DFS Alerts

Myles Turner (thigh) listed as questionable Tuesday

Turner has been added to the most recent version of the Pacers’ injury report and is questionable for Tuesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a right thigh bruise, while Doug McDermott and Victor Oladipo remain sidelined with their respective ailments. The Pacers tend to be relatively cautious with their injury reporting, so it’s still certainly possible Turner will be good to go for tonight’s contest, but if he is unable to suit up, Domantas Sabonis would almost certainly enter the starting lineup at center and would become one of the better value options on this eight-game slate. Tyreke Evans has actually been the main beneficiary with Turner and Oladipo off the court this season, as he owns a 31.9% usage rate (+3.9%) and is averaging 1.13 fantasy points per minute, but his minute floor has been extremely volatile of late and has not played more than 19 minutes in either of the Pacers previous two games. For this reason, Sabonis is the clear player to target, and he is averaging 1.40 fantasy points per minute in the aforementioned scenario.

Jonathon Simmons (oblique) considered doubtful Tuesday

Simmons is still technically listed as questionable on the Magic’s injury report, but head coach Steve Clifford admitted to reporters that Simmons is doubtful to play in Tuesday’s matchup due to a strained oblique that has already forced him to miss two consecutive games, while Mohamed Bamba will miss a second straight contest with a sore left lower leg. In Simmons’ absence, Wes Iwundu has entered the rotation following a stretch of four straight DNP-CDs and averaged 17.4 minutes off the bench in the last two games, while Isaiah Briscoe reclaimed the backup point guard role from Jerian Grant and has averaged 20.9 minutes at both guard positions in the second unit. Meanwhile, Terrance Ross is coming off of a dismal fantasy performance in just 26 minutes of action his last time out, but he does still own a 24.7% usage rate and is averaging 0.90 DraftKings and 0.89 FanDuel points per minute on the season.

LeBron James (rest) will play Tuesday

James is still technically listed as probable on the Lakers’ injury report, but he confirmed with reporters at shootaround that he will play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers after missing one game as part of a load management plan, while Kyle Kuzma and Ivica Zubac remain probable with their respective ailments. James won’t be subject to a minute restriction in his return, so his availability will likely send Kentavious Caldwell-Pope back to the bench to resume a reserve role following a serviceable fantasy performance in 27 minutes of action in Saturday’s loss. However, with Josh Hart still questionable because of patellar tendinitis in his left knee, Caldwell-Pope could still be in line for an extended run in the second unit if Hart is unable to suit up this evening.

Jonas Valanciunas (thumb) officially out Tuesday

Valanciunas has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers due to a dislocated left thumb that has now forced him to miss 25 consecutive games. Meanwhile, despite originally being listed as doubtful, Kyle Lowry already confirmed with reporters at shootaround that he will play in tonight’s contest after missing one game with a sore back. There’s been no report of a potential minute restriction for Lowry in his return, so his availability should displace Fred VanVleet from the starting lineup following a solid fantasy performance in 26 minutes of action in his spot start in Sunday’s win. Lowry has generally struggled for fantasy purposes this season, which relegates him to a tournament option in a homecoming game in Philadelphia this evening, and it’s actually been Kawhi Leonard that’s thrived in the Raptors prior meetings with the Sixers, as he’s recorded a 33.7% usage rate and averaged 1.70 DraftKings and 1.77 FanDuel points per minute in a 68.9 minutes sample size.

Marcus Morris (knee) out Tuesday

Morris is a new addition to the Celtics’ injury report and won’t play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a sore right knee, while Robert Williams remains questionable with low back soreness. The Celtics are also without Kyrie Irving and Aron Baynes, which should allow Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown, who typically starts when Morris is sidelined, to move into the starting lineup for tonight’s contest. Since Irving was ruled out so far in advance, the sites were able to price Rozier appropriately, so he is no longer an obvious value option across the industry. Brown is obviously worth a look in tournaments given his projected increase in minutes, but it’s actually been Marcus Smart and Gordon Hayward that have benefitted the most with Morris and Irving off the court this season, as they each own at least a +3.7% usage rate differential and experience a minimum of a +0.15 increase to their per minute production in this scenario.

Kyle Lowry (back) will play Tuesday

Despite being listed as doubtful on the Raptors’ injury report, Lowry confirmed with reporters at shootaround that he will play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing one game due to a sore back, while Jonas Valanciunas remains doubtful but is closing in a return from a dislocated left thumb. There’s been no report of a potential minute restriction for Lowry in his return, so his availability should displace Fred VanVleet from the starting lineup following a solid fantasy performance in 26 minutes of action in his spot start in Sunday’s win. Lowry has generally struggled for fantasy purposes this season, which relegates him to a tournament option in a homecoming game in Philadelphia this evening, and it’s actually been Kawhi Leonard that’s thrived in the Raptors prior meetings with the Sixers, as he’s recorded a 33.7% usage rate and averaged 1.70 DraftKings and 1.77 FanDuel points per minute in a 68.9 minutes sample size.

Target The Big Men

I always worry about the Pistons resting one of their big men on the tail end of a back to back set, so make sure you keep an eye on the news throughout the day. If either Griffin or Drummond rests, the other player becomes a near must play in a favorable matchup against a Knicks team that doesn’t offer much in the way of defensive resistance. Drummond and Griffin are high floor, high ceiling options that should be considered in all formats this evening, with the caveat that we must adjust if one is resting.

Simply Rolling Right Now

It’s hard to post “quiet” triple-doubles, but we have become so accustomed to it with Russell Westbrook that it really doesn’t stand out any more. The OKC star has now posted SIX consecutive triple-doubles, and he should be able to keep it rolling in a decent matchup against Orlando. There should be enough value on this slate to where we can easily start our rosters with Westbrook, and he is my favorite spend up option. The floor is ridiculously high, and the ceiling is obviously there. If this game stays close, we could be looking at another 70-80 fantasy point performance.

Under-Appreciated Value

The DFS community never pays much attention to Marcus Morris, but he should be a fine option with Kyrie Irving on the sidelines. It’s hard to argue with the CourtIQ data, which shows that Morris gets a 4.4% USG bump and scores 5-6 additional fantasy points per 36 minutes when Irving is off the floor. Don’t sleep on Morris as a mid range play tonight.

Reasonable Price Tag and Great Opportunity

Kyle Lowry is likely to miss another game with his newest ailment, which will allow Fred VanVleet to start at the point. FVV was solid on Sunday with a 9/5/7 line, and that could have been a much bigger performance had the game not turned into a blowout. VanVleet comes a lot cheaper than Rozier and makes sense as a value point guard option in this spot. The price tag is particularly appealing on DK & FDRAFT, though he’s still a viable option on FD, too. He has filled in well when Lowry has been out, and that should continue here.

NBA Injury Rundown - Tuesday, 2/5

Boston Celtics – Robert Williams (Q), Kyrie Irving (O), Aron Baynes (O)

Cleveland Cavaliers – Cedi Osman (O), Kevin Love (O), Tristan Thompson (O), John Henson (O)

Los Angeles Clippers – Danilo Gallinari (O), Luc Mbah a Moute (O)

Charlotte Hornets – Cody Zeller (P), Tony Parker (P)

Los Angeles Lakers – LeBron James (P), Kyle Kuzma (P), Ivica Zubac (P), Josh Hart (Q), Lonzo Ball (O)

Indiana Pacers – Doug McDermott (O), Victor Oladipo (O)

New York Knicks – Mitchell Robinson (P), Frank Ntilikina (O), Emmanuel Mudiay (O)

Toronto Raptors – Kyle Lowry (D), Jonas Valanciunas (D), Malachi Richardson (O)

Philadelphia 76ers – Wilson Chandler (O), Markelle Fultz (O), Zhaire Smith (O), Justin Patton (O)

Minnesota Timberwolves – Jeff Teague (D), Derrick Rose (O), Tyus Jones (O), Robert Covington (O)

Memphis Grizzlies – JaMychal Green (Q), Joakim Noah (Q), Garrett Temple (D), Kyle Anderson (O), Omri Casspi (O)

Orlando Magic – Jonathon Simmons (Q), Mohamed Bamba (O), Timofey Mozgov (O)

Oklahoma City Thunder – Abdel Nader (Q), Andre Roberson (O)

Paul Millsap (ankle) and Jamal Murray (ankle) out Monday

Millsap has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons due to a sore left ankle, and he’ll join Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, who each remain sidelined with their respective ailments, on the Nuggets’ inactive list this evening. With Murray unavailable, Monte Morris should stick with the starting unit for at least another game, and he’s logged at least 37 minuted in three consecutive contests en route to exceeding his salary-based expectations on each occasion. Meanwhile, Malik Beasley also figures to remain in the starting lineup with Harris sidelined, and he’s been outstanding from a fantasy perspective and has played at least 29 minutes in each of the previous three games. On top of that, Beasley and Nikola Jokic have actually been the main beneficiaries with Murray and Harris off the court this season, as they each own at least a +5.0% usage rate differential and experience a minimum increase of +0.14 to their per minute fantasy production.

Eric Bledsoe (Achilles) will play Monday

Bledsoe has officially been upgraded from probable and will play in Monday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets after missing one game due to a sore left Achilles tendon. There’s been no word of a potential minute restriction for Bledsoe in his return, so he’ll more than likely displace Tony Snell from the starting lineup following his solid fantasy performance in 24 minutes of action in Saturday’s win. The Bucks and Nets have met just once thus far this season, and in that contest, both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton smashed their salary-based expectations with a minimum of a +0.30 increase to their typical per minute fantasy production on the season, while Antetokounmpo led the way with a 30.4% usage rate in the prior meeting.

Joe Harris (hip) out Monday

Harris has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks due to a sore right hip. The Nets are still without Caris LeVert, Allen Crabbe, and Spencer Dinwiddie, so they’ll be relatively shorthanded at the wing positions for tonight’s contest, which led the team to recall Dzanan Musa from the G-League for depth purposes. The last game Harris was unavailable, head coach Kenny Atkinson opted to start Shabazz Napier alongside D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt, but Dinwiddie was healthy at that time and was able to handle the backup point guard duties off the bench. Napier will obviously still benefit from additional playing time regardless of role, but Rondae Hollis-Jefferson appears to be the likeliest candidate to receive the starting nod, and he owns a 23.5% usage rate and is averaging 1.02 DraftKings and 1.02 FanDuel points per minute with Harris, Crabbe, LeVert, and Dinwiddie off the court this season.

Jamal Murray (ankle) unlikely to play Monday

Murray is still technically listed as questionable on the Nuggets’ injury report, but head coach Michael Malone admitted to reporters that he doesn’t think Murray will play in Monday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons due to a sprained right ankle, while Paul Millsap remains questionable with a sore left ankle. With Murray likely unavailable, Monte Morris should also stick with the starting unit, and he’s logged at least 37 minuted in three consecutive contests en route to exceeding his salary-based expectations on each occasion. The Nuggets are also still without Gary Harris for a third straight contest, so Malik Beasley figures to remain in the starting lineup, and he’s been outstanding from a fantasy perspective and has played at least 29 minutes in each of the previous three games. On top of that, Beasley and Nikola Jokic have actually been the main beneficiaries with Murray and Harris off the court this season, as they each own at least a +5.0% usage rate differential and experience a minimum increase of +0.14 to their per minute fantasy production.