DFS Alerts
Otto Porter (quad) out Saturday
Porter has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets due to a strained right knee that’s now forced him to miss 10 consecutive games, while John Wall and Markieff Morris will remain sidelined for a second straight day with their respective ailments. In Wall’s absence, Tomas Satoransky will draw another start at point guard following a solid fantasy performance in 39 minutes of action in Friday’s loss, demonstrating the massive minute floor he possesses for his current price tag across the industry. As for Morris, his absence should allow Ian Mahinmi to still serve as the main backup behind Thomas Robinson at center after logging 18 minutes in yesterday’s contest. There’s not a huge sample size with Wall and the other missing Wizards off the court together this season, but in that limited time, Bradley Beal has thrived offensively with a 36.8% usage rate (+8.2%) and is averaging 1.56 DraftKings and 1.51 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario as well.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter
Darius Miller (illness) out Saturday; Solomon Hill will likely start
Miller has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets due to an illness that forced him to miss the second half of Friday’s win, while Nikola Mirotic will miss his eighth consecutive game because of a right ankle injury. Following Miller’s exit in the previous contest, Solomon Hill started the second half along with E’Twaun Moore, while Hill managed to play just under 33 minutes in relief but was ultimately still relatively uninspiring from a fantasy perspective. The absence of Mirotic will allow Julius Randle to continue logging heavy minutes as the starting power forward alongside Anthony Davis in the frontcourt, and he still ranks second on the Pelicans with a 27.9% usage rate and is averaging 1.29 DraftKings and 1.27 FanDuel points on the season.
As reported by: Will Guillory via Twitter Other tagged players: Solomon Hill Giannis Antetokounmpo (foot) and Khris Middleton (quad) expected to play Saturday
Antetokounmpo and Middleton are both expected to play in Saturday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets despite dealing with the respective ailments that landed them on the Bucks’ injury report. The Bucks are still without Ersan Ilyasova as he continues to recover from nasal surgery, so D.J. Wilson will continue to have an expanded role in the second unit and has logged at least 21 minutes off the bench in four of the last six games. With Antetokounmpo dominating such a large percentage of the Milwaukee offense, Middleton has been largely inconsistent from a fantasy perspective this season, but he still owns a 25.8% usage rate and is averaging 1.08 DraftKings and 1.04 FanDuel points per minute on the year, keeping him in consideration as a mid-range tournament option on most slates.
As reported by: Matt Velazquez via Twitter Other tagged players: Khris Middleton Paul Millsap (toe) and Malik Beasley (ankle) questionable Saturday; Jamal Murray (ankle) probable
Millsap has surprisingly been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns after missing eight consecutive games due to a fractured right big toe, while Beasley is also questionable and Murray is considered probable because of their respective ailments. The Nuggets will still be without Gary Harris and Will Barton, so Millsap will likely replace Mason Plumlee in the starting lineup if he’s cleared to return, and Plumlee would head back to the bench to resume a reserve role after logging at least 29 minutes in each of the Nuggets last four games. However, Millsap would likely be subject to a minute restriction in his theoretical first game back, so his presence won’t have too much of an impact on the remainder of the rotation from the outset. Additionally, Nikola Jokic continues to thrive with Harris and Barton off the court, as he owns a 30.1% usage rate (+3.1%) and is averaging 1.50 DraftKings and 1.48 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: Nick Kosmider via Twitter Other tagged players: Malik Beasley, Jamal Murray Ricky Rubio (back, knee) out Saturday; Dante Exum (shoulder) available to play
Rubio has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Saturday’s matchup against the New York Knicks due to a left lower back contusion and left knee contusion, joining Jae Crowder and Grayson Allen among the other Jazz inactives for tonight’s contest. Meanwhile, Dante Exum has been cleared to play following his original probable designation and will likely start at point guard in Rubio’s absence after he posted two straight impressive fantasy performances in a reserve role. On the other hand, Derrick Favors should now be locked into a significantly higher minute with Crowder sidelined, and Thabo Sefolosha should benefit from an increased role off the bench. On top of that, Favors has easily been the main beneficiary, other than Exum, with both Rubio and Crowder off the court this season, as he owns a 23.6% usage rate (+4.9%) and is averaging 1.36 DraftKings and 1.42 FanDuel points per minute in a 98.8 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Andy Larsen via Twitter Other tagged players: Dante Exum Rodney Hood (Achilles) and Ante Zizic (knee) listed questionable Saturday
Hood and Zizic have both been listed as questionable on the most recent version of the Cavaliers’ injury report for Saturday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks due to their respective ailments, while David Nwaba and Tristan Thompson each remain sidelined, though Thompson is expected to return to action at some point this upcoming week. There’s been no confirmation if either Hood or Zizic will be subject to minute restrictions if they’re cleared to play, but given the nature of their injuries, it appears likelier than not that they would be monitored by the coaching and medical staffs. The Cavaliers were down to just nine available players in Friday’s loss, which enabled Channing Frye and Jaron Blossomgame to enter the starting lineup, while Larry Nance was relegated to the bench but was still allotted 29 minutes compared to the 18 minutes Frye recorded as the nominal starting center.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Ante Zizic Otto Porter (knee) listed questionable Saturday; John Wall (heel) and Markieff Morris (back, neck) remain out
Porter has been listed as questionable on the most recent version of Wizards’ injury report for Saturday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets after missing nine consecutive games due to a strained right knee, while Wall and Morris will remain sidelined for a second straight day with their respective ailments. In Wall’s absence, Tomas Satoransky will likely draw another start at point guard following a solid fantasy performance in 39 minutes of action in Friday’s loss, demonstrating the massive minute floor he possesses for his current price tag across the industry. As for Morris, his absence opens should allow Ian Mahinmi to serve as the main backup behind Thomas Robinson at center after logging 18 minutes in yesterday’s contest. There’s not a huge sample size with Wall and the other missing Wizards off the court together this season, but in that limited time, Bradley Beal has thrived offensively with a 36.8% usage rate (+8.2%) and is averaging 1.56 DraftKings and 1.51 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario as well.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: John Wall, Markieff Morris D'Angelo Russell (rest) and Ed Davis (rest) out Saturday
Russell and Davis are new additions to the Nets’ injury report and will not play in Saturday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks due to rest purposes, while Allen Crabbe will miss his eighth consecutive game with a sore right knee. In Russell’s absence, Spencer Dinwiddie will likely draw the start at point guard, and he already has a solid minute floor when Russell is active, logging at least 32 minutes in four of the Nets last six games. Other than Theo Pinson, who was just recalled from the G-League earlier this afternoon, Brooklyn will have just nine available players for tonight’s contest, which raises the projected minute floors of all the starters and key reserves like DeMarre Carroll and Shabazz Napier this evening. With the aforementioned players off the court this season, Dinwiddie and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson have been the clear beneficiaries, as each own at least a 27.8% usage rate (+4.2%) and average a minimum increase of +0.20 DraftKings and +0.17 FanDuel points per minute over their normal season totals in this scenario.
As reported by: the Brooklyn Nets via Twitter Other tagged players: Ed Davis Top Cash Value
Tomas Satoransky has filled in nicely when needed and should see plenty of minutes again on Saturday night with John Wall doubtful. Satoransky replaced Wall in the lineup on Friday night as he cleared 24 fantasy points in 39 minutes of court time. Satoransky is not a high usage player but but should see enough action to pay off his dirt cheap price tag once again on Saturday.
Scoring Tear
James Harden’s point totals in the last four games with Chris Paul out or limited : 45, 41, 39, 35. Harden quite literally has shown a floor of 35 points based on scoring alone over the last four contests as his usage remains insane with Chris Paul off the court this season (44.7%). Harden is averaging 63.2 DK points and 60.62 FD points per 36 minutes without Paul on the court which is even more ridiculous when you consider he’s seeing about 40 minutes of court time in Paul’s absence. It appears we will have enough value options available on Saturday where paying up for Harden and Anthony Davis in cash games will be a completely viable strategy.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) available to play Saturday
Hardaway Jr. has officially been upgraded from questionable and will be available to play in Saturday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz after missing one game due to an illness. In his absence, Courtney Lee received the starting nod at shooting guard and was serviceable from a fantasy perspective in 23 minutes of action in Thursday’s loss. However, he’s either been a DNP-CD logged fewer than 10 minutes in the Knicks three previous games. Instead, head coach David Fizdale has opted to utilize Allonzo Trier and Damyean Dotson as the primary backups at the guard and wing positions, which has resulted in Frank Ntilikina and Trey Burke alternating DNP-CDs over the last two games. Additionally, Luke Kornet will remain in the starting lineup, and he owns a 21.4% usage rate (+1.3%) with an average of 1.10 DraftKings and 1.07 FanDuel points per minute with Mitchell Robinson off the court this season, keeping him as an elite salary relief option in all formats.
As reported by: NY_KnicksPR via Twitter Dewayne Dedmon (knee) doubtful Saturday; Alex Len (back) and Alex Poythress (ankle) questionable
Dedmon is officially considered doubtful for Saturday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a sore left knee, while Alex Len, Alex Poythress, and Miles Plumlee are all listed as questionable on the Hawks’ injury report with their respective ailments. With Dedmon likely unavailable, Len would be the leading candidate to enter the starting lineup at center assuming he’s cleared to return from a two-game absence because of a strained back. This would also likely allow Omari Spellman to rejoin the frontcourt rotation after playing just seven total minutes and accruing a DNP-CD in the Hawks last two games. With Dedmon and Taurean Prince off the court this season, John Collins has thrived from a fantasy production standpoint and is averaging 1.48 DraftKings and 1.46 FanDuel points per minute with a 24.5% usage rate in a 123.1 minutes sample size.
As reported by: Kevin Chouinard via Twitter Other tagged players: Alex Len, Alex Poythress Heavy Usage, Minutes
With John Wall doubtful for Saturday night it looks like another night where a Wizards onslaught, led by Beal, will be the core of cash game lineups. Beal didn’t disappoint in this same scenario on Friday night as he posted a 34/7/5 stat line on 27 shot attempts. Saturday’s matchup isn’t quite as favorable against the Hornets but the volume and minutes should be there for Beal for as long as this game stays close (Washington are currently two point dogs).
Darius Miller (illness) questionable Saturday
Miller is officially considered questionable for Saturday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets due to an illness that forced him to miss the second half of Friday’s win. Following his exit, Solomon Hill started the second half along with E’Twaun Moore, while Hill managed to play just under 33 minutes in relief but was ultimately still relatively uninspiring from a fantasy perspective. There’s been no official update on the status of Nikola Mirotic, but more than likely, he’ll miss his eighth consecutive game because of a right ankle injury. This will allow Julius Randle to continue logging heavy minutes as the starting power forward alongside Anthony Davis in the frontcourt, and he still ranks second on the Pelicans with a 27.9% usage rate and is averaging 1.29 DraftKings and 1.27 FanDuel points on the season.
As reported by: Andrew Lopez via Twitter JaVale McGee (illness) out Friday
McGee has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Friday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers due to an illness that’s now forced him to miss seven consecutive games, while LeBron James and Rajon Rondo both also remain sidelined because of their respective ailments. With McGee unavailable, Ivica Zubac has started the last four games at center and logged at least 31 minutes in all but one of those starts, but he is coming off of a subpar fantasy performance in just 20 minutes of action in Thursday’s loss. On the other hand, Chandler finally eclipsed the 20-minute mark for the first time in his last seven games, which does leave Zubac’s projected minute floor in some doubt heading into tonight’s slate. Even though Lonzo Ball nearly recorded a triple-double in yesterday’s contest, Kyle Kuzma still appears to be the clear beneficiary with McGee, James, and Rondo off the court this season, as he owns a 34.7% usage rate (+10.4%) and is averaging 1.28 DraftKings and 1.24 FanDuel points per minute in this scenario.
As reported by: Tania Ganguli via Twitter