DFS Alerts
Jakarr Sampson (back) listed out Wednesday
As expected, Sampson has been listed out on the updated version of the Pacers’ injury report for Monday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies due to a sore back that’s now forced him to miss two games. With the Pacers approaching full strength, there wouldn’t be much playing time available for Sampson, even if he was active, so his continued absence won’t have too much of an impact on the remaining members of the frontcourt rotation. Head coach Nate McMillan essentially utilized a nine-man rotation in Monday’s win with Malcolm Brogdon returning from injury, though Goga Bitadze did see seven total minutes and his playing time will likely be sporadic when Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis are healthy.
Cody Zeller (hip) out Wednesday; Malik Monk (finger) available to play
Despite being listed a probable on the Hornets’ injury report, Zeller won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons due to a left hip contusion, while Monk will be available to play despite dealing with a sprained left finger. Head coach James Borrego already confirmed that Bismack Biyombo will receive the starting nod at the center position in Zeller’s absence, and he could be stellar value option on tonight’s 14-game slate considering he already logged at least 22 minutes with Zeller active in the previous two games.
As reported by: Charlotte Hornets PR via Twitter Other tagged players: Malik Monk DeAndre Jordan (ankle) out Wednesday
Jordan has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the New York Knicks due to a sore left ankle that’s now forced him to miss two games. Jordan had settled into a defined backup center role of late, and he had logged fewer than 18 minutes in three of the Nets previous six games in which he was active, which has conversely enabled Jarrett Allen to see starters’ minutes on a much more consistent basis. With a higher projected minute floor without Jordan unavailable, Allen becomes an interesting option for daily fantasy formats considering he is averaging 1.34 DraftKing and 1.38 FanDuel points per minute with Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert off the court this season.
As reported by: Brian Lewis via Twitter Kawhi Leonard (knee) out Wednesday
As expected, Leonard won’t play in Wednesday’s second leg of a back-to-back set against the Memphis Grizzlies due to injury management of his ailing left knee. There have been no reports of the Clippers holding out any other players, so Paul George should be considered a full-go at this time after logging just 29 minutes in Tuesday’s blowout win. The last time Leonard rested, Terrance Mann ended up receiving the start alongside George on the wing but was limited to just 21 minutes, which likely removes him from daily fantasy consideration on a massive 14-game slate. George still has a limited sample size with Leonard off the court, but he has a 36.6% usage rate, a 27.7% assist rate, and is averaging 1.80 DraftKings and 1.66 FanDuel points per minute in 109.9 minutes.
As reported by: Andrew Greif via Twitter DeAndre Bembry (hip) upgraded to probable Wednesday
Bembry has been upgraded from questionable to probable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks due to a right hip contusion. while Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter, and Cam Reddish will all be available to play following their original probable designations on the injury report. Reddish made his return to the starting lineup in Monday’s loss and was able to log 29 minutes of action after a two-game layoff. This caused Bembry’s playing time to plummet, and he only managed to record 16 minutes off the bench in head coach Lloyd Pierce’s suddenly crowded wing rotation now that Allen Crabbe and Evan Turner are both available and seeing minutes on a nightly basis.
As reported by: the Atlanta Hawks via Twitter Ricky Rubio (back) will play Wednesday
As expected, Rubio confirmed with reporters at Suns’ shootaround that he will play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards after missing three games due to back spasms, while Aron Baynes will miss a fifth straight game with a strained right hip flexor. There haven’t been any reports of a potential minute restriction for Rubio, so he’ll almost certainly displace Tyler Johnson from the starting lineup following his largely serviceable fantasy performances in an average of 25.8 minutes with Rubio sidelined. Rubio’s price is severely depressed on DraftKings, so he’ll essentially be a lock-and-load option there, as he owns a 34.5% assist rate and is averaging 1.11 DraftKings and 1.08 FanDuel points per minute on the season.
As reported by: the Phoenix Suns via Twitter Derrick Favors (personal) out Wednesday; Lonzo Ball (illness) questionable
Favors has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a personal matter, marking the sixth straight game he’s missed, while Ball is now questionable with an illness. The absence of Favors will allow Jaxson Hayes to continue starting at center, but he has seen his minute floor dissipate over the Pelicans’ recent contests, logging more than 30 minutes just twice in the previous six games. Even with Jahlil Okafor available, Hayes will still be a viable tournament target on tonight’s 14-game main slate since he is averaging 0.89 DraftKings and 0.94 FanDuel points thus far on the season, but his range of outcomes certainly becomes more volatile with an extra big man back in the fold.
As reported by: Ira Winderman via Twitter Other tagged players: Lonzo Ball Jimmy Butler (illness) out Wednesday
Despite not being listed on the Heat’s original injury report, head coach Erik Spoelstra admitted to reporters that Butler won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets due to an illness. Spoelstra wouldn’t confirm who would replace Butler in the starting lineup, but Justise Winslow appears to be the logical candidate, even though he’ll be subject to a currently unspecified minute restriction. With Winslow limited and Butler sidelined, Goran Dragic should theoretically have a significantly high minute floor than normal, and he owns a 27.2% usage rate, 33.8% assist rate, and is averaging 1.17 DraftKings and 1.08 FanDuel points per minute with Butler off the court this season.
As reported by: Ira Winderman via Twitter Land of the Rising Suns
With the current injuries/suspension to the Phoenix front-court, Frank Kaminsky has found himself starting the last 4 games. In those 4 games, Kaminsky has averaged 11.8 points per game and contributed 4.5 rebounds and 2 assists. This is a FanDuel/Yahoo specific salary saver based on the pricing of those sites near the bottom of their respective player pool.
Big Man with Upside
There is always the threat that JaVale McGee doesn’t get much playing time, but when he does, he is usually a very good option. In the last 7 games, McGee has recorded 4+ steals and blocks 3 different times. He is typically going to get you somewhere between 8-12 points and grab 6-8 rebounds, so when the steals and blocks kick in, he becomes a high upside player for this price tag.
What Can Brown Do For You?
Brown is starting to carve out a nice role for himself in this Wizards rotation, thus earning himself more time on the court. What’s more, he’s taking 10.5 field goal attempts per game and has a very affordable price on all sites. Washington has a solid matchup and a high 116 implied team total, so Brown makes for a solid salary saving option on this slate, especially for cash games.
RJ Barrett (illness), Frank Ntilikina (quad, groin), and Kevin Knox (quad) will play Wednesday
After briefly being upgraded to probable, head coach David Fizdale confirmed to reporters that Barrett, Ntilikina, and Knox will play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors despite dealing with their respective ailments. There haven’t been any reports of potential minute restrictions for any of the aforementioned players, so Barrett should reclaim his spot in the starting lineup after a one-game absence, which would send Knox back to the bench following his mediocre fantasy performance in just 18 minutes of action in Sunday’s loss. Barrett has fallen victim to Fizdale’s inconsistent rotations of late, logging fewer than 29 minutes in two of the previous three games, which would make him difficult to trust for daily fantasy formats on a vast 14-game main slate.
As reported by: Marc Berman via Twitter Other tagged players: Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox Kemba Walker (neck) and Daniel Theis (illness) will play Wednesday
Tim Bontemps of ESPN is reporting the Walker will play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets after missing one game due to a strained neck, while Theis will also be available despite originally being listed out on the Celtics’ injury report with an illness. There hasn’t been a report of a minute restriction for either player, so they’ll presumably rejoin the starting lineup in tonight’s contest, which would send Enes Kanter and Semi Ojeleye back to the bench after each logged at least 25 minutes as starters in Monday’s win. Barring any restrictions, Walker will be an excellent option for all formats on DraftKings, where he saw a significant price decrease, as he owns a 27.7% usage rate and is averaging 1.16 DraftKings and 1.11 FanDuel points per minute on the season.
As reported by: Tim Bontemps via Twitter Other tagged players: Daniel Theis Value Center Could Pay Off Tonight
Dwight Powell has had a tough fantasy season, averaging only .60 fantasy points per minute as part of a timeshare with Maxi Kleber. Powell has been priced down due to his lack of production, but he may be cheap enough now to warrant taking a chance on a small slate. Powell averaged over a fantasy point per minute last season, so if he can come closer to that average he will pay off his salary even if he only sees his normal 24-28 minutes per game.
Raw Points Needed on a Small Slate
People can overthink things on a two game slate, and not playing Luka Doncic is a prime example. The second-year Mavericks guard has been out of this world this season, nearly averaging a triple-double with 30.6 points, 9.8 assists, and 10.1 rebounds per game. With Doncic projected at nearly 10 fantasy points more than the next-closest player, there is a good chance you will need the raw points from Doncic to win a tournament tonight, regardless of his high salary.