DFS Alerts
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will start for Marvin Williams (shoulder) on Wednesday
Williams was ruled out in advance of Wednesday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a strained right shoulder that will keep him sidelined for at least a week. In his absence, head coach James Borrego confirmed that Kidd-Gilchrist will draw the start at power forward and Mile Bridges will come off the bench despite starting the second half of Sunday’s loss following Williams’ departure. Borrego has had a fluctuating rotation all season long, so just because Kidd-Gilchrist is starting doesn’t mean he’ll step directly into Williams’ role, and Borrego even admitted that he will fill the power forward minutes by committee and depending on the matchup. This committee will include Kidd-Gilchrist, Bridges, and Frank Kaminsky, who’s been serving as the backup center in six of the Hornets’ last seven games.
As reported by: Rod Boone via Twitter Other tagged players: Marvin Williams
Nikola Mirotic (illness) out Wednesday; Julius Randle will start
Mirotic has officially been downgraded from questionable and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks due to an illness that’s now forced him to miss two consecutive games. With Mirotic unavailable, Julius Randle will remain in starting lineup at power forward, and he’s been productive when given the opportunity in the past, as he owns a 28.3% usage rate and is averaging 1.31 DraftKings and 1.27 FanDuel with Mirotic and Elfrid Payton off the court this season. On top of that, Randle is coming off of a career performance in 39 minutes of action in Monday’s loss, keeping his ceiling astronomically high if even approaches that amount of playing time this evening. Additionally, with Andrew Harrison available to make his Pelicans debut, the minute floor of Tim Frazier may be in jeopardy with two serviceable point guards in Harrison and Ian Clark behind him in the rotation
As reported by: Will Guillory via Twitter Jeff Green (back) out Wednesday; Austin Rivers confirmed as starter at PG
Green is a late addition to the Wizards’ injury report and has officially been ruled out of Wednesday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks due to a lingering back injury, while John Wall is away from the team for the birth of his child and won’t be available to play in tonight’s contest. Head coach Scott Brooks confirmed that will start at the point guard spot in Wall’s place, which will allow Tomas Satoransky to continue starting alongside Otto Porter in the frontcourt. Still, Satoransky should be tasked with the ballhandling and playmaking responsibilities when Rivers is resting on the bench. Somewhat surprisingly, Bradley Beal hasn’t been a primary beneficiary with Wall and Dwight Howard off the court this season, and it’s actually been Porter and Kelly Oubre that each own at least a +5.2% usage rate differential in this scenario. However, given the fact that Oubre spends a majority of his playing time with the second unit, Porter appears to be the more intriguing tournament option as he’s averaged 1.20 DraftKings and 1.19 FanDuel points per minute in a 65.6 minutes sample size this season.
As reported by: the Washington Wizards via Twitter Other tagged players: Austin Rivers Ersan Ilyasova (concussion) listed out Wednesday
Ilyasova has been listed out on the most recent version of the Nets’ injury report and won’t play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons due to a concussion that’s now forced him to miss two consecutive games. In Ilyasova’s absence, Giannis Antetokounmpo has averaged an insane 40.2 minutes in the three most recent games he’s been sidelined and has recorded at least 66 fantasy points on each occasion. The vacated playing time that hasn’t been allocated to Antetokounmpo has been absorbed by Pat Connaughton, who’s averaged 26.2 minutes with Ilyasova unavailable, though Connaughton hasn’t shown enough consistency or flashed enough upside to be seriously considered as a viable option on full 10-game slate.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Joe Harris (adductor) listed as available Wednesday
Harris has been listed as available on the most recent version of the Nets’ injury report and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing three consecutive games with left adductor tightness. In Harris’ absence, Spencer Dinwiddie started alongside D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt and averaged 34.5 minutes over that span despite some underwhelming results from a fantasy perspective. There’s been no official confirmation on who Harris will replace in the starting lineup, but Dinwiddie still appears to be the likeliest candidate to resume his accustomed sixth man role off the bench. Russell is coming off of a monster fantasy performance in Monday’s loss, but he sets up a decent tournament fade in a tough matchup, despite leading the Nets with a 34.3% usage rate without Caris LeVert on the court this season.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Omari Spellman (hip) available to play Wednesday
Spellman has been upgraded from probable and will be available to play in Wednesday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards despite dealing with right hip soreness, while Taurean Prince is already slated to miss at least three weeks due to a bone bruise, ligament sprain, and inflammation in his left ankle. In his absence, Kent Bazemore will likely re-enter the starting lineup at small forward after averaging 23.6 minutes off the bench over the last five games. As for Spellman, he’s seen his role in the rotation diminish with the return of John Collins and Dewayne Dedmon and logged just under eight minutes in Tuesday’s loss. Collins has only played 77.6 minutes with Prince off the court this season, but in that limited time, he’s recorded a 25.9% usage rate and is averaging 1.16 DraftKings and 1.12 FanDuel points per minute.
As reported by: Kevin Chouinard via Twitter Luka Doncic (arm) listed probable Wednesday; Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) listed questionable
Doncic has been listed as probable on the most recent version of the Mavericks’ injury report for Wednesday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a right arm contusion, while Smith Jr. has once again been listed as questionable with a sprained right wrist but should be expected to play considering he’s yet to miss a game to this point because of his wrist ailment. As for Doncic, he still managed to log 32 minutes in Tuesday’s win, so he’ll likely be a full-go barring some unforeseen setback during pregame warmups. Doncic, Smith Jr, and Harrison Barnes continue to be the focal points of the Mavericks offense, though Doncic still leads the starters with a 26.3% usage rate and is averaging 1.08 DraftKings and 1.05 FanDuel points per minute to this juncture in the season.
As reported by: NBA Official Injury Report Other tagged players: Dennis Smith Jr. This Big Man Should See a Big Usage Bump Tonight
Nikola Jokic could get overlooked playing on the road in Orlando tonight, as the Denver big man averages over two rebounds less (10.7 at home, 8.5 on the road) and one assist less (8.2 at home, 6.8 on the road) on the road this season. It’s worth noting, however, that he has put up some monster games against Orlando and Nikola Vucevic in his career, averaging 15.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 11 rebounds against Orlando over the past three seasons, and coming close to a triple-double in almost every game. Denver is favored by 5.5 points on the road despite missing Gary Harris this evening, and Jokic sees an incredible 9.3% usage bump with Harris off the court this season.
Game with the night's highest point total features bargain players
The Wizards – Hawks matchup features the teams ranking 29th and 30th respectively in opponent points allowed, and the Vegas total has been set accordingly at 231, the highest point total of the night. This game features DFS bargains and upside plays galore, with both teams missing two of their highest usage players with Taurean Prince (24% usage) and John Wall (30.8% usage) both expected to miss the game. Austin Rivers is expected to move into the starting lineup for Washington, while Tomas Satoransky should see some increased run at the point guard position as well. Bradley Beal will be the centerpiece of the Wizards offense, and Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre could get some increased usage as well. On the Hawks side, DeAndre Bembry will likely fill some of the minutes left by Prince, while Trae Young sees a 31.8% usage (a 1.5% increase) with Prince off the court this season. Dewayne Dedmon is another name to consider for Atlanta, facing a Wizards team with the worst rebounding differential in the league.
Other tagged players: Tomas Satoransky, Kelly Oubre, Otto Porter Jr., Austin Rivers, Trae Young, DeAndre Bembry, Dewayne Dedmon Increased Minutes Because Of Injury
Didn’t really see the John Wall news coming, which makes Bradley Beal one of my favorite plays on this slate. With that said, Austin Rivers should see an increase in minutes, and while I don’t feel great about playing him, it’s hard to fade him at his price against Atlanta. Rivers receives a 4.5% usage bump with Wall and Howard off the floor this season, and he’s averaging .74 fantasy points per minute. Add in a matchup with Atlanta, and he should have no problem hitting value on this slate. Atlanta ranks 29th in defensive efficiency and 30th in defensive real plus minus against point guards.
Safer Value Option
After playing 18 minutes in his return from an 11-game absence, Hill played 35 minutes against Brooklyn on Monday. Hill is extremely cheap across the industry and becomes one of the safest cash game options on this slate. With 30 minutes at this price, he really only needs 20 fantasy points to hit value for cash games. Hill is likely going to start at shooting guard with Sexton at point guard. The Warriors are 19th in defensive efficiency and 28th in defensive real plus minus against shooting guards.
John Wall (personal) out Wednesday
Wall did not travel with the team to Atlanta and has officially been ruled out of Wednesday’s matchup against the Hawks due to personal reasons. There’s a number of ways head coach Scott Brooks can go with his starting lineup sans Wall, but Austin Rivers is expected to start at the point guard spot, which will allow Tomas Satoransky to continue starting alongside Otto Porter in the frontcourt. Still, Satoransky should be tasked with the ballhandling and playmaking responsibilities when Rivers is resting on the bench. Somewhat surprisingly, Bradley Beal hasn’t been a primary beneficiary with Wall and Dwight Howard off the court this season, and it’s actually been Porter and Kelly Oubre that each own at least a +5.2% usage rate differential in this scenario. However, given the fact that Oubre spends a majority of his playing time with the second unit, Porter appears to be the more intriguing tournament option as he’s averaged 1.20 DraftKings and 1.19 FanDuel points per minute in a 65.6 minutes sample size this season.
As reported by: Candace Buckner via Twitter Omari Spellman (hip) probable Wednesday
Spellman has been added to the Hawks’ injury report and is listed as probable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards due to right hip soreness, while Taurean Prince is already slated to miss at least three weeks with a bone bruise, ligament sprain, and inflammation in his left ankle. In his absence, Kent Bazemore will likely re-enter the starting lineup at small forward after averaging 23.6 minutes off the bench over the last five games. As for Spellman, he’s seen his role in the rotation diminish with the return of John Collins and Dewayne Dedmon and logged just under eight minutes in Tuesday’s loss. Collins has only played 77.6 minutes with Prince off the court this season, but in that limited time, he’s recorded a 25.9% usage rate and is averaging 1.16 DraftKings and 1.12 FanDuel points per minute.
As reported by: Kevin Chouinard via Twitter Increased Role With His New Team
Alec Burks has played three games with his new team and has played at least 23 minutes in each of those games. I don’t think we see him approach the 30-minute mark, but I think 25-27 minutes is a realistic projection for him tonight. He has at least 13 points and six rebounds in each of the three games with the Cavs. The Cavs have a 106.3 implied team total, which is 3.6 points higher than their season average, and even though it’s one of the lowest implied team total on the slate, there is some really good value on the Cavs tonight.
Like The Upside On DraftKings
With Taurean Prince out tonight, that’s around 30 minutes to be spread out through this team. Not to mention they draw an excellent matchup against the Washington Wizards. Kevin Huerter has been playing 19-33 minutes a night over the last five games and has at least 20 fantasy points in four of those five games. I like his chances to play closer to 30 minutes tonight, and I really like his upside on DraftKings. I think he’s an okay play on FanDuel, but his price stands out a lot more on DraftKings tonight.