DFS Alerts
Ricky Rubio (back) downgraded to doubtful Monday; Jevon Carter will start
Rubio is a late scratch from the Suns’ lineup and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics due to back spasms. In his absence, Jevon Carter will receive the starting nod at point guard, but he hasn’t logged more than 15 minutes in any game since his previous spot start back in late-October when Rubio was previously sidelined. Carter did manage to see 32 minutes in one of those contests, so he’ll certainly be a worthy punt option on the late slate despite historically being a poor fantasy producer on a per-minute basis. The other beneficiaries with Rubio off the court have been Kelly Oubre and Devin Booker, as they have both seen a +4.4% or greater increase in usage rate while averaging at least +0.29 more DraftKings and FanDuel points per minute over their typical season-long numbers.
As reported by: the Phoenix Suns via Twitter Other tagged players: Jevon Carter
Kawhi Leonard (knee) out Monday
Leonard has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a left knee contusion that’s now forced him to miss three games. There’s been no report of a specific minute restriction for Patrick Beverley, who will make his return following a two-game absence, so he’ll presumably resume his normal starting point guard role, which will send Terrance Mann back to the bench. As for Paul George, he’ll continue to have his minutes monitored by Rivers and the Clippers coaching staff after averaging just 22.2 minutes in his first two games, but Rivers did admit that George would likely play between 28-30 minutes this evening.
As reported by: Ramona Shelburne via Twitter Tyson Chandler (rest) out Monday
Chandler is a late addition to the Rockets’ injury report and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to rest purposes after logging at least 16 minutes of action in each of the previous three games. His absence will allow Isaiah Hartenstein to assume the backup center role in more traditional lineup combinations. Meanwhile, head coach Mike D’Antoni confirmed with reporters that Danuel House Jr. and Clint Capela will start following their original probable designations on the injury report. There has yet to be any report of a potential minute restriction for either player, so they’ll presumably be a full-go in their return to the starting lineup in tonight’s contest. House had logged at least 32 minutes in four of his last five games, so he’ll be a strong cash option on sites like DraftKings where his price is significantly depressed following an injury layoff.
As reported by: Salman Ali via Twitter Danuel House Jr. (back) and Clint Capela (concussion) will start Monday
Head coach Mike D’Antoni confirmed with reporters that House Jr. and Capela will start in Monday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers after each missed the previous two games. There has yet to be any report of a potential minute restriction for either player, so they’ll presumably be a full-go in their return to the starting lineup in tonight’s contest. House had logged at least 32 minutes in four of his last five games, so he’ll be a strong cash option on sites like DraftKings where his price is significantly depressed following an injury layoff.
As reported by: Salman Ali via Twitter Other tagged players: Clint Capela Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out Monday
Irving was downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers due to right shoulder impingement that’s now forced him to miss two games. In his absence, Spencer Dinwiddie will more than likely remain in the starting lineup, though he’s unlikely to see an increase in playing time considering Caris LeVert has already been sidelined for several games, which should allow the wing players like Garrett Temple, Dzanan Musa, and Iman Shumpert a to soak up the available minutes. Dinwiddie has only logged 89.7 minutes without Irving and LeVert on the court, but in that time, he has a massive 39.7% usage rate, 37.2% assist rate, and is averaging 1.19 DraftKings and 1.10 FanDuel points per minute.
As reported by: Shams Charania via Twitter Unique Lineup Construction Without Sacrificing Quality
Actively rostering players against one of the top defenses in the league is a curious decision but there are a couple of reasons why I like the idea of grabbing some exposure to KAT in tournaments tonight. First, paying up at the Center position is automatically going to lead to unique lineup construction, especially on less flexible sites, as most rosters will be hammering the mid-tier. Second, while the matchup isn’t a good one for KAT, he will benefit if Andrew Wiggins (doubtful) misses Monday’s game as Wiggins has been demanding the ball a lot more this season. Towns’ has been the TWolves player that benefits the most with Wiggins off the court this year, averaging 10.50 DK points/9.31 more FD points per 36 minutes.
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) listed available Monday
Robinson missed Sunday’s practice, but he is listed as available to play in Monday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers despite dealing with a sprained right ankle. There has yet to be any confirmation from the Knicks or head coach David Fizdale on the starting lineup for tonight’s contest, but Taj Gibson has started five straight games at the center position, two of which with Robinson active. However, Robinson has still seen more playing time than Gibson coming off the bench, and he’s averaged 24.5 minutes over his last two appearances. Robinson has an 18.1% rebound rate and an 8.8% block rate on the season, which has helped him to average 1.32 DraftKings and 1.38 FanDuel points per minute through nine games.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Kevin Love (back) and Larry Nance Jr. (thumb) listed out Monday
Love was listed out on the updated version of the Cavaliers’ injury report and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the New York Knicks due to a low back contusion, while Nance Jr. will miss a second straight game with a sprained left thumb. The absence of Nance in Sunday’s loss enabled Alfonzo McKinnie to enter the rotation and log his first meaningful minutes of the young season. There’s yet to be any reports of who will replace Love in the starting lineup, but more than likely, Cedi Osman will slide over to power forward and either McKinnie or Kevin Porter Jr. will start at the three this evening. If Porter does receive the start, he could be an intriguing punt in tournament formats considering he has a 21.7% usage and is averaging 0.81 DraftKings and 0.80 FanDuel points per minute with Love off the court.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Larry Nance Jr. Andrew Wiggins (illness) officially out Monday
Wiggins is not currently with the team in Utah and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Jazz due to an illness, while Shabazz Napier is still listed with his customary doubtful status. With Wiggins unavailable for Saturday’s loss, Jake Layman ended up drawing the start alongside Treveon Graham and Robert Covington, and he was stellar for fantasy purposes in 36 minutes of action. The sample size among the regular starters with Wiggins off the court continues to stabilize with each passing game, and in that time, both Jeff Teague and Karl-Anthony Towns have seen a +2.3% or greater increase in usage rate while averaging at least +0.14 more DraftKings and FanDuel points per minute over their typical season-long numbers.
As reported by: Alan Horton via Twitter Domantas Sabonis (hip) will start Monday
Sabonis is reportedly good to go and will start in Monday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets despite originally being listed as questionable with a bruised right hip, Jeremy Lamb and T.J. McConnell will remain out due to their respective ailments. With Malcolm Brogdon still sidelined as well, head coach Nate McMillan confirmed at Pacers shootaround that he will stick with the same starting lineup he utilized in Saturday’s loss. Indiana was blown out in that contest, but the starting backcourt duo of Aaron Holiday and Justin Holiday still managed to log 34 minutes apiece and were relatively effective for fantasy purposes. However, Aaron Holiday still remains the primary beneficiary with Brogdon and Lamb off the court this season, as he owns a 26.8% usage rate, 27.0% assist rate, and is averaging 1.03 DraftKings and 1.00 FanDuel points per minute in a 120.3 minutes sample size.
As reported by: J. Michael via Twitter Jeremy Lamb (ankle) and T.J. McConnell (groin) out Monday
Lamb and McConnell have officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, while Domantas Sabonis is good to go and will start despite originally being listed as questionable with a bruised right hip. With Malcolm Brogdon still sidelined as well, head coach Nate McMillan confirmed at Pacers shootaround that he will stick with the same starting lineup he utilized in Saturday’s loss. Indiana was blown out in that contest, but the starting backcourt duo of Aaron Holiday and Justin Holiday still managed to log 34 minutes apiece and were relatively effective for fantasy purposes. However, Aaron Holiday still remains the primary beneficiary with Brogdon and Lamb off the court this season, as he owns a 26.8% usage rate, 27.0% assist rate, and is averaging 1.03 DraftKings and 1.00 FanDuel points per minute in a 120.3 minutes sample size.
As reported by: J. Michael via Twitter Other tagged players: T.J. McConnell Cheap Across The Industry
After missing 11 games, Nicolas Batum returned to the Hornets against the Knicks on Saturday night. He played 29 minutes in his first game back, and only played 11 minutes in the first half. They brought him back in the fourth quarter and had him finish the game over Miles Bridges. He has a very low price point across the industry, and if he plays 25+ minutes, he should be able to pay off this price. This is a really young team, and Batum brings some really nice veteran experience.
Frank Jackson (neck) and Brandon Ingram (knee) out Sunday
Jackson has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors due to a neck contusion, while Ingram will sit for a fourth straight game, as expected. The Pelicans are also without Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Jahlil Okafor, so they’ll still be extremely shorthanded even with Redick able to suit up for tonight’s contest. Head coach Alvin Gentry was essentially utilizing a seven-man rotation prior to Favors and Jackson exiting Friday’s loss early with injuries, which led to Josh Gray and Zylan Cheatham each logging at least 14 minutes off the bench. With Redick cleared to return, Gray and Cheatham will more than likely be relegated to the end of the rotation, and Gentry should roll with primarily seven players this evening.
As reported by: Pelicans PR via Twitter Other tagged players: Brandon Ingram J.J. Redick (toe) likely to play Sunday; Derrick Favors (back) officially out
Head coach Alvin Gentry confirmed Redick is likely to play Sunday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors, while Favors will sit with lower back spasms. The Pelicans are also without Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Jahlil Okafor, so they’ll still be extremely shorthanded even if Jackson and Redick are able to suit up this evening. Head coach Alvin Gentry was essentially utilizing a seven-man rotation prior to Favors and Jackson exiting Friday’s loss early with injuries, which led to Josh Gray and Zylan Cheatham each logging at least 14 minutes off the bench. If Jackson and Redick are cleared to return, Gray and Cheatham would more than likely be relegated to the end of the rotation, and Gentry would roll with primarily eight players this evening.
As reported by: Andrew Lopez via Twitter Other tagged players: Derrick Favors Will Barton (adductor) available to play Sunday
As expected, Barton has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Sunday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies despite dealing with left adductor tightness. Barton is one of the Nuggets starters that has seen a consistent amount of playing time game-to-game in the early stages of the season, as he has logged at least 36 minutes in four of the previous five games. Malone stuck to his word and shook up his second unit rotation in Thursday’s win with Juancho Hernangomez overtaking the primary backup small forward duties, which relegated Torrey Craig from the rotation and continued to limit Michael Porter Jr. to insignificant stretches of minutes in the first half of games.
As reported by: the Denver Nuggets via Twitter