight Howard will now compete for the backup center minutes, with neither a worthwhile play now that Embiid is back. Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Shake Milton all take hits due to the mammoth usage that Embiid takes up.
As reported by: Noah Levick via Twitter Status update: Malcolm Brogdon (hip) and Jeremy Lamb (knee) "expected" to sit Saturday
During Coach Bjorkgren’s pregame comments, he mentioned that he doesn’t expect Malcolm Brogdon or Jeremy Lamb to play against the San Antonio Spurs. Already without Domantas Sabonis for the first time all year, the Pacers look to be without two other cogs as well. Although the Pacers have a few options to fill Sabonis’ spot, Doug McDermott seems most likely to start in his place as coach Bjorkgren usually sticks with his regular rotation for as far as it can go. Edmond Sumner should get the start again, but TJ McConnell will play most of the minutes off the bench. Lamb has only been averaging fifteen minutes or so, and his minutes would likely be picked up by Justin Holiday and McConnell as well. CourtIQ shows us some major splits with Sabonis off the court. The biggest winner is certainly Myles Turner; in 313 minutes with Sabonis off the floor, his FPM goes from 0.99 FPM to 1.31, and his usage increases from 17.1% to 24.4% per CourtIQ. Justin Holiday, TJ McConnell, and Brogdon also show major boosts with Sabonis off the floor. If Brogdon were to sit as well, Justin Holiday would be the biggest winner; his FPM jumps from a paltry 0.71 FPM to 1.05 FPM in a 158 minute sample. He would be in line for big minutes, as well as McConnell who has a team-leading 1.24 FPM with Sabonis and Brogdon off the floor. Caris Levert hasn’t played many minutes with both of them off the floor, but should also be a big winner as he would need to handle the ball more.
As reported by: Tony East via Twitter Other tagged players: Jeremy Lamb Ricky Rubio (back) officially out Saturday
Rubio was downgraded from doubtful to out with his back injury, as the Wolves take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Beasley was ruled out earlier, meaning the Wolves will be shorthanded in the backcourt yet again. Jordan McLaughlin will get the start at point guard in place of Rubio like he did yesterday, while Josh Okogie gets the start in place of Beasley, With Rubio, Beasley, and D’Angelo Russell off the court, the biggest winner is Anthony Edwards; per a 293 minutes sample in CourtIQ, he averages 1.21 FPM and a 34.9% usage, up from his regular averages of 1.0 FPM and 27.9% usage. Karl Anthony Towns also benefits from the added usage, while McLaughlin and Nowell should pick up the minutes due to the absence of guards
As reported by: the Minnesota Timberwolves via Twitter RJ Barrett (ankle) will start Saturday
As expected, Barrett will start for the Knicks as they face off against the Detroit Pistons. Barrett was listed as probable earlier due to an ankle injury, but will start and continue his streak of not missing a game all year.
As reported by: the New York Knicks via Twitter Khem Birch (illness), Michael Carter-Williams (illness), Karim Mane (hamstring), and Otto Porter Jr. (foot) ruled out Saturday
The Magic will be down to only eight healthy bodies as they take on the Utah Jazz. Of the five Magic who were listed questionable earlier, four were ruled out, while Terrence Ross will be available to play through his injury. With Birch out, Wendell Carter Jr should take over at center and play the majority of the minutes, backed up by Mo Bamba. With MCW and Mane out, Chasson Randle will likely start at point guard, being backed up by RJ Hampton. With Porter Jr. out, the wing minutes will stick with James Ennis, Dwayne Bacon, and Chuma Okeke, along with Ross. The top plays are likely to be a combination of players. Okeke’s minutes are most secure, as he has averaged 32 minutes even as the Magic had more injuries. Bacon is also likely to continue play the lion’s share of minutes, and Ross should too as long as there’s no lingering effects from his injury.
As reported by: the Orlando Magic via Twitter Other tagged players: Khem Birch, Karim Mane, Otto Porter Jr. Malik Beasley (hamstring) ruled out Saturday
Beasley was downgraded from doubtful to out with his hamstring injury, as the Wolves take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Rubio remains doubtful, meaning the Wolves will likely be shorthanded in the backcourt yet again.Jordan McLaughlin should get the start at point guard in place of Rubio like he did yesterday, while Josh Okogie likely gets the start in place of Beasley, although Jaylen Nowell is another option for coach Finch. With Rubio, Beasley, and D’Angelo Russell off the court, the biggest winner is Anthony Edwards; per a 293 minutes sample in CourtIQ, he averages 1.21 FPM and a 34.9% usage, up from his regular averages of 1.0 FPM and 27.9% usage. Karl Anthony Towns also benefits from the added usage, while McLaughlin and Nowell should pick up the minutes if Rubio ends up sitting as expected.
As reported by: Dane Moore via Twitter Status update: Norvel Pelle available to make Knicks debut Saturday
Pelle is available to make his Knicks debut against the Detroit Pistons. However, Coach Thibodeau said he is a “situational” play, likely meaning he won’t make his debut and Nerlens Noels’ minutes should be secure, along with Taj Gibson.
As reported by: Stefan Bondy via Twitter Status update: Joel Embiid (knee) a game-time decision
Doc Rivers said pre-game that Embiid went through morning shoot around and looked good, and that he expects him to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, Doc didn’t want to commit as he said that he wanted to see how he looked during warmups. If everything is as expected, Embiid will make his return after a three week absence, while Dwight Howard and Mike Scott will have their minutes slashed as the 76ers big man comes back into the fray.
As reported by: Justin Grasso via Twitter Andre Iguodala (hip) ruled out Saturday; Goran Dragic (back) officially available
Iguodala was downgraded from questionable to out due to a hip injury and will miss the Heat’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Meanwhile, Dragic was officially ruled in after missing one game due to a back injury. Iguodala won’t take away much from a production standpoint, but his 20 or so minutes will need to be replaced. Most likely, it’ll be a combination of Victor Oladipo, Trevor Ariza, Tyler Herro, and Goran Dragic; the Heat are more likely to spread his production out than to give it all to one player.
As reported by: the Miami Heat via Twitter Josh Richardson (calf) and Maxi Kleber (leg) ruled out Saturday
The Mavericks will be extremely shorthanded as they take on the Washington Wizards. The Mavs were already without Porzingis who is resting on a back-to-back, but will also be without Kleber (who was downgraded from questionable to out with a leg injury) and Richardson (who was a late scratch with a calf injury). The Mavs have yet to release a starting lineup, but it’s clear that value will be there, as all three players average 30 minutes a game and the Wizards are a great matchup. To nobody’s surprise, Luka Doncic has outstanding rates; in a 298 minute sample per CourtIQ, Doncic averages an otherworldly 1.76 FPM, up from 1.55. He’s arguably the top play on the entire slate. The other top players will be taking advantage of the minutes that opened up. Boban Marjanovic would be a clear value if he gets the start, as he usually averages around 1.3 FPM and should get 18-22 minutes in a start. Dwight Powell will also play more minutes as the frontcourt needs filling. As for the guards, Jalen Brunson and Trey Burke will both play more minutes to compensate for Richardson’s absence, along with Tim Hardaway Jr.
As reported by: the Dallas Mavericks via Twitter Other tagged players: Maxi Kleber Rui Hachimura (shoulder) and Bradley Beal (hip) ruled out Saturday
The Wizards will be without two of their three top players as they take on the Dallas Mavericks. Beal was downgraded from questionable to out with a hip injury that has plagued him the last three games, while Rui was a late scratch due to a shoulder injury that he suffered right before the game. Westbrook will dominate the ball as he usually does without Beal, but his rates without Rui are surprisingly worse, particularly due to a high turnover rate. Still, Westbrook should play his mid to upper 30’s in minutes if the game is close, making him the clear cut top option on his team. Whoever joins the starting lineup will benefit the most; the Wizards could play Chandler Hutchinson or Issac Bonga at the forward spot. Ish Smith and Davis Bertans are available to make their return after long absences; although both are on minutes limits, they may be thrust into action with the Wizards so shorthanded.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Other tagged players: Rui Hachimura Lu Dort (concussion), Darius Bazley (shoulder), and Mike Muscala (ankle) officially out Saturday
The Thunder will be shorthanded again as they take on the Portland Trail Blazers. Dort will miss his third straight game, Muscala his tenth, and Bazley his thirteenth as the Thunder try to finish out the season. Expect more of the same from the Thunder; plenty of Aleksej Pokusevski, Theo Maledon, and Isaiah Roby.
As reported by: the Official NBA Injury Report Other tagged players: Darius Bazley, Mike Muscala