DFS Alerts
Juancho Hernangomez (abdominal) available to play Wednesday
Hernangomez has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz after missing one game due to a strained abdominal muscle, while Jarred Vanderbilt was able to participate in portions of Tuesday’s practice remains questionable as works his way back from right foot surgery. Vanderbilt is slated to head to the G-League as soon as he’s cleared to return, so he won’t have any immediate impact on the Nuggets rotation. Additionally, head coach Mike Malone did confirm that Gary Harris will finally rejoin the starting lineup in tonight’s contest, which will send Malik Beasley back to the bench to resume a reserve role. However, there hasn’t been any word if Harris will have his minute restriction increased as a starter, and he’s yet to eclipse the 19-minute mark in either of his first two games back from injury.
As reported by: Andy Larsen via Twitter
Joel Embiid (back) will play Wednesday
Embiid and Ben Simmons have officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Wednesday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs despite dealing with their respective ailments, while Jimmy Butler will miss a second consecutive game with a sprained right wrist. In Butler’s absence, Corey Brewer will draw another start at small forward following a serviceable fantasy performance in 33 minutes of action in Monday’s blowout win. The previous four times Butler was sidelined, Furkan Korkmaz ended up replacing him in the starting lineup, averaging 30.4 minutes, so Brewer does appear to have a significant minute floor moving forward. With Embiid cleared to play, both he and Simmons are now elite options for all formats, as they each own at least a +2.7% usage rate differential and average a minimum of an additional +0.09 fantasy points per minute with Butler off the court this season.
As reported by: Jon Johnson via Twitter Marc Gasol (back) and Garrett Temple (heel) will start Wednesday
Gasol has officially been upgraded from questionable and will start in Wednesday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets despite dealing with lingering back soreness, while Temple has also been cleared to play following his original probable designation because of a sore right heel. There’s been no official update on the status of Joakim Noah, who was classified as unlikely to play and appears to still be away from the team tending to a personal matter. With Noah unavailable, JaMychal Green and Jaren Jackson Jr. are candidates to see an uptick in playing time as the preferred frontcourt duo of head coach JB Bickerstaff when Gasol is off the floor this evening. Since Ivan Rabb has mostly been relegated to garbage time minutes when he’s been active this season, Green and Jackson Jr. shouldn’t have much competition for those aforementioned backup center minutes, and each of them is currently averaging more than a fantasy point per minute on the year, while Jackson Jr. leads the pair with a 23.6% usage rate.
As reported by: the Memphis Grizzlies via Twitter Other tagged players: Garrett Temple Ish Smith (groin) officially out Wednesday
Smith has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a tight right adductor that’s now forced him to miss three consecutive games, while Andre Drummond was also ruled out with concussion-like symptoms that have prevented him from passing the NBA’s concussion protocol and now kept him sidelined for a third straight contest. In Drummond’s absence, Zaza Pachulia will receive the starting nod at center once again, and he’s been largely effective from a fantasy perspective in an average of 29.1 minutes over the Pistons previous three contests. Unsurprisingly, Griffin has thrived with Drummond off the court this season, as he owns a 36.4% usage rate (+4.8%) and is averaging 1.43 DraftKings and 1.39 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: Keith Langlois via Twitter Andre Drummond (concussion) out Wednesday
Drummond has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans due to concussion-like symptoms that have kept him in the NBA’s concussion protocol and now has forced him to miss three consecutive games. Meanwhile, Ish Smith remains doubtful with a right adductor injury, but he’ll almost certainly be out given the nature of the Pistons’ injury report of late. In Drummond’s absence, Zaza Pachulia will receive the starting nod at center once again, and he’s been largely effective from a fantasy perspective in an average of 29.1 minutes over the Pistons previous three contests. Unsurprisingly, Griffin has thrived with Drummond off the court this season, as he owns a 36.4% usage rate (+4.8%) and is averaging 1.43 DraftKings and 1.39 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: Andrew Lopez via Twitter James Johnson (migraine) will start Wednesday
James Johnson has officially been upgraded from questionable and will start in Wednesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers despite battling an illness. Meanwhile, Tyler Johnson will replace Rodney McGruder in the starting lineup for tonight’s contest, though McGruder has logged fewer than 15 minutes in each of the last two games with Derrick Jones Jr. and Dion Waiters seemingly passing him in the rotation. Miami is still without Goran Dragic after he underwent a procedure on his right knee, which has enabled Justise Winslow to continue serving as the de facto point guard in the starting unit, and he’s logged at least 30 minutes in nine of the last 15 games even with Tyler Johnson and Dwyane Wade competing for minutes behind him in the backcourt rotation. Over that span, Winslow leads the Heat starters with a 25.0% usage rate and is averaging 1.11 DraftKings and 1.11 FanDuel points per minute, keeping him firmly in consideration for all formats, even at an elevated price tag across the industry.
As reported by: Mike Inglis via Twitter Kevin Huerter (neck) officially out Wednesday
Huerter has officially been downgraded from doubtful and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls due to a sore neck that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. In his absence, Taurean Prince ended up receiving the starting nod at small forward but was relatively disappointing from a fantasy perspective in 25 minutes of action, while Daniel Hamilton slotted into Prince’s vacated role off the bench and logged 16 minutes with the second unit. Despite the disappointing outing, Prince will be in a tremendous position as a bounce-back candidate in tournament formats on tonight’s slate, as he owns a 25.2% usage rate and is averaging 1.05 DraftKings and 1.04 FanDuel points per minute with Kent Bazemore and Miles Plumlee off the court, adding to his appeal if he manages to have his minutes increased for a fourth straight contest.
As reported by: Kevin Chouinard via Twitter Ben Simmons (illness) will play Wednesday
Simmons has officially been upgraded from questionable and will play in Wednesday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs despite battling an illness, while Joel Embiid is expected to be a game-time decision due to lingering back tightness that’s given him issues over the last few games. In Jimmy Butler’s absence, Corey Brewer will draw another start at small forward following a serviceable fantasy performance in 33 minutes of action in Monday’s blowout win. The previous four times Butler was sidelined, Furkan Korkmaz ended up replacing him in the starting lineup, averaging 30.4 minutes, so Brewer appears to have a significant minute floor moving forward. If Embiid is able to suit up, both he and Simmons will be elite options for all formats, as they each own at least a +2.7% usage rate differential and average a minimum of an additional +0.09 fantasy points per minute with Butler off the court this season.
As reported by: Jon Johnson via Twitter Nene Hilario (rest) out Wednesday; Kenneth Faried will start
Nene is a late addition to the Rockets’ injury report and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the New York Knicks due to rest purposes after averaging 14.4 minutes over the previous four games. In his absence, Faried will draw the start at center in the Rockets small-ball starting lineup, and he’s coming off of a serviceable fantasy outing in 23 minutes of action in Monday’s blowout loss. The Rockets are still extremely shorthanded with Clint Capela, Chris Paul, and Brandon Knight sidelined, so James Harden will need to continue shouldering nearly all of the load on the offensive end of the floor, and other than Monday’s debacle in Philadelphia, he’s largely delivered. On top of that, Harden owns a 47.5% (+4.4%) and is averaging 1.99 DraftKings and 1.93 FanDuel points per minute with the aforementioned players off the court this season.
As reported by: Jonathan Feigen via Twitter Other tagged players: Kenneth Faried James Johnson (illness) listed as questionable Wednesday
Johnson is a late addition to the Heat’s injury report and is questionable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers due to an illness. If Johnson is unable to suit up, Derrick Jones Jr. appears to be the likeliest candidate to enter the starting lineup, and he is coming off of a phenomenal fantasy outing in 29 minutes off the bench in Monday’s loss. Miami is still without Goran Dragic after he underwent a procedure on his right knee, which has enabled Justise Winslow to continue serving as the de facto point guard in the starting unit, and he’s logged at least 30 minutes in nine of the last 15 games even with Tyler Johnson and Dwyane Wade competing for minutes behind him in the backcourt rotation. Over that span, Winslow leads the Heat starters with a 25.0% usage rate and is averaging 1.11 DraftKings and 1.11 FanDuel points per minute, keeping him firmly in consideration for all formats, even at an elevated price tag across the industry.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Jimmy Butler (wrist) out Wednesday; Joel Embiid (back) listed as questionable
Butler has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs due to a sprained right wrist that has now forced him to miss two consecutive games. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid has been added to the Sixers’ injury report as questionable with lingering back tightness, joining Ben Simmons, who remains questionable because of an illness. In Butler’s absence, Corey Brewer should draw another start at small forward following a serviceable fantasy performance in 33 minutes of action in Monday’s blowout win. The previous four times Butler was sidelined, Furkan Korkmaz ended up replacing him in the starting lineup, averaging 30.4 minutes, so Brewer appears to have a significant minute floor. If Embiid and Simmons are able to suit up, they will be elite options for all formats, as they each own at least a +2.7% usage rate differential and average a minimum of an additional +0.09 fantasy points per minute with Butler off the court this season.
As reported by: Keith Pompey via Twitter Other tagged players: Joel Embiid New Face Could See Extended Run With New Team
Clint Capela’s injury has left a large hold at the center position for Houston, and the team signed Kenneth Faried to help in the middle on Monday. Faried got 23 minutes in his first game with the Rockets (despite only signing earlier that day) and he could be put up a respectable 13 points and 6 rebounds against Philadelphia. He could get even more run tonight, and draws a nice defensive matchup against a Knicks team that will be forced to start Enes Kanter again at center. Faried’s uncertain role leaves him as a risky play, but with large upside for the price he fits nicely into GPP lineups tonight.
Injuries Leave Minutes and Shots Available Against Poor Defensive Team
Kyrie Irving and Al Horford are both out for the Celtics tonight against Cleveland, meaning there should be minutes and shots to spare in both the Boston frontcourt and backcourt tonight. Terry Rozier is the obvious fill-in for Irving, but it should be noted that last time Rozier was chalk (January 14th), third-string guard Brad Wanamaker actually put up a higher score with 13 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds against Brooklyn. Guard Jaylen Brown should get some additional usage as well, with a 2.3% usage bump with Horford and Irving both off the court this season. The player with the highest usage bump with Horford and Irving off the court, however, is none other than Marcus Morris, who sees a 5.2% usage increase and a 1.20 fantasy point per minute average without the Celtics leading scorer and leading rebounder on the court this season.
Other tagged players: Terry Rozier, Brad Wanamaker, Jaylen Brown Low-Priced Center in Faster-Paced Matchup
While Lopez doesn’t have the highest minutes ceiling in the world with this Chicago team, he has been playing 19+ minutes a game lately with Carter out for an extended period of time. In his last three games, Lopez has 24, 21, 19 minutes and has 28, 14, and 26 points respectively. He draws a high-paced matchup against the Hawks, who are playing at the highest pace in the league and are near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency. Assuming that RoLo gets 20+ minutes in this matchup, he should hit value fairly easily and has upside of up to 30+ points here.
No Price Increase for This Guy
With Kawhi ruled out for this game too, VanVleet will likely get the start again. Yes, this is the second game of a back to back and VanVleet doesn’t have nearly as good of a matchup tonight, but he did just put up 39 against the Kings last night. On the season, VanVleet is averaging around a point per minute with Kawhi off the floor, and he should be in for a boatload of minutes tonight if the game stays close. While it’s possible for VanVleet to fail here, his floor is likely somewhere around 30 and he’s not priced accordingly.