DFS Alerts
Take Advantage Of This Price
If you’re playing on FanDuel or Yahoo, Jalen Brunson is way underpriced with Luka out tonight. I don’t mind him on DraftKings and FantasyDraft as well, but it just not as good as the other two sites. Luka Doncic has a 35.9% usage rate this season, which is top five in the NBA. With Doncic off the floor, Brunson has a 23.9% usage rate and he’s average 1.04 fantasy points per minute. I’d expect Wright to play a few extra minutes tonight, but Brunson should play 30+ minutes in this game. It’s not the greatest matchup, but it’s a pace up spot and the price makes him one of the best value plays on this slate.
Eric Paschall (hip) out Sunday
Paschall has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings due to sore left hip that’s now forced him to miss two games, while Draymond Green will return from a one-game absence for rest purposes. Head coach Steve Kerr opted to utilize Kevon Looney as a false starter in place of Paschall at power forward in Friday’s loss, but he was still limited to just 18 minutes, so the available frontcourt playing time that isn’t allocated to Green should be absorbed by Marquese Chriss and Omari Spellman this evening. None of the Warriors starters see a significant boost with Paschall off the court, but D’Angelo Russell does lead the way with a 33.2% usage rate, a 30.1% assist rate, and is averaging 1.23 DraftKings and 1.15 FanDuel points per minute in a 207.4 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Logan Murdock via Twitter
Paul Millsap (quad) out Sunday; Jamal Murray (back) will play
Millsap has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the New York Knicks due to right quad tightness that has already forced him to miss two games, while Murray will give it a go, as expected. In Millsap’s absence, Jerami Grant ended up receiving the start at power forward, and he was more than serviceable for fantasy purposes in just under 32 minutes of action in Saturday’s win. Torrey Craig led the reserves with 23 minutes off the bench in that contest, and Juancho Hernangomez and Michael Porter Jr. were limited to just under 16 minutes combined. Other than Grant’s increased minute load, Nikola Jokic has been the other beneficiary with Millsap off the court, as he owns a 29.7% usage rate and is averaging 1.47 DraftKings and 1.41 FanDuel points per minute in a 201.6 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Adam Mares via Twitter Other tagged players: Jamal Murray Al Horford (knee, hamstring) will play Sunday
Horford has officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Sunday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets after missing two games due to a sore left knee and left hamstring tightness, while Joel Embiid was already ruled out with an upper respiratory infection. In Embiid’s absence, Mike Scott figures to draw a third straight start at power forward, and he’s been serviceable from a fantasy perspective in an average of 25.9 minutes over the last two games. However, the backup center role is now a bit more cloudy with Horford able to suit up since Norvel Pelle racked up 12 minutes ahead of Kyle O’Quinn, who only logged five minutes in Friday’s win. Unsurprisingly, Horford and Tobias Harris have been the primary beneficiaries with Embiid off the court this season, as each of them sees a minimum of a +2.1% usage rate increase and average at least +0.20 more fantasy points per minute over their season-long numbers.
As reported by: Keith Pompey via Twitter Lebron James (elbow) will play Sunday
James has officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Sunday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks despite dealing with a right elbow contusion, while Anthony Davis, Avery Bradley, and Rajon Rondo are all available to play, as expected, after originally being listed as probable on the Lakers’ injury report. Head coach Frank Vogel already confirmed that Bradley and Rondo will have their minute restrictions increased to 25 minutes in tonight’s contests, though that doesn’t necessarily guarantee either player comes close to that mark this evening. As always, James will be a viable tournament option on tonight’s four-game slate, as he owns a 32.7% usage rate, a 49.0% assist rate, and is averaging 1.55 DraftKings and 1.50 FanDuel points per minute on the season.
As reported by: Kyle Goon via Twitter Joel Embiid (illness) officially out Sunday
As expected, Embiid has been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets due to an upper respiratory infection, while Al Horford remains a game-time decision with a sore left knee and left hamstring tightness. Regardless of Horford’s status, Mike Scott figures to draw a third straight start at power forward, and he’s been serviceable from a fantasy perspective in an average of 25.9 minutes over the last two games. However, the backup center role is a bit more cloudy if Horford is able to suit up since Norvel Pelle racked up 12 minutes ahead of Kyle O’Quinn, who only logged five minutes in Friday’s win. Unsurprisingly, Horford and Tobias Harris have been the primary beneficiaries with Embiid off the court this season, as each of them sees a minimum of a +2.1% usage rate increase and average at least +0.20 more fantasy points per minute over their season-long numbers.
As reported by: Keith Pompey via Twitter Nicolas Batum (hand) out Sunday
Batum has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers due to left-hand discomfort, while P.J. Washington and Marvin Williams were already previously ruled out with their respective ailments. Head coach James Borrego has now utilized a condensed rotation in three straight games, and every starter other than Bismack Biyombo logged more than 35 minutes in Friday’s win, which limited Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Martin, and Malik Monk to reduced roles off the bench. Kidd-Gilchrist should theoretically have a decent minute floor with both Washington and Williams unavailable, but that projection got a bit dicier when Borrego decided to go with a massive starting lineup consisting of both Biyombo and Cody Zeller this evening.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter Paul Millsap (quad) questionable Sunday; Jamal Murray (back) probable
Millsap has officially been listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the New York Knicks due to right quad tightness that has already forced him to miss one game, while Murray is probable with thoracolumbar soreness. In his absence, Jerami Grant ended up receiving the start at power forward, and he was more than serviceable for fantasy purposes in just under 32 minutes of action in Saturday’s win. Torrey Craig led the reserves with 23 minutes off the bench in that contest, and Juancho Hernangomez and Michael Porter Jr. were limited to just under 16 minutes combined. Other than Grant’s increased minute load, Nikola Jokic has been the other beneficiary with Millsap off the court, as he owns a 29.7% usage rate and is averaging 1.47 DraftKings and 1.41 FanDuel points per minute in a 201.6 minutes sample size.
As reported by: the Denver Nuggets via Twitter Other tagged players: Jamal Murray Nikola Vucevic (ankle) available to play Sunday
Vucevic has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans after missing 11 games due to a sprained ankle. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Vucevic, but given the nature of the injury, it wouldn’t be surprising if Orlando decides to ease him back into games. However, the mere presence of Vucevic in the rotation will severely limit the playing time of Khem Birch and may even relegate him from the rotation despite starting every game at the center position while Vucevic was sidelined. Unless given the all-clear on his expected playing time, Vucevic will be a difficult player to target in daily fantasy formats, even though he has a 25.4% usage rate and is averaging 1.31 DraftKings and 1.29 FanDuel points per minute on the season.
As reported by: Josh Robbins via Twitter Last Man Standing
The price isn’t nice, but with Joel Embiid doubtful and Al Horford questionable, Ben Simmons may be called to lead this offense once again. If both are out, CourtIQ shows Simmons as having a 1 fantasy points per minute. He doesn’t necessarily see a huge boost as that boost goes to Josh Richardson (+7.9%) and Tobias Harris (+4.1%), who would also be solid plays (moreso Harris as Richardson has been slowly ramping up his playing time).
Huerting For Solid Value
We finally saw Kevin Huerter reach 30 mins last game as he continues to ramp up his playing time. There are genuine blowout concerns for the Hawks against the Lakers assuming both LeBron and AD suit up, which is what is expected. Huerter is cheap enough where he’s a route to get a stars and scrubs lineup today. He didn’t score a ton of fantasy points last game, but this is the type of slate where I’m more than willing to chase the minutes and hope the production follows.
Minutes Equal Money...Maybe?
Let me just say this main slate is kind of gross from a conviction play standpoint as there’s not a ton of spots I feel free great about. If I’m going to take a stand on this specific game, it’s with RJ Barrett. It’s not that I think he’s an amazing player or love the matchup, but it’s that his minutes have been a bit more secure under the new coaching staff as they develop him the rest of this season. At his price tag, I’m just hoping he can find a solid floor if he gets another 30+ minutes here.
Increased Aggressiveness
Anthony Davis has been more aggressive as of late both offensively and on the glass attempting at least 20 shot attempts in each of the last four games. Davis’ increase in aggressiveness has resulted in more consistent fantasy production and his upside on this small slate is unrivaled, especially if LeBron James (Q) misses. In 248 minutes with James off the court this season, Davis has seen his usage rate spike to 37.7% and is averaging 10+ more fantasy points per 36 minutes. Davis is my priority spend regardless of James’ status but becomes a must play if he sits.
Andre Drummond (eye) out Saturday; Luke Kennard (knees) available to play
Despite head coach Dwane Casey saying Drummond was expected to play, he’s officially been ruled out of Saturday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets due to left eye inflammation, while Kennard will be available to play. With Drummond unable to suit up, his potential replacement in the starting lineup is a bit tough to project, but Markieff Morris, Christian Wood, and possibly even Thon Maker figure to benefit from increased playing time. Blake Griffin has only played 57.5 minutes with Drummond off the court this season, but he should theoretically see a substantial increase in his usage and rebounding rates. However, Derrick Rose has thrived without Drummond, as he owns a 34.0% usage rate, a 55.3% assist rate, and is averaging 1.54 DraftKings and 1.52 FanDuel points per minute in a 190.1 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Cayleigh Griffin via Twitter Other tagged players: Luke Kennard Donte DiVincenzo will start for Eric Bledsoe (shin) on Saturday
Antetokounmpo will play in Saturday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers despite dealing with a sore right quad tendon. Antetokounmpo was able to play through his injury in Friday’s win, but he logged just 27 minutes because of foul trouble before the starters were pulled with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. As for Eric Bledsoe’s absence, Donte DiVincenzo will receive the start alongside Wesley Matthews in the backcourt, even tho George Hill replaced Bledsoe in the third quarter of yesterday’s contest and went on to play over 18 minutes in the second half. Other than Hill, the main beneficiaries with Bledsoe off the court have been Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, as they each own a minimum of a +5.0% increase in usage rate and average at least +0.09 more fantasy points per minute over their season-long numbers.
As reported by: the Milwaukee Bucks via Twitter