DFS Alerts

Myles Turner (shoulder), Darren Collison (leg), and Cory Joseph (thigh) available to play Tuesday

Turner has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Tuesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns after missing four consecutive games due to a sore right shoulder, while Darren Collison and Cory Joseph are also available despite dealing with their respective ailments. There’s been no word if Turner will be subject to a minute restriction in his first game back, but given the nature of the injury, he’ll likely be a full-go and was in the midst of probably one of the better stretches of his career from a fantasy perspective prior to his absence. With Turner returning to starting lineup this evening, Domantas Sabonis will more than likely head back to the bench to resume a reserve role after averaging 31 minutes in his four latest starts at center, though he’s consistently been a solid source of fantasy value no matter if he’s starting or coming off the bench this season.

Shooting Wing Players

With Prince still on limited minutes, Bazemore out, and Jeremy Lin doubtful, Kevin Huerter should continue to see 35+ minutes tonight. He has at least 28 fantasy points in three of the last four games, and he’s played at least 33 minutes in seven straight games. While Terrance Ferguson is a good defender, he continues to struggle with shooting wing players. Overall, Huerter has one of the best DVA matchups on the slate.

Low Owned Tournament Play

One of my favorite off the board value plays tonight is Bam Adebayo. Over the last four games, he is averaging 7.1 minutes and 8 fantasy points over his season average. Whiteside missed the last game and Bam played 37 minutes and scored 32 fantasy points, and he’s now put up at least 30 fantasy points in four of the last five games. This isn’t the best matchup, but I do want to take advantage of the increased minutes and production before too many people catch on.

Josh Richardson (knee) will play Tuesday

Richardson is still technically listed as probable on the Heat’s injury report, but he confirmed with reporters that he’s ready to go for Tuesday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks despite dealing with knee tendinitis. Miami is still without Goran Dragic after he underwent a procedure on his right knee, which will enable Justise Winslow to continue serving as the de facto point guard in the starting unit, and he’s logged at least 30 minutes in eight of the last 11 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 25.7% usage rate and is averaging 1.15 DraftKings and 1.15 FanDuel points per minute, keeping him firmly in consideration for all formats, even at an elevated price tag across the industry.

Watch For The Starting Lineup

With Dedmon out last game, Spellman drew the start and played 29 minutes against the Bucks. If he draws another start at center, he’s one of the better value plays on the slate. He’s averaging just under a fantasy points per minute (.93) this season, and if he’s going to play 25+ minutes, he’s just too cheap. The matchup against Steven Adams does concern me, but at this price, it’s worth taking a shot.

Derrick Rose (ankle) expects to play Tuesday

Rose is still technically listed as questionable, but he confirmed with reporters that he’s feeling good and expects to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing six of the last seven games due to a sprained right ankle. Meanwhile, Jeff Teague participated in practice on Monday and shootaround this morning, so he appears to be trending in the right direction to suit up in tonight’s contest, despite being classified as a game-time decision with a sprained left ankle he sustained in Saturday’s win. Rose was limited to just 28 minutes in his first game under interim head coach Ryan Saunders, but he owns a 27.6% usage rate and is averaging 1.06 DraftKings and 1.05 FanDuel points per minute in 590.3 minutes played since Jimmy Butler was traded to Philadelphia in mid-November, which likely limits the upside of the Timberwolves’ starting unit if Rose is able to play this evening.

Jeremy Lin (illness) downgraded to doubtful Tuesday; Taurean Prince (illness) now probable

Lin has officially been downgraded from probable to doubtful for Tuesday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to flu-like symptoms, while Prince has been upgraded from questionable to probable despite also battling an illness. With Dewayne Dedmon listed as doubtful with a sprained left ankle, Omari Spellman is on track to draw a second consecutive start at center following a stellar fantasy performance in 30 minutes of action in Sunday’s loss, though Alex Len still remains a candidate to start despite logging just 17 minutes off the bench in that contest. Since Lin is now unlikely to play, DeAndre Bembry should have a safer minute floor as the starter alongside Kevin Huerter on the wing, especially with Prince recording just 11 minutes in his return from an extended injury hiatus stemming from a sprained right ankle in the Hawks previous contest.

Jeff Teague (ankle) a game-time decision Tuesday

Teague is a new addition to the Timberwolves’ injury report and will be a game-time decision for Tuesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers due to a sprained left ankle he sustained during Saturday’s win, while Derrick Rose remains questionable with a sprained right ankle that has kept him sidelined for six of the last seven games. Teague participated in practice on Monday and shootaround this morning, so he appears to be trending in the right direction to suit up, but there’s yet to be an actionable status update on Rose despite the Timberwolves wrapping up their walkthrough just a short time ago. Rose was limited to just 28 minutes in his first game under interim head coach Ryan Saunders, but he owns a 27.6% usage rate and is averaging 1.06 DraftKings and 1.05 FanDuel points per minute in 590.3 minutes played since Jimmy Butler was traded to Philadelphia in mid-November, which likely limits the upside of the Timberwolves’ starting unit if Rose is able to play this evening.

Jamal Crawford (knee) out Tuesday

Crawford is a new addition to the Suns’ injury report and won’t play in the Tuesday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers due to a sore left knee, marking the third consecutive game he’s missed for various reasons, while Devin Booker will make his return from a three-game absence because of back spasms. Booker managed to participate fully in Monday’s practice, and head coach Igor Kokoskov already confirmed with reporters that Booker won’t be limited by a minute restriction in his first game back this evening. The availability of Booker will send Josh Jackson back to the bench to resume a reserve role following three straight respectable fantasy outings in an average of 30.8 minutes per start, and De’Anthony Melton will also see his role in the rotation decreased after logging at least 32 minutes in two of the Suns’ previous three games.

Chasing The GPP Upside

Ball’s play has been a little hit or miss of late, but the good news is that the minutes and the secondary stats are still there. He is averaging seven rebounds and almost eight assists per game over the last four contests for the Lakers, and the triple-double potential is there if his shot is falling. While that is a big “if” — I am willing to take shots on the upside in tournament formats. The matchup is a solid one against the Bulls, the playing time will be there, and the price tag isn’t outrageous. Give him a look as a mid-range option.

Massive Risk/Reward Potential

This one is not for the faint of heart, but I do think Len is viable in tournaments today. While it has been Spellman getting the minutes over Len in general with Dedmon sidelined, this matchup could be one where Len is needed a little more. Len’s size plays better against Steven Adams and company, and it would not shock me to see Len grab 24-26 minutes tonight. If that is the case, given Len’s dirt cheap price point, I like the value appeal. It makes a little more sense on FD where you can drop the score if he lays an egg — but sometimes it takes picks like this to win a GPP in DFS.

Knocking Down The Shots

We know the usage is going to be there for Kuzma with LeBron James sidelined; it all comes down to whether or not he can make shots. He woke up in the second half of Sunday’s game against Cleveland, and he found his way to a 40+ fantasy point day despite struggling early in that one. This is a favorable matchup against a bad Bulls team, and I like the way Kuzma matches up against Chicago’s forward unit. He is averaging 22 shot attempts over his last four games, and there’s 50+ fantasy point potential if this game stays close. Give Kuzma a long look in GPPs today.

Prioritize an OKC Stud

However you slice it, I think you need to start your lineups with one of the two OKC studs tonight. They draw a great matchup against the Hawks and own an implied team total of 121 points. This is a huge pace up game for them, and George and Westbrook combine for a 63% usage rate on the season. Both have tremendous floors and huge ceilings in this spot. Salary and roster construction will generally have me starting with Westbrook on DK/FDRAFT and George on FD, but you can’t go wrong with either.

NBA Injury Rundown - Tuesday, 1/15

Indiana Pacers – Myles Turner (Q), Darren Collison (Q), Cory Joseph (Q)

Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Rose (Q), Robert Covington (O)

Atlanta Hawks – John Collins (P), Jeremy Lin (P), Taurean Prince (Q), Dewayne Dedmon (D)

Miami Heat – Josh Richardson (P), Goran Dragic (O)

Milwaukee Bucks – Giannis Antetokounmpo (P), Donte DiVincenzo (P)

Denver Nuggets – Gary Harris (Q), Trey Lyles (Q), Isaiah Thomas (O), Michael Porter Jr. (O), Jarred Vanderbilt (O)

Chicago Bulls – Bobby Portis (P), Wayne Selden (P), Denzel Valentine (O)

Maurice Harkless (knee) out Monday

Harkless has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Monday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings due to a sore left knee that has now forced him to miss five of the last six games. Jake Layman and Evan Turner have split the starts at small forward in the Trail Blazers previous four games, but Layman has started the last two and has been underwhelming from a fantasy perspective in an average of 22.6 minutes per contest. Turner hasn’t been particularly great fantasy purposes over that same time span either, but he still remains the preferred target over Layman for all formats given his significantly higher minute ceiling on a nightly basis, despite averaging just 24.5 minutes off the bench in the previous two contests.