DFS Alerts

Caris LeVert (thigh) and Joe Harris (back) will start Wednesday

As expected, LeVert and Harris have been upgraded from their original probable designations on the Nets’ injury report and will start in Wednesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics after missing one game with their respective ailments, while Jamal Crawford was previously ruled out after exiting early in the second quarter of Tuesday’s win with a hamstring injury. The Nets are also set to get Jarrett Allen back from a one-game absence for rest purposes, so all of the Brooklyn ancillary pieces become much less viable for daily fantasy formats, especially since there’s no expectation that LeVert or Harris will be subject to minute restrictions in their return to the starting lineup this evening.

Dwight Howard (knee) out Wednesday

Howard was a late addition to the Lakers’ injury report earlier this afternoon, and he’s officially been ruled out of Wednesday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a sore right knee. The masses’ gut instinct might be to flock to JaVale McGee as a potential value option on tonight’s slate, but there is no guarantee that his role will even change given the plethora of players that can man the five spot for the Lakers in a variety of lineup combinations. In fact, Markieff Morris should take on larger role with the second unit, while Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma could spend more time at center this evening as well.

Jamal Murray (hamstring) out Wednesday

Murray was originally listed as questionable on the Nuggets’ injury report, but he’ll miss a third straight contest and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs due to left hamstring tightness. This means the Nuggets will be forced to run it back with the same cast of characters as they did the last two games, while Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris should remain in the starting lineup for at least one additional game. Porter always has a monstrous ceiling in daily fantasy formats and remains a viable option in tournaments once again at his elevated price tag, but Morris may be the better point-per-dollar option of the two since he always has a clearer path to 30 minutes if the game manages to stay competitive.

Caris LeVert (thigh) and Joe Harris (back) probable Wednesday; Jamal Crawford (hamstring) ruled out

As expected, LeVert and Harris have been listed as probable on the Nets’ initial injury report for Wednesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics due to their respective ailments, while Crawford has officially been ruled out after exiting early in the second quarter of Tuesday’s win. The Nets are also set to get Jarrett Allen back from a one-game absence for rest purposes, so all of the Brooklyn ancillary pieces become much less viable for daily fantasy formats, especially since there’s no expectation that LeVert or Harris will be subject to minute restrictions in their return to the starting lineup this evening.

Small Forward Should See Usage Increase Today

With Dennis Schroder off the court for OKC this season, the biggest usage increases actually go to Danilo Gallinari (+2.1%) and Steven Adams (+2.6%) rather than the Thunder guards. I like Gallinari in particular at the hard-to-fill SF spot as an underpriced and usually overlooked tournament option.

Underpriced Leading Guard Makes For Contrarian Play

People seem to love the Boston players today with Kemba Walker sitting and facing a Brooklyn team that ranks in the bottom half of the league in points allowed, but in order for the Celtics players to reach value they likely need someone from Brooklyn keeping the game close. My assumption is LeVert will be playing today after sitting yesterday, and he is the Net most likely to keep pace with the Celtics.

Jimmy Butler (ankle) out Tuesday

Despite never being listed on the first three versions of the Heat’s injury report, Butler has been ruled out and won’t play in Thursday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics due to a sore ankle. There hasn’t been any reports of his potential replacement in the starting lineup, but in past occurrences, Tyler Herro has been the one to start alongside Kendrick Nunn in the backcourt, leaving Goran Dragic to run the second unit and usually close the game amongst the other Heat starters.

Lou Williams (personal) will play Tuesday

Williams has officially completed his 10-day quarantine upon his return to the Orlando bubble, and he’ll be available to play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, after originally being listed as questionable on the Clippers’ injury report. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Williams following his extended hiatus, but more than likely, he’ll be eased back into regular rotation minutes for the time being. However, his presence in the lineup does lower the minute floors of players like Reggie Jackson, Landry Shamet, and Patrick Beverley moving forward.

George Hill and Robin Lopez will start ahead of Donte DiVincenzo and Brook Lopez on Tuesday

Despite the Bucks only listing Wesley Matthews on their injury report for Tuesday’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, it appears head coach Mike Budenholzer has decided to pull some shenanigans against the undermanned Brooklyn squad and will start Hill and Robin Lopez at the guard and center position, respectively. It seems unlikely that DiVincenzo would be rested in this scenario, but there’s less certainty Brook Lopez ends up seeing any playing time given his veteran status and inferior opponent. This makes him an easy player to avoid in all daily fantasy formats this afternoon.

Seth Curry (leg) officially out Tuesday

As expected, Curry has been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings due to a sore right lower leg. Head coach Rick Carlisle already confirmed that Trey Burke will join the starting lineup alongside Luka Doncic in the backcourt, and while that may make Burke seem like a great daily fantasy option, Carlisle is notorious for tinkering with wild rotations when one of his usual starters are hurt. This means that Burke isn’t a lock for substantial minutes, and Delon Wright is still firmly in play for tournament formats given the likelihood he runs the second unit while also seeing playing time with the Dallas starters.

Jamal Crawford (conditioning) available to play Tuesday

The Nets announced that Crawford will be available to make his season and Orlando bubble debut in Tuesday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks after being listed as questionable on the injury report due to conditioning issues. Even with Brooklyn missing three starters in Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, and Jarrett Allen, it appears highly unlikely that Crawford will be able to handle a significant amount of minutes given his conditioning level. but his presence in the rotation does make playing time for players like Tyler Johnson, Chris Chiozza, and Jeremiah Martin potentially more volatile.

Value City

While i’m writing this post in regards to Tyler Johnson I want to point out that this entire Nets team on FD won’t have any players in the game over 4k. Additionally almost every player has at least a 20% usage rate, and is averaging at least a fpt per minute. This is an incredibly tough matchup, but at these prices and these rates, a few players should hit 30 fantasy points. I think Tyler Johnson is one of those players.

MIN Lineup: Kepler, Polanco, Cruz, Rosario, Sano, Arraez, Gonzalez, Avila, Buxton

Jamal Murray (hamstring) out Monday

Murray was listed as questionable on the Nuggets’ injury report with a tight hamstring, but he was always a longshot to suit up, which makes the news that he won’t be available for Monday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder far from surprising. This means the Nuggets will be forced to run it back with the same cast of characters as they did in Saturday’s loss, and Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris should remain in the starting lineup for at least one additional game. Porter always has a monstrous ceiling in daily fantasy formats, but Morris may be safer option of the two since he was on pace to play 30 minutes in the previous contest before being pulled in garbage time.

Victor Oladipo (rest) officially out Monday; Malcolm Brogdon (neck) will play

As expected, Oladipo has been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards due to rest purposes on the second leg of a back-to-back set as he continues to work his way back from the horrendous quad injury he sustained just a season ago. On the flip side, Brogdon will play following a one-game absence stemming from a cervical strain and, according to head coach Nate McMillan, won’t be subject to a minute restriction in his return to the starting lineup. This obviously makes Brogdon a stellar option in daily fantasy formats on today’s slate, especially since both he and Myles Turner own at least a +3.5% increase in usage rate and are averaging a minimum of +0.29 more fantasy points per minute with Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, and Jeremy Lamb off the court this season.