DFS Alerts
Kevin Huerter (shoulder) expected to play Tuesday; Jabari Parker (ankle) available
Huerter went through shootaround, and head coach Lloyd Pierce confirmed to reporters that he expects him to play in Tuesday’s matchup against the New York Knicks despite dealing with a left shoulder contusion, while Parker is available to play following his original probable designation on the injury report. Pierce also disclosed that Huerter won’t have a minute restriction if he plays in tonight’s contest, and he’s managed to log at least 23 minutes in each of the Hawks’ previous five games. However, even if Hueter sees an increased workload, he’s still a fringe daily fantasy option since he has just a 17.2% usage rate and is averaging 0.87 DraftKings and 0.83 FanDuel points per minute on the season.
As reported by: Chris Kirschner via Twitter Other tagged players: Jabari Parker
Devin Booker (forearm) and Tyler Johnson (illness) out Monday
As expected, Booker has ruled out and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a right forearm contusion that has now forced him to miss two games, while Johnson is a late addition to the Suns’ inactive list with an illness. In Booker’s absence, Mikal Bridges received the start alongside Kelly Oubre on the wing, and he was serviceable for fantasy purposes in 32 minutes of action in Saturday’s loss. Other than Bridges’ increased workload, the main beneficiary with Booker off the court has easily been Ricky Rubio, as he owns a 26.4% usage rate, a 45.6% assist rate, and is averaging 1.17 DraftKings and 1.11 FanDuel points per minute in a 152.7 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Duane Rankin via Twitter Other tagged players: Tyler Johnson Nassir Little (back) out Monday
Little has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns due to back spasms that has now forced him to two games. In his absence, head coach Terry Stotts essentially utilized an eight-man rotation in Thursday’s loss, as Gary Trent Jr. accrued just five minutes at the end of the first quarter. Prior to his injury, Little had logged 12 or fewer minutes in seven of the Blazers’ previous nine games, so his unavailability shouldn’t have too much of an impact on the frontcourt rotation, especially if Stotts continues to give his starters extended run.
As reported by: Jamie Hudson via Twitter Devin Booker (forearm) not expected to play Monday
Head coach Monty Williams admitted to reporters during his pregame media availability that he doesn’t think Booker will play in Monday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a right forearm contusion that has already forced him to miss one game. In his absence, Mikal Bridges received the start alongside Kelly Oubre on the wing, and he was serviceable for fantasy purposes in 32 minutes of action in Saturday’s loss. Other than Bridges’ increase in workload, the main beneficiary with Booker off the court has easily been Ricky Rubio, as he owns a 26.4% usage rate, a 45.6% assist rate, and is averaging 1.17 DraftKings and 1.11 FanDuel points per minute in a 152.7 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Kellan Olson via Twitter Jae Crowder (ankle) available to play Monday
As expected, Crowder has been cleared and will be available to play in Monday’s matchup against the Miami Heat after missing one game due to a sore left ankle. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Crowder, so his return should send Kyle Anderson back to the bench to resume a reserve role following a serviceable fantasy performance in just under 26 minutes of action in Saturday’s win. Crowder is never a priority target in daily fantasy formats when the Grizzlies are at full strength, but he’s still flashed upside at times this season and is averaging 0.84 DraftKings and 0.81 FanDuel points per minute thus far on the year.
As reported by: Grizzlies PR via Twitter Terrance Ferguson (hip) available to play Monday
Head coach Billy Donovan confirmed with reporters that Ferguson will be available to play in Monday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls after missing five games due to a sore right hip. Donovan didn’t disclose if Ferguson would have a minute restriction, but if he doesn’t, he will more than likely replace Abdel Nader in the starting lineup following his up and down fantasy performances in an average of 27.4 minutes per game over this span.
As reported by: Erik Horne via Twitter Lonnie Walker IV (knee) available to play Monday
Walker IV has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Monday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets despite dealing with a right knee contusion. Walker has gradually been carving out a bigger role in head coach Gregg Popovich’s rotation of late, and he’s managed to log at least 21 minutes in three of the Spurs’ previous four games. Popovich already confirmed with reporters that he will stick with the same starting lineup as Saturday’s win, which allowed Dejounte Murray to log over 30 minutes for the first time all season.
As reported by: Tom Osborn via Twitter Andre Drummond (eye) out Monday
Despite early reports indicating Drummond would be available, he’s now been ruled out of Monday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards due to left eye inflammation that has now forced him to miss two games, while Blake Griffin is also unavailable with a sore left knee. Markieff Morris replaced Griffin in the starting lineup alongside Thon Maker to begin the second half of Saturday’s win, and he went on to put together a great fantasy performance in just over 27 minutes of action, making him the logical candidate to start at power forward this evening. Other than Morris, Maker, and Christian Wood’s extended minutes, Derrick Rose has been the main beneficiary with Drummond and Griffin off the court, as he owns a 34.9% usage rate, a 58.6% assist rate, and is averaging 1.62 DraftKings and 1.60 FanDuel points per minute in a 183.2 sample size.
As reported by: Rod Beard via Twitter Fred VanVleet (knee) officially out Monday
As expected, VanVleet has been ruled out of Monday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a right knee contusion that has now forced him to miss four games. With VanVleet officially unable to suit up, Norman Powell should receive the starting nod at the shooting guard position once again, and he has consistently approached or exceeded the 30-minute mark as a starter when either VanVleet or Kyle Lowry are sidelined this season. Powell will continue to be in consideration for tournaments at that minute floor, and he’s been solid for fantasy purposes thus far, averaging 0.84 DraftKings and 0.82 FanDuel points per minute on the year.
As reported by: Blake Murphy via Twitter Isaiah Thomas (calf) will start Monday
Thomas has officially been upgraded from questionable and will start in Monday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons after missing five games due to a strained calf. Head coach Scott Brooks already confirmed that Thomas won’t be subject to a specific minute restriction, but he will likely play his usual allotment of 24 minutes or so as he continues to split the point guard duties with Ish Smith in the Wizards backcourt. Thomas has been a shell of his former self for an extended period of time now, and he doesn’t see enough playing time to capitalize on his season average of 0.95 DraftKings and 0.88 FanDuel points per minute, essentially removing him from consideration for daily fantasy formats on most slates.
As reported by: Fred Katz via Twitter Blake Griffin (knee) out Monday
Griffin has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards due to a sore left knee. Meanwhile, Andre Drummond will be active after missing one game with left eye inflammation, but head coach Dwane Casey said his status will depend on how he tolerates his contact lenses. Markieff Morris replaced Griffin to begin the second half of Saturday’s win, and he went on to put together a great fantasy performance in just over 27 minutes of action, making him the logical candidate to start at power forward this evening. Other than Morris’ extending minutes, Derrick Rose has been the main beneficiary with Griffin off the court, as he owns a 33.2% usage rate, a 44.0% assist rate, and is averaging 1.36 DraftKings and 1.32 FanDuel points per minute in a sizable sample size.
As reported by: James Edwards III via Twitter The Forgotten Man
Derrick Rose will carry some ownership but may be the forgotten man in the mix if Blake Griffin (Q) misses Monday’s game. Rose isn’t likely to see a spike in playing time in Griffin’s absence but would avoid splitting court time with Griffin and his 28.9% usage rate. With Griffin off the court this season, Rose’s usage rate has jumped 2.7% (33%) and has seen his fantasy production rise over 4+ points per 36 minutes. Rose’s price tag combined with a favorable matchup keep him in tournament discussion regardless of Griffin’s status but the PF’s absence would solidify Rose as an even stronger play if he were to miss.
Jae Crowder (ankle) likely to play Monday
Head coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed that Crowder went through shootaround and should be good to play in Monday’s matchup against the Miami Heat after missing one game due to a sore left ankle. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Crowders, so his likely return should send Kyle Anderson back to the bench to resume a reserve role following a serviceable fantasy performance in just under 26 minutes of action in Saturday’s win. Crowder is never a priority target in daily fantasy formats when the Grizzlies are at full strength, but he’s still flashed upside at times this season and is averaging 0.84 DraftKings and 0.81 FanDuel points per minute thus far on the year.
As reported by: Rob Fischer via Twitter Minutes And Usage Are Up
With VanVleet out the last three games, Normal Powell has really benefited in both minutes and usage. He’s played at least 28 minutes in three straight games and has at least 17 points in each of those games. Cleveland ranks 26th in defensive efficiency against shooting guards this season. With at least 20% usage in each of the last three games, and the minutes being up, Powell sets up as a really strong floor play on this slate.
The Minutes Are There
Derrick Jones Jr. has really benefited from the current injuries to this Miami Heat squad. He has played at least 26 minutes in five straight games and has scored at least 19 fantasy points in four of those five games. This is a pace up spot for Miami, and Memphis is top ten in turnover percentage, which sets up good for an active defensive player like Jones. We have a lot of potential value plays on this seven-game slate, but I think Jones sets up as a really strong tournament play.